Episode 2: Situation

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Zhou Mingrui reeled back in fear at the sight that greeted him. It was as though the person in the dressing mirror was not himself, but a dessicated corpse.

How could a person with such grievous wounds be still alive!?

He turned his head in disbelief again and checked the other side. Even though he was a distance away and the lighting was poor, he could still see the penetrating wound and dark red blood stains.

“This…”

Zhou Mingrui drew a deep breath as he tried hard to calm himself.

He reached out to press his left chest and sensed his racing heart that exuded immense vitality.

He then touched his exposed skin. Beneath the slight coldness was flowing warmth.

When he squatted down and after verifying that his knees could bend, Zhou Mingrui stood up again and calmed down.

“What’s happening?” he muttered with a frown. He planned to inspect his head injury seriously once more.

He took two steps forward and suddenly paused. The moonlight of the sanguine moon was relatively dark, so it was insufficient for his ‘serious inspection.’

A memory fragment triggered as Zhou Mingrui turned his head to look at the grayish-white pipes and the metallic-gridded lamp on the wall right beside the study desk.

This was the most common gas lamp of the times. Its flame was stable and its illumination capabilities were excellent.

With Klein Moretti’s family situation, even a kerosene lamp was a dream, much less a gas lamp. Using candles was most apt for their standing and stature. However, back when he burned the midnight oil four years ago to be admitted into Khoy University, his elder brother, Benson, felt that it was an important matter which their family’s future depended upon. Therefore, he insisted on creating conducive studying conditions for Klein even if it meant taking on debt.

Of course, Benson, who was literate and had worked for several years, was not a rash person who did not think of the consequences. He had quite some tricks up his sleeve. He reasoned with the landlord to ‘raise the apartment’s standards by installing gas pipes to improve the likelihood of rentals in the future.’ The landlord was convinced and provided the money to complete the basic modifications. Then, using the convenience of working at an import and export company, he purchased a brand new gas lamp which was nearly at cost price. In the end, all he needed was to use his savings and did not need to borrow money.

After the memory fragment flashed past his mind, Zhou Mingrui came to the desk where he turned the pipe’s valve and began twisting the gas lamp’s switch.

With a sputtering sound, a spark sounded from friction. Light did not descend upon Zhou Mingrui as he had expected.

He twisted the switch a few more times, but all the gas lamp did was sputter and remain dark.

“Hmm…” Retracting his hand and pressing on his left temple, Zhou Mingrui sought for the reason by rummaging through his memory fragments.

A few seconds later, he turned around and walked toward the door. He arrived at the machine installation which was similarly inset into the wall and had grayish-white pipes connected to it.

This was a gas meter!

After seeing the exposed gears and bearings, Zhou Mingrui took out a coin from his trousers’ pocket.

It was dark yellow in color and had a bronze shimmer to it. The front of the coin was engraved with a portrait of a crown-wearing man, and there was a ‘1’ on a clump of wheat on the back.

Zhou Mingrui knew that this was the most basic currency of the Loen Kingdom. It was called a copper penny. One penny’s purchasing power was roughly three to four yuan before his transmigration. Such coins had other denominations such as the five pence, a halfpence and a quarterpence. Despite the three types, the denominations were not in small-enough units. In everyday life, one had to buy several different things just to spend a single coin from time to time.

After flipping the coin—which was only minted and circulated after King George III ascended to the throne—a few times, Zhou Mingrui inserted it into the gas meter’s thin vertical ‘mouth.’

Clink! Clang!

After the penny fell to the bottom of the meter, the sound of grinding gears sounded immediately, producing a short but melodious mechanical rhythm.

Zhou Mingrui stared at the meter for a few seconds before returning to the burly wood desk. He then reached out to twist the gas lamp’s switch.

After some sputtering, there was a sharp sound!

A fire plume ignited and rapidly grew. Bright light first occupied the internals of the wall lamp before penetrating the transparent glass, blanketing the room with a warm glow.

