Fair-weather Brothers

“Since you all saw me kill that man surnamed Ling, why didn’t you come out and rescue him?” Chen Sheng looked at Yan Shidong, teasing him as he silently speculated about the next “game plot” that would unfold.

If nothing unexpected happened, it would be the classic scenario: law and duty above all, brothers turning against each other. Yan Shidong, this “NPC,” would naturally stand on the side of justice, while he—Chen Sheng—would be the true villain.

“So, should I say, ‘Detective Yan, I had no choice before, but now I want to be a good person’?” Chen Sheng felt it necessary to give himself more lines.

Otherwise, the game wouldn’t be much fun!

But as soon as Chen Sheng finished speaking, it was as if the scene had been paused; Yan Shidong’s expression froze immediately.

He knew very well that families like the Ling clan cared little for the lives of their subordinates. The one who killed Ling Tianquan would die, and those who witnessed Ling Tianquan’s death would also die, whether they tried to rescue him or not.

It sounded alarmist, but it was a terrifying reality: the higher the social class, the greater the disregard for human life.

Yan Shidong had once heard about a mining district where, unwilling to pay a hefty compensation, the owner decided, upon learning the deceased was an outsider with only a few compatriots in the mine, to bury all of them alive.

How did this story get out later? Not because someone grew a conscience, nor because someone dared to expose the crime, but simply—because the place became haunted!

If even a mine owner dared such things, what about the Ling family?

They were aristocrats!

Suddenly, Yan Shidong’s expression shifted, and he shouted excitedly, “Ah Chen! I can only suppress the news of you killing Young Master Ling for three days. In these three days, run as far as you can!”

While saying this, Yan Shidong put down his gun and gave his men a meaningful look.

Since they couldn’t get Chen Sheng to confess directly, they might as well charge him with fleeing out of guilt! As long as Chen Sheng ran, fact or not, it would become fact.

Earlier, after Chen Sheng ceased fire, they searched the area but didn’t encounter those supreme martial artists of the One Yuan Realm, so Yan Shidong didn’t know who killed Ling Tianquan.

From the beginning, he and his uncle had planned to frame someone.

Of course, in this case, they hadn’t framed the wrong person.

Now, seeing Yan Shidong put away his gun, the station’s police officers instantly understood his intent, so they quickly holstered their weapons as well, signaling the others to do the same.

“You’re letting me go?” Chen Sheng’s face twisted with confusion.

“We’re brothers—how could I watch you die here?” Yan Shidong spoke with genuine emotion.

Chen Sheng: “…”

If you hadn’t just aimed a gun at me, I might actually believe your nonsense.

This healing game was impressive—even the NPCs were masterful actors! Even the Gentleman Sword Yue Buqun would have to remark, “Hero, judging by your robust build, you must be skilled at embroidery. Why not join me for a cut?”

Amused by his thoughts, Chen Sheng replied, “Good brother! But I really didn’t kill that Young Master Ling you’re talking about—I just got here myself.”

He was playing along.

“Even if you didn’t kill him, you’re still the prime suspect. After all, Young Master Ling had previously ordered your arrest with a bounty, and now he’s dead. The Ling family will kill you to vent their anger.”

“I can leave, but I don’t know where to go, and I have no money…” Chen Sheng hadn’t finished speaking when a gold card appeared before him.

Unlike the one he’d found on Ling Tianquan, this card had only a white mark, while Ling Tianquan’s had a purple flower.

“Ah Chen, there are thirty thousand dollars in this card! You can withdraw it from any bank!” Yan Shidong said through gritted teeth.

The card held thirty thousand, but buying it cost twice as much—sixty thousand dollars, roughly three years’ salary for him! Even with his background, it hurt.

Chen Sheng couldn’t help but smile, confirming in his mind what the young girl Yu Youxin had told him.

He snatched the gold card, stuffed it in his pocket, and grinned, “Is there more?”

“This car is for you.” Yan Shidong pointed to his recently purchased vehicle, parked nearby and conspicuous even in the night.

“Then I won’t be shy!” Seeing there was nothing else to squeeze out, Chen Sheng accepted the keys and hurried over.

He opened the door and got in.

It was a manual, but as a seasoned driver, Chen Sheng had no trouble with it. Besides, this was just a game—what did it matter if he drove it into a river?

He started the engine, pressed the clutch, eased off, and hit the gas. As the engine roared, the car shot onto the street, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Watching Chen Sheng drive off in his car, Yan Shidong’s face darkened; clutching his chest, he gave a furious order: “Apply for a warrant—report that Chen Jueshen violently stole a hundred thousand dollars and a three-hundred-thousand-dollar SUV, and has fled out of guilt! Due to the severity of his crimes, request that Chen Jueshen be classified as a Level One fugitive! Issue a nationwide bounty—alive, ten thousand dollars; dead, fifty thousand!”

“Fifty thousand for dead?” The communications officer, about to submit the application, was stunned.

Isn’t that backward? Isn’t the reward for capturing alive usually higher?

“What, don’t you understand? Or do I need to repeat myself?” Yan Shidong said coldly.

“No, Captain Yan!” The communications officer, frightened, rushed off to send the message.

…

It was late at night, and the streets were empty, so Chen Sheng floored the accelerator.

Though he could run even faster than the car, this vehicle was a token of goodwill—if he didn’t drive it, wouldn’t he be letting them down?

Chen Sheng had no idea where to go; he’d been wandering aimlessly in this game from the start.

But wasn’t this kind of open-world exploration game—without even a main quest—meant for doing whatever you pleased?

Roaming through Upper Sanjiang City, Chen Sheng soon recognized the road ahead.

“That looks like the old mansion up ahead…”

He sped up.

Soon, he stopped in front of the “old mansion.” Just as he got out, the front door opened of its own accord, and the headless girl walked out, waving at him.

“Is something wrong?”

“She told me to wait for you here—she has something to discuss with you,” the headless girl said quickly.

“My master?” Chen Sheng immediately thought of the little ghost girl.

“Mm-hmm!” The headless girl nodded so hard her head nearly fell off.