Chapter 4

Page 1/3

He wasn’t sure whether to be more surprised that the system actually warned him or that cross-dressing was unexpectedly important.

But Ye Xiyin was not one to seek trouble. Since the system forbade mentioning it, there had to be a reason, so he said no more.

Habits were certainly less important than his life.

He even began to consider whether he should change back into male clothing.

But what if switching back still risked revealing his true gender?

Unfortunately, his ill-conceived idea seemed to inspire Xu Ziche, who pondered for a moment and thought it was a good plan.

“That’s not impossible. Those people are probably a group of two men and one woman. I’ll leave first to get our travel supplies, then let He Xiting disguise himself. You two stick together—this way, they won’t suspect anything for a while.”

“Conveniently, there’s an inn not far ahead. We can rest there for a night, then set off together the next day.”

His decision was swift, leaving Ye Xiyin no time to change his mind.

Still, the plan seemed reliable enough, so they agreed.

Only Ye Xiyin had no suitable male clothes on hand.

That wasn’t a big problem. Seeing his predicament, He Xiting rummaged through his backpack and tossed out a lavish set of garments adorned with numerous pendants.

It was obviously expensive.

Xu Ziche’s words confirmed it.

“Isn’t that the divine armor reward you got from your last mission? You’re just giving it away?”

In the game, anything linked to “divine” was no ordinary item—it was the highest quality, marked in golden hues. Thinking this, Ye Xiyin quickly refused.

“It’s too precious.”

Although system clothes could be freely traded, wearing something used was a different matter. No player would do a mission, receive a reward, and then give it away without hesitation.

He didn’t want the set, and He Xiting didn’t press.

But He Xiting’s expression froze, and he fell silent.

Could he be upset by the refusal?

Ye Xiyin dared not speak.

Xu Ziche, more experienced, joked, “Hey, shopping spree?”

At that moment, a golden-glowing box appeared in He Xiting’s hand, elegantly packaged for paying players. One after another, similar boxes piled up in his hands.

Pretending to be like any other NPC, Ye Xiyin held back from commenting on the strange sight.

Eventually, He Xiting accumulated about ten boxes.

Ye Xiyin thought: Is this some sort of extreme cart clearance?

Satisfied, He Xiting opened the boxes to reveal splendid, ornate clothing inside.

Only then did Ye Xiyin realize that He Xiting’s earlier silence wasn’t anger but an attempt to help him buy clothes.

He was momentarily speechless, unsure what to say, while his mind scrambled to find some items in his backpack as a return gift.

Why did he feel like he owed more and more?

Seeing him stunned, Xu Ziche laughed, “This guy’s not short on money; don’t hesitate to fleece the rich.”

He Xiting didn’t deny it and silently waited for him to choose.

Ye Xiyin could only grit his teeth and pick a less flashy garment.

Then He Xiting put away the other boxes and said calmly, “Wear the rest in rotation.”

What else could Ye Xiyin say? Only a faint sense of despair remained.

The pursuers’ whereabouts were still unknown. Without delay, they found a dilapidated house nearby where Ye Xiyin quickly changed clothes.

Page 2/3

Thanks to the system’s one-click dressing feature, he was spared the trouble of figuring out how to put on the clothes.

After confirming everything was in order on his personal interface, Ye Xiyin approached the two men with a slight smile. “How is it? Not bad, right?”

In truth, a closer look revealed Ye Xiyin’s appearance leaned toward androgyny, with a clear, somewhat masculine voice softened by a deliberately gentle tone.

Combined with his naturally frail body and slower development, his facial features were not sharp. Wearing female clothes naturally led others to assume he was a girl.

He wondered if changing to male clothes would alter their earlier impression.

The guards outside certainly seemed impressed.

Even the system’s lowest-quality clothes were hardly plain.

Removing the elaborate hair accessories and pale yellow garments, Ye Xiyin tied his hair into a neat ponytail. His striking eyebrows and eyes, along with the embroidered clothes, truly gave the look of a young nobleman.

“Looks quite decent,” Xu Ziche nodded.

He Xiting said nothing but kept his gaze fixed on Ye Xiyin.

Failing to get the response he wanted, Ye Xiyin sighed quietly.

Well, just let it be.

Without wasting more time, the three made their way to the inn. Upon arrival, Xu Ziche waved goodbye. “I’ll leave first. See you here tomorrow.”

Ye Xiyin nodded and waved back politely.

He Xiting didn’t join in the farewell. Taking out disguise tools from his backpack, he worked silently for a moment until his handsome face became ordinary. Were it not for his posture and aura, he could easily blend into a crowd.

