17: The third simulation

“System, are you there?”

“Host, there are not enough simulation attempts. The next simulation cannot be started.”

“Good timing. Didn’t you say it could be recharged? How do I recharge it?”

“Host, you can use any spiritual substance to recharge, such as spirit stones, crystal cores, magic treasures, etc. The charging progress depends on the spiritual content.”

“In addition, using different types of substances for charging will activate different world anchor points. If you have a preference, please use your preferred substance for charging as much as possible.”

If Meng Yun wanted to activate the Wu Dynasty anchor point again, it was obvious that he should choose spiritual substances of the martial arts category.

Or, he could try using the ubiquitous monster corpses found on the spot.

“System, do you accept monster corpses from the historical fault?”

The System seemed to stutter for a moment.

“…Accept.”

Meng Yun vaguely sensed its speechlessness.

“Chief Sun, I’m going to take some things from here!”

“Go ahead, take them.” At this moment, Sun Liang was still trying to see what was beneath the chasm.

He didn't care much about Meng Yun’s actions.

Or rather, whether he cared or not didn't matter at all; if Meng Yun wanted to take something, he couldn't stop him.

From Meng Yun to Meng, then to Brother Meng, Sun Liang’s mindset shift took less than two hours.

Meng Yun activated Calculating Heaven and Deducing Earth and began to calculate substances that still had utilization value.

Beast bones?

Take them, take them.

Broken swords and halberds?

Collect them, collect them!

He accepted everything, leaving no stone unturned.

“Charging progress 1%.”

“Charging progress 23%.”

“Charging progress 78%.”

“Charging progress 95%.”

“Charging progress 100%.”

“Charging complete. Current simulation attempts: 1.”

The situation of being stuck at 99% didn't happen. Meng Yun wiped away a bead of sweat, and the empty feeling in his heart finally felt somewhat filled.

Now, he just needed to bid farewell to Sun Liang, complete the onboarding procedures, and then he could slip away, return to the Wu Dynasty world, and see her again.

To see Wu Yinyao.

Just thinking about it made Meng Yun feel a strange sense of anticipation.

“Chief Sun, should we retreat?” Meng Yun probed.

“Retreat? Alright, if you say retreat, we’ll retreat!” Sun Liang didn’t dither. If the big shot said to go, he would follow!

They arrived quickly, and left even faster.

Their bodies soared into the air, heading straight for the Truth Gate entrance.

654 Bureau, ground floor.

“Brother Meng, a Golden Core level combatant, with a monthly salary of one million, an initial contribution score of ten thousand, a 30% discount at the store, and a 50% discount on equipment repairs, what do you think of this treatment…?”

Sun Liang rubbed his hands, his face full of anticipation.

Brother Meng? Is that appropriate?

Meng Yun chuckled, dumbfounded. For Meng Yun, who was an ordinary person yesterday, this kind of treatment was undoubtedly a windfall.

It didn't matter; after returning from the next Simulator, he might already be a Nascent Soul combatant.

Let it be for now.

It wouldn't be too late to discuss promotions and raises when they met tomorrow.

“Just as Chief Sun wishes!”

“Still calling me Chief, still calling me Chief!” Sun Liang couldn't help but chide, “If you don’t mind, from now on, Brother Meng, you can call me Big Brother!”

Meng Yun: …

Sun Liang seemed to sense the impropriety as well: “Let’s stick to our own titles, our own titles, haha…”

After reiterating organizational discipline and necessary activities, Meng Yun departed.

The 654 Bureau’s tasks were also very simple: dealing with public order incidents caused by ability users, and handling the dangers brought by supernatural phenomena, nothing more.

“Sun Liang? I heard you hit my brother?”

After Meng Yun left, a tall, uninvited guest came to Sun Liang’s office and then closed the door.

“Qian Lai?” Sun Liang’s expression darkened.

“My brother isn’t someone just anyone can touch. You’d best convince me.”

Sun Liang looked at the ill-intentioned Qian Lai and sneered, “He brought it upon himself.”

