Chapter 50: On the Damage of a Headbutt

“I’m telling you, Old Zhao, you really don’t have to help me save money. I appreciate the thought, but now I’m actually someone’s boss’s kid. I get a salary every month.”

When Chen Xiaoyan said this, there was a trace of pride in his tone.

“Mu Qingxue, huh?”

Zhao Longjun paused, holding his beer.

“Yeah, are you coming or not? Four thousand a month salary, plus bonuses.”

“Four thousand isn’t that much.”

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhao Longjun’s eyes before he tilted his head back and took a swig of beer.

“Feels good!”

“The bonuses are high, though. Did you hear about the guild war this morning? Mu Qingxue doubled the salary for everyone participating this month, so that’s eight thousand. Plus, every victory in the guild war has a bonus. You can do the math — at least ten thousand a month.”

“Damn, doesn’t that mean Mu Qingxue has to pay nearly ten million just in salaries every month?”

Zhao Longjun’s eyes widened at the thought.

“Exactly,” Chen Xiaoyan shrugged and took a sip of his chilled beer.

At this point, Zhao Longjun no longer felt like drinking.

After a moment of silence, he looked up and smiled, “Yan Zi, I’ve decided. I’m taking that Mu boss’s salary.”

“No problem, leave it to me.”

“Come on, brothers, a drink!”

It was 12:08 AM.

Chen Xiaoyan staggered as he opened the door to his rented room, then covered his mouth and rushed straight to the bathroom.

“Ugh~”

After vomiting, he collapsed against the toilet, his head swimming, and drifted off to sleep until dawn.

No one knew how long had passed before Chen Xiaoyan groggily opened his eyes.

He stared at the toilet in front of him, confused.

“Why am I here?”

His mind was a foggy mess, accompanied by intermittent throbbing pain.

He’d drunk too much with Zhao Longjun last night—didn’t expect that guy to have such a good tolerance.

He’d never try to outdrink him again. Only asking for trouble.

“What time is it now? I need to log into the game.”

Chen Xiaoyan patted his pockets but found no phone.

Looking down, he saw it lying on the floor, covered in a patch of white vomit emitting a foul smell.

He sat up, tore off a few tissues, and carefully wiped the vomit off his phone.

Then he unlocked the screen to check the time.

10:26.

Almost half past ten.

Though the vomit was wiped clean, the stench lingered.

Smelling it again almost made him vomit once more.

Helpless, he sprayed some floral water and wiped repeatedly.

Opening QQ, the messages in Xueyan Pavilion instantly showed 99+ unread.

Mu Qingxue and Chongchong had each sent over ten messages.

He tapped to read.

Nothing but asking why he hadn’t logged in yet.

Throwing the phone onto the bed, Chen Xiaoyan scratched his head and went to freshen up.

【Welcome, player Chen Xiaoyan, to the Immortal Realm. This game update includes:】

【1: Launch of the Faction War】

【2: Addition of team formation feature, up to fifty members】

【3: Level 20 dungeon “Abyssal Gorge” has refreshed】

Immortal Realm, Great Song Dynasty, Jiuyang Prefecture, Jinyang County, a certain mountain range.

The entire mountain range looked as if it had been split apart by a single sword, revealing a bottomless gorge brimming with demonic energy.

Not only that, but the demonic energy surged wildly from the gorge, enveloping tens of miles around.

Humans, livestock, animals—all infected by the demonic energy, becoming mutated.

***

Tianxin Mountain

As soon as Chen Xiaoyan logged in and saw the update, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth when he saw the third update.

“Time to grind dungeons again.”

The new dungeon might worry others since many hadn’t even mastered the level 10 dungeons yet.

But not Chen Xiaoyan.

To him, a new dungeon meant new rewards.

“Xiaoyan姐!!!”

A pink figure dashed over and threw herself into Chen Xiaoyan’s arms, almost knocking the wind out of her.

“Chongchong, are you trying to kill me by running into me?”

Chen Xiaoyan pinched the soft little face, asking sternly.

“Hehe, long time no see, Xiaoyan, I missed you too much, I can’t control myself.”

“Long time no see? We just didn’t see each other yesterday.”

“They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Xiaoyan, don’t you miss me?”

Chongchong pouted, looking up at Chen Xiaoyan with big, adorable eyes.

Chen Xiaoyan let go and gave her a playful headbutt, then looked down at her feet.

“Is your foot better now?”

“Of course!”

Chongchong bounced twice and smiled.

“See? I can jump around freely.”

Seeing she wasn’t faking, Chen Xiaoyan didn’t ask more but said, “Alright, but don’t move around recklessly. Next time you might trip even just stepping on your other foot. You’re a real talent, kid.”

“I know!”

Chongchong habitually hugged Chen Xiaoyan’s arm and asked, “Xiaoyan, what are we doing today?”

Now that the level 20 dungeon was out, daily faction tasks and cultivation could be put on hold.

They needed to raise their levels to twenty first.

To enter the level 20 dungeon, you obviously had to be level 20.

They definitely couldn’t go to the Demon Suppression Tower; even grinding for days without rest wouldn’t get them to level 20, especially with Chongchong only level 13.

Currently, the only ideal leveling spot was Monster Village.

Luckily, many members in Xueyan Pavilion hadn’t cleared it, so they could run it together to quickly boost their levels.

“No faction tasks or cultivation today. We’re going to grind levels in Monster Village.”

“Oh! So we’re preparing to clear the level 20 dungeon Abyssal Gorge?”

“Mm.”

Chen Xiaoyan nodded.

“I’m only level 13, so it’ll probably take a long time,” Chongchong said gloomily.

Chen Xiaoyan headbutted her again.

“Even if it takes a long time, you still want the first-clear rewards, right?”

“Ow,” Chongchong covered her forehead, displeased.

“Xiaoyan姐, why do you always like to headbutt me? What if I go stupid? Will you take responsibility?”

Chen Xiaoyan made two fake coughs, awkwardly turning her face aside.

“Cough cough, I can’t control myself.”

Using her own excuse again, Chongchong pouted, more annoyed.

She grabbed Chen Xiaoyan’s hand and bit down once.

“Ow~”

Chen Xiaoyan’s expression changed.

She tapped Chongchong’s forehead twice and pulled her hand back.

Looking at the clear tooth marks between her thumb and index finger, still glistening with saliva, she said angrily, “Are you part dog or what?”

Chongchong raised her head, fierce in tone: “Hmph╯^╰, you headbutt me once, I bite you once. That’s fair.”

Chen Xiaoyan’s face went dark as she wiped the saliva from her hand.

Then, she walked up to her with a serious expression.

“Uh… what are you doing?”

Chongchong was stunned by Xiaoyan’s solemn demeanor.

Could she really be angry?

Chen Xiaoyan raised her hand as if about to strike.

Terrified, Chongchong ducked her little head and closed her eyes.

“Bam.”

A crisp sound rang out.

Chongchong opened her eyes, holding her forehead, stunned.

After a moment, she snapped back.

She shouted angrily, “Xiaoyan, you headbutted me again!!!”

She then looked up to bite back, but no one was there.

Only a breeze carrying the scent of peach blossoms lingered.

The wind howled sharply!