After a long while, the system couldn’t hold back anymore and timidly asked, 【Host, could you check whether the person on the ground is alive or dead first?】
Only then did Lu Zhao stop her explanation and turn to examine the person lying at her feet.
Their body was burning hot, consciousness blurred—yet they still hadn’t fainted.
Their willpower was quite strong.
She tore open the fabric over their chest, reaching out to grip the arrow shaft to check its depth.
As soon as her hand touched it, the barely conscious Shen Qi managed to utter a single word: “Medicine—”
Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow: Still remembering that, huh.
She released her grip and stood up to walk outside.
The system panicked, 【Host, where are you going for medicine? Aren’t you going to remove the arrow?】
Lu Zhao snapped impatiently, “Didn’t you hear your Child of Destiny say ‘medicine’? Don’t we need to stop the bleeding after pulling the arrow out?”
The system timidly fell silent.
Lu Zhao left the tree hollow and began searching for usable herbs, but there were too many sulfur stones in the area, making medicinal plants scarce. She had to venture farther and farther away.
The system secretly grew anxious but didn’t dare rush her.
Lu Zhao, however, showed no urgency at all. Deep in the mountains, she strolled as leisurely as if walking through her own backyard. While identifying herbs, she answered questions from the live stream audience: 【This is bletilla striata—extremely effective for stopping bleeding and promoting healing.】
【This is pseudoginseng, which can also stop bleeding and dissolve blood clots. For external injuries like Shen Qi’s, you can crush pseudoginseng and apply it to the wound after removing the arrow—it works quickly.】
【Garden burnet can stop bleeding too, though it’s more commonly used for treating bloody stools.】
【This is Paris polyphylla, also called chonglou. It’s highly effective against bites from hundred-pace vipers and green bamboo vipers.】
【……】
She continued explaining as she walked, while the system fretted helplessly, 【Host, do you remember why you came out here?】
Lu Zhao: Isn’t that obvious?
Of course, it was to buy time.
Seeing she wasn’t responding, the system grumbled resentfully, 【The host is much gentler with the live stream audience than with me, her system.】
If it dared keep asking questions nonstop, the host would definitely lose her temper.
Lu Zhao: Those who pay are masters.
“I’ve always been gentle with my benefactors.”
In her previous missions, she always fulfilled every client’s request.
Gift effects continuously flashed across the live stream screen.
Lu Zhao’s expression seemed to say: See? They can give me Popularity Value. What can you give me?
You only consume Popularity Value and force me to spend money!
The system had no rebuttal and shrunk back dejectedly, letting Lu Zhao continue her leisurely stroll.
After who knows how long, Lu Zhao finally returned to the tree hollow with the herbs and fruits she’d gathered.
The person curled up inside had fainted, the pulse in their neck beating slowly—miraculously still alive.
Lu Zhao couldn’t help but marvel: Truly worthy of being the Child of Destiny—their life is incredibly tenacious.
She found a large stone, first crushed the herbs, then pulled out the dagger Shen Qi always kept hidden at his waist. After applying some medicinal juice to the blade, she began dealing with the arrow in his chest.
As the knife tip cut through flesh, the nearly clotted wound immediately started bleeding profusely again. The unconscious Shen Qi woke from the pain, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Lu Zhao pretended not to see his murderous gaze, continuing to press the blade downward, forcibly cutting through the flesh around the arrowhead. Just as Shen Qi was about to faint from pain again, she tossed the knife aside, gripped the front half of the arrow shaft, twisted it twice, then yanked hard.
The arrowhead emerged, trailing shreds of flesh, as blood gushed from the chest wound.
Unhurried, Lu Zhao applied the crushed herbs to his chest, her movements rough—even deliberately pressing down harshly.
Shen Qi was in such agony that the veins on his neck bulged, his knuckles clawed at the ground, and every muscle in his body tensed.
Throughout this desperate escape, he had come to realize that the person before him cared nothing for his life—in fact, they seemed eager for him to die sooner. Yet they still hypocritically went through the motions of treating his injuries, which disgusted him to the core.
He didn’t know what their true intentions were. All he knew was that in his current physical state, if he didn’t get away soon, this person would toy with him until he died.
Once his wounds had healed somewhat, he would definitely put as much distance as possible between himself and this lowlife.
While the scene was extremely uncomfortable, the live-stream audience watched with great relish. Lu Zhao’s calm commentary while she worked made it seem like they were watching a neat surgical procedure.
