Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 176: Everyone Captured

Those things too distant were never within her considerations.

But now, circumstances have changed, forcing her to accept this information.

It’s not very practical for her.

What Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t know was that there is a type of trap called a "task pit" that you have no choice but to jump into.

Otherwise, how could she be discussing this issue with the system so easily?

"So, how many levels are needed to activate the ’Star Lord Exchange’?"

System: "Not too many, not too many, Level Ten, and we can light up the second icon."

Damn, Cheng Xiaoxiao was almost ready to curse. She’s only at Level Four now; who knows how long it will take to reach Level Ten? This isn’t a fantasy tale?

"The plague has already spread. If infected, medicine must be used immediately. You’re telling me I need to be Level Ten to exchange, and what do I exchange with?"

"When the host reaches Level Ten, the System Mall will upgrade. By then, we can list this world’s specialties in the Star Lord Exchange’s virtual space on the System Mall for sale. Only the star coins earned from selling can be used to trade with task takers from other dimensions."

Ha!

Can distant water save a nearby fire?

The system couldn’t help either; if Gu Ming’s tasks had rewards, maybe there’d be improvement. Now, let’s not even mention leveling up, the host doesn’t have a single System Coin.

Not only did she lose everything for this task, but she almost lost her life.

"Currently, our level is low, so we can only light up the first item trade icon, and the items in item trade come from the host’s past life items. Do you know why? Logically, item trades should only include products of this world."

"Is it because I traveled through time?"

"No!"

"Is it related to your previous host?"

Cheng Xiaoxiao asked tentatively.

"Yes, the previous host activated the System Mall, and I am already bound to this mall, making it advantageous for you!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao understood, so that’s how it is.

"High-level technology products are not suitable for ordinary humans, so our purchase permissions are limited. Trading with task takers from various dimensions is quite convenient for task takers."

"No, it doesn’t make sense! When I reach Level Ten, I can exchange for toxic antibody liquid for use by others besides me? You suggested this before without mentioning any cost!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao retorted.

She found the system’s words contradictory.

"Ahem! Host, normally this is so, but isn’t our world on the brink of extinction? With so many deaths every day, those above won’t mind if you save a few ordinary people insignificant to this world."

The system hurriedly continued, fearing Cheng Xiaoxiao might misunderstand, "Of course, you can save a few people privately, but large-scale use of items violating this world’s rules is prohibited."

"On the other hand, if I don’t use the System Mall items, how can I save more lives in this world?"

"Since those above regard the host’s System Mall as a mall from another ordinary small world, they turn a blind eye, indicating they won’t stop things unless they go too far."

"What about heat weapons?" Cheng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think. Earlier, she wanted to get a handgun for self-defense.

Ahem!

Why does it feel like the host has a lot of questions today?

This question is unknown too!

Why not suggest the host try it?

"As for... a handgun, it probably wouldn’t be an issue since the damaging power is limited, but as for tanks, cannons, or missiles, it would need some trial."

This pit is quite large, isn’t it?

"What if it doesn’t work?"

The system thought for a moment and said, "If it’s beyond allowable limits and the host violates the rules, most likely the mall usage rights would be revoked."

"And you’re still telling me to try!" Cheng Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at the system.

Hopeless in achieving something, adept at causing failure.

"No one has tried it, so naturally the result is unknown!"

The system explained seriously.

Ha!

The topic has wandered a bit.

Now she’s a penniless pauper, talking about sugar-coated bullets.

Really!

All misled by the system’s words.

System: "..."

The host is throwing the pot again, wasn’t it her who asked?

Cheng Xiaoxiao ignored the system’s grumbling and gathered her thoughts.

The villagers must have gone to the town in advance.

She quickly picked up her pace, sprinting toward Yu County. Just after a short rest to ease her foot discomfort, intense pain surged again due to the rushed steps, nearly causing her to stumble and fall.

Hiss!

The blisters on her foot burst, healed, and burst again, tormented back and forth over the past two days.

In another day or two, when calluses form, it should be better, Cheng Xiaoxiao consoled herself.

There’s no other way now; she can only grit her teeth and keep going.

She doesn’t want to, but ever since learning about the plague’s outbreak, she’s not dared to use anything outside.

Forcing herself to walk back on foot.

Unexpectedly, when she reached the camp, this was the outcome. She couldn’t rest, but endured the pain and rushed to a hill about 800 meters from Yu County.

At present, Yu County’s city gate is closely shut, and no guards are seen standing on duty.

The system scanned and infiltrated the city in an instant. Listening carefully to the gossip, it found out that they too had received news of the plague; now, entering and exiting the city gate is strictly prohibited. Hence, patrols were negligent, with only a few guards inside the gate napping.

Cheng Xiaoxiao skirted the large open area at the front, heading toward the forest on the side, evading the patrol that occurs every quarter-hour, and slowly approached the west side of the city wall’s base.

This way, the system’s scanning range can essentially cover all of Yu County.

Unfortunately, the news she received was that the entire village had been captured, including Leng Qi.

At this moment, Leng Qi was in a dark, damp cell, his limbs chained tightly, his body covered in bloodstains, as if subjected to severe torture.

With his head lowered, his face was unclear, but it was easy to guess things were not good.

As powerful as Leng Qi was, even he was captured, which Cheng Xiaoxiao never expected.

The system soon located the host’s family, but unfortunately, in the cell, there were only her father, uncle, and aunt. They were all conscious, yet each bore injuries of varying degrees, while the family’s young girls were nowhere to be seen.

The same applied to the village’s other people; only a few elderly villagers were detained here. The elderly couples were absent, as were the women and children.

Cheng Xiaoxiao had a bad feeling, becoming increasingly tense.

The system continued scanning forward, discovering inside a luxurious dwelling, with blue tile walls and pink silk curtains, continual music playing, reveling in song and dance.

Seated in a circle, wealthy local gentry raised their glasses and enjoyed the dance performance in the dance pool, thoroughly at ease.

In the dance pool, the girls wore light gauze, swaying their enchanting bodies in a dance, captivatingly beautiful, igniting desires in the hearts of their male onlookers.

Upon the song’s completion, the dancers gracefully retreated. Immediately, many raggedly dressed girls were brought forward, their hands and feet bound, staggered forward into the dance pool’s center.

The girls were terrified, knowing what fate awaited them.

They were now lambs to the slaughter, commodities to be enslaved at will, available for these powerful men to choose.

These men weren’t selecting for free either.

All decisions lay in the hands of the cold-faced man at the head of the table.