Data-Driven Daoist

The girl touched the orb. It lit up with red light.

Huang Linxue’s face scrunched like she had licked the sourest lemon. But in a blink, it changed back.

“Name?” Qiao Jinhai asked the girl.

“H-Huang Niuniu.” The girl was flustered. She lowered her face and fidgeted with her fingers.

Yellow Cow? Cow cow? That has to be a nickname.

“A trait, huh? Not bad. Wait at the side with your sister.”

The girl nodded, then ran to Huang Linxue. With each step, they bounced, and the gulps rang out from the crowd, Yu Han among them. Maybe it is her real name.

“Sister.” She gasped for breath. “L-Lord Father said that if I pass, I should take care of your needs.”

“What nonsense. Are you a maid?” Huang Linxue huffed. “Take a seat. We must show the proper attitude of a cultivator.”

Yu Han sensed drama. He pried his eyes away, though the temptation was there. Yu Han was a teenager, in body and in half his soul. The other half protested.

Think about my ex!

Instagram model, Korean. They met at a Dubai auction—she selling her first, Johan winning the bid. Sizzling nights were followed with heartfelt talks. No father, mother in a cult. She never knew love. A month in, they began dating. She closed her OnlyFans, stopped livestreaming. Cooked for him. Dreamed of kids. Got along well with his family. Said she didn’t want his money anymore. Somehow she gave all of it back. Over the years, she became more demanding. More emotional. More fights. Counselling? He scoffed. Nothing was wrong with him. Accusations flew. They stopped talking. Stopped fighting. Sex became a stranger.

Then she left him for the janitor, traumatising him for two lives.

Yep, stay away from drama. Yu Han scooted away.

The talent tests continued. Even if someone failed, Qiao Jinhai would say a word of consolation.

Is he like me? Did someone transmigrate into his body? The change in attitude was like night and day.

At the end, seven kids passed.

An old lady wearing similar servant robes handed Huang Niuniu a large knapsack.

“The lady’s essentials are here. And… some for you,” the old lady said.

“Thanks, grandmother.”

“I wish my real grandkid was a good girl like you. Take care of yourself. And—” the old woman patted her head, her expression faltering as it turned to Huang Linxue “—be careful.”

“My Lord, we have prepared a grand feast for you. Perhaps you may find it agreeable to join?” City Lord Huang said, each gesture theatrical. “In all of Martial Eagle Kingdom, our Goldleaf city boasts the best food, fresh from the mountains and rivers.”

“Certainly, I can’t refuse that now, can I?” Qiao Jinhai smiled. He scanned the seven who passed the test. “Shall our new heroes join the feast?”

It sounded like a question, but was more like a commandment.

“They shall have time to bid farewell. Filial piety is the utmost of virtues,” Qiao Jinhai said.

What happened to severing mortal ties? Yu Han stiffened, and the bad feeling grew worse.

“Certainly, my lord.” City Lord Huang stroked his beard.

That was when Huang Linxue spoke up. “Lord Father, and Senior Brother Qiao. Do forgive me for my presumption for speaking out of turn. May I have a word?” ℞äɴỒВЕṩ

“Feel free, Junior Sister. No need to be so formal.” Qiao Jinhai said.

“Perhaps we should let Huang Niuniu go to the ship ahead of us? The silly girl has never been to such feasts, and her mannerisms might offend. This Linxue thinks maybe she would feel more comfortable that way. Isn’t that right, dear sister?”

“Honoured Sister is right, Lord Father, Lord Cultivator. I wouldn’t want to bother anyone.” Cow Girl—Huang Niuniu lowered her head.

“Junior Yu, head back with this Junior and tell her the rules on the ship.”

“Leave it to this Yu Han.” He patted his chest.

“And, from the next city onward, you shall not accompany me. Concentrate on your cultivation, or you shall be dust in the wake of your peers,” Qiao Jinhai said. Then he was led away by the city lord and other recruits, the whole group bustling with laughter and jokes.

Yu Han and Huang Niuniu were left. Yu Han tried to discern her expression, but her face showed no change. She merely looked at the back of those that left.

“Shall we go, Junior N-Niuniu? Junior Huang?” Yu Han said.

“Niuniu. Or Niu’er. You might anger my sister if you call me Junior Huang,” the girl said. She had a sweet smile on her face. It was dazzling, as if coming directly from her heart.

