There is One New Rule Every Month Globally

"Hmm."

Chen Yi nodded slightly, stuffed the threshold he was holding into his backpack, and prepared to take a closer look once he left the map.

Meanwhile, the Tuberculosis Rabbit's breathing had become somewhat rapid. Looking at the widow standing straight in front of him, his eyes were slightly red. Initially, he didn't feel much, but when the widow bent over in front of him just now, it was somewhat unbearable.

The nightgown was made of silk and very loose.

Bending down, it left almost nothing to the imagination.

He had seen everything that was supposed to be seen—and even what wasn't.

Right at that moment—

Accompanied by a flash of white light before their eyes, a prompt sounded in both of their ears.

"Ding, congratulations to the 'Rabbits Do Not Kill' team for successfully clearing the E-class map, Night Widow Village."

"Now beginning map evaluation."

"Map evaluation: 100% perfection rating. You killed all the ghosts within seventeen minutes and found the real widow. Your speed and efficiency in clearing the map are worthy of this rating."

"Map Reward: 100% Rating Reward—8000 Points, D-class Prop Chest*2, Special Reward Widow's Threshold*1."

"PS: Map scores range from 1% to 100%. The first team to clear a map will always receive a 100% rating, which is the initial perfect score.

Subsequent team scores will be based on the rating of this first team.

If another team later scores higher than this first team, their rating will be 100% and will become the new standard for the perfect score.

Future team ratings will be scored based on the new standard set by that team."

When the prompt concluded, the two were transported back to their own rental homes.

"A 100% rating, huh?"

The Tuberculosis Rabbit spoke thoughtfully, "If it's this kind of scoring mechanism, then theoretically, the earlier you enter a new map, the easier it is to obtain a better rating."

The mechanism was simple.

When few people enter a map, a perfect score might be 10 points, but as more people enter, it could become 100 points.

If you get 5 points when few people have entered, it translates to a 50% map rating.

But if you get 5 points when many people have entered, it only equals a 5% map rating.

The same score, but different percentage ratings, due to different standards of a perfect score. Your adventure continues at empire

Chen Yi didn't speak but looked towards the special reward he had obtained from the map, a D-class prop.

"Prop Name": Widow's Threshold.

"Prop Level": D-class prop.

"Prop Effect": Place this prop at the entrance of a building, and any life form with carnal desires will be unable to cross the threshold and enter.

"Prop Introduction": "I am a wandering Taoist, roaming the world. One day, after receiving poor treatment from the brothel madam, I placed this prop at the entrance of her establishment—a wandering blind Taoist."

A rule-based prop.

Under most circumstances, it wouldn't be of much use, as it only prevents entry through the door, not through windows, roofs, walls, underground, etc.

Moreover, it has a high prerequisite—it affects only lifeforms with carnal desires.

But in certain special cases, it could be quite useful.

For example...

Chen Yi narrowed his eyes, beginning to ponder how to maximize the use of this prop.

And just then—

The Tuberculosis Rabbit noticed there was one more person in the room and, somewhat surprised, turned his head towards Sword Without End, who sat on the couch smoking, "You're back? When did you get back?"

"..."

Sword Without End remained expressionless and unresponsive, not even glancing at the Tuberculosis Rabbit. Instead, he turned his head towards Chen Yi: "Yi, I've done all the things you asked me to do."

"Those people you mentioned are all thoroughly dead."

"Hmm."

Chen Yi nodded and walked to the front of the couch, stood opposite the coffee table looking at the two extinguished cigarette butts in the ashtray, then at the one Sword Without End was holding, nearly burnt out. He was silent for a while before saying softly,

"That's quite an expensive smoke, 1000 Points a stick."

"Ah?"

Sword Without End was taken aback, a bit bewildered, "What do you mean? These cigarettes aren't expensive, they're from the pre-cataclysm era; they don't cost Points."

"That's not what I mean."

The Tuberculosis Rabbit, with a look of realization squatting in front of the coffee table, staring at the two butts in the ashtray, remarked, "Didn't you see the July rules when you came back? Even if you didn't check the rules, shouldn't you have received a system prompt?"

"Is it already July?"

A flicker of shock passed through Sword Without End's eyes as he hastily browsed his unread notifications: "I didn't know; the map I was revived on had days that felt very long, and I lost track of time."

Soon, he saw the three system prompts for smoking deductions of 1000 Points each.

As well as the July rule—No Smoking.

"..."

Sword Without End looked down at the cigarette in his hand about to burn out and then glanced up at the ceiling before muttering.

"So, you're saying that I've used up my three chances?"

"If I smoke again indoors in July, I'll just drop dead on the spot?"

"That's correct."

The Tuberculosis Rabbit stood up, hands in pockets, and clicked his tongue, "You've got guts, smoking when there's a total ban in July."

