"Damn, this Black Wind Stronghold is really poor this time. Most of it is just food and ordinary weapons, hardly any money."

"Tell me about it. Last year, I read online that this place was loaded. Someone found a Profound Grade sword and sold it for over five million."

"Black Wind Stronghold's annual event, and although it's been poor in the past, it's never been this bad. The veteran players all said there'd at least be Yellow Grade items. Where are they? It's all a scam!"

"Well, be content. At least there's some gain. How about the dungeon? Freeing those captured civilians can earn some reputation. Every little bit counts."

...

Hearing their discussion, Lin Feng lowered the sword he had raised.

He wanted to clarify that he absolutely had no intention of killing and looting. Absolutely not!

Upon hearing that no one had gone to the dungeon yet, Lin Feng decisively rushed over, getting there before everyone else, despite the sneers and mockery from the other players.

"This idiot, coming in last and still so eager."

"Does this guy really think there's something good in the dungeon? Haha."

"Every year, the dungeon is just about rescuing civilians. Saving ten people only adds 1 point of reputation."

"Forget it, let him go alone. That brat runs faster than a rabbit. By the time we catch up, there won't be many people left."

"True, let's go. If other players come in and get jealous, it won't be good if they snatch our stuff."

...

The stronghold wasn't large, and it didn't take Lin Feng long to find the so-called dungeon.

The dungeon was dim and damp, with faint silhouettes of a dozen or so people inside.

With so few people, even rescuing all of them wouldn't add up to two points of reputation. No wonder those players gave up.

But Lin Feng, with the typical Chinese attitude of "since I'm here, might as well," entered the dungeon. The keys to the cells were conveniently placed at the entrance.

He picked up the keys and began trying them on each cell door.

With each door he opened, a few ragged, emaciated people would come out and bow in thanks.

"Thank you, Benefactor~"

"Thank you, Benefactor~"

"Thank you, Benefactor~"

Lin Feng didn't think much of it and urged them to leave quickly.

When he reached the last cell, he unlocked it as usual and was about to leave.

But as he turned, he heard a bright and melodious voice.

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"Thank you, Benefactor, for saving me~"

Lin Feng turned back in confusion, only to find a young girl in blue standing before him, her face streaked with tears, looking pitiful.

She seemed to have been captured not long ago, as her clothes were relatively clean, though she was clearly frightened, looking at Lin Feng with apprehension.

Lin Feng, who never played games, didn't realize she might be an NPC. He simply told her to leave quickly and turned to go.

If other players saw this, they'd probably call Lin Feng an idiot.

This girl was clearly different from the others, likely an important character.

But to Lin Feng, a gaming novice, he didn't understand any of this.

In his past life as a mercenary, he wandered from place to place, constantly involved in battles.

He avoided using electronic devices to prevent tracking, and in his spare time, he enjoyed reading wuxia novels or cookbooks to pass the time, or occasionally indulging in some hentai comics...

His gaming knowledge came entirely from Fang Zhiqiu, which is why he couldn't see anything amiss.

Seeing Lin Feng leave so nonchalantly, the girl was momentarily stunned but quickly limped after him.

Once outside the dungeon, the girl called out to Lin Feng, "Benefactor, please wait."

Lin Feng turned back and asked, "Is there something else?"

"Could you take me to my sister? I'm too scared to go alone," the girl pleaded.

Lin Feng finally realized there might be a quest involved.

"Where's your sister, and what's her name?"

The girl answered truthfully, "My sister's name is Guo Furong, and she lives at the Tongfu Inn in Seven Heroes Town."

Lin Feng's eyelid twitched as he asked again, "What's your sister's name?"

The girl replied nervously, "Guo... Guo Furong. Why, Benefactor?"

"And what's your name?"

"Guo Qiangwei."

Lin Feng suddenly understood. So this girl was indeed Guo Furong's sister.

Guo Furong did have a sister by that name.

Looking at Guo Qiangwei, Lin Feng hesitated for a moment before agreeing, "Alright, I'll take you back."

"Really? That's great! Thank you, Benefactor. I'll never forget your kindness! I'll make sure my sister properly thanks you when we get back."

Seeing Lin Feng agree, Guo Qiangwei was overjoyed and moved closer to him, as if it made her feel safer.

