The soft glow of morning sunlight seeped through the wooden shutters, casting golden streaks across the small, rustic room. Zhao Ming stirred, groaning as he stretched his stiff muscles. His body still ached from the wounds of their previous battles, but the warmth of the morning was a welcome contrast to the cold uncertainty that lingered in his heart.


    Sitting up, he rubbed his temples, recalling the events of the past few days. Leaving Anxi. The ambush. The choice he made. There was no turning back now.


    Just as he exhaled deeply, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.


    <hr>


    A translucent blue panel appeared before his eyes.


    <blockquote>


    [You have received: Fate’s Favor (Luck Boost)]


    Effect: Increases chances of encountering influential figures, finding rare opportunities, or escaping dangerous situations unscathed. Triggers randomly.


    </blockquote>


    Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. "Luck? So my life is going to be dictated by fate now?"


    He ran a hand through his hair, contemplating the meaning of this reward. A strength boost or a skill upgrade would have been preferable. Luck was unreliable—it was like giving up control and trusting the unknown.


    "System," he muttered, "how exactly does this work?"


    <blockquote>


    [Trigger conditions unknown. Activates when fate deems it necessary.]


    </blockquote>


    Zhao Ming scoffed. "Helpful as always."


    With a sigh, he dismissed the panel. There was no use overthinking it. If fate wanted to throw him opportunities, he would simply take advantage of them.


    His stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts. Shaking his head, he pushed himself up and decided to find something to eat.


    <hr>


    Stepping outside, Zhao Ming took in the fresh morning air. The village was slowly coming to life—farmers preparing for the day''s work, merchants loading their carts, and stray dogs sniffing around for scraps.


    He followed the scent of food to a small open-air stall near the village square. The vendor, an elderly woman, was busy serving steaming bowls of rice porridge and freshly steamed buns to a mix of travelers and locals. Some sat on rough wooden benches, chatting between bites, while others ate in silence, weary from their journeys.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Zhao Ming took a seat at the end of a communal table. "One bowl of porridge and two steamed buns, please."


    The woman nodded and quickly filled a bowl for him. As he waited, he listened to the conversations around him.


    "Did you hear? Someone got kicked out of Anxi last night," a merchant muttered to his companion.


    "Hah! That city is a mess. The officials there are just as corrupt as the bandits outside the walls. No wonder people are fleeing."


    Zhao Ming smirked slightly. News traveled fast. He sipped his warm porridge, feeling the heat spread through his body.


    "I also heard the Yellow Turbans are getting restless again. A noble in the south is paying handsomely for warriors to fight against them."


    Zhao Ming''s ears perked up. Opportunities, indeed.


    <hr>


    As he tore into a steamed bun, familiar voices rang out behind him.


    "Oi! You''re eating without us?" Zhang Fei''s loud voice boomed.


    Zhao Ming turned to see Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei approaching. The three of them looked well-rested but serious.


    Zhang Fei plopped down beside him, immediately calling out to the vendor. "Give me five buns! No, make it six!"


    Guan Yu shook his head in exasperation as he and Liu Bei took their seats. "One last meal together, at least."


    Zhao Ming smiled faintly. "Of course. Wouldn''t want you to go hungry."


    As they ate, the atmosphere remained light, but there was an unspoken weight in the air. Each of them knew this was farewell.


    <hr>


    After the last sip of tea, Liu Bei set his cup down and looked at Zhao Ming. "I thought about it overnight. We will go north, as you suggested."


    Zhao Ming met his gaze. "It''s the safest path for now. The warlords in the north are still consolidating power. You''ll have better chances there."


    Guan Yu nodded. "A wise choice. We will gather allies where we can."


    Zhang Fei grinned. "Tch! Wherever we go, we''ll make a name for ourselves. Just you wait."


    Liu Bei extended his hand. "Thank you, Zhao Ming. If fate allows, our paths will cross again."


    Zhao Ming clasped it firmly. "I''m sure they will."


    With that, the three warriors stood and departed, disappearing into the bustling streets. Zhao Ming watched them go, a strange sense of emptiness settling in his chest.


    <hr>


    Zhao Ming sighed and leaned back on the bench. "Now what?"


    He turned to a nearby villager, an elderly man resting beside a cart. "Excuse me, do you know where the nearest town is?"


    The man squinted at him before nodding. "That would be Penglai Town (蓬莱镇), northeast of here. It''s a merchant hub. Decent place if you’re looking for work or information."


    Zhao Ming nodded in thanks. "How far is it?"


    "A day’s walk, maybe less if you catch a ride with a merchant."


    Penglai Town. A new start.


    <hr>


    Gathering his belongings, Zhao Ming made his way toward the northern road. It was well-traveled, lined with rolling hills and patches of dense forest.


    As he walked, he mulled over his options. He could find employment in Penglai, gather intelligence on the shifting political landscape, or seek out powerful figures to align with.


    The wind rustled through the trees, and he exhaled slowly. "Let''s see where fate takes me."


    With Fate’s Favor lingering in the back of his mind, he stepped forward, ready for whatever awaited him on the road ahead.