Big Charles was completely speechless. In most transmigration-themed games, Liu, Guan, and Zhang are characters that players can encounter at any time. But in this world, they are mercenary guest generals who can go months without a trace. A so-called guest general is someone who, no matter whom they serve, brings along their own team of civil and military staff and a private army. The lord cannot command them, but the guest general can request troops from the lord. The most famous guest generals in the Three Kingdoms are Liu Bei and Lü Bu, followed by Zhang Xiu and Huang Zu.

Here, two lucky players happened to meet them in the wild, each obtaining a general token: one for Liu Bei’s subordinate Chen Dao, and one for Lü Bu’s subordinate Gao Shun. They also received the “White Ear Troops” and “Camp Crushers” troop tokens, and with these, both players snowballed their way into the top 50. Liu Bei and Lü Bu thus became the hope for countless players to win big and turn their fortunes around.

For Big Charles, it was all a pipe dream. He had tried every so-called “hidden quest” in and out of the city, but none were reliable. He was just too stubborn to bow his head.

Scott Bolton said in a low voice, “Let me be direct. Now that you have a vehicle, you’ve leveled up. Chicken Bro won’t just sit by and watch. If you don’t join, the consequences will be serious!”

Big Charles’s expression turned grave!

At the same time, a commotion broke out among the convoy, and other players immediately voiced their displeasure at the threat: “So what if we don’t join? Is Chicken Bro going to kill us or what?”

A gang leader said coldly, “Leo and Luke Price, right? If you had bet on Chicken and won back then, you’d be even more ruthless than Chicken Bro. The fact that Chicken Bro has let you stay this long is already pretty generous! And who do you think is responsible for the security in Yongchang? Enough talk. You have until the end of the day to think it over. When we enter the city this afternoon, Chicken Bro wants to hear good news.”

Luke Price was furious: “Generous, my ass! You’re just fattening us up like Chicken for the slaughter!”

The leader sneered, “So, are you joining or not? You’d better hurry if you want to develop your own downline! If you’re even a step behind, you’ll miss out on a whole gang level.”

Luke Price’s face twitched, turning from red to white, then he bowed deeply: “I’ll join! Thank you, Chicken Bro, for your generosity!”

The crowd erupted, with the gang members clapping and laughing!

Big Charles could hardly believe it. Wasn’t this Luke Price always the bold, inspirational leader who stood up for others?

Luke Price tied a silk ribbon to his arm, immediately climbed onto a small vehicle, and shouted, “Brothers and family, are we poor because we don’t work hard? No! Is it because we lack ability? Even less so! We just lack a chance to show our talents, a platform! Chicken Bro has already built this platform for us and given us countless opportunities. Chicken Bro is truly capable and truly loyal! What reason do we have not to be moved? How could we not feel guilty? Now we’re high-level logistics talents, and Chicken Bro won’t treat us badly. All we need to do is repay this kindness with a grateful heart—let’s hear it for those who understand!”

The leader clapped and laughed, “You really are a talent, damn it!”

The bewildered convoy began to come around, and cries of “I’ll join!” and applause rang out!

Scott Bolton anxiously shook Big Charles: “Big Charles! Don’t be so stubborn, what are you waiting for?”

It’s just a damn pyramid scheme gang—no way! If I join now, what was the point of holding out for half a year?

Without another word, Big Charles pushed his cart and kept moving forward!

Behind him, Luke Price’s loud shout rang out: “Hey, Big Charles, right? From today on, the mountain safe zone and the herb area are all our gang’s turf. If you’re not a member, get lost!”

The whole place instantly fell silent.

Big Charles shuddered all over! This Luke Price really is much more ruthless than Chicken Bro. He’s already making arrangements before even becoming a leader? Or has he actually been Chicken Bro’s inside man all along, playing us?

At that moment, all sorts of motivational chicken-soup stories and tales of Han Xin’s humiliation flashed through Big Charles’s mind, warning him to turn back and admit defeat. But Big Charles found that, no matter what, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He simply couldn’t put on that ugly, two-faced act!

Gritting his teeth, Big Charles pushed his cart out of the city without looking back...

Chapter Two: A Talent One in a Thousand

Big Charles arrived at the city gate, staring blankly at the firewood-covered hills outside. That was no longer his destination—where should he go now? This wasn’t like his old company, where he could just quit and deliver takeout if things went bad. There were no buses to safely take him to a neighboring city hundreds of miles away. Once you’re isolated, you’re finished!

No, he was already isolated. There was no sound of wheels behind him, which meant everyone else had joined the gang.

It’s over! They’re going to make an example out of me!

Just as he was panicking, the voice of the old gate guard reached his ears: “Cart boy, don’t block the road!”

This was a lame old soldier who lounged at the gate all day, drinking gourd tea and munching on sunflower seeds. His nickname was Lame Old Man. According to the principle of “strange appearance means strange ability,” there were plenty of rumors among the city’s players about him—like being a hidden legendary war god or something.

So, whether they had business or not, players would always greet him when passing by, and persistently offer him wild mushrooms, fruits, or melons they’d picked, hoping to trigger a hidden quest. In the end, no hidden quest was ever triggered, but the old soldier got used to being pampered, and his demands for food and favors only grew. This was also one of the most unreliable “hidden quests” in the city that Big Charles had ever tried.

At this moment, Big Charles was desperate for someone to talk to, so he moved his cart aside and stepped forward to ask, “Lame Old Man, I’m at a dead end. Can you point me to a way out?”

Lame Old Man sneered, “No way out? Did you break your leg too?”