This feeling is quite strange; the protagonist in the reincarnation simulation seems to be me, yet not me.
Jiang Ming glanced at the lines of text, and scenes began to appear in his mind.
His father smiled while holding him, receiving guests in a luxurious hall. The fact that a patriarch could still hold his child while receiving guests showed his extreme affection for the child.
Among the guests were wealthy merchants like Li Hongming, as well as scholars and officials, which showed the power of this lifetime's father.
A wealthy merchant family, in the mortal realm, even in the context of a feudal dynasty that suppresses commerce, possessed considerable influence locally; at least Jiang Ming wouldn't need to worry about dying young and wasting simulation opportunities.
[Three months after birth, a Great Scholar bestowed a name, your name is Jin.]
The most renowned Great Scholar in Changhe County came to name Jiang Ming, henceforth the young master of the Li Family had a name: Li Jin.
Jiang Ming gazed at the words, and his thoughts slightly stirred, as if an invisible hand plucked the strings of fate.
The originally appearing text began to change…
[By the age of three, you recognize a thousand characters; at five, recite poetry; by eight, you compose immortal poetry, literary spirit soaring to the heavens, astonishing the Great Scholars in the wild, all competing to take you as apprentice; finally, the retired Minister of War, Zhang Jin, accepts you as a student; elite families Nalan and Li form an alliance through marriage.]
Within just a few lines of text, the young Li Jin speaks immortal poetry, causing thousands to wonder and venerate, proclaiming him a prodigy, his fame even reaching the Capital City.
Great Scholars from various schools in the wilderness vie to have him under their wing, yet ultimately it's Minister of War Zhang Jin, retired in the County City, who accepts Li Jin as his last disciple; the elite Nalan Family also breaks convention and establishes marriage bonds with a merchant family, due to Li Jin's actions elevating the Li Family's status.
Li Jin is also praised as the Qilin Child of the Li Family.
Though merchants have wealth, their flaws in feudal dynasties lie in their low status, and engaging with cultivators to elevate their positions is clearly the most direct method.
Thus, apprenticeship and marriage alliances are the quickest ways to elevate status, with plagiarism of poetry serving as every ancient transmigrator's basic skill—a prodigy identity passed down with immortal works as the best bargaining chip.
Jiang Ming needs something capable of restraining evil spirits! Next is leveraging these channels to explore matters related to cultivators.
With eyes closed, Jiang Ming touched the scroll, scenes continuing to flash in his mind.
[Eight years passed, you fully adapted to all aspects of this life, but what sank your heart was hearing nothing about legends of cultivators; neither from father's nor teacher's channels was a word about cultivators, leaving you deeply disappointed.]
[In your eighth year, your father lets you choose your future path; you choose...]
[A. Academic pursuit B. Martial arts C. Military strategy D. Commerce]
The evolution halted abruptly, and Jiang Ming immediately opened his eyes, eyebrows slightly raised.
Martial arts?! Jiang Ming heard those words for the first time, and what surfaced in his mind was not national martial arts of the past life, but heroes flying around in martial arts novels.
What Jiang Ming wants most now is the ability to protect himself, seeking Immortal Fate fundamentally for self-preservation; having inexplicably reincarnated, Jiang Ming doesn't wish to die uncertainly.
Jiuzhou Cultivation Realm is a world of abundant Spiritual Qi and vibrant cultivation civilization; with Spiritual Qi's existence, mortal martial artists are likely not too weak, possibly the group most easily accessing cultivators besides royalty.
If it's Great Evils disturbing even a Mountain God protecting the Jiang Family Village, Jiang Ming estimates that having beginner cultivator talismans or artifacts still wouldn't contend successfully.
But based on his original knowledge, such evils are likely merely mountain imps or spirits checking for leftovers from Great Evil and Great Demon feasts, against which normal people indeed cannot defend.
Yet hunters in the village practicing rough martial arts can gather and confront these imps or spirits with vibrant Qi-Blood, discouraging them from approaching.
In reality, Martial Artists also exist, and Jiang Ming's original self had once witnessed many robust individuals carrying weapons walking the streets of Evergreen City.
The original self had even been taught that spirits covet human Qi-Blood, yet fear its scorching; thus under blazing sun and in crowded places, spirits typically wouldn't appear. Martial Artists could even resist certain low-level spirits.
Yet supporting martial arts demands wealth, and a village can at most sustain a single hunter squad, unable to cultivate proper Martial Artists.
Besides, with the Mountain God's protection, expending greatly to train Martial Artists to repel low-level spirits is unnecessary.
A hint of joy appeared in Jiang Ming's eyes; he'd always focused on cultivators, overlooked the possibility of mortal martial artists existing in Jiuzhou World.
Mortal martial artists in Jiuzhou might serve as a substitute for real-world martial artists!
[Without hesitation, you chose to practice martial arts, and in light of your decision, your father did not feel disappointed. You took the opportunity to inquire about information related to being a Martial Artist.]
[Father and son had a long conversation, and you learned that you have an uncle who is the Vice Chief of the Red Gold Gang in Cyan Mountain County. The two Li brothers, one in commerce and one in martial arts, one overt and one covert, supported each other to achieve the current situation.]