The darkness quickly receded as the crimson retreated out the window. Zhou Mingrui felt at ease for a baffling reason as he quickly came in front of the dressing mirror.

This time, he seriously inspected his temple and did not miss a single detail.

After a few rounds of inspection, he realized that apart from the original blood stain, liquid was no longer flowing out of the grotesque wound. It appeared like it had received the best hemostasis and bandaging. As for the slowly squirming grayish-white brain and the discernible growth of flesh and blood around the wound, it meant that the wound might take thirty to forty minutes, or maybe even two to three hours before it would only leave a light scar.

“The restorative effects that transmigration brings?” Zhou Mingrui curled up the right corner of his mouth as he muttered silently.

Following that, he let out a long sigh. Regardless, he was still alive!

After settling his mind, he pulled open a drawer and took out a tiny piece of soap. He took one of the old and tattered towels hanging by the side of the cupboard and opened the door. He then walked to the public bathroom which was shared by the tenants on the second floor.

Yes, I should clean up the blood stains on my head, or I’ll keep looking like a crime scene. It’s fine scaring myself, but if I were to scare my sister, Melissa, when she gets up early in the morning tomorrow, it would be quite problematic!

The corridor outside was pitch black. Silhouettes were barely accentuated by the crimson moonlight from the window at the end of the corridor. They looked like a pair of monster eyes that silently observed the living late into the night.

Zhou Mingrui lightened his footsteps as he walked towards the communal bathroom with a shuddering fear.

When he entered, there was even more moonlight, allowing him to see everything clearly. Zhou Mingrui stood in front of a wash basin and turned the tap’s knob.

Upon hearing the gushing sound of water, he suddenly recalled his landlord, Mr. Franky.

As water was included in the rent, this short and thin gentleman who wore a top hat, a vest, and a black suit, always inspected the bathroom actively to take note of any sounds of flowing water.

If the water gushed too loudly, Mr. Franky would ignore all of his gentlemanly traits by flailing his walking stick and striking the bathroom’s door, shouting things like ‘Darn thief,’ ‘Wastage is a shameless matter,’ ‘I’ll remember you,’ ‘If I see this happen another time, scram along with your filthy luggage,’ ‘Mark my words, this is the most value-for-money apartment in Tingen City. You will not find a more kindly landlord anywhere else!’

Putting away those thoughts, Zhou Mingrui used a moist towel to clean the blood stains from his face again and again.

After checking himself using the rundown mirror in the bathroom and verifying that all that was left were a hideous wound and a pale face did Zhou Mingrui relax. Then, he took off his linen shirt and used a bar of soap to wash away the bloodstains.

At that moment, he knitted his brows and recalled of a possible problem.

The wound was too exaggerated and there was too much blood. Apart from his body, his room likely still had signs of his injury!

After Zhou Mingrui was done with his linen shirt a few minutes later, he briskly returned to his apartment with a moist towel. He first wiped the blood handprint on the desk and then, using the gas lamp’s illumination, sought out spots which he missed out.

He immediately discovered that quite a substantial amount of blood had splattered onto the floor beneath the desk. And there was a yellow bullet to the left side of the wall.

“Releasing a round with a revolver pointed at the temple?” After mixing and matching the clues from before, Zhou Mingrui had a rough idea how Klein had died.

He was in no hurry to verify his guess. Instead, he seriously wiped away the blood stains and cleaned up the ‘scene.’ Following that, he took the bullet and returned to the side of his desk. He opened the revolver’s cylinder and poured out the rounds inside.

A total of five rounds and a cartridge shell all had a brass luster to them.

“Indeed…” Zhou Mingrui looked at the empty cartridge shell in front of him and stuffed the rounds back into the cylinder while nodding.

He shifted his gaze to the left and it landed on the notebook’s words: ‘Everyone will die, including me.’ Following that, even more questions arose in him.

Where did the gun come from?

Was it suicide or a faked suicide?

What kind of trouble could a history graduate of humble origins get himself into?

