The Outer Chapter: Cast Into Mortal Peril
“From Death’s Door”—This side story was contributed by the reader jxhgjtgs.
As the second-in-command of Tiger-Leopard Village, Sky Leopard was deeply dissatisfied with the unequal trade agreement signed with Little White Village, yet powerless to change it. He wished he could erase Little White Village from the game altogether, but their combined strength was still inferior, so he could only endure.
When Black Tiger entered the room, Sky Leopard asked, “How are the brothers feeling?”
Black Tiger’s face was grim. “More than fifty core members are furious, demanding a life-and-death battle with Little White Village.”
Sky Leopard frowned and replied, “Oh.”
“Damn it, not one of these brothers seems to have a brain, especially Shen Biao. All they do is talk tough. If we were tougher than Little White Village, we wouldn’t be suffering like this.” Black Tiger continued, “Sky Leopard, the brothers are useless, and now you have to worry about everything again.”
Sky Leopard didn’t respond, so after a moment, Black Tiger said, “That Weakling you told me to keep an eye on—other than being quiet, nothing seems special about him. But…” Black Tiger paused. “But his team levels up faster and gains more than any other group, even when we supply identical weapons and +5 health potions. Seems Weakling might still have untapped potential.”
“Black Tiger, we really lack capable aides. How about you bring Weakling here? I want to speak with him personally,” Sky Leopard said slowly. “And keep my identity secret.”
Black Tiger was surprised—Sky Leopard rarely took the initiative to meet someone. “Alright, I’ll bring him.”
Weakling was led before Sky Leopard by Black Tiger and couldn’t help but study Sky Leopard carefully, wondering about his origin, hidden deep in the administrative hall.
“This is Weakling,” Black Tiger introduced simply.
“Please sit,” Sky Leopard nodded without rising.
Weakling saluted and sat down without ceremony.
“I heard from Black Tiger that you didn’t speak during today’s council. I find that odd,” Sky Leopard said bluntly.
Weakling glanced at Black Tiger upon hearing this.
Black Tiger reassured him, “We’re all on the same side. Speak freely.”
Weakling reasoned that even Shen Biao, the village elder famous for loose lips, had never mentioned Sky Leopard. He must be closely tied to Black Tiger, perhaps even a co-founder of the village. Not daring to be careless, Weakling voiced his thoughts: “I have a plan that could destroy Little White Village.” The plan was sinister, so vicious that even people from Xiliang would scorn it, causing some hesitation.
Black Tiger and Sky Leopard exchanged a glance. “Speak.”
Turning it over in his mind, Weakling thought, If Little White Village doesn’t fall, Tiger-Leopard Village will never rise. He calmed himself and continued: “Break Little White Village’s Jade Stone.”
Black Tiger scoffed, “That’s your plan? How is this different from the brothers’ proposal to go to war?”
Sky Leopard was equally surprised—had he misjudged Weakling? Perhaps he was no better than Shen Biao. Still, since Weakling was here, he gestured to Black Tiger, “Can you be more specific?”
Weakling understood their skepticism and explained slowly, “Attacking Little White Village’s Jade Stone can be done in different ways. The council’s strategy would create a deadlock. Even if we succeed, our losses would be immense, and we might be the next village wiped out.”
He paused and looked at the two.
Black Tiger felt this was nothing new, glancing at Sky Leopard with obvious disappointment.
Sky Leopard had already analyzed this for Black Tiger. If they went to war with Little White Village, even if victorious, they’d likely be destroyed by Great Qi Village or another, or government troops would be sent in—an unwise course. Weakling seemed to have another trick, so Sky Leopard urged, “Go on.”
Weakling saw Black Tiger’s expression and thought, This man is not a strategist. He saluted again, “If outsiders attack the Jade Stone, it will be a battle to the death. But if we break it from within…”
He stopped, thinking: If they don’t grasp the depth here, I won’t reveal it. If enacted, I’d have no place in the world.
Sky Leopard’s eyes lit up. Why hadn’t he thought of it? The most stubborn fortress is easiest breached from within. He clapped, “Brilliant plan! With your help, our village will be like a tiger with wings. Please continue, Brother Weakling.”
Weakling stared at Sky Leopard, thinking, I don’t even know who you are—how can I be at ease? He replied modestly, “You flatter me.” Then to Black Tiger: “This matter is serious, only those with absolute trust should be involved. Perhaps… it’s best not to say more.”
Black Tiger was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Sky Leopard laughed, “I am Sky Leopard.” He smiled at Weakling.
Weakling’s heart chilled—Tiger-Leopard Village, Black Tiger, Sky Leopard! He stood and saluted, “Greetings, Second-in-command.”
Sky Leopard saw Weakling had guessed his identity and helped him up, “No need for formality. With you in our village, we are stronger than ever. Now that you know who I am, please keep it secret. Only Black Tiger and you know.”
Weakling replied quickly, “Understood.” Sky Leopard was clearly extraordinary, someone to trust.
Weakling then revealed the key to the plan: “To destroy Little White Village, we must act covertly. The best method is to join Little White Village, use the resurrection point, and find an opportunity to smash the Jade Stone. The details need careful consideration.”
“I understand,” Sky Leopard mused, nodding.
Soon, Weakling left Tiger-Leopard Village, vanishing from sight. Then, twenty core members followed suit. Shen Biao cursed them, but Black Tiger snapped, “Enough. Everyone has their own ambitions. Watch your mouth. Is this so glorious that you want all of Earth to know?”
After that, Weakling and his group of twenty-one joined Little White Village in batches. They formed a group called ‘Didn’t Expect,’ with Weakling as leader. The other twenty, instructed by Black Tiger, were to obey Weakling absolutely.
For maximum security, only Black Tiger, Sky Leopard, and Weakling knew the plan; the others were merely participants. ‘Didn’t Expect’ acted discreetly, always moving as a unit to avoid conflict and avoid making friends with Little White Village players, which could jeopardize the plan. Contacts with Tiger-Leopard Village were handled by Black Tiger alone, secretly delivering weapons and potions to ‘Didn’t Expect.’ Black Tiger labored tirelessly, and all communication happened offline. Weakling was deeply moved by this.
Little White Village upgraded to a mid-level settlement, which altered the plan slightly but did not halt it. The administrative hall became a one-way zone: only the mayor, deputy, elders, and special entrants could go in—no one else. This explained why only Little White was inside when the thieves entered. The hall was quiet, and deaths in the village were rare; everyone could earn enough to buy health potions. Weakling rejoiced inwardly—heaven favored him.
Sky Leopard contacted Weakling offline, sending him to the inn to meet someone named Parrot. Weakling’s heart skipped; this was the signal to begin. He hurried to the inn, pretending to access his inventory. Soon, someone bumped into him, glanced at him, and nodded. Weakling followed from afar, north out of Little White Village to the riverside. When alone, the man said, “I am Parrot. Black Tiger sent me to follow your orders. Also, Black Tiger says you can begin tonight; seize the moment.”
Offline, Black Tiger, Sky Leopard, and Weakling had repeatedly revised the plan. Now, the countdown began. Weakling reviewed the plan in his mind:
1. At 3 a.m., take large doses of health, energy, and stamina potions (ensures quick recovery from weakness; one had tested this—15 minutes was enough; available in Wuwei City, so it was not surprising they had some).
2. When the inn is empty, commit group suicide (losing a level is nothing if you have weapons and potions), resurrect at the Jade Stone.
3. Close the administrative hall doors