[A month ago, your uncle Li Hongqiu came from Cyan Mountain County to check your aptitude for martial arts practice, but you were completely unaware.]
Jiang Ming understood; no wonder Li Hongming was willing to offer the option of martial arts after seeing his prodigious talent. Joining the military was the path of Teacher Zhang Jin; commerce was the family's path; martial arts naturally also needed paths and resources. Otherwise, choosing an unfamiliar path when one has advantages in another is excessive capriciousness.
Especially since Jiang Ming is the eldest son of the Li Family, his future is linked to the family's prosperity.
"It seems it's due to talent..." Although these talents are cheap compared to cultivation talents, it seems now in the mortal realm, with these two talents combined, his aptitude for martial arts practice is at least superior.
[You learned that a Martial Artist's Qi-Blood is like mercury, and a strong Martial Artist can split stones and cross rivers effortlessly, which you aspire to immensely.]
[Suddenly, laughter came from the side. A robust white-haired elder appeared like a ghost, and you learned that he is your uncle, Li Hongqiu.]
Now Jiang Ming has two directions to choose from: Immortal Fate and Mortal Martial Dao, and Jiang Ming plans to grasp both.
The stone weighing on Jiang Ming's heart was slightly lifted, and he continued looking at the words on the scroll.
Uncle Li Hongqiu is an elder whose appearance and name don't match at all. His figure is tall and robust, with silver-white long hair draped behind him, a ghastly saber scar extending from forehead to chin.
Evil Qi and domineering aura subtly seeped from him, giving no indication that he is brothers with Li Hongming.
"Good! Good, let your father know, in this world, fists are the largest, without fists, you can't guard anything!"
[Li Hongqiu stayed at the Li Family, began personally teaching you, and you started diligently practicing martial arts.]
[You learned that Uncle Li Hongqiu is a rarely seen Innate Powerhouse in Jianghu, under whose guidance your cultivation progressed rapidly.]
[You put all your thoughts into martial arts and didn't write any more poetry. As time went by, there were faint mocking voices outside, completely plummeting your reputation in Literary Dao with a piece called 'Injured Li Jin'.]
[The young lady of the Nalan Family couldn't tolerate the noise and secretly ran to the Li Family to request withdrawing the engagement, causing a city-wide commotion.]
[You are very clear on your current main objective. The Nalan Family's help is no longer significant to you, so you calmly signed the withdrawal letter, subsequently keeping a low profile in Changhe County City.]
[Teacher Zhang Jin wanted to persuade further, but after knowing your determination, he didn't speak much. He imparted his Martial Dao heritage to you and required you to study military strategy for half an hour daily. Entering the military through martial arts is another option.]
Jiang Ming's current goals are very clear. First, practice martial arts to gain strength to resist the Evil Spirits of the Main World; second, seek Immortal Fate.
What? Withdrawing engagement? Completely unconcerned.
Zhang Jin respects Jiang Ming's actions, and he also knows some inside information about the Li Family. Of course, Jiang Ming's displayed perceptiveness pleased him, reluctant to let go of this jade.
[With the ample resource provision from the Li Family, your martial arts cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.]
In Jiang Ming's mind, various scenes quickly played out.
Scenes of summer training in hot weather and winter training in cold weather, scenes of punching against waterfall pressure, scenes of weighted sprint sweating profusely, and scenes of consuming potent medicine with steam enveloping him.
[While concentrating on success, you also continued to inquire about Cultivators' existence, but seemingly due to the separation of immortality and mortality, or perhaps because the Rainbow Kingdom is too remote, you found nothing in Changhe County and surrounding counties.]
[You accidentally learned that Li Hongqiu's wife and son were killed thirty years ago, and now his only relatives left are you and your father, Li Hongqiu regards you as his own.]
[In the Rainbow Calendar year seven hundred forty-eight, you made initial progress in martial arts, and Li Hongqiu took you back to the Red Gold Gang for continued cultivation.]
[In the Rainbow Calendar year seven hundred forty-nine, during a grand competition, you challenged a hundred opponents, crushed the pride of the younger generation of the Red Gold Gang, and defeated three Direct Disciples in one go. You became the primary Direct Disciple of the Red Gold Gang.]
[Refugees from the north arrived in Cyan Mountain County, and you learned that a war is ongoing in the north, but the Rainbow Kingdom seems to be in the dominant position. You didn't give it much attention.]
[In the Rainbow Calendar year seven hundred fifty, your reputation spread throughout Cyan Mountain County, the name Red Gold Martial Fool resounded in several surrounding counties, and even some older generation martial artists were no longer a match for you.]
[In the Rainbow Calendar year seven hundred fifty-two, your innate Qi-Blood was abundant, your arm strength was astonishing. Zhang Jin taught you Iron-blood Battle Garb and Iron-breaking Saber Technique, both practiced to Great Success. Red Gold Flame-breaking Palm to Mastery, Red Gold True Body at entry level, Whale Swallowing Skill to Great Success. Your father, Li Hongming, gathered resources for your Superior Lightweight Skill Cyan Smoke Step, perfected. Your martial arts system initially complete, you were allowed by your mentors to walk Jianghu alone.]
[The same year, you turned twenty, came of age, Zhang Jin bestowed you a courtesy name, Ziyu, Li Jin and Li Ziyu.]