Why would such a suicide method only leave behind so little blood? Was it because I transmigrated in a timely manner and it came with healing benefits?

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Mingrui changed into another linen shirt. He sat on the chair and began pondering over more important matters.

Klein’s experience was still not something he needed to concern himself with. The true problem was to figure out the reason for his transmigration and if he could return!

His parents, relatives, best buddies, and friends. The fascinating world of the Internet and all sorts of delicious delicacies… These were reasons that prompted his desire to return!

Click. Click. Click… Zhou Mingrui’s right hand was subconsciously pulling out the revolver’s cylinder and slamming it back into place, again and again.

Yea, there has not been much difference for me between this period of time and the past. I was just a little unlucky, but why would I transmigrate for no baffling reason?

Bad luck… Yes, I tried a luck enhancement ritual before dinner today!

A thought flashed in Zhou Mingrui’s mind, illuminating the memories which were concealed by a fog of confusion.

As a qualified keyboard politician, keyboard historian, keyboard economist, keyboard biologist, and keyboard folklorist, he had always deemed himself as ‘knowing something of everything.’ Of course, his best buddy would often mock him as ‘only knowing a little of everything.’

And one of them was Chinese Divination.

When he visited his hometown last year, he had discovered a thread-bound book titled ‘Quintessential Divination and Arcane Arts of the Qin and Han Dynasty’ at an old bookstore. It looked pretty interesting and could aid him in posturing on the Internet, so he bought it. Unfortunately, his interest was short-lived. The vertical script it used made the reading experience horrible. All he did was flip through the beginning pages before he threw it into a corner.

He had experienced a spate of bad luck in the past month—losing his cell phone, customers running away after cheating him, and mistakes at work. Only then did he suddenly recall the luck enhancement ritual written at the beginning of ‘Quintessential Divination and Arcane Arts.’ Furthermore, the requirements were extremely simple, without any basic foundation requirements.

All he needed was to get four portions of the staple food in his area and place them in the four corners of his room. They could be placed on furniture such as tables and cupboards. Then, standing in the middle of the room, he had to take four steps in a counter-clockwise fashion to make a square. The first step required him to sincerely chant ‘Blessings Stem From The Immortal Lord of Heaven and Earth.’ The second step was to silently chant, ‘Blessings Stem From The Sky Lord of Heaven and Earth.’ The third step was ‘Blessings Stem From The Exalted Thearch of Heaven and Earth,’ and the fourth step was ‘Blessings Stem From The Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth.’ After the four steps were taken, he needed to close his eyes and wait five minutes in his original spot. Only then would the ritual be considered complete.

Since it did not cost him any money, he found the book, followed what was stipulated, and did it before dinner. However… nothing happened back then.

Who would have guessed that he would actually transmigrate in the middle of the night!

Transmigration!

“There is a distinct possibility that it’s due to that luck enhancement ritual… Yes, I should give it a try here tomorrow. If it’s really because of that, I stand a chance of transmigrating back!” Zhou Mingrui stopped flicking the revolver’s cylinder and suddenly sat straight up.

Regardless, he had to give it a try!

He had to attempt a Hail Mary!

