Chapter 4: I'll Beat You to Death, You Wretched Scoundrel~~

[Task failed. You did not die directly or indirectly at the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang, but at the hands of the Jinyiwei. Awarded 100,000 RMB...]
[Countdown: 1 minute starting now...]

"Damn it, is it really this hard to get killed by Zhu Yuanzhang?"
"Whatever. System, give me 5 minutes."
[5 minutes have been credited. 50,000 RMB has been deducted from the host's account...]

Chen Lin didn't waste another second; he ran out to go shopping. But just as he reached the stairwell, he remembered that Mao Xiang had confiscated his phone. How was he supposed to buy anything without a phone? He didn't have a cent in cash on him.

"What a pain in the ass. Online shopping it is. I'll just bring the stuff back next time I return to the modern world."

With that thought, Chen Lin dashed back into his rental apartment, opened his computer, and began shopping like a madman. Solar power generator sets, compound crossbows, all sorts of books, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs—he bought whatever came to mind. He had over 100,000 in his account; surely he couldn't spend it all in five minutes!

As he frantically clicked through websites, his company's DingTalk notification pinged. He clicked it open to find HR asking why he had been absent from work for the past few days.

"Damn it, I can travel through time now. Who the hell wants to be a corporate slave? Screw you."

Chen Lin typed a quick "I quit" and went right back to his shopping spree. Since he couldn't think of everything he needed on the fly, he just grabbed whatever he could.

"Looks like I'll need to make a proper list once I get back to the Ming Dynasty..."

With only 40 seconds left and unable to think of anything else to order, Chen Lin rushed into the kitchen and started stuffing seasonings into his suitcase—bottles of soy sauce, vinegar, MSG, chili powder, tomatoes, and even the "happy water" (soda), beer, and sausages from the fridge.

Before he could even close the refrigerator door, there was a soft *poof*, and he vanished.

***

Back in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era, the wound on Mao Xiang’s ear had stopped bleeding, though it was missing a chunk and looked rather unsightly. He and his men had been waiting at the restaurant for an entire day.

Suddenly, the body of Chen Lin, which had been hacked to pieces by blades, vanished into thin air before their eyes.

"It disappeared! It really just vanished into thin air!" The commander’s voice trembled.

Mao Xiang looked around nervously. "What in the hell? Such a bizarre thing to happen!"

"Where did he go? Did he not resurrect in the restaurant?"

No sooner had he spoken than Chen Lin appeared right before them, pulling his suitcase.

"A ghost!" One of the Jinyiwei, whose nerves were clearly frayed, actually wet himself.

Mao Xiang smacked him. "What are you howling about!"

Chen Lin set his suitcase down calmly. "How much time has passed?"

"Twelve... twelve hours," Mao Xiang stammered, clearly terrified himself.

***

Chen Lin stroked his chin. It seemed that no matter how long he spent in the modern world, only one day passed in the Ming Dynasty.

"Give me my things back."

Mao Xiang obediently returned his phone, cigarettes, and lighter, not daring to step out of line. Chen Lin flicked the lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. "Ah..."

"Want one?"

Mao Xiang shook his head. "Thank you, Chen... no, Immortal. Please forgive my rudeness yesterday."

Chen Lin snorted. "Can you take me to see Zhu Yuanzhang now?"

"This..."

"What? Still need to verify my abilities?"

"No, no, no. I was just wondering, why exactly does the Immortal wish to see His Majesty?"

"The affairs of adults are none of a child's business."

Mao Xiang’s brow furrowed. As the grand commander of the Jinyiwei, being called a child was insulting, but the resurrection was too strange to ignore. Besides, the Imperial Grandson was critically ill; perhaps this man really did have a cure.

With a grit of his teeth, Mao Xiang cupped his hands. "I shall take you to the palace at once, Immortal. Please, follow me."

Stepping out the door, Chen Lin was escorted by a group of Jinyiwei as he swaggered toward a carriage.

"What's going on? He insulted the Emperor in public, and not only is he fine, but the Jinyiwei are acting so polite?"

"Don't be fooled. I heard his home was raided. His maids and servants, over sixty people in total, are all locked in the Ministry of Justice prison, waiting to be executed in the autumn!"

"Then why is he fine?"

"What, you want to try it yourself?"

"No, no, no..."

By that afternoon, the party arrived at the Imperial Palace. Chen Lin was left in a small room to wait while Mao Xiang went inside to report. Before long, a young eunuch came to summon him. Chen Lin was ecstatic; he was finally going to meet Zhu Yuanzhang. Now, watch me work...

He was brought to a courtyard. The atmosphere was tense, with people moving in and out, all with their heads bowed in silence. Chen Lin stood there, watching a figure pacing back and forth outside a closed door, glancing into the room every so often.

Mao Xiang approached and whispered something, and the figure turned around. Mao Xiang beckoned Chen Lin to come forward, but Chen Lin stayed put. He didn't bow or move; he just stared straight at Zhu Yuanzhang, trying to provoke him.

"Bold! How dare you not kneel when His Majesty summons you!" a eunuch snapped.

Mao Xiang ran over. "Immortal, didn't you want to see the Emperor? Come, follow me to pay your respects."

Chen Lin chuckled to himself. Villains die because they talk too much; heroes survive because they use their wits. If he wanted to die by Zhu Yuanzhang’s hand, he shouldn't waste time lecturing him about the flaws of the government or the Emperor's tyranny—that would just trigger the Emperor’s "good judge of character" passive skill. He’d end up being sentenced to slow slicing or dismemberment, which sounded agonizing. And he’d heard Zhu Yuanzhang liked to flay people and stuff their skins with straw—that sounded far from pleasant.

So, no extra drama. Keep it short, simple, and clean. The best way is... just do it!

"Die, you old fool!"

While Mao Xiang was off-guard, Chen Lin suddenly lunged toward Zhu Yuanzhang—abruptly and without warning.

Everyone was shocked!

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, remained calm, looking with bewilderment at this stranger who supposedly had the power of resurrection as he charged forward. But how could one easily get close to the Emperor? The guards immediately drew their swords to subdue the attacker.

Mao Xiang fell to his knees, shivering. He never imagined that the "Immortal" he brought would try to assassinate the Emperor! It was over. Everything was over.

Zhu Yuanzhang, already irritable due to his grandson's illness, had only summoned this person because of Mao Xiang’s claims. "Kill him!" he uttered coldly.

Chen Lin was overjoyed. He had to play the part to the end—he kept charging forward. There was no last-minute pardon, no pleading from bystanders, and no cliché of the Emperor pitying a talented man.

Chen Lin died magnificently under a flurry of blades, and since it was by the Emperor's own decree, it was perfect.

Looking at the corpse in the pool of blood, Zhu Yuanzhang looked coldly at the kneeling Mao Xiang. "Mao Xiang, this is the 'resurrection' you spoke of? Bring him back to life for me to see!"

Mao Xiang crawled forward. "Your Majesty, I beg you to listen. I truly saw him hacked to death, and the very next day he resurrected in a restaurant in Jurong County. My men and I can all swear to it."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes. "You mean he needs a day to resurrect?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. If you accompany me to Jurong County tomorrow, you will know the truth."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked back at the closed door. "Fine. I will trust you one last time. If this man can truly return from the dead, perhaps my grandson can still be saved..."