Snow fell heavily, blanketing the ground in white.
After the onset of winter, the mountain paths became even more treacherous, each step leaving a deep footprint.
"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"
Suddenly, a Raven called out urgently from above.
Lu Changping immediately covered his entire body with a grass cloak and quickly hid behind a tree, not daring to make a single sound.
A moment later, a Snow Leopard slowly walked past, its paws sinking slightly into the snow.
It sniffed the air warily, its nose twitching as it searched its surroundings.
Clearly, it had previously detected Lu Changping's presence.
The sudden disappearance of the scent made it feel puzzled.
Lu Changping didn't dare to breathe.
He could only watch the Snow Leopard approach, coming over to him and continuing to sniff the air.
At this moment, the Snow Leopard was only ten meters away from him and still getting closer.
Lu Changping could even see the white breath puffing out from the Snow Leopard's nostrils.
Its eyes, marked with white spots, were scanning all around.
If it weren't for his grass clothing, which could conceal his aura,
the Snow Leopard would have already discovered him and attacked!
But even so, the Snow Leopard was getting closer and closer.
Lu Changping's heart sank further.
And just as things were at a critical juncture…
The snow not far away suddenly stirred.
The Snow Leopard turned its head and opened its mouth. Immediately, a stream of white frost shot out, making a soft whistling sound in the air and arriving in an instant.
The Snow Leopard took a step and ran over, picking up a wild rabbit.
But at this moment, the entire body of the wild rabbit was covered in frost, frozen stiff on the spot.
Lu Changping watched, his heart filled with terror.
That single spray, if it landed on him, would leave him severely injured, needing months in bed to recover.
This other world was truly dangerous!
That's right, the world Lu Changping now inhabited.
It was no longer Earth.
Instead, it was the Zhou Dynasty, a mystical world filled with ghosts, demons, martial artists, and all sorts of supernatural powers!
Unfortunately, Lu Changping, having just crossed over, had neither power nor wealth.
He was just a lowly herb gatherer from Apricot Blossom Village.
His job was to brave the dangers of this freezing landscape, finding enough medicinal herbs to exchange for money.
Supporting food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
\n\nA moment later, the Snow Leopard, with a rabbit in its mouth, gracefully departed.
\n\nTurning its head, it vanished into the vast white expanse, disappearing from sight.
\n\nLu Changping still didn't dare to show himself. After hiding behind the tree for quite a while, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out.
\n\nHe realized his back was already covered in a cold sweat.
\n\nAlthough facing the Snow Leopard, Lu Changping wasn't completely defenseless.
\n\nBut Lu Changping had come to gather herbs, not to hunt.
\n\nAnd he didn't have any hunting tools on him.
If he fought this Snow Leopard, he'd likely be unable to kill it.
Even if he could protect himself and scare it away,
he'd still get injured.
If that delayed his herb gathering, it would affect his food and clothing.
In this harsh winter, people could easily starve to death!
After confirming the Snow Leopard had left, Lu Changping finally moved his stiff body, pulling his grass clothing tighter, and continued walking.
This grass clothing was a good item. Not only did it insulate and keep him warm, but it also concealed his scent.
Anyone wanting to gather herbs in the mountains needed to have one.
But something this good didn't come cheap.
It would cost over ten taels of silver to buy.
That was several months' income for Lu Changping.
Therefore, the one he wore was rented.
The rental fee was a hundred copper coins a day, with extra charges for significant damage.
"Whirr…"
The sound of flapping wings drew near.
The Raven, who had just warned of the Snow Leopard's approach, descended from above, landing on Lu Changping's shoulder.
Lu Changping took a small handful of fine rice from his pocket and fed it to the Raven.
This Raven was also an essential pet for herbalists.
They would give a warning when danger approached.
Although that was its only function, it was undeniably very important.
However, you couldn't rent these; you had to raise them from a chick to become familiar.
They were also expensive; a chick cost three taels of silver.
The fine rice it ate every day added up to nearly a hundred copper coins.
And Lu Changping could only earn around 600 copper coins a day collecting herbs in the mountains.
It could only be said… the common people suffer!
Lu Changping turned his head to look at the sky. The sun had begun to descend, and the mountains at night were even more dangerous.
Not much time left.
Watching the Raven finish eating.
Lu Changping stroked the Raven's chin, raised his arm, and let it fly into the sky again.
Afterward, he took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and continued to walk forward.
He walked, looking at the thick layer of snow along the way.
Occasionally, he stopped and tried to dig down for a long time, but basically, there was nothing.
Then he could only continue forward.
After an unknown amount of time, there was sudden movement ahead.
The Raven didn't give any warning, so it was probably not dangerous.
Lu Changping waited for a moment and saw another herbalist from the same village.
"Uncle Zhou."
"Xiao Ping, how was your harvest today?"
"Sigh..."
"It's hard to find anything in this snow. Take your time. I'll go this way, and you go that way. Remember to leave the mountain early; don't wait until night."
"Alright, thanks Uncle Zhou!"
After a few brief exchanges, the two parted ways, continuing their journey in opposite directions.
Both were just trying to make a living. Usually, when they met like this, they'd simply go their separate ways, without any reason to compete.
