Chapter Seventeen: Disrobing and Unfastening the Belt

A quiet and secluded riverbank.

Yu Ge was haggling with Meng Xiaoya.

"Ten coppers!"

"No, twenty coppers!"

"Fine, twenty it is. But can you keep this a secret?"

"I can!"

Meng Xiaoya’s face was serious, her little head nodding vigorously, eyes fixed intently on the money pouch at Yu Ge’s waist.

Seeing the certainty in her answer, Yu Ge finally felt at ease. Yet, thinking of what he was about to do next, he still felt a bit awkward and embarrassed.

He exhaled slowly. Under Meng Xiaoya’s expectant gaze, he gripped the hem of his shirt with both hands and yanked.

With a ripping sound, his shirt came off, leaving him bare-chested, revealing the faintly defined muscles of his upper arms.

Across from him, Meng Xiaoya’s cheeks turned bright red. She blinked, but dutifully scanned his torso before shaking her head, "Nothing?"

Achievement unlocked: [Disrobe With Ease].

Completion requirement: Remove your clothing ten times in one second while being watched by a stranger. Progress: 1/10.

Reward: Unknown.

At this moment, Yu Ge paid little attention to Meng Xiaoya’s answer, more concerned with the achievement triggered in his mind one night while undressing.

The requirement for completion had once again led him to Meng Xiaoya—cheap, skilled at acting.

As for his dignity? It was just taking off his shirt! What did this little girl know, anyway?

To make sure he had a reasonable excuse, he’d even concocted a story about being bitten by bugs, so each time he took off his shirt, the girl would check him.

So far, his method seemed effective.

As his progress advanced, Yu Ge quickly put his shirt back on and prepared to repeat the process.

Everything was perfect; nothing unexpected happened.

He felt incredibly clever.

But on the last attempt, just as he heard the mental confirmation and was buttoning up his shirt, the unexpected occurred.

"You little scoundrel! Die!"

Yu Ge had just fastened a button when a man in his forties burst out from the nearby woods, shouting with a dark, furious expression, a thick pole raised as he charged with wild ferocity.

Yu Ge was momentarily confused, not understanding what had set this man off.

He recognized the man’s face—he often saw him drinking and eating with Butcher Zhao, shoulder to shoulder, their relationship unusually close. Who could say if he’d come looking for trouble?

Not wanting to risk it, Yu Ge turned and ran.

Although he could easily overpower the man now, they were both townsfolk—who knew what might set someone off? Besides, Yu Ge felt a bit guilty.

If things blew up, how would he sneak around next time?

The man chased after him relentlessly, but Yu Ge’s speed was nothing like before. In a flash, he was gone, legs pumping like little engines.

The man stared, dumbfounded, scratching his head, wondering if age had slowed him down.

He turned back.

"Little girl, did that guy bully you?"

"No, Yu Ge said he thought he had bugs on him and asked me to check."

The man was stunned, realizing he might have misunderstood, but then—why did the boy run?

He stared at the pole in his hand in confusion.

...

Yu Ge ran back to the street, relieved that he wasn’t being followed.

He resolved never to buy pig’s feet at Old Zhao’s house again.

Old Zhao, still oblivious at his meat stall, had just lost a customer without realizing it.

Yu Ge’s awareness sank into his mind, observing his star chart.

Achievement [Disrobe With Ease] completed. Reward collected: time required to remove clothing reduced by 95%.

Time required reduced by 95%?

Yu Ge shook his head, thinking he’d misread, but checked again.

He could only stare at the sky in speechless exasperation. A 95% reduction meant what used to take ten seconds now took less than one.

Really, it was half a second.

Faster still and it would be instantaneous—quicker than a blink.

But what good was the ability to undress quickly? Was he supposed to kill ghosts or, in the face of danger, suddenly pull off a “pretty boy” act, flex his well-shaped arms and charm his enemies into surrender? Those mutated frog demons wouldn’t fall for that trick.

Yu Ge couldn’t help but feel regretful.

Handsome as could be, yet it served no purpose in this world!

He sighed.

As expected, the easier achievements brought questionable rewards. He understood now.

Better to focus on completing the second major achievement—slaying mountain spirits at dawn. That was a solid plan.

"Auntie Li, I’ll have ten buns!"

Disappointed but prepared, Yu Ge quickly put it out of his mind. Passing by Auntie Li’s bun stall, he handed over several copper coins.

Lately, his body had grown larger, and his appetite had increased enormously. Where once five buns from Auntie Li would suffice, now he needed ten.

"Aren’t you overestimating yourself, Yu boy? Can you really eat ten?"

Auntie Li bent to scoop ten steaming meat buns onto oil paper, handing them to Yu Ge as she spoke offhandedly.

But upon closer look, her eyes widened in astonishment.

Goodness… In just a few days, the boy seemed taller, his features sharper, and there was a distinct air of vigor about him—his complexion was brighter, and he looked even more handsome.

Had he taken the wrong medicine?

If she hadn’t watched him grow up, she’d have thought he was someone else.

It wasn’t just Auntie Li who found it odd; even Yu Ge felt he’d changed dramatically since completing the great star—his once-handsome face now sharper, more defined.

No longer a frail, delicate youth.

He felt powerless against these changes.

And as for his body, he could probably walk sideways through town now, unchallenged.

"My appetite’s just bigger these days—I can handle it."

Yu Ge smiled. He’d always liked Auntie Li’s buns—plenty of filling, thin skin, steaming hot and fragrant with every bite.

They tasted just like the ones from the bun shop near his old apartment in his previous life.

"Eat your fill, then." Auntie Li stuffed two more buns into the bag before going back to kneading dough.

Just as Yu Ge was about to leave, she called after him, her voice low and gentle.

"Yu boy from the Yu family, if you’re sick, you need to get treated. Don’t try to save money—go to the clinic and see a doctor soon."

The words came out of nowhere, leaving Yu Ge utterly bewildered, unable to react for a long moment.

And yet—

Why did this scene feel strangely familiar?

"Sick? What sickness?"

Yu Ge scratched his head, unable to make sense of Auntie Li’s words.

He thought he’d better ask for details.

"I know what I’m talking about," Auntie Li replied cryptically, a knowing smile playing on her lips, the look of someone who’d seen it all before.

Yu Ge was still confused, sensing some hidden meaning he couldn’t quite grasp.

Know? Know what? He didn’t understand at all!

Suddenly, a new message appeared in his mind.

Achievement triggered: [A Lifetime of Renown].

Completion requirement: Endure at least ten thousand strange or curious looks from others without changing expression. Progress: 1/10,000.

Reward: Unknown.

Yu Ge glanced at the star chart, where a tiny star glimmered faintly, utterly perplexed.

What caused this achievement to trigger? What had he done this time? Did something about Butcher Zhao finally come to light?