No One Told Me That This Isn’t a Game (Patreon)

Chapter 9 Don't worry, I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush

Today was the first time Zuo Chang had met Captain Li.

But his thoughts...

Honestly, they weren't that hard to understand.

Who wants to work if they're not forced to by circumstances?

This Iron Gallstone that is in his possession was practically a gift from the heavens, to suddenly possess a treasure worth hundreds of thousands out of nowhere. When he thought about the petty troubles of his usual job, quitting seemed perfectly normal.

Captain Li was also quite righteous.

Three Iron Gallstones, one for each person, a fair share for the witnesses

However...

Zuo Chang said, "Captain Li, don't be in such a hurry to make a decision."

Captain Li exclaimed, "I'm about to lose my mind with anxiety! Really, you two, let's go! Let's take these Iron Gallstones and run! Who would know? Would those robbers dare to report to the authorities?"

Zuo Chang chuckled, "Of course the robbers wouldn't report to the authorities; instead, they'll take matters into their own hands."

Upon hearing the man's words, Captain Li was taken aback and fell silent.

With a fortune at stake, he was finding it hard to stay calm.

The value of Iron Gallstones was extremely high. Anyone coveting such a rare item wouldn't be a small organization.

They had worked so hard on the plan; in the end, it could all go in vain. Could they really avoid investigation?

If Zuo Chang's group left now, it would be like admitting that they are guilty.

By that time, the consequences could be disastrous. They might have to live in constant fear for the rest of their lives.

Litchi toyed with the Iron Gallstone in her hand and boldly suggested, "I believe that the risk is even greater if we leave now. We might as well eliminate all the incoming enemies, cut off every lead related to the Iron Gallstones, so that they have nowhere to investigate."

Can they really do that?

The opponents had set up this trap, fully prepared for any challenge. They weren't afraid of confrontation.

Moreover...

A third realm Spellcaster like her might not be in danger when they are facing their foe, and Captain Li, a third realm Adventurer, might not be in danger either, but Zuo Chang, a novice in the First Realm, was definitely in danger.

Zuo Chang pressed his palm against his forehead and continued, "I'll give you two options. First, we pretend we don't know anything and put the Iron Gallstones back. Most likely, if we do that, we'll be safe."

"Absolutely impossible!"

Captain Li vehemently refused.

His expression was resolute as he said, "How could we give up something we've obtained? Miss Litchi, don't you agree?"

Litchi held the Iron Gallstone in her palm, "Well... I want this Iron Gallstone."

Fine.

Zuo Chang wasn't eager to give up the Iron Gallstone either; after all, it truly was a valuable item.

As Captain Li had said.

Things you've taken in, how could you casually spit them out?

Moreover... Zuo Chang had robbed caravans multiple times in the game.

Robbing caravans was extremely profitable, and the activity of robbing caravans ran throughout the entire game. Zuo Chang had a rich experience in this regard.

He continued, "Captain Li, the target of the opposition is the Iron Gallstone, and their plan is meticulous. They know how to exploit the reputation of the Giant Shield Escort to their advantage. Although there were some flaws in the execution by their subordinates, the overall plan is still solid—they're quite professional."

Captain Li didn't know what Zuo Chang was getting at.

He listened in silence.

Zuo Chang went on, "The actions of a professional gang of robbers are actually more predictable. To rob a caravan, the first step is to cripple the caravan's mobility."

Mobility?

He is talking about the horses, right?

Captain Li and Litchi both turned to look in a certain direction.

The Giant Shield Escort had dispatched a total of nine carriages this time, with seven of them being cargo carriages laden with raw silk worth a considerable amount.

After nightfall, all the carriages had been pulled into the center of the camp for safekeeping. As for the horses used to pull the carriages, they were gathered together for feeding.

In the dark of the night, Captain Li and Litchi saw three shadowy figures. Swiftly and decisively, each figure beheaded a horse with a single swing of the blade!

The horses, startled, let out neigh of surprise.

Guards in the camp heard the commotion and immediately sprang into action. "Hey! They're killing horses! Someone's killing our horses!"

"What?!"

"Captain Li, they're killing horses! Someone's killing our horses!"

Within the camp, members of the Giant Shield Escort were instantly in an uproar!

Captain Li cast a surprised glance, Zuo Chang remained composed, and said, "This step isn't difficult to achieve. All they need to do is bribe a few guards with substantial rewards. Those three who just killed the horses, Captain Li, must undoubtedly be your subordinates. By killing the horses, they've blocked the possibility of you moving the goods. Typically, at this point, the vast majority of caravans would choose to abandon the cargo to save their lives."

Litchi asked, "And what about the remaining few?"

Zuo Chang smiled, "There are also some escort teams willing to sacrifice themselves for their reputation. They will honor the contract and fight the robbers to the death to protect the goods. To make the plan more successful, experienced robber groups will insert undercover agents into the caravan in advance, acting as troublemakers."

"Li Bo! What is this? Is this how you lead as a captain?"

As if it had been scripted.

No sooner had Zuo Chang finished speaking than an elderly man with a white beard stormed forward, furiously berating as he came.

Zuo Chang whispered, "Captain Li, do you know what to do next?"

After all, Captain Li was an industry veteran and understood in his heart, "Mr. Xi must be here to persuade me to give up the goods. I can just use this opportunity to feign surrender and abandon the cargo. After all, we already have the Iron Gallstone in our possession."

Zuo Chang smiled, "And this is my second option. As long as the act is convincing enough, by the time others start suspecting you, you'll have taken the Iron Gallstone and fled far away."

He spoke with certainty, not just making random remarks.

It was all knowledge gained from practice.

Robbing caravans in the game required a methodical approach. If the horses weren't dealt with first and the subordinates charged in recklessly, the caravan would likely escape, and not all of the cargo could be intercepted.

However, if the horses were killed first, not only was there a high chance of capturing all the goods, but it also inflicted a "panicked" debuff on the caravan, weakening their combat power.

As for arranging an undercover agent as a troublemaker within the caravan, that was a skill Zuo Chang learned after obtaining a follower.

With an undercover agent within the caravan, they could "spread rumors" every round, affecting the caravan's members and further weakening their combat power. There was also a chance of causing "desertions," completely breaking their morale.

Speaking of which...

"My rumor-spreading unit, her in-game illustration looks great as well. It's because I got her that I was able to place undercover agents at no cost."

Her name, if he remembered correctly, was "Xia Li, the Thousand Form."

Xia Li, like Xue Qiangwei, had low numerical stats but unique abilities among followers.

After exiling Xue Qiangwei, Xia Li took over the position of "Chief of the Security Bureau" in Zuo Chang's ranks—

But Xia Li wasn't as useful as Xue Qiangwei.

The influence and impact of the Security Bureau also plummeted rapidly after Xue Qiangwei's departure, gradually transforming from Zuo Chang's most valued department into an ordinary and unremarkable one.

Zuo Chang didn't love using Xia Li as much; his impression of her was not as profound as it was with Xue Qiangwei.

At this moment...

The white-haired Mr. Xi had already arrived before them, and Captain Li had also stood up.

Mr. Xi's old eyes were practically spewing flames, and he directly reprimanded, "Giant Shield Escort, a decade-old establishment! Captain Li Bo, is this the kind of work you've been doing? Ah—what do we do now? All our horses have been killed! What do we do!"

Captain Li Bo had already adjusted his state of mind.

He showed an appropriately anxious expression, even though he wanted to flee immediately. However, his eyes radiated a surge of determination. "Mr. Xi, please don't worry. The more chaotic the situation, the less we can panic... As for what to do next, we can discuss it calmly."