Just a Little Wind and Frost

In the early hours of June 1, 3066 of the Cultivation Punk Calendar, lights came on in homes across the city, as if by common accord.

Men and women, young and old alike.

One after another, all kinds of people put on school uniforms that were not particularly attractive, but represented their many years of effort.

Mingyang City had five primary schools in all-

Numbered one through five, they had a clear hierarchy, with seemingly impassable gulfs between their requirements for students' aptitude and status.

Naturally, their uniforms differed as well, coming in five colors.

Yet whether the primary school they had entered ranked high or low, many people stood before their mirrors, looking at how different they had become, and wept until they could barely speak.

Punk Lü Yuan, of course, was not among them.

In the months since he had contacted Ancient Cultivator Lü Yuan, he had undergone earth-shaking changes.

He now had his own plans and ideas for his future in the megacorporation.

His gaze had already reached farther than anyone else's in the city.

Farther than those who hoped for a chance to test into middle school and high school, and farther than Lin Qi, who wanted to return to the Upper City after reincarnating.

Even the ambitions the Purple Mansion on Bright Yang Tower might have harbored were likely insignificant compared with his present vision.

For he wanted more than to get into junior college, reach the Upper City, and become a Purple Mansion.

He also wanted more than to work for a megacorporation, climb the ranks step by step, and look down upon lower cultivators.

What Lü Yuan now wanted was to one day step onto the center stage of the entire world and see the scenery beyond Golden Core.

To bring some change to this world of capitalist cultivation and make everyone remember his name!

And with Ancient Cultivator Lü Yuan's help, he had the ability to accomplish it all.

Now, a month after his awakening had ended, the day had finally come for Mingyang City No. 1 Technical Primary School to begin-

And today, Lü Yuan himself would formally enter the megacorporation Ten Directions Bright's Lower City education system.

Primary school, middle school, high school, junior college, a bachelor's degree after that, graduate school and a doctorate...

The road ahead was still long, but he had finally taken the first step!

In his rented room, he straightened his collar and looked at the young but slightly tired face reflected in the mirror.

Lü Yuan spoke no grand declarations or lofty ambitions.

At this moment, all that remained in his heart was calm-

He exhaled, opened the door, went downstairs, and walked beneath a sky covered in dark clouds and exhaust, where no brightness could be seen in any direction.

He had barely taken two steps when a cool breeze suddenly blew, lifting several strands of long hair on his forehead that he had left untended.

He could not help recalling the countless early mornings over the previous eight years when he had risen early and worked late like this, going to work at the factory.

Working as hard as an ox or a horse, all for the chance to become a factory-recommended student.

Lü Yuan stopped briefly and quietly held out his right hand.

But he did nothing else, nor did he cry out to vent his feelings. He simply gazed at his palm until his right hand slowly clenched of its own accord.

After that, only fond remembrance of the past remained in his eyes, and only anticipation for the future.

At that moment, the youth suddenly remembered a line from a book he had read in his previous life.

The neon lights of the bustling city fell upon Lü Yuan.

They bore witness as a smile finally curved his lips, his voice carrying a hint of sadness and soaring spirit.

"It's just a little wind and frost."

In the ancient cultivation world, on the wasteland along the border between Han and Wei in Middle Earth, Lü Yuan stood beneath Fusang, his illusory form restored, and almost simultaneously...

Murmured the same words as himself in the other world.

And before his eyes, everything from the past eight years-

That nameless little village, the hardships he had endured while fleeing the famine-all turned to mist and vanished like smoke.

All that remained before him were the pairs of eyes watching him in the moonlight, filled with pleading and hope.

Layer upon layer, too many to count.

Today, Lü Yuan had gathered tens of thousands of people here, people who had regained their sense of order and morality.

Thanks to Lü Yuan's efforts, they had all eaten their fill, and his healing, day and night, had left their bodies free of pain and discomfort.

People knew gratitude-

At least when faced with someone truly selfless and great, those who had been saved would follow and respect him from the bottom of their hearts.

It was a very simple sentiment, and Lü Yuan had now earned that gratitude.

Under the gazes of tens of thousands, receiving their respect and hope, Lü Yuan showed no particular emotion or made any special gesture.

He felt no pride at having saved them, nor excitement at having won their support.

For Lü Yuan simply felt that he had done what he wanted to do, and that was enough.

As for whether he had gained anything from it, he did not particularly care.

Whether these people truly respected and thanked him from the bottom of their hearts, or whether seeds of resentment had sprouted in them because he had not appeared sooner-

He did not care.

So he would continue to finish what he wanted to do: lead these people out alive and find them a home where they could survive.

But after that, none of it would have anything to do with him.

Great Marsh Mountain-

According to Liu Bang, going there was the most effective and simplest way to save these people.

Because they carried a trace of a Golden Core True Lord's deathly Qi, it would take him considerable effort to eliminate it all now, while he was in the settling phase.

Since that was the case, he might as well suppress the deathly Qi for the time being and lead them away from here.

To Great Marsh Mountain, a place where profound fortune had accumulated.

That way, he could not only use it to completely wear away the problem afflicting the displaced people, but also let them settle down there.

It was the best of both worlds.

So, after learning this, Lü Yuan wasted no time and had Han Jiu gather them as quickly as possible.

To convey this hope to them.

"Everyone-" Lü Yuan spoke softly, then slowly stepped forward, approaching the people watching him.

"I gathered you here today, and I imagine some of you have already guessed what I want to tell you."

Heads began to move, and quiet murmurs gradually arose.

But before his words could spread and the displaced people could answer,

Lü Yuan had already spoken, without keeping them in suspense. "That's right. I know the way out, and I've found a place where everyone can live and work in peace."

"That place is called Great Marsh Mountain-"

"There, everyone can stay alive, without having to sleep exposed to wind and dew or live from one precarious day to the next."

He held out his hand to them all. "Are you willing to come with me?"

"We are-"

As soon as his voice fell, Han Fei was the first to answer, giving an answer on everyone's behalf.

Then responses rose and fell like waves.

"We're willing!"

"As long as we're following you, we'll go anywhere!"

Everyone said the same, unable to contain their excitement; some even had tears streaming down their faces.

For after all this time, they had finally learned from the immortal that there was a path to survival.

Among them, the one least able to hide the surprise in his eyes was Han Fei, who had answered first.

He had not expected this man to have actually found a way and to announce it today.

Although he had already guessed as much when he received the notice, hearing the answer formally from Lü Yuan himself was still somewhat different.

I only hope that after this, this True Disciple of the Southern Dipper Palace won't be rebuked by his elders because of it.

Let me trade my one life for ten thousand lives-

Though such were his thoughts, Han Fei, a member of the Han State's royal family, felt no regret.

Because this was what he wanted to do.

"I... what was it I wanted to do again-" After a moment of disorientation, he opened his eyes again and looked at the dazzling sunlight on the horizon.

Han Fei raised his head and rubbed it, feeling as though he had forgotten something.

He also felt that he should not be here.

But the city before him was Xinzheng. He was already home, so what could he have forgotten?

And if he should not be here, where should he be?

With that thought, he strolled into the city, ready to find a restaurant and treat himself to a good meal.

And Liu Bang, the one behind it all, who had been leaning against the back of Fusang as if he had nothing to do, felt not the slightest guilt.

"It's not time yet-"

That was all he said. Then he smiled faintly. "Besides, I'm taking my child out for a trip. Why are you tagging along for the fun?"