{A/N: I went a bit overboard and now the chapter is over 4500 words. Enjoy!!}
Li Shaobai's pupils shrank at the rat's bold action of lunging at him.
In that instant, his body didn't feel like his, instead it felt more like a borrowed shell that knew nothing bit violence. The assassin memories from that blood-stained wasteland flared up like a spark thrown into oil. His feet shifted on their own, sliding half a step to the side.
The crimson rat's claws raked through empty air.
"You're a bit fast?" Li Shaobai's throat tightened. "So, you wanna play huh?"
He swung the rough wooden stick down hard in response to the rat's failed attack.
~WHAM~
The stick smashed the floorboards, making splinters fly out. The rat twisted midair like it had eyes on the back of its skull, landing cleanly and skittering away with a hateful squeal.
Li Shaobai's face went stiff. 'This really is Master Splinter.'
He swung and missed again.
The rat darted behind him like a bullet, just out of reach while mocking him with every sharp squeak it gave.
For two minutes straight, the little demon rat didn't even try to kill him. It just toyed with him by dodging, circling, slipping in and out like it was training him.
"F*ck your mother! Stand still and let me get a hit," he said between gritted teeth.
Li Shaobai's arms burned from the exertion of nonstop combat. His breath came ragged. Sweat slid down his jaw and soaked the collar of his thin, shabby robe.
~BANG~BANG~BANG~
He slammed the stick down again and again, each miss raising his fury burn hotter than the cracked lamp's weak flame.
And still there was nothing.
The rat finally stopped at the hole in the wall, whiskers trembling. It squeaked twice, like it was laughing, then turned and slipped back into the darkness of the tunnel.
Li Shaobai stopped, panting, staring at the hole.
Rat
A literal rat just treated him like a clown. His mouth twitched. Oh, how he had fallen. Defeated by a rat.
Then he snapped.
"Damn it—!" he hissed, gripping the stick so hard his knuckles whitened. "Master Splinter, I'll get you demon! You think you're the one with the system?!"
He took a step toward the hole, but a voice burst in from outside, panicked and bright at the same time.
"Young Master!"
Footsteps hurried across the courtyard. The door creaked open and a small figure rushed in, holding a bowl with both hands, making sure not to spill even a single drop.
Steam wafted up into the air from it.
The smell of hot rice porridge hit Li Shaobai's nose that was both warm and painfully ordinary. However, to the current him, it might as well have been wagyu steak.
The girl who entered was dressed in coarse, patched clothes which were plain enough that most people would look past her without a second glance.
However, the moment she lifted her head, the room felt… lighter.
Her face was delicate, eyes clear as spring water. Even with fatigue sitting on her eyelids, she had a kind of fragile prettiness that didn't belong in a back courtyard room like his. Her figure was so slim a strong gust of wind really could blow her away.
Nonetheless, there was something stubborn in the way she held herself. She had spine!
She stared at Li Shaobai for a beat, like she was meeting him for the first time.
Then, like her brain short-circuited, she blurted out—
"…So handsome."
Li Shaobai: "?"
His brain flashed with memories that weren't fully his but were impossible to ignore.
"Ling'er."
Daughter of the old steward who'd served the Li Clan for decades. The kind of servant-born girl who should've kept her head down, stayed invisible, and lived quietly.
But Ling'er had been assigned back when he was still the Li Clan's pride to take care of Li Shaobai since he was young.
After the disaster… after his cultivation was ruined, after the clan's attitude toward him turned cold, and even after servants dared to sneer when his back was turned…
Ling'er stayed. There was no hesitation or excuses. She didn't pretend or gloat on his misfortune. Those memories stabbed deeper than the rat's mockery. Li Shaobai's throat tightened. He didn't even realize his expression had softened until he heard himself answer quietly.
"…Mhm."
Ling'er snapped out of her daze, face heating up. She hurried forward, setting the bowl on the table, then rushed to support him like he might collapse again.
"Young Master, sit. Please, eat this first. It'll help you gain you strength"
Li Shaobai let her help him to the edge of the bed. His body was still weak enough that he didn't fight it. The moment he picked up the bowl, his stomach screamed.
He took a mouthful.