Episodes
1 Episode 1: Crimson
2 Episode 2: Situation
3 Episode 3: Melissa
4 Episode 4: Divination
5 Episode 5: Ritual
6 Episode 6: Beyonder
7 Episode 7: Call Sign
8 Episode 8: A New Era
9 Episode 9: The Notebook
10 Episode 10: The Norm
11 Episode 11: Real Culinary Skills
12 Episode 12: Here Again
13 Episode 13: Nighthawk
14 Episode 14: Spirit Medium
15 Episode 15: The Invitation
16 Episode 16: Rat-baiting With Dogs
17 Episode 17: Special Operations Department
18 Episode 18: Origin and Artifacts
19 Episode 19: Sealed Artifacts
20 Episode 20' The Forgetful Dunn
21 Episode 21: An Old Friend In A Different World
22 Episode 22: Starting Sequence
23 Episode 23: Side Arm
24 Episode 24: Penny-pincher
25 Episode 25: Cathedral
26 Episode 26: Practice
27 Episode 27: Siblings Dinner
28 Episode 28: Secret Order
29 Episode 29: Jobs and Rentals Are Serious Business
30 Episode 30: Brand New Beginning
31 Episode 31: Potion
32 Episode 32: Spirit Vision
33 Episode 33: Switch
34 Episode 34: Advance Payment
35 Episode 35: Exchange of Information
36 Episode 36: A Simple Question
37 Episode 37: The Club
38 Episode 38: Novice Hobbyist
39 Episode 39: Interesting Trick
40 Episode 40: Mysticism Curriculum
41 Episode 41: Audrey and Her Susie
42 Episode 42: Butler Klee
43 Episode 43: Search
44 Episode 44: Fate
45 Episode 45: Returning
46 Episode 46: Portrait
47 Episode 47: Old Neil's Lack of Money
48 Episode 48: Hanass Vincent
49 Episode 49: Divination Art
50 Episode 50: Old Neil's Method of Repayment
51 Episode 51: The Grounded Ritualistic Magic
52 Episode 52: Spectator
53 Episode 53: Listener
54 Episode 54: The First Divination Requester
55 Episode 55: Revelation
56 Episode 56: Escape from the Sea
57 Episode 57: Organization and Summary
58 Episode 58: A Train of Thought
59 Episode 60: Second Blasphemy Slate
60 Episode 59: Roselle's Origins
61 Episode 61: Strange Symbol
62 Episode 62: The Seer's Suggestion
63 Episode 63: Dream Interpretation
64 Episode 64: Instigator
65 Episode 65: Beyonder Information
66 Episode 66: Demoness Sect
67 Episode 67: Response
68 Episode 68: Monster
69 Episode 69: Protection Amulet
70 Episode 70: 2-049's Arrival
71 Episode 71: Sluggish Phenomenon
72 Episode 72: Tracking
73 Episode 73: First Battle
74 Episode 74: Ray Bieber
75 Episode 75: Saving Himself
76 Episode 76: Dealing With The Aftermath
77 Episode 77: Remnant Items
78 Episode 78: Trauma
79 Episode 79: Another Murmuring
80 Episode 80: Banquet Invitation
81 Episode 81: Finally Meeting
82 Episode 82: Herb Store
83 Episode 83: Carving
84 Episode 84: Elizabeth
85 Episode 85: Urgency
86 Episode 86: Prayer
87 Episode 87: Exhortation
88 Episode 88: Report
89 Episode 89: A Simple Mission
90 Episode 90: Findings By Sight
91 Episode 91: Solution
92 Episode 92: Psychological Expert
93 Episode 93: New Diary Page
94 Episode 94: Hidden Sage
95 Episode 95: The Supplicant
96 Episode 96: Daly's Guess
97 Episode 97: Combat Teacher
98 Episode 98: Mr. Azik
99 Episode 99: Red Chimney
100 Episode 100: Interpreting Symbols
101 Episode 101: Unexpected Clue
102 Episode 102: Cloth Merchant
103 Episode 103: Doing As The Heart Willed
104 Episode 104: Mr. Z
105 Episode 105: Spirit Channeling
106 Episode 106: Artist Klein
107 Episode 107: Fors
108 Episode 108: Deep Into The Night
109 Episode 109: Deduction
110 Episode 110: Confirmation
111 Episode 111: Letting Slip
112 Episode 112: Azik's Explanation
113 Episode 113: Request
114 Episode 114: The Standards Of A Member
115 Episode 115: Cheat
116 Episode 116: Lanevus's Child
117 Episode 117: Contact
118 Episode 118: August
119 Episode 119: The True Lower Street
120 Episode 120: Workhouse
121 Episode 121: Leonard's Hypothesis
122 Episode 122: Target Building
123 Episode 123: Beyonder Battle
124 Episode 124: Wrapping Up Work
125 Episode 125: Bold Idea
126 Episode 126: Divination Isn't All-Powerful
127 Episode 127: Laying The Foundation
128 Episode 128: The Impoverished Fool
129 Episode 129: Rampager
130 Episode 130: Backlund's Secret Gathering
131 Episode 131: Transaction
132 Episode 132: Meeting The Monster Again
133 Episode 133: Expensive Charms
134 Episode 134: It's Been More Than A Minute
135 Episode 135: Potrait Of A Baron
136 Episode 136: The Stumped Klein
137 Episode 137: City Of Silver
138 Episode 138: Giant Pathway
139 Episode 139: Studying 3-0782
140 Episode 140: Expert At Courting Death
141 Episode 141: Nightmare
142 Episode 142' Association
143 Episode 143: The Fool's Real-Time Translator
144 Episode 144: Three-Way Deal
145 Episode 145: Request For Cooperation
146 Episode 148: Messenger
147 Episode 147: Night Visitor
148 Episode 146: Creeping Hunger
149 Episode 149: Direct Hint
150 Episode 150: Azik's Discovery
151 Episode 160: Seizing The Opportunity
152 Episode 151: Klein's Request
153 Episode 152: Nice Attempt
154 Episode 153: Final Act aof Laying The Foundation
155 Episode 154: Sharing "Experience"
156 Episode 155: Urgent Meeting
157 Episode 156: Melissa Who Takes A Long View
158 Episode 157: Item Of His Dreams
159 Episode 158: Preparedness Averts Peril
160 Episode 159: Bestowment And Sacrifice
Episodes

