TTGOL CH94

Chapter 94: Jealousy

Returning to Yong Ye City, Jin Cheng and Tang Cuo appeared simultaneously in their living room. Across the coffee table, the two looked at each other—one expressionless, the other smiling while swearing.

“That goddamn Black Hat.”

However, this also proved that Jin Cheng and Tang Cuo’s speculation was correct: the four items Black Hat wanted were indeed found in Western fantasy instances. Or, to be more precise, they were hidden right in the Sicilite Continent.

Jin Cheng plopped down onto the sofa, crossing his legs like a boss. “Do you think there’s some shady deal between Black Hat and Lin Yandong?”

Timing was crucial. Black Hat issuing the edict at that exact moment wasn’t just because he happened to acquire the Twelfth Movement; it was also very likely because they had triggered the Kingdom Hidden in Moonlight instance.

The one who leaked the information wasn’t necessarily Lin Yandong; it could have been K. But would K know the details so thoroughly? Jin Cheng asked himself, and he knew he hadn’t revealed that much.

“You can test Lin Yandong. If all four items come from Kingdom Hidden in Moonlight, we have no choice but to obey the edict. However, the initiative on whether or not to do the quest lies with us.” Tang Cuo sat down opposite him.

“That’s true, but there’s one more important thing—” Jin Cheng raised a finger. “Do you think Lin Yandong knew that the Twelve Movements might be hidden in Kingdom Hidden in Moonlight?”

“Intuition?”

“Intuition.”

“He didn’t know.”

“It seems we’re on the same page.”

What Tang Cuo and Jin Cheng called intuition wasn’t entirely some mystical feeling. It was an answer derived from the brain after countless deductions and arguments based on past experiences—it was probability.

To trust one’s intuition was to trust oneself.

Next came the checking of rewards.

The Drake Gemstone had already been allocated to Black Hat. Tang Cuo didn’t even know its specific use before he missed out on it. The only slight consolation was that the remaining items were quite decent.

[Portrait of Louis XIV]
Category: Material
Quality: Common
Description: A portrait drawn by a handsome young man feeling sorry for himself by the lake, meant for the world to admire.

[Tears of the Secret Lake]
Category: Material
Quality: Advanced
Description: Tears of the Secret Lake, possessing a strong hallucinogenic effect.

[A-Mo’s Gift]
Category: Material
Quality: Rare
Description: The shed horn shell of a young rainbow unicorn. Ground into powder and sprinkled in a blacksmith’s forge, it produces unexpected effects.

[Dragon’s Flame]
Category: Weapon
Quality: Advanced
Description: A pen said to be made of dragon bone, indestructible. Using it to write spells amplifies the incantation’s effect tenfold.

Besides these, there were naturally some junk items, not worth mentioning here. After allocating his points, Tang Cuo’s current character stats were as follows:

ID K27216: Tang Cuo
Character Points: 34
Force: 125
Intelligence: 65
Charm: 35
Rating: A
Health: 85%

Survival is not easy; please keep up the good work.

Almost all the items from the wooden box McKeown dug up went to Tang Cuo, so Jin Cheng’s haul naturally wasn’t as abundant. However, after completing his side quest, he obtained another Movement fragment.

“We still don’t know exactly how many fragments there are in total, but knowing Yong Ye City’s style, the final piece will definitely be in the last phase,” Jin Cheng said.

Tang Cuo nodded in agreement, then asked with a hint of seriousness, “Aren’t you tired? Don’t you want to rest?”

Hearing Tang Cuo show such rare concern for him, even asking two consecutive questions, Jin Cheng felt incredibly flattered. He clicked his tongue internally; this little rascal hadn’t suddenly changed his personality, which meant he was definitely throwing a tantrum, even if his way of throwing a tantrum was quite unique.

“I haven’t rested since entering the instance. I am indeed a bit tired. How about we go back to the bedroom and sleep together?” Today’s Jin Cheng shamelessly hovered on the edge of getting beaten up.

Sleep, my foot. You were with a Princess one minute and His Highness the Prince the next, having the time of your life. Tang Cuo stood up casually and said, “If you’re tired, go back and lie down. I’m going to the training ground.”

