He cleared his throat to say the magical words he had been waiting to say,
"Status."
[
NAME: Jin Ranyi
AGE: 14
GENDER: Male
RACE: Human
CULTIVATION: Body Tempering Realm -> Mortal
BLOODLINE: None
PHYSIQUE: Cinder Grain Physique [RARE] -> None
STRENGTH: 15 -> 9
AGILITY: 20 -> 8
DEFENSE: 12 -> 5
ENDURANCE: 17 -> 6
VITALITY: 9 -> 7
ENERGY: Qi (24) -> (0)
[SYSTEM POINTS: 42 ]
[AFFECTION POINTS: 724 ]
[SKILLS:
MARTIAL TECHNIQUES:-
Swordsmanship (Novice-Lvl 8)
Spearmanship (Novice-Lvl 3)
Knives Throw (Initiate-Lvl 1)
Iron Palm Method (Novice-Lvl 4)
Flowing Qi Fist (Novice-Lvl 2) -> (Lvl 3)
Shadow Steps (Novice-Lvl 1)
Silken Tide Step (Novice-Lvl 1)
PASSIVE ABILITIES:-
Innocent Veil (EPIC)
Anomaly Luck (TRANSCENDENT)
Parasitic Growth (TRANSCENDENT)
Tranquil Obsession (TRANSCENDENT)
]
The disappointment that hit Jin when he saw his new stats couldn't be put into words. His old numbers weren't anything legendary, but at least they were a foundation. Now they were just... sad.
"I-I understand my stats but why my physique. I was even looking forward to that." His voice caught in his throat.
Shuye said apologetically, "I'm sorry but your physique was also considered 'cultivation' so..."
Jin pressed his lips shut and let that point drop,
"I remember getting system points when I killed the last guys, but why is my Affection Points so high?"
[Master, your actions helped many people and even saved a few from near death. So all those points were added together. Though most of them came from you friend.]
Jin sighed heavily, "I knew it'd be bad, but-"
He shook his head and rubbed his temples, "First, let's analyze my situation. System, tell me about these passing merchants."
[I'm sorry, Master. All I know is that the head merchant who took you in runs a clothing business and is named An Guoli.]
"Fine. Good to know. At least nothing shady. I also need to sort out my memories. I had been hiding a lot of things. The language and relations I had came out instinctively. But still a lot of information needs to be organized and ironed out-" Jin said.
A knock at the door cut him off. He pushed himself up even if the pain blazed along his ribs. Moving to the door, he carefully opened it.
A mountain of a man filled the doorway. Broad-shouldered, thick forearms, easily twice Jin's size. He grinned. "Fresh meat! I heard noises, figured you'd be awake."
Jin bowed, thinking, 'Best not to seem rude.'
"You have my thanks for saving me. Could you show me where the head merchant is?"
The man slapped Jin's shoulder and laughed. "Hahaha. Kid, it wasn't me. Chunsheng from our group was the one who persuaded Boss."
"Then I guess I'll have to thank him too." Jin straightened. "Ranyi."
"Dawei." The big man sounded his name like a drum.
They shook hands and froze for a beat. Palm to palm. Human to human. No spark. No cultivated pressure.
Cultivators leak qi on contact; it buzzes under their skin. Dawei's fingers found nothing. Mortal.
Of course some can seal their presence, but that takes training and it still leaves cracks.
Dawei relaxed when he realized Jin was the same.
"Come. I'll take you to the Boss. But before that..." Dawei supported Jin as they moved through the streets. "How'd you get those injuries?"
'He seems like a good dude.' Jin letting his guard down.
"I had a skirmish with some beasts a few days ago."
Dawei shook his head smiling, "So Boss was right again, huh."
Jin raised an eyebrow but kept walking. As they continued on, Dawei told Jin a lot of things.
The market was small but efficient. Though these men were from Kunlun, they'd come to Peng on business. And they'd done their jobs thoroughly.
They stepped into the market street. Sunlight hit the tiled roofs, red lanterns hung in stark contrast against the blue sky. Stalls were filled with baskets of fruit, cloth dyed in sharp colors, skewers of meat cooking over small fires.
Voices filled the air: sellers calling, children laughing, the beat of a drum somewhere deeper inside.
Jin kept his face calm, only letting his eyes move. 'It's real. Alive. Words and pictures didn't do it justice.'
A thrill ran through him, quiet but impossible to ignore. The market buzzed around him, louder, brighter and more chaotic than any story or game could capture.
Jin drew a slow breath and let it out, shoulders easing for the first time. He tilted his face to the noon sun, letting the heat prick his skin, and a small smile brushed across his lips. Quiet, fleeting and his alone.
'Not painted, not written. Every stall looks different, every sound unique. How do they live with so much noise every day?'
"This is Peng's ground," Dawei said, pointing to the wooden plaque above the gate. The "Peng" character carved deep: a huge boat spread across the wood. Blue flag with the same boat swayed from spear end. "You'll see that mark everywhere. Remember it."
A cart rolled too close and Dawei caught Jin's sleeve, pulling him aside with one hand. He didn't stop talking, just went on steady.
"Shops with old boards, cracked corners, they've been here longest. Those are the only ones you should look into. Carriages mean rich men, don't stare."
Jin nodded, still listening. 'He moves through this like he's walked it a hundred times. I can't even tell where the street ends.'
The smell of grilled meat. A girl in a red dress ran laughing past a tea stall. For a moment, Jin almost smiled. Then he fixed his face again, the way he thought a noble should.
'I should act like how I did in my memories, for now. If I follow the "hidden anti-hero" path I should be fine...hopefully'
Strolling through the market, Jin understood how thorough the group was. Small, yes. Only three guards to help the "boss". But every stall, alley, and doorway had been checked.
'They carry knowledge a crew this size shouldn't have. Knowledge they shouldn't share so casually with me.' Jin grew suspicious.
"...and this is why you never buy sweets from that stall." Dawei nodded towards a crooked cart as they finally arrived at the shop.
"Better if you go alone. Don't worry, Boss is a good man."
' "Good" in this place doesn't mean the same thing as it did in my old life. Should stay alert just in case.' Jin told himself.
He smiled and bowed. "Thanks for the tour, big bro."
Dawei scratched his head, embarrassed. "Hah. I guess I really do give off that kind of big brother energy, huh. Right, go on. I'll fetch the others for introductions."
Jin watched him go and got serious. 'He seems like the type of dude who will easily be betrayed or get mixed up in some scandal.'
He parted through the curtain and into the shop.
Bolts of cloth lined the walls. A low bell chimed. The air smelled of fresh dyed clothes and sandalwood, and something faintly floral. Too sweet. Behind the counter, a shadow shifted.
Shuye, tucked inside his pocket, murmured, "Don't worry, Jin. You're my host now; I'll protect you with the best of my ability."
Jin swallowed nervously.
The bell sounded again, sharper. Someone laughed behind the counter. He cleared his throat and stepped forward.