Qian Lai’s gaze suddenly turned grim.

…

Meng Yun returned home and ate a quick meal.

He had no time to truly appreciate and experience the beautiful world with his extraordinary body.

Meng Yun immediately flopped onto the bed, found a comfortable position, and summoned the Simulator panel.

“System, start the Simulator, re-select the Martial Country anchor point,” Meng Yun said in a deep voice.

“Wu Dynasty anchor point locked. Do you want to erase the results of the last simulation?”

Meng Yun fell silent.

Erasing would mean that the time spent with Wu Yinyao in the last Simulator would instantly turn into a fleeting dream. The stories that happened would probably only be remembered by him alone in the entire world.

What White Cloud Virtuous Minister, what Black Cloud Godfather, what capturing Martial Universe Qiankun…

All would become empty talk.

Neither Wu Yinyao nor Brother Luo Mian would remember him anymore.

“Heh…” Meng Yun couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

This Simulator, it really knew how to stab him in the heart.

Meeting but not knowing each other.

“Do you want to erase the results of the last simulation?”

“Do you want to…”

“Yes, erase,” Meng Yun said.

Unbeknownst to Meng Yun, the entire world was enveloped by a certain inexplicable karmic law.

The trajectories of everyone affected by the historical fault of the Wu Dynasty were re-deduced, developed, and extended into completely different life paths.

A simple action by Meng Yun unknowingly changed countless people.

“Simulation results have been erased.”

“This is the last simulation opportunity for the Wu Dynasty. After the simulation ends, the anchor point will be destroyed. Please cherish it, Host.”

“Are you sure you want to enter the Wu Dynasty anchor point?”

“Confirmed. I still have a question: Will my real-world strength, secret arts, etc., synchronize with the Simulator?”

“No, Host’s abilities depend on the simulated projection avatar and are unrelated to your true self.”

“Anchor point located for Host: Wu Dynasty, 654th year, Huangsha Town.”

“The Wu Dynasty script is a low-magic world, ordinary difficulty.”

“Randomly generated traits for you. Trait rarity is, in order: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red.”

“You can choose three traits as character talents.”

Sword Heart Translucence (Gold): Possessing a Seven-Aperture Exquisite Sword Heart, your talent in swordsmanship is astonishing. If tempered properly, you can dominate the world and slay gods with a single sword.

Night in the Brothel (White): You are naturally romantic and passionate about love between men and women, proficient in bedroom matters. Even when your fortune is completely spent, you still enjoy it.

Sky Fiend Lone Star (Red): You are burdened by an anomaly and possess strong destiny. Those familiar with you often suffer misfortunes because of you, ranging from continuous bad luck to family ruin. However, you gain blessings from misfortune, constantly encountering opportunities, and your strength breaks through as easily as eating and drinking, unrestricted by any rules.

Break the Cauldrons and Sink the Boats (Blue): In desperate situations, you can always unleash powerful strength, exceeding your limits, and perhaps escape predicament. However, you will fall into a weakened state afterward.

Dirt Poor (White): You firmly believe that money spent will return, regarding money as nothing; thus, you can never save any money.

“How is Night in the Brothel here again??” Meng Yun gasped.

This ghostly Simulator System is terrifying.

“Detected Host’s strong inner voice. Are you sure you want to select Night in the Brothel (White)?”

“No, no, no!!!” Meng Yun quickly denied.

“Your pre-selection has been canceled. Please re-select.”

“Phew~ Thankfully there’s a second confirmation function, it’s a big help…” Meng Yun wiped away non-existent cold sweat and began to choose carefully.

Well, he seemed to have no other choice.

“I choose Sword Heart Translucence, Sky Fiend Lone Star, and Break the Cauldrons and Sink the Boats.” Meng Yun’s gaze gradually firmed.

For this last Simulator, he decided to go forward alone, with one person and one sword.

Even if they meet and don't recognize each other, even if they never see each other again, if that can bring her a lifetime of peace, then—

No regrets.

“Last simulation, beginning!”