Hot porridge slid down his throat, and for a second, his head felt clearer than it had since waking.
Ling'er hovered beside him, watching his face like she was afraid he'd vanish again.
"You… you scared me," she said softly. "I thought… I thought you…"
Her voice trailed off. She swallowed hard and tried to smile, but it shook.
"Thought I died? Yeah, that happened once."
Ling'er stared at him in shock, surprised he would say something as ludacris as that.
"Young m-master, please don't say…" her voice trailed off.
Li Shaobai stared at her hands. They were thin and slightly red from cold and work. There was a small burn mark near her thumb like she'd grabbed a hot pot too fast.
Something ugly curled in his chest.
This girl has been carrying him for two years while the Li Clan pretends he's dead.
He took another mouthful of porridge, forcing the lump down his throat.
Then—
DING!
That crisp, emotionless sound chimed in his head again, slicing through the warmth of the porridge like ice water.
A translucent screen unfolded.
[Main Quest Triggered: "Two Months to Live."
Objective: Break through to the Innate Gate Realm within two months.
Reward: ???
Failure: Soul collapse. Immediate death.
Accept?]
Li Shaobai's spoon froze halfway to his mouth.
"…Are you serious?" he muttered.
He reread the reward line.
'Unknown your mom. You don't even know what you're paying me with, but you know exactly how you're killing me? Damn your ancestors.'
Ling'er blinked, confused. "Young Master… what's wrong?"
Li Shaobai snapped back to reality fast, forcing his face neutral. "Nothing. Just… thinking."
He looked at the screen again, eyes narrowing like he wanted to punch it.
Then he smiled, helplessly.
'Accept it.'
DING!
[Main Quest Accepted.]
Before Li Shaobai could even exhale—
DING!
Another system prompt came.
[Novice Benefit Available: "Beginner's Gift Pack."]
[Receive now?]
Li Shaobai's mood instantly lifted.
'Hehe. Looks like my luck is finally starting to turn around. A newbie gift pack!'
In novels, this was always the part where you get an overpowered technique, a divine weapon, a storage ring, three cheat talents, and a pet that's secretly a dragon.
Enough for you to turn your fate around and instantly become a Son of Heaven.
He didn't even hesitate to respond, excited to see what he would get.
"Receive. Receive, receive."
DING!
[Beginner's Gift Pack opened.
Gained: 1 EXP
Gained: 1 Unfair Point
Gained: 1 Copper Coin]
Li Shaobai: "…"
He stared at the words so hard it felt like his eyeballs were about to crack.
"One EXP. One Unfair Point. One copper coin. Are you sh*tting me? You cheap system!"
That was it. That was all that was in the gift pack.
No weapons, skills, pills, or a hidden OP bloodline awakening. Hell, there wasn't even a bandaid.
Li Shaobai's blissful smile turned ugly in an instant. His face got darker and darker by the second, like someone had poured ink over it.
'Oi, System,' he said angrily in his mind, 'do you have beef with me personally? Did I f*ck your mother in my past life?'
Ling'er flinched, concerned as to why his expression turned so ugly all of sudden.
"Young Master?"
Li Shaobai inhaled, then forced a stiff smile and lowered his head, continuing to eat porridge like nothing happened.
"It's nothing, Ling'er. The porridge is good but our lives are not." She didn't respond, it was true.
In his mind, though? He was cursing the system so hard his ancestors would roll over in their graves in total shame of this descendent of theirs.
This stingy, heartless, shameless…
He swallowed another mouthful, jaw tight.
Okay. Okay. Calm down. It's a system. It's evil by default. It has 'Unfair' in its name, he thought, ruefully.
When he finished the bowl, Ling'er hurriedly took it away like she'd been holding her breath the entire time.
"Rest a little," she said, voice gentle. "I'll… I'll clean up."
Li Shaobai nodded and leaned back, letting his head touch the rough pillow.
The moment Ling'er turned away, however—
DING!
A new screen popped up.
[Special Mission Triggered. Do you accept?]
Li Shaobai's eyes narrowed in curiously but laced with hesitation.
A mission meant EXP, which also meant a step closer to strength. Furthermore, Strength meant not getting bullied by a rat or being looked down upon by others.
