Chapter 5: The True Emperor of Luck

Soon, the police finished processing the scene and prepared to move everything to the station. At this point, they informed Cameron and Ou Xiaolu that they were free to leave. After all, neither of them had any involvement in the incident—Ou Xiaolu was just a student newly arrived in the United States of Amiliki, who had barely gotten off the plane before being targeted as an easy mark by a cab-driving thief, while Cameron’s luck was even worse—he’d simply been driving along when he was hit by someone who wasn’t watching the road.

So, after they had given their statements, the police let them go. Cameron’s car, however, had to be impounded for a while; in the end, he and Ou Xiaolu caught a ride back to Xinxing City in a police car.

On the drive back, Ou Xiaolu inquired about the area. That stretch of highway was the notorious Route 71, known locally as the “Ghost Road” outside Xinxing. Since it was surrounded by wilderness, most drivers avoided it unless they were in a hurry. For that very reason, it had gained a reputation as a dumping ground for murder victims. At night, people spoke of eerie winds along the roadside, enough to frighten anyone.

During the ride to Xinxing, the blonde policewoman kept eyeing Ou Xiaolu with curiosity. The whole way, he and Cameron chatted cheerfully, showing no sign of being shaken by the truck accident. This piqued the policewoman’s interest, and as they approached the city center, she couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you scared?”

Ou Xiaolu lifted his head and replied, “This is the second time in a year. I’m used to it.” As he spoke, he waved his amputated left arm in a casual gesture.

The male officer driving had been listening in and now interjected, “You really have some rotten luck. Not even a year here, and you’ve already been in two car accidents.”

“But I survived,” Ou Xiaolu said with a wink. At once, the car fell silent, for everyone understood how lucky one had to be to survive two such accidents.

In this subdued atmosphere, they entered Xinxing. As soon as they reached the city, Cameron got out and left on his own, while Ou Xiaolu was dropped off at the gates of Stone Creek Branch of Xinxing State University.

After letting him out, the policewoman gave him her number, telling him to call anytime if he ran into trouble. Ou Xiaolu, however, paid little heed to her kindness, his attention fixed instead on the results of his Underling’s final search.

Earlier, after opening a treasure chest, Ou Xiaolu had gained the skill [Underwater Breathing], giving his Underling the ability to stay underwater for seventy-one minutes. Now, the Underling could explore compartments previously submerged. Yet inside those chambers, there was little of value; the Underling did, however, discover two corpses that hadn’t managed to escape. After all these years, the bodies were reduced to stark white bones, but the remains of their uniforms still hinted at their identities.

As Ou Xiaolu recalled the details from the rumors, the familiar voice of the Newbie Guide sounded in his ear. “Your character has found a new treasure chest.”

Guided by the Newbie Guide, Ou Xiaolu saw it was true—the Underling had discovered an inconspicuous chest beneath one of the skeletons. This time, though, the chest gave off not a blue glow, but a faint, nearly imperceptible white light.

“A white chest. Go on, show us what you’ve got,” the Newbie Guide teased. Ou Xiaolu twitched at the words—he hadn’t expected the guide to be making jokes so soon. Was this a jab at his surname? No matter—white chest or not, he was determined to pull something different out of it.

With this spirit, Ou Xiaolu directed his Underling to open the chest. Instantly, five beams of white light flashed before his eyes. Just as he was about to put the cards away in disappointment, one suddenly caught his eye, and he broke into delighted laughter. “I told you there’s nothing wrong with my luck—I’m the champion of draws!”

The Newbie Guide, meanwhile, remained silent, ignoring Ou Xiaolu’s exultant outburst.

[Ink Spray: Skill Card, White. Sprays a cloud of ink to confuse or blind the enemy.]
[Great Octopus: Character Card, Minion Class, Power 45/45. Has Camouflage, Ink Spray, and Constrict.]
[Clownfish: Character Card, Minion Class, Power 47/47. Has Swift Swim, Water Jet, and Mud Fling.]
[Ink Seahorse: Character Card, Minion Class, Power 97/97. Has Bubble, Water Gun, and High-Speed Movement. (Upgradeable)]
[Coral Reef: World Card, Micro, 3/3/0. Opens a portal to a deep-sea coral reef—a world of marine creatures, where you may discover something unexpected.]

No wonder Ou Xiaolu was so delighted. A chest usually yielded five cards—one guaranteed to be a skill—yet he had drawn three character cards and a world card. What’s more, the [Ink Seahorse] minion was upgradeable. That was like getting the contents of two and a half packs from a single chest; if this was the luck of an “unlucky soul,” then no one could claim any European blood.

Buoyed by his good fortune, Ou Xiaolu sent the Underling to finish searching the last bit of the wreck, then tapped on [World: Coral Reef].

At that moment, the Newbie Guide reappeared, nodding in satisfaction. “It seems I’ve taught you well. You’ve already learned to open multiple worlds.”

Ou Xiaolu ignored the guide’s self-congratulation, focusing all his attention on the Ink Seahorse. It was an oddly endearing marine creature, its body a pale blue, resembling a normal seahorse, but about as tall as Ou Xiaolu’s calf. Its mouth was round and pouty, occasionally puffing out bubbles or a narrow jet of blue-tinged water.

After placing the Ink Seahorse into the [World: Coral Reef], Ou Xiaolu didn’t linger. With the day’s incidents, he was already late to register at the university. He needed to hurry, sign in, and handle dorm arrangements—if things weren’t settled today, he really might end up sleeping on the streets.

But just as Ou Xiaolu tried to pick up his pace, trouble found him yet again. He hadn’t even reached the administrative building of Stone Creek Branch when the Newbie Guide’s voice sounded once more.

“All right, I believe you’re the so-called champion of luck—even if I don’t want to admit it. But I need you to come with me now.”

Ou Xiaolu paused, his steps instantly halting. After a brief hesitation, he turned and followed the direction indicated by the Newbie Guide, unconcerned that he was so close to the administrative building.

Following the guide, he arrived at an inconspicuous little building. Ou Xiaolu noticed that one side of it was covered in graffiti.

Standing at the foot of the building, his gaze landed naturally on one piece in particular: a vulture with two heads, its wings spread wide, clutching an arrow in one talon and a dying snake in the other. Scrawled across its body was the word “Scavenger.”