Jin Cheng didn’t dare let him go alone, afraid that if he did, he’d find himself single again. So, he strolled leisurely out the door behind him.

Halfway there, they were stopped by the auntie at the hot and sour noodle shop and went in for a bowl.

Tang Cuo truly loved hot and sour noodles—loved them so much that Jin Cheng had to take a back seat.

Jin Cheng rested his chin in his hands, watching him eat. Such a girlish posture on a scarred, handsome guy who was 1.9 meters tall surprisingly didn’t look out of place.

After a while, he asked, “If you were stranded on a deserted island, would you bring me or hot and sour noodles?”

Tang Cuo: “…”

Jin Cheng: “Tell me.”

Tang Cuo: “Are you really that bored?”

Jin Cheng: “I have plenty to talk about, which is why I’m talking to you.”

Then you can shut up.

Tang Cuo couldn’t understand why even hot and sour noodles couldn’t plug Jin Cheng’s mouth. “Stranded on a deserted island, bring hot and sour noodles or Jin Cheng”—how could there be such a boring and childish question?

But Jin Cheng insisted on Tang Cuo answering. So Tang Cuo had no choice but to seriously consider the question, knowing that if he didn’t answer, this wouldn’t just blow over.

You could never truly comprehend exactly how persistent Jin Cheng’s persistence could be.

“I’d bring you,” he answered.

“Why?” Jin Cheng pressed.

“Because you would bring me hot and sour noodles.”

“So in the end, I’m just a hot and sour noodle delivery bag?”

Exactly. Hot and sour, that’s you.

Jin Cheng was very displeased. With furrowed brows, pursed lips, and crossed arms, he looked as grumpy as a grouchy uncle yet as resentful as a sullen maiden, staring unblinkingly at him as if he wouldn’t let him off even in his dreams.

After watching this display for a good while while snacking on melon seeds, the auntie couldn’t help but advise, “Xiao Tang, coax him a bit. When you’re dating, you have to coax each other!”

Tang Cuo: “…………”

Infuriated, Tang Cuo kicked him under the table. Only then did Jin Cheng restrain himself, joking with the auntie with a cheeky grin, “Don’t worry, Auntie, I’m just messing with him.”

The auntie chuckled, “I know, I know.”

Leaving the shop, Tang Cuo walked exceptionally fast. Relying on his long legs, Jin Cheng strolled after him leisurely, saying, “Going to the training ground later, how about I let you beat me up to vent your anger?”

Tang Cuo ignored him completely.

Jin Cheng wasn’t angry either. Since this clearly wasn’t the way to the training ground, he knowingly asked, “Weren’t we going to the training ground? Why are we heading back?”

Tang Cuo was very cool, keeping it brief: “Tired.”

Jin Cheng thought his coolness was incredibly cute. He reached out to pat his head, but was met with a death stare. That restless hand had no choice but to drop onto Tang Cuo’s shoulder, and with a gentle pull, erasing the distance between them.

Though Tang Cuo still lacked a smile, he didn’t pull away. Letting Jin Cheng guide him forward, he appeared docile again. Jin Cheng smiled to himself, muttering about being sleepy and tired as he shifted his body weight onto Tang Cuo. Tang Cuo didn’t make a sound, his expression remaining as calm as usual.

Jin Cheng suddenly thought that perhaps, whether in life or after death, what he truly needed was a partner who could bear his entire weight.

Dating really makes one sentimental. —by Jin Cheng

Returning to their residence, the two took a short rest.

Tang Cuo went to bed late and woke up late. When he finally got up, Jin Cheng had long since left, leaving a note on the table saying he had gone to the Central District to meet Lin Yandong. The time written was an hour ago.

Jin Cheng probably wouldn’t be back for a while, so Tang Cuo left him a note as well and headed straight for the training ground.

After spending nearly four hours at the training ground, Tang Cuo returned home. Unsurprisingly, Jin Cheng was already back and had even ordered takeout, waiting for Tang Cuo to eat.

Tang Cuo took a shower and came out. Just as he sat down at the dining table, he heard Jin Cheng say, “That old fox Lin Yandong used a clue about the Twelve Movements to shut my mouth.”

“Which Movement?”

