After confirming that he needed at least one month of rest to fully recover, Shen yue laid on the hard wooden bed, staring blankly at the cracks on the ceiling. The system had told him that once his body stabilized, he could unlock Qi Absorption Level 3.
"I need to recover fast," he murmured. "Every day counts."
Just then, a knock echoed through the small room. It was soft, hesitant—almost familiar. He turned his head slightly.
"Come in," he said weakly.
The door creaked open, and the same servant girl from the morning entered. In her hands was a simple wooden tray. On it lay two hard, dry buns and a small strip of meat barely larger than a finger.
Her steps were light, cautious, as if afraid her presence might disturb the stillness of the room.
As she placed the tray down, Xiao Fan sat up with some effort. His body still ached, but hunger sharpened his focus.
"Excuse me, Miss," he called out softly.
She paused and turned to him, a little startled. "Yes?"
"This… this dinner seems too little for me. Can I get a bit more?"
The servant blinked in surprise and glanced over him. He looked pale and fragile, almost ghost-like under the candle's dim light. But his eyes—those carried a sharpness that caught her off guard. His long, dark hair fell softly around his shoulders, and his skin had a faint moon-like glow despite his weakened state.
"You want… more?" she asked, uncertain.
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
She hesitated for a moment. "It's not forbidden, but… food shortage is strict here. To get extra meals, you need to spend contribution points."
Shen Yue gave a small nod. Just as I expected.
"How many points per meal?"
"One contribution point can get you a portion like this," she replied, gesturing to the tray.
He did some quick thinking. If I take two extra meals a day… that's two contribution points per day. Sixty in a month. That's manageable.
"I'll take two extra meals per day then. One in the morning and one at night. Please inform your supervisor."
The servant girl's eyes widened slightly. Not many were willing to spend contribution points on food. Most hoarded them, traded them for coins, or saved them for promotion.
Still, she gave a small respectful nod. "I will pass on your request. For now… please eat. I'll bring your extra meal shortly."
As she left the room, Xiao Fan picked up the bread and began chewing slowly, lost in thought.
The original owner saved up 100 contribution points, never spending them—wanting to exchange them for money to support his family after military service…
He paused, staring at the ceiling again.
Don't worry. I'll take care of your family. That's a promise.
That night, he slept soundly for the first time in days.
The next day, a knock roused him once again. It was the same servant girl.
"The supervisor agreed," she said. "You'll receive one extra meal in the morning and one in the evening from now on. You can pay the contribution points later."
Shen Yue nodded with a calm smile. "Thank you."
She placed the second tray down—another small portion, but enough for someone slowly regaining strength.
After she left, he summoned the familiar golden panel.
[System Interface Appears]
Name: Shen yue
Age: 14
Physique: High-level Iron-Copper Molting Physique
Bloodline: Mid-level Flame Scorpion Bloodline
Cultivation: Uninitiated
Skills: None
Spiritual Root: Low-Level Fire Spiritual Root (Mixed) (0%)
Talent: Extraction
Mid-Level Sword Talent (0%)
Low-Level Archery Talent (0%)
Low-Level Spear Talent (0%)
Mid-Level Comprehension (0%)
Unique traits:
****clones:0 (locked)
Stats:
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 8
Wisdom: 2
Spirit: 0.9
Nothing had changed yet—but soon, it would.
He closed the panel just as another knock echoed on the door. This one… was heavier.
"Enter," Shen Yue called after coughing twice.
The door opened. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped in. Even without looking up, Shen yue knew—it was Uncle Peng Lei.
A familiar warmth filled the room. The man's face was stern and weathered, his body rugged like a mountain, but Xiao Fan saw past that. His uncle had been the one to protect him during his early military days. Whenever he was bullied or starved, it was Uncle Peng who brought him food, who shielded him.
And when his father died, it was Uncle Peng who held the family together.
"You shouldn't be moving," his uncle said with concern, seeing him struggle to sit up.
"I can't lie in bed all day, uncle," Shen Yue said with a weak smile.
Peng Lei sat beside the bed, his brow furrowed with guilt. His fists clenched.
"I made a promise to your father," he said quietly. "That I would protect your family… and you. But look at you now."
"It's not your fault, Uncle," Shen Yue eplied. "You tried. Even gave money to stop them from sending me to the frontlines, didn't you?"
His uncle's eyes widened, surprised.
"I remember. The previous me remembers everything. You did all you could. The fault lies with the system that swallows loyalty and spits out corpses."
Peng Lei looked down, regret etched into his face. "If only I had a higher rank… more influence…"
"Don't blame yourself," Shen yue said firmly. "I'm still alive, aren't I? That's enough. Now I have a chance."
There was silence for a moment, then Peng Lei let out a long breath. "I took leave today. Have to return before evening. But… I wanted to see you."
Shen yue nodded slowly. "Then… tell me, Uncle. About my father's death."
Peng Lei tensed.
"Didn't the old me ask you to find out the truth?"
His uncle looked around carefully, then leaned closer. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Your father's death… it wasn't an accident. It wasn't even a battlefield casualty."
Shen yue 's pupils shrank.
"This was a pre-planned murder."