【Jianmengtianxia: I’m discovering more and more how amazing the streamer is—she’s practically an all-rounder!】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Her movements are so steady and precise, she’d be perfect with a scalpel.】
【King of Banter: Already recorded the clip. Gonna send it to my med student friend later—they always tremble during internships.】
【Driver No Brake: Already recorded too. I’m gonna promote this streamer to the whole world.】
【…】
Completely unaffected by the praise, Lu Zhao finished her work, cleaned the blood from her hands, and picked up the wild fruits she had gathered earlier to satisfy her hunger. After eating, she was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open, so she asked the system, “Can I turn off the live stream for now? I need to sleep.”
Due to habits formed in the apocalyptic world, even when asleep she remained highly alert and disliked being watched by a large crowd.
System: 【Host’s current level is only LV1. You cannot freely turn off the live stream yet.】
Lu Zhao pressed further, “When will I be able to?”
System: 【Once the streamer reaches LV2, or by completing a side quest, you can draw a card once. The card might unlock functions normally available to LV2 streamers.】
Lu Zhao: “Shen Qi is already outside the Black Mine. Doesn’t that count as completing the side quest?”
System cautiously replied: 【It doesn’t count. He must escape safely. The Child of Destiny hasn’t yet escaped danger.】
Lu Zhao cursed under her breath and tried another approach: “Then what are the conditions for leveling up as a streamer?”
The system said excitedly: 【You just need 10,000 Popularity Value to upgrade to LV2! LV2 streamers can unlock more live-streaming privileges…】
Ten thousand Popularity Value?
It felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Lu Zhao. She directly cut it off: “Stop right there. I’ll just keep the stream on.”
She could force herself to sleep anyway.
The system was speechless: The host is as stingy as ever.
Lu Zhao lay down in a pile of dried branches and leaves and addressed the live-stream audience: 【The streamer is just too exhausted and needs to sleep to regain strength. Please help keep an eye on Shen Qi here—just make sure he doesn’t die.】
This way, at least so many eyes in the live stream wouldn’t be focused solely on her.
The viewers were more than happy to oblige.
【Jianmengtianxia: The streamer really is too tired. Even I felt exhausted watching this whole journey. Go to sleep quickly—I’ll stay up all night to keep watch for you.】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Yeah, yeah. I still have work to finish anyway. I’ll keep an eye on things for the streamer while I work.】
Everyone made solemn promises, but not long after Lu Zhao succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep, they too gradually drifted off.
The stone cave grew quiet, accompanied only by the rustling of leaves in the wind outside.
As dawn approached, a faint rustling sound came from nearby. Lu Zhao immediately grew alert, lying perfectly still while tightening her grip on the dagger at her side.
The sound paused near her for a moment, then resolutely moved toward the cave entrance.
As the sound faded into the distance, Lu Zhao rose to her feet and stood at the cave entrance, quietly watching the swaying branches and leaves ahead.
The system prompted her: [Host, the Child of Destiny has run away. Aren’t you going to chase him?]
Lu Zhao curled her lips: “Chase what? He’ll come back on his own.”
The system was puzzled: [Why?]
Lu Zhao smiled and suddenly asked: “System, tell me the truth—were you exiled to this realm by the system community?”
The system was bewildered.
Lu Zhao: “Adorably foolish.”
With that, she slipped into the forest.
The remark struck a nerve, and the system, too frustrated to speak, fell silent.
The mist cleared, birds chirped, and a faint light emerged in the woods.
Looking around, the forest was deep and the trees tall, refreshing the spirit and clearing the mind.
Lu Zhao glanced at the live stream—the viewer count was still in the teens, but the scrolling subtitles were silent, with no one speaking.
Clearly, they were all idling.
She didn’t speak either and simply went about her own tasks.
Digging pits and chopping trees.
During her quiet work, the live stream gradually attracted more viewers. The online count kept jumping and finally settled at over five hundred.
The frustrated system finally revived, extremely excited, while Lu Zhao remained unperturbed, continuing with her tasks.
Newcomers in the live stream were full of confusion.
[Bajiaolian: I was drawn here by that chase scene. Wasn’t the host said to be incredibly skilled, putting on a full martial arts show? What’s she doing now? Live-streaming wilderness survival?]
[Zhi Shang Yi Xia Xian: I was also drawn by the chase scene. Has the host switched from fighting to live-streaming Wu Gang chopping trees?]
[Guo Min Xiao Ke Ai: I came to watch the host explain medicinal herbs. Host, stop chopping trees and go gather herbs!]