"Accept," he said without thinking.
DING!
[Series Mission Unlocked: "Ling'er's Kindness."
Completion Reward: +20 Favorability with Ling'er.]
Li Shaobai blinked.
"…Favorability?"
Before he could process it any further, more panels layered over it, giving details on the mission.
[Mission 1: Tidy the House
Rank: F
Reward: 100 EXP, 10 Unfair Points, 1 Copper Coin.
Note: if you refuse, the host will receive a penalty and will not be able to accept missions for 5 days and gain EXP during that duration will be locked.
Do you Accept?]
Li Shaobai stared. Then, stared some more, trying to think.
'Tidy the house?' he repeated, voice rising in his head. 'Me? The Li Clan's young master… cleaning?'
His eyes flicked to the penalty line and went silent in thought.
His pride and his survival instinct had a brief mental fistfight.
Survival won instantly. He only had 60 days to survive. Everyday counted. He couldn't afford to lose 5 days of progress due to pride.
It'd been one thing if it was just the mission penalty, but the EXP lock was a different story all together. He really couldn't afford it at all!
He gritted his teeth.
"Accept it."
DING!
[Mission Accepted.]
Li Shaobai sat up and swung his legs off the bed again. His body still felt weak, but at least the porridge gave him some energy. He stepped over to Ling'er, who was already picking up scattered cloth and wiping dust like she'd done this a thousand times.
"Ling'er," he said.
She turned, surprised. "Young Master?"
He tried to keep his voice calm. "You've worked so hard for me. Let me help you clean."
Ling'er's eyes widened so much he thought they might pop from their sockets.
"…Huh?"
He repeated, slower. "I said I'll help you clean."
Ling'er panicked immediately, shaking her head. "No, no, Young Master, how can you do vulgar work like this? You're the—"
Li Shaobai cut her off, irritation and slight hurt flaring—not at her, but at the truth of the situation.
"The young master?" he echoed, bitter. They were distasteful words for him now.
His gaze sharpened. "Other than you, who in this manor still treats me like a young master?"
Ling'er's lips parted. She couldn't answer. Her young master was correct.
Li Shaobai's voice went colder.
"If you don't let me help, then leave." He pointed toward the door. "I'll chase you out of this courtyard."
Ling'er's face went pale. She grabbed his sleeve with both hands, fingers trembling.
"No!" Her voice cracked. "Young Master, please don't… don't chase me away. You're all I have left. I'll listen. I'll do whatever you say… just don't chase me away."
Tears brimmed at her eyes, she was about to cry. Li Shaobai's chest tightened so hard it almost hurt. He cursed himself silently.
Too harsh. How could he say such words to her? After all she's sacrificed.
'Sigh, I really am an idiotic moron who can't even kill a bootleg Master Splinter,' thought Li Shaobai in quiet contrition.
He reached out and patted her head awkwardly, fingers brushing through her hair; the strands felt thin and a little brittle, lacking any real shine and nourishment that the other servant girls he'd seen.
His heart wavered, the beauty of a woman is her hair. He must take good care of her in the future.
"I'm not chasing you away," he said, meaning it. "But you have to listen. Let me help."
Ling'er nodded fast, blinking hard. "Yes, yes."
Li Shaobai exhaled, then looked around the room. The "room" was basically a storage shed with a bed.
Dust in corners. Clothes piled. Old bowls. Random scraps. A cracked stool. The window paper was half torn and the wind kept sneaking in like a thief.
He lifted a rag, then paused. "Where do I start?"
Ling'er covered her mouth and giggled. It was a small sound, light as a bell. It was a rare thing for him to hear these days—free of ridicule.
Li Shaobai stared at her for a second, then shook his head.
"Don't laugh," he muttered, cheeks warming. "I've never cleaned a house in my life."
It was true. Back on Earth, he was a big of a slop. However, he still prided himself at not being nowhere near Asmongold's level of sloppiness.
Ling'er's giggles grew. "In that case, I'll teach Young Master how to clean."
And so she did.
Ling'er showed him how to sweep without making the dust fly into the air. How to fold rough cloth so it didn't wrinkle too badly. How to stack bowls so they wouldn't wobble.
