Transmigrating

A bustling tavern.

In a corner.

At a worn table covered in a thick patina, a disheveled middle-aged man slumped forward.

The surrounding atmosphere of clinking glasses and merriment made him look completely out of place.

The tavern keeper was long used to this man who had been patronizing the place daily for the past half-month. Being a worldly man, the boss knew at a glance that this was just another person unwilling to face reality; such men were not uncommon in inns.

The middle-aged man was actually a transmigrator whose body had been occupied half a month ago by the soul of Wang Ming from Blue Star.

Transmigration!

It was the wish of many frustrated young people in reality. Since Wang Ming, this loser, had been selected by some unknown existence, he ought to have been happy, but this transmigration was somewhat of a trap.

He had not received the original owner's memories.

He was completely in the dark.

Furthermore,

a young man in his twenties instantly turned into an uncle in his forties...

Could you be happy about that?

The original owner's home was full of wine jars, alongside all sorts of filth and disorder. From this, it could be inferred that the original owner was not a person of great wealth or nobility, but merely a alcoholic, old bachelor.

In his childhood, Wang Ming's parents had worked odd jobs all over the country, and he had followed them, transferring schools everywhere. Coupled with the fact that after entering the workforce in his past life, he had also spent years on business trips across the country and learned quite a few dialects, the language spoken by these Ming Dynasty people was very similar to the dialect of a certain later region, preventing him from even facing a language barrier.

Judging by the clothing of the others and their conversations, he deduced it should be the Ming Dynasty.

As for Ming Dynasty history, Wang Ming's knowledge was limited to that of an ordinary person.

Wang Ming's heart was filled with panic. He was merely an ordinary salaried worker from the twenty-first century; who in the world bothered to learn how to blow glass, make gunpowder, or brew wine in their spare time?

As for the imperial examinations? Modern education belonged to a different branch than this era's. Could he compose couplets? Could he write poetry? Could he write eight-legged essays?

Even if Wang Ming were willing to learn, the age of this physical body being what it was, it was too late.

Amidst confusion about the future and grief at never being able to see his parents and family again, Wang Ming's mindset collapsed, and he began to give up on himself.

He found a tavern nearby to drink and escape reality, but the irritating part was that no matter how much he drank, he could not get drunk.

The alcohol content of the wine in this era was not high to begin with, and this body seemed to be one that could drain a thousand cups without getting drunk. Aside from making him want to use the restroom, drinking a lot produced no intoxication at all.

Just as he discovered that sorrows could not be drowned in alcohol and resolved to resign himself to his fate and leave the tavern,

he inadvertently overheard the conversation of other tavern guests, which changed Wang Ming's mind and caused him to continue coming here every day.

Gradually, he understood this world from the conversations of the patrons.

This was simply not historical Ming Dynasty.

Iron-Clawed Divine Marquis, Supervisor Cao Zhengchun, the Four Great Constables of Dragon Guard Manor...

Name after familiar name made him realize that this was a cinematic world—"The First Under Heaven World".

For an ordinary person like Wang Ming, he certainly wouldn't read history books in his daily life, but watching movies and TV shows for entertainment was the norm. Particularly classic dramas were hard to forget once watched, and as it happened, television had rebroadcast it multiple times, keeping it fresh in his memory.

This drama mainly told the story of a transparent prince, Zhu Wushi, who step by step acquired the highest authority under heaven, sat upon the dragon throne of the supreme ruler, and in the end was plotted to death by his own adopted son and wife.

Once he confirmed it was "The First Under Heaven World", Wang Ming's very first thought was to find a martial arts sect to learn martial arts, but a calm thought revealed there was no hope. Just look at the age of this body, and he wouldn't be accepted by any sects.

Wang Ming had no interest in killing and fighting; he wanted to learn martial arts primarily because internal energy could prolong life.

This physical body was already in its forties, and if he didn't find a way to extend his life, he estimated he didn't have many years of carefree living left.

Moreover, if martial arts were cultivated to the point reached by Zhu Wushi, one could become an army unto oneself, roaming freely across the world as one pleased, and even denying the emperor any face.

