Since all these rules and superstitions are outdated, what's wrong with me indulging in some me

He took out paper and pen, and with a thought, summoned the system panel.

His personal information was clearly displayed on it, and he first opened his backpack.

Inside lay half a rule, a gift from Xie Yiping:

"The shadow of ________ reflects reality; those backlit reveal illusion."

In the first part, "The shadow of ________ reflects reality," what is the subject? A person? An object? Or a concept?

The latter part states, "Those who go against the light can see falsehoods."

However, "seeing falsehood" is a phrase with a dual meaning. It can be understood as "being able to see false things" or "being able to see clearly what is false."

Lu Changsheng thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out. His gaze then shifted to the menu bar and landed on the [Shop].

A light tap with your fingertips.

The panel spun with a light, and the interface switched. The first thing that popped up was a notification:

[This indicates that the player has opened the shop for the first time. A personalized product library will be provided based on the player's civilization and cultural background.]

Welcome to the Resource Exchange Platform (China Region). Your current available points are: 20 (personal). National points cannot be used for personal exchanges, but unlocking some advanced items is related to national point rankings.

[Note: Some items in the shop will be randomly refreshed each month. Some special items require specific conditions to be met or hidden quests to be triggered to appear. Exchanged items will be delivered directly to the player's designated safe location.]

The notification disappeared, and the official store interface appeared. The categories were clearly defined:

[Supplies]

General First Aid Kit (Small): Relieves minor injuries and stabilizes the condition. Redeemable for: 5 points.

Mental Relaxation Potion (Basic): Slightly restores mental fatigue and calms minor fluctuations in sanity. Exchange: 5 points.

[Equipment]

Resilient Cloth Armor (White): Slightly increases physical defense; comfortable and breathable. Exchange: 10 points.

Inferior Iron Sword (White): Slightly better than a fruit knife. Exchange: 10 points.

Basic Amulet (Green): Passively blocks one instance of mental erosion or minor physical impact below level E. Exchange: 20 points.

Night Vision Goggles (Standard): Technology-side equipment. Exchange: 8 points.

【Skills】

[Reconnaissance (Beginner)] Skill Scroll: After learning, you will gain improved basic environmental observation and clue discovery abilities. Exchange: 35 points.

[Mastery of Cold Weapons (Basic)] Skill Scroll: After learning, you will master the basic skills of using cold weapons such as knives, swords, and clubs. Redemption: 50 points.

[Special Category]

Random Buff Draw Ticket (One-Time Use): Grants a random buff that lasts until the end of the next dungeon run. Exchange: 50 points.

Dungeon Clue Hint Card (One-Time Use): Provides a vague hint about a specific point of contention in the current dungeon while out of combat. Redeemable for: 80 points.

"Damn it, it's so expensive, why don't you just rob someone?"

Even Lu Changsheng was quite angry at the system's exorbitant prices.

So, if he works himself to the bone to achieve a perfect clear, he can get a small amulet in return?

"Damn it, I'll have to grind it myself!"

Lu Changsheng decided not to separate the items and directly categorized them as miscellaneous items.

[Miscellaneous Items] (Good quality and low price; items purchased from the system can be brought into the system)

Talisman paper (1 point/sheet)

Cinnabar (1 point/gram)

"What a great deal! Screw you!"

So he can live off himself, but drawing a talisman costs him 2 points?

But he still had to buy them, because only miscellaneous items purchased through the system could be brought into the system.

Lu Changsheng grew angrier the more he thought about it, and he simply turned off the system panel.

"If I, Lu Changsheng, spend even a single penny in this system shop, I'm a dog!"

He made a bold and ambitious statement.

After shutting down the system panel, Lu Changsheng slumped back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. His fingers unconsciously traced the jade pendant on his chest once more.

He will spend his first night back from hell in this strange yet safe place.

A new chapter seems to be beginning.

-

The night was deep, the moon was dark, and the wind was high. The streetlights in the strange villa area dutifully emitted a warm yellow glow, illuminating the silent road.

A slightly rounded but surprisingly agile dark figure was crouching furtively at the base of Lu Changsheng's villa.

He was wearing expensive sportswear, now stained with grass, carrying a bulging backpack, wearing exaggerated night-vision goggles, and had a small flashlight in his mouth.

It was Cheng Caijun.

"Whew—Whew—I'm exhausted..."

He was panting heavily, wiping the sweat from his brow. "The old man was watching me way too closely. Luckily, I'm quick-witted and managed to sneak out through the garage's secret passage... I wonder if Brother Lu is asleep yet. I'll give him a surprise!"

He put down his backpack, rummaged through it, and finally pulled out a tablet computer. He tapped and clicked on it while muttering to himself:

"The address provided by Team Leader Yan is correct... the permissions should have been entered... let me try..."

He carefully brought his face close to the electronic lock on the villa's front door.

"Beep—"

With a soft click, the green light came on. The door slid open a crack without a sound.

"Hehe, Team Leader Yan is really something! He actually entered it for me!"

Cheng Caijun's eyes lit up. He smugly put away his things, looked around like a secret agent who had successfully infiltrated the enemy camp, and slipped inside, gently closing the door behind him.

Upon entering the villa, Cheng Caijun looked around curiously. Warm yellow motion-sensor lights lit up one by one as he moved, illuminating the simple and modern decor.

"Wow, the government really provides good benefits! This is much more pleasing to the eye than my nouveau riche-style mansion..."

He muttered to himself as he walked in, familiar with the place, his destination the bedroom. "Brother Lu must be exhausted, sleeping, right? Should I leave a note on his bedroom door?"

He paused as he passed the study.

The study door was ajar, letting in a very faint light, along with the soft sounds of paper rubbing and sighs.

"Hmm? Brother Lu isn't asleep yet?"

Cheng Caijun's curiosity was piqued, so he abandoned his plan to go to the bedroom and instead tiptoed towards the study. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart before his "prank," and then very slowly and silently pushed open the study door.

The gap in the door gradually widened.

The first thing that catches the eye is the mountain of yellow talisman paper piled on the desk, the scattered cinnabar resembling a crime scene, and several calligraphy brushes lying haphazardly. An empty potion bottle stands on the corner of the desk.

Then, he saw someone leaning over the edge of the desk, seemingly struggling with a talisman.

The man was dressed in gray loungewear, his hair was disheveled like a bird's nest, his back was slightly hunched, and his shoulders rose and fell with a kind of extremely focused yet extremely tired breathing. He held a calligraphy brush in his hand, staring at the talisman paper on the table, hesitant to write, as if he were waging a life-or-death struggle with something invisible.

Cheng Caijun was secretly pleased and prepared to give him a "Hey!" to startle him.

He held his breath, tiptoed like a chubby cat, and silently crept up behind the person. Then, he suddenly slapped the person on the shoulder and shouted in a booming voice:

"Brother Lu! Surprise! Isn't that amazing... Holy crap!!!"