Li Shaobai, who's a former genius and waste and current chicken fodder, followed her instructions with a seriousness that made it all the more funnier to her.
She noticed that he was clumsy at first. Quickly, he got a little better. Then, he started trying to race her like it was some kind of battle.
Ling'er laughed so hard she had to sit down once, wiping her eyes.
And the weirdest thing?
Li Shaobai felt something. It was a sense of content he hadn't felt in a long time. Just spending time with Ling'er. Hearing her laugh joyously made his heart warm. He could be satisfied for the rest of his life.
Half an hour later, the room looked almost… livable. If one could say that. It wasn't good but it was better.
The air smelled less like dust and more like warm cloth.
Li Shaobai leaned on the broom, breathing hard.
DING!
[Mission Completed: Tidy the House
Reward obtained: 100 EXP, 10 Unfair Points, 1 Copper Coin]
Warmth surged through his limbs like a tiny wave. It wasn't dramatic, but it was real, though. His muscles felt slightly more awake and his bones less heavy.
Then another prompt came:
[Beginner's Gift Pack 2 unlocked.
Receive now?]
Li Shaobai's eye twitched, suspicion immediately surfacing within his heart. Will the rewards be the same?
He still "received" it In the end.
DING!
[Beginner's Gift Pack 2 opened.
Host gained +2 EXP]
Li Shaobai nearly laughed. He didn't because Ling'er was right there. But inside he was screaming.
'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I'll f*ck you. Two EXP. Two f*cking EXP. You really went bankrupt, didn't you? Cheapest Golden Finger Award goes to you,' Li Shaobai thought disdainfully at the meager rewards, his hatred toward this unfair system increasing.
He glanced at the copper coin reward and clicked his tongue.
On Longyuan Continent, common currency was silver and gold. Copper was what commoners and the lower-class used.
One silver coin equaled one thousand copper coins.
Meaning he'd worked half an hour for what amounted to… basically nothing.
The system wasn't just stingy. It was proudly stingy, hoarding all the good stuff. If it even had any.
But Li Shaobai couldn't deny the result. He was gaining progress. The odds were beginning to tilt in his favor.
And he had a deadline with death at the end.
So, he kept going.
The "Ling'er's Kindness" series kept triggering like a rainstorm.
'F*ck, a chain quest? You might have some ability after all!'
DING!
[Mission 2: Wash the Linen]
Reward: 200 EXP, 10 Unfair Points, 2 Copper Coins]
DING!
[Mission 3: Fetch Water]
Reward: 150 EXP, 5 Unfair Points, 1 Copper Coin]
DING!
[Mission 4: Prepare Evening Scent Sachets]
Reward: 300 EXP, 10 Unfair Points, 3 Copper Coins]
He did them all in fervor. No one knew when the next chain quest would explode.
The entire day blurred into chores the previous Li Shaobai once considered beneath him. For he once was the aspiration of the entire city. Whatever he wanted, he never had to lift a finger for it.
His hands got wet, red, and raw. The stabbings of back ache gnawed silently at him. Even his legs trembled by late afternoon.
But the system prompts kept coming, and with every completion, his body felt less like a dying husk and more like something that could actually function on normality.
Ling'er stayed beside him, half helping, half trying to stop him, half laughing because she'd never seen him act like this. Such a scene was rare for those of higher standing to stoop so low as to do servant's work.
At dusk, as he wrung out a final piece of cloth, the system chimed again. Though, different this time, like more substantial and heavy.
DING!
[Level Up!]
[Current Realm: Body Tempering — First Layer]
A hot wave surged through him like he'd swallowed sunlight.
His bones popped softly, muscles tightened, and his breathing deepened. Even his senses sharpened a bit as he could now hear the wind outside more clearly, smell the faint scent of cooking from the front courtyard across the way.
He flexed his fingers slowly, testing the newfound strength.
Strength. It wasn't much. But, it was enough to make him feel human again.
The cultivation realms of this world, from lowest to highest, is: Body Tempering Realm, Foundation Rooting Realm, Innate Gate Realm, Spirit Projection Realm, Domain Enlightenment Realm, Void Sovereign Realm, Ancestor Returning Realm, Emperor Mandate Realm, Saint Radiance Realm, and God King Realm.
