Black-and-White Seal

Great Zhou.

Qilin County, Yellow Maple Town.

Mo Yun rubbed his temples hard. The memories that had suddenly flooded in made his head feel swollen and left him dizzy.

These memories felt both foreign and familiar, as though he had dreamed a long, vividly real dream.

A moment later, he understood. He had awakened the wisdom of his past life, regaining his memories of it.

In his previous life, he had been an ordinary high school student. After working himself to the bone for three years, he had just finished his college entrance exams when he struck the jackpot, reincarnating into this world before he could even enjoy life.

To think I lived in this world for fifteen years before awakening my past-life memories. A few days ago, I even fell into the water by accident and nearly died.

Luckily, a blessing came out of that disaster, lifting the veil of forgetfulness from birth.

But as a transmigrator, where's my cheat?

Just as Mo Yun was searching for his cheat, an argument broke out outside the door.

A woman's voice, choked with tears yet holding a thread of tenacity beneath its fragility, trembled as she said:

"Grandfather, Second Uncle! Are you even human? How could you sell Yun?!"

Mo Yun frowned slightly. That was his older sister, Mo Yiyi.

"Yiyi, don't talk nonsense. We're only sending him to Crouching Tiger Manor as a menial servant so he can work for his keep," came a middle-aged man's somewhat gruff voice.

That was his second uncle, Mo Feng.

"Does working for a living require signing yourself into slavery?! He's your family too! How could you bear to do this?!"

"Ah, Yiyi, you still don't understand. Getting into Crouching Tiger Manor is a blessing for Mo Yun. If he makes something of himself, he could even bring honor to our house. These are chaotic times. Having the chance to toil like an ox or a horse for a powerful faction is a blessing. A bond of servitude is no big deal."

Before Mo Yiyi could say anything else, an aged voice bore down heavily, settling the matter with a single stroke:

"Yiyi, don't be willful. Show some consideration for the lineage and think more about its interests. It isn't easy for the lineage to shelter so many people. Mo Yun has grown up, and it's time he did his part for the lineage. I hope you can understand."

The speaker was their grandfather, Mo Huaishan.

"Besides, the bond has already been signed. We can't go back on it. The Mo Lineage cannot afford to offend Crouching Tiger Manor."

"Once Yun has recovered a little more, we'll send him there in a month."

"You-you're only bullying us because my parents aren't here!" Mo Yiyi stamped her foot in anger, her eyes red and her face filled with hurt and helplessness.

In this world, once someone sold themselves into servitude, they were livestock.

Their master decided whether they lived or died, and the authorities asked no questions.

Besides, she had heard that serving as a menial at Crouching Tiger Manor was extraordinarily dangerous. Injuries and deaths were common, and quite a few people had already died over the past few years.

Mo Huaishan seemed to guess what she was thinking and hurriedly said, "Yiyi, don't let your imagination run wild. Crouching Tiger Manor isn't as bad as the rumors..."

The old man wanted to say more, but her second uncle pulled him away.

"Father, stop wasting words on her. The lineage's business matters more. This is already settled. Does he get to decide whether he goes?"

Their voices gradually faded into the distance, leaving only his sister's helpless sobs.

Mo Yun frowned and rubbed his still slightly swollen-feeling head, quickly sorting through the memories of his past and present lives.

A moment later, the wooden door creaked softly as it was pushed open.

A figure slowly walked inside.

She was tall and thin, wearing a blouse and skirt washed pale with age. Though her skin was somewhat sallow, her features were well-formed, and her eyes, veiled in a faint mist of tears, were filled with exhaustion.

Mo Yiyi had done her utmost to rein in her emotions, but the corners of her eyes were still slightly red.

Seeing Mo Yun looking at her with his eyes open, Mo Yiyi froze for a moment. "Little brother, you're awake? Did-did you hear all that?"

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

At daybreak, Mo Yun boarded the carriage bound for Crouching Tiger Manor.

He had no choice.

After all, in a world where human lives were worth no more than grass, those who could control their own fate had always been few.

Still, becoming a menial servant at Crouching Tiger Manor had its advantages for him. At least he would have a chance to encounter martial arts, which was better than staying with the Mo Lineage and being targeted by his second uncle.

Though Crouching Tiger Manor was rumored to be dangerous, even its menial servants had a chance to practice martial arts. Mo Yun wanted to seize that opportunity.

As for the bond of servitude, once he became strong enough, it would be nothing more than a scrap of waste paper.

Of course, the poor could study letters, but martial arts demanded wealth. For someone at the bottom like him, achieving anything in martial arts was almost impossible.

Fortunately, as a transmigrator, he possessed a gift others did not, something of his own to rely on.

[Constitution 3, Life 2, Defense 2, Spiritual power 0]

[Special abilities: None]

Ever since he had awakened his past-life memories last month, a pale blue virtual panel had suddenly appeared in Mo Yun's mind.

Besides that, there was a round seal the size of a watch face on his wrist that only he could see.

Black and white met within the round seal, giving off a faint glow. Like a brand sunk deep into his skin and flesh, the two colors remained sharply divided, flowing silently.

Mo Yun focused his gaze on it. The black portion was almost full.

Judging by what I've observed this past month, the black portion should fill up in two days at most.

A stat-panel setup? Once it fills, I'll probably get attribute points or something...

With his memories of his previous life, Mo Yun naturally knew a thing or two about these so-called panels.

According to this past month's research, all I need to do to charge the black portion is eat and drink well and stay full of energy every day.

For nearly a month, his older sister, Mo Yiyi, had brought him a portion of meat almost every day to help him recover, greatly improving his meals.

Combined with some simple exercise, this had allowed him to make up much of his body's depletion without even realizing it.

He remembered that a month ago, his constitution had been only 2, and his defense only 1.

Mo Yun knew the panel must have played a part in his progress. Otherwise, how could a body depleted for so many years recover so quickly?

This Black-and-White Seal is the foundation I need to gain a foothold in these troubled times. But the white portion doesn't seem to have changed at all this past month. I have no idea how to charge it.

As the carriage traveled farther and farther away, Mo Yun's thoughts drifted.

Not far away, Mo Huaishan and his son, Mo Feng, stood side by side.

Watching the carriage recede, father and son both breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's finally gone." A smile spread across Mo Feng's face. "Now we can rightfully use the favor my elder brother left behind to send Fan to the Chaos Blade Sect in the inner city to study martial arts."

"As it should be. Fan has a Superior Bone Root. He's certain to achieve something and lead our clan to prosperity one day. Even moving into the inner city may not be out of reach." Mo Huaishan stroked his beard, his face likewise wreathed in smiles.

Seemingly recalling something, Mo Feng grew a little worried and said quietly, "Father, I heard the menial servants at Crouching Tiger Manor also get a chance to practice martial arts. Could Mo Yun..."

Mo Huaishan waved a hand. "You're worrying too much. I asked around long ago. Although Crouching Tiger Manor gives its menial servants opportunities to practice martial arts, Bone Root still matters. Mo Yun's Bone Root is ordinary, and his body is weak. He likely won't have a chance."

After a pause, Mo Huaishan added, "Besides, he's been sickly since childhood, and his body is severely depleted. A menial servant's work is exhausting, and martial training takes an even greater toll. He won't be able to endure it."

"That's good, then." Mo Feng let out a long breath.