Time passed slowly.
The sun descended further, and the clouds increased.
The weather grew colder.
"Hoo..."
A gust of cold wind swept over, and Lu Changping shivered, but he still didn't stop what he was doing.
After digging through another layer of snow, a vibrant green grass came into view, with yellow markings on its stem.
Yellow Tongue Grass!
It was warm in nature, dispelling cold and promoting blood circulation.
A very good medicinal herb.
A smile finally appeared on Lu Changping's face. He looked around, making sure there was no one else and that there was no danger.
He immediately took off his gloves and took out the tools he carried with him, starting to dig slowly.
He was very meticulous, and it took him a while before he finally dug out this Yellow Tongue Grass, roots and leaves intact.
There was no damage at all.
"150 wen in hand!"
Lu Changping packed the dug-up herbs into the basket.
He roughly estimated his earnings for the day, then looked up at the sky.
It was almost evening.
Time to head down the mountain.
After a long while, the road finally smoothed out.
They had reached the foot of the mountain.
The other herb gatherers, also wrapped in grass cloaks, converged from all directions.
At the end of the road at the foot of the mountain stood two burly men, tall and imposing, wrapped in thick furs.
These two were the brothers from the Niu Family.
The grass cloaks that Lu Changping and the others wore had been rented from the Niu Family.
The two men were blocking the way, naturally to collect the day's rent.
Thinking of how he would have to give up some of the herbs he had painstakingly gathered, Lu Changping felt a pang of sadness.
But after all, he had rented someone else's things, so this was only right.
With that thought in mind, and looking forward to a hot soup back home, Lu Changping quickened his pace.
But just as he was nearing the end of the path, a shout came from ahead.
"Didn't we agree on 100 wen for the rent? Why are you asking for another 20?"
The voice sounded familiar; it was Uncle Zhou, whom Lu Changping had met in the mountains earlier.
Then, Niu Da's voice rang out: "It's freezing out here. We brothers have been waiting for you for half a day. What's wrong with charging you 20 more?"
"I'm not paying!"
"Not paying, huh?"
"Big Niu!" he shouted, throwing a punch.
The two of them immediately started brawling.
The other material gatherers saw what happened and rushed over to try to break it up.
In the end, Uncle Zhou gave the extra 20 points.
The others did the same, of course.
No one dared to fall out with the Niu Family.
Otherwise, they wouldn't get to use the grass clothes in the future.
They, the medicine gatherers, had no right to bargain.
It was soon Lu Changping's turn.
Of course, he had nothing to say either, so he obediently took out 120 coins and paid them.
Then he prepared to leave.
But Niu Da, who had taken the money, suddenly reached out and stopped him, a playful expression on his face as he leaned in and whispered.
"Big Brother Ping, your old man's three-year Mourning period is almost up, right?"
Lu Changping didn't know what he meant, so he recalled briefly and nodded.
His original body's father had passed away three years ago, and indeed, the third anniversary was approaching.
"We agreed that after the three years of Mourning are over, you'll divorce your little wife."
"When the time comes, just bring her straight to me.\n\nDon't worry, you'll definitely eat well following me. I won't let her starve."
Lu Changping's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of blood nearly rushed to his head.
He turned to look at Big Niu, whose face was all smiles, but whose eyes were filled with lust.
Lu Changping really wanted to punch him right there.
But he couldn't beat him, nor could he beat his two brothers, nor the Niu Family's influence.
So he could only suppress his anger, pursing his lips and smiling, "Big Niu, you're joking. I never said anything like that."
Upon hearing this, Big Niu immediately narrowed his eyes, and with a strong grip, he threw his arm around Lu Changping's shoulder. The force was immense; Lu Changping couldn't resist at all.
"Are you trying to welsh on me? Six months ago, you, Lu Changping, borrowed three taels of silver from me using this very excuse.
Have you forgotten? The Raven on your shoulder was bought with whose money?"
Big Niu's voice wasn't loud, but his tone was threatening: "Debts must be repaid; it's only right.
If you don't want to hand over the person, that's fine too. Just pay me fifteen taels, including principal and interest, for the past six months. Otherwise..."
Big Niu patted Lu Changping's face, a highly insulting gesture.
Then, he shoved Lu Changping's shoulder, pushing him forward.
Lu Changping's eyes were slightly unfocused.
He didn't even have the energy to be angry.
Because of what Big Niu had just said, some hidden memories were triggered.
It was true; it had happened.
Half a year ago, the original body had gone into the mountains to gather herbs, and his Raven had unexpectedly died.
At the time, he was broke and could only borrow money from the Niu Family.
He had also made a promise to Big Niu regarding this.
As for the woman Big Niu mentioned…
She was naturally Lu Changping's wife.
Or rather, the original body's wife, named Shen Qian'er.
Three years ago, they held a wedding.
But although they were husband and wife in name, they had never consummated the marriage.
The reason was that on the wedding day, the original owner's father, after eating and drinking, insisted on going to the main road to urinate.
As a result, he was run over and killed by a troop of soldiers on a forced march.
A joyous occasion turned into mourning.
