Chapter 4: This Life, My Name Is Lu Chen

Yu Ke carefully examined this string of information: was this setting the stage?

In the text, he seemed to glimpse a chaotic world where “the nation is broken, yet mountains and rivers remain.”

【Birthplace has refreshed…】

【Huainan Prefecture, Shuiqu County, Lu Family】

【Fortunately, your family is wealthy and well-fed. The Lu family enjoys great reputation locally; your father is both scholarly and martial, having passed the Metropolitan Examination, but resigned in fury at the corruption of court.】

【You are the eldest son; your father named you Lu Chen.】

【As you grew, at age one, your mother gave birth to a younger brother, named Lu Yu.】

【At age four, your uncle visited the Lu household; the whole family rejoiced—he was a Daoist ordained with true talismans, possessing extraordinary skills.】

【At the time, the pursuit of immortality was widespread; Daoists held high status and frequently entered the homes of court ministers and nobles.】

【At your mother’s earnest request, your uncle took both you and your brother Lu Yu as disciples.】

【New identity unlocked—Disciple-in-Training of the Sanzhen Sect.】

【Your childhood was largely joyful; your parents protected you and your brother well.】

【In this chaotic age, good tutors were hard to find; only when you turned six did your family hire a teacher to instruct you in reading and writing. Your parents personally guided your studies—your mother came from a scholarly family with deep academic roots.】

【Through your diligence, you read daily without ceasing, hardworking and earnest.】

【Though young, you naturally developed a “profound and tranquil” bearing, and with your talent “Clear Perception of People,” your eyes shone with unusual brilliance; your father said you bore a resemblance to himself in childhood.】

【Your younger brother Lu Yu was entirely different—he was mischievous, climbed rooftops, tore off tiles, and every time your father punished him, his palms turned red, yet he always wore an indifferent expression.】

【Watching this, you silently praised: “My brother is truly a hero!”】

【At age six, your father began your martial training. The first step was strengthening bones and sinews through medicinal baths. You studied with great seriousness, but progress was slow.】

【Your father lamented: you lacked talent for martial arts.】

【In contrast, your younger brother Lu Yu displayed astonishing martial talent; every movement was precise and impressive.】

【At age seven, seeing you and your brother growing, your father felt his duty to pass on the family legacy was fulfilled, and his ambition to achieve glory grew stronger.】

【He gathered part of the family wealth, assembled several hundred household guards, and set out north with your uncle.】

【Your mother was heartbroken but understood her husband’s aspirations and did not stop him.】

【That night, seven-year-old Lu Yu packed a small bundle and prepared to ride north to aid his father.】

【At this moment, you decide…】

1. Inform your mother

2. Ignore it

3. Go with him

4. Intervene directly (0/3)

As the text shifted, Yu Ke knew these four options were his choices.

He hadn’t expected reincarnation to include such mechanics.

【Note: Each choice represents a fork in your life’s path—choose carefully.】

【Direct intervention: only three uses per simulation—use wisely.】

After a brief hesitation, Yu Ke chose Option 1: Inform your mother.

Direct intervention was precious—only three uses—and now was no time to waste it.

Sorry, little brother, Yu Ke murmured silently.

Outside, war raged; rebel armies and bandits roamed everywhere.

Lu Yu was only seven or eight—a child—he’d be dead on arrival.

【Lu Yu was reported to your mother by you; she beat him severely, yet he showed no change of expression. Watching from the side, you praised: “My brother, truly a hero!”】

【At age eight, your father returned alone; none of the several hundred guards remained—he returned in defeat. Only your uncle accompanied him.】

【After returning, your father became listless, drowning his sorrows in wine; your mother was heartbroken.】

【The next year, your uncle departed, saying he would return when you and Lu Yu came of age to guide you into the Daoist sect.】

【In the autumn of your tenth year, a man arrived at your home, claiming to be your father’s comrade; he drank with your father and spoke of repeated northern victories.】

【Upon hearing this, your father’s eyes gleamed with unprecedented light; the next day, he prepared to leave home again for the north, but your mother stopped him.】

【Your mother, filled with worry, said: “The boys are nearly of age—they need courtesy names. You’re away; let’s decide yours first.”】

【Thus, your father gave you the courtesy name: Shenzhou—your birth coincided with the fall of the capital to the Northern Wind Xuan Dynasty, symbolizing “Shenzhou sinking.”】

【For your younger brother, your father gave the courtesy name “You’an,” meaning he might grow safely through this turbulent world.】

