C2 If I Could Go Back in Time I Think Everyone Would be Even More Wonderful

Jia Jiucheng unfolded the paper handed to him and saw four words inscribed: "Serve with utmost loyalty." It was clear that his scholarly great-grandfather, who had been an educator, was still unaware of his daughter and son-in-law's plight, holding onto an idealized vision of the world.

Captor Lee and the County Magistrate had instructed Jia Jiucheng not to speak of certain matters, likely to prevent scholars like his great-grandfather from causing an uproar.

"This was written by your grandfather for your father just before he passed away. Even though your father, Jia Yong, couldn't read a word, he embodied these words to the fullest, defending the people and fighting bandits to his death. Now that you've also become a captor, you're continuing the family legacy. Make sure you live up to your grandfather and father's expectations," they said.

Jia Jiucheng understood the harsh reality but kept silent, reasoning that those who still harbored dreams deserved to hold onto them. With a sense of gravity, he accepted the scroll and bowed to Mr. Liu, "Rest assured, Mr. Liu, I, Jia Jiucheng, will not tarnish the honor of my ancestors."

The local blacksmith, too, had been busy. Returning from outside, he placed a steel straight sword, complete with its scabbard, before Jia Jiucheng.

"This was your father's sword, notched with over ten marks," he said. Jia Jiucheng was taken aback.

One could only imagine the scene: Within the County Yamen, Jia Yong must have put up a fierce fight for quite some time. His colleagues at the Yamen had ample opportunity to intervene but were likely too fearful to step forward, opting instead to stand by passively. The Third Village Chief's martial prowess must have been formidable enough to intimidate everyone present, yet he chose to kill Jia Yong slowly, allowing lesser bandits to strike first. Such arrogance and disdain for the captors of the County Yamen were evident. Reflecting on this, Jia Jiucheng felt a profound sense of their incompetence—beyond redemption.

Yet, when it came time to corner Jia Jiucheng, that honest young man, the perpetrators appeared so self-righteous and domineering. Before a child who had lost his parents and stood alone, the untouchable authority of the government was on full display—a stark and bitter reality.

Master Li continued, "This must be from when the mountain bandits at Gale Stronghold were clashing. I've already reforged and crafted it anew. It's much sturdier than the swords issued by the Prefecture Yamen. Take it. How can you expect to serve as a guard without a good sword in the future?"

Master Li's skin was weathered and dark, his stature tall and robust. Years of blacksmithing had given him powerful, calloused hands. Though not much of a talker, it was clear that he was a man of integrity and loyalty. Forging weapons required a significant amount of steel, a considerable expense for a blacksmith accustomed to mending only farming tools. Jia Jiucheng took note of this kindness and would not forget it.

The local accountant, Mr. Yang — Jia Jiucheng recalled that he was the one who managed the books for the entire neighborhood. He handed over a ledger detailing the gifts and contributions from various families and households. After deducting expenses, there remained a total of 40 taels of silver. "You should keep this," Mr. Yang advised. "You're the only one left in your family. It's only right that you handle the reciprocal courtesies from now on. If it becomes too much, feel free to let it go. I'm sure your relatives and neighbors won't hold it against you."

"Thank you, Mr. Yang! I'll take it to heart," Jia Jiucheng replied. "Even with the ledger, I worry about not fulfilling all the social obligations. I might need your help to speak on my behalf to our relatives and friends when the time comes." To Jia Jiucheng, the intricacies of social exchanges were daunting, previously managed by his parents. He had never dealt with it personally and, despite the ledger, he knew that propriety mattered in relationships.

"Well done, you're quite the conscientious young man," Mr. Yang said, then took his leave.

After the departure of a few warm-hearted elders, Jia Jiucheng shut the red door and secured it with a beam. He then wiped the nonexistent sweat from his brow and looked up at the dimming sky, allowing himself a quiet chuckle.

Moving to the water tank in the courtyard, he scooped up a ladle of water and gulped it down. As dusk's last light lingered, Jia Jiucheng caught the reflection of a strange, handsome face in the water's surface. He touched it, feeling the cool, smooth skin and a twinge of pain. It was real—he had truly crossed over.

Lost in thought before the memorial tablets, he reflected on his life. Born into a rural family, he had dedicated twenty years to rigorous study, eventually making it to university. After graduating, he worked for a private employer for several years, but he had neither a house nor a car to his name. His existence was confined to a dorm room, where he spent his time engrossed in computer games, novels, and aimlessly surfing the web.

He couldn't bring himself to go home, his earnings even less than those of a migrant worker, with no prospects for promotion or opportunities in sight. He felt aimless, without a clear direction. Although he held a civil servant position, he knew all too well the difficulties that came with it. His salary was meager, barely enough to survive, let alone enjoy an interesting life.

