After learning that Lu Chen was in seclusion cultivating, Lu Qingshan had no choice but to leave with the others. The spacious courtyard quickly returned to silence.
The maidservant Jin’er stood at the doorway of the side room, eyes lowered, expression calm, standing like a statue.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Lu Chen was reviewing his status panel.
[Name: Lu Chen]
[Lifespan: 25/25.9]
[Identity: Eldest legitimate son of the Grand General of the Great Xia Empire]
[Status: Exhausted, terminally ill]
[Technique: Evergreen Technique]
[Martial Art: Mountain-Shaking Fist]
[Talents: Fated with Peach Blossoms (Blue), Undead Knight (Green), Grassroots Hero (Green), Insect Manipulator (Green), Righteous Valor (Blue), Outstanding Bone Structure (Purple)]
[Simulation Points: 0 (Can consume lifespan to simulate!)]
On the panel, two new tabs had appeared: “Technique” and “Martial Art.”
Lu Chen stared at the two tabs, deep in thought. “I wonder if I can bring the Evergreen Technique and Mountain-Shaking Fist into the simulation world.”
Based on past experiences, once inside the simulation world, he would receive a completely new status panel, entirely different from the real one.
“Forget it. No need to overthink. I’ve already memorized the Evergreen Technique and Mountain-Shaking Fist. Even if the virtual panel doesn’t show them, I can recreate them from memory.”
With that decided, Lu Chen began thinking about how to deal with the two strongmen from the Wild Wolf Gang.
“If we compare them to the martial arts realm in the real world, those two should be at the 8th rank Ironbone Realm.”
“Even if I bring my techniques into the simulated world, I won’t be able to reach the 8th rank in such a short time.”
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Lu Chen’s mind—he thought of the beggar who had blocked his path earlier to beg for food.
That beggar was actually stronger than the deputy leader of the Wild Wolf Gang.
If Lu Chen could enlist this expert’s help, dealing with those two Wild Wolf brutes would be effortless.
“Seems like only by winning over that beggar can I escape the dead end with Xiao Yu.”
With that thought, Lu Chen had a plan.
He silently recited, “System, restart the previous simulation!”
The system quickly responded.
[Understood, Host!]
[You currently have 0 simulation points. Restarting the simulation will consume lifespan.]
[Consuming one month of lifespan will revert to a time anchor one hour ago; two months for two hours ago… and so on!]
[Please choose the amount of lifespan to consume!]
Lu Chen calculated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “Deduct six months of lifespan. Revert to the time anchor from six hours ago!”
He had less than a year of lifespan left. To save Jiang Qingyu, he was all in.
[Understood, Host!]
[Six months of lifespan deducted. Remaining lifespan: five months.]
[Generating simulation world…]
[Rewinding timeline…]
[Integrating host consciousness…]
…
[Simulation world activation begins!]
As the system prompts echoed, Lu Chen’s eyelids grew heavier. Soon, darkness fell before his eyes, and he completely lost consciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, he had already reentered the previous simulation world.
“Brother Chen, how come you’re up so early?”
As soon as he opened his eyes, Lu Chen heard a familiar voice. Looking around, he saw that he was lying on the heated brick bed in the main room. Jiang Qingyu had already prepared breakfast and was tidying up.
“Brother Chen, there’s still an hour before your shift at the docks. Get some more sleep.”
Jiang Qingyu, though just over ten years old, was incredibly obedient and thoughtful. But she didn’t know that she and Lu Chen had already died twice. This was Lu Chen’s third entry into the simulation.
“Xiao Yu, it’s so good to see you.”
Lu Chen got up from bed and hugged Jiang Qingyu tightly.
“Brother Chen, what’s gotten into you?” she asked curiously, tilting her head up.
The current timeline had rewound six hours. Jiang Qingyu had no idea she would be killed by the Wild Wolf Gang later.
Lu Chen steadied his emotions, patted her head, and said, “Nothing. I just had a nightmare.”
Jiang Qingyu stuck out her tongue, “You’re older than me by years, and you’re still scared of nightmares? How embarrassing.”
Lu Chen laughed, “I won’t be scared anymore from now on. Don’t worry, Xiao Yu.”
Breakfast was simple—half a pot of millet porridge, two cornmeal buns, and a small plate of pickled vegetables. Compared to the meals in the General’s Manor, this was like heaven and earth. But Lu Chen enjoyed every bite—because Jiang Qingyu was by his side.
After breakfast, Lu Chen brought out all the copper coins he had saved—over 80 of them. According to his original plan, working one more day at the docks would’ve given him enough to pay the Wild Wolf Gang’s tribute.
But unexpectedly, the Canal Gang suddenly lowered labor wages, and he hadn’t earned enough to pay on time.
“Screw the Canal Gang! Screw the Wild Wolf Gang! Once I have the power, I’ll wipe them all out!”
Thinking about what had happened, killing intent surged in Lu Chen’s heart.
When Jiang Qingyu saw him take out all his savings, she asked curiously, “Brother Chen, what are you doing? Counting coins?”
Lu Chen pushed half of the coins toward her, “Xiao Yu, I’m heading out later. Take this money and buy a three-yellow chicken at the market. Use the rest to get some spices like Sichuan pepper and cinnamon. Also pick up a few lotus leaves.”
Hearing that, Jiang Qingyu tilted her head, “Brother Chen, why are you buying so much stuff? It’s not even New Year.”
Lu Chen smiled, “Don’t worry about it. Just do as I say.”
“Okay, fine.”
After carefully instructing her, Lu Chen left the house.
It was just before dawn, and the streets were nearly empty.
Lu Chen headed toward the northern dock of the city as usual.
When he reached the city gate, he saw the beggar leaning against the wall, dozing off—just like before.
Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he placed the two meat buns he had bought earlier into the beggar’s cracked bowl.
The man looked up at him, gave a goofy grin, and used his filthy hands to grab the buns and wolf them down.
After finishing, he didn’t say a word of thanks and closed his eyes to nap again.
Lu Chen wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he crouched down and asked, “Senior, have you ever had Beggar’s Chicken?”
The moment the beggar heard those words, his interest was piqued. He opened his eyes and rasped, “Kid, you know how to make Beggar’s Chicken?”
Lu Chen smiled, “I happen to have learned it. If you don’t mind, Senior, would you come home with me?”