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

With the banditry quelled, Qin Family Fortress was filled with jubilation. As the smoke of battle dissipated, warm and bright sunlight bathed every corner of the fortress. The people of the fortress decorated their homes with lanterns and colorful streamers, bringing out their treasured grains and wines to hold feasts, celebrating the end of the war and expressing their gratitude to Huang Yiming for saving their lives. The entire fortress was immersed in an atmosphere of joy.

Inside the main hall, Qin Cangying, though not fully recovered, was already able to get out of bed and walk. Dressed in fine clothes, he sat upright in the main seat, his face ruddy and his spirits high. Looking at Huang Yiming standing in the center of the hall, his eyes were filled with gratitude and respect. He took Huang Yiming's hand, tears welling in his eyes, and said, "Young Master Huang, we owe you so much this time. You not only saved my old life but also quelled the banditry and protected the lives of everyone in Qin Family Fortress. This kindness is like a second life; my entire Qin family will never forget it!"

Having said that, Qin Cang stood up and announced loudly to all the high-ranking officials and elders of the fortress: "From this day forward, Young Master Huang Yiming will enjoy the same authority as me as the fortress lord, and will be able to freely mobilize the fortress's guards and resources, participate in all fortress decisions, and be regarded as an honored guest of Qin Family Fortress. No one may disobey him!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the high-ranking officials and elders in the hall rose one after another, bowing respectfully to Huang Yiming with utmost deference, their previous suspicion and harassment completely gone. In particular, those elders who had previously advocated surrender and targeted Huang Yiming at every turn were now all smiles, bowing and scraping as if they wanted to press their faces against him. Their sudden change from arrogance to obsequiousness was quite amusing.

"Young Master Huang possesses extraordinary abilities, rescuing our fortress from peril. We are willing to obey your commands!"

"Young master, you are a man of great talent and ability, a true benefactor sent from heaven. With you in charge, our Qin Family Fortress will surely prosper!"

The elders vied with each other, showering him with flattery. Qin Hu stood to the side, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath, "They were shouting for surrender before, and now they're sucking up. Shameless." His voice wasn't too loud, just enough for a few elders to hear. They all looked embarrassed but dared not refute him, only able to force smiles, looking utterly ridiculous.

Huang Yiming calmly observed everything, nodding slightly without offering much refusal. He knew that in this dog-eat-dog fantasy world, only by possessing sufficient status and power could he protect those he wanted to protect and deal with future crises. Now, as an honored guest of Qin Family Fortress, possessing the authority of the fortress lord, he had undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for his future development.

Standing beside her father, Qin Yuling looked at Huang Yiming's composed demeanor with admiration in her eyes, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Having grown up in the fortified village, she had seen countless heroes and valiant figures, but none had ever been as calm, wise, and enigmatic as Huang Yiming, who had repeatedly turned the tide of battle. She couldn't help but fall for him, wanting to stay by his side forever.

Yang Xiu stood obediently behind Huang Yiming, her little face full of pride. Seeing the respect that everyone in the fortress had for Huang Yiming, she felt a sense of security. She tightly gripped Huang Yiming's clothes, afraid that all of this was just a dream—as long as she could stay by the young master's side, she would be content.

The banquet began, and everyone in the fortress gathered together in celebration. The tables were laden with meat and fine wine, seasoned with salt and sugar provided by Huang Yiming, making the dishes delicious and flavorful. Everyone raised their glasses in celebration, expressing their gratitude to Huang Yiming. Qin Hu, in particular, ate and drank with gusto, displaying an astonishing capacity for alcohol. His face flushed red, yet he continued to urge Huang Yiming to toast him, his endearing clumsiness eliciting laughter from everyone.

The guards who had previously made things difficult for Huang Yiming at the city gate also came to apologize. They knelt on the ground, kowtowed and admitted their mistakes, saying with guilty faces, "Young Master Huang, we were blind and did not recognize your greatness. We offended you before, please forgive us!" Huang Yiming waved his hand calmly and did not pursue the matter. This magnanimity of not holding a grudge made everyone admire him even more.

Halfway through the banquet, Qin Cang rose again, his eyes burning with fervor as he looked at Huang Yiming, and said solemnly, "Young Master Huang, you are all alone, without any support in my Qin Family Fortress. I have only one daughter, Yuling, who is exceptionally talented, gentle, and virtuous, a perfect match for you. I dare to suggest that you betroth my daughter to you; what do you say?"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Huang Yiming and Qin Yuling. Qin Yuling's cheeks flushed red; she lowered her head, silent, her heart filled with anticipation, her palms sweating with nervousness. Yang Xiu stood behind Huang Yiming, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes, yet she remained silently protective, neither vying for his attention. Qin Hu excitedly shouted, "Great! Great! Brother Huang is my brother-in-law! That's wonderful!"

Huang Yiming looked at the expectant Qin Cang, the shy Qin Yuling, and Yang Xiu, whose eyes held a hint of bitterness. He hesitated for a moment, then said gently, "I appreciate the Lord's kindness. However, the Black Stone Sect is still lurking, and the crisis has not yet been resolved. It is not advisable to rush into marriage. Let me settle things with the Black Stone Sect and stabilize the situation before discussing marriage."

His answer was appropriate and dignified, neither rejecting Qin Cang's kindness nor neglecting Yang Xiu's feelings, while also highlighting the current crisis. Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling that Huang Yiming was a man of great understanding and righteousness. Although Qin Yuling was somewhat disappointed, she understood Huang Yiming's concerns and looked at him with firm eyes: "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

After the banquet, Huang Yiming returned to his residence. Yang Xiu thoughtfully brought him hangover soup and served him attentively, even secretly slipping him some fruit candies, her eyes full of doting affection. Looking at the obedient Yang Xiu, Huang Yiming softly comforted her, promising he would never let her down. As night deepened, Huang Yiming stood by the window, gazing at the moonlight, his eyes deep and thoughtful. He took out his pistol and reviewed the inventory of treasures in the storeroom, pondering how to become rich through cross-world trading while simultaneously planning to forge advanced firearms such as gunpowder and repeating crossbows. He knew he had completely shed his former lowly status and established himself in the fantasy world, but the crisis of the Black Stone Sect was imminent, and an even greater storm was about to break.