Heroine, don't turn back, I'm just a farmer.

As Lu Guo stood on the street, he could smell a mixture of odors—the aroma of steamed noodles wafting from the steamer, the scent of wormwood wafting from the pharmacy, and the faint scent of perfume from the depths of the alley.

The shouts of vendors rose and fell.

"Steamed buns—hot steamed buns—"

"Candied hawthorn skewers! Three coins a skewer!"

"Sir, please have a bowl of tea, the finest spring buds—"

Pedestrians thronged the streets, including peddlers carrying loads, women with bamboo baskets, and old farmers leading donkeys. A group of children squeezed through the crowd, holding windmills and giggling as they ran away. Swordsmen and martial artists passed by.

"This scene...it's too real!"

The scene was so realistic that he gasped.

Looking down at himself again—the coarse cloth clothes Jiangjiacun wore had changed into a black, close-fitting outfit. The texture seemed to be some kind of special fabric, rough yet tough. He held a long knife in his arms, the scabbard plain and unadorned, the hilt wrapped with black cloth strips, and it fit perfectly in his hand.

Try pulling the knife out a few inches—

bass!

The blade gleamed, reflecting his face, which bore a hint of vicissitude, yet remained dashing and pleasing to the eye. His eyes held an added sharpness that he himself was unaware of.

The recommended character's appearance is naturally excellent; the goal is to create a sense of immersion for the player, and this outfit is a complimentary bonus.

"The experience was alright." Lu Guo nodded.

He sheathed his knife, looked around, and took his time walking slowly down the street, first exploring the area to familiarize himself with the environment and experience the game's atmosphere.

The streets were wide enough for three or four carriages to pass side by side, and he could see all kinds of buildings.

[Yuelai Inn: A place for lodging, meals, and gathering information about the martial arts world.]

[Jishengtang: Purchase wound medicine and detoxifying pills.]

[Drunken Pavilion: Drinking alcohol triggers random events.]

[Private residence: collecting, stealing, sleeping.]

[The red-light district: ...]

[Zhenyuan Escort Agency: ...]

……

"Yuelai Inn..."

The familiar name gave Lu Guo a strong sense of déjà vu. Just like in the game, each of these buildings has its own function, but some special options can only be used by specific professions.

Looting treasure chests is an essential part of the game. Upon seeing a private residence, he thought for a moment, found a courtyard, and then walked over.

He pushed open the door and saw a woman washing clothes. When she saw him come in, she stopped washing.

Why are you in my house?

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Guo saw several options:

[1. Sister, we've taken the wrong road.]

2. I was passing by and asked for a bowl of water.

3. Theft (Unlocked).

4. Take a nap here (current affinity level is insufficient)

"Um?"

Option one is quite polite, but this fourth option is a bit... interesting.

It seems this game doesn't allow for free looting of private residences. To freely loot treasures, you need to start with a special class. This sleeping option seems a bit interesting.

I just don't know if all private residences have this "sleep" option.

If my favorability rating is high enough, wouldn't I be able to sleep wherever I want?

Without saying a word, seeing that the woman washing clothes had already picked up the wooden stick in her hand, Lu Guo silently withdrew from the courtyard.

After walking for a while, he found himself in a brothel.

It was a three-story pavilion with red-lacquered pillars and pink gauze curtains. Several heavily made-up women stood in front of the door, holding handkerchiefs and laughing. The windows upstairs were half-open, and the sounds of string and wind instruments and the women's coquettish laughter could be faintly heard.

The pimp at the door was a thin, middle-aged man dressed in a silk robe, with a smile plastered on his face.

[In the brothels and pleasure quarters: a place to cultivate one's character, drink wine, and compose poetry.]

Lu Guo thought for a moment and then walked over.

He wasn't really interested in brothels or anything like that; he just wanted to go in and cultivate his mind.

Upon reaching the building, the pimp stopped him, sized him up, and seeing that he was carrying a knife and dressed neatly but not extravagantly, smiled and said:

"Hey, sir, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

[1. Enough nonsense, I'm here to have some fun. I want to take on ten (insufficient silver).]

2. I passed by and asked for a bowl of water.

3. Theft (Unlocked).

[4. I'm chasing a notorious thief, and he's escaped into your building (not yet unlocked).]

5. I've heard there's a girl named Meng'er here who plays the pipa exceptionally well. I'd like to hear her play a piece.

6. (Takes out a silver ingot and slaps it into his hand) Is that enough?

【…】

Lu Guo thought for a moment and chose the fourth option.

"I'm chasing a notorious thief, and he's escaped into your building."

The pimp's smile froze instantly, his hand instinctively going to his lower back. He narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, that's not funny. We're doing legitimate business. What kind of notorious bandits are we talking about? If you're looking for fun, I'll arrange it for you; if you're looking for trouble, don't blame me for calling the police."

As he spoke, five or six burly guards emerged from behind the door, each carrying a short stick with fire and water.

[Options continue: 1. Force your way in. 2. Pay up. 3. Leave.]

It seems there really is a notorious thief here, but unfortunately, he's not a constable, nor does he have any official status at the start, so naturally, the subsequent plot cannot be triggered, and I chose to leave.

[The brothel owner's affection for you has decreased by 1; the pimp is now wary of you.]

"It's quite intelligent."

Lu Guo glanced at it, memorized its location, and then headed towards Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

The escort agency was located in the north of the city. Two stone lions stood guard at the entrance, and a large apricot-yellow flag with the words "Zhenyuan" written in black characters hung on a flagpole on one side, fluttering in the wind. Several escort carts were parked in the courtyard, and several escorts were cleaning their knives and feeding the horses, creating a busy scene.

