Infinity, The Arcade Age

Qin Ming's latest plan was undeniably bold, but with high risk came equally high reward. One of the most immediate benefits was the sharp increase in his favorability with the Five Tiger Generals, all of whom now viewed him as a trusted ally. Their goodwill had risen to over 300 points—solidly within the "close friends" category.

After all, which soldier wouldn't admire such courage?

Half an hour later, near Li Dian's camp, a significant number of soldiers lay hidden in the forest, ready for action.

Qin Ming stood off to the side, inspecting his equipment. He adjusted the small red undershirt beneath his armor, securing his disguise as a Wei soldier. Once satisfied, he turned to Ghost Lady and spoke firmly.

"This time, you're staying put. I'll go alone to deliver the message."

Ghost Lady frowned. "But—"

"No 'buts.' You know my abilities. If the plan falls apart, I can still fight my way out alone. If you're with me, we're done for."

"Fine. Just be careful... Here, take this. Pray you won't have to use it."

Ghost Lady handed him an item, her expression serious.

Qin Ming took it and glanced at the description, his brow twitching involuntarily.

"Yeah, let's hope it doesn't come to that..."

Name: Game Token Redemption Ticket

Type: Consumable (Dim Silver Quality)

Effect: Ends the current mission immediately and returns the user to the Nightmare Space. Reduces all attributes by 5 points. If any attribute is insufficient, others will randomly compensate.

Description: Game Over! You're dead! Please insert another coin to continue from the beginning.

After briefly examining the silver scroll, Qin Ming stuffed it into his armor without much comment. There was no need for words of gratitude. Both he and Ghost Lady were in this together—if he succeeded, they both benefited; if he failed, they both suffered. Thank-yous wouldn't accomplish a thing.

Once fully prepared, Qin Ming mounted a nearby warhorse.

Before he could set off, Guan Yu stepped forward and handed him something.

"Take this," Guan Yu said.

"General Guan?" Qin Ming asked, surprised.

"You answered well earlier. I promised a reward, and I keep my word. Take care to come back alive—I value your loyalty and bravery."

Guan Yu's tone was as proud and condescending as ever, but his favorability toward Qin Ming had now reached an impressive 345 points—the highest of anyone so far.

Looking down at the object in his hand, Qin Ming was taken aback.

It was a roasted chicken.

Name: Roasted Chicken (Three Kingdoms 2)

Type: Consumable (Blue Quality)

Effect: Restores 60% of health. Cooldown: 1 minute (shared with other consumables).

Description: The finest recovery item in the Three Kingdoms 2 world. Extremely effective. Don't be foolish enough to eat it all—just one bite is enough to activate its full effect.

Stuffing the roasted chicken into his armor, Qin Ming nodded firmly to Guan Yu before tugging the reins and spurring his horse forward.

As soon as he emerged from the forest, the soldiers hidden behind him sprang to life, roaring as they gave chase.

"Kill him! Don't let him escape!"

Arrows filled the sky like a deadly swarm. Soldiers poured out in a chaotic surge, some even hurling their spears in a bid to take him down.

Several arrows struck Qin Ming's armor, lodging firmly in place. His warhorse galloped desperately forward as he gritted his teeth, clinging to the reins.

Behind him, the "pursuing" Shu soldiers shouted loudly, suddenly parting to either side. A lone rider burst forward—an old general with a weathered face and a commanding presence.

It was Huang Zhong.

Riding swiftly, he drew his bowstring back to full tension. "Scoundrel! You think you can escape me?!"

Whoosh!

An arrow screamed through the air, piercing through Qin Ming's armor and grazing his skin before embedding itself in his horse's skull.

The warhorse neighed in pain and collapsed mid-gallop.

Thrown violently to the ground, Qin Ming tumbled several times before stumbling to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he started sprinting toward Li Dian's camp, his voice hoarse as he screamed.

"I'm a trusted man of General Xiahou! I carry orders—emergency reinforcements! Emergency reinforcements!"

The commotion quickly caught the attention of the Wei soldiers inside the camp.

High on a watchtower, Li Dian stood observing the scene, his brows furrowed deeply.

A deputy standing beside him glanced nervously at the chaos below. "General Li Dian! He won't last much longer! Should we send troops to save him?"

Li Dian's expression remained impassive as he raised a hand. "Hold. This could be a trap."

"A trap?"

"Yes. According to my information, the Five Tiger Generals only have a few hundred troops between them. How does Huang Zhong suddenly have so many men?"

"So... you think—"

"Be wary of Guan Yu. He might be disguising his soldiers among the pursuers, hoping to ambush me."

"But Guan Yu? That arrogant man would stoop to such deception?"

"Under normal circumstances, no. But desperation changes people. We mustn't take any chances."

Li Dian's sharp gaze remained locked on the battlefield. "Rally the troops, but don't move yet. That man—if he's truly Huang Zhong's target—he'll prove his worth. Watch closely. If Huang Zhong intends to kill him, we'll intervene. If not, we'll stand down."

"Understood!"

The deputy quickly descended to rally the troops while Li Dian continued observing.

Outside the camp, Qin Ming was locked in a brutal fight.

The hundreds of Shu soldiers surrounding him didn't know he was an ally. Unaware of the ruse, they struck at him mercilessly, their weapons aimed for his vitals.

But Qin Ming showed no mercy in return.

He dodged a spear thrust, grabbed the shaft with one hand, and smashed it with his other arm, snapping the weapon in half. With a sharp turn, he drove the broken spear into another soldier's chest.

Kicking the dying man aside, Qin Ming found himself surrounded again. Spears crisscrossed to pin him in place, while others lunged at him, stabbing his armor and body relentlessly.

Roaring in fury, Qin Ming grabbed several spears at once and tore them free, sending the surrounding soldiers sprawling. With the shafts still gripped under his arms, he spun wildly, using the spears as makeshift weapons to batter back the attackers.

But the waves of soldiers were relentless. For every man Qin Ming knocked down, another surged forward to take his place.

From the watchtower, Li Dian watched the unfolding chaos.

"This man... such endurance. Such resilience... He's one of the Zhao clan! He's one of ours!"

Li Dian's eyes gleamed with recognition. "Deputy! Take the men and rescue him! I want him alive, no matter what!"

"Yes, General!"

The deputy, who had been eagerly awaiting the order, immediately rallied the troops.

Moments later, the camp gates swung open, and over a thousand soldiers surged out, weapons in hand, charging straight for the battlefield.