1 Experience Point

The prison cell was dimly lit.

Chen Ming had just regained consciousness, feeling utterly wretched and devoid of strength. His throat burned as if he had swallowed razor blades. Did I catch the virus again? he wondered.

Then, a foul stench surged toward him, nearly knocking him unconscious.

Who defecated on my bed?

It was a complex, pungent odor—a mixture of damp mold and excrement—that was truly overwhelming.

Chen Ming's stomach churned, and he nearly retched.

"The kid is awake."

"Hey kid, what did you do to end up in here?"

The sudden voices startled him. Instinctively, he turned his head and, through the dim light, saw two disheveled men in rags.

Who are they?

Wait!

Where is this?

Chen Ming was shocked to his core, realizing this was not his bedroom.

It seemed to be a prison cell.

How did I end up here?

Buzz—

Chen Ming's brain felt as if it had been pierced. Under the intense, stabbing pain, he let out a cry as countless unfamiliar memories flooded his mind.

"Ming'er, you've studied martial arts under Master Huo for four years and haven't made a name for yourself. Our family can no longer afford it..."

"You are seventeen now; it's time to find work. Starting tomorrow, go work as a clerk at Golden Source Commerce. Your grandfather is an old acquaintance of their manager. You must be cautious in your speech and actions, speak less and do more, and never stir up trouble..."

"Boy, if you dare to ruin my plans..."

"It was Chen the Second! He drugged my tea and tried to force himself on me. Master, you must seek justice for me..."

I transmigrated?

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Ming finally recovered, though his mind remained somewhat numb.

This was an ancient imperial setting, a world of martial arts. It was said that practitioners existed, though whether that was true, the original owner had never seen it with his own eyes; it was all hearsay.

The original owner was twenty years old, born into a modestly well-off family that ran a small shop. They had some assets, but were by no means wealthy.

He was the second child in his family and had loved martial arts since childhood. At thirteen, he had apprenticed under a martial arts master named Huo. After four years, he was advised to quit due to a lack of talent.

Later, through connections, he became a clerk at a firm called Golden Source Commerce. Because he was diligent and responsible, he earned the manager's trust and, after three years, was promoted to a junior supervisor.

The problem was that the original owner was too responsible.

He soon discovered someone embezzling funds, so he secretly gathered evidence and reported it directly to the manager.

The embezzler was dealt with immediately.

A few months later, the retaliation came.

On the day of the old proprietor's seventieth birthday, the original owner was drugged. In a delirious state, he stumbled into the back courtyard, where a disheveled maid grabbed him and accused him of attempted assault.

On such a joyous occasion, such a scandal caused the old proprietor to fly into a rage. He not only had the original owner beaten severely but also threw him into prison.

The original owner had died from this injustice.

For a moment, Chen Ming's chest was filled with a sense of intense indignation.

He was still too young. Did he really think the firm was his own career?

Modern companies treat employees like cattle and horses.

Ancient firms truly treat their clerks like dogs.

Chen Ming did not believe that shrewd men like the old proprietor and the manager couldn't see that he had been framed. Yet, one vented his anger on him, and the other didn't say a single word in his defense.

This world isn't worth it!

Chen Ming quickly cast aside his sympathy for the original owner and began to consider his own situation.

"System?"

"Old man?"

"Golden finger?"

"..."

He tried everything, but could not summon a panel or any kind of cheat, and his heart began to race.

With a start like this, how am I supposed to turn things around without a cheat?

No family background, no talent. I'm stuck in a cell, and my reputation is ruined...

"Kid, stop playing dead."

At this moment, someone kicked him.

Chen Ming turned his head and saw it was the two prisoners from before, glaring at him fiercely. "Don't lie there; that spot over there is yours."

This was a show of force.

A test of obedience for newcomers by the old hands in the cell.

Chen Ming lowered his gaze and struggled to climb up from the floor.

"Hurry up!"

The man kicked him again, sending him sprawling back down.

Chen Ming said nothing, gritted his teeth, silently climbed back up, and shuffled to the corner to sit down. Right beside him was a chamber pot, reeking of excrement.

Seeing that he didn't dare to make a peep, the two prisoners laughed triumphantly.

Chen Ming closed his eyes, endured the foul stench, adjusted his breathing, and slowly began to conserve his strength.

A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him.

His physical condition was too poor right now; it was not the time to get into a conflict with others.

"Kid, I was asking you something earlier..."

Just then, a jailer approached, and the two men immediately shut their mouths.

The jailer glanced at Chen Ming sitting in the corner, saw that he was still alive, and warned, "You two, don't touch him. If you cause a death, I'll kill you both."

The two prisoners hurriedly claimed they wouldn't dare.

The jailer turned and left.

Having just received a warning, they didn't dare to trouble Chen Ming for the time being.

Chen Ming couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, finally able to recover his strength in peace.

I don't know how much time passed before the cell went completely dark.

Night had fallen.

One of the prisoners spoke up, "Kid, what did you commit?"

After waiting a while and seeing that the kid remained silent, he grew angry. "Don't think that jailer will protect you. He just doesn't want to deal with the trouble of a death. At this hour, they've all gone to sleep; even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you..."

At this moment, the kid finally spoke, "Hearing that line come out of your mouth is truly disgusting."

"You—"

The prisoner flew into a rage, rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to teach the kid a lesson. Just as he stood up, a gust of wind struck, and he took a punch to the chest.

The punch was incredibly heavy; his vision went black, and he nearly lost his breath.

Following that, with two sharp slaps, he was struck across the face twice.

"Spare... me..."

Only then did he realize he had kicked an iron plate; this was a martial artist. He hurriedly begged for mercy at the top of his lungs.

Chen Ming stared at the prompt that had abruptly popped up before him, stunned. You have defeated a LV0 enemy, gained 1 experience point.

Is this... my golden finger?

His heart burned with excitement.

Before his eyes, a panel appeared.

Name: Chen Ming

Level: 2

Current Points: 1

Cultivation Method: "Iron Horse Stance" (First Layer 98/100+)

Martial Arts: "Three Powers Fist" (Proficient 21/200+), Bagua Saber Technique (Entry 12/100+)

It really was a system.

The contents of this panel were clear at a glance; he didn't need a manual to guess how it worked.

A stat-boosting build!

With a thought, Chen Ming added his only point into the "Iron Horse Stance" cultivation method.

In an instant, he felt a surge of heat rise within his body and could clearly feel himself becoming a little stronger.

It's not enough, just a little more!

He suddenly looked toward the other prisoner and kicked out.

"Don't hit me... I didn't do anything..."

The prisoner was thinner and, shielding his head, wailed and begged for mercy as he was beaten.

You defeated a LV0 enemy and gained 1 experience point.

"It really works."

Seeing this notification, Chen Ming was overjoyed. Without a moment's hesitation, he added the point he had just received into his Iron Horse Stance.

In an instant, a scorching heat erupted from within his body. He felt as if he were burning, and a surge of immense power welled up inside him.

He had successfully broken through.