"If you truly have the chance, the ability to climb, then you must climb. Climb, no matter what it costs you."
"This world devours people."
"Without power or influence, even if you return home, you'll still be humiliated. Your land can be stolen through trickery, your family forced into servitude."
"Cast aside your naivety. Cast aside your wishful thinking."
"You’re still young. You haven't seen the world for what it is. But when you do, you'll find that for a man with no power, every road is a dead end."
Under the veil of night, Guo Shan’s voice was grave as he stared at Li Chen.
Feeling the weight of that stern gaze, the smile on Li Chen’s face slowly faded. He could tell Guo Shan was speaking from the heart.
"Mr. Guo," Li Chen couldn't help but ask, "did something happen to your family?"
"Me? Heh." A raw hatred flashed in Guo Shan’s eyes. "I watched a nobleman's son from the county town drag my sister away. He violated her, and now… she’s lost her mind."
"Didn't you report it to the officials?" Li Chen asked, shocked. "The penalty for rape is castration."
"Report it?" A mocking glint appeared in Guo Shan’s eyes. "Everyone knows the Li Law is strict. What they don't know is that its enforcement is in the hands of the powerful. For a commoner, yes, the law is a cage of iron. But for a powerful family? What is the Li Law to them?"
"Perhaps to the Great King, the law governs all his lands. But my home is in the Shu Region, a world away from the capital. The king's authority doesn't reach that far."
"My father and I went to report the crime. In the end, we were targeted by that same nobleman. He had my father beaten to death, and I was left gravely injured."
"And he still walks free, untouched by justice."
"The officials? The Li Law?"
"Perhaps in Wangdu, near the heart of the kingdom, the Li Law is a divine decree no one dares to defy. But the farther you travel from the capital, the more useless it becomes."
"Punishments do not apply to the nobility."
"The Li Law is for the common people."
"Don't be so naive, Young Li."
Li Chen fell silent, the words hanging in the cool night air.
He had been in this world for over fifteen years since his rebirth, but his understanding of it was limited to his hometown and this military camp. In his village, neighbors looked out for one another. He had never encountered the kind of brutal injustice Guo Shan described.
He had always thought of the Li Law as famously severe; future generations would call it the Tyranny of Li. But Guo Shan's words had shattered that simple perception.
"The Li Law is for the common people."
"Punishments do not apply to the nobility."
Li Chen murmured the phrases, feeling as though he were finally seeing the true, unvarnished face of this era.
"Alright," Guo Shan said, patting Li Chen’s shoulder. "Don't dwell on it, Young Li. I just wanted you to understand that this world is not as simple or as kind as you might think."
"I nearly met Yanluo Li today. I'm going to get some sleep, and you should too."
"We march for Yangcheng tomorrow." With a faint, weary smile, Guo Shan turned and headed for his tent.
Li Chen remained seated by the small campfire, Guo Shan's words echoing in his mind.
Perhaps I have been too naive. Still, he thought, in two years, the Attributes I’ve collected should be enough to protect Mother and my sister. If anyone dares to bully them, I’ll annihilate their entire clan. Staying in the Rearguard Army is fine for now. The state of Li is immensely powerful; it will unify the world, and its king will become Li Shi Huang, the first emperor. But who could have known that such a mighty dynasty would fall in its second generation? I’m just an ordinary person. I may have the golden finger of a reincarnator, but I’m nowhere near strong enough to influence the course of history. I need to get stronger, to secure my own future. Rank, title, prominence… it’s a nice thought, but I have to take it one step at a time. The most important thing is to stay alive.
Guo Shan’s story had certainly given him a lot to think about.
Li Chen gave a mental command. "Open the First Order Treasure Chest."
"Opening First Order Treasure Chest... Obtained First Order Spirit Fruit: Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom," a prompt appeared in his mind.
Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom… one pill can protect the heart’s meridians and induce a deep sleep, but it’s useless without the other two. What a waste of a treasure chest.
Seeing the item, Li Chen felt a pang of disappointment.
"Open Attribute Panel."
Strength: 336 (The greater the strength, the more power can be unleashed.)
Speed: 216 (The higher the value, the faster the speed.)
Constitution: 218 (A stronger constitution means faster recovery and inexhaustible stamina.)
Spirit: 211 (A stronger spirit brings a clear mind and thoughts. At a certain level, one can sense nature’s spiritual energy.)
Lifespan: 86 years and 88 days
Portable Space: 2 cubic meters
These were the Attributes he had collected over the last three days, from carrying hundreds of bodies off the battlefield by himself.
Tomorrow we head to Yangcheng. According to history, that was a major stronghold where Wu resisted Li. The casualties there will be in the tens of thousands, several times what we saw here. Attributes… I’m coming for you.
A surge of anticipation coursed through him at the thought.
At the crack of dawn, the Huotou Camp was already preparing the morning meal. The men of the Rearguard Camp ate their fill and readied themselves to move out.
More than ninety logistics Sweepers stood in formation before Guo Shan. None wore Battle Armor, but each carried a sword at his waist. In this era, armor was expensive, and not every soldier was issued a set—not even in the mighty state of Li. Rearguard Sweepers were given swords, but only the elite Tieshi who held noble titles were granted armor.
"Where is Li Chen?"
A Junxu from their unit strode over, a roll of bamboo slips in his hand.
"Here! Here!" Guo Shan immediately turned and shouted.
The eyes of every soldier in the company swiveled to watch. Seeing the Junxu, they all assumed Li Chen was about to be rewarded. The officer approached quickly, followed by two Sweepers carrying wooden chests.
"By order of the Shangjiangjun!" the Junxu announced, holding the reward slips high for all to see. "Li Chen, a soldier of the Rearguard First Army, Marquis Camp, has achieved great merit by beheading the Wu Wanjiang, Bao Chong!"
"In accordance with the military merit system of Li, he is promoted three ranks to Baifuzhang and granted the first rank of nobility! Furthermore, he is granted a new suit of Battle Armor and a new sword!"
"Li Chen," Guo Shan urged, his voice tight with excitement, "give your thanks!"
Li Chen stepped forward, his expression calm as he bowed deeply. "Li Chen gives his thanks."
The Junxu walked up to him, taking the sword and armor from the Sweepers behind him and presenting them along with the bamboo slips. Li Chen accepted the items with both hands.
The Junxu smiled. "You did well, Li Chen. You’ve brought great honor to our Rearguard Camp before the Shangjiangjun. A logistics soldier killing a Wu Wanjiang—and the son of the Wu Da Jiangjun, no less. This is no small matter!"
"This subordinate was merely fortunate," Li Chen replied.
"Fortune or not, the deed is done." The Junxu clapped him on the shoulder. "My name is Cheng Chao. If you need anything in the future, come and find me." He then turned to address the assembled Sweepers.
"Li Chen earned his promotion and his title by slaying an enemy general! This is the military merit system of our great Li! It doesn't matter who you are. As long as you kill the enemy and earn merit, you will be rewarded! I hope all of you will serve the nation and achieve greatness, just as he has!" the Junxu boomed, his voice resonating with encouragement.