Chapter 99: Chapter 97: Ordinary People Can Also Have Merit

It was a perfectly round bead, translucent with the colors of a mountain landscape. It seemed to have grown even more limpid after being sealed away by the ages.

The bead lay on a swath of bright red cloth embroidered with complex patterns of what appeared to be auspicious birds and beasts.

It seemed to be silk. Although people in this day and age didn’t use such things, Younan Pinming still recognized it.

This was a red bridal veil.

The kind a bride in ancient times would wear over her head on her wedding day.

The egg-sized, perfectly round, and crystal-clear landscape bead rested atop the red bridal veil.

Staring at the object, Younan Pinming suddenly removed his protective gloves. He placed his bare hand directly on the red bridal veil and caressed it gently.

Had anyone been watching Younan Pinming at that moment, they would have noticed his gaze turn strange.

It was as if he had run into an old friend he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

His eyes filled with nostalgia, reminiscence, and cherished affection.

However, he was the boss, so his subordinates naturally didn’t dare stare. They just kept his words firmly in mind: if anything happened to him or if he became unresponsive within ten minutes, they were to take him away immediately.

They absolutely had to leave this place within an hour.

Younan Pinming stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixated on the red bridal veil—or perhaps, on the bead at its center.

Suddenly, it was as if he had crossed the long river of history.

He found himself standing outside the Loulan Ancient City, watching the bustling crowds before its perfectly intact walls. The people coming and going were dressed in a wide variety of attire.

It was clear they came from different regions, with their caravans of carts, horses, oxen, sheep, and camels.

The prosperous ancient city was a sight he had never witnessed. Even when some historic towns were revitalized in his own time, the atmosphere they created was a world apart from this authentic, living scene.

"Jiang Han, are you all right?"

The person beside him reached out and pulled at Younan Pinming, who only then noticed the man was dressed in the attire of Loulan and staring at him in confusion. "We’ve arrived. Aren’t you going in? My sister has missed you dearly. The two of you are about to be married, after all."

Younan Pinming looked down and found that he wasn’t wearing his casual clothes, but the local attire.

Beside him was a caravan, one that had just returned from a long journey.

And he was clearly its leader.

’Jiang Han?’

’Jiang is my surname, but my name isn’t Jiang Han. The name is a little familiar... I think I’ve seen it in the family genealogy.’

A bold idea occurred to Younan Pinming. ’Have I traveled back to the era of Loulan Ancient City’s prosperity? And become my own ancestor? Is it all because of that red bridal veil and that large bead? But I don’t have my ancestor’s memories. Any decision I make now could give me away.’

"Jiang Han! What are you doing zoning out? We’ve been away for so long, the men are homesick. Hurry and give the order!"

Suddenly, the man lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "That thing we found... it’s to be presented to Her Majesty the Queen. Every extra minute brings more danger."

A bitter helplessness washed over Jiang Han. ’I have no idea what to do, where to go, or what any of these people’s names are.’

"I’m not feeling well. You lead the way."

The man who had spoken looked at Jiang Han with a strange expression. "Are... are you still Jiang Han?"

As he spoke, the man subtly backed away and even made a hand signal, beckoning the men of the caravan to come forward.

"That thing really is terrifying! Jiang Han has been possessed! He’s not Jiang Han anymore! For our own sakes, for the old and young in our families, I suggest we restrain him! Her Majesty the Queen will summon us for an audience immediately!"

*** 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

As Younan Pinming was about to disconnect the call, Wen Ying took another look at him.

But Younan Pinming was clearly faster, leaving Wen Ying to sigh in dismay.

Time ticked by, second by second. Wen Ying held her talisman paper. ’I wonder if the Flying and Earth Escape Skill can cross the river of time?’ she thought. ’The system is offline right now. If something happens to Younan Pinming, he’ll never make it back.’

For the first time, Wen Ying felt her cultivation speed was far too slow!

Younan Pinming didn’t seem like someone destined for a short life. This whole thing was a complete accident. If he hadn’t been staring at that object in the Loulan Ruins, this probably never would have happened.

He also enjoyed doing charity work, which had unknowingly accumulated some Merit for him. Although ordinary people were unaware that Merit truly existed, Wen Ying, as a cultivator, knew it did.

Therefore, Wen Ying decided to try.

Taking three sheets of talisman paper and a small knife she had recently acquired, Wen Ying poured half of her Spiritual Energy into them.

’Activate the Flying and Earth Escape Skill!’

Wen Ying chanted silently. ’This Skill is mine. It shouldn’t fail just because the system is offline, right?’

The talisman paper in her hand remained motionless, and a sense of urgency washed over Wen Ying. She had no choice but to keep pouring in her Spiritual Energy. She continued until her body’s reserves were completely depleted and she collapsed to the ground, strength gone. Only then did the talisman paper and the knife finally disappear from her hand.

Meanwhile, surrounded by the men, Jiang Han felt only terror. They seemed convinced he was a monster—one that had to be destroyed before he could harm them all!

As the men swarmed him, swords and daggers raised to strike, a flash of white light appeared before Jiang Han’s eyes. Acting on a strange impulse, he reached out and grabbed it.

He found himself clutching a sheet of talisman paper and a small knife. He used the knife to cut his finger and let his blood drip onto the paper.

"See! Jiang Han has turned into a monster! We must kill him immediately! Stop him from eating our families!"

Blades and arrows flew!

SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!

Jiang Han broke out in a cold sweat, his heart in his throat!

He could only watch, helpless, as he was about to be run through!

SWOOSH!

The blood-stained talisman paper suddenly tugged at Jiang Han’s body. The immense force and brilliant light made him squeeze his eyes shut.

When he opened them again, he was sitting on the ground, drenched.

But he hadn’t returned to the Loulan Ruins. He was still trapped in the past.

This time, the room was filled with bright red decorations and had a very festive look.

He, too, was wearing a bright red formal garment—the red robe worn on one’s wedding day.

His robes were adorned with all sorts of ornaments.

’Where on earth is this place?’

’Why did all those people just disappear?’

’Has the scene changed again?’

Younan Pinming thought of the talisman paper and knife.

’The talisman paper is gone, and so is the knife.’

’What in the world is going on?’

’Could it be Doctor Wen? Did Doctor Wen save me?’

’But it seems she couldn’t get me out of this world. What do I do?’

’I don’t want to be trapped in the past. How can I possibly leave and go home?’

***

「 Doctor Wen’s Livestream Room 」

Is Doctor Wen okay? I just saw her face turn pale!

I saw it too! Did she collapse or just sit on the floor? Then the stream cut off!

Can anyone contact Doctor Wen? We’re really worried about her!

If you ask me, she’s getting what she deserves! She does too many immoral things, and now she’s paying for it. The heavens are just!

Isn’t she a doctor? Isn’t she the all-powerful, veteran Doctor Wen? How could she not know she was going to get sick?