If he managed to break free from the shackles of secular royal power, even if he turned into a middle-aged man, Wang Ming wouldn't feel shortchanged. After all, in modern times he had merely been a mediocre corporate drone.

Just as Wang Ming was mapping out his future plans, he accidentally learned the identity of the original owner.

His body was none other than the "First Divine Investigator under Heaven, Zhang Jinjiu".

At first, not knowing it was "The First Under Heaven World", Wang Ming hadn't paid much heed when people called him "Zhang Jinjiu".

It wasn't until a few days ago that a young servant sought out Wang Ming and said respectfully, "Master Wan invites the First Divine Investigator under Heaven, Zhang Jinjiu, to his estate for a chat."

Right then and there, a thunderbolt seemed to strike in Wang Ming's mind, and he froze directly in place, missing the subsequent words entirely and having no idea when that servant had left.

It seems it was while investigating the death of Shangguan Haitang that he was silenced by Ryūyō Hyōsu. Thinking of being silenced, he instantly panicked.

The original owner's martial arts were originally no match for Ryūyō Hyōsu's, and now that he hadn't inherited the original owner's martial arts memories, running into Ryūyō Hyōsu would simply be delivering his head on a platter.

If I don't go investigate and meddle in matters concerning Zhu Wushi, but instead run away straight to the remote overseas lands, I should be able to eke out a living and stay alive, right? Wang Ming calculated in his heart.

Soon, the thought of fleeing vanished.

Zhang Jinjiu was the First Divine Investigator under Heaven.

Running away while carrying the reputation of the First Divine Investigator under Heaven was no easy feat.

Whether in the eyes of Wan Sanqian or Zhu Wushi, he was an excellent chess piece.

A chess piece wanting to escape beyond the chessboard?

In your dreams.

The most crucial point was that Zhang Jinjiu had a task on his body.

Zhu Wushi had ordered Zhang Jinjiu to find the Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom. A Zhu Wushi crazed with love would absolutely not let Zhang Jinjiu leave.

With Zhu Wushi's cheat-like intelligence network, finding the Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom might be difficult, but finding an ordinary modern person like Wang Ming was quite simple.

Furthermore, commoners were not allowed to run around at will in ancient times; they had to possess official travel permits. Zhang Jinjiu was a semi-official figure who could travel everywhere, but he would also leave a trail of information along the way.

Not investigating the cause of Shangguan Haitang's death from now on won't do either.

Shunning the investigation would contradict Zhang Jinjiu's persona. Inconsistent with Zhang Jinjiu's character, he would arouse suspicion.

Once suspected...

Then Wang Ming, lacking the original owner's memories, could just as well invite the readers to his funeral banquet.

Thus,

the thought of breaking into the celestial prison popped into his mind, to claim Gu Santong as a massive experience-gifting package.

Yet upon calculating the time, he realized he was too late.

A few days ago, the tavern discussions mentioned that Princess Lixiu of the Kingdom of Chuyu had moved into the state guesthouse, and this exact timing coincided with Cheng Shifei receiving the transmitted power.

This caused Wang Ming to regret it for a long time, but after careful consideration later, he rejoiced that he hadn't gone.

First of all, the original owner had internal energy; it was just that Wang Ming didn't know how to use it.

Entering the celestial prison with internal energy would only cause Gu Santong to treat him as a minion sent by Zhu Wushi to test whether his martial arts had regressed, and he would be sucked dry on the spot.

Even if he got the chance to speak, blackmailing Gu Santong with news of Suxin and Cheng Shifei wouldn't be reliable either. Don't think of Gu Santong as a kind-eyed old grandpa passing on power; think of the withered bones inside the celestial prison—he, Gu Santong, was also a jianghu man.

How much blood stained the hands of jianghu figures? They were basically people who killed without blinking.

Still want to blackmail him with his son and wife?

He would straightaway hit you with an acupoint-sealing control and continuously torture you. At that time, it truly would be a fate worse than death.

The single most important problem was how to enter the ninth layer of the celestial prison.

Cheng Shifei had that protagonist halo; ordinary people who copied him would die thoroughly.

Wang Ming downed the bland wine in his hand in one gulp, sighing inwardly:

All paths are blocked.

Could it be that my transmigration was just to be a good-for-nothing?

