Chapter 1: Host, Please Make the Best Decision Based on the Current Situation!

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have successfully activated the Divine System. Please make the optimal decision based on your current situation!]

Easy Task: Escape from the train, witness the historic event at Huanggu Village, and stand by as territory is lost.

Task Reward: Beginner's Starter Pack. Task Penalty: None.

Normal Task: Randomly rescue a passenger.

Task Reward: Intermediate Starter Pack. Task Penalty: None.

Difficult Task: Save Zhang Zuolin and revitalize the Northeast!

Task Reward: Advanced Starter Pack. Task Penalty: None.

On the Jingfeng Railway, an antique "Flower Car" thundered down the tracks.

This special train was once the Empress Dowager Cixi's royal "Flower Car." Because its ornate decorations no longer suited the times, it had been requisitioned for military use.

Aboard the military train, a young and handsome colonel in a brownish-yellow Fengtian uniform, golden epaulettes gleaming on his chest, opened his eyes in confusion, the abrupt system prompt still echoing in his mind.

Huanggu Village?

Jiang Bai murmured this unfamiliar place name to himself, a light sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead. His black military cap sat atop his head, the five-colored badge on its brim swaying gently with the train's subtle jolts.

Zhang Zuolin?

Suddenly, a torrent of memories flooded Jiang Bai’s mind. His brow furrowed as he digested the information, coming to grips with his current predicament.

He had, incredibly, traversed time to 1928, becoming the colonel of an infantry regiment in the Mixed Brigade of the Fifth Army.

His features were sharp and well-defined, his high nose set above deep, star-like eyes that shone with intelligence. His fair skin made him appear strikingly handsome.

"Colonel, how are you feeling? If you're not well, you should rest."

"That's right, Colonel. With us keeping watch, you'll be fine. Besides, the Brigade Commander is close to you—he won’t blame you even if something happens."

Jiang Bai calmed himself, his bright eyes glancing toward the central carriage, where the old Marshal was seated.

"Where are we now?" he asked.

"In a few minutes, we’ll reach Huanggu Village—just fifty li from Fengtian City."

Huanggu Village!

Wasn't that where Marshal Zhang Zuolin met his end?

Jiang Bai's pupils contracted sharply, his expression transforming in an instant.

"Damn those Northern Expedition bastards! Because of them, I have to return to Fengtian and change my departure time three times! It's a disgrace!"

"Enough. That’s all. You may go and rest. In about an hour, we’ll be in Fengtian."

"Understood, Marshal," the senior officers of the Fengtian Army replied in unison.

Pan Fu, then the Director of Transportation, remained behind to report the latest intelligence.

"Marshal, according to confidential orders from Qian Enming, Commander of the Fengtian Military Police, yesterday the Japanese imposed martial law from Laodaokou to the Third Bridge and Huanggu Village. There may be an incident. For your safety, it would be wise to disembark at Laodaokou and switch to an armored British car for the rest of the journey to avoid any Japanese tricks."

"Pan, you read too many books—don’t you know who I am?" Old Zhang waved him off with a laugh.

"I'm the Grand Marshal of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Zhili-Five Province Allied Army and the Northern Expedition are strong, but my foundation remains. The Japanese have invested billions in me—they wouldn't dare touch Old Zhang!"

"In these times, those who owe money are the masters!"

"Enough. Tell the kitchen to prepare meals for the staff. Skip my portion. You go eat too. I need a good sleep!"

"Yes, Marshal."

With nothing more to say, Pan Fu could only withdraw.

The dining car rattled through the corridor, groaning with each movement.

"Soldier, make way!"

…

[Ding! The military train will arrive at Huanggu Village in three minutes. Host, please make your choice quickly!]

[If you exceed the time limit, the easy task will be selected automatically~!]

Jiang Bai entered the restroom, eyes fixed on the pale blue virtual screen displaying three options. The prompt in his ears reminded him that time was short—he must decide soon.

[Ding! The train will reach Huanggu Village in 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Host, please choose now!]

The first option seemed the simplest, with almost no challenge.

But Jiang Bai knew the corresponding reward would be negligible, and more importantly, for the Northeast, Zhang Zuolin must not die. He was the pillar of the three hundred thousand-strong Northeast Army—without him, the Fengtian Clique would collapse. So the first option was not worthwhile.

A determined look flashed across Jiang Bai’s face as he turned his attention to the remaining two options.

Both involved saving someone, but one required the random rescue of a passenger. With the train moving at only forty kilometers per hour and soft grass outside, he reasoned that even if he leapt from the train, he’d be, at worst, injured—not killed. The task was slightly challenging but seemed the optimal choice for the reward offered.

Calmly, Jiang Bai weighed his options, his thoughts racing. He needed to make a wise decision—his fate depended on it.

But if the rescue target was Zhang Zuolin, Jiang Bai would have less than two minutes to reach his room, make contact, and explain…!

[Ding! Only 2 minutes and 30 seconds remain. Please choose quickly, Host!]

"System, I choose the difficult task!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on selecting the difficult task and earning an extra reward: Intermediate Body-Tempering Technique!

Skill Name: Intermediate Body-Tempering Technique

Skill Description: Increases the Host’s offensive and defensive abilities threefold."

Jiang Bai’s once-slight frame instantly became robust, black, impure liquid seeping from his pores and covering his skin in moments.

In the restroom mirror, a blackened figure stared back.

Just twenty centimeters from the mirror was the train window’s iron grille. Jiang Bai felt a surge of strength and punched it.

Bang!

With a clash of metal, the pinkie-thick bars snapped.

"As expected of a threefold boost in offense and defense. I feel that even if I took a bullet to the chest, I might survive."

"One minute and twenty seconds left—plenty of time!"

With no time to clean himself, Jiang Bai climbed out the train window onto the roof, running against the wind toward the central carriage.

"This is it!"

Jiang Bai reached his target, crouched, and punched down with all his might.

Clang!

He jumped through the hole he’d made in the roof—unfortunately, it wasn’t Marshal Zhang’s resting car, No. 20.

"Get back! No entry to the central carriage without the Chief of Staff’s permit!"