Friday, February 1st.

“Ghost General 2” was officially released!

Qiao Liang was quite tired after getting home last night. After eating a late-night snack, chatting in groups, and pre-downloading “Ghost General 2,” he went to rest.

Today, Qiao Liang slept until he naturally woke up, getting ample rest, feeling completely revitalized.

Checking the time, it was just past 9 AM.

“Ghost General 2” would officially release at 10 AM. After breakfast, he would start streaming “Ghost General 2,” collect some video material to prepare for a new video—perfect!

“Returning to the long-missed otaku lifestyle, I’m still a bit unaccustomed to it, to be honest.”

While eating his takeout, Qiao Liang silently mused that even the sky outside seemed different from before, with the morning sunlight feeling especially gentle.

Oh, that’s because he rarely saw the morning sunlight before. Never mind.

Previously, Qiao Liang would easily sleep until 11 AM, have brunch after waking up, and then start his wonderful day from the afternoon.

But now, despite sleeping like a log, feeling as if he’d slept for a century, he woke up at just past nine in the morning.

Clearly, his biological clock had been adjusted during the two months of the suffering journey.

After getting used to waking up early, one naturally enjoys the gentle morning sunlight, which is distinctly different from the midday or afternoon sun. Falling in love with this feeling naturally fills one with energy.

After finishing his meal, Qiao Liang saw the time was just right and immediately started streaming!

To be honest, after not gaming on stream for so long, he felt a strange little excitement.

Last night, Qiao Liang had posted an announcement about streaming “Ghost General 2” at 10 AM today, so shortly after the stream started, a large number of fans flooded in.

“You just got home yesterday and you’re streaming this morning? This is way too diligent. You’re definitely not the real Qiao. Tell us, who are you really?”

“Actually streaming on time without flaking? Damn, something’s wrong with this world!”

“Reasonable suspicion that during the suffering journey, Old Qiao was possessed by a spirit from the uninhabited island. Bold demon, show your true form now!”

“This demon possessing Old Qiao must want to hide and integrate into human society, but didn’t expect to be exposed on the first day. The demon probably thought a content creator should diligently make videos and stream every day, never imagining humans could flake to such an extent. By trying to disguise itself with a normal work schedule, the demon has revealed its true nature!”

“The demon is shocked—why don’t you humans follow the usual pattern?”

“Stop with all that feudal superstition about gods and ghosts. Can we be a little more scientific? Old Qiao, if you’ve been kidnapped, blink your eyes and use Morse code to tell us where the kidnappers are hiding, and what their account number is so we can send them money!”

Looking at these viewers joking in the chat, Qiao Liang couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

Look at these people, stealing all the punchlines!

All fans, but why such a big difference in how they behave?

Look at other celebrities’ fans, who get heartbroken even if their idol gets a small cut, and urge them to rest if they’re just a little tired.

Even if their idol’s movie isn’t that great, at least their fans understand their effort.

But look at his own fans!

Well, can’t compare, can’t compare.

The key is that these fans are joking on the surface, but actually showing their distrust!

What makes these fans think I would only be diligent if possessed by a demon or kidnapped by criminals?

I’ve always been a diligent person, okay? It’s just not that obvious!

Qiao Liang couldn’t take this kind of injustice and immediately stated: “Some people’s comments are really too much! I, Teacher Qiao, may not have much talent, but I firmly believe one thing—diligence compensates for lack of ability! In terms of diligence, I am absolutely among the top on the AiLiDao website!”

“Ahem, well, perhaps previously my work hours were indeed somewhat affected by physical and mental fatigue. But now it’s different! During the suffering journey, I received both physical and mental training and gained official recognition!”

“Now, my body and mind are adjusted to the optimal state. Next, let me show you what a workaholic looks like, what it means to be as productive as a mother pig! The donkey from the production team would lower its head in shame!”

Comments in the chat expressed disbelief.

“Wow, diligence compensates for lack of ability? How thick-skinned must you be to say something like that!”

“Among the top in terms of diligence? Hmm… if counting backward, that’s still being modest. No problem there.”

“The donkey from the production team lowering its head in shame is unlikely; it probably couldn’t help but laugh out loud.”

“So the suffering journey can really transform your body and mind and improve work efficiency? Great! Next time Old Qiao slacks off, we’ll petition the official suffering journey website to have him captured and reformed again!”

“Let’s see how long the quality guarantee of one reformation lasts. Can it last three months?”

“Be more confident, three days at most.”

“Old Qiao, isn’t it said that the suffering journey offers medals and certificates? I saw Big Boss Ruan showing them off on Weibo already, which was really nice. What about yours? Show us too!”

Qiao Liang coughed lightly and took out his carefully treasured medal: “Ahem, this is my treasured medal. Look at the details, the craftsmanship, the symbolism in the pattern…”

He held up the medal and talked about it extensively.

