Super System in the Early Tang Dynasty

Hu San'er is a merchant from Sichuan who has been traveling between Xindu and Deyang for more than ten years. He has no sons, only a nephew named Hu Miao'er.

Hu Miao'er's family was quite well-off, and with her uncle's doting affection, she grew up smoothly until she was over ten years old. However, she developed a bit of arrogance and haughtiness, and was quite disdainful of others; fortunately, her nature was still kind.

Originally, Hu San'er planned to use the money he had earned from years of trading to buy a large shop, become a wealthy man, and live out his old age in peace. However, he couldn't resist Hu Miao'er's persistent pleas, so he had no choice but to take him on this last trip. He also wanted to take this opportunity to let his ignorant nephew see the world, understand the hardships of life, and live a peaceful and honest life in the future, so as to avoid causing any trouble.

Hu San'er was already familiar with navigating the city and passing through inns, making arrangements along the way, so nothing unexpected happened. His nephew's endless complaints were exactly what he had expected.

On this day, the sun was blazing, and the caravan found a cool spot by the roadside to rest for a while when Hu Miao'er complained that she was hungry.

Having not visited any shops for days, their dry rations had long since run out.

Seeing that the other errand boys around him were also feeling bloated, and remembering that there was a small town not far ahead, Hu San'er simply called a few people to start a fire and cook a meal.

Just as the meal was about to be served, Hu San'er's ears twitched. He heard a rustling sound coming from the grass not far away. Judging from the sound, it sounded like some large wild animal was about to appear.

Without a word, he drew his steel knife with a 'snap' and shielded Hu Miao'er behind him, ready for battle.

The group already had a tacit understanding, so there was no need for further explanation. Several burly men picked up their weapons and surrounded Hu Miao'er and the mule carrying the goods in the middle.

"Brother Li, hurry up and leave, these grasses are deadly."

Li Linzhi complained from behind. She couldn't understand why Li Xingzhi wouldn't let her use her lightness skill to step directly down from the grass, but instead made her crawl through the bushes; it was fortunate that she had worn an insect-repelling sachet, otherwise, the poisonous snakes and insects hidden in the grass and trees would have been enough to give them a hard time.

Hearing a woman's sweet complaint, these burly men felt their bones lighten. They hadn't even put down their knives, but their vigilance had dropped significantly.

Before long, a man and two women emerged from the tall, lush vegetation.

The men were alright; though they had fair skin and red lips, they weren't particularly good-looking. But the two women caught the men's eye—one in red, one in white; one moving, one still; both curvaceous and charming; standing side by side, they were like vibrant colors, each more beautiful than the last!

The three of them came out, brushed the grass clippings off their clothes, and then noticed a dozen or so people watching them from a short distance ahead.

Li Xingzhi glanced at the group of more than ten people in front of him before leading the two women to Hu San'er. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "The road ahead is difficult, and we have lost our way in these mountains. Old man, would you do us a favor and lead us the way?" As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve, pulled out a bulging purse, and handed it over. "This is a small favor, please accept it, old man."

Hu San'er looked at the three people emerging from the grass and, for some reason, had a strange feeling. Years of travel had instilled in him a certain air of authority, and he wasn't worried about any mountain spirits or monsters, but something still felt amiss.

Looking at the money bag Li Xingzhi handed him, he thought to himself: I've been running around in these mountains for half a year and I probably wouldn't have earned this much.

What good people are there who spend their lives traversing treacherous mountains and dangerous places? If he had encountered these things in his younger days, even if he had many concerns, he would have simply killed and robbed them.

But for some reason, I didn't have such vile thoughts today. Perhaps it's because I'm getting old and my heart is softer, and I want to accumulate some good deeds for the future.

Hu San'er's mind raced. He didn't take the money pouch and said calmly, "Judging from your accent, you don't seem to be from Sichuan. You sound more like someone from the Central Plains, like Chang'an."

When Li Xingzhi heard Hu San'er say this, he didn't hide anything and casually said, "This time I came to Sichuan with my uncle to visit relatives. I saw the beautiful scenery of Sichuan and slipped away. But I didn't expect that I would forget the way in just a few days."

Hearing Li Xingzhi's words, Hu San'er couldn't help but sigh at the young man and woman's recklessness, yet he also had to admire their luck. After all, no one understood the dangers of Sichuan better than him, a native of Sichuan for over ten years—a land of barren mountains and treacherous waters, where countless people were killed; even he, who considered himself a relatively honest merchant, had taken countless lives on his hands.

Hu Miao'er, who was being protected in the middle, was also startled by Li Xingzhi's words.

In these days, he has encountered several murders, and the roadside is littered with bones; in just over a month, his worldview has been completely overturned.

The saying "grinding teeth and sucking blood, killing without hesitation" is not just empty talk.

This is also due to Li Xingzhi's good luck.

When they entered Sichuan, they traveled by water and naturally encountered no trouble. When they went to Crane Cry Mountain, with the Taoist priest Yuan Yi leading the way, few dared to provoke them. And on the way back, needless to say, the roads they took were not places that normal people should take, and they didn't encounter a single person.

"We are heading to Deyang, but we don't know where you plan to stay."

Deyang is located at the pass leading to Brazil, but Li Xingzhi did not want to follow this group of people indefinitely, so he said, "Old man, just lead us to the nearest city, and then we will find a way back."

Hu San'er wasn't exactly a saint, so he stopped trying to persuade her. He took the money, looked at the two pretty and eye-catching women, frowned, and said, "Those two need to change their clothes and dress up a bit." He then turned to look at Li Xingzhi and said, "You too."

Looking at the two pretty women, and noticing the predatory, wolf-like gazes of the burly men around them, some with eyes that held a sinister, lewd glint, and faces full of ill intent, Li Xingzhi frowned, thinking: "I'm afraid trouble is about to arise again."

The three changed their clothes and followed the group northward.

Although the road was steep and dangerous, it was a much wider road than the one that the Taoist priest Yuan Yi had led them on, and the three of them walked on it as if on flat ground.

Almost everyone focused their attention on their feet, except for Hu San'er, who kept an eye on the three of them, his brows furrowing more and more deeply.

Merchants value integrity, and having received the money, Hu San'er thought he should keep an eye on things along the way. However, what he found unexpected was a problem – the burly men were all watching their step carefully, afraid of making a mistake and ending up dead, and were covered in sweat and dust from the scorching sun; but the young man, along with the thin woman beside him, was spotless and sweat-free, looking around as if he were enjoying the scenery, completely ignoring the steep and dangerous passes beneath his feet.

This time, I really misjudged them! Hu San'er thought to himself, it seems I need to give them a good talking-to tonight, so as not to offend these three people whose backgrounds I don't know.

Before Hu San'er could give any explanation, the group of several people soon arrived at the spacious area in the middle of the plank road.

This place connects to the two mountain peaks on either side, and a wooden stockade stands on top to block the way.