Evergreen Immortal-Chapter 5: Seventy is Just Right

[You have stepped into the Jianghu for the first time. Not only did you resolve a deadly crisis, but you also turned an enemy into a friend and comprehended the true essence of Jianghu, it is not just about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and worldly affairs.]

[Mission "First Step into Jianghu" completed. Calculating rewards…]

[Mission Rating: S+ | Rewards Doubled]

[Gained 50 Achievement Points!]

[Name: Li Rui]

[Age: 0]

[Talent: Martial Bones (A once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy, born to be unrivaled)]

[Achievements: 50/100]

Li Rui halted in place, his pupils slightly dilating.

A mission?

It seemed that those grand objectives weren't just about gaining achievement points upon completion, he could also earn corresponding points based on his performance along the way.

S+

The system was evidently very satisfied with his debut in the Jianghu, giving him an extremely high evaluation. In one go, he had earned a full 50 achievement points.

And why wouldn’t it be satisfied?

He was already seventy. He had roamed the Jianghu countless times, stepped into every pitfall imaginable, and now he was being asked to make his first step into Jianghu?

Of course, it was a flawless playthrough.

At twenty, a rookie stepping into Jianghu would stumble and struggle, barely scraping a D rank at best.

At seventy? It was just right.

Seventy truly was the prime age to get things done!

With decades of experience, he completely crushed these early-game scenarios.

A good start was crucial, but most people, even if they knew that, could never execute it flawlessly.

It was just like knowing how important the college entrance exam was in his past life, people still couldn’t get into Tsinghua University even if they tried. Only after failing would they regret it.

But now, he had another chance.

And of course, he would go for a perfect playthrough!

With just a casual move, he had already secured an S+ rating, and his achievement progress was already halfway done.

The dark clouds in his heart dissipated, and his mood instantly brightened.

"Ah Zhao, mix the dry feed finer. Listen to me in the future, and I guarantee you will have meat to eat."

"M-Master…"

Ma Yang had been acting all high and mighty in front of Wang Zhao just moments ago. But the second he turned his head and saw Li Rui, he looked as if he had seen a ghost.

How is he still alive?

Ma Yang stared at Li Rui who was completely unharmed and panicked. He instinctively took half a step back.

He had spotted Li Rui in the black market and immediately had an idea, he spread the word that Li Rui was seventy years old to the pickpockets in the market.

Those people who called themselves the Rong Gate weren’t just thieves. They frequently killed for money.

An old man with one foot in the grave like Li Rui? There was no way he could survive against those cutthroats.

Ma Yang had even been prepared to collect his master’s body, shed a few tears, and then smoothly take over as the new stableman.

But, damn it!

This old bastard just walked back in, alive and well, looking healthier than ever!

Useless! They’re all useless!

Ma Yang cursed that wiry man in his heart a thousand times, now only hoping that he hadn’t been ratted out.

"Master, you’re back."

He forced a stiff smile onto his face.

"Too many beans. The horses’ stomachs will bloat. Skip the concentrated feed for one meal."

Li Rui glanced at the stable, each horse’s belly was round and bloated.

"Understood, Master."

Wang Zhao, as diligent as always, obediently began picking the excess beans out of the feed.

"M-Master…"

Ma Yang couldn't hold back any longer and called out.

Li Rui gave him a sidelong glance. "What?"

"N-Nothing…"

In the end, Ma Yang chose not to confess.

He had no idea what had happened, but since his master clearly didn’t know either, there was no need to stir the pot.

"Damn old man is tough… looks like I need to think of another way."

Lowering his head, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through Ma Yang’s eyes.

"It’s not my fault, he offended the wrong people!"

The position of stableman might not seem important, but in truth, it was.

Horses were strategic assets in this era, useful in countless ways.

The Zhu family's second master had once tried to secretly borrow some horses, but Li Rui had refused. The Second Master had long been displeased with Li Rui’s cautious nature.

Not long ago, he had even hinted to Ma Yang that if he could get rid of Li Rui, the stableman’s position would be his.

Hearing this, Ma Yang, who had previously dismissed the idea, now felt tempted again.

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Zhu's household couldn’t act directly, so they had chosen to use the black market instead.

"How did I misjudge him so badly back then? I actually took in such a foolish apprentice."

Ma Yang thought he was being discreet, but Li Rui saw through him at a glance.

He had once taught Ma Yang: If you're going to do something, do it quietly. Either don’t act, or act decisively.

Li Rui had been serious when he taught him. But clearly, Ma Yang hadn’t learned a damn thing.

If it were before, Li Rui having lived long enough might have fulfilled his wishes. However, some things could be given, but couldn’t be stolen.

As for Ma Yang? He could learn the lesson in his next life.

True disappointment was never about shouting and arguing.

Two days later.

"Master! Brother Ma is dying!"

Wang Zhao rushed to find Li Rui, his face full of panic.

Li Rui followed him to their shared living quarters.

Ma Yang lay stiff on his bed. His cheeks were sunken, his body skeletal and withered, clearly ravaged by illness.

Li Rui called out to him a few times. When there was no response, Wang Zhao hesitated before bravely reaching out to check his breath.

Dead.

Wang Zhao sniffled, feeling a tinge of sorrow.

Even though Ma Yang had often slacked off, they had lived together, so it was impossible not to feel something.

This era was cruel to the poor.

Strange diseases were common, and with primitive medical conditions, many illnesses couldn’t be cured.

Even if they could be treated, servants like them could never afford it.

Wang Zhao still vividly remembered how Ma Yang had first vomited, then started coughing up blood, lying on the bed, wailing day and night. It was such a miserable sight.

The life of a commoner was worthless.

Ma Yang was dead, but no one cared.

The Zhu family, fearing disease, ordered his body to be disposed of immediately.

In the end, Li Rui and Wang Zhao wrapped him in a straw mat and buried him in the wilderness.

They placed a simple wooden marker over the grave.

At least he wouldn’t be a nameless ghost.

After all this, Li Rui and Wang Zhao's life again back to normal.

Ma Yang's mind was never on the stable, and he often slacked off. Even though there was one less person now, Wang Zhao didn't feel any more tired.

"Eat up."

Li Rui called Wang Zhao over for dinner.

Wang Zhao sat on the long bench and waited until Li Rui picked up his chopsticks before eagerly grabbing a piece of food.

The servants of the Zhu family actually ate well. They had white rice every day, and during the New Year, the Zhu family would show some kindness, and sometimes they’d even get to eat meat.

Wang Zhao’s family was too poor to afford food, so he sold himself to the Zhu family, and he was quite satisfied with his current life.

Speaking of which, two days ago, the master managed to get some braised pork, and just the smell of it was enough to make him drool. Unfortunately, his portion was snatched away by Ma Yang, and he never got to taste it.

As he thought about it, Wang Zhao suddenly paused his eating, a chill running down his spine.

He glanced at Li Rui across from him.

"I must be overthinking."

Li Rui's expression remained normal as he calmly chewed his food.

It was just killing someone, so why think so much?

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