Siheyuan: I, Shazhu, started out as an army and became a general.

The jeep drove along the stone-paved streets of Beijing, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The small red flag stuck on the front of the car fluttered in the cold wind, and the license plate started with the very special "Military Armor".

He Yuzhu sat in the back seat, closing his eyes to rest.

After withdrawing from the Korean War, they traveled to Beijing and then to Nanjing to report for duty, with only half a day for transit in between.

"Sir, the alleyway ahead is blocked. It looks like someone is causing trouble." Guard Xiao Zhao poked his head out, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness typical of Beijing dialect.

He Yuzhu lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze drifting indifferently to the view outside the window.

Familiar streets, familiar gray walls and earthen tiles.

Nanluoguxiang.

Ha, fate really does like to play dark humor.

At the entrance of the alley ahead, a large crowd had gathered, and the noisy shouts and curses could be clearly heard even through the car window.

"Jia Zhangshi, you old hag, have you no shame? You owe my family cornmeal, and you've been dragging your feet for half a year! If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll make sure your family runs out of money!"

"Oh my god! That heartless Xu Damao has killed someone! Old Jia, my son, why don't you open your eyes and see what's going on? Quickly take this ungrateful wretch away!"

In the center of the crowd, an old woman with a fierce face was lying on the ground throwing a tantrum; it was Jia Zhangshi. Beside her, Qin Huairu, wearing an old cotton-padded jacket full of patches, was wiping away tears with a bitter expression, and holding a sallow-faced, emaciated child in her arms.

Xu Damao was so angry that his face turned red. He held a stick, but he didn't dare to actually hit it.

Uncle Yi Zhonghai stood with his hands behind his back, his hair mostly white. He frowned, trying to take sides, but was pointed at and gossiped about by the surrounding neighbors. His former prestige had long since vanished.

"Tsk tsk, the Jia family is really finished; they've gotten used to sucking blood."

"That's right. Without that idiot Sha Zhu, the Jia family would have immediately revealed their true colors."

"I heard Sha Zhu went on a killing spree on the front lines and made great contributions! He's a true hero. Luckily he ran fast, otherwise those beasts would have killed him!"

He Yuzhu remained completely unmoved as he listened to these comments.

It felt like watching a group of ants fighting tooth and nail over a single moldy grain of rice.

"Sir, should we clear the area?" Xiao Zhao asked, his eyes already flashing with a hint of menace. Anyone who dares to block the sir's path, no matter who they are, will be handcuffed first.

"Need not."

He Yuzhu withdrew his gaze, his voice as cold as ice, "Drive."

"But what about ahead..."

"Honestate the horn."

"yes!"

"Beep—!!!"

The piercing, ear-piercing blare of the military vehicle horn, like a sharp sword, instantly shattered the clamor at the alley entrance, its roar seeming to rouse everyone's souls.

Everyone turned around abruptly.

A powerful and imposing military jeep, like a steel behemoth, was slowly approaching.

These days, only the most powerful people can ride in cars like this!

Just a second ago, Jia Zhangshi was throwing a tantrum. Like a hen being choked, her voice stopped abruptly, and she scrambled to her feet and crawled to the side of the road.

Xu Damao and Yi Zhonghai were so frightened that they retreated repeatedly, afraid of bumping into the important people in the car.

The jeep slowly drove through the crowd.

The car window was half-lowered.

Qin Huairu subconsciously looked up and met a pair of deep, cold eyes that seemed to carry the aura of carnage and bloodshed.

That face...

Qin Huairu trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible lightning bolt. Her mind went blank with a "buzz." The broken bowl in her hand shattered with a "clang."

"A pillar... a pillar?"

Her lips trembled, and every word she uttered was trembling with disbelief.

That man in the crisp, overcoat, his epaulets gleaming with stars, radiating an aura of absolute authority... how could this possibly be the same foolish cook she used to manipulate?!

Yi Zhonghai also saw it.

His mouth was agape, big enough to fit an egg, and his cloudy old eyes were filled with shock, regret, and a deep-seated fear!

He wanted to shout out, to try and establish a connection, but when He Yuzhu's gaze swept over him, Yi Zhonghai instantly felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, as if he were being stared at by a prehistoric beast. His throat felt like it was blocked by a stone, and he couldn't utter a single word.

The jeep did not stop at all.

The man didn't even give them a second glance. The car window slowly rolled up, leaving them only with the red taillights disappearing into the distance.

"That...that's Sha Zhu?!" Xu Damao screamed, his voice trembling.

"Idiot Zhu my ass! That's a high-ranking officer!" A neighbor smacked him with his elbow in annoyance. "Didn't you see the license plate? Didn't you see the imposing manner? At that level, he could kill you as soon as he gets off!"

Jia Zhangshi collapsed to the ground, watching the departing car, then suddenly turned around like a madwoman and slapped Qin Huairu hard across the face.

"It's all your fault, you useless piece of trash! If you had gotten rid of Sha Zhu sooner, I'd be sitting in that car enjoying myself right now!"

Qin Huairu covered her burning face, tears streaming down her face.

She finally understood that some people, once missed, are like heaven and earth when you look back.

inside the car.

He Yuzhu leaned back in his chair, and the system's notification sound rang crisply in his mind.

[Ding! Detected that the host has passed through the place of past karma; the mind is as still as water, and the Dao heart is perfected.]

The ties of the mortal world have been severed, and the past has vanished like smoke.

[Congratulations, host, you have received the following rewards: Unparalleled Strategist Aura, and the passive skill Advanced Agent Intuition!]

He Yuzhu's lips curled into a cold smile.

Those beasts in the courtyard?

Ha, it's just a patch of mud I accidentally stepped in back then, not even worthy of his second glance.

"Xiao Zhao, head to the train station. Someone's waiting for me in Nanjing."

"Yes, sir!"