My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

A cloud of dust billowed up.

Particles of dust, illuminated by the sunlight, were clearly visible.

A group of guards rushed into the residence, only to see a black shadow disappear around a corner inside.

They hurriedly gave chase.

Then they spotted two small figures, running towards the outside through the window of the abandoned dwelling.

Upon approaching, they made a startling discovery.

The window was so small, they couldn't even stretch their heads through it.

It was hard to imagine how those two beggars had managed to squeeze in.

Smashing the window wouldn't do much good; they would probably have to knock down the entire wall to get through.

"Still chasing?"

"Forget it, they're probably out of reach now."

"The master is still watching from behind, shall we put on a show? Otherwise, do we not want our pay?"

The guards whispered amongst themselves and, in a tacit understanding, began deliberately smashing the window.

Meanwhile, the rich merchant, who hadn't entered the house, stood at the doorway, nestled against a lady of high status beside him, covering his nose and mouth with his hand in disdain as he observed the scene inside the abandoned residence.

Just as he was preparing to wait for the guards to drag the little beggar out, he saw another small head emerge from another direction in the dwelling.

Although it appeared only for an instant before quickly retracting, the sharp-eyed merchant still caught sight of it.

He cursed under his breath.

"How could they let him escape? What are those fools good for?"

With that, the merchant gently patted the lady's hand and strode towards where Li Tongzhen was.

Seeing the merchant heading towards him, Li Tongzhen was startled.

The rolls of fat on the rich man's body quivered with every step he took.

He was like a large, imposing mound.

Full of commanding presence.

Li Tongzhen immediately took off running without any hesitation.

Although the wealthy man was large, he seemed to have some martial training, moving much more agilely than the average person.

In just a short while, he caught up to Li Tongzhen.

"Still running? Offending me, Zhu Xicheng, you won't just get away with skin intact."

Zhu Xicheng's face, full of corpulent flesh, split into a grin as he reached out to grab Li Tongzhen.

A frigid fear gripped Li Tongzhen, and sweat beads instantly covered his forehead.

Then he abruptly lunged forward.

He thought he had dodged Zhu Xicheng's attack.

But following that,

Li Tongzhen felt his body suddenly lighten.

Then a somewhat panicked voice sounded next to him.

It was Qingqing's voice.

Qingqing's frail body was held in Zhu Xicheng's grasp without any power to resist. Read exclusive content at empire

"You, let her go!"

Li Tongzhen's eyes widened in desperation, and he yelled at Zhu Xicheng without delay.

Zhu Xicheng, however, simply smirked, intrigue gleaming in his eyes.

"You're no ordinary beggar, so young and already looking for a wife."

"Besides, your physique seems different from normal people. A common beggar wouldn't recover so quickly after a beating like yours."

As Zhu Xicheng spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Li Tongzhen, "You have unusual talent. How about this, kneel and kowtow to me, acknowledge me as your foster father, and I'll let this girl go. I'll also nurture you. What do you say?"

Upon hearing Zhu Xicheng's words, Li Tongzhen didn't hesitate, "Fine, I agree!"

Zhu Xicheng was somewhat surprised by Li Tongzhen's response, and he smiled, "You are somewhat sensible, at least."

Li Tongzhen, without showing any emotion, walked steadily up to Zhu Xicheng and bowed.

The lady of high status and the pack of guards quickly caught up and watched the scene unfold with a strange expression on their faces.

What was this situation?

Why was he suddenly taking someone as his foster son?

The lady of high status wanted to say something,

but Zhu Xicheng simply waved his hand.

As a businessman, he might be wealthy, but he was still at the bottom rung of the world.

Similarly,

he was neither stupid nor dull.

Li Tongzhen was young, and despite the severe beating, seemed hardly wounded and appeared to have recovered swiftly based on his recent performance.

His constitution was unusual.

Zhu Xicheng thought of the many prodigious martial artists, whose bodies were often extraordinary compared to the common folk.

Perhaps Li Tongzhen was one such individual.

As Zhu Xicheng watched Li Tongzhen bow, a satisfied smile crossed his lips, but he also worried that Li Tongzhen harbored a grudge against him because of the previous events.

Suppressing his revulsion, he smiled and gently patted Li Tongzhen's head, "Good."

Li Tongzhen looked up at Zhu Xicheng, "Can you let Qingqing go now?"

Zhu Xicheng noticed the lack of respect in Li Tongzhen's gaze and frowned almost imperceptibly.

The hand that had just patted Li Tongzhen's head paused slightly.

"What, is she important to you?"

Zhu Xicheng's plump face revealed a meaningful smile as he regarded Li Tongzhen.

Li Tongzhen, without any suspicion, simply nodded vigorously.

Zhu Xicheng laughed again.

"Fine."

He released Qingqing's throat.

Qingqing's body fell to the ground, limp like a fallen leaf.

Li Tongzhen quickly stepped forward to catch Qingqing and then looked up at Zhu Xicheng. Without a moment's hesitation, he hoisted Qingqing onto his back and ran off into the distance.

Zhu Xicheng was not surprised, watching the retreating figure of Li Tongzhen and simply shaking his head with a dismissive laugh.