Chapter 41: Ancestors' Blessing (Requesting for Continued Reading)

[Daily Task Two: Oh! Old Friend, Your Ancestral Tomb is Smoking Again]

[When you returned yesterday, you found blue smoke rising from your ancestral tomb. You thought you were mistaken, but today, the smoke appears once more…]

[Assume you are not fate’s chosen one.]

[In that case, it’s highly likely a beast has set its sights on your ancestral tomb, threatening this safe zone.]

[Find it. Deal with it.]

[Task Reward: Ancestral Blessing! (Hidden Achievement)]

[…]
Shen He stared at the daily task displayed on the screen before him and felt his mood sour.

Fine, fine.

Trying to mess with me, are you?

Yesterday the tomb smoked, wasn’t it because a bunch of idiots were hiding there smoking cigarettes?

When did I ever think I was mistaken?

And today there’s smoke again—don’t think just because you’re the system I won’t give you a beating.

Ancestral blessing, really.

A hidden achievement, no less.

If my ancestors truly blessed me, I’d have them drag you out and give you a good thrashing the moment I had the chance.

Shen He took several deep breaths, slowly calming himself.

Then he rose and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Once everything was ready, he drove into town for breakfast, picking up a few things along the way.

By eight thirty, Shen He was driving back.

As he passed by the cornfield, he glanced out of the window by chance and saw, in the direction of his family’s tomb—

Once again, blue smoke was curling up!

And this time, it seemed even thicker than yesterday, not at all like someone hiding there to smoke.

Shen He’s eyes widened in anger. “Damn it! Who the hell is setting a fire on the tomb!”

He jerked the steering wheel and drove straight over.

Upon arrival, he got out and plunged into the cornfield, quickly reaching the tomb.

He found several familiar faces crouched by the mound, burning incense and sticking it into the tomb.

The man leading the group, caught off guard by Shen He’s sudden appearance, paused mid-motion.

After a moment’s silence, he spoke: “Yesterday you said your family doesn’t smoke, so I bought some incense. We came to offer it and apologize.”

Hearing this, Shen He fell silent.

He looked at the burning incense atop the tomb, at a loss for words.

At that moment, a rat darted out from the corner of the tomb, breaking the awkward silence as it tried to escape into the cornfield.

Quick as lightning, Shen He stomped down.

Splat!

The rat died instantly.

Before his eyes, a screen appeared.

[Congratulations on killing a Tier One Mutant Rat. Free Attribute Point +1]

[Congratulations, Daily Task Two completed.]

[Reward issued.]

[…]

[Ancestral Blessing (Rare Achievement)]

[Possessing this achievement slightly increases your luck. This is a hidden achievement in Earth Online.]

[You really are a lucky fellow.]

[Your ancestors’ spirits are watching over you, protecting you.]

[…]

[Survival Guide: You did well. You’re vigilant enough that you probably won’t be turned into fertilizer anytime soon.]

Gazing at the stream of floating text, Shen He only grew more silent.

The man holding the incense gave him a thumbs up. “Great reflexes, brother.”

Shen He nudged the rat’s corpse into the cornfield with his foot, then looked at the group. “Do you actors have nothing better to do, always coming here every other day?”

The man flushed. “It’s a misunderstanding, really. We genuinely came to apologize to your ancestors. You said yesterday they don’t smoke, so we bought incense to make amends.”

Shen He glanced at him, then at the incense sticks jutting from the tomb.

He lapsed into silence.

Gesturing for them to follow, he led the group out of the cornfield. “Alright, just don’t come here again. There’s no need for apologies—just don’t disturb them.”

The man nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, we won’t come back.”

Shen He asked, “What are you filming here, anyway? Don’t you have work? You all seem pretty idle.”

The man grinned. “It’s true, we’re not busy. Our greenhorn director is making his first film, wanted to shoot a rural drama, but was afraid the locals would cause trouble. So, under the guise of martial arts instructors, he hired us to protect the crew. We’ve got nothing to do all day.”

“But soon that might change. A big client from Dayuan paid me a hundred thousand to teach him swordsmanship—and he’s my childhood friend. Always thinking of me when there’s a good deal…”

At these words, Shen He, walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

The man nearly ran into him.

Shen He turned, his gaze deep. “Is your childhood friend’s name Li Ding?”

The man stared, wide-eyed. “How did you know?”

Shen He pointed at himself. “I’m the big client from Dayuan—Lin Helu. Quite the talker, aren’t you?”

Lin Helu was dumbstruck.

To be fair, he hadn’t expected such a coincidence.

On the chat app, his childhood friend had only said a major client would be coming to learn swordsmanship in the next few days.

That’s why yesterday he’d brought his martial brothers to the tomb to smoke and discuss matters.

After all, a hundred thousand wasn’t a small sum.

Earning that much in less than half a month—where else could you find such a lucky break?

But fate had outdone itself.

Lin Helu cleared his throat. “A misunderstanding, definitely a misunderstanding. You must be Mr. Shen? As Old Li described—distinguished and impressive, clearly a dragon among men, destined for greatness.”

Shen He waved him off. “Enough flattery. Let’s talk about the arrangements.”

His main reason for returning was to learn swordsmanship and swiftly advance his martial skills.

Lin Helu straightened up. “It’s all arranged. We just need you to come by for a trial. If you’re satisfied, we can start lessons anytime.”

He gestured to the three men behind him. “These are my fellow disciples.”

“My specialty is swordplay; theirs are spear, saber, and halberd.”

“Old Li says you’re very talented, pick things up quickly—you learned his techniques in two or three days. We won’t let your hundred thousand go to waste. I’ll teach you first, and if you want, they can teach you next.”

“No need to pay extra. We’ll split the hundred thousand among ourselves.”

Shen He’s eyes showed a flash of surprise.

He hadn’t expected such a generous offer.

He nodded slightly. “Alright. I’m ready anytime.”

Lin Helu said, “In that case, let’s begin today. I’ll pick out a sword for you, and we’ll start with the basics.”

Shen He replied, “No need, I bought my own.”

Lin Helu paused, then said, “Alright, get your sword and we’ll start right away—in the clearing near the film crew.”

Shen He agreed, heading toward his car.

Lin Helu turned to his three martial brothers. “Just as we discussed—how much he learns depends on your luck. If he learns it all, we split the hundred thousand evenly.”

“That’s twenty-five thousand each. Master sent you with me, and I won’t let you go hungry.”

All three replied in unison, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”