“What?! You’re saying Chen’er made the Liu family’s girl storm off?”
In the backyard stable, Grand General Lu Qingshan was feeding his beloved warhorse. Upon hearing the steward’s report, he immediately stopped what he was doing.
“Lao Zhao, tell me exactly what happened!” Lu Qingshan tossed aside the hay and plopped down on the trough. Then he pulled out a white jade tobacco pipe from his waist, lit it with a fire striker, and took a deep puff.
After decades of battlefield experience, Lu Qingshan had faced blades and fire, yet he never parted with that white jade tobacco pipe. At this moment, he looked nothing like the commanding Marshal of the Empire’s forces—he seemed more like a hunched-back old peasant with a weathered face.
The steward standing before him left an even deeper impression. He was missing half an arm, and his face was so hideous it looked as if someone had dragged it across a burning fire pit.
Master and servant stood together—a perfectly matched pair.
“Master, here’s what happened…” The steward quickly recounted everything that had taken place between Liu Ruqian and Lu Chen.
After listening, Lu Qingshan slapped his thigh hard. “Good! Liu Juzheng wanted to use this matter to pressure me in the Imperial Court. I was just troubled over how to deal with it, but who would’ve thought Chen’er handled it so easily!”
“Hahaha, truly worthy of being my son!” The steward hesitated for a moment and said, “Master, didn’t you say that since the young master had been missing for over a decade, his identity still needed more observation and confirmation?”
Lu Qingshan glared at him. “Confirmation my ass! That’s my son!” He snorted, “I, Lu Qingshan, know my own blood—do I need anyone else to verify it?”
He lightly tapped the white jade pipe against the trough, shaking off the tobacco he hadn’t had the heart to waste before. Then he tucked the pipe back into his waistband and jumped down.
“Come on, let’s go check on Chen’er in Wutong Courtyard!” With his hands behind his back, Lu Qingshan walked out of the stable, humming a hometown folk tune.
The steward chuckled and quickly followed.
…
Inside a refined courtyard, Lu Chen returned to his room, coughing nonstop.
Earlier at Tranquil Heart Lake, after angering Liu Ruqian and her maidservant into leaving, he had secretly used his Insect Manipulator talent to summon a swarm of wasps to sting them all into bruised and swollen messes, forcing them to flee in panic.
Already physically weak, he had expended even more of his essence, Qi, and spirit, leaving him even more frail.
“Looks like I must carry out the third life simulation as soon as possible. As long as I gain a good talent during the simulation, I might be able to cure this terminal illness, maybe even extend my lifespan.”
Just as Lu Chen made up his mind, a maidservant called from outside, “Young Master, the Master has come to see you.”
“Alright, I understand.” Lu Chen replied as he pulled a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and calmly wiped away the fresh blood from his palm. Then he put on a smile and stood at the door, patiently waiting for his father.
Since arriving in this world, Lu Chen had only seen his cheap father once—when he accidentally collided with the general’s carriage. The man had simply asked his name, glanced at his wrist, and then brought him back to the General’s Manor.
Over the next few days, famous physicians had visited him frequently for diagnosis and treatment, but his father never showed up again.
Lu Chen guessed his visit today must be related to the Liu family’s annulment.
“Chen’er! Father’s here to see you!” Just as he was thinking about how to face Grand General Lu Qingshan, a boisterous voice echoed from the courtyard.
Lu Chen looked up and saw a kindly-faced old man dressed in coarse clothes with a white jade pipe tucked at his waist stepping into the room.
“Chen’er, you’ve been resting in the manor for a few days now. Is your body feeling better?”
“Replying to Father, it’s just a minor illness. Nothing serious.”
Though the man looked like an old peasant, Lu Chen clearly sensed the fierce killing aura radiating from him. He even suspected that the concern and gentleness on Lu Qingshan’s face were all a facade. If he said or did the wrong thing, even as Lu Qingshan’s biological son, he might not escape harsh punishment.
“Jiayin? Is that really the case?” Lu Qingshan turned to the maidservant outside and asked coldly.
“Replying to Master, the young master is still very weak and has been coughing up blood frequently.” Lu Qingshan’s aura was too intimidating. Even though the maidservant was a 2nd rank Profound Vein Realm expert, she didn’t dare meet his eyes.
“Those damned useless physicians! I paid them so much silver, yet they can’t even cure my son!” Lu Qingshan roared, “Useless! Absolutely useless!”
After venting his rage, he turned to the steward and said, “Lao Zhao, bring all the precious tonics from the manor to Wutong Courtyard. Also, go pay a visit to Imperial Physician Jiang. Tell him this general is feeling unwell and needs treatment at home.”
“Yes, Master!” The steward nodded lightly and left at once.
Watching him go, Lu Chen felt something odd. It seemed that in the entire General’s Manor, the only person who didn’t fear Lu Qingshan at all was this ugly-looking steward.
“Son, you’ve suffered all these years, wandering outside alone. If your mother knew this in the afterlife, she’d probably chase me with her shoe again…”
Lu Qingshan pulled his son to sit with him at the table and rambled endlessly. At this moment, there wasn’t a trace of a grand general’s authority—only deep concern and affection for his son.
Even after Lu Qingshan left the courtyard, Lu Chen still hadn’t recovered from the shock. His father didn’t mention the Liu family’s annulment, nor did he ask about what Lu Chen had experienced over the years. He simply chatted about mundane things and told him to focus on recuperating before leaving.
Soon after, a group of servants began carrying in tonics until the courtyard was nearly full. Only then did they dare return and report completion.
Once the maidservants finished placing everything inside, Lu Chen finally said, “Jin’er, guard the door. Unless it’s urgent, don’t let anyone disturb me.”
“Yes, Young Master!” Jin’er replied and cautiously closed the room door behind her.
Once she left, Lu Chen couldn’t help but start coughing violently. His palm and robe were now stained with crimson blood.
“Looks like I can’t wait for the imperial physician anymore. I must start the new life simulation right away!”
Lu Chen sat cross-legged on the bed and silently chanted in his heart, “System, begin life simulation!”
Soon, an electronic voice sounded in his ears:
[Ding! Host, would you like a text-based simulation or scenario simulation?]
For the first two runs, Lu Chen had chosen text-based simulation. It resembled an idle game he used to play before crossing over—efficient, but utterly boring. He’d missed out on many opportunities that way.
So this time, he chose the scenario simulation.
[Generating simulation world…]
[Integrating host consciousness…]
[…]
[Simulation world activation complete!]