Chapter 24: The Resentment System 2.0

Chapter 24: The Resentment System 2.0

Fortunately, Zheng Jian didn't have to wait long; the system upgrade was soon completed, incomparable to those flashy imposters out there. Now the system panel in his mind had undergone a complete transformation, especially at the very top, where golden letters seemed to float in the void.

"Host has accumulated 5042/10000 Resentment Points, sufficient to unlock the next world."

"!!!" Zheng Jian was stunned. "Good heavens, I thought I was only traversing through Smiling Proud Wanderer, but now, after the upgrade, I can actually keep traveling?"

"At least the system didn’t ask, ‘Do you wish to understand the meaning of life? Do you want to truly live?’ Otherwise, I’d have thought I was trapped in a cycle of reincarnation..."

"If that's the case, why doesn't the system just tell me what the next world is? Just say it and I can prepare in advance, can't I?" Zheng Jian felt a little aggrieved. After coming this far, the system still kept its secrets, as if afraid he’d know too soon.

"If it continues to be an Eastern martial arts world, that's fine. But if suddenly I end up in Nightmare on Elm Street, or some nonsensical Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, where would I even begin to make sense of things?"

"No one told me whether mastering the Purple Haze Skill would let me drive away ghosts..."

But the system paid no heed to Zheng Jian’s mutterings.

Upon opening the exchange shop again, he found nothing had changed. The lottery was the same.

Lottery Spirit: I'm just a nobody here.

Zheng Jian: Sorry, I'd like to give you more screen time, but one draw now costs 960 Resentment Points. I really can't afford it...

Lottery Spirit: ...

Exiting the system, Zheng Jian felt a fresh wave of excitement; being able to unlock the next world was a good thing—at least he wouldn’t be bored. Otherwise, after defeating the Eastern Sect Leader and Zuo Lengchan, what would he do? Retire to the countryside at such a young age?

Chop wood and feed horses every day, living a life of simple happiness?

Now things were better; at least a new world awaited him, with countless sheep ready for him to fleece...

But from another angle, opportunity came hand in hand with danger. If each subsequent world grew more perilous, wouldn't his own life become ever more precarious?

"Others start off signing into the Buddha's Palm, and here I am, having to pinch every penny just to master the Purple Haze Skill..." Zheng Jian grew increasingly frustrated.

"Upgrading to 2.0, huh? Is it because you know you're too low-level and need a quick version update?" He ribbed the system, though the upgrade was still a pleasant surprise.

"When my Resentment Points are full, will there be any special effects? Like golden light descending from the heavens, and me rising slowly in the glow, finally disappearing, leaving the people of Smiling Proud Wanderer to speculate about my ascension?"

...

The next day, Zheng Jian had just opened his door when he saw Ruan Qiuqiu standing anxiously outside.

Zheng Jian: "..." What is this? Surely she isn't so desperate for my body?

Ruan Qiuqiu caught Zheng Jian’s look and knew his mind was wandering again. Her face flushed red as she hurried to explain, "I—I was afraid you’d leave me behind and sneak off..."

Zheng Jian was taken aback, then grinned, "If I really wanted to leave, I’d have climbed out the window ages ago. Waiting here wouldn’t do you any good..."

Resentment Points from Ruan Qiuqiu +200.

Ruan Qiuqiu was exasperated by his words. How could he twist things so? Wasn't the normal response supposed to be gentle reassurance, promising never to abandon her?

How could the same meaning sound so infuriating coming from his mouth?

Zheng Jian felt aggrieved too. He hadn’t left; wasn’t that fulfilling her wish? Why was there so much resentment?

Truly, women are unreasonable!

"Alright, alright, Miss Ruan, tell me your plans. Where would you like to go? I can take you anywhere," Zheng Jian changed the subject. Women were troublesome; best to find a way to send her off.

Ruan Qiuqiu’s eyes immediately brimmed with tears. "You—you still say you won't leave me, but you’re obviously trying to! I'm a weak woman, alone in the world, and I don’t even know martial arts..."

Zheng Jian’s head started to ache. He hurriedly interrupted, "Alright, alright, I surrender, okay? I'm a disciple of Mount Hua. Fine, I'll take you back to Mount Hua. If you wish to stay on the mountain or in the town below, no one will bully you, alright? But remember, as always, you’re not allowed to covet my body!"

Ruan Qiuqiu immediately ceased her tears, so abruptly that Zheng Jian was left speechless.

"Miss Ruan, your tears come and go at will—this skill is truly impressive!"

There was one thing Zheng Jian didn’t say: 'A young cow dancing—left awesome, right awesome!' But he kept it to himself; after all, Ruan Qiuqiu was a lady, and fleecing sheep wasn’t the same as skinning them.

Ruan Qiuqiu was already used to Zheng Jian’s infuriating words; this remark didn’t even faze her, not a single Resentment Point appeared.

Now that they’d reached an agreement, Zheng Jian took Ruan Qiuqiu toward Mount Hua. Unlike the previous night, he bought a carriage for her, and acted as the driver himself...

...

For over ten days on the road, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Even if something tried, it would be hard—Zheng Jian had cleared out all the bandits and thieves on his way there, and now his title as the "Sword Master of Restoration" was still circulating.

Upon entering Shaanxi, it wasn't long before Zheng Jian encountered Linghu Chong and his group, returning from their training.

"Senior Brother!" Upon seeing Zheng Jian, Yue Lingshan immediately ran over, breaking Linghu Chong’s heart behind her.

Seeing this, Zheng Jian chuckled, "Little Sister, you seem in good spirits after this journey."

Coming closer, Yue Lingshan stared at the carriage behind Zheng Jian, puzzled, "Senior Brother, who's in the carriage?" For the proud Senior Brother to personally drive, she had a bad feeling.

Ruan Qiuqiu inside heard this, waiting for Zheng Jian to invite her out, but as he remained silent, she had no choice but to lift the curtain and step down gracefully.

When Yue Lingshan saw the stunning beauty descending from the carriage, her heart sank and she instantly became unhappy. "Senior Brother, who is she?"

Zheng Jian failed to notice the growing tension between the two women, and said cheerfully, "Little Sister, this is Miss Ruan. I saved her on the road, and as she had nowhere to go, I brought her to Mount Hua. Miss Ruan, this is my master’s daughter, Little Sister Yue Lingshan."

Ruan Qiuqiu smiled gently, "So you’re Sister Lingshan. Zheng Jian spoke of you often along the way. Now that I see you, you truly are beautiful—even I, as your elder sister, can’t help but admire you."

...

Second update delivered, please vote for recommendations.

(End of chapter)