Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Qin Law Targets the Common People!

”If you truly have the ability and the chance to climb, then you must climb. Climb upwards, no matter the cost.”

”This world devours people.”

”If you lack power and influence, even if you return home, you will still suffer humiliation. Your fields could be cunningly seized, and your family could even be forced into servitude.”

”Cast aside your naivety and your wishful thinking.”

”You’re still young, so you haven’t seen it yet. But when you do, if you have no power or influence, you’ll be walking a dead-end road.”

Under the veil of night, Wei Quan stared at Zhao Feng, his voice grave.

Feeling Wei Quan’s stern gaze, the smile on Zhao Feng’s face gradually faded. He could tell that Wei Quan was serious.

”Mr. Wei,” Zhao Feng couldn’t help but ask, ”has something happened in your family?”

”Me? Heh.” A look of hatred filled Wei Quan’s eyes. ”I watched with my own eyes as my sister was abducted by a powerful noble in the county town. She was violated, and now... she’s gone mad.”

”Mr. Wei, didn’t you report it to the officials?” a shocked Zhao Feng asked. ”The crime of rape should be punished by castration.”

”Report it to the officials?” A mocking glint appeared in Wei Quan’s eyes. ”Everyone knows that the Qin Law is strict, but they don’t realize that its enforcement is in the hands of the powerful. If you are just a commoner, then yes, the law is strict. But if you are from a powerful family, what does the strict Qin Law even mean?”

”Perhaps to the Great King, the Qin Law governs the entire land, but my home is in the Shu Region, too far from the Capital. The Great King’s authority doesn’t reach us.”

”My father and I went to report it. In the end, we were targeted by that nobleman’s son. He had my father beaten to death, and I was left seriously injured.”

”And he still roams free, beyond the reach of justice.”

”Officials? The Qin Law?”

”Perhaps in Xianyang, and in the surrounding areas, the Qin Law is a divine decree that no one dares defy. But the more remote the place, the more useless that law becomes.”

”Punishments don’t apply to senior officials!”

”The Qin Law is for the common people.”

”Young Zhao, don’t be so naive.”

Hearing this, Zhao Feng fell silent.

He had been reborn in this world for over fifteen years. But his understanding of it was limited to his hometown and this military camp. In his village, the neighbors all looked out for each other; in his life thus far, Zhao Feng had never encountered the things Wei Quan spoke of.

He had always thought of the Qin Law as famously strict; later generations would even call it the Tyranny of Qin. But now, Wei Quan’s words had stunned him.

”The Qin Law is for the common people.”

”Punishments don’t apply to senior officials.”

Zhao Feng murmured the words, feeling as if he were finally encountering the true, unvarnished world of this era.

”Alright,” Wei Quan said, patting Zhao Feng’s shoulder. ”Young Zhao, don’t dwell on it. I just wanted to tell you not to see this world as too simple or too kind.”

”I nearly met King Yan today. I’m going to get some sleep; you should too.”

”We set out for Yang City tomorrow.” With a faint smile, Wei Quan turned and walked toward his own tent.

Zhao Feng remained seated before the small campfire, Wei Quan’s words echoing in his mind.

Perhaps I have been too naive. Still, in two years, the Attributes I’ve collected should be enough to protect Mother and my sister. If anyone dares to bully them, I’ll annihilate their entire clan. For now, staying in the Logistics Army is fine. Ultimately, the state of Qin is incredibly powerful right now. It will unify the world, and the King of Qin will become Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in history. But who could know that such a mighty dynasty would fall in its second generation? I’m just an ordinary person. I might have the golden finger of a reincarnator, but my current power is nowhere near enough to influence the world. I have to get stronger to secure a future. Gaining rank and title, rising to prominence... it’s nice to think about, but I should take it one step at a time. Staying alive is the most important thing.

Wei Quan’s words had certainly given him a lot to think about.

Zhao Feng gave the command in his mind, ”Open the First Order Treasure Chest.”

”Opening First Order Treasure Chest... Obtained First Order Spirit Fruit: Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom,” the panel prompted.

Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom... taking one pill can protect the heart’s meridians and induce a deep sleep, but it’s useless without the other two pills that follow. What a waste of a Treasure Box.

Seeing the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom, Zhao Feng felt a pang of disappointment.

”Open Attribute Panel.”

Host: Zhao Feng

Age: 15 years old

Strength: 336 (The greater the strength, the more power can be unleashed.)

Speed: 216 (The higher the value, the faster the speed.)

Constitution: 218 (A stronger constitution means faster recovery and inexhaustible stamina.)

Spirit: 211 (A stronger spirit brings a clear mind and thoughts. At a certain level, one can sense nature’s spiritual energy.)

Lifespan: 86 years and 88 days

Portable Space: 2 cubic meters

These were the Attributes Zhao Feng had gained after carrying hundreds of bodies by himself over the last three days on the battlefield.

Tomorrow we head to Yang City. According to history, that was a major stronghold where Han resisted Qin. The casualties there will surely exceed tens of thousands, several times more than in this border battle. Attributes, oh, Attributes... I’m coming for you tomorrow.

Thinking of the trip to Yang City, Zhao Feng couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

「The next day.」

Bright and early, the Firescout Army was preparing meals. The men of the Logistics Camp ate their fill and prepared to move out.

Before Wei Quan, more than ninety logistics soldiers stood in formation. None of them wore Battle Armor, but each had a sword at his waist. In this era, Battle Armor was expensive, so not every soldier was issued a set, not even in the powerful state of Qin. Logistics soldiers were equipped with swords but no armor. Only the Sharp Warriors who held titles were granted Battle Armor.

”Where is Zhao Feng?”

At that moment, the Junhou of Zhao Feng’s unit strode over, holding a set of bamboo slips.

”Here, here!” Wei Quan immediately turned and shouted.

The eyes of every soldier in the company turned to watch. Seeing the Junhou, they naturally assumed Zhao Feng was about to be rewarded. The Junhou approached quickly, followed by two soldiers carrying boxes.

”By order of the Shangjiangjun!” the Junhou announced, holding the reward slips high for all to see. ”Zhao Feng, a soldier of the Logistics First Army Marquis Camp, has achieved great merit by beheading the Han Wanjiang, Bao Qiu!”

”In accordance with the military merit system of Qin, he is promoted three ranks to Centurion and granted the first rank of nobility! Furthermore, he is granted a new suit of Battle Armor and a new sword!”

”Zhao Feng,” Wei Quan prompted urgently, ”give your thanks!”

Zhao Feng stepped forward, his expression calm as he bowed deeply. ”Zhao Feng gives his thanks.”

The Junhou walked up to Zhao Feng. He took a sword and a suit of Battle Armor from the soldiers behind him and presented them to Zhao Feng along with the bamboo slips. Zhao Feng accepted them with both hands.

The Junhou smiled. ”Zhao Feng, you did very well. You’ve brought great honor to our Logistics Camp before the Shangjiangjun. A Han Wanjiang—and the son of the Han Senior General, no less—killed by one of our logistics soldiers. This is a major event!”

”This subordinate was merely fortunate,” Zhao Feng replied.

”Fortunate or not, the deed is done.” The Junhou patted his shoulder. ”My name is Luo Chao. If you need anything in the future, you can come find me.” He then turned to address the other logistics soldiers.

”Zhao Feng earned his promotion and title by slaying an enemy general. This is the military merit system of our great Qin! It doesn’t matter who you are. As long as you kill the enemy and earn merit, you will be rewarded! I hope all of you can serve the nation and achieve great things, just like Zhao Feng!” the Junhou boomed, his voice full of encouragement.