The already turbulent online Jianghu is once again thrown into chaos—a massive storm erupts as the Tai’e Sword of the great hero Henry Clark from Xiangzhong is stolen from the Sword-Unsheathing Pool at Wudang! NPCs are going all out to investigate, players are searching meticulously, and a storm is brewing!

While everyone is burning with anxiety, no one knows that the truth behind it all is simply because of a quest.

Unlike most players who love intense PK and settling grudges, Edward Thompson’s greatest joy in online games is taking on all kinds of quests. Finding the Tai’e Sword and handing it over to Sword-Hiding Manor’s Brian Cooper is a quest that Edward Thompson triggered by chance.

However, even Edward Thompson himself doesn’t know that this is just the beginning. The strange behavior of the Sword-Hiding Manor NPCs, the assassination of the Wudang Sect leader, the six personal disciples of the leader turning on each other—how are these events connected? And who is orchestrating it all?

Watch as quest expert Edward Thompson navigates danger at every turn, uncovers the truth behind the conspiracy, and cleverly solves one perilous situation after another!

Chapter One: A Shocking Move

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Shaolin and Wudang have always been the pillars of the martial world.

In “Jianghu Online,” this virtual martial arts game, both sects have their own strict rules. Shaolin does not allow female players, while Wudang forbids bringing weapons inside. Shaolin’s rule comes from being a Buddhist sanctuary, but Wudang’s is simply a testament to its prestigious status in the Jianghu.

The Sword-Unsheathing Pool halfway up Wudang Mountain is the symbol of this prestige. Every guest visiting Wudang must remove their weapons here.

Such a solemn place is now bustling with activity. In the shade of a large tree to the east, three or five players sit on the ground, playing Dou Dizhu with piles of silver coins beside them. On a smooth, mirror-like boulder, two players are locked in a fierce chess match. Nearby, on a large open space to the south, three stone tables are surrounded by stone stools, and the popularity of mahjong has clearly won out. Further south, on another open area, several people are sparring with fists and swords.

Here someone shouts “Bomb!” over there someone yells “Check!” In between, there are frequent cries of “I win!” and “Watch this move!” The area around the Sword-Unsheathing Pool has become the liveliest spot on all of Wudang Mountain.

There’s no helping it—the quest to guard the Sword-Unsheathing Pool is just too inhumane. Enduring a time limit of one hour (two real hours) is bad enough, and not being allowed to leave the platform is also tolerable. But the final reward for the quest depends on what happens during that hour, and this rule is simply unbearable for players. According to extensive player research, the most common thing to happen during that hour is… absolutely nothing.

Guarding the Sword-Unsheathing Pool is a matter of Wudang’s dignity and reputation, so it’s not taken lightly. Players doing this guard quest are really just for show; the real security is provided by fourteen Wudang disciples standing quietly around the edge of the pool.

These fourteen are not players, but elite Wudang NPCs. They can form two Seven-Segment Sword Formations, both offensive and defensive.

And these fourteen NPCs are just the tip of the iceberg of Wudang’s strength. Considering Wudang’s top-tier status and power in the Jianghu, you’d have to have a death wish to target the Sword-Unsheathing Pool.

No one dares cause trouble here, so guarding the pool has become a cushy job. If nothing happens for an hour, what kind of reward can you expect? If given a choice, no one would want to do this terrible quest. Unfortunately, guarding the Sword-Unsheathing Pool is one of Wudang’s routine tasks.

A routine task means it could fall on you at any time. In game terms, it’s random. If you’re unlucky enough to get this sect quest, you can only accept your bad luck. The longest time for the lowest reward, and nowhere to complain.

To make matters worse, quests in “Jianghu Online” can’t be abandoned at will. If you dare to violate the quest requirements—like going to the back mountain to grind monsters for an hour while you’re supposed to be guarding the pool—just wait and see how your sect will deal with you.

Most players are punished by losing sect reputation. Sect reputation is painstakingly accumulated over time, but it’s lost in an instant. One penalty can wipe out days of hard work.