Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 32: Sadness

From content to strategy, from key points to additional reminders, Wu Sheng condensed all the information given by Mao Qiping about the 3/23 level, streamlined it, and entered it into his phone’s memo, which was still densely packed, taking up the entire screen.

Xu Wang listened attentively throughout and then took Wu Sheng’s phone to consolidate the memory from beginning to end, truly feeling that the 400 yuan price was a conscience in the industry.

After finishing the third level, they were about to come to the most important current part—the Endless Sea.

“The four lighthouses represent four shipping destinations. The lighthouse on the Treasure Beach of the east and west contains a treasure chest that can reveal money or stationery. The lighthouses on the North and South Flying Islands contain airships, which can be used to fly to any coordinates…”

Mao Qiping had just started when a five-in-one “ding” sounded simultaneously from above and below the ship—

[Cheat Sheet: North Flying Island (1/3). The first ship has sailed into the clouds.]

The four people looking at the scrolling information on their arms were all startled. Has someone already reached the destination and even successfully entered the lighthouse? And what does the (1/3) in the brackets mean?

Seemingly accustomed to such questions, Mao Qiping didn’t wait for anyone on the ship to speak and directly clarified, “A team or an individual has already reached the North Flying Island and breached the lighthouse. There are two more spots available there.”

“There?” Xu Wang caught the nuance.

“Each of the four destinations has three spots for ascending the lighthouse—first come, first served,” Mao Qiping said. “Once the spots are filled, the lighthouse will close directly, and landing on the island will be useless.”

“That is too fast…” Qian Ai glanced at his phone. It had been just an hour since they entered, and it felt like an exam. You are still working on the multiple-choice questions, and someone else has already submitted their paper.

Mao Qiping was no longer surprised. “The teams that choose Flying Island are basically well-prepared and aimed at the next level, so of course, they are fast. However, the good thing about the Endless Sea is that there is no punishment for failing the competition; just a night of busywork for nothing.”

“Can individuals also ascend the lighthouse?” Wu Sheng was concerned about what Mao Qiping had just said about “a team or an individual”.

“Yes, the Endless Sea is different from other levels. Whether you form a team or not, it treats everyone equally. Individuals also count as a team, and after ascending the lighthouse, they occupy one spot.” Mao Qiping affirmed, then changed the topic. “But it is difficult for an individual to compete with a team. Firstly, the speed of a floating ball is far less than that of a ship, and secondly, if you encounter other teams on the island, the odds of winning the competition to ascend the lighthouse are slim.”

“Understood.” Wu Sheng nodded and closed his eyes to meditate.

The other three partners looked at each other. Ah, he’s updating his notes again.

“Back to the lighthouse,” Mao Qiping continued. “The functions of the two Flying Islands are the same, as are those of Treasure Beach. The difference lies in the direction of the routes. So, do you want to open the treasure chest now or go to the next coordinate point?”

Xu Wang understood. Mao Qiping was going to provide them with strategies for the routes and lighthouses based on their choice. After all, they had only paid for one route and couldn’t expect him to cover all four.

Regarding the choice of route, the four people had already discussed it earlier. Xu Wang quickly reconfirmed with his partners and looked down to give Mao Qiping the answer. “Treasure Beach. We’ll open the treasure chest!”

Previously, they had only guessed from the name “Treasure Beach” that they might get treasures. Now it was confirmed that there was a 100% chance of winning a prize; the only question was what the specific prize would be. Therefore, Captain Xu’s voice couldn’t help but reveal excitement about “Money, oh money, here we come!” and the determination to “make back the money spent on the strategy guide!”

“East or west?” Mao Qiping asked again.

“Which side has fewer people?”

“Go west, because many teams feel that ‘fortune comes from the east*’ and is luckier than the west.”

*Purple Air comes from the east (紫气东来) Idiom referring an auspicious omen or the arrival of a noble person. In olden days, it usually signifies the arrival of a sage or emperor. Nowadays, it’s used to suggest good luck or the arrival of good news.

“Then we’ll go west!”

“……” Mao Qiping scratched his chin, thought for a while, and finally caught on. He had, perhaps, been tricked into giving out a free piece of information!

This business they were doing was truly filled with blood and tears.

“West Treasure Beach” route strategy: ① After choosing the route, the ship will automatically sail, but the direction must be steered by the people on board; ② First head due north, and when encountering the first sea monster, sail straight towards the lighthouse, which means the optimal route is a zigzag, not a straight line. Otherwise, the probability of encountering sea monsters increases greatly; ③ Avoid being too close to other ships to prevent attacks, as there are only three spots available.