Every realm is further divided into sub-realms/layers from one to nine, with nine being the highest.
He sat down now. His whole body felt tired in a clean way, like he'd finally done something useful besides drinking and wallowing in pity.
Ling'er brought him a small cup of water, eyes shining. "Young Master, you're different today. Have you finally come to grips with our situation?"
Li Shaobai glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Yes, that pitiful me is no more."
'But I'm done being dead weight.'
When night fully fell, Li Shaobai lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and pulled up his panel.
He'd gained a dozen copper coins. And his Unfair Points had shot up. It wasn't enough.
Then the system gave a quiet notification:
[System Note: When Unfair Points reach 100, an "Unfair Function" will unlock.]
Li Shaobai's eyes narrowed at that. What exactly was an "Unfair Function "? Could it be that he had the basic system currently, and upon reaching the 100-point threshold, he could further unlock more useful and OP functions?
What were the Unfair points for? Shops? Upgrades?
He checked his current count.
Not quite 100. Though, it was close enough to make him desire to reach 100.
His eyelids grew heavy and he began to drift off to sleep, but before sleep could take him…
DING!
A new mission appeared.
"Damn your mother. Do you think I'm your slave? Quit bothering me," Li Shaobai said in exasperation and anger. He'd been doing missions all day, now he'll do them all night?
"Forget it. I'll suffer a penalty." He closed his eyes.
However, the system didn't seem to care and displayed the new mission, even with his eyes closed.
Although it was annoying, Li Shaobai couldn't help but appreciate that small ability. Even with eyes closed, he could still see and access the system.
[Mission 9: Secret Tracking — Ling'er's Hidden Side
Objective: Follow Ling'er and uncover her secret.
Reward: 500 EXP, 10 Unfair Points, Special Cultivation Technique
Do you accept?]
Li Shaobai blinked. His anger was replaced with genuine curiosity.
A secret? This made him frown. What secret could she possibly have? Ling'er didn't have secrets. She barely had time to breathe.
Still, there reward was massive compared to everything else.
And the"special cultivation technique" wasn't something he could ignore. What powerful technique would he get?
Mountain Splitting Nether Fist?
Tri-Heaven Desolate Sword Strike?
Or even Buddha Bless this Beat? No, no, that's not a real one.
He swallowed hard at the possibilities of all the techniques he could possibly get.
"Accept it, accept it."
DING!
[Mission Accepted.]
Late into the night, Li Shaobai heard soft footsteps outside.
He opened his eyes and made his way to the window. Through the torn window paper, he saw Ling'er slipping out of the courtyard quietly, wrapped in a thin shawl. She moved like she didn't want anyone to notice her.
Li Shaobai's gaze sharpened. He rose silently, moving like the assassin memories taught him, keeping his breathing shallow and feet light.
He followed her closely.
Ling'er left the Li Manor through a side gate used by servants and delivery workers, then cut through narrow alleys under moonlight.
She didn't look around much; as if she didn't expect anyone to follow. Probably because she trusts this place. Or because she's too tired to be cautious.
Eventually, around 15 minutes later, she stopped at a small restaurant tucked between two old buildings.
The signboard was faded, but the characters still read clearly:
Moon-Scent Kitchen.
Ling'er didn't enter through the front. She went around back, knocked twice, then slipped through the kitchen door.
Li Shaobai crouched in the shadows, heart beating slowly, controlled.
'What was she doing here at a kitchen this late? Surely, she isn't a drug dealer. '
Li Shaobai scoffed at the thought. What idiotic thought was that? He continued to creep closer, keeping to the wall, until he could hear voices inside.
A middle-aged woman's voice that was gentle and tired.
"Yu Ling… why are you here again? Why don't you rest for a few days? You look tired."
Ling'er's voice came soft, and extremely respectful.
"Thank you for your concern, Auntie Qiu, but I can't."
There was a pause. Then, Ling'er spoke again, but quieter this time.
"I already owe the shop a lot. And… my young master is still weak. I want to work as soon as I can."
Li Shaobai's fingers curled.
Weak.
