Yun Shou's vitality was so overwhelming that he tossed and turned in bed until midnight, unable to fall asleep at all. He ended up staying awake the whole night. Normally, martial artists didn't face this problem—though their energy was abundant, their daily training consumed most of it, so by nightfall they naturally slept like logs.
But Yun Shou had spent the day fishing at the same easy pace as usual, leaving a huge reservoir of unused energy.
Only when dawn began to break, a faint light rising at the edge of the sky, did a trace of drowsiness finally creep in.
But now it was too late to sleep.
"After the simulation's done, I'll sleep on the boat," he muttered.
Hugging his ragged little quilt, he started walking toward the dock.
Halfway there, he glanced at the dim sky, hesitated, and turned back.
It looked like rain was coming. Dangerous weather. Not the best time to nap while fishing.
"Guess I'll stay home today. It's not like the Qinghe Gang forces every fisherman to head out daily anyway."
Independent fishermen only needed to sell their catch to that shady merchant under the gang's control. As for Yun Shou, who had signed a contract of servitude, all he had to do was make monthly payments toward buying back his freedom.
There were still five days until the next payment was due.
"Seems like I don't even need to fish every day anymore. In five days, will I really be unable to crush this little Qinghe Gang?"
"I'm getting cocky," Yun Shou sighed. "What once felt like a mountain pressing down on me—the Qinghe Gang—now seems 'little.' I've lost all fear of them."
Then his tone hardened: "But this is what I deserve!
"For over forty years of storms and toil, who knows how many years I've already given that gang? I've more than fulfilled the contract. They're the ones who owe me!"
"Even if I haven't literally spent decades there, aren't the simulated versions of me still me? Same blood, same soul, same self!"
(Hands on hips.)
"Third simulation—start!"
[Ding! Foundation -1%. Current Foundation: 128%.]
Year 269 of the Great Qing.With a sharp blade in hand, it's easy to give in to killing intent. As a second-rate martial artist, your every move carries unconscious confidence, your courage swelling with it.
One evening, Shao Erdan—infamous scoundrel of Qinghe Village—strikes up a fake friendly chat while his buddy Shao Yimao sneaks behind you to steal your day's catch and claim it as his own.
You hammer both of them with a couple of punches, leaving their faces swollen, and reclaim your fish. But their screams attract several Qinghe Gang members.
They're only third-rate martial artists. You try to keep calm, not looking for trouble. But one sneers, sweeps a leg at you, and says he wants to "test your strength."
You realize this is bad. Catching his leg with both hands, you glance at the battered Shao Erdan, noticing the cruel grin on his face. Clearly he has connections with this gang member.
You topple the fighter with a few powerful moves. You're nowhere near the peak of your last simulation, but as a second-rate martial artist, your inner strength leaves you unmatched below that tier.
Another steps forward, but you don't want more trouble. You explain it was Shao Erdan who started it, and quietly slip the man a handful of copper coins.
"Oh, I see," he says. "Looks like my Wang brother was a bit out of line. But your strength is impressive."
You decide to spin a wild tale: on one fishing trip, you supposedly met a white-haired elder walking across the lake, who said you had "fate in your eyes," then infused you with a strange warm current that steadily grew your strength… blah blah blah.
Qinghe Gang leader Xu Ruohai summons you. After examining your bones, he concludes your aptitude is average—yet mysteriously, you already wield inner strength and a body to match. That rules out secret training.
Nor could it be rare herbs, since your body bears marks of Iron Body Technique—something medicine alone couldn't create. (In truth, it is just Iron Body, but they assume some mighty expert transferred not only inner force but martial skill to you.)
After long thought, Xu Ruohai sees no problem and decides to recruit you into the Qinghe Gang.
With a grand gesture, he rips up your contract of servitude!
Yun Shou: "Ah, now I'll feel almost guilty about stomping your face in a few days."
Then Xu Ruohai waves again. A lackey brings a new contract: you're to join the Qinghe Gang as a regular member—term of service: permanent!
Reason for signing?Why not take a good look at the gang leader's first-rate fists?
Yun Shou: "When I step on your face later, I'll make sure to grind a little harder."
You join the Qinghe Gang and learn the reach of their power: thirteen lakeside villages, including several all called Qinghe. Inside the gang, they're distinguished as Qinghe Village No. 1, No. 2, and so on.
Now you no longer fish. Your daily work is guarding, collecting rent, and so on. For example, most houses in the nearby villages belong to the gang—fishermen must pay rent to stay in them.
"Damn capitalist dogs!" Yun Shou spits.
Year 270 of the Great Qing.Life as a gang member is far better than that of a fisherman. Your days are smooth and comfortable, and you can't help but reflect on your corruption.
But you know this isn't your fault—it's Xu Ruohai's. He forced you into the gang. You never wanted this.
When you have time, you travel to Qingcheng. Even without inheriting past memories from the last simulation, that brief introduction was enough for you to track down your target.
A martial school requires a "Martial Master" level figure to be recognized. But below schools, there are training halls, called Wu Halls.
Because "martial arts must not be lightly spread" (trash martial arts don't deserve to flourish), only schools may openly recruit students. Wu Halls are restricted, able to pass on only a little true knowledge, mostly just teaching children fitness drills.
But in reality… it's mostly for show. In remote places without competing schools, even a third-rate martial artist can gather hundreds of disciples—sometimes larger than real schools.
On a backstreet in Qingcheng, you spot a storefront. Four bold words blaze across the signboard:
Hunyuan Shengmie(Primordial Unity: Life and Death)