“West Treasure Beach” lighthouse strategy: ① There will be a keeper inside the lighthouse who must be defeated to reach the treasure chamber at the top of the lighthouse; ② The keeper’s weapons and position change daily, so it’s still unknown what the keeper’s defense will be like today, but known forms include guarding the entrance with brute force, hiding inside for sneak attacks, hiding at a vantage point for throwing explosive projectiles, indiscriminate machine-gun firing, and other forms with varying ranges and lethality; ③ There’s no absolute necessity between defeating the keeper and opening the treasure chest. Other competing teams can completely benefit from others’ efforts, so don’t let your guard down before reaching the treasure chamber.

Regarding the route and the attack on the tower, Mao Qiping explained a lot in detail, but in summary, those were the key points.

The fog began to spread around, and while the vast expanse remained, visibility improved nearby.

“The guide is only for not going into battle unprepared. Whether you can actually attack the lighthouse and snatch one of the three spots is up to you.” Having said too much in one go, Mao Qiping’s throat was smoking. After summarizing his speech, he unscrewed his thermos and began to gulp down a drink.

Xu Wang also wanted the other party to rest, but time waits for no one, so he quickly said, “About the daily level grinding tips and experience sharing…”

“I know, I know.” Mao Qiping didn’t mind. He quickly put down his thermos and looked up. “The things to pay attention to are the same old stories. First, companionship. At any time, do not underestimate the teams you encounter. No matter how kind they appear, in this day and age, you might not intend harm, but others may harbor ill intentions towards you; second, do not assume anything. Even if you have passed a level twenty times, the twenty-first could be different; third, don’t misuse stationery. Save one, and it might save your life at a critical moment…”

“As for experience, well, it’s not really experience. It’s just that I’ve seen too many people on this Endless Sea. Consider it a bit of personal insight.” Mao Qiping smiled, losing the shrewdness of a businessman and gaining a bit of sincere friendliness. “No matter which level you’re at, if you’re not ready, it’s better to stay a while longer at the previous level or in the Endless Sea rather than rushing forward. It will be a very long journey to the endpoint, and you must be steady and methodical at every step.”

“Understood.” Xu Wang lowered his head and looked at him earnestly. “As long as we encounter other teams, losing the competition means returning to the starting point. It’s better to prepare for a few more days than to act impulsively and suffer more than you gain.”

“The starting point?” Mao Qiping was puzzled. “Who sold you such a deceitful piece of fake news?”

“Not the starting point?” Not only Xu Wang, but the other three were also surprised. Although they hadn’t paid, in the current situation inside the cabin at the time, Log Legs, Handsome, Stick Figure, and Fair Face didn’t need to lie about something that would be disproved upon one experience, right?

“Not the starting point,” Mao Qiping clarified. “You will only go back three levels. For example, if you fail in 7/23, next time you will have to start over from 4/23.”

Wu Sheng asked, “What if we don’t go back and just stay at the original coordinates of 7/23?”

“You’ll still be sucked in at midnight, but the level 7/23 won’t appear,” Mao Qiping explained. “Instead, it will be the Endless Sea of that province.”

Wu Sheng: “The Endless Sea is divided by provinces. What about the levels? How much area around a coordinate is considered within the level?”

Mao Qiping: “Levels are by city. As long as you enter the city where the current level’s coordinates are, you are no longer in the Endless Sea.”

Wu Sheng: “Are the levels uniquely opened?”

Mao Qiping: “No, there are three. The most recent level where a paper was successfully submitted and the current new level you can challenge—both are open. Besides the first level, which is always open, even if you reach the coordinates of other levels, it will still be the Endless Sea of that province.”

Wu Sheng: “What if I happen to stand on the border of two provinces…”

“Wait a minute.” Mao Qiping raised his hand, indicating that Wu Sheng should stop talking. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, finally realizing he was about to disclose all the basic rules.

The problem was these people didn’t buy any rules except for injury and death!

Although the captain with a smiling demeanor was harsh in bargaining, at least it was a deal made willingly by both sides. This handsome young man, however, seemed to be getting everything for nothing! Even more fatal was that at the moment of being asked, he was completely drawn into the other’s rhythm, never considering the matter of money. All his energy was focused on understanding the “extremely academic description of the questions” and was proud to penetrate it.

