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

Seeing the Qin family guards bowing respectfully to invite him, Huang Yiming stood with his hands behind his back, his eyebrows and eyes indifferent, his jawline taut, looking every bit like a hermit detached from worldly affairs, as if whether or not he would attend the banquet depended entirely on his mood.

But only he knew that his heart was pounding in his chest, and his mind was racing: the bandits of Black Wind Ridge were watching him closely and might return with a large force to seek revenge at any time. Staying in the cave would only lead to his death sooner or later; Qin Family Fort was the largest power in the vicinity. Going in would not only allow him to escape disaster, but also give him a foothold with the salt and medicine. It seemed like a sure-fire way to make money.

[Ding! This system is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. It's good at persuading but not urging people to give up. Host, stop pretending. You're secretly overjoyed. Hurry up and agree to go into the fortress. Do you really want to stay in the mountains and feed the bandits? Stop putting on airs, or they might change their minds.]

The system's cheeky catchphrase rang out precisely on time, accurately puncturing Huang Yiming's disguise. His ears burned slightly, and he coughed lightly, trying to appear calm, his tone completely indifferent: "Since the Lord of the Fortress is so kind as to refuse, then I will trouble you for a few days."

As soon as he finished speaking, the leading guard was overjoyed and hurriedly waved to his subordinates to clear the way, his posture extremely humble: "Please follow me, esteemed one. I will take you and your maid to the fortress immediately. The fortress lord has already prepared a banquet to await you."

Huang Yiming nodded slightly, turned to look at Yang Xiu, his eyes softening instantly. He reached out and gently smoothed the messy strands of hair on her forehead, his movements gentle yet carrying an undeniable admonition: "Xiuxiu, after entering the fortress, speak less. If anyone asks about our origins, say you don't know. Follow my instructions and don't reveal anything you shouldn't."

What he said he "shouldn't say" was naturally the secret of the dual-transmigration system and the modern world—this was the foundation of his existence. If it were revealed, he and Yang Xiu would be doomed in this dog-eat-dog fantasy world.

Yang Xiu looked up, her eyes firm, and nodded. She gripped Huang Yiming's clothes tightly with her little hands and said in a soft but solemn voice, "Xiu Xiu understands. I will listen to whatever you say, young master, and I will never cause you any trouble." The little girl's eyes were full of trust in Huang Yiming. Even if the road ahead was unknown, she was fearless as long as she followed him.

Huang Yiming felt a warmth in his heart, patted her head, then turned around and followed the guard with steady steps, his back straight and each step precise, deliberately creating the composed demeanor of a master.

He hadn't walked more than a few steps when he subconsciously reached for his waist, his fingertips touching the cold barrel of the pistol, which brought him a slight sense of relief. He continued walking, but his mind was frantically reviewing the situation: Was the pistol well concealed? He couldn't let it show while walking and be noticed; should he relocate the salt and medicine? He'd be in big trouble if they were searched; what lie should he tell the lord to explain their origins? He absolutely couldn't give himself away.

[Ding! This system is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. It's better to advise than to push. Host, stop touching the gun. You'll wear out the holster if you keep doing that. It's just a mortal fortress lord. Why are you acting like you've stolen something? Can't you act a little more like a master?]

Huang Yiming's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He forcibly withdrew his hand, pretending to be relaxed as he put it behind his back. On the surface, he seemed nonchalant, but inwardly he was furiously retorting: "It's easy for you to talk when you're not in this situation. This is another world. If we mess up, we'll both be finished. Does pretending to be an expert cost nothing?"

As he walked, he quickly organized the supplies in his storage space, stuffing firearms and bullets into the deepest part of the space, leaving only a small amount of refined salt and ordinary silver on the outside, so he could take them out at any time to make a show of force. The closer he got to Qin Family Fortress, the more nervous he became. His palms were covered in cold sweat, but he forced a straight face, showing no sign of panic.

Yang Xiu followed closely beside him, her eyes filled with admiration as she watched the young master's composed demeanor. She kept up with him, her small steps careful not to fall behind. The refugees along the way, seeing the guards' respectful attitude towards Huang Yiming, stopped to watch, their eyes filled with awe. They subconsciously bowed in greeting, further solidifying Huang Yiming's status as a "master."

[Ding! Host detected traveling to Qin Family Fortress, triggering the main quest "[Gaining Initial Trust from Qin Family Fortress]". Quest Rewards: Spiritual Root Activation Fragment x1, Body Refinement Proficiency Increase. Quest Failure Penalty: Expelled from Qin Family Fortress, forced to return to Black Wind Ridge to face bandit pursuit.]

The system's task notification made Huang Yiming's heart tighten, and he paused for a moment before regaining his composure. He cursed the system inwardly for being a traitor—this punishment was like pushing him into a fire pit. He took a deep breath, suppressing the panic in his heart, and his eyes became firm: no matter how difficult it was, he had to maintain his identity and gain the trust of the Qin Family Fortress.

The group continued along the mountain path, and the outline of Qin Family Fortress became increasingly clear in the distance, its towering walls and heavy guard exuding an aura of authority. Huang Yiming appeared calm as he walked, but his heart was in turmoil. He knew that stepping into Qin Family Fortress meant both opportunity and danger, and a brand new game was about to begin.

[Ding! This system is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. It advises against giving up, not against giving up. Host, stop looking so gloomy, smile, and act calm. You're almost at the door. Don't mess up at the last step.]

Huang Yiming twitched the corners of his mouth, forcing out a faint smile, which, combined with his cold and aloof features, made him appear even more unfathomable. But no one knew that his heart was pounding at the top of its lungs, fearing that some unexpected event on the road might disrupt his entire plan.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Yang Xiu's small hand, clutching the hem of his clothes, was slightly white. The little girl didn't speak, but her eyes were full of reliance as she followed him. Huang Yiming's heart softened, and his tense nerves relaxed slightly, only to tighten again immediately—he not only had to protect himself, but also the little girl beside him who placed all her hopes on him. The mountain path beneath their feet was rugged and uneven. He deliberately slowed his pace, subtly guiding Yang Xiu away from the loose rocks and steep slopes. His movements were natural and considerate, making the guards watching him increasingly believe that he was not only incredibly strong but also a kind and gentle master.

[Ding! This system is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. It's good to advise the weak but not the weak. Host, stop pretending to be gentle. You almost slipped and fell flat on your face just now. If you hadn't reacted quickly, your image as a master would have been shattered. Hurry up and get going. Don't dawdle and waste time.]

Huang Yiming stumbled, but quickly regained his balance. He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he almost cursed aloud. This damn system always seemed to find fault with him. He looked up at the increasingly clear Qin Family Fortress walls in the distance, took a deep breath, and suppressed all his panic. Now that the die was cast, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and play the expert to the end.