Turning toward the source of the voice, Lin Chen immediately recognized the familiar face of a beautiful woman, it was his neighbor.
"Ah, hello, Sister Liu Ruyan…"
"It's nothing, I was just a little lost in thought," Lin Chen replied, trying his best to sound calm.
In this world, weakness was a sin and Lin Chen had no intention of showing any to anyone.
But Liu Ruyan still looked worried. Her gaze made it clear she didn't believe him.
"Really?" she asked, her tone probing.
"Don't hold back. If there's something I can help with, I will."
"No… really, it's fine," Lin Chen insisted, though his tense expression betrayed his words.
Liu Ruyan didn't look convinced and kept trying to get Lin Chen to open up.
After all, even with the memories of two lifetimes, Lin Chen was still just a young man who had barely experienced the cruelty of the world.
Finally, pressed by Liu Ruyan's genuine concern, Lin Chen gave in. He shared a little about his troubles, just enough to ease his heart, but not the whole truth.
"I see… so that's what's been bothering you. If you're short on money, why not use mine for now? Take it — you can think about paying me back later," Liu Ruyan said, handing him a small pouch.
Lin Chen hesitated, but eventually accepted it reluctantly.
Seeing that, Liu Ruyan nodded softly and looked at him one last time before turning to leave. She was afraid that if she lingered, he might refuse her offer.
Lin Chen watched her walk away, his gaze distant.
The pouch of spirit stones in his hand felt heavy — if his guess was right, there were at least ten stones inside.
He stood there frozen.
Were there really still people this kind in a world ruled by greed and selfishness?
Unconsciously, Lin Chen thought of her gentle smile. A strange thought crossed his mind.
"Could it be… she likes me?" he murmured softly.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
As an orphan, Lin Chen had learned to read people's eyes — and Liu Ruyan's gaze was not that of a lover, but of an older sister toward her lost younger brother.
Suddenly, Lin Chen remembered — Liu Ruyan hadn't chosen to work at the brothel. She had been sold there.
She was once the daughter of a noble family in the mortal realm. But one fateful night, her family was destroyed. Her parents were killed, leaving only her and her younger brother to depend on each other.
Unfortunately, they were captured by evil cultivators. Her brother was thrown into the mines, where he was said to have died, while Liu Ruyan was sold into a brothel.
This world was merciless to those without power.
Remembering that, Lin Chen finally understood.
"Do I… remind her of her little brother?" he whispered.
Somehow, the pouch in his hand felt even heavier — as if he were carrying a mountain.
Clenching his fist, Lin Chen looked in the direction Liu Ruyan had gone, determination flashing in his eyes.
"Thank you, Sister!" he called out.
Liu Ruyan paused briefly upon hearing that, but continued walking without turning back.
Now that he had the means, Lin Chen wasn't about to waste the opportunity. He ran straight to the marketplace.
To repay her kindness?
In the past, Lin Chen might not have known how. But now, with his panel, he could repay it a hundred — no, a thousandfold.
All he lacked was time.
After running for a while, Lin Chen finally reached the market.
Spotting the familiar shop, he rushed in, ignoring the sweat dripping down his face and his parched throat.
Breathing heavily, he scanned the racks — but the axe he wanted was nowhere to be found. His brow furrowed.
"Sir, where's the axe? I want to buy it. I've brought the money," he said quickly.
The shopkeeper eyed Lin Chen before nodding slowly.
"Ah, you again? You really want to buy that axe?"
"Yes, sir. Where is it? I'll pay right now," Lin Chen replied, pulling out his pouch.
"You're sure? It costs five spirit stones, you know."
"Yes, I'm sure. Here's the money," he said, taking out five gleaming stones.
The shopkeeper's face twisted in frustration. Lin Chen blinked in confusion — until the man started grumbling.
"Ah, kid! If only you'd come earlier, I could've sold it for five stones — not just two! Damn it, what a loss!"
"What do you mean…?"
"I mean you're too late. Someone else already bought it."
Lin Chen froze. He cursed silently.
As if the shopkeeper hadn't caused him enough trouble already — now this.
Still, Lin Chen kept his temper in check. He needed information.
"Then, sir, who did you sell it to? I really need that axe."
The shopkeeper ignored him and started showing off other items.
Lin Chen's patience thinned.
"Sir, I asked you a question, who did you sell it to? It's important!"
But the man remained indifferent. "Come on, look at this instead! A Jade Emperor Sword, much better! Only four stones!"
Lin Chen sighed irritably. His eyes flicked to a spirit stone on the counter. He picked it up.
"Fine. I'll buy this stone," he said coldly.
"But in exchange, you'll tell me the truth, who bought the axe?"
