Li Wei awoke to the sound of clanging bells and the scent of morning dew. Elder Bai stood in the courtyard, arms crossed, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Li Wei," Bai called, "today you will go on your first mission for the Azure Dragon Sect."
Li Wei blinked. "Mission? Like… dangerous mission? Kidnap bandits? Rescue someone? Deliver a package?"
Bai chuckled. "All of the above… in spirit. Your task: retrieve a rare medicinal herb from the nearby forest. It's not guarded by enemies, but the terrain is treacherous. Consider it a test of skill, resourcefulness, and… creativity."
Li Wei straightened, gripping his wooden sword. "Alright! Step one: survive the forest. Step two: find the herb. Step three: maybe make some money somehow along the way. Got it!"
Zhang Lei appeared beside him, smirking. "Looks like the new guy gets a solo mission. Don't die before you even start."
Li Wei shot him a grin. "Die? Me? Never! Well… probably not."
The forest was thick, the trees towering like ancient sentinels. Sunlight barely filtered through, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Li Wei moved cautiously, though every step seemed to land him on a hidden root or slip on damp moss.
"Focus, Wei," he muttered. "This isn't a stroll through the park… it's a life-or-death… herbal retrieval operation."
After a few minutes, he spotted a cluster of glowing leaves in the distance. The herb. He approached carefully, only to hear a low growl. Li Wei froze.
From behind a bush, a small wild beast emerged—its size like a large dog, with claws that gleamed menacingly in the sunlight. Li Wei's stomach dropped. "Of course," he muttered. "First mission, first obstacle. Step one: don't get eaten."
The creature lunged. Li Wei flailed his wooden sword, missing completely. He stumbled backward, tripped over a root, and accidentally rolled into a low branch—knocking the beast off balance.
"Yes! Tactical maneuver!" he shouted, even though it was mostly luck.
The beast shook itself off and charged again. Li Wei panicked, recalling parkour videos from his past life. He vaulted over a fallen log, spun, and accidentally kicked the creature in its side. The beast yelped and scuttled back, retreating into the bushes.
Li Wei panted, leaning against a tree. "Okay… not dead… that's good. Step two: grab the herb before anything else attacks me."
He carefully picked the medicinal herb, noting its vibrant glow and delicate structure. Triumphantly, he held it up. "Victory! First mission: herb acquired. Step three: survive getting back!"
On the way back, Li Wei encountered a shallow stream with slippery rocks. Attempting to cross, he slipped and splashed into the water, herb barely intact in his hand. He scrambled, flailing, and somehow managed to land on the opposite bank—soaked, muddy, but victorious.
As he neared the sect, Zhang Lei was waiting, leaning casually against a tree. "You made it back… alive. Barely."
Li Wei shook his head, dripping wet but smiling. "Alive is an achievement, my friend. Mission accomplished. Herb secured. Step four: survive your lecture about nearly dying. Step five: maybe get a reward?"
Elder Bai approached, raising an eyebrow. "I see you completed the mission."
Li Wei bowed awkwardly, trying to look serious despite his soaked robes. "Yes, Elder Bai. Mission success. Chaos strategy: 100% effective."
Bai chuckled. "Unconventional, chaotic, and reckless. Yet you survived and completed the task. Impressive… though do not rely on luck forever. Next time, control and strategy must be stronger."
Li Wei nodded. "Control… yes… strategy… yes… luck… optional but recommended. Got it!"
Zhang Lei laughed. "You really are something else. Maybe chaos is your secret weapon."
Li Wei grinned. "Secret weapon, my friend… and maybe the key to revolutionizing Murim. Step one: survive missions. Step two: learn cultivation. Step three: impress everyone with modern wisdom… eventually. Step four: maybe become rich."
That night, Li Wei sat by the campfire, cleaning his wooden sword. He reflected on the day's events: surviving the forest, evading the beast, retrieving the herb, and managing to stay alive. Each challenge reminded him that Murim was unpredictable, absurd, and exhilarating.
"Alright, Wei," he muttered. "First mission complete. Elder Bai approves. Zhang Lei's impressed. Step three… well, we'll figure out the rest later. For now… celebrate survival!"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. Murim was dangerous, chaotic, and completely unlike his previous life—but for the first time in a long while, Li Wei felt truly alive.
With the medicinal herb safely delivered to the sect's apothecary, Li Wei knew this was just the beginning. The Murim world was vast, filled with rivalries, sect politics, and martial arts challenges beyond imagination. But with his hot-headed impulsiveness, chaotic strategies, and flashes of modern-life ingenuity, he was ready for anything.
And somewhere in the shadows, Zhang Lei smirked, realizing that this chaotic new disciple might be a force to be reckoned with.