Xin Yu rubbed his aching head, lowering it to copy the open book placed beside him. He said helplessly, "It's not my fault. I have amnesia. Master, I really don't understand the classical Chinese you were reciting, and honestly, the more I listened, the sleepier I got."
Due to falling asleep right in the middle of receiving the teachings, Xin Yu was punished by Hua to copy books. Although it was a punishment, it was also Hua's way of helping Xin Yu understand the incantations as quickly as possible. She specifically chose certain books so that this troublesome disciple could grasp the basics sooner.
By copying them several times, he would naturally come to understand the meaning of the books.
Xin Yu didn't know how long he could stay in this world, nor what he could do after returning. So, he simply stayed and started copying books in the study.
Perhaps due to the amnesia, Xin Yu's temperament made it easy for him to enter a state of concentration. He quickly focused all his attention on the books. Although the content was still somewhat obscure and profound, he gradually began to understand some of the principles within.
It wasn't until lunchtime, when Hua interrupted his copying, that Xin Yu realized he had unknowingly been writing for half a day. He rubbed his sore wrist and glanced inexplicably at his countdown timer. He discovered that the timer, which had been under 200 hours, had somehow jumped directly to 300?
"Could it be that my remaining time increases as I continuously transmigrate?"
Xin Yu wasn't sure if his guess was correct. Perhaps it was because his act of copying the books had led to a preliminary understanding of the immortal arts his master taught him, and that's why the time increased.
Just after Xin Yu finished the lunch prepared by the Immortal (which consisted of rice and pickled vegetables), he was about to continue copying books. As he pushed open the study door, he suddenly found himself standing in a modern-style bedroom.
This bedroom looked very familiar. Hmm, confirmed, this was his own bedroom.
Xin Yu looked somewhat resigned. He had been hoping to continue learning from the Immortal, thinking maybe he wouldn't have to worry about his lifespan anymore. But now, it seemed he still couldn't escape the curse of a short life.
However, he had made contingency plans. To prevent this situation, he had specifically taken photos of all the books he needed to copy and even had his master recite the incantations once more, recording them on his phone.
This way, even if an accident happened and he returned directly to his own world, he could continue his cultivation.
Xin Yu pulled out the chair at his desk, sat down, picked up a pen and paper, and began silently copying, referring to the photos on his phone.
...
November 16th, 2013. Renowned entrepreneur, Raiden Ryoma, was exposed for massive tax evasion and subsequently arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of economic fraud and other charges.
This incident caused a huge uproar in Far Eastern society. Everyone knew that Raiden Ryoma was arguably the wealthiest person in the Far East, yet such a problem led to his arrest.
Some lamented that merchants are merchants, ultimately unable to escape their greedy nature. Some speculated on how much money he had actually embezzled. Others found it strange; someone of his stature surely had various means to handle such matters. Being arrested under these circumstances suggested someone powerful was orchestrating things against him from behind the scenes.
And the person most affected by this incident was naturally Raiden Ryoma's direct relative, his only daughter, Raiden Mei.
Raiden Mei, once universally popular at school, flattered by everyone, found that after the incident at home, the way everyone looked at her changed upon her return to school. The former looks of respect and admiration were now replaced entirely with scorn and mockery.
Everyone's attitude underwent a 180-degree shift. People laughed at her, despised her, ridiculed her, acting as if bullying her was following the trend of the times.
Her desk was scratched, filled with trash, and her chair disappeared. The teachers turned a blind eye, pretending not to see any of it.
Raiden Mei bit her lip tightly, feeling an unprecedented sense of suffocation. At this moment, she fully understood the term "sea of people." People truly were like the sea... capable of drowning someone, capable of suffocating them to death.
Why is it like this? Raiden Mei genuinely didn't believe her father would do those things. Her father was definitely framed. But why was no one willing to believe this? Everyone despised her; everyone mocked her.
Even on the street, people recognized her, whispering among themselves that she was the child of a fraudster.
Even when she went to the convenience store to buy things, people would point fingers at her.
Why did it turn out like this? Why did my life change so drastically in an instant!
Raiden Mei clenched the plastic convenience store bag filled with food in her hand. Her lowered head no longer held its former pride. She prayed that no one would recognize her, prayed that not too many eyes would fall upon her.
But walking with one's head down easily leads to accidents, and an accident just happened.
Raiden Mei felt herself bump into someone. Losing her balance, she fell sitting onto the ground. The bag in her hand naturally dropped, spilling some of the groceries inside.
"Are you okay?"
Raiden Mei heard a youth's voice. She looked up and saw a white-haired youth in front of her, extending a hand towards her.
"I'm sorry! It's all my fault for not looking where I was going!"
"It's okay. I was thinking about something too, so I was a bit distracted."
The youth crouched down, helped Raiden Mei gather the scattered groceries, and then comforted her, "It must have been tough for you recently, with such a big thing happening to your family."
"...You recognize me..."
"Yeah. After all, news about the Raiden family is everywhere, even a ton of supposed 'insider information' about Raiden Ryoma's tax evasion and economic fraud. The news is all over the place."
"...My father is not a liar."
"Mm, I believe you."
Raiden Mei's lowered head snapped up in an instant. A flicker of light appeared in her previously dim eyes.
"...You believe me?"
The youth, who had started walking forward, paused his steps. He turned around, looked at the girl staring at him, and smiled, "Mm, I believe you."
Then, the youth walked away without looking back.
Actually, I don't particularly believe it either, Xin Yu thought. But if I say this, she might feel a little better. Hopefully, because of this one sentence, this girl will find the strength to keep living.
I hope this well-intentioned lie wasn't the wrong thing to do.
Thinking this, Xin Yu continued silently reciting the Taixu Sword Qi incantations in his mind.