Great Yan Dynasty, Qingzhou Prefecture Dungeon.
"You death row prisoners, do you wish to live?"
The light was dim. A monk in a black robe strode in, followed by two wardens with vacant expressions who carried a wooden table. The table was filled with bowls of clear water.
"This is a Spirit Talisman. Bow your heads, and those who are sincere can avert disaster, and a nobleman will change your destiny."
After speaking, flames suddenly rose from the monk's left hand. He used the fire to light the Yellow Talisman Paper, quickly igniting each bowl of water.
"A living immortal, a living immortal!"
Suddenly, someone shouted in the prison. After the first person knelt down, all the death row prisoners knelt down with a clatter, bowing and kowtowing towards the black-clothed monk.
Su Mu was the only one in the prison who did not kneel.
He didn't believe in gods or ghosts. Looking at the bowls of talisman water being brought, a thought flashed through his mind.
"The black-robed demon monk Yao Guangxiao?"
"Or is it that the old heaven has died, and the Yellow Heaven should stand?"
...
Three days later.
Cool wind arrived, white dew descended, it was the time of autumn's beginning.
The execution ground was filled with a chilling atmosphere. It was the time for autumn executions.
Batch after batch of death row prisoners, defecating and urinating uncontrollably, were brought to the Execution Platform. The prisoners did not make a sound, and the officials in the prefecture commanded people to gag them to avoid trouble.
According to Great Yan Law, if the people shout 'Spare them!' during an execution, or if the prisoner cries for injustice, the execution must be stopped and the case retried.
The jaded executioner on the platform took a swig of strong wine, spat it onto the blade, raised his hand and brought the knife down, making heads roll.
Su Mu was brought to the Execution Platform.
In fact, he wasn't from this world. In his previous life, while working overtime and making instant noodles, the office building caught fire. Although he could have escaped, he died trying to save others.
[Name: Su Mu (12 years old)]
[Lifespan: 35 years]
[Comprehension: 1 (Mundane)]
Su Mu looked at the attribute panel that only he could see, with a trace of helplessness on his face.
He had just arrived in this world a few days ago, and the attribute panel was of no use. During these days, he intermittently lost consciousness due to hunger.
"I fear I might compete for the fastest death, the most aggrieved transmigrator."
At the moment of a swirling carousel of past memories, suddenly a shout from afar roared like thunder.
"Spare him under the knife!"
A team of Armored Warriors, clad in armor and riding tall steeds, galloped over. A corner of the ornate carriage curtain behind the warriors lifted, revealing an exceptionally handsome noble young man in white. His face was pale, and he let out a series of coughs in a sickly manner.
Su Mu looked surprised and suspicious. It seemed that the nobleman spoken of by the black-robed monk had indeed appeared.
...
Su Mu and the death row prisoners who were rescued together were sent to an estate.
In the estate, there were several people who looked like physicians checking their bodies, and others were responsible for recording and registering.
"Sir, this kid looks good."
"Alright, from today on, you will be Jia Shisan."
So that's how it is.
The black-robed monk playing tricks in the prison that day was most likely in cahoots with the sickly noble young man who came to the execution ground that day. They first used the talisman water in the Celestial Prison to change destinies, and then rescued people at the execution ground.
Most ancient people believed in gods, and these rescued death row prisoners were all rather young, with immature minds.
In this way, the efficacy of the talisman water, coupled with the grace of saving lives, was enough to thoroughly brainwash these youths, making the rescued prisoners grateful and believe it was all a divine arrangement.
Is this to train Death Warriors, with a plot to rebel?
It seems the Great Yan Dynasty is not a peaceful world.
In the corner, Su Mu, reborn in two worlds, silently watched all this unfold. But being a Death Warrior was still better than being beheaded on the spot at the execution ground, besides, rebellion was a matter for the future.
As long as he was alive, there was still a chance for everything.
Soon, a physician came to Su Mu, and after groping Su Mu up and down for a while, shook his head.
"Such poor bone quality... Ding Shisan."
The death row prisoners were tested for bone quality one by one and divided into four batches: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding.
That night, everyone with the Ding Character was forced to swallow a thumb-sized black pill, and after that, everyone including Su Mu fell into a long coma.
The sound of pouring rain startled Su Mu awake, and upon waking, he felt an unbearable itch all over his body.
"Kid's awake. Feeling itchy in rainy weather is normal. If you don't get an antidote in three months, this itch will intensify and become excruciatingly painful, after which you'll soon turn into a puddle of pus, wishing you were dead..."
"Ding Shisan, remember that this life was saved by the Lord and it belongs to the Lord. Now, open your eyes wide to see this token clearly. The holder will be your future supervisor who will regularly provide you with the antidote."
