Chapter 1: Hardbone System

(Just treat it as the Republic of China era when reading, all information is fictional, two books went into the little black room, I'm really scared.....

Lin Yu followed several police officers in black uniforms as they hurried forward; on the streets of Shen City at night, gas lamps cast a dim yellow glow.

Although he had already traversed to this world for half a day, merging with the original body's memories, his emotions remained unsettled.

This is Shen City under the rule of the Great Dry Dynasty, an age filled everywhere with conflict and turmoil.

Looking around, Western-style buildings and traditional dwellings intermingle; the neon signs on the street mix Chinese, English, French and other languages, everywhere highlighting the city's uniqueness.

As a police officer of the French Concession Police Office, through the original body's memories, Lin Yu clearly understood the city's chaos. The Five Major Concessions each held their own territory, gang forces were intertwined, and the decaying Great Dry Dynasty had long been unable to control the situation.

The Great Powers were like tigers eyeing prey, vying for benefits on this fertile land. This reminded him of Shanghai after WWI in his original world; comparing the two, they were strikingly similar.

At this moment, a report came in saying a foreigner was causing trouble in the concession. Lin Yu's brows furrowed, and his hand unconsciously went to his waist holster.

The original body's memories told him that in this special era, behind every case could lie a tangled web of factional intrigue.

Although only half a day had passed since his transmigration, having the original body's memories made him feel a bit less at a loss.

Now is not the time for idle thoughts; the immediate priority is to rush to the scene and handle this violent incident.

Footsteps echoed on the quiet street; several dark figures moved swiftly under the dim lights, hurrying toward the incident site.

；"Lin Yu, wait."； The police chief Wang Zhong walking ahead suddenly slowed his pace, lowered his voice to call out to him. Looking at this young subordinate, Wang Zhong felt a sigh; this kid was usually the most conscientious in handling cases, but also the most troublesome.

The other several police officers tacitly understood and kept their distance. Wang Zhong looked solemnly at Lin Yu, lowering his voice even more: ；"Xiao Lin, I know you're stubborn in your work, but this matter......"；

He sighed, a hint of worry flashing in his somewhat turbid eyes: ；"Foreigners aren't easy to provoke in Shen City these days. Don't be reckless like last time; just go through the motions, put on a show, and that's enough. There's really no need to insist."；

From the original body's memories, Lin Yu already knew that Wang Zhong was an honest police officer, upright in character, but after mixing in this chaotic world for over twenty years, his edges had been worn smooth by reality.

As for the original Lin Yu, he was a hotheaded youth in his early twenties, handling cases without knowing how to cut corners, his fervent blood always wanting to uphold justice, often causing trouble for the police office.

；"These days......"； Wang Zhong rubbed his hands, a bitter expression on his face: ；"We're just trying to make a living. Offending foreigners, the superiors won't back us up. I understand your youthful vigor, but some things really shouldn't be taken too seriously."；

The night wind blew, bringing a bit of chill. Under the glow of the gas lamp, Wang Zhong's slightly hunched figure revealed a hint of desolation.

This is the truest portrayal of this era—under the shadow of the Great Powers, even the police tasked with maintaining order must lower their proud heads.

Lin Yu remained silent. The original body's memories let him deeply understand the helplessness in Wang Zhong's words, and also made him realize why Wang Zhong had specially reminded him.

But the soul from another time and space aroused in him a faint, indescribable anger.

On Huai'an Street, voices roared; under the gas lamp's glow, a sea of people blocked off the crime scene, impenetrable. When Lin Yu and the others arrived, they had to forcefully part the crowd to squeeze in.

；"Make way! Police at work! Everyone make way!"；

Upon entering the scene, a pungent smell of blood assailed the nostrils. A foreigner dressed in black kimono, with a samurai sword at his waist, stood in the middle of the street, his expression arrogant, occasionally cursing in stiff Chinese:

；"Damn it! Lowly scum is lowly scum! Dare to demand money from this great master!"；

On the ground lay a rickshaw puller, his worn gray cloth shirt soaked with blood, a vicious knife wound across his chest and abdomen. The honest police officer Lao Zhang crouched beside the puller, trying to ask about the situation, but the puller was breathing out more than in, only able to utter a few broken words.