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Sure! Ten spirit stones!"
Lin Chen turned to leave without a word. He knew that stone was just a refined type of spirit stone. nice, but nowhere near that price.
The man quickly called out,
"Hey, hey, don't be mad! I was just joking!"
After some haggling, they settled at one and a half stones.
"Alright, here's the money. Now tell me... who bought it?"
The shopkeeper grinned widely as he pocketed the stones. Finally, he spoke.
"Listen carefully. Go straight from here, then turn right twice. You'll see an old house with bird cages out front. That's the place."
"Really?"
"Of course! If I'm lying, come back here — I'm not going anywhere. I only sold it that cheap because my cousin owes the guy some meat."
Lin Chen gave him a long look before nodding and leaving in haste.
The shopkeeper shook his head and muttered,"I'll never understand these fools. I buy things for spirit sand and they still line up to give me spirit stones."
He stared at the glowing stone in his hand, eyes gleaming, even drooling a little.
...
In a narrow, grimy alley, Lin Chen looked around anxiously.
"Where is it? Did that bastard trick me?" he muttered.
Just as he was about to turn back, the chirping of sparrows caught his ear.
He recalled the shopkeeper's directions and followed the sound.
Before long, he arrived at an old house lined with bird cages.
His eyes lit up — and sure enough, amid the wood and bamboo scraps lay the axe he'd been searching for.
"Is this guy a birdcage craftsman?" he murmured.
Without thinking, he reached for the axe — but a sharp voice barked from inside.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Lin Chen froze.
Moments later, a young man stepped out — his expression stern and slightly fierce.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, I… I wanted to buy this axe," Lin Chen replied honestly.
The man studied him in silence. His piercing gaze sent a chill down Lin Chen's spine.
"Just buying? Not here to cause trouble?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yes, really. I just want to buy it."
A tense silence followed before the man finally nodded.
"Alright. Then how much are you offering?"
"How about three spirit stones?" Lin Chen asked carefully.
The man chuckled. "Three? The materials alone cost ten, kid."
Lin Chen stiffened. He knew the man was lying — the axe had only cost him two stones. But he kept his composure.
"Sir, I really can't afford that much…"
Still, the man refused to budge.
After a long back-and-forth, they finally agreed on six spirit stones.
Even so, Lin Chen wasn't satisfied — he knew the real price was far lower. But before he could argue again, the man added an offer.
"Alright, final price — six stones. But I'll throw in a few rank-zero spirit sparrows. Not bad, right?"
Lin Chen hesitated.
The man pressed him, "Well? Take it or leave it. I'm busy."
At last, Lin Chen nodded. "Fine. I'll take it."
The deal was made. Lin Chen left carrying the axe and a small cage of spirit sparrows.
"Thanks, kid!" the man called after him. "If you ever need spirit sparrow meat, come to Xing Que! Everyone knows mine's the best!"
Lin Chen glanced back and sighed.
"Tch. Who'd ever come back to this dump? And what kind of name is Xing Que anyway? Sounds like a little girl's name…" he muttered.
...
Back home, Lin Chen set the birdcage and the stones aside.
He sat cross-legged in a quiet corner, preparing to form a contract with the axe.
Gazing at the weapon before him, he whispered, "You've caused me enough trouble already. Let's hope you're worth it…"
He summoned his item panel. A gentle light enveloped him, and the world faded away — leaving only himself and the axe.
...
Within the light, a story unfolded — the story of a woodcutter in a remote village.
Every day, the young man chopped wood to survive.
Time passed, he married, and his life filled with joy.
When his wife became pregnant, he was overjoyed — but tragedy struck.
On a stormy night, she slipped on the mountain path and never returned.
All that remained was a baby — and a man who had lost everything.
The woodcutter nearly gave up on life, but his child saved him from despair.
He raised his daughter with love and patience. The years passed, and she grew into a fine young woman.
But tragedy repeated itself.
When his daughter went into labor, she too died on that same mountain path.
Heartbroken, the woodcutter lifted his axe and swore:
"If the heavens show no mercy, then let man defy the heavens!"
From that day on, he began chopping at the mountain alone.
People mocked him, called him insane — yet his son-in-law and grandchild never stopped supporting him.
Then, one fateful night, the mountain trembled.
Two immortals battled in the sky and perished, leaving behind a treasure.
The woodcutter found it — and his strength changed.
Years passed. Until one night, a blinding light illuminated the mountains.
When people came to see, they were stunned: the mountain had split in two, forming a safe new passage.
But the woodcutter was never seen again.
Only his old axe remained, embedded in the heart of the mountain.
That day, the villagers cheered for the new road. But among them, one little girl wept — the granddaughter who had lost her grandfather forever.