【After your father left, your mother grew even more anxious.】

【At this moment, you noticed Lu Yu acting furtively; you decided to investigate.】

【Lu Yu had packed his bundle again, preparing to support his father; your sharp eyes caught it quietly.】

【Lu Yu left you a letter, bluntly asking: “Do you grieve over ruining a great Daqing general? Fortunately, I’m about to carve out my own destiny.”】

【At the letter’s end, it read: “Big brother, have you heard of the roc rising on a single wind?”】

【Thus, you decide…】

1. Inform your mother.

2. Quietly take the silver and rations from his bundle.

3. Follow him.

4. Intervene directly. (0/3)

From his modern perspective, Yu Ke realized Lu Yu had been sheltered within the Lu household, utterly unaware of the world’s cruelty.

Lu Yu was still a child—such an adventure was clearly unsuitable.

He could only choose between 1 and 2; informing his mother would only delay him temporarily.

After all, Lu Yu’s legs were his own—what then next time?

Yu Ke had fully immersed himself in the simulation; he rose and paced for a while before deciding.

Yu Ke resolved to choose Option 2: quietly take the silver and rations from his bundle.

【Choice confirmed. Gentle reminder: the letter requires a reply.】

【There’s such a mechanic!】

Yu Ke marveled at this game… no, at the design of the reincarnation system.

Suddenly!

A letter materialized in empty air; Yu Ke swiftly wrote his reply upon it.

When finished, the paper and pen vanished without a trace; Yu Ke was astonished.

【You took Lu Yu’s silver and rations.】

【The next day, Lu Yu, elated and oblivious, set off joyfully—he felt the wind smelled sweet, he was free—but his stomach disagreed.】

【After three li, his stomach growled; he’d skipped breakfast. He opened his bundle and found the silver and rations gone—his eyes widened in shock.】

【That afternoon, Lu Yu returned home exhausted, wolfing down three bowls of rice; his mother was puzzled. After stammering an explanation, he retreated to his room.】

【Back in his room, Lu Yu wondered which thief had stolen his money when he noticed a letter on his desk—his own letter to his elder brother, now replied.】

【It read: “Have you heard of the roc rising on a single wind? It soars three li before the wind lifts it.”】

【Lu Yu read it, his lips twitched, and he sighed—he felt he’d spent his whole life under his brother’s shadow.】

【Hint: One day in the mortal world equals ten years in the Cauldron. Today’s simulation is complete—return tomorrow.】

【Save time: Ten years.】

【Extra item: Brother’s letter】

【Unlocking extra items allows early reward: “Lu Chen’s Martial Cultivation Insight”】

【Please collect.】

Yu Ke gently picked up the letter, shook it lightly—the texture matched ordinary, low-quality paper, its crooked characters written by Lu Yu; he smiled faintly.

A heavy weight lifted from Yu Ke’s heart.

Items from the 【Kunxu Cauldron】 world could truly be brought into the real world.

The other reward: Lu Chen’s martial cultivation insight.

A youthful figure surfaced in his mind—Lu Chen, fists at waist, striking with childish form but precise technique.

This insight merged into his body, granting him the fleeting sensation of four years of martial training—minor help, but better than nothing.

Yu Ke clenched his fist tightly—his days now had purpose; the 【Kunxu Cauldron】 was real.

The link was real.

Yet after reincarnation, the focus seemed stuck in daily trivialities—the true martial cultivation had yet to begin.

He soon let it go.

After all, Lu Chen was nearing adulthood—he would soon join a Daoist sect, perhaps the true gateway to martial cultivation.

Yu Ke glanced at the sun—the simulation refreshed slowly.

Four great suns slowly sank; dusk fell upon the western mountains.

At this moment!

The sect’s communication jade pendant at his waist trembled—a message arrived!

【At 7:15 p.m., gathering at the Outer Gate Immortal’s Pavilion, Zhou Liang.】

It was a message from his former friend Zhou Liang.

The Immortal’s Pavilion was a well-known tavern among outer sect disciples.

Zhou Liang was one of the outer sect disciples of the Shenxiao Sect, having entered five years ago.

Zhou Liang’s cultivation base was also at the peak of the Heavenly Ladder’s Second Realm, yet he did not rush to establish a Foundation.

Thinking of this,

Yu Ke grew angry—look at Zhou Liang, how self-aware he is.

The former self had no sense of his own limits.

PS: Steady updates—readers, please add this to your bookshelf!

(End of Chapter)