Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

The patrol guards of Qin Family Fort marched in orderly steps, exuding an imposing aura, numbering about a dozen men. Leading them was a burly man with a full beard, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. He frowned as he noticed the scattered treasures and signs of fleeing refugees.

Soon, the guards surrounded Huang Yiming and Yang Xiu, spears pointed directly at them, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. The bearded leader stepped forward and demanded sharply, "Who are you? Why are you gathering here and making such a commotion? Where did these treasures come from?"

Yang Xiu instinctively gripped Huang Yiming's clothes, her face pale, but she still stood firmly beside him. Huang Yiming patted the back of her hand to reassure her, maintaining his aloof demeanor, standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes indifferent, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no sign of being intimidated by the guard's imposing presence.

He glanced at the leading guard, then slowly spoke, his voice deep and steady, exuding an air of superiority: "My name is Huang Yiming. I was traveling here when I saw that the refugees were short of salt, so I took out some refined salt to help them. These possessions are nothing more than gifts from the refugees."

After saying that, he casually took out a small bag of refined salt and tossed it to the lead guard, as if he were throwing ordinary pebbles rather than rare treasures. The lead guard instinctively caught it, opened the salt bag, and his pupils shrank, almost dropping the bag, his face filled with shock.

The pure white, top-grade refined salt was extremely rare in the entire Qin Family Fortress, enjoyed only occasionally by the fortress lord and high-ranking members. For a wandering hermit to casually produce so much was a feat no ordinary person could accomplish! Looking at Huang Yiming's unique attire, extraordinary bearing, and the obedient maidservant beside him, exuding an aura of mystery, the lead guard's heart skipped a beat, immediately concluding that he was a reclusive, otherworldly master.

He quickly put away his spear, the sternness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a respectful expression. He held the salt bag in both hands, bowed deeply, and said humbly, "This subordinate was blind to your greatness and offended you. Please forgive me!" The other guards, seeing this, also put away their weapons, bowed deeply, and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Huang Yiming was overjoyed and almost laughed out loud. He hadn't expected that pretending to be an expert would be so effective. However, his face remained indifferent. He raised his hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities and said in a calm tone, "It's alright. Ignorance is no excuse."

[Ding! This system is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Host, your act has been successful! The Qin Family Fortress guards' favorability is maxed out, and your disguise as a reclusive master has been achieved. Congratulations, host! You've effortlessly entered Qin Family Fortress and no longer need to endure the hardships of life. Friendly reminder: Don't get carried away. Keep up the act and don't give yourself away, or your life will be in danger, and this system will find a new host.]

Huang Yiming nodded slightly, his movements calm and unhurried, his eyes indifferent as water, exuding an air of superiority that made the guards even more respectful. But inside, his mind was in turmoil, a mixture of elation, tension, and trepidation. His palms were sweaty, his back almost soaked, terrified that a single glance or movement would break his composure. Yet, on the surface, he remained perfectly calm, creating a stark contrast. He suppressed a smile, outwardly aloof, inwardly panicking, his palms drenched in sweat, fearing that a single expression would betray his true feelings and give the guards a clue.

Yang Xiu stood aside, watching the young master's calm and composed demeanor, and her heart gradually calmed down. With an anxious yet admiring look in her eyes, she followed closely behind him, never leaving his side.

The lead guard bowed and said, "Sir, this place is remote and dangerous. My master has always respected talented people and has specifically instructed his subordinates that if you encounter a reclusive master, please invite you to Qin Family Fort as a guest, so that my master can show you the hospitality of a host."

These words were exactly what Huang Yiming wanted to hear. He was overjoyed, but deliberately pretended to hesitate. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded and said, "Since the Lord of the Fortress has extended such a warm invitation, then I will trouble you for a few days." The leading guard was overjoyed and quickly made a gesture of invitation, personally leading the way with the utmost respect.

Along the way, the guards accompanied him cautiously, not daring to be negligent in the slightest, and would occasionally steal glances at Huang Yiming, their eyes filled with awe. Yang Xiu followed closely beside Huang Yiming, her little face full of pride, feeling that her young master was invincible, even the guards of Qin Family Fort respected him so much.

Huang Yiming appeared calm on the surface, but his mind was racing: how to maintain his identity after entering Qin Family Fort, how to use modern resources to gain trust and acquire assets, and how to evade the Black Wind Mountain bandits' pursuit. He knew that entering Qin Family Fort was both an opportunity and a crisis—once his identity was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

[Ding! Main quest triggered: Gain the trust of Qin Family Fortress, reward: 1 Spirit Root Activation Fragment. Quest hint: Maintain your status as a master and demonstrate your value to complete the quest.]

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a magnificent castle appeared before them. The walls were high and the defenses were tight. The three large characters "Qin Family Castle" on the city gate exuded an imposing aura, emanating an aura of authority. Huang Yiming knew that his journey of triumph in this other world was about to enter a new phase.

Unbeknownst to him, inside the castle, Qin Yuling, the eldest daughter of the Qin family, had already learned of the news. She stood on the city wall, her sharp gaze fixed on him, her eyes filled with vigilance and suspicion, secretly speculating about his true identity. A test targeting him was quietly brewing.

Huang Yiming, meeting the gazes from the city wall, remained tall and proud, his steps steady, his demeanor aloof and unfazed. Inwardly, however, he was terribly flustered, muttering to himself: "This young lady seems dangerous; please don't expose me! I've just established my superior status; I can't afford to make a mistake." His outward appearance remained calm and collected, his aloofness perfected, while his inner turmoil was palpable—the contrast was striking.