385: Having resolved all causes and effects, one's mind is clear and unobstructed.

Black Iron City, the most bustling 'Gilded Rose' inn.

The tavern on the first floor was as noisy as a pot that had just exploded.

Dwarves were competing in drinking, Elves were playing the piano, and a few green-skinned Goblins were sneakily trading something in a corner.

"Clang!"

A loud crash drowned out all the noise.

Wang Peng (the fat guy) slammed a piece of dragon meat, still dripping with blood and as large as a millstone, heavily onto the bar counter.

It was still attached to half of a ferocious dragon claw, radiating the terrifying aura unique to high-level magical beasts.

"Innkeeper!"

Wang Peng shouted at the top of his lungs. His Earth-style high-end suit looked out of place here, but the expression on his face was more arrogant than any noble's.

"The best rooms! Three of them!"

"And bring up your finest wine and food!"

"Is this piece of meat enough to pay the bill?"

The owner behind the bar was a half-orc with two huge tusks.

At this moment, he stared at the dragon meat, his eyes almost popping out.

"This... this is the foreclaw of a Green Poison Wyvern?!"

"That ferocious beast only the Knights of a Grand Duke dare to hunt?!"

The owner trembled as he reached out and touched the dragon scales, hard as iron.

It was real!

Moreover, the cut was smooth, as if it had been severed instantly by some divine weapon!

"Enough! More than enough!"

The owner's attitude did a complete one-eighty, his face instantly covered with an obsequious smile.

"Honored Mage Lords, please come upstairs! We'll arrange the presidential suite for you immediately!"

...Top floor, terrace.

The view here was excellent, overlooking the nightscape of the entire Black Iron City.

Magical lights and steam smoke intertwined, creating a bizarre yet enchanting punk aesthetic.

Lu Chen leaned against the railing, holding a glass of this world's unique 'Rum'.

It tasted very strong, like drinking knives.

But he found it went down smoothly.

"Sigh..."

The night wind blew, tousling his hair.

Lu Chen closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

No system notification sounds.

No 'ding' of mission assignments.

Nor that 'civilization countdown' constantly hanging over his head.

Quiet.

Unprecedented quiet.

"What are you thinking?"

Su Qingying walked to his side, also holding a glass of fruit wine.

Moonlight fell on her face, making her beauty seem otherworldly.

"I'm thinking..."

Lu Chen opened his eyes, looking at the two purple moons overhead.

"I used to think I was being pushed along by the system."

"It gave me missions and rewards, forcing me to grow stronger and save the world."

"I was like a puppet on strings, even if the strings were made of gold, I was ultimately not free."

Lu Chen swirled his glass, watching the swaying reflection in the wine.

"But now, I know."

"The strings were tied by myself, and the puppet was also made by myself."

"The 'me' that sent the system back was actually telling me one thing..."

Lu Chen turned to look at Su Qingying, the light in his eyes clear and firm.

"The path has always been under my own feet."

"Before, the system made me who I am."

"Now..."

Lu Chen pointed to his own chest.

"I am the one defining the system."

"This is called..."

Su Qingying smiled, helping him straighten his collar, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Mind unburdened and clear."

"Only by settling karma can one attain great freedom."

"Yes, great freedom."

Lu Chen downed the strong liquor in his glass in one gulp.

That spicy sensation burned down his throat into his stomach, making his whole body feel warm.

"Without all those messy constraints."

"The way I see this world now feels completely different."

He pointed at the bustling city below.

"Before, when I looked at them, I saw 'civilization levels,' 'resources,' 'data.'"

"Now when I look at them..."

"I see 'business.'"

"Pfft."

Su Qingying couldn't help but laugh, "You never stray far from your profession. You and Fatty are a perfect match."

"Of course."

Lu Chen grinned.

"Since we're here, since we're free."

"Let's have a good time here."

"This world's magic system is very interesting."

"If we change the incantation for 'Fireball' to a 'Nuclear Fission Equation'..."

"Do you think we could conjure a handheld miniature sun?"

Su Qingying's eyes lit up, her scientist's instinct instantly ignited.

"Theoretically feasible."

"The arrangement and combination of magical elements is essentially another form of particle collision."

"As long as we find that 'conversion formula'..."

The two looked at each other.

In each other's eyes, they saw that familiar, crazy spark belonging to 'top students.'

Just then.

A commotion suddenly erupted downstairs.

"Quick! Surround the place!"

"It's here! That outlander with the 'Sun Artifact' is right here!"

Immediately after came the sound of orderly clanking armor.

Judging by the noise, at least several hundred people had arrived.

Wang Peng ran panting onto the terrace, still clutching a half-eaten roasted leg.

"Brother Chen! It's bad!"

"We're surrounded!"

"It's that so-called Duke of Black Iron's Guard! They say we have to hand over that Flashlight... no, the 'Sun Artifact'!"

"Oh?"

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow.

He walked to the railing and looked down.

Below the inn, he saw it was completely surrounded by densely packed soldiers.

Leading them was a middle-aged man riding a tall horse and wearing golden armor.

He looked up at Lu Chen on the rooftop, his eyes full of greed.

"Outlander!"

"Hand over the artifact! We'll spare your life!"

Facing the intimidation of this massive army.

Lu Chen showed not a trace of panic.

He even had the leisure to pour himself another glass of wine.

"My mind is clear and unburdened."

"But there's still no shortage of troublesome matters."

Lu Chen sighed, but the corner of his mouth curled into a playful arc.

"Qingying, Fatty."

"Here."

"Looks like we won't be sleeping tonight."

Lu Chen put down his glass, placed both hands on the railing, and shouted down to that arrogant duke below:

"Hey! You on the horse!"

"No artifact here."

"But..."

Lu Chen pointed to his own head, then to his two companions beside him.

"We have three..."

"Things ten thousand times more dangerous than any artifact..."

"Brains."

"Are you sure..."

"You want to mess with us?"

The duke downstairs was stunned for a moment, then sneered ferociously:

"Arrogant!"

"Attack! Take them alive!"

Watching the soldiers swarm in.

Lu Chen turned around and looked at Su Qingying and Wang Peng.

The expression on his face was like he was about to start an interesting game.

"Since they want to play."

"Then let's give this backward magical world..."

"A little bit of..."

"Scientific shock!"