Chapter 18: Enter the Mission

Evening.

At 8:31 p. m.

Yu Lin received the full set of Mystic‑grade gear that Chen Haoxi promised him.

The battle suit and boots are creations of nanotech and the Heavenly Authority "Heavenly Craft".

The Heavenly Authority "Heavenly Craft" can endow items with various special attributes.

For example, the battle suit possesses attributes such as "Rigid Armor", "Energy Absorption", "Fire Resistance", and a dozen others.

The boots focus on attributes like "Divine Speed" and "Endurance Boost".

In addition, it comes with a helmet, Glove, belt, and.

a ring with the "Space" attribute!

It contains roughly one cubic meter of space!

As for weapons.

They are not included within the set.

A decent Mystic‑grade weapon would not be cheaper than this set of Mystic‑grade equipment.

Yu Lin is already very satisfied with this.

After all, it was given for free, so he can't ask for more.

Now, he must attend to serious business!

The moment Yu Lin dons this Mystic‑grade gear, he whispers a line:

"Enter mission!"

In the blink of an eye.

He vanished entirely!

209 BC.

In the desolate wilderness.

After being force‑fed a barrage of knowledge in a cramming style again, Yu Lin opened his slightly dazed eyes.

He rose from the ground and shook his head vigorously.

This time nothing was given; perhaps the silk and clothing from last time were a newcomer gift?

It doesn't matter.

Yu Lin's thought flickered, and the nanotech gear on his body instantly changed form.

He wore a Jade Crown, a silk robe, and a pair of leather boots, looking like a noble's son.

Especially with his fairly decent looks, it appeared even more so.

He lightly leapt onto the treetop and surveyed the surrounding environment.

Marshy forest.

It seems to be in Sishui Commandery, with a county town faintly visible ahead to the right.

It must be Pei County.

Only unsure how long until Liu Bang slays the snake.

First, go see the founder of the Han Empire.

Yu Lin immediately jumped down, stepping onto the official road toward the county town.

While proceeding along the road, sudden rapid hoofbeats and a coachman's shout came from behind:

"Make way! Quickly, make way!"

He stepped aside to the roadside, seeing a blue‑curtain carriage speeding toward him.

Unexpectedly, the carriage slowed to a halt as it passed him.

The carriage curtain lifted, and a middle‑aged man leaned out.

He seemed about forty, wearing a black veil, a deep‑blue curved‑hem robe, a plain sash at his waist, and a blue‑jade seal ribbon hanging.

His face was slender and clean, eyes bright, three long strands of beard fluttering in the wind, exuding a scholarly elegance.

The man stepped down before Yu Lin, bowing: "I am Xiao He, a clerk of Pei County; sorry to disturb you, sir."

Yu Lin's eyebrows twitched slightly, thinking: "So I've met Xiao He already?"

"Not bad."

He replied: "Yu Lin, a leisurely person."

"Sir Yu is being modest," Xiao He said, his gaze lingering briefly on Yu Lin's Jade Crown and silk robe, smiling:

"Seeing your attire so immaculate, you must be a noble's son."

"I wonder, what brings you to this small county of Pei?"

"Just traveling the world to broaden my horizons." Yu Lin stood with his arms folded, the silk mimicking his nanotech battle suit glimmering softly in the sun:

"Having arrived here, I thought to take a look."

A flash of sharp light flickered in Xiao He's eyes:

"If so, would you like to ride with me? There are still several miles ahead."

Yu Lin thought briefly, then nodded: "Respectfully, I'll accept."

"Thank you, Mr. Xiao."

"No need for formalities, please." Xiao He smiled, ushering Yu Lin onto the carriage.

Inside the carriage, fine reed mats were laid, and bamboo slips with ledgers rested on the table.

Xiao He personally poured a cup of sweet wine (a low‑alcohol sweet wine from the Qin‑Han era, brewed with millet): "It's rustic village wine; please don't mind, sir."

Yu Lin took it, sipping lightly: "Fine wine."

Seeing Mr. Xiao like this, do you have any worries?

Just returned from verifying grain taxes in the neighboring county." Xiao He sighed:

And this year's conscription of garrison troops means the county's able-bodied men are likely to be drafted in large numbers..

Yu Lin nodded: "The law is harsh, causing suffering to the people."

Xiao He's expression shifted slightly upon hearing that, but he did not respond, instead he asked:

Sir, since you wander the four directions, have you ever seen any extraordinary people or strange events?

I have seen a little." Yu Lin said calmly:

In the Eastern Sea there are Daoist practitioners who can drive clouds and summon rain; in Chu Di, shamans can communicate with ghosts and gods.

Xiao He stroked his beard and smiled: "I didn't expect you, sir, to have such extensive knowledge."

It's no wonder that someone with talent can wander the four directions alone without guards.

Truly, I am deeply impressed; if one day the country is peaceful and the people safe, I will surely wander the world like you, sir, to see the strange tales and amusing events of other lands!

Yu Lin merely nodded, without saying more.

For a moment, there was silence.

Until the carriage arrived at the gate of Pei County.

Xiao He said solemnly: "Sir, if you have nowhere to stay, you may temporarily reside at my humble home."

Yu Lin cupped his hands: "In that case, I will impose on you."

A free place to stay—why not stay?

The carriage slowly entered the gate of Pei County; pedestrians came and went on both sides of the street, with many wooden houses.

Suddenly, a clamor came from ahead—

You little brat! Stealing my dates again!

Yu Lin followed the sound and saw a middle-aged man grabbing several children by the collars, spanking them one by one.

That man was about forty years old, tall and sturdy, his visage rugged yet not lacking heroic spirit; beneath his thick brows were bright eyes, his nose bridge high and straight, his lower jaw bearing short whiskers.

He wore a tattered bamboo-skin cap, dressed in coarse hemp short jacket, his waist loosely tied with a grass rope, feet in straw sandals, pant legs still muddy—utterly the picture of a roguish town rascal.

The few children he struck cried out in pain, yet they were not afraid of him; instead, they grinned and pleaded: "Big Brother Liu Ji, spare us! We won't dare again!"

The man laughed and scolded: "Still dare to have a next time? Watch me not hang you from a tree!"

At that moment, he seemed to sense Yu Lin's gaze and looked up.

Their eyes met.

Liu Bang's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt; evidently he found Yu Lin's unfamiliar face surprising, but soon he broke into a grin, revealing a hearty and kindly smile, even nodding at him as if greeting.

Afterwards, he lowered his head again to continue lecturing the children: "Get lost! If I catch you again, I'll surely beat your backsides raw!"

Yu Lin withdrew his gaze.

Liu Ji, Liu Bang.

Xiao He followed Yu Lin's gaze, shook his head and chuckled: "That's Liu Ji."

Liu Ji?" Yu Lin feigned ignorance.

Well, surname Liu, given name Bang, courtesy name Ji, third in birth order, the county's Chief of the Pavilion, spends all day mingling with town riffraff, occasionally doing some..." Xiao He paused, seeming to think it unnecessary to explain further.

Yu Lin raised his brows slightly: "Mr. Xiao, you seem quite familiar with him?"

Xiao He laughed: "Quite familiar; though this fellow is a rascal, he also has some talent, and many in the county submit to him."

He can be considered a hero.

Yu Lin nodded.

The carriage finally stopped before a simple residence; Xiao He invited Yu Lin to alight:

My humble abode is simple; I hope you will not disdain it.

Yu Lin cupped his hands: "Mr. Xiao, you are too polite."

Thank you for taking me in.

In short.

Yu Lin ended up staying at Xiao He's home that very day by sheer coincidence.