This person, no, this team is toxic! TAT

“Choose your route quickly.” Mao Qiping just wanted to see the customers off now. “Otherwise, the spots will all be filled soon.”

Wu Sheng sighed inaudibly, regretting the sudden end of such a smooth conversation.

“Xiao Mao…” Xu Wang suddenly leaned out halfway, maximally closing the distance between them.

Mao Qiping swallowed nervously and looked at him warily. “Huh?”

Xu Wang smiled brightly. “After eating at a restaurant, they usually give a fruit plate or something…”

Mao Qiping narrowed his eyes, wondering whether to pick these people up with his extendable pole and throw them into the sea.

“We’ll take an orange. We’re not picky!”

“……”

Mao Qiping had seen all sorts of teams after drifting on the sea for a year: serene, irritable, sloppy, elite, despondent, relentlessly forward-moving, but never one like this before.

When you think about it, one moment you want to sink their ship, and the next, you can’t bring yourself to be angry at them. You might even find yourself unconsciously envying them, thinking, “If only I could be like that too.”

Mao Qiping wanted to find a particularly high-level word to describe these guys, but after searching, he could only come up with one.

Equanimity.

In this hellish place, despair and excitement are easy, but the hardest thing is to remain yourself—to maintain equanimity.

“I’ve already lost so much; what’s one more orange.” Mao Qiping sighed heavily, indicating his “hardship in business”, but what he said was all practical advice, “If you can take a green train, don’t take a bullet train or an airplane. First, it saves money—a little bit goes a long way—and second, objectively, it already extends the period between two levels. Normally, you might finish the old level one day and start the new one the next, but if you take a sleeper, you might get an extra night’s rest. Sleep on the train, sleep in the Endless Sea, and ensure you’re energized for the next level, saving a night’s hotel stay.”

Xu Wang smirked. “So the key point is still to save money.”

Mao Qiping also laughed, half-jokingly, half-mockingly. “If you’re not short of money, forget what I said, but don’t tell me. Otherwise, I’ll throw your 800 into the sea in bitterness.”

“We are short of money—very short!” Xu Wang hurriedly assured.

Mao Qiping nodded in satisfaction. “Mm, that’s comforting.”

With money and goods exchanged, it was time to set off.

The four selected “West Treasure Beach” on their arms, and soon, the unmanned rudder freely turned.

The three companions looked at Wu Sheng together.

Without any other option, Advisor Wu comforted himself with “With great power comes great responsibility” and headed to the cockpit to take hold of the helm, precisely adjusting the bow to face due north.

The ship and the floating ball slowly drifted apart.

Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin waved goodbye to Mao Qiping from the railing.

Although it was a transaction, this person was the first real friendly figure they encountered in the “Owl,” and now that they were parting, a slight sense of reluctant farewell rose in their hearts.

Qian Ai wasn’t accustomed to such delicate atmospheres, so he simply waved and joked as a farewell. “The business you do feels like we’re entering different places. We’re on Thorn Island, while you’re living the Chinese dream.”

“It’s all driven by necessity,” Mao Qiping replied with a wave, somewhat annoyed. “What else can I do—can’t get through, can’t leave.”

Qian Ai said, “But earning money this way isn’t so bad. Consider it a second job.”

Mao Qiping lowered his hand and quietly watched him.

The boat and the floating ball had already drifted a meter apart, but the salty sea breeze still carried every word Mao Qiping said to the ears of the three of them.

“Every night my wife wakes up, not knowing where her husband has gone, while my child wakes up every night, unable to find his father.”

His eyes held genuine, suppressed sorrow.

Qian Ai’s smile gradually faded, falling silent. He could joke and tease, but facing Mao Qiping like this, he didn’t know what to say.

Xu Wang suppressed the unpleasant feeling in his heart and tried to comfort him. “When you go out at five, they’ll forget what happened during the night.”

“But the torment of those five hours is real.” Mao Qiping lightly shook his head with a smile. “Every night my son cries heartbreakingly—several times he’s even gotten convulsions from it.”

His voice was very soft, but the softer it was, the more it made one’s heart tremble.

Children getting convulsions from crying can be serious or minor, with severe cases even leading to lingering effects.

As the distance between the boat and the floating ball grew, Mao Qiping’s voice became more and more faint.

“They may forget, but I remember it all… Night after night, never-ending…”

That was the last thing they heard from Mao Qiping.

After that, the floating ball, the man, and that almost imperceptible sigh, all faded into the vast sea fog.

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