；"What happened?"； Lin Yu frowned and asked.

Lao Zhang stood up, lowered his voice and said: ；"This foreigner took a rickshaw, arrived at the destination and refused to pay. The puller demanded payment, but this dog foreigner said he was a lowly puller, not even worthy to ask for money? They argued, and this beast didn't say a word before drawing his sword and slashing......"；

Lin Yu noticed that the surrounding townspeople all dared to be angry but not speak. Foreigners pointed and gestured, while locals clenched their fists, yet no one dared step forward.

That Japanese warrior continued to shout, as if cutting down a rickshaw puller whose life was as worthless as grass were perfectly natural.

Through the original body's memories, Lin Yu knew such incidents were not uncommon.

But now, witnessing it firsthand, the anger welling up from his heart grew ever harder to suppress. His hand unconsciously pressed on his waist holster, his knuckles whitening from force.

；"Sir, please come with us to the police office to give a statement."； Wang Zhong stepped forward, speaking in a humble tone. He deliberately used the word "please," keeping his voice extremely soft.

That Japanese warrior, however, seemed to have heard some huge joke, letting out a disdainful snort: ；"Damn it! Why should I go with you lot? I merely taught a lesson to a lowly dog!"；

He held his head high, nostrils flared upward, his gaze filled with contempt that almost seemed tangible. That lofty demeanor was as if he were looking down on some lowly creature.

Wang Zhong suppressed his anger, continuing to patiently explain: ；"Sir, just go through the formalities. We'll immediately notify the imperial consulate to come pick you up......"；

；"Slap!"；

The foreigner suddenly lashed out with a loud slap, landing squarely on Wang Zhong's face. The surrounding crowd let out a gasp, but soon fell into a deathly silence.

；"You Chinese cops, what right do you have to meddle in this great master's affairs?"； the Japanese warrior sneered, hand already on his sword hilt: ；"If you know what's good for you, get lost now! Otherwise......"；

His gaze swept over the several police officers present, his eyes full of contempt and disdain. That look was as if he were sizing up a few insignificant ants.

Wang Zhong wiped the corner of his mouth, his face burning with pain. He turned his head to the other officers, signaling them not to act rashly.

Lin Yu watched this scene, his chest suffocating to the point of bursting. The original body's memories told him such incidents in Shen City were far from the first, but his soul could not accept this humiliation.

Just then, a crisp notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

【Ding! Hardbone System is being bound!】

Lin Yu blinked slightly. Hardbone System? What strange name is this?

Before he could think further, the system's prompts continued:

【Host detected facing a choice, system binding trigger condition met】

【Please choose one of the following options:】

【Option One: Follow Wang Zhong's example, settle big things small and small things settled. Though this preserves oneself wisely, it goes against heavenly justice, and the system binding will fail】

【Option Two: Beat this arrogant foreigner senseless and forcibly bring him back to the police office. Though risky, but seeing injustice and drawing the sword to help aligns with the Hardbone Spirit; after choosing, the system will be formally bound】

Lin Yu looked at that foreigner's arrogant demeanor, then at the dying rickshaw puller on the ground, and at the slap mark still on Wang Zhong's face.

At this moment, he suddenly understood the meaning behind this seemingly strange system name. In an age where tyranny reigns, how difficult it is to keep a steadfast backbone?

But if even this bit of backbone is gone, what meaning is there left in life?

；"I choose two."； Lin Yu silently replied in his mind, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

【Ding! Please complete the binding through actual action, host】

【Note: Only by subduing the foreigner and bringing him back to the police office can the system binding be completed】

Lin Yu understood the system's meaning—mere talk without practice is empty; what's wanted is actual action.

He hesitated no more, striding straight toward that arrogant foreigner.

；"Lin Yu! What are you doing? Come back!"； Wang Zhong, seeing this, was greatly startled and hastily called out in a low voice.

But Lin Yu turned a deaf ear, continuing forward. The surrounding townspeople, seeing this, all held their breath, the air seeming to freeze at that moment.

The Japanese warrior saw a constable dare to approach him actively, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, then he immediately showed a contemptuous sneer: 'Bah! You Shina dog......'