Chapter 3

After nightfall, Gu Yang brought a jar of wine to his neighbor Liu Shitou’s house to drink with him.

The wine was brewed by himself and had been aged for exactly one year.

After a few cups of wine, Gu Yang said with a touch of emotion, "Two years ago, if it weren't for you giving me something to eat, my bones would have long been cold. I raise a cup to you."

Liu Shitou drained the bowl of wine and said, "We all live in the mountains, and when we encounter difficulties, we naturally help each other."

"To you, it was just a small favor, but to me, it was a matter of life and death."

As Gu Yang spoke, he took out a book and said, "This is the *Xuan Yuan Gong*. Although it only has the first level, it is enough to start cultivation."

Liu Shitou looked at the book, which was densely filled with handwriting, clearly copied by Gu Yang himself.

He refilled his bowl with wine, drank it in one gulp, burped, and said, "I can't read."

"You can ask the village chief, or pass it on to your son."

The village chief was the only literate person in the village, and Gu Yang had learned to read from him.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yep."

Liu Shitou said no more and just drank in silence.

After a long while, the jar of rice wine was almost empty. He drank the last bowl, slammed the bowl on the table, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It's dangerous out there. Don't die."

Gu Yang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have a strong life force."

As he left, he said to the room, "Take care of yourself."

...

The next morning, the rain had stopped.

Gu Yang came to the village entrance, where the caravan was already ready to go.

Although it was called a caravan, it actually consisted of only about ten mules. Among them, Lao Gao owned only one-third, while the remaining two-thirds belonged to three other merchants.

The Lian Shan mountain range was vast, and there were countless villages like Liu Shitou's. The people in the mountains lived by hunting, and they accumulated countless animal skins each year.

Merchants could exchange these valuable animal skins and medicinal herbs for cheap daily necessities and salt.

Because of this, despite the numerous dangers in the mountains, merchants like Lao Gao, who were bold and daring, would still come to collect goods every year.

Now, they were even planning to open new trade routes, even considering dangerous places like Wang Jiagou.

It had to be said that for the sake of profit, they were willing to take any risk.

As soon as Gu Yang appeared, Lao Gao led the other three merchants over and bowed to him.

"Mr. Gu, we discussed it yesterday. If you are willing to accompany us to Wang Jiagou, we are willing to offer 100 taels. We only have one small request: if we encounter any danger, we hope you can protect us."

Gu Yang looked at their humble demeanor, not mentioning a guide but only an escort, and they had even raised the fee to 100 taels.

Thinking back to yesterday, when he only asked for 20 taels, Lao Gao almost jumped in excitement.

Comparing the two, the difference was simply that his status had changed.

Yesterday, in their eyes, he was just an ordinary hunter from the mountains.

Now, they knew he was a Ninth Rank Warrior, and they immediately became submissive.

"Alright."

Lao Gao then presented a money bag.

Gu Yang took it, feeling it was light. He opened it and saw it was gold leaves, about one tael each.

It seemed that in this world, the gold-to-silver ratio was around 100:1.

"Let's go."

Gu Yang put away the gold and led them out.

...

[Recharge successful, current balance: 104.5.]

[Do you want to use the Life Simulator? Each use costs 20 gold.]

After receiving the money, Gu Yang immediately recharged and chose "Yes."

[At 22 years old, you became a Ninth Rank Warrior and decided to travel with the caravan. In Wang Jiagou, you encountered a hunting team and were ambushed. After killing a few of them, you were killed on the spot. Died at 22 years old.]

What?

Gu Yang's eyes narrowed as he saw the result of this simulation.

His strength was clearly much stronger than before. Why did he manage to escape last time but was killed this time?

Moreover, he had played a trick yesterday, making Lao Gao think for a night and delay the departure by one day.

Normally, Lao Gao and his group wouldn't stay overnight in Liu Shitou's village.

Yet, they still encountered that hunting team.

Who were they?

[Simulation ended. You can retain one of the following.]

[1. Martial realm at 22 years old.]

[2. Martial experience at 22 years old.]

[3. Life wisdom at 22 years old.]

Without hesitation, Gu Yang chose the third option.

From here to Wang Jiagou, it would take about two to three days by horse. In the simulation, he died a few days later.

Choosing the realm or experience was meaningless.

He wanted to see what this life wisdom was.

In the next moment, some memory fragments appeared in Gu Yang's mind.

He finally "saw" the appearance of that hunting team. There were about a dozen riders, led by a young man, with the rest being his guards and subordinates.

Before he died, he asked, "Who are you?"

"Remember, I am surnamed Liu." The last thing he heard was a domineering and arrogant voice.

In the end, Gu Yang was left with only four words: "Do not fight them!"

So, this was the life wisdom he gained from this simulation?

...

"Mr. Gu, can we stop to rest for a moment?"

When the sun was high, Lao Gao suggested a break.

Gu Yang had no objection. After stopping, the caravan's helpers immediately got busy.

He took the opportunity to ask Lao Gao, "Lao Gao, have you heard of the Liu family?"

Lao Gao said, "In Ba Prefecture, who doesn't know the Liu family? Even the prefecture governor relies on the Liu family to maintain his position."

To the west of the Lian Shan mountain range was Ba Prefecture.

Prefecture was the administrative unit in this world, below the state. Ba Prefecture was under Jiang State, roughly equivalent to a prefecture-level city.

The Liu family was undoubtedly a local emperor.

Gu Yang asked, "What is the reputation of the Liu family?"

Lao Gao smiled awkwardly and said, "I dare not criticize the Liu family."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Suddenly, one of the merchants said, "If it weren't for the Liu family's bullying and market monopoly, squeezing us small merchants out of business, why would we have to come to the Lian Shan mountains to do this life-threatening trade?"

Gu Yang remembered the introduction earlier; this person was surnamed Yang.

The Yang merchant said angrily, "In Ba Prefecture, all profitable businesses are monopolized by the Liu family. They are still not satisfied and have imposed heavy taxes on all merchants. I've heard they even colluded with the prefecture governor to frame and exterminate other major families."

It was clear that he harbored deep resentment towards the Liu family.

Gu Yang asked, "Why is the Liu family so domineering?"

"Of course, it's because of their Qilin son, Liu Zhe, who is ranked ninth on the Heavenly Pride list. A Second Rank Warrior at 20 years old, he will soon reach the Divine Realm."

A Second Rank Warrior at 20 years old?

Gu Yang felt a chill run down his spine.

He was only a Ninth Rank Warrior now. Even with his golden finger, it would take him many simulations to reach the Second Rank.

A family from a prefecture had such a high-level expert.

This world was indeed not ordinary in its dangers.