Updated 160 Episodes

1
Episode 1: Crimson
2
Episode 2: Situation
3
Episode 3: Melissa
4
Episode 4: Divination
5
Episode 5: Ritual
6
Episode 6: Beyonder
7
Episode 7: Call Sign
8
Episode 8: A New Era
9
Episode 9: The Notebook
10
Episode 10: The Norm
11
Episode 11: Real Culinary Skills
12
Episode 12: Here Again
13
Episode 13: Nighthawk
14
Episode 14: Spirit Medium
15
Episode 15: The Invitation
16
Episode 16: Rat-baiting With Dogs
17
Episode 17: Special Operations Department
18
Episode 18: Origin and Artifacts
19
Episode 19: Sealed Artifacts
20
Episode 20' The Forgetful Dunn
21
Episode 21: An Old Friend In A Different World
22
Episode 22: Starting Sequence
23
Episode 23: Side Arm
24
Episode 24: Penny-pincher
25
Episode 25: Cathedral
26
Episode 26: Practice
27
Episode 27: Siblings Dinner
28
Episode 28: Secret Order
29
Episode 29: Jobs and Rentals Are Serious Business
30
Episode 30: Brand New Beginning
31
Episode 31: Potion
32
Episode 32: Spirit Vision
33
Episode 33: Switch
34
Episode 34: Advance Payment
35
Episode 35: Exchange of Information
36
Episode 36: A Simple Question
37
Episode 37: The Club
38
Episode 38: Novice Hobbyist
39
Episode 39: Interesting Trick
40
Episode 40: Mysticism Curriculum
41
Episode 41: Audrey and Her Susie
42
Episode 42: Butler Klee
43
Episode 43: Search
44
Episode 44: Fate
45
Episode 45: Returning
46
Episode 46: Portrait
47
Episode 47: Old Neil's Lack of Money
48
Episode 48: Hanass Vincent
49
Episode 49: Divination Art
50
Episode 50: Old Neil's Method of Repayment
51
Episode 51: The Grounded Ritualistic Magic
52
Episode 52: Spectator
53
Episode 53: Listener
54
Episode 54: The First Divination Requester
55
Episode 55: Revelation
56
Episode 56: Escape from the Sea
57
Episode 57: Organization and Summary
58
Episode 58: A Train of Thought
59
Episode 60: Second Blasphemy Slate
60
Episode 59: Roselle's Origins
61
Episode 61: Strange Symbol
62
Episode 62: The Seer's Suggestion
63
Episode 63: Dream Interpretation
64
Episode 64: Instigator
65
Episode 65: Beyonder Information
66
Episode 66: Demoness Sect
67
Episode 67: Response
68
Episode 68: Monster
69
Episode 69: Protection Amulet
70
Episode 70: 2-049's Arrival
71
Episode 71: Sluggish Phenomenon
72
Episode 72: Tracking
73
Episode 73: First Battle
74
Episode 74: Ray Bieber
75
Episode 75: Saving Himself
76
Episode 76: Dealing With The Aftermath
77
Episode 77: Remnant Items
78
Episode 78: Trauma
79
Episode 79: Another Murmuring
80
Episode 80: Banquet Invitation
81
Episode 81: Finally Meeting
82
Episode 82: Herb Store
83
Episode 83: Carving
84
Episode 84: Elizabeth
