I walk sideways in the game world

The man in black walked into the room and closed the door behind him. The candlelight cast a shadow on his face, making it difficult to see his expression. "What do you think?" He broke the silence, his voice low but carrying a hint of unquestionable majesty.

Ren Xiaoyao put down the teacup in his hand. The crisp clinking sound was particularly clear in the silent room. "Who is your master? Why is he helping me?"

The man in black raised his lips slightly, a hint of a smile. "You don't need to know my master's identity yet. As for why he's helping you," he paused, "it's because he believes you are the true dragon of this era. Only you can end the strife in this chaotic world."

"Words are not enough," Guard Zhao, who had been silent the whole time, stood up. His burly figure blocked Ren Xiaoyao's way, his eyes full of vigilance. "Who knows what you are up to! If you want my master to believe you, unless..."

"Unless what?" The man in black raised his eyebrows.

"Unless my lord becomes the sole owner of this stronghold!" Lieutenant General Li, who had been following Ren Xiaoyao, suddenly spoke up. His tone was firm, and his eyes were fixed on the man in black. "Only in this way can the safety of my lord be guaranteed!"

The man in black was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Interesting, truly interesting! Are you doubting my master's sincerity?" He suppressed his smile and glanced at everyone in the room. "My master said that as long as Ren Xiaoyao cooperates, he can help him quell the rebellion and unify the country! But..."

He deliberately prolonged his voice, his eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao, "He needs Ren Xiaoyao to hand over some of his power as a token of sincerity for cooperation."

"Impossible!" Guard Zhao roared, "If you want my master's power, you have to walk over my dead body!"

"My life was saved by you, my lord. I will die for you without hesitation!" Lieutenant General Li knelt on one knee and said with a fist clasped.

Ren Xiaoyao watched the scene unfold with mixed emotions. He knew that Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li were genuinely concerned for his own benefit, and he understood this loyalty better than anyone else.

"I..." Ren Xiaoyao took a deep breath and was about to speak when he was interrupted by the man in black.

"You don't have to answer me so quickly," the man in black said with a meaningful smile. "My master said he can give you some time to consider. But..." He paused and lowered his voice, "You don't have much time left..."

After saying this, he turned and pushed open the door. His figure disappeared into the night, leaving only one sentence echoing in the room: "Three days from now, on the full moon night, my master will be waiting for your reply at the top of Luoxia Peak..."

After the black-clad man left, the atmosphere in the room grew even more solemn. Ren Xiaoyao remained silent, pacing back and forth, his brow furrowed, clearly weighing something. Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li didn't dare interrupt, but stood quietly by, anxiously awaiting his decision.

"Brother Xiaoyao, do you really believe what the man in black said?" Xia Lin broke the silence, her clear eyes filled with worry. She had been investigating the man in black's background and always felt that things were not that simple.

Ren Xiaoyao paused, looking at Xia Lin, then at his loyal guards, Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li. A decision had already been made. "I believe in you!" he said firmly. "I believe that even without the help of that mysterious man, we can quell the rebellion on our own and restore peace to the world!"

Xia Lin smiled with relief when she heard this. She knew that Ren Xiaoyao would not be deceived by the immediate benefits and would always stick to his principles and beliefs.

"But my lord, our strength is still very weak. It is not easy to fight against the imperial army!" Lieutenant General Li looked embarrassed and his tone was full of worry.

"Yes, lord, we can't risk our brothers' lives!" Guard Zhao also persuaded.

Ren Xiaoyao walked up to them, patted their shoulders, and said in a calm and powerful tone: "I know what you are worried about, but I believe that as long as we brothers are united, we can achieve our goal. There is no difficulty that can stop us from moving forward!"

At this moment, Xia Lin suddenly said, "Brother Xiaoyao, I have found out the origins of that man in black!"

Ren Xiaoyao and his two brothers turned their gazes to Xia Lin, their eyes full of anticipation.

