Chapter 16

Inside the cave, Gu Yan was the only one left. He opened the system again and saw a prompt: [Insufficient balance, would you like to recharge?]

He still had over 830 gold, but after breaking through to the Sixth Rank, the price for the Life Simulation had increased again.

This was troublesome.

With his current strength, he wasn't entirely confident in facing the Sixth Rank from the Liu family.

"Maybe I should retreat... Oh right, I still have money."

Just as he was about to back down, he suddenly remembered something. After killing Guoshanfeng, he had found over a hundred taels in that room.

Gu Yan quickly took out the silver and chose to recharge.

[Recharge successful, current balance: 1001.]

[Would you like to use the Life Simulator? One use costs 1000 gold.]

It was just enough for one use.

His luck was really good.

Gu Yan felt relieved. To be honest, he really didn't want to miss this opportunity to earn 30,000 taels. Missing it now, it wouldn't be easy to find another chance to earn so much money at once.

"Yes."

[At 22, you are already a Sixth Rank warrior. After leaving Liu Village, you saved Su Qingzhi in Wang Family Gully and took her away from the village. Unwilling to be an enemy of the Liu family, you quietly left the next morning with Liu Xiaohai.]

[One month later, you arrived in Xiangcheng. With your Sixth Rank strength, you gained attention from various factions. After careful consideration, you accepted the governor's invitation and became the deputy commander of the city guard.]

[You obtained the fourth level of the Chiyang Technique and learned the Blood Killing Saber Technique, which is popular in the military.]

[You were obsessed with martial arts, seeking out warriors of the same rank to spar with, often losing more than winning. Your reputation as a martial arts fanatic began to spread.]

[At 30, the governor was transferred and planned to take you with him when leaving Xiang Prefecture.]

[The night before leaving Xiang Prefecture, your colleagues held a farewell banquet for you. During the banquet, Su Qingzhi suddenly burst in and killed you with one sword strike. You died at the age of 30.]

What the hell?

The final twist left Gu Yan stunned.

He had experienced many ways to die, such as being abandoned by his master or being poisoned, but none were as absurd as this.

He was actually killed by Su Qingzhi?

He died at 30, which was eight years from now.

Currently, Su Qingzhi knew no martial arts, but in eight years, she would have the strength to kill him with one sword strike. She must be at least Fifth Rank.

Was her talent so overwhelming that it could surpass his?

Moreover, he and Su Qingzhi had no grudges.

He even saved her from Guoshanfeng, preserving her innocence, which was a great favor.

Why did she want to kill him?

Gu Yan was utterly confused and wanted to ask the Su Qingzhi in the simulated life why.

Could it be because he left her behind and ran away before the Liu family caught up, so she hated him to the point of wanting to kill him?

Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, then could only shake his head and sigh, "It's hard to be a good person."

[Simulation ended, you can retain one of the following:]

[1. Martial arts realm at 30.]

[2. Martial arts experience at 30.]

[3. Life wisdom at 30.]

Gu Yan stopped thinking about the problem and chose option 2.

In the next moment, several powerful saber techniques and the experience of over a dozen battles with different Sixth Rank warriors flooded his mind.

At this critical moment, he heard some movement nearby.

The Liu family had caught up.

He didn't move, focusing on digesting the memories and experiences flooding his mind.

He needed to be in the best state to face the Sixth Rank from the Liu family.

The Liu family went to such lengths just to capture someone, so she wouldn't be in any danger.

...

"Miss, how is your foot? Does it still hurt?"

The young maid Zhixing supported Su Qingzhi to a nearby stream and asked with concern.

Su Qingzhi, when asked, realized her foot no longer hurt. She moved it and said, "It seems to be better."

"Let me see."

Zhixing squatted down, took off her shoe, and saw that her ankle had no redness or swelling, confirming it was uninjured. She was relieved.

However, when she looked up, she saw Su Qingzhi still seemed distracted. She consoled her, "Miss, last night was a desperate situation. You don't need to take it to heart."

Before Su Qingzhi could respond, a voice interrupted, "Miss Su, we've finally found you. My young master requests your presence."

Both women's faces changed as they looked up to see a man in black standing before them.

Zhixing immediately shielded Su Qingzhi and shouted, "Miss, let's go."

But another voice came from behind, "It's no use trying to run. Miss Su, please come with us."

Turning around, they saw another man in black standing behind them.

"Don't come any closer!"

Zhixing shouted, protecting Su Qingzhi and moving to a nearby tree, her face filled with anxiety.

The two men said, "Miss Su, please come with us. We don't want to use force."

At that moment, the sound of hooves approached, and several horses appeared before them. The leader was a young man in a black fur coat, his eyes brightening when he saw them.

"The thirteenth beauty on the Red Beauty List, with ice-like skin and jade-like bones, truly a beauty of the world!"

Su Qingzhi's expression was cold, her eyes filled with deep hatred, her voice icy, "Third Young Master of the Liu family, Liu Nuo."

The young man said with a hint of joy, "Miss Su actually knows my name. What an honor."

Su Qingzhi said coldly, "Your Liu family wants to send me to the Fifth Prince. Aren't you afraid that one day, if I gain his favor, he will destroy your Liu family?"

"Haha—"

Liu Nuo laughed, then said proudly, "As long as my second brother is alive, no one can touch our Liu family. Even if the Fifth Prince becomes emperor, it will be no different."

Su Qingzhi fell silent.

Liu Nuo's second brother, Liu Zhe, was a Second Rank powerhouse at 20, ranked ninth on the Heavenly Pride List, and his master was the Eastern Sea Sword Saint, one of the Ten Swords of the world.

Would anyone fight such a powerful figure for her?

As she thought, a shadow flashed in her mind.

Liu Nuo said with a smile, "You're just stalling, trying to alert that Seventh Rank warrior who saved you from Guoshanfeng. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown up. Do you think he ran away alone?"

Su Qingzhi's face turned pale at his words.

Liu Nuo didn't rush, continuing calmly, "Are you still waiting? I advise you to give up. Even the Lin family wouldn't risk a conflict with us Liu family for your sake in Jiangzhou."

His words were like a cold wind, pulling Su Qingzhi's heart into a bottomless abyss.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Suddenly, the two men in black who had blocked their path fell to the ground.

A figure, not very tall, appeared before Su Qingzhi, and a familiar, unapologetic voice rang in her ears.

"Stand back."

At that moment, her heart was filled with the presence of this figure.