85
Episode 85: Urgency
86
Episode 86: Prayer
87
Episode 87: Exhortation
88
Episode 88: Report
89
Episode 89: A Simple Mission
90
Episode 90: Findings By Sight
91
Episode 91: Solution
92
Episode 92: Psychological Expert
93
Episode 93: New Diary Page
94
Episode 94: Hidden Sage
95
Episode 95: The Supplicant
96
Episode 96: Daly's Guess
97
Episode 97: Combat Teacher
98
Episode 98: Mr. Azik
99
Episode 99: Red Chimney
100
Episode 100: Interpreting Symbols
101
Episode 101: Unexpected Clue
102
Episode 102: Cloth Merchant
103
Episode 103: Doing As The Heart Willed
104
Episode 104: Mr. Z
105
Episode 105: Spirit Channeling
106
Episode 106: Artist Klein
107
Episode 107: Fors
108
Episode 108: Deep Into The Night
109
Episode 109: Deduction
110
Episode 110: Confirmation
111
Episode 111: Letting Slip
112
Episode 112: Azik's Explanation
113
Episode 113: Request
114
Episode 114: The Standards Of A Member
115
Episode 115: Cheat
116
Episode 116: Lanevus's Child
117
Episode 117: Contact
118
Episode 118: August
119
Episode 119: The True Lower Street
120
Episode 120: Workhouse
121
Episode 121: Leonard's Hypothesis
122
Episode 122: Target Building
123
Episode 123: Beyonder Battle
124
Episode 124: Wrapping Up Work
125
Episode 125: Bold Idea
126
Episode 126: Divination Isn't All-Powerful
127
Episode 127: Laying The Foundation
128
Episode 128: The Impoverished Fool
129
Episode 129: Rampager
130
Episode 130: Backlund's Secret Gathering
131
Episode 131: Transaction
132
Episode 132: Meeting The Monster Again
133
Episode 133: Expensive Charms
134
Episode 134: It's Been More Than A Minute
135
Episode 135: Potrait Of A Baron
136
Episode 136: The Stumped Klein
137
Episode 137: City Of Silver
138
Episode 138: Giant Pathway
139
Episode 139: Studying 3-0782
140
Episode 140: Expert At Courting Death
141
Episode 141: Nightmare
142
Episode 142' Association
143
Episode 143: The Fool's Real-Time Translator
144
Episode 144: Three-Way Deal
145
Episode 145: Request For Cooperation
146
Episode 148: Messenger
147
Episode 147: Night Visitor
148
Episode 146: Creeping Hunger
149
Episode 149: Direct Hint
150
Episode 150: Azik's Discovery
151
Episode 160: Seizing The Opportunity
152
Episode 151: Klein's Request
153
Episode 152: Nice Attempt
154
Episode 153: Final Act aof Laying The Foundation
155
Episode 154: Sharing "Experience"
156
Episode 155: Urgent Meeting
157
Episode 156: Melissa Who Takes A Long View
158
Episode 157: Item Of His Dreams
159
Episode 158: Preparedness Averts Peril
160
Episode 159: Bestowment And Sacrifice

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