Hidden Quest

Note 1: Each initial player has all attributes set to 10, influenced differently by their chosen professions. For example, Generals have a base Strength of 10, and their maximum limit is 80.

Note 2: Every five levels, players receive five free attribute points for allocation.

Note 3: Strength affects physical attack, Strategy affects magical attack, Domestic Affairs affects various earnings within the territory, and Charm influences the favorability of in-game NPCs. The higher your Charm, the higher the probability of recruiting NPCs.

Note 4: Skill levels are ranked from SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, to D, from highest to lowest.

Note 5: Equipment levels range from white (common), green (fine), blue (outstanding), purple (excellent), orange (epic), to gold (divine).

Note 6: In the game world, third-rate generals have a maximum Strength of 70-80 at full level, second-rate generals have a maximum of 80-90, first-rate generals have a maximum of 90-100, and super generals have a maximum of 100-110. Strategists have the same ranking."

Having realized that Charm not only serves the purpose of wooing women but can also influence NPC favorability, Long Chen felt a burst of excitement. With the 'Dragon and Phoenix Among Men' talent, there was a high chance of recruiting five-star generals like Zhao Yun and Ma Chao! However, in reality, it wasn't as simple as he thought. In this world, first-class generals were five-star, followed by four-star first-class generals, three-star second-class generals, two-star third-class generals, and so on. Those without stars were common soldiers. In this game with 100% realism, every NPC had unique thoughts. Even for ordinary players, recruiting two-star generals required considerable effort. Not to mention five-star divine generals, recruiting them involved numerous factors and conditions.

"In addition, my talent can enhance the abilities of my soldiers. This means that while others are training ordinary foot soldiers, I'll be training special forces!"

With this in mind, Long Chen eagerly prepared for a significant adventure. For now, he would find out which one of the Thirteen Provinces of the late Eastern Han Dynasty his birthplace belonged to.

In the game "Grand Lord," each player is randomly assigned to one of the Thirteen Provinces of the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

"I hope it's Ji Province! Ji Province is rich in resources and boasts numerous famous generals and strategists. Cao Cao, the Prime Minister of the Three Kingdoms, used the Northern region as his cornerstone. Relying on the abundant resources of the North, he managed to exhaust Shu Han and Dong Wu, achieving the domination of the Three Kingdoms!"

"In the North, Ji Province is undoubtedly the most resourceful region. Before the Three Kingdoms era, the most powerful warlord in the late Eastern Han period was undoubtedly Yuan Shao, with Ji Province as his base. Establishing dominance in the North, if not for the later encounter with Cao Cao, the supreme mastermind, it is still uncertain to whom the realm would belong!"

"If it's not Ji Province, Yizhou wouldn't be a bad choice either!"

Yizhou seems like a safe place to farm, develop discreetly, and stay away from war-torn regions. After the other major provinces finish their battles, I can march north and establish my dominance, ultimately unifying the world!

Long Chen eagerly checked which province he was born in.

Yangzhou!

Although he felt a bit disappointed, Long Chen was content. At least he wasn't born in a wild and remote place like Jiuzhou or Liangzhou, far from the political center. Yangzhou was also a resource-rich region with many talented officials and generals. Many notable figures from the Three Kingdoms era originated from Yangzhou.

After acquiring the basic information, Long Chen began to complete beginner tasks to earn some copper coins. Otherwise, he'd go hungry and wouldn't be able to strive for dominance.

In this world, players' daily lives closely resembled their real lives, including the need to eat and sleep. They had Hunger and Energy values that affected their physical condition.

Next, Long Chen started wandering around and came across a villager.

Villager: "Young man, can you help me gather 50 harmless mushrooms? I'll pay you 10 copper coins."

"Are you kidding me? I've got a 40-meter-long great sword ready, and you want me to pick mushrooms?"

Long Chen complained. It was like asking Guan Yu to use the Green Dragon Crescent Blade for a haircut.

But circumstances were beyond his control. In the early stages of the game, he needed to accumulate resources, even with his legendary-grade talent. Reluctantly, Long Chen accepted the task. It was a D-level task, the lowest grade, meant for earning money to buy simple food like steamed buns and noodles, replenishing his Hunger value. He could also accumulate copper coins to purchase weapons or armor.

He easily gathered 50 mushrooms in the wilderness, although it took half an hour, and then returned to the village to complete the task. In the early game, time equaled life, so he had to make the most of every second. Long Chen dashed back to the village at full speed.

"Congratulations, you've completed a D-level task and earned 10 copper coins!"

With just 10 copper coins, he suddenly felt like he was working in a sweatshop. The money seemed too little.

But he had to keep going. In the early stages, only beginners had the privilege to do these D-level tasks.

Unconsciously, Long Chen had already earned 100 copper coins. This money was enough to buy a white (common) short sword. With a weapon, he'd have some self-defense capabilities and could tackle more advanced tasks, like C-level missions such as 'Kill a Mountain Bandit x1.'

However, the items sold in stores were relatively expensive. On the game forum, Long Chen read that if he encountered a roaming merchant, he shouldn't miss the opportunity. Roaming solo merchants might offer items at reasonable prices, but it all depended on luck.

Just as he contemplated this, he spotted a shifty-looking man glancing around nearby. He was dressed in fine Shu silk attire, which indicated he was a roaming merchant.

However, no matter how Long Chen looked at him, the man seemed more like a shady dealer. Still, curiosity got the better of him.

He walked towards the shady-looking merchant.

Upon seeing someone approach, the merchant glanced at Long Chen's ragged appearance and ignored him.

Long Chen: "Can I buy something?"

The merchant cast a brief look at him and then uncovered the items hidden under black fabric behind him.

White (Common) Long Spear (200 copper coins) [Attack +3]

Green (Fine) Fearless Iron Sword (1,000 copper coins) [Attack +10]

Blue (Superior) Blood-Drinking Blade (2,000 copper coins) [Attack +21] [Passive: Gains extra attack power and blood-sucking ability after killing an enemy. Attack increases with the number of enemies killed, up to a maximum of +50.]

Various items were on display in front of Long Chen.

"Wow, I can't afford any of them... But this merchant is quite extraordinary; he even has blue (superior) grade equipment. These things are rare and valuable!"

Long Chen sighed in amazement.

In the shops, the highest-grade equipment was typically green (fine), and higher-tier items had to be obtained through missions or by defeating powerful enemies.

But this merchant was indeed a sly one, as normal shop prices for white-grade equipment were usually around 100 copper coins. Here, they were priced at twice that.

With only around 100 copper coins in his possession, Long Chen couldn't afford any of these items. No wonder the merchant had paid him little attention earlier; he probably already guessed Long Chen's financial situation.

However, just as Long Chen was preparing to leave, the shady merchant suddenly grabbed his arm. It seemed like he had something to say.

Long Chen, curious about this sudden development, decided to see what the merchant wanted.

"Ding! Congratulations, you've triggered a hidden mission!"

"Note: The level of this hidden mission is ???, and the danger and rewards are unpredictable!"