Chapter 8: This Is Unbelievable—Even Zhu Xiongying Ended Up Traveling Through Time

[Mission Failed. You did not die directly or indirectly at the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang, but by the order of Ma Xiuying. Reward: 10 million RMB...]

[Countdown: 1 minute remaining...]

Chen Lin opened his eyes and cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing in the silence.

Dying by Empress Ma’s order—that wasn't a loss. But what was he supposed to do now? He had thoroughly offended both Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. Once he resurrected, they wouldn't let a murderer like him run free. And if it became impossible to die, he would truly suffer a fate worse than death.

No, after this resurrection, he had to plan carefully. At the very least, he couldn't stay at the restaurant. But Zhu Yuanzhang would certainly have people guarding the place. How could he escape? Was he really destined for a life worse than death?

No, he couldn't just sit and wait for his doom. A handgun! He had to see if he could get his hands on a gun! Zhu Yuanzhang was guarding the restaurant, but he couldn't have brought many men. If he could break through the encirclement, everything else would be manageable. The only trouble was that he wouldn't be able to complete the mission of dying by Zhu Yuanzhang’s hand ten times, and he might be stuck living in the Great Ming Dynasty for a long time...

If that was the case, he had to prepare well and try to live comfortably in ancient times.

Just as Chen Lin was planning to spend money to buy more time and check the black market for a gun, a voice suddenly spoke up.

"Where is this? Who are you?"

Chen Lin turned his head abruptly, his scalp tingling!

"You... Zhu Xiongying? How are you here?"

Zhu Xiongying’s wide eyes blinked. "Who are you? Where is my Imperial Grandmother?"

Had Chen Lin gone mad? What was going on? Zhu Xiongying had been strangled by him—how had he followed him back to the modern world?!

[Anyone who dies at the hands of the host will follow the host back to the modern era, provided that the host also dies simultaneously.]

[Once the one-minute countdown ends, those who died at the host’s hands will travel back to the Great Ming Dynasty along with the host...]

There was such a thing? Why didn't you say so earlier?!

[You didn't ask, Host!]

"Damn you! If you don't mention it, how would I know?"

[12 seconds remaining. Host, please prepare...]

"Prepare for what!"

With Zhu Xiongying resurrected, Zhu Yuanzhang would never kill him. Plus, with Empress Ma’s protection for their grandson’s savior, he essentially held a gold medal for amnesty. As long as Empress Ma was alive, Zhu Yuanzhang could never touch him.

How was he supposed to proceed now? Wait! Every time he traveled, his body’s hidden ailments were cleared. Did that mean Zhu Xiongying’s smallpox would be cured too?

"Hey, I'm talking to you. Where is this, and who are you?"

Chen Lin cupped Zhu Xiongying’s face. Sure enough, the rashes were gone, his breathing was steady, and he looked healthy.

*Slap!*

"Does that hurt?"

Zhu Xiongying clutched his face, his eyes full of shock. "You dare hit me?!"

*Slap!*

"I asked you if it hurts!"

Zhu Xiongying’s lips trembled. He covered both sides of his face, staring in terror at this "terrorist" before him. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he didn't dare let them fall.

"Speak!"

Zhu Xiongying shuddered. "It hurts... please don't hit me anymore..."

[12 seconds remaining...]

Chen Lin was going crazy. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Whatever, it was already done. With the merit of curing Zhu Xiongying, he could at least ensure a life of luxury and riches in the ancient world. Not a bad deal!

While there was still time, Chen Lin ran into the kitchen and found the refrigerator door still open.

"Damn, that’s a lot of wasted electricity! ...Wait, forget it, I’m a multimillionaire now, who cares about the bill?"

He grabbed a bottle of yogurt from the fridge, shut the door out of habit, and ran back to Zhu Xiongying. "I'm warning you, if you tell anyone I hit you, I’ll give you two slaps every single day."

Zhu Xiongying pouted, aggrieved, and nodded fearfully.

"That's better. Take this."

The moment he inserted the straw and handed it to Zhu Xiongying, with a *poof*, they vanished.

Opening his eyes, Chen Lin appeared back in the restaurant, with Zhu Xiongying beside him, happily sucking on the yogurt. The slap marks on his face had vanished due to the travel, and he was wide-eyed, looking around with curiosity.

[Hidden mission completed: Cured Zhu Xiongying. Reward: 10 million RMB...]

Chen Lin smacked his lips. One hidden mission down—there had to be a second or a third, right, System?

[I cannot provide a definitive answer. Hidden missions are unlocked randomly. The system operates on the principle of rewarding the alteration of history. It will trigger hidden missions at random; completing them yields cash rewards...]

"Holy crap, it works like that!?"

Just then, a commotion erupted outside.

"The body has disappeared! Chen Lin has resurrected again! Quick, get inside!"

A group of Embroidered Uniform Guards charged in, followed by Zhu Yuanzhang, whose eyes were bloodshot. Before he could even assess the situation, Zhu Yuanzhang roared at the top of his lungs, "Take him down! I’m going to slice this beast to pieces, one cut at a time!"

"Imperial Grandfather!!"

Zhu Xiongying’s small figure stepped out from behind Chen Lin. Everyone went silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang was the first to snap out of it. He pushed through the crowd like a madman and ran over, grabbing his grandson to check him over from head to toe.

"My grandson, you weren't... Your illness is cured?"

Zhu Xiongying sucked on his straw, looking bewildered. "I don't seem to feel sick anymore. I woke up in a strange room, and then in the blink of an eye, I was back here. Also, Imperial Grandfather, he just hit me! He slapped me twice! Help me get revenge!"

Chen Lin’s face stiffened. "Damn it, kid, you went back on your word!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had no time for talk of slaps. He held the resurrected Zhu Xiongying and burst into tears, his old face streaked with them.

Chen Lin stood to the side, his eyes darting around as he slowly edged toward Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Stop! Quick, restrain him! He’s trying to assassinate His Majesty again!"

Mao Xiang, clearly traumatized, was the first to notice Chen Lin’s movement. Several blades were instantly pressed against Chen Lin’s neck.

Zhu Yuanzhang finally regained his composure. He wiped his tears, stood up, and ordered his men to take his grandson back to the palace as quickly as possible—his wife was still grieving there! If she discovered the boy’s body had vanished, she would surely lose her mind.

After settling the arrangements, Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the restrained Chen Lin. "Chen Lin, Immortal Chen..."

"I'm here, Old Zhu. So, how are you going to thank me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and signaled for the extras to clear out, leaving only Mao Xiang to hold Chen Lin.

"How on earth did you do it?"

Chen Lin shrugged. "I can't tell you. Unless you kill me."

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes narrowed. "You want to die at my hands so badly? What is your real purpose?"

"If I tell you, will you kill me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled. "I'll consider it. It depends on whether your answer satisfies me. If not, I’ll say it again: I will make you wish you were dead, but unable to die!"

Chen Lin pointed at Zhu Yuanzhang. "You old geezer, I’m your grandson’s savior! Is this how you treat your benefactor?"

Zhu Yuanzhang burst into loud laughter. "So what? The entire world belongs to me—including you!"