A world where countless martial arts stories intertwined, within the iron-blooded Great Song Empire, in Luoyang City.
In the northern part of the city stood a dilapidated temple, serving as a sub-branch of the Beggar Sect.
“Brother Yu, time to take your medicine,” Liu Hui said softly, her voice deliberately gentle.
Chen Yu lay on a pile of dry straw. Kneeling beside him, Liu Hui carefully brought a spoonful of medicinal broth to his lips. She wasn’t very old, her appearance delicate enough, and at this moment her face was filled with concern as she fussed over him.
“Thank you, Xiaohui. You’re truly the best woman in the world,” Chen Yu said with gratitude written all over his face.
Yet he deliberately avoided the spoon nearing his lips. Smiling, he slowly pushed himself up and said, “I’ll go relieve myself first.”
His body was still heavily injured. Even the slightest movement sent sharp pain through his internal organs.
The moment he turned around, the smile on his face vanished completely.
If that medicine isn’t poisoned, I’ll drink it on the spot!
Liu Hui naturally had no idea that beneath the familiar face of Chen Yu now stood an entirely different soul.
Three days ago, the original owner of this body, who shared the same name, had been severely injured by Ma Er, a five-bag disciple of the Beggar Sect, using the Lotus Palm. That very night, he died filled with resentment.
Chen Yu had transmigrated into this body, retaining all of the original host’s memories. From them, he learned that this world was a fusion of multiple martial arts novels.
The woman behind him, Liu Hui, was vicious and ungrateful at heart.
Both of them were eighteen years old. The original host was two months older. They had known each other since childhood, childhood sweethearts who had already been betrothed back in their village.
Last year, bandits slaughtered their village. Not a single member of either family survived. The original host had nearly died protecting Liu Hui, barely managing to escort her to safety.
Afterward, he joined the Beggar Sect. He had gone to great lengths, begging everywhere for connections, just to secure Liu Hui a position as the personal maid of Kang Min, the Vice Sect Master’s wife.
He had thought that staying close like this would make things more convenient, and that after some time, they would finally get married.
Who could have expected Liu Hui to be so ungrateful? Coveting power and status, she secretly became involved with Ma Er, the sworn younger brother of Vice Sect Master Ma Dayuan.
To get rid of the original host, she even instigated Ma Er to find an excuse to beat him severely, causing him to die from his injuries with hatred in his heart.
Today, upon hearing that Chen Yu had regained consciousness, she came over pretending to care, bringing medicine and shedding fake tears. In truth, she only wanted to finish the job.
Little did she know that every single one of her actions had already been seen through by Chen Yu.
At that moment, Chen Yu glanced through the broken window and saw Ma Er standing outside.
“The moment I refuse to drink the medicine, he’ll come in and silence me,” Chen Yu thought, his expression turning grim. “The other disciples are out begging, and the temple is empty…”
The situation was extremely dangerous.
Before transmigrating, Chen Yu had been bedridden for years, unable to walk. After arriving in this world, it had taken him two full days just to become familiar with this body.
The original host’s martial arts were mediocre. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been beaten into such a state by Ma Er.
How could he break out of this situation?
He spent nearly ten minutes in the corner pretending to relieve himself before slowly returning.
Looking at Liu Hui, whose expression was becoming increasingly impatient despite her urging, Chen Yu lowered his gaze. A decision had already formed in his mind.
This vicious woman doesn’t know martial arts. If it comes to it, I’ll kill her silently first, then escape through the broken window behind.
Although the original host was only a one-bag disciple of the Beggar Sect, he had still practiced some basic martial arts, such as the Founding Sovereign Long Fist and Bronze Hammer Hand.
Even with his current injuries, he couldn’t defeat Ma Er outside, but killing a defenseless woman would be effortless.
“Come on, Brother Yu, drink the medicine. It’s getting cold,” Liu Hui urged, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance that she could barely conceal.
She was thinking that once the other Beggar Sect disciples returned, it would no longer be convenient to act openly.
“Alright,” Chen Yu replied, narrowing his eyes slightly.