“Still uncertain, but probably the Seventh, Eighth, or Ninth.”

“Where?”

“Zone G.”

The Yong Ye City Prison.

Tang Cuo hadn’t expected this answer. If the Movement was in Zone G, they would inevitably have to face the infamous Warden—a highly dangerous prospect.

“Furthermore, Lin Yandong unabashedly told me that he got this information from Black Hat. I bet that even if we killed Black Hat, he wouldn’t even blink,” Jin Cheng added.

“Can Black Hat be killed?” Tang Cuo asked.

“Yes, but it’s very difficult.” Jin Cheng tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. “Registered players are protected by the system. We can’t just attack them casually unless one of two conditions is met. One: he commits a fault himself and gets fired. Two: we obtain a Death Warrant. If either condition is met, we can make a move.”

“A Death Warrant?”

“It’s like the pass to go from lower zones to higher zones—a one-time consumable item that can only be obtained in instances.”

Jin Cheng paused, then continued, “Black Hat can’t die just yet. The Infinite Dream Market is still useful; we might need it for emergencies later. Plus, he hides too many secrets. If we don’t dig them out, it would be a disservice to all his flashy maneuvers.”

Tang Cuo: “Then are we going to Zone G?”

Jin Cheng, however, shook his head. “There’s no need to go to prison just for the sake of going to prison. We’ll go when the time is right. If the Movement is in Xiao Tong’s hands, it’s absolutely impossible for a player to get it anytime soon.”

Xiao Tong was the Warden’s name.

Tang Cuo nodded. When it came to matters concerning Yong Ye City, Jin Cheng’s understanding was deeper and broader than his. For making decisions like this, Tang Cuo was more than happy to slack off.

However, he suddenly remembered something else. “What about that little girl? Any news?”

“She disappeared. Maybe she completely died in prison, or maybe she got out. But if she got out, how could she, all by herself, hide from K’s eyes and ears?” Speaking of her, Jin Cheng couldn’t help but frown. He had rarely seen such a bizarre case in Yong Ye City. That little girl seemed to be shrouded in a thick fog—untouchable and impenetrable.

Now that she had vanished, it brought an inexplicable sense of unease.

Tang Cuo felt the same way. “Perhaps we can find answers in Zone G.”

With so much talking, the food was getting cold. Afraid Tang Cuo’s blood sugar would drop again, Jin Cheng supervised him as he finished a heaping bowl of rice, only then nodding in satisfaction.

Tang Cuo said this was called feeding a pig.

Jin Cheng countered, “Pigs can be eaten, what about you?”

Tang Cuo felt the word “eaten” carried another meaning. He pretended not to understand, and got up to return to his room. Just as he was about to leave, Jin Cheng grabbed his hand. Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, he looked up at him. “I rented some DVDs.”

The last trip to the cinema had been interrupted by Black Hat. Jin Cheng learned his lesson this time, renting DVDs for a home theater experience. It was just the two of them at home, in the dark—the perfect setting to nurture their relationship.

No romance movies this time. Jin Cheng chose a historical drama—highly rated, a major production, and most importantly, the male lead wasn’t as handsome as he was. This way, whenever the male lead struck a cool pose, he could tell Tang Cuo—

“I look even more handsome in historical costumes than he does.”

“Oh.” Tang Cuo also sat cross-legged, leaning lazily against the back of the sofa. Hearing this, he raised his eyes, his expression cool. “Has Miaomiao seen it?”

Jin Cheng froze. What did this have to do with Leng Miao?

It took him a long while to realize that he had previously told Tang Cuo about playing a historical role-playing instance with Leng Miao. He was the great swordsman, and Miaomiao was the courtesan.

This also meant—

“So you’re actually jealous?”

“No.”

Tang Cuo denied it swiftly.

Jin Cheng understood swiftly.

He couldn’t help but curl up the corners of his mouth. Propping himself up with one hand on the sofa, he leaned over and kissed Tang Cuo’s involuntarily stiffened face, then collapsed against him laughing.

Tang Cuo finally couldn’t maintain his composure, flying into a flustered rage.

As for why he didn’t kick Jin Cheng off in the end and ended up being pinned down instead, there was only one reason—he couldn’t beat him.