"East Village People... Qingshui Town Blacksmith Shop apprentice is your new identity."
In a low voice, the masked man inside the carriage slowly retrieved the black iron token carved with a wolf's head. The next second, Su Mu's jaw was pinched and he was fed a pill, then knocked out with a muffled groan.
...
Three months passed quickly.
"Tiger Player, limbs to the ground, toss forwards three times, backwards two times, extend waist, face foot to the sky, then return to position, both forwards and backwards seven times."
This body's condition is indeed poor, but thankfully Su Mu retained the memories of his previous life. In the past life, with a fat body, he taught himself Five Animals Qigong following online tutorials.
Later, he received guidance from an ageless old man in the park and practiced for quite some time, getting fairly familiar with Five Animals Qigong.
After coming to the village, Su Mu practiced Five Animals Qigong every morning and evening, using his previous life's experience to make progress in this new life.
After three months of practice, Su Mu could clearly feel that his body was much better than when he first arrived, although still frail due to malnutrition.
As an apprentice at the Blacksmith Shop, there's no salary, and having enough to eat is considered good. As for eating meat, Su Mu had almost forgotten what meat tastes like.
The last time he ate meat was during the final meal in the Celestial Prison.
Su Mu practiced each move of the Five Animals Qigong: 13 Tiger Play movements, 9 Deer Play movements, 9 Bear Play movements, 10 Monkey Play movements, 13 Bird Play movements.
This body is very weak, so Su Mu trained slowly. After completing a full set of Five Animals, he wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Breathed heavily.
With a few breaths, Su Mu suddenly felt a tremor in his body, sensing a scorching warm flow generating within as he breathed. This flow circulated through his limbs and meridians, creating a soothing sensation akin to a warm soak after a hot spring.
Su Mu couldn't resist letting out a long, satisfied sigh.
"The Five Animals Qigong must have broken through? But why is the reaction so intense this time?" He experienced a similar feeling two months ago when he first learned Five Animals Qigong, and quickly checked his attribute panel in bewilderment.
[Name: Su Mu (12 years old)]
[Lifespan: 37 years]
[Skill: Five Animals Qigong (Small Success 1%)]
[Comprehension: 2 (Average Person)]
"Huh?... My lifespan actually increased by two years?"
Su Mu glanced at the panel information, quickly noticed the changes, and his face showed a trace of delight.
"Comprehension isn't fixed either!"
Su Mu's eyes shone brightly. Practicing Five Animals for three months elevated him from entry-level to Small Success. Not only did his lifespan increase by two years, his comprehension also upgraded to Average Person.
"Could a breakthrough in mastered skills lead to increased lifespan and comprehension points?"
He suddenly realized this panel was anything but useless; instead, it had immense potential—potential that may be boundless.
Su Mu immediately stretched his muscles, finding that after this breakthrough, his body felt lighter, with noticeably improved coordination.
"Comprehension has improved too. What does the figure '2' mean? Does it signify the previous double?"
Filled with curiosity, Su Mu set up his stance to practice the Five Animals Qigong again.
Tiger Play strengthens muscles and bones, Su Mu's hands turned into tiger claws, fingers curled into hooks, raised from abdomen to chest, then suddenly thrust overhead, palms facing the sky.
Then, through the forest like a Deer, shaking trees like a Bear, moon-gazing like a Monkey, startling birds like a Bird...
Tiger Play, Deer Play, Bear Play, Monkey Play, Bird Play, 54 movements in total, Su Mu could clearly feel the changes, even realizing previously unnoticed incorrect actions, overall completing one set much more effortlessly and naturally than before.
"Unbelievable, training once now equals double the previous effectiveness!"
Facing the direct doubled training efficiency, Su Mu was amazed, realizing the astounding nature of this 'gift.' It was completely like a snowball effect; as long as he diligently trained initially and persevered, given time, the snowball would grow.
Won't take long before he undoubtedly surprises everyone!
Breaking through skills could continuously enhance lifespan and comprehension. He would step by step surpass all ancient sages, and one day, Su Mu would become an unrivaled prodigy in this world!
Just then, light rain began falling from the sky.
The drizzle soaked him, instantly quelling the joy in his heart.
Su Mu's face slightly changed, his body uncontrollably twitched slightly, feeling like worms were crawling and gnawing within.
"The future can be considered later."
"I, Su Mu, will never forget the grace of saving my life, but that's one matter, and this is another... Urgent is to find a chance to rid myself of the Death Warrior identity, and resolve the poison inside."
"Destiny must be controlled in one's own hands!"