Why not grant a gold finger, even having a system would be fine! Although systems inherently came with conspiracy theories, without a system in the current situation, he might not be able to leave Wan Sanqian's estate safely.

I used to think system-based transmigrations were bad, but now thinking back, without a system one really can't flip the tables. Wang Ming let out another long sigh.

Ding!

The Heavens Transmigration System serves you wholeheartedly.

Suddenly, an emotionless electronic system voice resounded in his mind.

Wang Ming, slumped over the table, instantly sat up straight. Discovering that only he could hear it, he set his mind at ease and proceeded to research the system on his own.

Half an hour later.

Wang Ming figured out the system's functions. The system was extremely unintelligent, lacking even a service sprite, consisting merely of a crude little panel.

The active function was also singular, which was to travel through the heavens and cinematic worlds.

Moreover, provided energy was not exhausted, as long as the host was not killed by a Lord of Rules (such as the saints of Journey to the West or Great Wilderness), they could be taken by the system to be reborn with their soul once again.

Wang Ming was excited: If I can be reborn, doesn't that mean I can act recklessly as I please?

He instantly felt his life take flight, the world brimming with hope.

Suddenly, his excitement ceased, and he thought to himself: It seems I missed something?

Wang Ming remembered that the prerequisite for resurrection was energy.

After another round of research, he discovered that maximum energy allowed traversing low-martial worlds three times, middle-martial worlds twice, and high-martial worlds once.

Higher-level worlds required system upgrades.

Breaking through boundaries required energy; the higher-level the world, the more energy consumed.

Which meant this resurrection coin could be used in the early stages, but later on, after breaking through boundaries in high-level worlds, there would simply be no surplus energy left to provide for resurrection.

Recharging was the system automatically collecting world energy; what specific energy it was remained unknown, and the recharging speed varied, depending on the world's energy concentration.

Since I can traverse worlds and be reborn, that means I can change my physical body? Won't I be able to reshape a physical body with my primordial spirit once I reach a high-level world?

Instantly, Wang Ming was overjoyed. Zhang Jinjiu's physical body truly had nothing good about it—it was far too old!

How could someone else's physical body compare to one's own?

Wang Ming set a small goal for himself: to regain a physical body belonging entirely to himself.

After studying the system, Wang Ming began analyzing the current situation.

With Zhu Wushi rebelling, I will definitely be passively dragged into it. Regarding the Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom alone, they will definitely come looking for me. Reputation ruins a person! Wanting to hide is impossible.

As an ordinary salaried worker, Wang Ming knew he was stronger than the ancients in technological insight, but purely compared to plotting and scheming, he truly couldn't outplay the most exceptional batch of people in this era.

I currently lack power and influence, and my only advantage is foresight—understanding the desires and weaknesses of these trendsetters of the era. Wang Ming analyzed himself.

Wang Ming believed that going against Zhu Wushi was pointless; whoever became emperor had nothing to do with him, and it was all the same whoever sat on the throne.

Clinging to Zhu Wushi's coattails was also unreliable; Zhu Wushi's heart was far too ruthless.

Just thinking about the endings of Gu Santong, Wan Sanqian, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang meant one must absolutely never suck up to Zhu Wushi.

The people Zhu Wushi cared about in his heart numbered only one and a half: Suxin was one, and Duan Tianya was half.

Everyone else was mere ants in his eyes.

Ants that could be crushed to death at will without causing a single ripple in his heart.

The emperor and Cao Zhengchun were no good birds either; going to defect to them would merely mean becoming chess pieces.

There were no good outcomes with any of them, so Wang Ming decided to fish in troubled waters!

And leverage the advantage of foresight to reap benefits.

Selling intelligence happens to fit this divine investigator identity quite well.

The thing to watch out for when selling intelligence was not being silenced, and even more so, not getting tangled up in the frontal struggle between Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun, otherwise it was very easy to be used as cannon fodder.

The finest martial arts in this world were none other than the "Indestructible Vajra Body" and the "Great Art of Absorbing Power".

Gu Santong knew both martial arts, but at this juncture, he's probably chilled to the bone. Wang Ming pondered.

The "Great Art of Absorbing Power" currently only had manuals held by Zhu Wushi.