I keep calling her a girl, but didn’t they say she was three days from twenty-one? She’s older than me. In this world, I guess that’s already considered a full-fledged lady. She’d be a young adult back in London.

“Then, Junior Niuniu, let’s make haste.” They walked back to the pier, and Yu Han told her the rules of the ship. Huang Niuniu carried a large pack like a snail. Maybe she had higher strength stats than him?

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The figurehead remained changed, as if the azure dragon had been an illusion. The old immortal’s emerald eyes gleamed in the orange light of sunset.

Huang Niuniu ran to the River God Temple and a lit an incense at the small shrine outside. She walked back, her gaze going over the distant city.

“Let’s go up,” she said.

“Be careful,” Yu Han said as Huang Niuniu almost tripped on the gangway, the ship rocking with the waves.

“Sorry. I’ve never ridden on one of these.”

Yu Han showed her the wardrooms. Huang Niuniu put the bag down, sitting down beside it.

“Well then, take care.” Yu Han walked away.

A few guys were watching the new arrival.

“Oi, look at that,” one whispered, elbowing the other. Yu Han rolled his eyes, but left. No need for drama. Yu Han didn’t need plot.

Qiao Jinhai returned at daybreak with the recruits. They smelled of alcohol. The recruits hugged their family, bidding each goodbye. As the ship left shore, the drums and trumpets sounded, while the recruits waved their loved ones goodbye.

“Why isn’t he saying anything?” one boy asked, observing the new recruits from near the stairs.

“Maybe Qiao Jinhai is from this city?” a girl replied.

Everyone looked shocked at his change in attitude.

Yu Han was basking in the sun near the conversation. He asked Li Yao, who was leaning against the mast, “What’s the name of our country?”

The boy cleaned his ear with his pinky. “Riversong?”

“That’s the city name.”

“Oh right. Right. I think it was White Lotus Kingdom? Or was it Sima Kingdom?”

During lunch time, Yu Han confirmed it was called White Lotus, not Martial Eagle, when one of the new recruits called Sima Yan a grass-eating girly boy from White Lotus.

“You dare?” Sima Yan raged, and Pang Jiming, the guard commander’s son, tackled the boy to the ground.

A sudden pressure descended. Plates fell, chopsticks clattered. Some passed out.

“Who dares break the rules?” Qiao Jinhai floated up the stairs.

“S-Senior Brother. These new Juniors provoke us to our face—” Sima Yan tried to say, kneeling.

“Silence.” Qiao Jinhai held Pang Jiming up. He touched the boy’s hand.

It snapped.

Pang Jiming screamed.

“I said silence.” Qiao Jinhai repeated, and Pang Jiming passed out. The cultivator threw Pang Jiming to the wood. “Take him to the doctors. Do not waste my time by repeating this mistake. Next time, I won’t be so merciful.”

“We beg for forgiveness.” Sima Yan relented.

“The Martial Eagle Kingdom is thrice the size of you merchants from White Lotus. Isn’t it natural for you to bow to us?” The recruit who started it all dusted his robes. “Isn’t that right, Senior Brother?”

Qiao Jinhai nodded. “The weak bow to the strong. That’s the rule of the world.”

Sima Yan paled. “The White Lotus Kingdom—”

Qiao Jinhai snapped his fingers. Sima Yan’s head slammed on the ground.

“Do not waste my time again.” The cultivator left. All that remained was a deafening silence.

“Hey hey, tubs,” Li Yao said. “What just happened?”

Yu Han had a hunch, but he didn’t want to voice it. What did he care if nobles from the White Lotus Kingdom were ditched?

The trend continued for the next cities. While in White Lotus, Qiao Jinhai had seemed to speedrun through each city, as f he wanted to get away even a second sooner. But in Martial Eagle waters, he took his time. The recruits from here were happier, more chipper. All nobles.

Those from the White Lotus Kingdom kept their heads down. Yu Han’s life continued.

He wrapped the rope around him again. Finally! His circumference was about a third of an inch smaller.

There were more improvements.

