Chapter 1: The Ends Justify the Means

“Hiss!”

The sharp pain at the back of his head made Ye Liuyun gasp involuntarily as consciousness slowly returned.

Had someone struck him from behind?

He blinked drowsily, taking in his surroundings. He seemed to be inside a dilapidated temple, the floor overrun with weeds, and a large hole torn through the roof.

“Could it be those enemies from before?” His face darkened at the thought.

Ye Liuyun was a transmigrator—he had arrived in this era about half a month ago.

If that were all, it wouldn’t be so bad. But after piecing together his memories, he realized his original self was a notorious scoundrel, abusing his position thanks to a twin brother who served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He had bullied men and women alike.

Many grudges had been made.

Knowing this, Ye Liuyun rarely ventured out, trying to keep a low profile while gathering information about this world.

He had assumed, upon learning his brother served in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that he had arrived in the Ming Dynasty.

But instead, it was the Great Qian Empire—a realm he had never heard of.

This land was vast, divided into fourteen provinces, with many empires like the Great Qian existing side by side.

The martial world was filled with sects, and rumors said that formidable warriors could command the forces of heaven and earth. Honestly, Ye Liuyun had been thrilled upon learning all this.

Who hasn’t dreamed of roaming the world with a sword, righting wrongs in youth?

He had even planned to ask his cheap brother for a martial arts manual. Though their relationship was strained, blood was thicker than water—surely, asking for a book wouldn’t be an issue.

But just as this thought crossed his mind, that very night, he was struck from behind and bound here.

“Am I really going to be the first transmigrator to get taken out so fast?”

His hands and feet were tightly bound. Ye Liuyun struggled a bit but to no avail, banging into the stone altar behind him.

“Creak!”

The faint cracking sound stopped him in his tracks. He turned his head cautiously.

Upon the dusty stone altar sat a statue, its features worn and indistinct. One arm was raised high, the elbow covered in cracks, looking ready to snap at any moment.

And the spot where it would fall was exactly where Ye Liuyun was tied.

If this several-dozen-pound object fell on him, would he even survive?

Thinking this, Ye Liuyun prepared to wriggle like a caterpillar to change position.

But just then, the temple’s door was suddenly pushed open from outside. Realizing it was the people who had tied him up, Ye Liuyun didn’t hesitate or even look at their faces before shouting out:

“My brother is the chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! If you kill me, you won’t be spared!”

His words were met with silence and no movement.

Was there hope?

Just as a flicker of hope stirred within him, a familiar voice suddenly sounded.

“Is this how you’ve been ruining my reputation?”

“!”

Ye Liuyun looked up in disbelief.

Step by step, the figure approached—an identical face stared back at him.

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