Lin Feng received a notification.

[Hidden Quest]: Escort Guo Qiangwei safely back to Tongfu Inn

[Quest Difficulty]: Easy

[Quest Reward]: Unknown

Seeing the quest description, Lin Feng felt a bit disappointed. He didn't expect the quest to be of easy difficulty, which meant the reward probably wouldn't be anything special.

But since he had already accepted it, and he was heading back anyway, taking someone along wouldn't be much trouble.

"Let's go, I'll take you to your sister."

Lin Feng was even a bit hopeful. After helping Guo Furong so much, surely she wouldn't still dislike him, right? Maybe she'd even give him the second move of the Raging Waves Palm?

"Mm-hmm, you're really nice, Benefactor."

Guo Qiangwei nodded happily and followed Lin Feng out of the stronghold.

As soon as they emerged, Lin Feng saw the Chief being executed on the spot by experts from the Imperial Court.

The players watching were disappointed, having gained nothing, and left one after another.

Some, realizing too late, rushed towards the stronghold.

Lin Feng felt a bit regretful. He had actually wanted to spar with a third-rate expert, but it seemed that wouldn't happen this time.

The two of them descended the mountain, only to find that Guo Qiangwei had twisted her ankle, making it difficult for her to walk, let alone go down the mountain.

"Benefactor, could you... carry me down the mountain?" Guo Qiangwei asked shyly.

Lin Feng, eager to get back quickly, crouched down without hesitation.

Guo Qiangwei happily climbed onto his back.

With her on his back, Lin Feng took off at top speed down the mountain.

By the time they reached Seven Heroes Town, it was already dark. Fortunately, he was fast; other players probably wouldn't arrive until midnight.

Lin Feng headed straight for Tongfu Inn, where Bai Zhantang was still energetically trying to attract customers at the entrance.

Thinking it was just another visitor, Bai Zhantang's smile vanished when he recognized Lin Feng, and he started shooing him away disdainfully.

"You brat, what are you doing here again? Get lost, I don't want to see you."

Lin Feng chuckled and said, "You may not want to see me, but I'm sure Guo Furong does."

Bai Zhantang scoffed, "Ha, what nonsense are you spouting? Little Guo curses you every day, wishing she could crush you. See you? You must be dreaming."

Lin Feng teased, "What if I told you I rescued her sister from Black Wind Stronghold? Do you think she'd want to see me then?"

Bai Zhantang was skeptical at first, but then he noticed the girl next to Lin Feng, who bore a resemblance to Guo Furong.

"Hello, I'm looking for my sister, Guo Furong. Is she here?"

Bai Zhantang began to believe him and hurried inside to ask around.

In no time, Guo Furong rushed out, and upon seeing Guo Qiangwei, she was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged her sister tightly.

The reunion of the sisters drew Tong Xiangyu and the others out to watch the scene.

Guo Furong asked her sister for details, and upon learning that she had been captured by mountain bandits and rescued by Lin Feng, her expression turned a bit complicated.

"Ahem... thanks."

Lin Feng, however, pushed his luck, "You think a simple thank you is enough?"

"What more do you want?" Guo Furong asked through gritted teeth.

At this point, Tong Xiangyu stepped forward and said, "How about this? You saved Little Guo's sister, so on her behalf, I thank you. From now on, you can come and go freely at the inn, and your meals and lodging will be free. Is that enough?"

Lin Feng was taken aback. He hadn't expected this kind of reward...

He had intended to ask for the second move of the Raging Waves Palm, but ended up with a lifetime membership at the inn instead.

But considering the quest was of easy difficulty, getting a martial arts skill for simply escorting someone down a mountain seemed unlikely.

After all, he had just stumbled upon Guo Qiangwei by chance, and this reward was already quite decent.

Lin Feng could only accept it, then swaggered into the inn.

"Since I'm tired and hungry, bring me some of your best dishes and prepare a top-notch room for me. I need a good meal and a good night's sleep."

Though reluctant, the others had no choice but to comply.

And so, Lin Feng enjoyed a hearty meal at Tongfu Inn.

As night fell, he went upstairs to rest, planning to visit the yamen for his reward the next day.