[Weilai Shouxi Zhudao: I’m different from all of you. I was deeply captivated by the host’s swift and precise movements in opening the chest and removing the arrow. I came specifically to learn from her.]
[…]
With more people, the live stream became lively. Everyone chimed in, quickly filling the entire screen.
Lu Zhao couldn’t be bothered to look and focused on her own tasks.
Soon, some viewers grew displeased.
[Tao Hua Jie: Is the host deaf…]
Before the comment could finish, the viewer was kicked out by the host.
Then, a few others who spoke disrespectfully were also kicked out.
This confirmed that the host was not deaf.
[Er Yue Hong: Damn, is the host’s temper that bad? So fragile—kicking people out for just one comment.]
The dozen or so old viewers who had been idling finally came to life and quickly defended her: [Jianmengtianxia: The host is very easygoing, as long as you don’t insult her.]
[Shuaidebumingxian: Exactly, the host has her own pace. Just watch quietly. If you don’t like it, leave silently without making a fuss.]
With the old fans clarifying, the live stream finally became harmonious, and everyone quietly continued watching Lu Zhao work.
After a while, they began to see the method in her actions: the host was making traps and hidden weapons.
Why was she doing this so early in the morning?
Was she planning to hunt?
Come to think of it, the host’s profession seemed to be that of a hunter.
After finishing her tasks, Lu Zhao was starving. She casually hunted, lit a fire, and sat in the forest. The flames drove away the chill, and the prey on the skewer soon sizzled with oil.
The live stream shifted from wilderness survival to a food broadcast.
Amid the crowd of viewers drooling and mesmerized by the aroma through the screen, there were still a few clear-headed individuals.
【Sucking a Pacifier to Conquer the World: Fell asleep accidentally last night. By the way, streamer, where did that Child of Destiny go? Did he not survive after having the arrow removed yesterday and die?】
【Driver Without Brakes: Holy shit, no wonder I felt like something was missing all morning. Turns out we’re one person short. Streamer, you didn’t bury that so-called Child of Destiny, did you?】
Many new viewers were asking about the Child of Destiny.
While eating roasted game, Lu Zhao explained, 【He ran off on his own before dawn.】
【Sucking a Pacifier to Conquer the World: Ran away? Goddammit! The streamer just saved him, and he sneaks off! That kid’s always been ungrateful.】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Exactly, exactly! Should’ve roasted him over the fire!】
【Jianmengtianxia: Isn’t the streamer’s theme about supporting his ascension to the throne and becoming Empress yourself? Now that he’s run away, you’re not chasing him? And you have the leisure to sit here eating?】
Lu Zhao: 【I’m waiting for the rabbit to return.】
Chasing people is trivial; starving to death is serious.
Food is the staff of life. One must eat first to have the energy to kill later.
【Jianmengtianxia: So the streamer means the Child of Destiny will come back on his own? Impossible, right?】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Given how black-hearted that kid is, I don’t think so either.】
【Impossible +1】
【Impossible +101】
【Sucking a Pacifier to Conquer the World: Never seen a meat bun thrown to a dog come back.】
【King of Trash Talk: Holy shit, the meat bun’s back! Streamer, look to your left!】
The live stream fell silent for a moment, then collectively followed Lu Zhao’s gaze to the left. A person tumbled out from the bushes on the left, clothes torn by branches, face scratched by thorns, clutching his chest, pale as a ghost.
The meat bun had indeed returned.
【Shuaidebumingxian: The streamer predicted this perfectly!】
【February Red: I just want to know what happened? Did this guy hear the streamer’s summons?】
Shen Qi hadn’t heard Lu Zhao’s summons. Shortly after escaping the forest, he encountered the Liangzhou Governor’s men guarding the eastern perimeter, so he changed direction toward the northwest. Just as he left the woods, he ran into the same group that had once hunted him and his mother.
These people were truly persistent—ten years had passed, yet every time he and his mother moved somewhere new, they’d track them down soon after.
Weighing his options, he decisively retraced his steps.
From afar, he caught the scent of smoke and fire, realizing Lu Zhao was making a fire and eating. Shen Qi was furious: This idiot, trying to get them killed faster? Actually lighting a fire to expose their location.
In his panic, he tripped and stumbled right out of the bushes.
Although he avoided his chest, the impact still jolted his wound painfully.
Lu Zhao finished gnawing the last bit of bone, sitting in place, looking down at him from above.
Seeing she had no intention of helping, Shen Qi gritted his teeth and struggled to his feet, saying coldly, “Put out the fire quickly. The Liangzhou Governor’s men are searching the mountains.”
