Chapter Three: Gray Mist

The sudden appearance of these lines before his eyes truly startled Cui Xiu.

Gray mist? Martial arts?

This thing looked oddly familiar...

It seemed to resemble the character panel from that strange, gothic-style martial arts mobile game he used to play in his previous life. Could it be that this had become his cheat?

Come to think of it, he remembered that game so clearly precisely because of its uniquely eerie style, its remarkable freedom, and its extremely simple character interface.

Could it be that he traversed into this world because of that mobile game?

Cui Xiu, who had never understood why he woke up only to find himself in another world, suddenly felt as if he'd found the culprit...

“...”

“Well, there's no getting back now, anyway. Judging by the situation, if this gray mist is anything like that game, I might have to rely on this ability to survive here,” Cui Xiu mused, shaking his head.

The events of the previous night had already taught him that this was by no means a simple ancient world.

And recalling what happened, he could more or less guess that it was precisely because of last night’s encounter that this gray mist ability had awakened.

There seemed to be quite a connection between this gray mist power and supernatural beings.

Not to mention, the bottom line on the panel:

Source Energy: 2

In that mobile game, source energy functioned much like experience points—it could be used to increase martial arts proficiency, and aside from the usual quests, there were few other ways to obtain it.

But now, in this world, the attribute seemed to have changed: after just a brief encounter with something uncanny last night, not only had Cui Xiu awakened the gray mist power, he’d also gained two points of source energy...

As for the somewhat out-of-place entries on the panel—Basic Swordsmanship and the Ninth Set of People’s Broadcast Gymnastics—Cui Xiu could just about accept them.

The Ninth Set of Broadcast Gymnastics was, as he’d heard, a professional exercise routine developed by national sports experts in his previous life, integrating martial arts, yoga, and various other movements. It was said to be highly beneficial for one’s body.

Back then, due to his job, Cui Xiu’s health wasn’t the best; he’d been in a state of chronic sub-health for a long time. To remedy this, he tried learning traditional martial arts at a dojo.

Why did he go to a dojo instead of a gym? For one, traditional health-oriented martial arts were generally gentle, with few overly strenuous movements, and rarely resulted in injuries from improper practice.

Secondly, traditional martial arts were indeed good for health, didn’t require a specific location, and consumed little energy.

At least in Cui Xiu’s view, they suited him well.

So he went to the dojo.

The instructor, after hearing his situation and giving him a brief examination, didn’t say much but instead recommended this set of broadcast gymnastics.

Cui Xiu didn’t mind. He practiced it every morning, and his health did improve, his energy at work increasing noticeably.

He even became friends with the instructor, and just before his unexpected journey to this world, he was planning to learn more about traditional martial arts from her.

He had especially learned a set of thirteen basic sword techniques, intending to seek guidance—who would have imagined he’d cross into another world before he had the chance?

One more thing—the instructor was a young woman, with a rather striking figure.

...

After arriving in this world, since his new body was frail, Cui Xiu picked up the broadcast gymnastics again. As the original owner was a scholar permitted to carry a sword, Cui Xiu also took up practicing swordsmanship, treating it as a way to strengthen his arms.

Thus, seeing these two entries appear as skills on the gray mist panel didn’t surprise him too much; it was only a little strange to see gymnastics transformed into martial arts.

...

While pondering this, a ray of golden-red sunlight suddenly illuminated the official road. Drawn from his thoughts, Cui Xiu instinctively turned eastward.

The golden sun rose; the sky was awash with red and gold.

Unknowingly, dawn had arrived.

The world awakened; insects and birds began to sing.

Shaking his head slightly, Cui Xiu temporarily set aside his study of the gray mist ability.

First, this wasn’t the right place for research; second, he was not far from Anyuan County—another day’s travel, and he would be there.

No matter what aid the gray mist power might bring him, there was no need to rush its study.

With these thoughts, Cui Xiu suddenly realized he was hungry. He dismounted, unhooked the water pouch from the saddle, and, weighing it in his hand, was surprised to find much of the water gone.

A thought struck him; he checked his bundle and, sure enough, found his rations had diminished as well.

Remembering what the old woman had served him last night, he couldn’t help but shake his head. So, the food she’d offered was just his own dried rations—no wonder it had tasted so familiar at the time.

Looking back, he realized he’d been deceived by illusion and hadn’t noticed.

Yet thinking it through, something didn’t quite add up. If the old woman meant him harm, she wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of feeding him clean food. With her skills in illusion, even if she’d fed him dirt, he probably wouldn’t have noticed...

With this thought, he frowned, puzzled about the old woman’s intentions—and about that little girl as well...

Perhaps the thinking of ghosts and spirits was just different? Or maybe it was all for their own amusement?

Cui Xiu couldn’t help but shake his head and decided not to dwell on it. He’d already left, and it was unlikely he’d encounter that family again. Better to eat and get on the road early.

...

After a hasty meal, Cui Xiu continued on his way.

The terror of encountering the supernatural was now tempered by the unexpected delight of the gray mist power, leaving him less fearful and more curious.

Still, he wasn’t yet inclined to investigate further.

Not that he lacked interest—in fact, in a world where such strange events were possible, who could say there weren’t also immortals and deities? With a bit of luck, he might even cross paths with them one day.

As someone deeply influenced by myths and the culture of cultivation, it was impossible for Cui Xiu not to harbor some secret hopes after this brush with the mysterious.

But for now, those were just thoughts.

...

Half an hour later, Cui Xiu arrived at the entrance of a mountain village.

He couldn’t help feeling a little rueful—if only he’d traveled a bit farther with Wu Yu and the others last night, he could have spent the night in this village, but for being just a step too slow, he’d ended up in that spectral realm instead.

Fortunately, nothing too serious had come of it.

Judging by the time, if Wu Yu’s group had rested here, they would have set out long ago—their carriage was much faster than his old horse, and with Anyuan County so near, they wouldn’t have lingered.

Though last night’s ordeal had left him tired, Cui Xiu had no intention of stopping in the village—he just wanted to hurry home.

But just as he was about to spur his horse forward, a scene at the village entrance made him involuntarily freeze.

Not far from the entrance, inside a fence, stood a sturdy chestnut horse. Several villagers were gathered around it, deep in conversation.

Apparently hearing Cui Xiu’s approach, they all turned to look at him in unison—their eyes sweeping over him with an appraising gaze, as if he were a piece of merchandise...

“Honored gentleman, where are you bound? Since you’re passing our village, why not come in and rest awhile?”

A hoarse, elderly voice suddenly sounded in his ear, making Cui Xiu shiver unconsciously.