Ethan Moore didn't help Luna Yates to her feet. He could feel the pressure and suffering Luna had endured since Xavier Moore lost his mind. Instead, he just gazed at the distant, shadowed skyscrapers and quietly clenched his fists. Even if he had to start from scratch, so what?
This world, though ruled by monarchy, wasn't without technology. There were public bus systems resembling those on Earth, along with basic electronic and mechanical devices. Was he really worried about not surviving here?
"Luna Yates, let's go home." Ethan pulled Luna up, looking at the far-off city lights. Even if he had been reborn from Earth, reclaiming the lost principality of North Qin was likely impossible.
Letting go of princely dreams, Ethan was confident he could still find his footing. In his previous life, he was a top-tier biologist and botanist. It was by discovering a way to extract and blend plant essences to expand human meridians that he'd ended up betrayed by his lover and reborn in this world.
He knew all too well the value of extracting something that could "expand human meridians." Meridians were an elusive concept; rarely did anyone truly identify them, much less harness them. If someone could really strengthen their body to feel these flows, wouldn't their physical power become formidable? A person with opened meridians might easily win Olympic gold in running or weightlifting.
What hurt most was still the betrayal—his lover stabbing him at the very moment he succeeded. He still didn't understand why she would do that, after sharing life and death together for so long.
"Yes, Young Master…" At last, Luna calmed herself, her eyes brighter than before.
Ethan smiled wryly. "Luna, do I look like a 'young master' anymore? Call me by my name from now on. The past is over. Today is a new start. From now on, I'll be Ethan Moore, not Xavier Moore."
"Yes… young master." Luna responded quickly, habit too deeply engrained.
Not wanting to press further—some habits and hierarchies aren't so easily shed—Ethan said, "It's getting dark. Let's go back. Tomorrow I'll try to find some work."
Even before getting home, Ethan had a sense of his situation: Xavier's parents were gone, the family fortune ruined, leaving nothing but poverty. Luna had not only been supporting them both, but also looking after the out-of-his-mind "young master." Surviving this far was already remarkable.
"Young master, you don't have to work. I can find more jobs, that will be enough for us. You don't need to go out every day," Luna interjected, fearful.
Ethan glanced at Luna's faded dress and the cheap hairpin in her yellowing hair, and said nothing more. Some hardships couldn't be put into words. Perhaps Xavier never understood, even to his dying breath, how hard Luna had fought to keep him alive.
—
Though Raozhou was encircled by walls and gates, there was no curfew—day or night, people came and went freely. The fortifications served more as symbols than as military defenses.
Xavier had never cared about the city's prosperity, obsessed with restoration; Ethan could only sense Raozhou's vibrancy through vague memories. But upon actually entering the city with Luna, Ethan was struck by the bustling streets, the brightly lit shops—a scene reminiscent of a modern metropolis on Earth.
Of course, such places were unaffordable for them. Skirting the busy streets, it took nearly an hour to reach a shabby residential area where the lamplight faded to sickly yellow.
From afar, Ethan spotted their "home"—a storage shed, dirt cheap but even then, out of reach. Clearly, they were able to stay there only because of the landlord's sympathy.
"Hey hey, the king is back, let me get out of the way for His Majesty!" A voice jolted Ethan from his thoughts.
"Jake Hu, move aside!" Normally shy Luna suddenly stepped forward, shielding Ethan as fiercely as a little leopard.
In the dim light, Ethan saw a slick-haired young man, who, while pretending to move, stood firmly blocking their way.
"Luna, darling, your big brother Jake bought you half a pound of braised pork, specially for you. Is this how you treat me?" Jake waved the wrapped pork with a sly grin.
Ethan's stomach betrayed him, growling loudly. Luna hesitated—if she were alone, she'd ignore Jake, but her "young master" hadn't eaten all day, and they had not one grain of rice at home.
Ethan knew what Luna was thinking. Without waiting for Jake's hand to reach Luna, Ethan abruptly kicked out.
Jake never expected an attack. The kick landed right in his chest—yet, to Ethan's shock, he felt like he'd struck an iron plate, the force bouncing back and sending him staggering several steps.
"Young master, are you okay?" Luna hurried to support Ethan.
Ethan's heart sank—Jake barely moved, only faltered a step. His current body was weak, yes, but even a sneak attack should have floored him. Unless…Jake was trained?
"You bastard…" Jake's face twisted with rage; meek Xavier had never dared fight before. He drew a gleaming dagger and lunged at Ethan.
Several bystanders watched, but made no move to intervene—they didn't even comment.
"Jake! Stop! You'd attack someone in broad daylight?" Luna cried desperately, not realizing it was already night.
Jake just laughed. "Been wanting to kill this fool for ages. He threw the first punch so even if I kill him, worst I get is a fine. Luna, this is for your own good! You'll have food and clothes with me."
Desperate, Luna stood in front of Ethan.
But Ethan was fully calm. In his memory, there truly was such a law: whoever struck first, even if killed, would cost the killer only a monetary penalty.
Regret wouldn't help now. Ethan pulled Luna aside again, eyes steady. "Jake, if you touch me tonight, you'll die a miserable death."
Jake roared with laughter. "Oh, is that so? Watch how I dare—just keep your eyes open!"
The tension snapped, and so did Ethan's old life. Here and now, with nothing but his wits, survival itself would be the first, hardest battle.