Chapter 1: Opening with a King Bomb

Shen Qing sat on the bed, constantly rubbing his temples.

He looked around.

Carved redwood doors and windows, simple blue‑brick floor, and a silk screen embroidered with green waters and green mountains.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the carved windows onto Shen Qing's face.

The throbbing pain in his temples gradually eased, and two streams of memory began to intertwine and merge.

Shen Qing vaguely recalled that he had pretended to be a speed bump in front of a dump truck, and then he ended up here.

"Did I just transmigrate?"

The Great Wu Dynasty, the 196th year of Zhengwu.

The original body was also named Shen Qing, a petty flag officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard outpost in Bai Yun County, Yongning Prefecture.

But unlike his previous life, this world has martial artists and ferocious beasts, and he also possesses some cultivation—he is at the fifth stage of Body Tempering.

Outside, a noisy clamor arose again.

"What are you coming in for? We already said, our boss is resting."

Another somewhat boastful voice sounded.

"Resting? In broad daylight?"

"Do you not know what you've done? And you're still resting?"

Shen Qing inside furrowed his brow as unpleasant memories surged.

Yesterday, several carts of silver were sent from the outpost, said to be the loot from raiding a family to the south, and the order was for Shen Qing's squad to escort it to Kaiyuan City.

Shen Qing deliberately chose to depart the county at nightfall, but less than half an hour after leaving the city, they were ambushed by a well‑equipped band of mountain bandits.

The silver was looted, and Shen Qing's party lost two lives before managing to flee.

After returning, they were immediately slapped with a big blame.

Based on Shen Qing's past‑life experience of often being framed by superiors, there's no need to think much about this situation.

Most likely he was set up again, taking the fall for someone else.

Better not let Shen Qing find out who set the trap.

Magistrate? Outpost commander? Or another petty flag officer? Or someone else entirely? Or perhaps all of them were involved?

Better not let me catch you.

Shen Qing raised his head again and slowly opened his eyes.

"You want to set me up? Then let's see how good your bite is."

Just now Shen Qing recalled something, which is also why he has confidence.

Nothing else, just some background.

The Great Wu Dynasty has existed for a thousand years, and the Shen clan are founding meritorious officials.

Even those in the palace must call the Shen clan the pillar of Great Wu; for a thousand years no emperor has had bad relations with the Shen family.

In other words, in the Wu dynasty the Shen clan are practically a second royal house.

And Shen Qing is here only because of the Shen clan's perverse trials.

If I had no background and you bullied me, I'd let it slide, but now I have a background and you still bully me—what's the point of having a background then?

Shen Qing snorted, stood up,, Sun Jin? Outpost commander? Let me see what's going on.

At that instant, a mechanical, emotionless voice arose in his mind.

【Detected that the host's thoughts are extremely perceptive; the strongest trait system activates】

【When you kill or your subordinates kill, there is a chance to plunder traits; you may gain one trait‑upgrade opportunity per day.】

【Ding, novice gift package opened】

【Congratulations, you have obtained the unique trait: Thought Penetration (Red)】

【Congratulations, you have obtained three trait‑upgrade opportunities】

【Thought Penetration (Red): With thought penetration, one remains eternally in a state of clear Dao heart, with heaven‑defying comprehension】

Shen Qing only felt a pure energy wash over his whole body, as if his entire self had become translucent.

【Current cultivation: Body Tempering Fifth Stage】

【Current technique: Overbearing Body‑Forging Art (Minor Accomplishment)】

【Current martial art: Wind‑Kneading Blade Technique (Minor Accomplishment)】

【Current traits】

【Thought Penetration (Red)】

【Current trait‑upgrade opportunities: 4】

Is this real?

Gazing at the semi‑transparent blue light screen before him, his face gradually turned manic.

Background, cheat—having either one is already a heavenly hand.

Having both together is a king bomb!

Shen Qing kicked the door open with one foot, and the few people arguing outside all stopped.

His own subordinates immediately saluted: "Greetings, sir."

Only the commandant from the outpost kept his back ramrod straight.

"Petty Officer Shen, Commander Sun requests your presence; why don't you come with me?"

Shen Qing said nothing, his face expressionless, merely stepping step by step toward the commandant.

This commandant is named Sun Jin, nephew of Outpost Commander Sun Yan, accustomed to throwing his weight around and often extracting benefits from Shen Qing.

The next moment, Shen Qing swung his right hand round and struck out with a fierce gust of wind; the commandant traced a perfect arc in the air and flew sideways out.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned.

Shen Qing gave a low shout: "What are you standing there for? Lift him up for me."

The people in the courtyard stared at each other; these are the people from the Battalion Headquarters.

Only the three lieutenants exchanged a glance, stepped out from the crowd, and lifted the battered Sun Jin up.

Shen Qing glanced at the three lieutenants: one with dark skin everyone called Heigou, another thin one everyone called Shusheng, and the other who looked honest everyone called Lao Li.

One side of Sun Jin's face swelled, saliva and blood dripping incessantly from the corner of his mouth; he stared deathly at Shen Qing, his speech slurred.

"You dare... dare hit me?"

Shen Qing slapped Sun Jin's face, sending three of his teeth flying.

"So what? I hit you—what's it to you?"

"A lieutenant—who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?"

After that slap, the other side of his face swelled as well, making it symmetrical.

Sun Jin submitted at once, letting out a faint sound.

"I... I was wrong... Lord Shen..."

"I submit... I won't dare again."

Shen Qing slapped again.

"Did you lose your voice? Can't you speak loudly?"

After three slaps, Sun Jin's arrogance vanished completely, leaving only fear; he hurriedly let out a loud roar.

"I... was wrong."

Shen Qing grabbed Sun Jin's mouth, exerted force, and crushed his remaining teeth.

"Go tell that Sun."

"I just left the city, and the bandits came right after."

"What? Did the bandits gain foresight?"

"If he's got the guts, let him report this and see whose head ends up on the ground!"

"Do you understand?"

Sun Jin's eyes were full of fear; he didn't dare to retort.

"Understood..."

Shen Qing released his grip.

"Throw him out."

Heigou immediately grabbed Sun Jin's scruff and threw him out like a dead dog.

Shusheng stepped over, his face showing some worry.

"Sir, will this cause us some trouble?"

Shen Qing glanced at Shusheng and Lao Li, as well as Heigou who had lifted Sun Jin out; for now, Shen Qing was very pleased with these three followers.

Sun Jin was the nephew of Battalion Commander Sun Yan; in the Battalion Headquarters he was arrogant, and even the junior flag officers didn't take him seriously.

When dealing with Sun Jin, these three didn't hesitate at all to come out and help lift him up—quite loyal.

Shen Qing smiled: "Don't worry, Sun Yan will cause us trouble, but we won't be too troubled."

"On the contrary, I will cause him trouble, and it will be a lot of trouble."