It was supposed to be a casual game, but the Long March dungeon brought tears to everyone's eye

Inside the dimly lit thatched hut, the smoke from burning firewood filled the air.

"Here you go."

The old man's hands were withered and thin, and his fingernails were filled with black dirt.

He shakily stuffed the small half-bag of rice into the arms of the still bewildered Ba Ba Da Shun.

In other games, people might think that "88 Great Fortune" is a perk.

But when he looked at the rice in his arms, he saw that the bag was made of tattered cloth from who-knows-when, with two patches on it.

There's not much rice, maybe a pound or two at most.

Each grain had its husk removed, making it almost blindingly white.

As a self-proclaimed "red player" (a player who plays without real knowledge), BaBaDaShun instinctively wanted to refuse.

"Sir, this won't do, we have rules..."

As a top-tier player, 88DaShun also put himself in the role and suddenly thought of the "Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention"—

Second, we will not take a single needle or thread from the people!

"What discipline?!"

The old man grew anxious, and tears welled up in his cloudy old eyes.

He held down Ba Ba Da Shun's hand tightly, with astonishing strength.

"Those warlords from the surrounding area, they just come and loot!"

"Those Japanese devils from the east, they're going to kill us!"

"Only you... only you come into the village without disturbing the villagers, and even write on the wall that you want to help us poor people turn our lives around."

The old man sniffed, his voice choked with emotion.

"I don't understand any grand principles, but I know that whoever treats me like a human being, I hope they win."

"Take this! Eat your fill, cross the river, and win the battle! Don't let this world get any darker!"

Ba Ba Da Shun was stunned upon hearing this.

The small half-bag of rice in my hand suddenly felt much heavier.

This old man, in just a few words, explained why he was so kind to the Red Legion—

It's simply because this world is just too bad.

For ordinary people, an ideal army like the Red Legion is far too "ideal."

They all hoped that this army could continue to advance.

With just a few words, Ba Ba Da Shun understood what Kuang Ge felt.

In "Red Expedition", even an ordinary villager is a flesh-and-blood being with thoughts and feelings.

It's difficult for him to treat the old man as virtual data.

Ba Ba Da Shun took a deep breath, his previous playful mindset vanishing completely.

Then, with a serious expression, he gave a solemn military salute.

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

……

Ten minutes later, at Anshunchang Ferry Terminal.

The ferry crossing was already bustling with activity, with nearly a thousand players gathered there.

Although everyone was wearing drab military uniforms, their spirit was completely different from that of the veteran sergeant.

Even at this historical crossroads, they still carry the nonchalance and arrogance of modern gamers.

"Brothers! Charge! Let's get the first kill!"

"Why doesn't this crappy gun have a sight? Can this old-fashioned slide even kill anyone?"

"Never mind! Even if we have to use sheer numbers, can't a thousand of us get through?"

In the crowd, a player with the ID "Blue Knight" frowned and tried to shout in the public channel.

"Everyone, don't panic! This is a campaign instance, not PUBG! Find cover and organize suppressive fire!"

"There's a bunker on the other side! We need to separate the fire support team and the assault team!"

However, his voice was instantly drowned out by the cacophony of a thousand people.

"Suppress my ass! I'm willing to risk my life for this!"

"Get on the boat quickly! If the boat is all looted, we won't even get any soup!"

A simple wooden boat was moored on the bank; it was the only means of crossing the river.

Watching this mob swarm forward like they were grabbing discounted eggs at a supermarket, even pushing and shoving each other and hurling insults at each other to grab a spot on the ship, the Blue Knight shut his mouth in despair.

Ba Ba Da Shun came over and, seeing this scene, also felt his scalp tingle.

"Brother, is this... going to work?"

The blue knight sneered, looking at the turbulent, roaring Dadu River in the distance.

"Okay? Just you wait and see, this river will cure any stubbornness."

The first wave of players who managed to grab a boat shouted with excitement, and ten people squeezed onto the same small boat.

The boatman looked at the group of chaotic "recruits" who didn't seem to be from the Red Army, and a hint of fear and helplessness flashed in his eyes.

But at the players' urging, he still opened the pole.

The boat has left the shore.

The waters of the Dadu River are not a still lake, but a roaring beast.

As soon as it entered the middle of the river, the swift current felt like a giant hand slamming down on the light wooden boat.

"Holy crap! This is so shaky!"

"Don't push! It'll tip over if you keep pushing!"

The players were swaying back and forth on the boat, and some even fell into the water with a "plop" because they couldn't stand properly.

In this icy, fast-flowing water, if you fall in, you won't even make a splash; you'll be instantly swept into a whirlpool and disappear without a trace.

"What kind of physics engine is this? It's ridiculously overpowered!"

"Help! I can't swim!"

Before the players could even adjust to the terrifying current, the "welcome ceremony" on the other side began.

"Da da da da da—"

Suddenly, several long tongues of fire spewed out from the dark holes of the bunker on the opposite bank.

The boats, packed with players, were instantly engulfed in a shower of sawdust and a burst of blood mist.

"Aaaaaah!!"

The screams instantly drowned out the sound of water.

The bullet pierced through the thin planks of the ship and through the player's frail body.

Some people had their legs broken, and some had half their heads chopped off.

To prevent players from experiencing mental breakdowns, the system has blocked most of the pain and visual effects.

But the visual impact of watching one's own health bar evaporate instantly and seeing teammates fall like wheat being harvested still left everyone's minds blank.

"Fire! Fight back!"

Someone on the boat shouted, raised his old rifle, and randomly pulled the trigger towards the opposite bank.

"Bang!"

A bullet flew out and drifted away, its destination unknown.

With this old-fashioned rifle, on a rocking boat, without any sights, trying to hit the firing port of a bunker on the shore? That's just wishful thinking!

Within minutes, the "river-crossing team," representing hope of crossing the river, was wiped out.

The sinking of the only ship signifies the game's swift end.

On the shore, the remaining nine hundred or so players who were firing scattered shots suddenly fell silent.

"Huh? The game's over already?!"

Many players, before even understanding the rules, end the game in a daze.

The blue knight returned to the matchmaking lobby and looked at the speechless 88 Da Shun beside him.

"Do you know what we're lacking?"

BaBaDaShun frowned. "Lacking equipment—no, discipline?"

He then thought of the "Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention".

First, obey all commands!

The Blue Knight glanced at the Eight-Eight Great Fortune with surprise and nodded.

"Yes, they lack discipline!"

Discipline is the biggest problem for a group of thousands of players!

The Eight-Eight Great Fortune remained silent.

Discipline and such are indeed distant concepts for the average player.

After all, it's just a game.

"Hey, how much longer until Kuang-ge and the others clear the level?" Ba Ba Da Shun suddenly asked.

If they can't organize the players, surely the three most popular members of "Red Expedition" can organize them?

Blue Knight glanced at the Eagle Eye livestream room he was familiar with, pondered for a moment, and said.

"The reason Luo, that old scoundrel, released the prequel to Luding Bridge at this time is probably because they're about to leave the grasslands..."

【

Thanks to "Light Blue Reader Knight" for the free massage; my head is buzzing from writing this extra chapter...

The next chapter will be about leaving the grasslands, and the old sergeant won't be killed!

】