After a brief pause, even that sharp air vanished, making him appear even more ordinary.

Having witnessed this remarkable transformation, Ye Xiyin opened his mouth slightly.

Such skilled disguise.

He Xiting’s gaze fell on him. “What’s wrong?”

Ye Xiyin shook his head quickly. “Nothing, nothing. Let’s get inside.”

He was unwilling to say more, and He Xiting didn’t pry. The two entered the inn.

The inn was called “Joyful Arrival.”

It was the only inn along the route to Lingxu County and a popular resting spot.

Inside, a few scattered customers dined quietly.

The waiter greeted them with a smile, quoting a classic line from dramas: “Guests, would you like to dine or stay the night?”

He Xiting ordered, “Give us the best room and some light food to be sent up later.” Handing over the silver coins, the waiter beamed and went to prepare.

It was Ye Xiyin’s first time acting like an NPC, and everything felt novel.

But he remembered his fugitive status and kept his gaze restrained. If anyone looked sharply, he would quickly avert his eyes to avoid suspicion.

Players rarely stayed in inns, usually only to reduce fatigue. Even then, they preferred teleporting directly to inns in the main city. Roadside inns like this mostly served travelers.

Fortunately, most NPCs here didn’t seem very strong, and He Xiting casually glanced around without concern.

The waiter spoke briefly at the counter. The innkeeper, busy with an abacus, glanced at them, then handed a set of keys to the waiter.

The waiter promptly took them and led the two upstairs.

Along the way, he kept chatting nonstop.

“Where do you two come from, and where are you headed?”

Not receiving answers didn’t embarrass him; he kept babbling.

“But it’s good you chose to stay here. We’re the only inn for miles, and everyone knows this is a good place to rest. Some guests didn’t believe it and stayed outside, only to disappear in a few days. Even the officials came asking about them.”

Though meant to promote the inn, his words sounded oddly unsettling.

Ye Xiyin eyed the waiter suspiciously.

Page 3/3

Could this be a hint of a side quest?

Unaware, the waiter continued, “Of course, we keep to ourselves and don’t get involved. Maybe it’s just conflicts between martial artists or encounters with wild beasts. That’s not unheard of. You two should be careful and avoid going out at night.”

Their room was finally reached, a modest chamber marked with the character for “day.” The waiter opened the door and handed the keys to them.

“Just return these when you leave.”

After tidying up a bit, the waiter left to prepare their meal.

Though talkative, he was efficient. Soon, a light meal arrived.

Having been hungry all day, the warm food quickly revived Ye Xiyin’s empty stomach and brightened his pale complexion.

After he finished eating and the inn prepared water for bathing, He Xiting said, “Try not to go out tonight. I’ll wait outside for you early tomorrow.”

Ye Xiyin was surprised. “You’re not staying...?”

Halfway through, he realized why and stopped himself.

He had forgotten—He Xiting, unlike him, was just a player.

Players had their own lives. For them, this was just a virtual pastime.

Some players might spend days in the game for quests, but ultimately it was for profit. Players like He Xiting likely had money and wouldn’t waste all their time here.

Ye Xiyin couldn’t stop He Xiting from logging off and taking care of real life.

Changing his tone, Ye Xiyin said, “Don’t worry. I’ll behave and wait here. See you tomorrow.”

He waved again, the gesture as heartfelt as when he had bid farewell to Xu Ziche.

For some reason, it looked pitiful.

That feeling came again—an inexplicable tenderness.

He Xiting’s eyes darkened slightly.

But no matter how real the game felt, it was still just a game and couldn’t affect reality.

He nodded and turned to leave.

Ye Xiyin rested his chin on his hand, watching He Xiting’s retreating figure, wondering when they would meet tomorrow.

The game “Sword Trial” prided itself on realism, syncing its time precisely with the real world.

Stories unfolded through NPC behavior simulations, with only broad strokes following the set plot.

In other words, if it was night in the game, it was night in reality.

So, by this agreement, a good night’s sleep would bring their meeting tomorrow.

He stared blankly, lost in thought, until a shadow suddenly fell over him.

Looking up, he saw He Xiting had returned unexpectedly, carrying a pile of golden items.

He then placed all the tools in Ye Xiyin’s arms.

“Hidden weapons, formations, healing potions—use them if there’s danger. Don’t be stingy,” he instructed in a somewhat indifferent tone that strangely carried a hint of warmth.

After finishing his instructions, He Xiting left again.

Ye Xiyin was left holding the assortment of items, staring at them in disbelief.

He Xiting truly was a good person.