And at the very end, in slightly clumsier handwriting, he had added:
“I miss you.”
He stared at those three characters longer than he thought he would.
A chill breeze slipped in from the half-open window. Zhao Ming stood and stretched, rolling his shoulders. He was about to snuff the lamp and turn in for the night when—
ding
A familiar tone chimed in his mind, crisp and clear.
A translucent screen materialized before his eyes, its glow softly illuminating the dim room.
[System Update Complete.]
Fame Increase Summary:
— Rescued Refugees and Built Temporary Settlement: +500 Fame
— Protected Settlement from Noble Attack: +500 Fame
— Development of Repeating Crossbow Prototype: +300 Fame
Total Fame Gained: +1,300
Zhao Ming blinked, surprised.
“…So you’re back,” he murmured aloud, voice low but steady.
Host has gained significant fame over a short period. System underwent a comprehensive update to accommodate Host’s rising influence.
Zhao Ming frowned slightly, lowering himself back into his seat as he looked at the glowing screen. “Took you long enough,” he muttered. “I thought you vanished.”
[The system was not deactivated. Multiple Fame milestones were triggered in succession. To optimize processing and unlock additional functions, system initiated full recalibration and modular upgrade. Estimated downtime exceeded initial parameters.]
He raised an eyebrow. “You could’ve just said you froze from shock.”
[Correction: System does not freeze. System upgrades.]
Zhao Ming chuckled under his breath and leaned back, his eyes drifting to the wooden beams overhead.
“So now what? What did the update bring?”
[Update complete. New functions and quests available. Fame now impacts political influence, faction favorability, and skills.]
His gaze sharpened at that. “Faction favorability… So I can gain influence with the major clans or noble houses?”
[Affirmative. Progress with Murong Jin’s branch and Murong Trading House recognized. Current standing: Trusted Associate.]
Zhao Ming’s thoughts turned to Murong Jin and—briefly—to Murong Xue’s smile. The weight of this opportunity settled on his chest, somewhere between excitement and burden.
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“And the fame from the crossbow?” he asked.
[Prototype development of enhanced military weaponry increases technical reputation. Military factions and tacticians may take interest. Further development recommended.]
He nodded slowly. The pieces were moving.
Just as Zhao Ming was about to turn away from the window and head toward his bed, the system's glow pulsed once more, catching his attention.
Reward Unlocked:
— Trusted Companion: Xu Liang (Already Received)
— Battlefield Instinct & Tactical Knowledge (Passive Skill)
— Charm Increased (Social, Charisma, Flirtation attributes enhanced)
Zhao Ming’s brow arched slightly, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
“Oh?” he murmured. “Finally handing out something useful, are you?”
[Clarification: Rewards are calculated based on Fame milestones and significance of accomplishments.]
“Mm.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Let’s break it down, then. First—‘Battlefield Instinct & Knowledge’... what does that do?”
Battlefield Instinct & Tactical Knowledge:
— Improved perception of enemy formations and intent.
— Quicker decision-making during combat.
— Increased effectiveness when leading troops or small squads.
— Enhances reactions during ambushes or surprise encounters.
Zhao Ming’s thoughts drifted back to that chaotic battle on the ship, when pirates surged across the deck like wolves, and his instincts had kicked in faster than his mind. He hadn’t questioned it then—just acted. And it had worked.
So it wasn’t just adrenaline. The system had already been nudging him toward leadership in war.
He gave a low whistle. “That’ll come in handy… especially if Beihai turns into a battlefield soon.”
Then, his eyes narrowed slightly as the next reward scrolled into view.
[Charm Attribute Increased.]
— Improved presence and natural charisma.
— Increased effectiveness in diplomacy, persuasion, and flirtation.
— Subtle boost in social interactions and perception by others.
Zhao Ming blinked. “…Flirtation?”
[Charm affects interpersonal dynamics. Increased chance of favorable responses from key figures, including political allies… and potential romantic interests.]
He gave a dry laugh and shook his head. “System, you really want me to start collecting lovers like some degenerate main character from those dog-blood tales?”
[System rewards are neutral. Application depends on Host’s choices.]
He turned toward his desk, brushing a hand through his hair, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Let’s just hope I don’t accidentally charm a warlord’s daughter next.”
The system didn’t reply—its interface faded silently, leaving Zhao Ming alone with the quiet of the room once more.
He ran a hand over his face, still smiling faintly.
A tactician’s mind. A general’s instinct. And now… a silver tongue?
It was almost too convenient.
But nothing in this world came free. Every reward had a price—whether it was blood, sweat, or sacrifice.
He extinguished the lantern and finally moved to his bed, laying down with his thoughts still stirring.
Tomorrow, Beihai would wake.
And Zhao Ming—equipped with sharpened wit, instinct, and a rising name—was ready to take his next step.