Chapter 55: Such a Swift Blade!
Just like the other freeloaders, Zhao Haiping pretended to be engrossed, nodding along as he listened outside the opera house.
Sure enough, after a while, two fans who were also eavesdropping started chatting.
"What a performance! Su Xianjun truly deserves to be a renowned star of Jiangnan. His singing is so delicate and lingering; it really stays with you!"
"Absolutely! It's like listening to music from the heavens. Ordinary performers can't compare."
"Too bad we can't be inside; we can only catch snippets. It's really unsatisfying. But by the way, why did Su Boss's troupe come to our small county?"
"Don't you know? Your information is out of date! It's because Mr. Wang Jinghui invited them. He's close friends with the troupe."
"No wonder! We're lucky to have a talent like Mr. Wang Jinghui in our county. We get to enjoy the benefits, too."
"All right, hush, it's the good part!"
After a brief exchange, the two quickly turned their attention back to the performance, listening intently.
According to the basic setting, players in *Dark Sands* are Order agents, able to automatically adapt to the language of any era, making communication seamless. This mechanic was established back in the beginner trial.
Since Zhao Haiping didn't choose the Keen Observation talent, he didn't catch every word, but he remembered the essential details.
"Two key names: the opera star Su Xianjun, and Wang Jinghui, a local scholar from this county.
"Wang Jinghui sounds somewhat familiar, but I can't recall exactly.
"I'll look him up after leaving the game."
Zhao Haiping lingered a bit longer outside the opera house but didn't gather any additional information. Noticing that it was getting late and the sky was darkening, he quickly made his way toward the county office.
On the way, Zhao mentally prepared his explanations.
If the county magistrate asked how he knew the Eastern Yi bandits were coming, where the information came from, their numbers, or their approach—he needed to be ready to answer.
Of course, no matter how convincingly he spoke, the magistrate might still be skeptical. But he figured it was worth a try.
When he arrived at the county office, he realized he had overthought it.
While he was worrying about how to meet the magistrate, a runner dashed over, shouting, "The Eastern Yi bandits are here! Inform Master Tang immediately!"
It seemed the trial had placed him in the period right before the bandits' attack, and with his lowly status, he wasn't needed to bring the news.
The news of the impending attack quickly spread, throwing the previously peaceful county into a panic.
However, Zhao noted that Magistrate Tang seemed quite capable. Upon learning of the attack, he sent for reinforcements from the nearest garrison while organizing the local militia and laborers. He coordinated these efforts with surprising efficiency.
In a short time, he managed to gather over 200 men.
Among them were about 50-60 of Tang's personal guards, another hundred or so soldiers led by a commander named Xu, and the rest were local militia and laborers from the county.
Zhao knew he wouldn't be able to defeat the bandits alone, so he joined the ranks and received a long knife.
The weapons, taken from the county's armory, were somewhat rusty and unimpressive, but they were better than bare hands.
The group quickly made their way to the county's east gate, where the bandits were expected to strike.
However, before reaching the gate, they encountered chaos—Eastern Yi bandits had already breached the town!
The laborers with Zhao panicked, unprepared for the bandits' sudden appearance.
The county should have had defenses. Though undermanned, they should have been able to hold the gate at least until reinforcements arrived.
Yet, the gate had fallen so swiftly!
In the narrow streets, Magistrate Tang wasted no time, raising his blade and shouting, "Kill the bandits! Kill the bandits!"
And so, a brutal street battle erupted, plunging the scene into chaos.
Even Zhao was slightly disoriented; it was no wonder that the less experienced soldiers and laborers were struggling.
Thankfully, Zhao was a seasoned fighter. Despite being in a laborer's body, his combat talents, *Encampment Resolve* and *Sea of Corpses and Blood,* along with his warrior skills, kept him from falling in the initial clash.
The sharp clang of weapons, combined with shouts and screams, filled the air.
Over two hundred defenders fought desperately against around a hundred bandits, staining the ground with blood in mere moments.
In the midst of the chaos, Zhao struggled to assess the battlefield. He knew there was no chance of clearing this dungeon on the first try. Combat was essential, but so was gathering intel to prepare for the next attempt.
Their side was divided into three main groups:
Magistrate Tang led his 50-60 personal guards, the strongest fighters; Commander Xu led around a hundred regular soldiers, though they were significantly weaker; the remaining group of hastily assembled militia and laborers were barely holding on, more for show than substance.
Still, some individuals exceeded Zhao's expectations. One tall, burly militiaman proved himself a formidable fighter. Additionally, Magistrate Tang, despite being a scholar, wielded a large blade and personally felled three or four bandits—a feat surpassing even Commander Xu.
Zhao fought with full force. He had chosen a battle-ready identity and talents specifically for this moment.
But as the fight wore on, the situation grew increasingly grim.
The bandits were clearly stronger.
Although they numbered slightly fewer than the defenders, the battle was one-sided.
Every bandit wielded an Eastern blade with expert skill, their savage demeanor revealing them as hardened warriors.
Even Magistrate Tang's guards struggled one-on-one, let alone the weaker soldiers and militia.
Among the bandits, a general, two shadowy assassins, and a rogue stood out with exceptional prowess.
The rogue alone had killed seven or eight guards with ease, proving unstoppable.
With the situation deteriorating, some laborers and soldiers in the rear, led by Commander Xu, began considering retreat.
"No retreat!" Commander Xu shouted, attempting to rally his men. But some ignored him and fled.
Gritting his teeth, Commander Xu lost focus for a split second, and a sharp blade struck his armor, sending him crashing to the ground.
Seeing Commander Xu fall, Magistrate Tang shouted furiously, "Serve the kingdom loyally!"
He continued to wield his large blade with ferocity, but his guards were falling one by one, and soon he was surrounded.
Zhao felt an urgency, recognizing Magistrate Tang as a key figure in this trial who needed protection.
He parried two incoming blades and fought his way toward the magistrate.
Just then, a flash of cold steel caught his eye.
Sensing danger, Zhao tried to dodge, but he still felt a sharp pain—the enemy's blade had found its mark!
The pain was muted to 20% in this standard trial, but the blow was severe nonetheless.
What a swift blade!
He realized he couldn't charge forward recklessly; the Eastern blade was already coming for him again.
He swung his knife in defense, but the rogue's attacks came in relentless waves, giving him no chance to breathe.
*Shhhk!*
The rogue's blade pierced Zhao's chest, and only then did he see his opponent clearly.
It was the same rogue who had slain several guards earlier.
With a chilling gaze devoid of emotion, the rogue withdrew his blade from Zhao's chest, flicking off the blood effortlessly.
As Zhao fell to the ground, losing consciousness, he glimpsed Magistrate Tang's figure tumbling from his horse nearby.
"I'll remember this…"
With a fierce glare at the rogue, Zhao's first attempt at this trial mirage ended in bitter defeat.