That word hit him harder than the rat's mockery. That's right. He was weak, even in the eyes of his servant. However, there was no ridicule, only concern.
Ling'er continued, voice trembling but stubborn.
"Auntie Qiu, c-can you lend me a little more money? Just a little. I want to buy some tonics… to nourish my young master's body."
Silence.
A long silence.
Li Shaobai's chest felt like it was being squeezed. He couldn't see what was going on but he knew the lady by the name of Auntie Qiu was in thought. No doubt trying to figure out a way to decline Ling'er's request.
He stared at the kitchen door with eyes dark.
Now, he suddenly understood why Ling'er looked thinner lately. Why her hands were rougher. And why there was a burn mark on her finger.
She wasn't just caring for him. No doubt, she was actually selling herself out by the hour by cooking, cleaning, and whatever she could do, just to keep him alive.
This indeed was a big secret. How else was he surviving all this time? Where did the money come from? The clan hasn't given him a single copper in years.
Li Shaobai felt like a complete chǔn[1]. He felt an insurmountable amount of pressure descend onto himself. He not only had to survive because of himself, but because little flower Ling'er needed him as well.
Inside, Auntie Qiu sighed.
"Child, you're unbelievably loyal and kind. I wish my workers were like you. Not many people would go through these lengths for a fallen young master. Hell, sometimes even family."
Ling'er's voice grew softer, almost pleading.
"It's not kindness, Auntie Qiu," she whispered. "It's… it's what I should do. He's the only family I have left. Without him, I don't know where I'd be."
Li Shaobai closed his eyes for a second, tears threatening to burst from his eyes in rivers.
When he opened them, his gaze was sharp enough to cut.
The system screen flickered faintly in front of his vision.
Li Shaobai didn't even need to read it to know one thing: He couldn't let her keep doing this.
Not while he had a system. Not while he had a countdown. And not while he was Li Shaobai. He looked up at the sky with a fierce gaze.
"Heavens, you have not only scorned me, but also those closet to me. Consider this a debt that must be paid, and I, your grandfather, am coming to collect."
He shifted his weight, preparing to move—
And in that same moment, Auntie Qiu finally responded in a low voice.
"Yu Ling, Ling'er, you know I'm just a stewardess here. The accounts… the money… it's not in my hands."
Ling'er's lips trembled slightly, but she still bowed deeply.
"I know. I'm sorry. I just I didn't know who else to ask. I understand"
Auntie Qiu took a step closer and lowered her voice further, almost whispering.
"Ling'er, if it was up to me, I'd help you. But, Manager Si has been in a bad mood lately. The restaurant's profits are down, and he's been tightening everything. If he finds out you're borrowing again…"
Ling'er swallowed, hands clenched tightly in front of her.
"I'll pay it back," she said quickly. "I swear I will. I just need time."
Auntie Qiu's face was full of conflict. She opened her mouth to respond when the door to an inner room creaked open.
Li Shaobai's eyes narrowed from outside, heart sinking slightly, because the timing was too perfect. Was this Manager Si ear-hustling the entire time?
A man stepped out slowly from the inner room.
His robe was clean. His hair was neatly tied. His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp in a way that didn't feel kind. He didn't look like someone who worked with knives and boiling oil all day. He looked like someone who enjoyed watching people toil all day while he reaps the benefits.
He glanced at Ling'er first. Then, at Auntie Qiu. The corner of his mouth lifted.
"Borrowing money again I see, Yu Ling," he said mildly. "Do you think this restaurant is your family's charity hall? If not for Old Yu's sake, I would've chased you away already."
Ling'er's face went pale. Auntie Qiu stiffened instantly.
Li Shaobai's gaze turned icy in the shadows outside the door.
Manager Si's eyes slowly narrowed, and his smile became even thinner as if he'd just found a fun toy to play with.
"Come," he said, voice soft but heavy. "Let's talk about your debt."
[1] Chǔn means stupid, silly, or foolish, often used in words like 愚蠢 (yú chǔn) (stupid or silly) or 蠢事 (chǔn shì) (foolish act). While "chun" can sound like other Chinese words (like 春 for spring or 醇 for pure or mellow), the character 蠢 specifically carries the meaning of dull, slow, or stupid.