This art was his foundation; even if he traded it for intelligence, Wang Ming wouldn't dare practice it.

Guo Jing, that thick-eyebrowed fellow, could write the "Fake Nine Yin Manual", so could old schemer Zhu Wushi not do the same?

I can only plot for the martial arts on the bodies of the Four Great Constables. It seems I need to plan this out properly.

Suddenly,

two dark shadows drifted in, subdued Wang Ming, and then used lightness skills to instantly carry him out of the tavern.

After an initial flurry of panic, he deduced the identities of the two.

The Four Ghosts of Xiangxi.

Their attire, martial arts, and style were too heavy; it was hard not to guess.

Wang Ming thought to himself that most likely Wan Sanqian had grown impatient and directly sent people to snatch him over.

Sure enough, not long after, he met the big boss Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi's first impression was one of majesty and grandeur, exuding an aura of awe-inspiring righteousness.

If he hadn't known the man's true nature, he would surely have been fooled.

In his past life, Wang Ming was an ordinary person after all, and seeing Zhu Wushi still made his heart somewhat flutter with panic.

The most crucial thing was the fear of letting Zhu Wushi discover any differences between him and the original owner.

Wang Ming remembered that the original owner had met Zhu Wushi half-drunk, so Wang Ming simply sat directly on the ground and feigned drunkenness to mask his abnormality and internal panic.

Acting was something Wang Ming wasn't great at, but playing an alcoholic was something he excelled at. Back in the day at dining tables, he hadn't faked drunkenness a few times.

"Is he the First Divine Investigator under Heaven, Zhang Jinjiu?" Zhu Wushi asked.

"Yes! Matters in this world are investigated by him; there is nothing he cannot investigate."

"There... there is one thing." Wang Ming said with hazy eyes, feigning drunkenness.

Wang Ming complained inwardly: Could this Zhu Wushi have never met Zhang Jinjiu?

The Villa Lord of the First Under Heaven Manor was Shangguan Haitang, and Zhang Jinjiu's title had been bestowed by Shangguan Haitang.

Wang Ming wasn't sure if it was due to the transmigration or the system, but Wang Ming could clearly remember the content of the original plot, right down to every single line of dialogue.

"What is it?" Wan Sanqian's voice came from behind the screen.

"The best, finest half-jug of wine in the world. That was a jug of daughters' red brewed in Shaoxing thirty-five years ago! Half a jug was drunk by me, and as for the remaining half jug, I've searched for twenty-three years and haven't found it." Wang Ming replied strictly according to the original owner's words in his memory, wishing to avoid extra complications.

"Would it be in the palace?" Zhu Wushi interjected.

"I've looked; it's not! Otherwise, I would have drunk it long ago."

"It seems someone used that half-jug of daughters' red to trade with you, and you are willing to give everything." Zhu Wushi said.

"Definitely!"

Answering this way on the surface, Wang Ming actually had not even a shred of desire for this daughters' red in his heart, wishing only to leave sooner.

"You've heard the three matters troubling the Marquis?"

"I heard them."

"Go investigate immediately."

"That half-jug of daughters' red has already been divided into eight bottles by the Wine God under Heaven and hidden in eight locations. Once you investigate and find them, I will give you one of the bottles," Wan Sanqian offered the bait from behind the screen.

Wang Ming revealed a yearning expression, then unhurriedly replied: "The Marquis already knows the intelligence on Wawan."

"A few clues have also been investigated concerning Princess Lixiu's side; the Empress Dowager's disappearance is estimated to be related to them."

"As for that Gu Santong's disciple Cheng Shifei, I'm a bit ashamed!"

"Can't find him?" Wan Sanqian's slightly displeased tone came through. After all, he had praised Zhang Jinjiu so highly just now; to say it wasn't working now was a bit of a slap in the face before Zhu Wushi.

"No, it's that everyone knows where he is."

"Where is he?" Zhu Wushi asked.

"After he came out of the imperial palace, he went straight into a gambling house and has been gambling until now. In my view, whatever he's gambling with now must be almost entirely gone." Wang Ming said with a continued semblance of drunkenness, intelligence gathered from watching television.

New author, feel free to offer critiques if it's poorly written, but please no cursing.