“What a load of crap, ‘the books say.’
This world is so vast; aren’t we all just strangers passing each other by?
Do you really think you can meet again just because you want to?”
After the two left, Chen Zui grumbled to himself, unimpressed.
However.
The next second, the nonchalance on his face vanished.
【Ding! Detected that the host has completed a busybody mission. Rewarding 100 Experience Points and one permanent Trait.】
Looking at the line of text before him, Chen Zui fell into a state of shock.
Thinking back to when he had transmigrated into this fantasy world and awakened this “Busybody System” over twenty years ago...
This was the first time he had ever received over a hundred Experience Points at once!
Not to mention, it had directly attached a permanent Trait!
And all he had done this time was help someone retrieve a jade pendant from a petty thief...
“Could this broken system have a bug?”
“No, if there really were a system glitch, my body should have been affected somehow...”
“Then... the only explanation is that the woman’s identity just now was not simple...”
Having lived two lives, Chen Zui was confident that his ability to read people was quite discerning.
Yet, after observing her, the woman didn't have even a hint of nobility about her. No matter how he looked at it, she didn't seem like royalty or part of the aristocracy.
“Forget it, I shouldn’t overthink this for now.”
With a thought, Chen Zui opened his system panel.
【Character】: Chen Zui
【Realm】: Inquiry Realm (10/500)
【Coiling Serpent Willow Spear · Softness Around the Finger】: First three stances activated.
【Wind and Snow Night Return Spear · Cold Guest's Path】: First three stances activated.
【Thirteen Ghost Shadow Spears · Shadowless】: First three stances activated.
【Unmoving Like a Mountain】: Using the spear as a shield, steady as Mount Tai; can be used to block a full-power strike from an opponent one realm higher than oneself.
【Drawing a Prison】: Using the spear tip to draw a circle, restricting the enemy's range of movement.
【Immune to Ten Thousand Poisons】: Grants immunity to ten thousand instances of toxin.
【Beyond Doubt】: When you are being a busybody, the protagonist of the event cannot refuse your intervention.
【...】
He looked through the foundation he had built up over the years, filled with a myriad of emotions.
Actually, when he first awakened this 【Busybody System】, he was so angry he nearly died on the spot.
You had to understand that this world was a chaotic one where martial arts flourished, and even the Demon Race was eyeing them greedily from the Demon Domain.
Simply seeking self-preservation in a world where humans and demons coexisted was no easy feat.
And yet, this broken system wanted him to go around meddling in other people's business.
Wasn't this just driving him to his death?!
But later, after thinking it over carefully, he felt that since he was living a second life anyway, he might as well live freely and follow his heart, being carefree and unrestrained.
Why bother living a cowardly, sniveling life like the protagonists of some novels he had read?
Even after all these years, he still remembered the first time he used the system—it was to help his neighbor, Auntie Wang, clear out her well.
That time, he only received two Experience Points and nearly exhausted himself to death.
“System, add points to my realm!”
The next second, the panel refreshed: Inquiry Realm (110/500).
Chen Zui nodded in satisfaction.
His current martial realm wasn't too low, but it wasn't too high either; it was perfectly sufficient for him to travel the world.
Then, he looked at the newly acquired Trait.
“Extract Trait!”
Amidst a burst of brilliant light, the system notification rang out again.
【Congratulations to the host for obtaining the movement Trait: 'Dragon Roam'.】
Chen Zui’s eyes lit up.
A movement Trait!
He had wanted to draw a movement Trait for a long time.
Chasing that petty thief today had taken several hours. If it hadn't been for his overwhelming realm advantage, he might not have caught him.
With a movement Trait, his actions would definitely be twice as effective with half the effort.
Chen Zui drained the tea in his cup and smiled.
“It seems I need to find some more business to meddle in.”
...
The next morning.
Chen Zui went downstairs, found a corner, and began drinking alone.
Because the heavy snow had blocked the roads yesterday, this small inn had gathered quite a few wandering martial artists from all over the world.
Chen Zui wanted to use their mouths to hear what major events were currently happening in the world.
That way, he could go and get involved.