His right hand, hidden behind his back, quietly began gathering strength.
Over the past few days, he had already become fully familiar with this body. Every move the original host could use was etched into his memory.
However, just as he was about to act, something strange happened.
Above Liu Hui’s head, several lines of text suddenly appeared.
[Malicious Thought Program Loaded]
[Malicious thoughts manifested. Completing the target’s malicious thoughts will grant rewards. Note: this program only provides female malicious thoughts]
[Current Target: Liu Hui]
[Malicious Thought 1: Kill Chen Yu, that useless trash. What childhood sweetheart? Ten years with him isn’t worth a single night of pleasure with Brother Ma…] Initial reward
[Malicious Thought 2: I want someone to give me 10,000 taels of gold] Initial reward
[Malicious Thought 3: I want Chen Yu to drink the medicine right now, immediately] Initial reward
[Note: Completing a malicious thought for the first time grants an additional reward]
Chen Yu was briefly stunned, then overjoyed.
He knew it. There was no way he would transmigrate without anything!
However, completing these so-called malicious thoughts was not easy. The first two were impossible for him to fulfill.
He couldn’t exactly go kill himself.
After considering it, only the third malicious thought seemed feasible.
The requirement was for him to drink the medicine, not necessarily swallow it.
With that thought, Chen Yu made his move without hesitation. Under Liu Hui’s startled gaze, he snatched the spoon and brought the medicine into his mouth.
The next moment, he deliberately spat it out, frowning as he said, “Too bitter.”
“You…” Liu Hui’s eyes flashed with cold killing intent, but she quickly forced a smile. “Good medicine tastes bitter, Brother Yu. Be good and drink it all.”
[Malicious Thought 3: I want Chen Yu to drink the medicine right now, immediately… Completed.]
[Initial reward issued. First completion bonus granted.]
[Inner Strength Growth Rate x1.15]
[First malicious thought completion reward triggered, critical bonus activated.]
[100 taels of silver accumulated, can be withdrawn at any time]
[1 year of pure inner strength. Note: fully compatible with the host, no need for refinement, can be used directly]
[Nine Yang Manual Minor Achievement Card. Note: can instantly cultivate this technique to the corresponding level upon use… Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, Perfection]
Just as he expected, it worked.
Chen Yu’s eyes lit up.
And the rewards were incredibly generous.
The silver was self-explanatory.
But the inner strength and technique were exactly what he desperately needed right now.
The Nine Yang Manual was one of the top martial arts scriptures in martial arts novels, standing alongside the Buddhist Muscle-Tendon Changing Scripture and the Daoist Nine Yin Manual.
This technique was supremely yang and powerful. Once cultivated, even ordinary moves would carry shocking force. At higher levels, it could even form a protective barrier, reflecting attacks without needing to strike.
Even more astonishing, it was also a supreme healing technique. Once mastered, one would become immune to illness, and all injuries could be healed.
As for Liu Hui’s lover, Ma Er, he was merely a five-bag disciple of the Beggar Sect. His martial arts were mediocre at best, far inferior to his sworn brother Ma Dayuan. He had only been able to bully the original host because the latter had just joined the sect.
With the Nine Yang Manual in hand, even at Minor Achievement, dealing with him would be effortless.
At that thought, Chen Yu no longer hesitated.
Ignoring Liu Hui’s continued urging, he activated the reward with a thought, directly absorbing the inner strength and using the Nine Yang Manual Minor Achievement Card.
A warm current surged through his body.
The internal injuries caused by Ma Er’s Lotus Palm were instantly healed. Boundless energy flowed through his meridians, gathering in his dantian before spreading back into his internal organs.
He clenched his fist, feeling as if he possessed inexhaustible strength.
“Brother Yu?” Liu Hui finally sensed something was wrong. Holding the bowl of poisoned medicine, she stared in confusion at Chen Yu, whose complexion had clearly improved.
In the next instant, as Chen Yu opened his eyes again, she saw only a blur rushing toward her. A sharp pain exploded across her cheek, and her entire body was sent flying straight backward.