In the game world, no one will die in a normal duel. Even if they kill Randy, it will only make him fail the game and deduct the corresponding points.
Xing Ye had never thought of killing Randy in the real world. He did not have the power to punish others. He killed Randy to eliminate an unstable factor.
Xing Ye would never allow a player who might take advantage of others in a crisis to run wild in the game.
But this matter still needs to be considered in the long run. After Xing Ye tested the QR codes in the hands of several people, he made a plan, and the three of them took action separately before Randy and others came back.
The mine outside the city is very far away, and it takes at least two days to go back and forth. The other three people just set out this morning and are expected to return tomorrow. Before that, we need to collect as much information as possible.
Guan Ling is the son of Old Nick. Old Nick has repaired all the puppets in the Puppet City. No matter they are ordinary puppets or rich and powerful ones, Old Nick treats them all equally.
With his identity protected, it is obviously easier for Guan Ling to find out information.
In one day, he ran to several places and told Xing Ye about the movements of the city lord, the richest man, the security captain and Old Nick, as well as what they had done in the past few days.
Guan Ling reported, "The security captain visited Cork today and gave her a few instructions, but Cork didn't tell her about our visit. The city lord called the security captain, and the two of them discussed it for a long time, but ultimately parted ways unhappily. The mine owner called the city lord, and a large amount of raw ore was coming into the city today. The security captain came to my house to repair a scrape on his arm, and he and Old Nick had a long chat, seemingly reaching a consensus. But after he left, the city lord arrived. Old Nick didn't see him, but asked me to give the city lord a box. The city lord opened the box, took a look, and left satisfied."
Xing Ye was very satisfied with his performance: "You were able to collect so much intelligence in one day, that's amazing."
"Hehe," Guan Ling smiled sheepishly, "I just realized that Little Nick is actually the tall, rich, and handsome guy in the city. I'm more popular with the female puppets than the other players. They actually think I'm better off than the city lord's son and the richest man's son."
Xing Ye said, "That's understandable. Puppet City is different from our world. The puppets aren't that snobbish, and they don't pursue power and money that fanatically. In their hearts, healing their bodies is more important than mining and managing the city. After all, Old Nick can help some of the weaker puppets become stronger."
"So I'm a blue chip stock." Guan Ling said happily, "So, is this information helpful to you, Boss?"
Xing Ye speculated, "Very useful. It seems that not only are we preparing for the final battle, but the conflict between Benedict and the city lord's faction has also intensified, and the battle is imminent.
The captain of security and Old Nick probably don't approve of the city lord going to war with Benedict, but they are afraid of Benedict. The captain of security is more inclined to peace, and Old Nick wants to remain neutral, but he still gave the city lord a box. I suspect that the box contains a remote control that can stop Benedict's robot. He is really a contradictory puppet. On the one hand, he said that he would unconditionally support Benedict, and on the other hand, he gave the city lord something to restrain the robot... He probably thinks that this thing can't kill Benedict, but it can protect the puppet soldiers sent by the city lord to a certain extent.
The city lord and the mine owner are determined to deal with Benedict and have already begun preparing supplies. However, there's one thing I don't understand: isn't the ore used to sustain the puppet's life? It's like a lifespan, not a weapon. Why would they need to prepare so much of it?
Cao Qian said, "It seems we don't have much time. When do you think the City Lord will take action?"
"Just these past few days, he sent troops there to test Benedict's strength. After discovering that Benedict was stronger than he imagined, he chose to join forces with the mine owner and begged Old Nick to give him the remote control."
Guan Ling asked, "Now that we've gathered enough intelligence and have memorized the plan to kill Randy, what do we do next?"
"Wait." Xing Ye said, "Wait for those two obedient players to come to us and ask for the puppet."
Just as Xing Ye said, the next night, Guan Ling and Cao Qian stayed in Xing Ye's small warehouse to discuss how to fight against Randy, what kind of emergencies might occur, and how to actively respond to these problems. Xing Ye made a table for them, and the two were reciting and simulating it in actual combat.
As the two were sparring, Guan Ling yelled, stopped dodging, and was punched in the chest by Cao Qian, sending him flying out of the warehouse.
Cao Qian had already reduced her strength in time, but the stickman's body was difficult to control, and half of her strength still hit Guan Ling.
Another big hole appeared on Guan Ling's chest, but fortunately he was a new type of puppet man with a strong body, so his internal structure was not damaged.
"Why did you stop?" Cao Qian asked.
Guan Ling ignored the wounds on his body and jumped up and said, "I just heard the narration's notification sound, and I got 5,000 points in one go!"
Cao Qian looked as if she had expected this: "Oh, that's normal. You gave the QR code to an important character in the plot and saved his life, so of course he treats you well."
Guan Ling nodded quickly. "But this is too much! Someone said that player Guan Ling successfully protected Pinocchio, completed a side quest, and earned 5,000 points, earning him a special QR code called 'Puppet Show.' There was also a friendly reminder that games still need a touch of tenderness, praising me for a good job! 'Puppet Show' turned out to be a rare QR code, and they even told me all its uses!"
Guan Ling told Xing Ye the purpose of the puppet show, and Xing Ye nodded confidently, saying, "This QR code is the key to breaking the deadlock. You should save it for the most critical moment."
"The system issues it directly to the bracelet, so I can't show it to you. Otherwise, this QR code is so useful, it would be great to be able to reuse it." Guan Ling said regretfully, "If it's used in this world, even if there are mobile phones in the next world, you won't be able to see it. This is my first rare QR code, and I feel a little sad to use it like this."
Xing Ye was very calm. "Before you met me, the QR code was just a disposable item for you. It's just a return to the starting point, so what's the pity? Remember one thing, the QR code obtained in this side quest will definitely be of great help in the true ending. In the previous world, if there was no "Requiem", even if Liu Mucheng regained his sanity, he would not be able to defeat Bai Xu. Before the final battle, no matter how dangerous the situation is, never waste "Puppet Show", especially when fighting Randy."
Xing Ye was rarely so serious, and Guan Ling patted his chest and promised that he would never use it.
Cao Qian was a little worried. Guan Ling's personality...
Xing Ye understood Cao Qian's mood, but the most critical QR code was currently in Guan Ling's hands. Whether to use it and when to use it depended entirely on his mood. If Guan Ling got impulsive, he would have no choice but to respond accordingly.
"Since the 'Thread of Cohesion' has taken effect, it means that the two obedient players have obtained information from Cork that we have taken the real Pinocchio, and they should come to negotiate with us soon. I will be responsible for negotiating with them at that time, and you will help them and try to get them to cooperate with us. Don't trust Randy easily." Xing Ye ordered.
Not long after he finished speaking, two players who obeyed his fate knocked on the door of the small warehouse.