The scorching sun blazed overhead, baking the earth beneath it. The sweltering thirty-degree heat had driven most pedestrians indoors, leaving the streets sparsely populated.
Su Xiao walked under the merciless sunlight, the people around him wrinkling their noses in disgust as they caught a whiff of his unwashed state.
He had already disposed of the carriage and sold the horse at a low price.
After counting the bills in his hand, he sighed. The currency here was called Berries, and selling the horse had netted him 100,000 Berries—a sum that sounded substantial but was only equivalent to about 6,000 RMB in purchasing power.
Do not overestimate 100,000 Berries. Its actual value was far lower than one might expect.
Su Xiao had already tested the waters—a decent set of clothes cost 8,000 Berries, while a satisfying meal ran about 900 Berries.
His eyes scanned the surroundings. Once he confirmed no one was watching, he approached a modest-looking house.
Though seemingly random, he had observed this residence for some time.
While not immaculate, the walls were free of creeping vines—a sign that someone still lived here and maintained the property.
The thin layer of dust on the doorknob indicated that the owner rarely returned, only stopping by occasionally. It was the perfect temporary hideout.
As for why he didn't opt for an inn or tavern? Those places were breeding grounds for trouble, teeming with all sorts of unsavory characters.
He was here to complete a mission, and with only 68 hours left on the clock, he couldn't afford unnecessary distractions.
More strangers = More trouble = Unforeseen danger.
After one last glance to ensure no one was watching, Su Xiao pulled out a set of basic lockpicking tools.
Click. Click. Snap.
The door swung open effortlessly. His lockpicking skills, honed through training, made the crude locks of this world child's play.
As if entering his own home, Su Xiao stepped inside and closed the door firmly behind him.
Just as he'd anticipated, the house was empty.
It was a modest hundred-square-meter dwelling, with a family photo hanging on the wall—a man, a woman, and a little girl no older than a few years old. The mother's genuine smile spoke of a happy household.
Su Xiao wasted no time stripping off his filthy clothes and heading straight for the bathroom. Though his tolerance for discomfort was high, even he couldn't stand his own stench any longer.
Water cascaded over him, washing away the grime and odor. Once dressed in fresh clothes, he felt reborn.
Seated on the sofa, he summoned a white treasure chest into his hands.
[Treasure Chest (White). Open: Yes/No?]
He chose Yes.
The chest opened without fanfare—no blinding light, no dramatic sound effects.
[You have opened a Treasure Chest (White). Obtained the following items:]
500,000 Berries (Can only be used in this world.)
[Letter of Recommendation from Gate Captain Rowan]
100 Paradise Coins
Only three items, but not bad for a low-tier white chest. According to the Reincarnation Paradise's ranking system, white chests were the most basic tier.
He pocketed the Berries for now—they weren't immediately useful—and picked up the letter.
[Letter of Recommendation from Gate Captain Rowan]
Quality: White
Type: Trigger-type item
Rating: 5 (Item ratings mirror equipment ratings, ranging from 1 to 10. Higher ratings indicate greater value.)
Description: A passionately written letter of recommendation. Captain Rowan abused his authority to recommend a local thug from Foosha Village for the royal guard. With this letter, any man with sufficient Berries can join the guard corps.
Su Xiao's lips curled into a smile. This was exactly what he needed.
Since directly assassinating the king wasn't feasible, he at least needed to get close enough to see him. The Nightmare difficulty of this world meant brute force alone wouldn't cut it.
Stashing all the items into his Inventory Space, Su Xiao left the house without a second glance.
After a hearty meal at a nearby eatery, he began scouting for patrolling guards.
The so-called guard corps were likely responsible for maintaining order in the streets—dealing with petty theft and minor disturbances. Though their authority was limited, they were still an official branch of the Kingdom of Goa's power structure.
Following a few guards, he soon located their headquarters—a two-story office building with two lazily stationed sentries at the entrance.
With the letter of recommendation in hand, Su Xiao approached confidently.
"Halt! This is the guard corps headquarters. No unauthorized entry!"
A young guard barked, his tone haughty as he took in Su Xiao's civilian attire.
"I'm the new recruit—"
Su Xiao paused mid-sentence. The name "Su Xiao" would sound out of place in this world. Thinking fast, he continued:
"—Bai Ye."
The guard blinked, scrutinizing him.
"Bai Ye? I don't recall any new recruits. Are you trying to sneak in—"
"Reese! Remember what the captain said? Don't ask questions. Bai Ye, follow me."
An older guard cut in sharply, shooting the younger one a warning glare before leading Su Xiao inside.
The young guard scowled, muttering something under his breath.
Su Xiao ignored the insignificant grunt, following the older guard to an office door.
"Ahem."
The guard straightened his uniform, about to knock—when a voice from inside made him freeze.
He lowered his hand and stood silently to the side.
Knocking now would be a grave mistake—interrupting his superior's... private pastimes.
The older guard offered Su Xiao an apologetic smile. Since Su Xiao had "connections," he didn't want to offend him.
Su Xiao motioned for them to step aside, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to the guard.
Flick. The cigarette lit, and the two fell into casual conversation.
A single smoke could forge a fragile "friendship." No harm in that.
"You're a lucky one. Having 'connections' means you're already in. Don't worry—your spot in the guard corps is secured. Oh, and the name's Hank. Looks like we'll be colleagues."
Su Xiao smiled politely, though his eyes remained unchanged.
"Bai Ye. I'll be counting on you."
As he spoke, he slipped the remaining cigarettes into Hank's breast pocket.
He was already assessing the guard's potential usefulness. With zero knowledge of the capital's inner workings, Hank could be an invaluable resource.
Hank's grin widened noticeably.
After waiting a while longer, Hank finally knocked on the door.
"Who is it? Get in here!"
A rough voice bellowed from inside.