In the weeks leading up to the appointed day when the despicable outer circle kitchen staff would arrive, Ming Yue set her plan into motion. She embarked on a stealthy mission, pilfering food and quietly gathering as much information as she could.
When the imperial kitchen staff finally appeared, Ming Yue employed her illusion technique — a minor skill she had inexplicably acquired during a past assignment in her previous life. This ability, limited to a brief daily duration with a lengthy cooldown period of three to seven days, allowed her to deceive others' eyes about her appearance and If she acted the part convincingly, no one would suspect a thing.
Outside, Ming Yue observed the contemptuous outer circle members as they disdainfully tossed a box of expired food onto the ground, signaling for her to eat like a dog. Anger flared within her, but she restrained herself, reminding herself that these people were insignificant — mere ants. She feigned the original owner's timidity and fear, trembling as she bent down to pick up the food. She then stood, bowed deeply to the cruel men, and smiled gratefully while they sneered and departed.
Once alone, she sneered back and discarded the spoiled food before retreating to her dilapidated room, finishing the meal she had managed to save before the kitchen staff's arrival.
Fast forward three days, Ming Yue finally discovered a way into the treasury after considerable effort.
There, she encountered Zhuang Ai — a ten-year-old late bloomer, unlike the original owner. Zhuang Ai had recently demonstrated her martial potential to the emperor, convincing him she wasn't a failure. Despite his shortcomings, the emperor recognized that martial artists were the country's foundation and allowed her access the treasury to find a suitable technique. Had it not been for her lifelong dream, Ming Yue wouldn't have minded joining one of these countries.
Having found Zhuang Ai, Ming Yue immediately began studying and imitating her every move down to the smallest detail. Since she planned to use her illusion skill to assume Zhuang Ai's identity, she knew she couldn't afford any mistakes that would raise suspicion.
Inside the vast treasury, Ming Yue sighed with relief. She had feared that the heightened senses of martial artists might detect her illusion and kill her instantly, but her worries proved unfounded. Now, she could select one internal art to cultivate Qi and one external martial technique that suited her.
Not forgetting her supposed "sister," she needed to choose an appropriate martial art and internal skill for her as well. Thanks to her eidetic memory—one of her proudest abilities that had helped her become the king of mercenaries—she could swiftly memorize everything. The treasury keeper had told her she could only borrow two techniques for five days, which was enough time to learn how to absorb Qi and improve memory retention, provided the student wasn't lazy.
She followed the keeper's instructions and browsed the first floor's shelves. The treasury had three levels; the upper two were reserved for high-level martial artists and sealed, accessible only with the emperor's permission.
Seeing the floating books and memory talismans, Ming Yue marveled at the variety of martial arts—fist, palm, leg, body, pupil techniques—all protected by a spiritual array. Only the keeper's token could deactivate the protections.
Amazed by such meticulous security, she admitted that even in her prime, stealing from here would have been impossible. She praised herself for devising this cost-effective disguise.
As she searched for a technique that resonated with her, she used the token to disable the array surrounding a promising book. But upon opening it, she froze — she had forgotten that neither she nor the girl she impersonated could read or write.
Frustration welled up as she realized that after all her hard work, she was just steps away from success yet unable to understand the text. Overestimating a ten-year-old castaway's ability to self-educate was a mistake; surviving this long alone was already a feat.
Desperation grew as every book and talisman she examined appeared like an alien language. She silently begged for a readable book to appear.
"Please," she pleaded inwardly, "I won't use you for evil. I just want to live lazily with power so no one disturbs me. I'll even create a sect to teach others if you want! Don't let my efforts be in vain!"
Suddenly, a flash of soft light caught her eyes. Turning quickly despite the sharp pain in her emaciated neck, she found an old, tattered book glowing softly in a shadowed corner.
Using the token, she removed the shelf's restrictions and took the book. Opening it, she found its pages surprisingly intact and readable. "Well, it doesn't matter," she thought with relief and determination.