Then, he took out the certificate, quickly displayed it in front of the camera, and put it away.

“I’ve shown you both the medal and certificate, though there’s not much to see. The most important part of the suffering journey is the physical and mental training. This feeling can only be understood by those who have truly participated.”

“Oh, ‘Ghost General 2’ can be played now, so let’s officially begin today’s stream!”

Qiao Liang didn’t display the certificate extensively because he hadn’t figured out how to explain the concept of “Tenacious Suffering Practitioner” to his fans.

Many people in the chat said they couldn’t see the certificate clearly, but Qiao Liang simply ignored them, no longer dwelling on this issue.

Want to know what the certificate says? Go participate in the suffering journey yourself! You’ll know once you participate.

…

Entering “Ghost General 2,” first came an opening CG.

On a seemingly scorched wasteland, the sun hung high, farmland cracked with drought, only wild grass stubbornly growing, uncollected bones being pecked at by crows.

“Bones exposed in the wilderness, not a rooster’s crow for a thousand miles”—an extremely fitting portrayal.

Suddenly, the crows pecking at the corpses seemed to hear something. Their dark green eyes shifted, and then they flapped their half-rotten wings and quickly flew into the air.

A soldier with a yellow turban stepped forward, breaking the bones on the ground beneath his feet, seemingly oblivious.

He, or rather it, was burly, but a closer look revealed that this burliness was more like post-mortem bloating. Dark green pus-blood flowed from its body, and its broken armor was covered in cuts and wounds from swords and blades.

At its heart position, a demonic core emitting black mist and several layers of talisman papers made the scene even more eerie.

Suddenly, a bullet whistled through the air, passing through its body, taking a large chunk of flesh with it!

The Yellow Turban soldier let out an angry roar, looking in the direction the bullet came from, but before it could see clearly, it was already torn apart by the ensuing hail of bullets.

But this was just one Yellow Turban soldier. More Yellow Turban soldiers soon appeared in the frame, densely packed, causing one’s heart to palpitate.

Then, the camera pulled back, revealing the full battlefield.

A large number of Yellow Turban troops were advancing toward the city ahead, while deep within the Yellow Turban army, General Zhang Jiao of the Heavenly Lord commanded from the center, directing the battle.

His upper body had completely transformed into a walking corpse or even a skeleton, while his lower body was fused with an altar through flesh and talisman papers.

Several thick demonic horns grew from his head, with eerie green flames flickering in his empty eye sockets. Four arms, reduced to skeletons covered with talisman papers, extended from beneath the yellow robe covering his entire body, dancing as if casting some sort of secret magic!

Zhang Jiao raised all four arms high toward the sky, emitting a terrifying screech, and all the Yellow Turban soldiers, as if receiving a call, shouted in unison and charged toward the city ahead!

However, on the other side, the righteous army’s troops instantly appeared, and both sides engaged in fierce battle!

Many characters from the game appeared one after another, such as Cao Cao, Lord of the Magic Path, leading his bio-modified Tiger Leopard Cavalry in the charge, with Xiahou Dun taking the lead; Dragon Clan Martial Saint Guan Yu charging alongside Liu Bei and Zhang Fei; as well as Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian, and others. All characters who had participated in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion made their appearances.

Finally, Heavenly Lord General Zhang Jiao roared in anger. The numerous talismans on his body simultaneously erupted with eerie green flames. Several large cauldrons arranged on the battlefield began to emit steam from the dark green liquid inside. The smoke from the burning talismans and the steam from the liquid gathered and mixed in the air, eventually transforming into a torrential downpour!

Taiping Secret Technique: Spraying Talisman Water!

The Yellow Turban soldiers on the battlefield became even more frenzied. Not only that, but the talismans on these Yellow Turban soldiers also began to burn. The corpses on the ground suddenly emitted powerful killing intent, all converging toward Zhang Jiao’s position from across the battlefield, transforming him into a massive monster several zhang tall!

Meanwhile, various heroes successfully penetrated the Yellow Turban army’s main formation and confronted the giant, transformed Zhang Jiao.

The final decisive battle was imminent!

With stirring background music, the entire video came to an abrupt end, and the game’s title appeared on the screen: Ghost General 2!

…

After watching the opening CG, Qiao Liang couldn’t help but exclaim that Tenda was truly Tenda. No matter what game they made, the quality was absolutely top-notch!

Moreover, this opening CG also excellently conveyed the story background of “Ghost General.”

The previous “Ghost General 1” was just a card game, and although it had plenty of excellent artwork and character background introductions, it ultimately lacked visual impact.

But now, “Ghost General 2” used high-quality CG to portray the battlefield of the campaign against the Yellow Turban Army, naturally creating a powerful visual impact!