A red event became a white event.
Everyone was stunned.
Afterwards, the village's shamans took the lead, and under the influence of feudal ethics, they placed all the blame on this newly-wedded wife.
They said Shen Qian'er was born unlucky, having caused her father-in-law's death.
If the wedding ceremony hadn't already been completed, the original owner of the body probably would have immediately divorced his new daughter-in-law.
Even so, the soothsayer still insisted that to allow the father-in-law to rest in peace, Shen Qian'er had to observe Mourning for three years. Adding to this, Shen Qian'er's mother had died when she was born, and her father had died when she was five years old.
There were already all sorts of bad rumors surrounding her.
So, he listened to the soothsayer's instructions and never consummated the marriage with his new wife.
For these three years, Shen Qian'er slept in the outer room, on a makeshift bed on the floor.
The original owner of the body spent every day outside, saying Shen Qian'er was unlucky, and that he would divorce her once the three-year period was up.
This matter was known to most of the surrounding villages and the local area.
But Lu Changping didn't expect it.
The original owner of this body was actually so despicable as to sell his own wife!
"Squeak..."
Lu Changping pushed open the courtyard door, and the wooden door made a sound that set his teeth on edge.
In the earthen courtyard, Shen Qian'er was washing clothes.
She wore a coarse cloth dress and a headscarf.
What was particularly eye-catching was the white cloth tied around her arm.
A black character, "Mourning," was written on it.
Perhaps she heard the door open.
Shen Qian'er looked up, revealing a face that, although slightly rough, was still fair and flushed, and very appealing.
Especially her eyes, which sparkled as if they could speak.
Upon seeing Lu Changping, her smile turned into a crescent moon.
"Ping-ge is back! Are you alright? Go inside and rest. I've boiled some water. After I finish washing these clothes, I'll make us dinner."
She didn't ask how many herbs he'd gathered or how much money he'd made. She just told him to rest and drink hot water.
After saying this, Shen Qian'er picked up her wooden bat and continued washing the clothes.
It was early winter, and her hands were red and swollen from the cold.
Yet, she didn't complain at all.
Lu Changping felt a little uncomfortable.
Perhaps because the original owner had caused her so much suffering, she was afraid of being abandoned.
Shen Qian'er was always trying her best to be a good wife.
He wouldn't dare to entrust any of the chores to anyone else.
Before, Lu Changping had tried to take over a few times.
But each time he saw her, with that panicked, pitiful expression on her face, he could only give it back.
Because the original owner had treated her terribly.
When Lu Changping had just transmigrated.
Shen Qian'er was very afraid of him, her face always showing fear.
He worked hard for several days before he finally made the young girl believe.
He was no longer the same.
Now, he could finally manage a smile.
But poor Shen Qian'er was still unaware.
Her original husband had sold her.
In less than a month.
To be exact, in twenty-seven days.
She would be taken away by force.
Lu Changping was silent for a moment, then placed the Raven on his shoulder into the cage.
He then set down his tools and medicine basket, placing them to the side.
He took a stool and sat beside Shen Qian'er, then asked, "How much money is left in the house?"
Since he'd transmigrated, Lu Changping had temporarily handed over the financial authority to Shen Qian'er.
Initially, he'd done so with the intention of testing her.
But Shen Qian'er had passed the test perfectly.
This little girl was not only pitiful, but also kind and well-behaved.
Shen Qian'er was taken aback for a moment, looked up at him, and hesitated, "Are we going to use money, Brother Ping?"
"Yes!" Lu Changping nodded.
After he'd transmigrated, he'd fallen ill, and it was this little girl who had stayed with him and looked after him.
Regardless of whether it was out of pity for Shen Qian'er, gratitude, or some other reason, Lu Changping couldn't let Niu Da take her away.
Niu Da wasn't a good person; it was said that several women had suffered at his hands.
Shen Qian'er still stood up and walked back into the house.
A moment later, she emerged, holding a package.
She opened it, revealing a pile of money.
"Here is one tael of silver and seven hundred copper coins," Shen Qian'er said, then added, "If it's not enough, I still have some dowry that I can pawn."
Saying this, Shen Qian'er took out another item from the bottom of her bag.
Lu Changping took a closer look.
It was a hairpin.
It appeared to be made of copper and clearly wasn't worth much.
Fifteen taels still seemed a long way off...
"Sigh..."
Lu Changping sighed inwardly, not knowing what to do. He somewhat listlessly accepted the hairpin.
And just then, he suddenly felt a warm current surge into his palm from his right hand, the one holding the hairpin. It then traveled up his arm, all the way to his head!
At the same time, a golden scroll slowly materialized before Lu Changping.
Only three large characters were written at the top of the scroll.
[Myriad Demons Ranking]
The golden light that came from the hairpin emerged from his brow and directly merged into the Myriad Demons Ranking.
The scroll flashed with golden light, and several more large characters immediately appeared.
[Absorbing demonic energy, the Myriad Demons Ranking has activated and bound! The user may command myriad demons and obtain their innate talents and abilities.]
[Ranking Master: Lu Changping]
[Demons Commanded: 0]
[Controllable: 1.1]
With a surge of