Lu Zhao looked past him: “Seems it’s too late. They’re here.”
Shen Qi turned in terror and saw leaves rustling not far behind him, footsteps approaching rapidly. In moments, they were upon them.
“There they are! Don’t let those two escape!”
A group of soldiers charged forward with broadswords. Shen Qi, clutching his wound, scrambled up and shouted at Lu Zhao, “Aren’t you going to run?”
Lu Zhao remained seated, unmoving, spat out the last bone fragment, and calmly counted, “One, two, three…”
Shen Qi: This person is insane!
Over five hundred viewers in the livestream followed along as he counted: “One, two, three…”
Just as over a dozen soldiers stepped within a hundred meters of Lu Zhao’s position, countless sharpened bamboo arrows shot through the air with a whistling sound.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Screams of agony rose one after another, startling the early-rising birds from their perches.
Next, woven vine nets, rows of wooden stakes, and deep pit traps followed in rapid succession.
Within seconds, the forest fell back into silence.
The soldiers sent by the Liangzhou Governor to search the mountains lay scattered in disarray, their bodies bearing gruesome wounds.
The livestream audience felt their blood boiling with excitement.
The streamer is incredible!
Gift effects flashed across the screen one after another, and this single encounter alone earned a full one thousand Popularity Value.
The air thick with the scent of blood, Shen Qi—one of only two living people on the scene—clutched his chest and turned around, rooted to the spot, his pupils wide with shock.
It wasn’t until Lu Zhao stood up that he finally snapped out of it and looked at her again. “When did you set these traps?”
Lu Zhao told him the truth: “Right when you slipped out of the tree hollow on your own.”
Shen Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly: She actually noticed.
Clutching his chest, he said, “I didn’t want to burden you, which is why I left without saying goodbye. But you ended up saving me after all, and it wouldn’t be right to just leave without a word.” As he spoke, he pulled a jade pendant from his robe and handed it to her, sincerity filling his voice. “This jade is the only valuable thing I have on me. It was a gift from my father when I was born, and it’s worth a fortune. Today, I give it to you as repayment for saving my life.The jade was clear and pure throughout, but at its heart, a winding seven-colored pattern stretched like a rainbow frozen in a clear sky.
Unique and extraordinary.
A dozen or so regular viewers in the livestream couldn’t help but wonder: Has this black-hearted lotus changed his nature? Has he actually grown a conscience and come back to repay the streamer?
And he’s giving away such an obviously precious piece of jade?
While the audience was puzzled, the system grew excited. 【Host, take it quickly. It’s said that when the Seventh Prince of Da Yong was born, the room was filled with radiant light. The emperor was so delighted that he bestowed the Seven-Colored Gemstone Jade upon him. There’s only one like it in all of Da Yong, and seeing the jade is like seeing the person. The Child of Destiny has been moved by you and is expressing his feelings. This is your first step in winning him over. Accept the jade, and the position of Empress will be within reach soon.】
Shen Qi looked closely and indeed saw a small character “Qi” carved in the lower left corner of the jade, likely representing the prince’s birth order.
The back of the jade probably bore a dragon pattern.
Given Shen Qi’s cunning nature, there was no way he would give her something that could prove his royal identity.
Her gaze shifted from the jade pendant to Shen Qi’s face.
Shen Qi’s dark eyes met hers, filled with apparent sincerity. “Take the jade and leave through the northwest corner. I checked earlier—beyond that lies a wilderness. No one is guarding it, and the grass is thick. Hide there and keep heading north, and you’ll be able to escape.”
Lu Zhao asked, “What about you?”
Shen Qi gave a pained smile. “I can’t burden you any further. Just go.” He had calculated that the person before him was not the self-sacrificing type and would surely prioritize her own life in a crisis.
As long as she took his jade and exited through the northwest corner, where the men outside would kill her, the threat would be eliminated forever.
He bore identifying marks and had his mother’s support; even without the jade, he could still reclaim his identity in the future.
Lu Zhao confirmed once more, “Are you sure you want to give this to me?”
Shen Qi nodded solemnly.
Lu Zhao broke into a radiant smile and unhesitatingly snatched the jade pendant, tying it to her waist.
Since he was offering it willingly, she would graciously accept.
Not just the jade, but the identity of the Seventh Prince as well!
Author’s Note:
Note: The hunting scenes in this story are plot requirements (protecting animals is everyone’s responsibility) 🙏
New cover alert! Red envelope giveaway in this chapter’s comment section ❤️ Thank you for your support.