A young scout stood at the door, dressed in shorts, with an iron ruler at his waist.

"Zhenyuan Escort Agency, the name itself has a strong sense of déjà vu. I wonder if the head of this escort agency is surnamed Lin."

Lu Guo walked over, but the guard at the door stopped him with his hand: "Friend, this is a sensitive place for escort agencies. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter. If you have business to discuss, please go to the main hall. If you need to escort goods, please go to the main hall."

1. To challenge the opponent.

2. Carrying a dart.

3. Theft (Unlocked).

4. I am a wandering swordsman, tracking bandits to this point. I've discovered that some heretical individuals are hiding in your esteemed escort agency. Please grant me their assistance.

[5. Having long admired the renowned chief镖头 (head镖师) of Zhenyuan镖局 (Zhenyuan Escort Agency), nicknamed "Iron Palm Suppressing All Directions," I have come to pay him a visit.]

【6.……】

The fourth option is a declarative sentence, and like the option at the brothel, it reveals the truth: there really seems to be some heretical people in this escort agency.

It seems that even though Zhenyuan Escort Agency has expanded to another world, Yu Canghai hasn't let it go for the sake of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.

Lu Guo chose the fifth option.

The escort's expression softened slightly: "So you've come to pay a visit to our chief镖头 (chief镖师, a term for a bodyguard/escort). Do you have a visiting card?"

1. Yes (I need a visiting card). 2. No, but I am sincere. 3. No, but this knife in my hand is my visiting card.

Lu Guo didn't have a visiting card on him, so he chose the third option.

The镖手 (bodyguard/escort) glanced at the knife at his waist, his expression stiffening, but his movements remained polite: "There are plenty of people in the martial world who carry knives. Do you expect them all to come and pay their respects? The chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) is busy and has no time. Please leave."

[The escort agency's favorability rating has decreased by 1, preventing entry.]

Lu Guo tried the second item, "escorting goods." The escort asked what he was escorting and where he was going. Lu Guo didn't have any specific goods, so he randomly chose "escorting a box to the capital." The escort then asked how much insurance he wanted. He didn't have enough money on him, so he was asked to leave again.

"It seems this game isn't just mindless hack-and-slash; the NPCs are quite intelligent too," Lu Guo thought to himself.

He decided to follow the plot for now. After asking for directions on the street, he walked through three streets and two alleys, and after walking for a while, he finally stopped in front of a mansion.

Looking up, I saw two characters written on the plaque above the door:

Qingluo Mountain Villa

[An Unexpected Encounter Begins: An Old Friend Returns Under the Moon]

[Current Scene: Outside the Gate of Qingluo Manor]

[Current Stage: You have obtained Shen Wansan's token. Your choices after entering the manor will affect the subsequent plot development.]

Instead of going in first, Lu Guo circled around the gate before heading towards it. Two servants were guarding the entrance. One of them stepped forward and politely asked, "What brings you here, sir?"

Since there is a token, we can simply hand it over.

Lu Guo took out a letter from his pocket.

The servant took the letter, glanced at the handwriting on the envelope, his expression changed, and he hurriedly went inside.

Before long, a man who looked like a steward came out, his eyes slightly red, and looked Lu Guo up and down: "You must be Young Master Lu? The Master often mentioned you when he was alive. Please come in."

[Identity confirmed, unlocking some explorable areas of the manor.]

Lu Guo followed the steward into the mansion.

The interior looked normal, with pavilions and terraces neatly arranged. A mourning hall was set up in the main hall and front hall, with white banners fluttering and the scent of incense filling the air. A coffin was placed in the middle, and behind it hung a portrait of Shen Wansan—a man in his thirties with a square face and a heroic air between his brows.

He walked to the altar, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, lit three incense sticks, and respectfully bowed three times.

[Memorial service completed - Qingluo Manor's trust level increased to "Above Average"]

As he looked at the face in the portrait, memories of Shen Wansan surfaced in Lu Guo's mind—or more accurately, memories of his identity as a swordsman. Just as he was pondering this, the steward came over.

"Young Master Lu," the steward whispered from the side, "Madam is currently praying to Buddha. Please wait in the side hall for a while."

[Triggering Side Quest - Key Choice]

【1. "Thank you for showing me the way, butler."】

[2. "Let me stay a little longer before the spirit tablet."]

[3. Enter the side hall and rest until evening for free exploration.]

[4 ( Remains silent, awaiting further explanation from the butler)]

Lu Guo thought for a moment, then chose option 3, entered the side hall to wait, and was free to explore at night.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already evening. He had just walked to the door, ready to explore freely, when the door suddenly opened by itself.

The moonlight was dim, and a person stood in the courtyard.

A person dressed in black and masked held a slender, flexible sword in his hand, the tip of which was still dripping blood.

The newcomer looked at him through the gap in his face mask, his eyes indifferent and cold.

[Triggering combat: Heavenly Incense Assassin.]

Before Lu Guo could react, the man in black had already thrust his sword at him. He immediately controlled the swordsman to draw his sword and parry, but the opponent's swordsmanship was strange and cunning. In just one move, the cunning, trembling sword tip pierced through him.

Then the screen went black, and his vision spun around. He saw the swordsman's headless body still standing there, blood gushing from his neck...

Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war; please try again, young hero.

[Should I reload and start over?]

Forced to quit the game, Lu Guo sat up on the wooden bed.

"???"