"He's actually..." Xia Lin lowered her voice and said a name that shocked everyone, "Mr. Wang's man!"

"What?!" Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li exclaimed in unison, their faces full of disbelief.

Ren Xiaoyao's expression also became solemn. He had long suspected that there was someone else behind the man in black, but he didn't expect it to be Wang Fushang. He had always thought that Wang Fushang was just a greedy businessman, but he didn't expect that he had such ambitions and wanted to use him to achieve his own goals.

"It seems that we have all been deceived by him!" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said in a cold tone, "This wealthy businessman Wang is really very brave!"

He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, turned to Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li and said, "Pass the order and gather all the brothers. I have something important to announce!"

Although Guard Zhao and Lieutenant General Li didn't know what Ren Xiaoyao was going to do, they took the order and left without hesitation.

That night, the meeting hall of the mountain stronghold was brightly lit, and all the leaders and core members gathered here, waiting for Ren Xiaoyao's arrival.

Ren Xiaoyao walked into the hall with a stern expression, his eyes swept over everyone, and finally stopped on a figure sitting in the corner.

"Manager Wang, long time no see!"

The meeting hall was completely silent, with only the occasional crackling of the flickering candlelight illuminating the faces of those present, some serious, some puzzled. Ren Xiaoyao's sharp gaze, like that of a hawk, locked onto the slightly trembling figure in the corner.

"Manager Wang, long time no see!" Ren Xiaoyao's voice was not loud, but it exploded in the hall like thunder, shaking everyone's hearts.

Steward Wang hunched over and slowly stood up from the shadows, forcing a stiff smile onto his dry face: "Village leader, you are joking. I am just a steward. How dare I..."

"Why are you being so modest, Steward Wang?" Ren Xiaoyao sneered, his tone carrying unquestionable authority. "You've been secretly colluding with the imperial court's lackeys, attempting to overthrow the stronghold. Are you still afraid of what others will say?"

Everyone was shocked when these words came out. The whispers and discussions suddenly stopped, and everyone's eyes were focused on Manager Wang, their faces filled with shock and anger.

Manager Wang's face instantly turned pale, his body swayed, and he almost collapsed to the ground. He hurriedly defended himself, "Master, please understand! I am loyal to the stronghold and have no second thoughts! This must be a frame-up!"

"Frame-up?" Ren Xiaoyao pulled out a letter from his pocket and threw it at Manager Wang's feet. "Look for yourself, what's written on it!"

Steward Wang picked up the envelope with trembling hands, opened it, and his face turned pale. This letter was the evidence of his secret contact with General Li. It clearly stated the plan to cooperate internally and externally to divide the stronghold.

"I..." Steward Wang was speechless, unable to utter a single word. He knew that all his crimes had been exposed, and no amount of excuses would avail.

Ren Xiaoyao looked around and shouted, "Brothers, this man is a traitor, colluding with the imperial court and trying to wipe us out! As the leader of the stronghold, I declare that this man is expelled from the stronghold and is forbidden to set foot here ever again!"

"Drive them out of the stronghold! Drive them out of the stronghold!" The crowd was outraged and responded one after another.

Manager Wang looked as pale as death. He knew that he was completely finished and could only be dragged out in disgrace.

Ren Xiaoyao watched Steward Wang leave, but he felt no sense of relief. He knew the real test had just begun. General Li's army could descend upon the city at any moment, and they were already at a disadvantage.

At this moment, an unexpected figure quietly appeared at the door of the meeting hall. He was wearing a black cloak and a mask, so his face could not be seen clearly, but from his upright posture and sharp eyes, it was clear that this person was no ordinary person.

"Ren Xiaoyao, I've long heard of your great name." The mysterious man's deep voice echoed in the hall. "I'm here to help on the orders of my master."

He slowly took off his mask, revealing a face that was extremely familiar to Ren Xiaoyao.

"You..." Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed, looking at the person in front of him in disbelief, "How could it be you?"