Chapter Two: Life Simulation

Life Simulation?
Is this my cheat code?
A mechanical voice sounded, and Chen Tong was visibly taken aback. Suddenly, with a swish, a translucent virtual interface appeared before his eyes.

[You awaken to find yourself transported to a parallel world, burdened by immense pressure. In this world, the court is corrupt, the people are seething with resentment, and human life is as worthless as weeds. Once a frustrated and unsuccessful scholar in Pingyang Town at the foot of Blackwind Mountain, you unexpectedly suffer a calamity and are seized by the stingy bandits of Blackwind Fortress and taken up the mountain.]

[With trepidation in your heart and terrified of what lies ahead, you never imagined that the bandits, furious over the grievous injury of their chief, Xie Hu, would seek revenge. Though you were already frightened, you are forced, as a local of Pingyang Town, to lead the bandits down the mountain for their revenge.]

[The situation is beyond your control; you have no choice but to obey the will of the Blackwind Mountain bandits.]

[Alas, blades and arrows are blind. How can a ragtag group of desperate outlaws stand against the government troops? The bandits are utterly annihilated, and you are struck down by a hail of arrows.]

[You are dead.]

[To your sorrow, you realize you didn't survive even a day in this new world before meeting your end. You do not wish to die, but in times of chaos, fate is not your own; you can only become another nameless skeleton among the mass graves.]

The system's words floated before him, sending a chill down Chen Tong's spine.

Since traversing worlds had already happened, bringing along a system cheat didn't seem all that difficult to accept. However, Chen Tong's face darkened, nearly causing him to faint from shock.

It was bad enough to be kidnapped by bandits right after crossing over, but to be forced to lead the way and then end up riddled with arrows by the government troops—wasn't this pure nonsense?

Chen Tong did not want to die—not in the least.

Better to live miserably than to die nobly; this saying had never felt more apt. Though he couldn't immediately verify whether this life simulation system was real or not, he dared not risk finding out.

What if it was real?

He watched as the burly man named Iron Ox hefted him like a chick and started heading down the mountain. The cold wind from Blackwind Mountain jolted Chen Tong awake.

“Wait!”

Chen Tong shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse. Remarkably, his cry overpowered the noise of the entire room full of bandits. Instantly, he felt his body lighten as Iron Ox tossed him to the ground, fixing him with a bull-like stare that sent shivers down Chen Tong’s spine.

“You sour scholar, don’t be so unwise. We’re going down the mountain to avenge our chief. If you dare utter a word of refusal, don’t blame me for crushing your eggs with my own hands.”

Iron Ox bellowed, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

Chen Tong was certain that if he didn’t say something convincing, he would be finished right here—dead even before being forced to lead the way to his doom.

His eyes swept the room and landed on the bandit leader, who was barely clinging to life. Suddenly, inspiration struck.

“Good sirs, spare my life! Since childhood, I’ve admired the gallant deeds of forest heroes. To lead you in avenging your chief is an honor I do not dare refuse. However, revenge must be taken, yes, but will you really stand by and watch your vice-chief die? Though I am but a humble scholar, I have some knowledge of medicine—hey…? Why are you grabbing me?”

Before he could finish, Chen Tong was lifted off his feet.

“My brother can still be saved?”

Iron Ox’s eyes were red and bulging, nearly popping out of his head. His massive hands gripped Chen Tong’s shoulders with such force it felt like his bones would shatter. Chen Tong’s words had drawn the attention of all the bandits, silencing even their shouting.

They truly wanted revenge, and they truly wanted to fight the government troops.

But only if their chief was already dead. Now, this scholar from down the mountain claimed he could save their vice-chief?

Even the gravest matters could wait.

“He can be saved!”

Though his teeth were gritted in pain, Chen Tong nodded. He had caught a quick glimpse and seen that Xie Hu, the vice-chief, had only suffered superficial wounds and not internal injuries. His unconsciousness was a protective reaction of the body, caused by blood loss.

Had there been any serious internal injury, he would not have lasted this long—and no one was more qualified to know this than Chen Tong, a renowned surgeon in his previous life.

“Are you sure?”

A faint fragrance drifted to his nose. Chen Tong turned his head instinctively and met the clear, jet-black gaze of Xie Qingshuang, chief of Blackwind Fortress. Though she wore a veil, her eyes were as limpid as water. Chen Tong was certain that beneath the veil lay a face that would outshine any internet celebrity.

“I’m sure!” Chen Tong nodded, wincing in pain. “I’m seventy or eighty percent confident—if only you could have him let me go first; my arm is about to break.”

Iron Ox was startled and quickly released him. Chen Tong gasped for breath, nearly squeezed to death in that brief moment.

“Very well!”

Xie Qingshuang gave Chen Tong a long look before speaking. “Scholar, if you can truly save our vice-chief, all of Blackwind Fortress will owe you a great debt of gratitude. Anything in our stronghold, you may choose as you wish.”

“Brothers, calm yourselves. This scholar is skilled in medicine and has a way to save our vice-chief. No one is to cause any trouble. Even if you wish to fight the government troops, wait until the vice-chief is out of danger.”

Silence fell.

No bandit dared make a sound now. Revenge was important, yes, but could it compare to the life of their vice-chief? After all, Blackwind Fortress was what it was because of Xie Hu.

Because he was their warrior.