Echoing Dreamscape

Mastery: Initial Step Level 2 -> Initial Step Level 3

And his current stats were:

Name: Yu Han (Johan)

Level: 0

True Qi: 39 (+20)/110

Pure Qi: 10/110

[Body Origin: 5.20]

[Spirit Origin: 7.80]

[Mind Origin: 11.00]

Arts:

[Deep Sleep]

Type: Bloodline

Grade: Mortal Level 1

Mastery: Initial Step Level 1

True Qi: 55 (+17)/200

[Echoing Dreamscape]

Type: Auxiliary

Grade: Mortal Level 9

Mastery: Initial Step Level 3

True Qi: 4 (+105)/400

The True Qi gain for Echoing Dreamscape had gone down, but it levelled up. He could keep the mirages going for almost twenty seconds now. And they were far clearer, both visually and aurally. He could simulate smell too, but not touch.

“You can do it!” Li Yao cheered from the side. He removed the bag of rice on Yu Han’s back.

“F-Five!” Yu Han collapsed.

Vitality: 6 -> 7

[Body Origin: 5.20 -> 5.40]

Why did vitality increase and not strength? Yu Han gasped for breath.

“Good job.” Li Yao squatted by Yu Han, who lay on his stomach, sleek from sweat.

The other boy left. He spent more time with some of the other recruits from White Lotus Kingdom recently, mainly the ones that weren’t nobles. Meanwhile, the nobles gathered around Sima Yan.

Including the nobles from Martial Eagle Kingdom, there were three unwritten factions on the ship, with the third bullying the other two.

Yu Han got up, but his head spun. He crawled to the side of the training hall, then threw up in a bucket.

“Are you okay?” a voice said. Yu Han forced his head up, and green eyes stared back. Huang Niuniu.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. Are you trying to lose weight?”

Yu Han coughed. I want my abs back! I at least want to see them.

“I’m training. Leave me alone.” Yu Han pushed Huang Niuniu aside and tried to walk away.

“Small steps. You can do it.” The girl grabbed his shoulder. Her grip was strong.

“What are you—”

She took Yu Han’s hand. “Thanks for explaining the rules to me. Take this, it’ll make the nausea go away. Make tea with it, let the hot water rest for three hundred breaths. You can use it to make ten cups of tea.”

The girl ran off.

There was a dried root in Yu Han’s hand. Expensive stuff.

“That’s a baby ginseng,” the doctor later confirmed. “It isn’t poison, boy.”

After the tea, he collapsed on the bed. Deep Sleep felt clearer, his shoulders light.

***

“Dad, the world isn’t such a kind place. You don’t have to put your neck out for others like this,” Johan said.

“I know, son. Reality is cruel. Harsh. That’s why we have to cherish those that show us kindness. No matter how minor the connection is, cherish it.”

“Why?”

“If we don’t, then all that’s left in this unforgiving world is the icy wind biting into our bones. Son, kindness connects the world with rays of hope. Never give up on it.”

***

Yu Han had experienced a weird dream. But it wasn’t as weird as the scene in front of him.

Qiao Jinhai was laughing and drinking with a new recruit. Huang Linxue was all smiles too; she served them both wine. The deck was windy, but they had set up a pavilion.

“Perfectly said, Junior Brother Wu Di! Truly a dragon amongst men!”

“Senior Qiao, you praise me too much.” Wu Di clasped his hand with Qiao Jinhai’s. They might as well have sworn a brotherly oath.

“They say when he touched the orb, it shone yellow,” Li Yao whispered. “Profound Talent. He has another Trait, apparently.”

“We leave the Martial Eagle Kingdom to the sea soon, Junior Wu,” Qiao said. “The remaining journey will take twenty days. Is there anything else you need in the meantime?” When Wu Di had come aboard, a line of mortal servants had carried luggage into the most luxurious wardroom. Wu Di claimed it all for himself.

“Ah, Senior Qiao. I walk the path of a cultivator, and I know I have to sever mortal ties. But, but—”

“Say it. Let this Senior Brother Qiao see if I can solve the problems.”

“The nights are lonely. I left behind all my concubines in the mortal world. I wonder…” Wu Di eyed the other recruits, his gaze going over each girl. Even Huang Linxue wasn’t spared, and her smile faltered. “If anything can be done.” His eyes stopped on Huang Niuniu’s bust.

Huang Linxue lit up. “In that case, I know the perfect candidate. Niuniu, come here.”

“…Sister?” Huang Niuniu took a step back.

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