"Ah, it must have been because I played too late into the night that I died suddenly," Jia Jiucheng lamented, gazing at his parents' memorial tablets and thinking of his distant parents on Earth. Overcome with grief, he wept profusely, his hands and knees touching the ground. "Dad, Mom! I have failed you! I'm so sorry. You raised me with such hardship, yet I've never been able to make you proud or repay you for your sacrifices. I've made mistakes as a son, and for that, I am deeply sorry."

As he dwelled on these thoughts, the tears flowed uncontrollably. "I am not worthy," he sobbed.

In this new life, was he doomed to continue living in mediocrity? Would he once again escape reality by losing himself in games, the internet, and novels? Was the absence of parents to honor in this life a punishment for his past failures?

Back on Earth, he had so many unfulfilled dreams, which now would forever remain regrets. He had never challenged his destiny or fought for a different path, always the obedient child, abiding by the law and living a life of complacency as his parents had advised.

Now, even though education presented itself as an option, returning to study was out of the question. In his previous life, it wasn't until he was 21 that he had entered the workforce.

Finding a migrant worker willing to work for 10,000 yuan was a challenge, yet college graduates were a dime a dozen, earning a mere 3,000 yuan.

After seven years of hard work, I still couldn't afford a car, much less purchase a house with its astronomical price tag. In the city, I was just a visitor, renting a place to live and working just to feed myself. The dream of "ruling the country and bringing peace to all" was far beyond my reach.

I eventually realized that the paths I was following were dead ends. My life was confined to working and staying at home.

"No!" I vowed that this time around, I would not live that way. I would not follow the path laid out by scholars, designed to be a struggle for scholars. In this lifetime, I would not walk the scholar's road. I desired knowledge, but not at the cost of being trapped by their conventions. I refused to study things that would never be of use to me!

Now that I had the chance to live again, the intense desire to strive and fight took over Jia Jiucheng's mind. Only through active effort and determination could I possibly change my life, so I wouldn't have to face these crumbling walls day in and day out.

"Only by striving can I witness a broader world," I thought. "I don't have to end up like that unfortunate soul and his parents, who never left Dingyuan County, Prefecture, State, or Country, only to end their days on this tiny spiritual platform."

Striving is the only way to live a vibrant, fulfilling life—one without regrets!

How should I strive in this life? How should I live? Recently, I lost both my mother and father, and now this body too has been pushed to its limit. It's clear that living in this world is no easy feat!

Previously, I was an indoorsman in my twenties, always preferring to play games at home. Later, I chose a major in college and upon graduating, I joined a private company, using my job merely as a means to survive. I wasn't making money; I was barely getting by.

Aside from nearly twenty years of education, I had no other skills. I couldn't refine oil, manufacture firearms, recite physics and chemistry theories, or write out the periodic table. I certainly couldn't propel the current "China" civilization into an era of technology or steam power—that was beyond me!

When it mattered most, I bitterly regretted not having learned more!

I was hopeless at laundry, cooking, and other basic life skills!

Being away from his cell phone and computer made him feel utterly useless!

Was this situation a loss? Jia Jiucheng believed he had hit the jackpot. Putting everything else aside, having a body that was ten years younger was like gaining an extra decade of life. This was a stark contrast to his previous existence, where he depleted his vitality with endless screen time and lived as a recluse.

How could he not rejoice? Youth and health meant a chance at a fresh start. He aspired to be like the legendary poet Li Bai...

With his life experience and a deeper understanding of society, anyone given a second chance would undoubtedly lead a more spectacular life!

But something about this world was different. What was it? According to the memories of the original Jia Jiucheng, this place was filled with martial artists who could soar and scale walls, and cultivators who could traverse the heavens and the earth. There was magic, internal energy, and vitality here—an immense allure for Jia Jiucheng.

Hahaha, in his youth, he had dreamt of traversing the world with his sword, righting wrongs and reveling in the thrill of adventure. Was this the time for his dreams to come true?

Perhaps this era didn't require steam power. It was an age of unrecorded magical and mystical energies.

Lost in thought for a while, he noticed the world around him darken as night fell—time flies relentlessly, waiting for no one!

Jia Jiucheng hurried back to the memorial hall, found a meditation cushion, knelt before the incense table and the coffin, and began his vigil.

Having taken over someone's body, he felt obliged to fulfill the duties of a son, thinking, "Maybe in this life, I don't have to be so aimless. I can become the person I've always wanted to be, the person I truly aspire to be."

"Ding... The host harbors a dream, champions justice, and serves as a constable. The Super Captor System is now activated. Would you like to enter the system?"