“Have you heard? Rumor has it that Sword God Lü and Sword Immortal Shen are going to face off in Jinyang City this year to compete for the title of the world’s number one sword master!”
A burly man slapped the table, spit flying everywhere.
“Pfft, news of those two sword immortals dueling has been circulating for twenty years.
I’d bet that this time, it’s eight or nine parts a rumor as well.
Besides, for seniors like them who are basically Earthly Immortals, would they really care about such hollow fame??”
Someone spoke up in rebuttal.
“Yeah, that’s true...”
The others nodded in agreement.
Those two had already reached the martial realm of Earthly Immortals!
They had long since transcended the mundane world and were no longer tainted by the affairs of the martial world.
Even though rumors like this had been growing more intense over the years...
They knew in their hearts that their generation would likely never have the chance to witness the peerless grace of those two old sword immortals exchanging strikes.
“However, I did hear a piece of news related to Sword Immortal Shen.”
At this moment, another person stood up and spoke.
As soon as these words were uttered, they immediately drew everyone’s attention.
Everyone looked toward the speaker.
“Quick, tell us! What is it?”
“That’s right, brother, tell us quickly!”
The crowd pressed him with questions one after another.
These people had mediocre martial talent and no sect inheritance. In this lifetime, the best they could hope for was to touch the threshold of the Second Rank.
If they ever hung up their blades and returned home, these hearsay stories from the martial world would be their greatest bragging rights!
Faced with everyone’s questioning, the man didn't answer directly.
Instead, he slowly took a sip of wine, keeping them in suspense.
“Do you know that when Sword Immortal Shen was young, he used to have a Sword Attendant by his side?”
“A Sword Attendant? What’s that for? Never heard of it...”
“Yeah, I’ve never heard of any Sword Attendant either...”
Some of the younger people looked at each other in confusion, completely baffled.
“Hehe, it’s no wonder you youngsters haven't heard of it.”
A destitute-looking old man stroked his beard proudly, his expression revealing a sense of yearning and admiration.
“Think back to how dashing Sword Immortal Shen was in his prime.
He was originally a wealthy young master from a family of immense fortune.
To pursue the Way of the Sword, he abandoned his vast family estate and wandered the world.
And when he left, he only took a single young servant from his home.
From then on, two figures appeared in the martial world.
Sword Immortal Shen needs no introduction.
But the other was the attendant who stayed by his side, carrying his sword and drawing the scabbard for him.
Later, when Sword Immortal Shen became world-famous, others respectfully called that servant a ‘Sword Attendant’.
Legend has it that the Sword Attendant never practiced any sword techniques.
Merely by holding the sword and drawing the scabbard for Sword Immortal Shen, he attained the martial realm of the Second Rank Peak.
It truly makes others green with envy.”
The old man sighed, his tone shifting.
“But after that great war thirty years ago between our Grand Zhao and the Grand Shuo Dynasty, the trace of this Sword Attendant vanished from Sword Immortal Shen’s side.
Some speculated he died in that war.
Others said there was a rift between master and servant.
In short, after so many years, this Sword Attendant has been forgotten by the world.”
At this point, the old man couldn't help but face the man from before.
“After all these years, what news has come out regarding this Sword Attendant?”
Faced with such a solemn question from a martial senior much older than himself, the man gave a sheepish, bitter smile.
“Old brother, I’ve only heard rumors; I can’t say for sure.
It’s said that not long ago, this senior Sword Attendant drew his sword at an academy not far from here, causing quite a stir.
Afterward, someone saw him heading towards the border alone.”
“So that’s how it is. Thank you for telling me.”
The old man cupped his hands in a martial salute and sat back down to continue drinking.
However, the speed at which he raised his cup was much faster than before.
The others were also filled with sighs after hearing the story.
They hadn't expected the martial world of decades ago to have such a past.
But the grievances and entanglements between such great figures were just stories to listen to.
While everyone was drinking and chatting about the martial world rumors they had heard from some other table, no one noticed a spearman in a bamboo hat silently settling his bill and walking out of the noisy inn.
Rate on N.U.
