After confirming that his full recovery would take at least a month, Shen Yue lay quietly on the hard wooden bed. His eyes stared blankly at the cracked ceiling, the silence around him strangely comforting. The system had informed him that once his body stabilized, he could absorb the Qi stored from the extraction. That meant reaching Qi Absorption Level 3 instantly. But until then, he had no choice but to wait.
"I need to recover fast," he murmured to himself. "Every day counts."
A knock echoed from the wooden door—soft and hesitant, almost familiar. He turned his head slightly.
"Come in," he said, his voice still weak but steady.
The door creaked open, and the same servant girl from before stepped in, carrying a simple wooden tray. Two dry, stiff buns and a strip of meat, barely larger than a finger, sat on it.
Her movements were light and cautious. It was as if she didn't want her presence to disturb the air around them. Shen Yue slowly sat up, wincing as his muscles protested. But hunger sharpened his focus.
As she placed the tray down and turned to leave, Shen Yue spoke again.
"Miss," he called softly.
She paused, glancing back.
"Yes?"
"This... dinner portion seems too small. Could I get a bit more?"
She blinked in surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to speak—let alone request anything.
"It's not forbidden," she said slowly. "But food is strictly rationed. If you want extra, you'll need to spend contribution points."
Shen Yue nodded as if expecting that answer. "How many points per extra meal?"
"One point equals one portion," she replied, motioning toward the tray.
He did a quick calculation in his mind. Two extra meals daily meant two points per day. That would be sixty points over a month.
That was acceptable.
"I'll take two extra meals daily. Morning and night. Inform your supervisor."
Her eyes widened slightly. Not many were willing to spend points on food. Most hoarded them for status, promotions, or currency exchanges.
Still, she gave a respectful nod. "I'll let the supervisor know. For now... please eat. I'll return shortly with the second portion."
As she walked out, Shen Yue picked up the stiff bun and chewed slowly. The bread was hard, the meat barely seasoned, but he didn't complain. Every bite fueled the machine he would need to become.
He glanced at the cracked ceiling again.
"The original Shen Yue saved up 100 contribution points… all of them, just to exchange for coin once he left the army. He planned to support his family with that money."
Shen Yue stopped chewing.
"Don't worry. I'll do what you couldn't. Your family… is mine now."
That night, for the first time since arriving in this world, Shen Yue fell into deep, uninterrupted sleep.
The following morning, a knock stirred him. It was her again—the same servant girl. Her presence was becoming familiar.
"The supervisor approved your request," she said. "From today onward, you'll receive two extra meals. You can pay the points later."
Shen Yue gave her a soft, thankful smile. "Understood. Thank you."
She set the tray down. Another modest portion, but it was progress. She gave him a subtle nod before turning and leaving.
After finishing his food, Shen Yue summoned the system interface again.
Name: Shen Yue
Age: 14
Physique: High-level Iron-Copper Molting Physique
Bloodline: Mid-level Flame Scorpion Bloodline
Cultivation: Uninitiated
Skills: None
Spiritual Root: Low-level Fire Spiritual Root (Mixed) (0%)
Talent: Extraction
Mid-level Sword Talent (0%)
Low-level Archery Talent (0%)
Low-level Spear Talent (0%)
Mid-level Comprehension (0%)
Unique Traits: Clones: 0 (Locked)
Stats:
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 8
Wisdom: 2
Spirit: 0.9
No changes yet.
But soon, that would change.
Just then, another knock echoed—heavier this time.
"Enter," Shen Yue called out, suppressing a cough.
The door opened, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man. Shen Yue didn't need to look closely—he recognized him from the memories.
Uncle Peng Lei.
Warmth flickered in his chest despite everything. This man had protected him—both the current him and the previous Shen Yue. He was the one who brought food during hard times, who shielded them when others turned away. Even now, his face was lined with concern.
"You shouldn't be moving yet," Peng Lei said, approaching the bed.
"I can't lie down forever, uncle," Shen Yue replied with a faint smile.
Peng Lei sat beside him, his brow furrowed in guilt.
"I promised your father... that I'd protect you. Protect your family. But now..."
His voice trailed off. His fists clenched.
Shen Yue's gaze softened. "It's not your fault, uncle. You did what you could. I remember... everything. You even tried bribing the officials to keep me from the frontlines, didn't you?"
Peng Lei's eyes widened, stunned. "...You remember that?"
"I do. The old me remembers it all. You didn't abandon us. You fought the system that chewed us up and spat us out."
Peng Lei lowered his head. "If only I had a higher rank... more influence..."
"Don't blame yourself," Shen Yue said firmly. "I'm alive. That's what matters now. And because I survived... I have a chance."
There was a long pause between them, filled with unspoken understanding.
Peng Lei finally sighed. "I took leave today. I have to return by evening, but... I wanted to check on you myself."
Shen Yue nodded slowly. His expression turned serious.
"Then tell me something, Uncle. About my father's death."
Peng Lei stiffened.
"You promised the old me you'd look into it. Didn't you?"
His uncle glanced at the door, then leaned closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper.
"Your father's death… wasn't an accident. It wasn't even a battlefield casualty."
Shen Yue's pupils shrank. His heart pounded.
"This was a pre-planned murder."