Her lightning ability had already reached level 3, while her wood and mental abilities were still at the beginner stage. After thinking it over, Li Luoyu decided to prioritize upgrading her mental ability—it would help her expand her detection range and more precisely pick up the intentions of those harboring ill will.
All three of her abilities were quite practical. The lightning type was mainly for combat, but in this world she couldn’t use it openly—otherwise, she’d be treated as an anomaly and executed.
The wood ability governed plants. It could accelerate plant growth, and at higher levels, even transform into vine whips to strike enemies. However, that effect wouldn’t be possible until at least Level 6.
The mental ability, on the other hand, targeted the mind. It was subtle and unpredictable—she could infiltrate others’ consciousness and distort their perceptions, turning white into black, fragrance into stench. She could also spread her awareness like a web, detecting sound and movement within a certain range, even remotely controlling the actions of lower life forms.
Her goal tonight was to reach level 3. At that level, her control range would extend to within a thousand meters.
Li Luoyu felt like she had only just fallen asleep when her grandfather shook her awake.
“Luoluo, get up and eat. They’ll be here soon.”
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and glanced at her watch—3:30 a.m.?!
“Old man, this early?”
“Mm. Get up, eat something, and get ready.”
She gave a vague “mm,” dragged herself out of bed, splashed her face with cold water, threw on a coat, and shuffled out of her room. On the table, a bowl of plain congee was still steaming, and six buns were neatly arranged on a coarse porcelain plate.
Looks like Grandpa woke up even earlier.
Her voice still thick with sleep, she asked, “Grandpa, did you not sleep last night?”
“I did. Slept quite well.” The old man felt warm in his stomach last night, and even the aches in his legs had faded. He quickly finished his porridge and two buns, then said earnestly, “Luoluo, later on, no matter how they treat us, keep your temper in check. Understood?”
Li Luoyu wiped her mouth carelessly. “Got it.”
Old Master Li let out a heavy sigh. At least he was still here—he could hold things back a little.
She quickly finished her porridge, grabbed half a bun, and dashed into the kitchen. She swept up what little rice, flour, dried goods, and the large tub of lard remained into her storage space. The pots and utensils she left behind—they were all old, worn things. But that gleaming kitchen knife? That she took.
After that, she ran back to her room and packed away her bedding and clothes, leaving it completely empty.
In her grandfather’s room, she clicked her tongue. The cotton in his quilt had long clumped together, and aside from what he was wearing, his clothes were all patched upon patches—shabby beyond words.
Fine. She’d get him new ones later.
By the time she finished, the clock in the living room had just struck four. Li Luoyu pulled a Chinese chessboard down from atop the cabinet and tilted her chin at him.
“Old man, still early. Dare to play a round?”
Old Master Li smiled helplessly. “You’re quite calm. Definitely a Li through and through.”
“What else am I supposed to do—cry?” She set up the board and made the first move. “Your turn.”
He didn’t hold back, moving his black knight diagonally forward.
She dropped her cannon to the baseline, fully focused. “Watch this—‘Immortal Points the Way.’ Be careful, old man…”
Before the game could finish, a group of Red Armbands stormed into the courtyard. The wooden gate rattled violently under their kicks. The tall leader, holding a wooden stick, tilted his head, his eyes glinting coldly beneath his cap.
“Li Yuan, Li Luoyu—move.”
Three to five others rushed in, rummaging noisily through the house amid curses. But soon they came back out, dejected.
“Boss, it’s empty. Nothing valuable inside.”
The tall man frowned, then looked at the grandfather and granddaughter still playing chess. Irritation flared instantly. He stepped forward and flipped the board over with a swing of his stick, cursing,
“You’ve still got the mood to play chess? Quit dawdling—can you move faster? The home of a district commander and it’s poorer than dirt. Should’ve never taken this job—wasted a whole morning.”
Li Luoyu had been just one move away from beating the old man. Watching the “General” piece roll to her feet, her temper surged. She shot a cold glare, about to explode—
—but her grandfather grabbed her arm. “Let it go. Not worth it.”
She looked down at the scattered pieces. Her father had carved this set for her personally. After a moment, she crouched down and carefully picked them up one by one, placing them into her canvas bag.
The tall man had been about to swing again, but the instant he met Old Master Li’s gaze, a chill shot down the back of his neck.
This was a veteran general who had survived countless battles. Though his eyes were clouded with age, they were as deep and cold as a frozen abyss. The killing aura around him was enough to make children tremble—how could a few brash youths possibly measure up?
The tall man swallowed. He suddenly noticed that the two of them carried only two small cloth bags between them, yet their composed bearing reminded him of certain high-ranking officials he had seen before—men who, even during house raids, would still straighten their belts neatly.
“Move!” He turned his gaze away stiffly, his stick accidentally knocking against the doorframe.
Li Luoyu linked arms with her grandfather as they walked out step by step. Behind them came hushed whispers:
“Why are that old man’s eyes so scary?”
“Haven’t you heard? He’s a veteran of the war—went berserk on the battlefield once and twisted an enemy’s neck off with his bare hands!”
“And there’s more—recently, when a spy ring was exposed, he stared down the leader until the guy’s legs were shaking!”
“Seriously? Li Si, don’t mess with me.”
“I’m telling the truth—my cousin’s uncle’s nephew said it himself. Why would I lie?”
“…Then we’d better behave. Don’t do anything even dogs would hate.”
“Yeah, yeah. If the boss tells us to spit on them later, we’ll just stay in the back. My legs aren’t even listening to me anymore—I’m scared I’ll wet myself.”
“Right, bring Er Gouzi too. Don’t let that hothead charge forward.”
Li Luoyu squeezed her grandfather’s arm, raising a brow teasingly. “Old man, impressive.”
Old Master Li burst out laughing. “Your grandpa will always be your grandpa!”
Li Luoyu was speechless. “…”
She glanced back at the whispering youths. Not completely rotten—still salvageable.
Most of these Red Armbands were middle or high school students. Driven by enthusiasm for political movements and a kind of naive idealism, they had answered the call to participate. But in truth, they lacked a deep understanding of complex social issues and simply followed blindly.
Of course, a small number of truly angry radicals and scum were another matter entirely.
“Hey, Li Si—and you, the flashy one. Bring Er Gouzi with you. Go down to the countryside. This kind of work isn’t for you. When you get there, work hard, study well, and become upright people.”
Li Si and the flashy youth looked confused. “?”
After saying that, Li Luoyu ignored them, continuing forward arm-in-arm with her grandfather, teasing him as they walked.
After quite a while, the flashy youth ran up, blushing, and said, “Um… big sister, my name is Wang Erxiao.”
“Oh,” Li Luoyu replied. “Remember—live with integrity. Only then will your path ahead be smooth.”
Li Si and Wang Erxiao nodded vigorously, showing they understood.
They might not be good students, but they could still tell right from wrong. These past days of flaunting power with red armbands had clouded their hearts. Now, seeing the girl and her grandfather—though at rock bottom—still chatting and laughing with such brightness, they felt, for the first time, the armbands biting painfully into their arms.
Better to take them off early—and walk the path they were meant to follow.