"No worries."

Although Sword Without End was somewhat grieved about losing 3000 Points, he quickly recovered, "As long as I don't smoke indoors in July, it's fine. It just means I have no room for error now."

"It's still a bit tough to come back from down there."

"Even with my strength, it's somewhat troublesome, not to mention regular players."

"Resurrecting from hell, for the average player, is like the carrot dangling in front of a tethered donkey: visible but unattainable."

"Luck and strength, you can't lack either."

"Moreover, if it's the second death, the difficulty of resurrection doubles."

"Let's go up and chat."

Chen Yi took the lead and walked towards the door.

...

On the rooftop, under the night sky.

Chen Yi dismantled the sunshade on the roof, sat down on a beach chair, lit a cigarette, and looked towards Sword Without End as he casually opened his mouth and asked, "So, have you found your wife?"

"No."

Sword Without End spoke in a somewhat depressed tone, "Only players who died after the game update appear on the map. My wife is not in hell."

"I had thought of this possibility before."

"But facing it for real is still a bit upsetting. The hope that had just risen is now shattered."

"I really miss my wife. I really want to take her to see the auroras at the Antarctic, something I promised her."

"That..."

Tuberculosis Rabbit started to speak with a strange expression, "I hate to remind you, but you might have just lost another 1000 Points. There are two rules for July: aside from the ban on smoking, there's also a ban on expressing love."

"Ah?"

Sword Without End was stunned for a moment, then scrutinized the rules for July again, looking somewhat distressed as he picked up a cigarette and fiercely put it to his mouth. Before lighting it, he made sure to confirm once more that the sky was overhead and there were no obstructions above.

Then he spoke, trying to suppress his anger.

"Fine, just deduct them. What kind of ridiculous rules are these?"

"I'm going back first. There are some things to take care of at home."

"Sure."

Chen Yi nodded.

As the words fell,

Sword Without End stepped onto the blade of Three-Foot Qingfeng and turned into a streak of light disappearing into the horizon.

...

"What a pity."

Looking in the direction of Sword Without End's departure, Tuberculosis Rabbit lay back on the lounge chair and said with a bit of regret, "Once Sword Without End wakes up, won't my artwork be ruined?"

"Yi, you know me well. I actually really liked that piece of art."

"I had to look at it several times a day in the living room."

"And I put quite a bit of effort into making that artwork. Having it ruined like this really hurts."

"Why don't we just kill Sword Without End again?"

"..."

Chen Yi glanced at Tuberculosis Rabbit disapprovingly, "Listen to yourself. Stop doing these unkind things. When Sword Without End dies on his own, I'll find his corpse for you to frame on the wall."

"That works."

Tuberculosis Rabbit nodded in agreement, "Looking at the situation, it shouldn't take long. The allowance for mistakes in the July rules has almost been used up by Sword Without End. A smoker and lover like him won't last long under July's rules."

"Smoking and confessing love at the same time; it's hard to live even a few more days."

"But Yi, I'm planning to go to the Silver Party Club to have some fun. That widow in the nightgown got me interested. Do you want to come along?"

"You go ahead, I won't join,"

Chen Yi shook his head, declining Tuberculosis Rabbit's invitation, "It's fine to play with those things once in a while, but finding a girlfriend sooner is the right way."

"Not happening."

Tuberculosis Rabbit shook his head and walked to the edge of the rooftop with a serious look, "Forget about girlfriends. It's better with these mask-wearing types; after the deed, no one owes anyone, and everyone goes their separate ways."

"I can't smoke inside the Silver Party Club; it's indoor. I need to smoke a few more before entering."

"These July rules don't pose much risk; they're just annoying. They're too uncomfortable for an uncouth person like me."

After several cigarettes.

Tuberculosis Rabbit pulled out a Silver Party Ticket and activated right there, turning into white light and vanishing on the spot.

...

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

"Let us indulge in the ultimate pleasures brought by revelry on the first day of July without restraint!"

In the enormous ballroom, a host in a white suit was standing on stage, presiding over the progress of the party.

"Not bad."

Tuberculosis Rabbit nodded in satisfaction and unbuttoned his shirt.

The lights gradually dimmed.

Tuberculosis Rabbit, with a gentleman's gait, slowly approached a tall girl in a gown and mask, extending his hand with utmost chivalry, "Miss, may I have the honor of this dance with you?"

The girl, wearing high-heeled shoes, stood very upright, of equal height to Tuberculosis Rabbit.

She was clearly dressed up, having changed into a fancy gown that hugged her figure closely.

Seeing Tuberculosis Rabbit approaching,

The masked girl, eyes brimming with mirth, put up a finger and said softly with a smile,

"1000 Points for one night, dear."