"...Master, I understand that this is to build my foundation, but isn't this a bit... excessive?"
Ōno Nao, drenched in sweat, stared at the pile of books stacked before him. The vast majority were locally translated texts from Shenzhou, along with some locally circulated Buddhist sutras and Daoist scriptures.
"Mm, there's no helping it. The technique my master taught me was already a heavily modified version created by my master herself. Furthermore, I can't pass the complete version to you, as I haven't received permission... So, I can only teach you things based on my personal understanding. Unfortunately, the things your master came up with were derived from many fragmented sources. Therefore, if you want to understand and find your own path, you'll just have to copy these extensively."
Xin Yu felt quite helpless himself. After all, the insights he had grasped were built upon the foundation of Taixu Sword Qi, further synthesized with descriptions of various techniques from his fragmented memories, introductions to cultivation methods, various Buddhist sutras and Daoist scriptures he had encountered, some ancient languages, and all sorts of miscellaneous knowledge fused together into the current version.
Honestly, Xin Yu himself was quite surprised that this could even be cultivated. In the end, he attributed it to his unique status as a transmigrator and perhaps the aid of some unknown existence from behind the scenes.
...Surely, he couldn't be a Xinsu, right?
Xin Yu shook his head. He definitely didn't want to become like that person from his memories known as the "Fire Moth guy." That was simply too insane, too pitiable.
"I understand, Master. I will diligently complete the homework you've assigned!"
Seeing his disciple's earnest expression, Xin Yu could only hope the man would persevere. After all, when Xin Yu started cultivating, he was a blank slate, highly receptive to all sorts of things, and relatively capable of enduring loneliness and boredom. But for someone who had experienced all kinds of hardships since childhood, it was uncertain whether he could tolerate such tedious work.
"But Master, you clearly possess such incredible power. Why insist on delivering food? Even if you used those amazing abilities to pit gangs against each other, or demonstrated them to the wealthy, you could easily make heaps of money."
"I'm not just delivering food. I'm using the deliveries as a way to meet more people, learn about more things, and become more familiar with this city. After all, this is the starting point of my journey. Once I've saved enough money, I'll leave this city and head for distant lands."
"Then, Master, can I follow you when the time comes? All these years, I've been stuck in Nagazora City. I've never been anywhere further."
"If you've reached the Qi Refining stage by then, you'd be somewhat of a helper to me, so I could take you along. But if you haven't even crossed the threshold by then, I can only leave you here."
Ōno Nao nodded, then picked up his pen, lowered his head, and began meticulously copying the books, murmuring the words silently in his heart.
Xin Yu stood nearby, watching this scene, his gaze somewhat distant. It hadn't been that long ago, yet in this moment, he inexplicably recalled how he, too, had copied books and recited them silently when he first started his own training.
Is this nostalgia? Is this the life pieced together by complete memories...
Xin Yu put on his helmet and walked out of the house.
"Hey buddy, could you take out the trash for me? Thanks."
"Sorry bro, something came up suddenly. I don't need that order anymore. You can just eat it yourself."
"When you deliver the food, could you ask her if she likes it? If not, I'll order something else next time."
"What took you so long?! Can't even deliver food properly, what use are you!"
"Bro, sorry! When you deliver this, don't knock, don't ring the doorbell, just block the door for me! I'll send you another red envelope. You must block the door tight, don't let anyone come out from inside!!!"
Xin Yu stared blankly at the message on his phone. He then listened carefully to the sounds coming from inside the apartment and heard the distinct, hushed moans indicative of intimate relations between a man and a woman.
Oh! I think I understand.
Xin Yu stood guard at the door. About twenty minutes later, the sound of frantic footsteps echoed down the hallway. A middle-aged man in a slightly disheveled suit rushed up, looking visibly relieved upon seeing the delivery guy standing at the door.
"Thanks, brother! Just need one more favor, come inside with me."
Saying this, the man stuffed a wad of cash into Xin Yu's hand before quickly taking out his keys and unlocking the door.
After Xin Yu and the man entered, the man immediately went to the bedroom door. He unlocked the door with another key, and upon opening it, they were confronted with the sight of a man and woman tangled together inside.
"Hahaha! Just as I thought! I knew you two were involved! Caught you red-handed now, haven't I! I can finally get rid of you, and without splitting the assets! I'm finally... free..."
"You! How much cleaner are you? Haven't you cheated too?!" the woman shrieked.
"Do you have proof?! Without proof, how can you convince anyone to believe you! Hahaha! I, on the other hand, have recorded everything, plus there are security cameras in the room, and a witness right here! We have both human testimony and material evidence!"
"You... how did you become like this..." the woman stammered, aghast.
"What, feeling sentimental now?! Don't tell me you still think I'm that same fool from high school who used to follow you around like a dog?"
Xin Yu watched this unfold in silence. He didn't understand. Since the two clearly no longer loved each other, why did they continue to torment each other like this?
In this world, some people, for the sake of a past love, would willingly endure a lifetime of loneliness, shouldering the heavy burden of an entire family alone.
And yet, others, whose love burned fiercely at the start, grew weary after spending time together, until only mutual torment remained.
For some reason, Xin Yu let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn't have much time left. Fortunately, no one would likely fall in love with him. It felt like the gravity of such things was simply too strong.
A bit frightening.
Xin Yu rode his little electric scooter. This time, since he didn't have any urgent orders, he drove at a normal speed. He had specially nurtured this scooter with his Spiritual Power. Although it hadn't reached the level of a magically bonded artifact that responded to his thoughts, it far surpassed ordinary electric vehicles.
After all, its fuel was no longer electricity, but Spiritual Power.
As Xin Yu drove along the road, he suddenly noticed a girl hugging a yellow rabbit doll, sitting alone on a park bench in the distance, looking rather lonely.
Xin Yu stopped his scooter. He seemed to recall seeing this girl sitting there during one of his earlier deliveries. Why was she still here? It was almost dark.
Had she gotten separated from her family?
Bronya sat on the bench. Today's mission was complete; matters concerning the Third Herrscher had been dealt with. Soon, Mother's plan could begin.
The thought that the city she was currently in was about to be destroyed, and millions of its inhabitants would perish, weighed on her.
Even for Bronya, who had grown accustomed to killing and death since childhood and wasn't rich in emotions, a sense of heaviness settled in her heart.
"Are you separated from your family?"
A strange man's voice reached Bronya's ears. She looked up and saw a young man in a yellow delivery uniform looking down at her.