Chapter 1, The World of Cursed Artifacts

It is even possible to possess magical powers that can heal various ailments; perhaps this is akin to Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly. However, if by any chance one could harness such power in this world to return to reality, then one's sister would be saved

Ten taels of pure silver are sufficient for a family of three to live comfortably for half a year, yet Chu Youcai is now an independent household; how could he possibly repay a thousand taels of silver

At this moment, a rumble echoed in Chu Youcai's mind, as fragments of a certain memory revived, and the outline of a new world unfolded before his eyes

He ran for a full tea time, almost exhausted, and finally arrived at his doorstep. However, at that moment, he discovered that two acquaintances were waiting for him: one was his "drinking buddy" Wang Hai, and the other was a thug from the casino.

In that world, he was born into poverty and was not particularly gifted; he could only dedicate twice the time and effort compared to others. He had no time to play games, and only when he was with his sister did he experience a touch of warmth. His sister was a very sensitive person who enjoyed being close to him and possessed a compassionate heart. She would care for injured animals, and over time, he began to develop an interest in medicine. Unfortunately, his sister was later diagnosed with leukemia. His sister was a very sensitive person who enjoyed being close to him and possessed a compassionate heart. She would care for injured animals, and over time, he began to develop an interest in medicine. Unfortunately, his sister was later diagnosed with leukemia.

The old woman asked her daughter, but the young lady remained silent. After several inquiries, the young lady finally said: "He is not fortunate, and his behavior is frivolous; I cannot marry such a heartless person." Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai made every effort to express his honesty, even swearing an oath to the heavens. The old woman was very pleased with this and, disregarding the young lady's pale expression, agreed to the marriage.

And a gentle sound emanated from its mouth, as if expressing gratitude for Chu Youcai's rescue

At this thought, a wave of fervor surged within Chu Youcai's heart

"I have always been a person of the gambling house, so what?" Wang Hai laughed heartily, his gaze filled with disdain.

He was the third son of the Prince of Chujun in Yanzhou Prefecture. Due to being born in a difficult labor, with his feet emerging first, Lady Jiang held a deep disdain for him. His biological mother passed away early due to complications during childbirth, and Chu Youcai endured neglect and bullying in the prince's residence. Lady Jiang slandered him in various ways, accusing him of being unfilial, and even schemed to make him bear the reputation of abducting virtuous women. As a result, he was despised by the people of Yanzhou and by the prince himself, leading him to establish his own household at the age of sixteen.

His current wife is a beauty, renowned in Yanzhou, and has attracted the attention of many high-ranking officials and nobles. Her name is Yun Cuixian

With only three days left to repay the debt, Chu Youcai planned to sell Yun Cuixian to a brothel. After reaching an agreement with the brothel madam, he got lost on the way back due to having drunk too much, and fell, injuring himself. This is how the current Chu Youcai was able to borrow a corpse to return to life.

I have clearly obtained a doctor's degree, yet why do I seem to have returned to the state of being seventeen or eighteen years old? What on earth is going on?

But where exactly is this place, and where is my sister?

At noon on this day, in the ruins and grassland, a young man suddenly let out a fierce roar, his voice piercing and chilling. Then, he opened his blood-red eyes, which burst forth like exploding lanterns, and his entire body assumed the posture of a dragon pouncing like a tiger.

Those who admire Ying Ning and yearn for Nie Xiaoqian, most of the fox spirits are kind-hearted

That is good. Do not foolishly think you can escape; our casino's connections are extensive. Even if you manage to flee, your wife will also be sold." Wang Hai said disdainfully, patting his sleeve, threatening as he strode away

The young man Chu Youcai discovered that he was lying on the damp grass, surrounded by a cluster of green vines and flowers. He quickly stood up and gazed around, only to find that the surroundings were nothing but ruins

In this world, cursed artifacts are not numerous, and they are mostly held by those in high positions and the royal family

Even so, the wild goose is still struggling to stand up

Chu Youcai was tracking a young woman but lost her, feeling greatly disappointed. Unexpectedly, on his way back, he saw the young woman walking with an elderly lady. He overheard the elderly lady expressing her hope that the young woman would find a filial and good son-in-law, rather than a wealthy or noble one. At that moment, he approached the elderly lady and engaged her in conversation, learning that she claimed her surname was Yun and her daughter was named Cui Xian, with their home still over forty miles away. Chu Youcai was exceedingly courteous and finally asked if he could satisfy the elderly lady.

Wang Hai saw the blood rushing to Chu Youcai's face and his tightly clenched fists, yet he boldly stepped forward, his gaze fixed directly on Chu Youcai's face. With a slight smirk, his expression seemed to convey, "I am the one sent by the madam to bring you trouble; what can you possibly do to me?"

At that moment, there were many people burning incense, with numerous devotees kneeling beneath the divine seat, only rising after the incense had burned out, a practice known as "kneeling incense." Among the kneeling women, Chu Youcai noticed one who was about fifteen or sixteen years old and exceptionally beautiful, which made him very fond of her. He pretended to be a worshipper and approached the young lady, but she sensed his intentions and avoided him twice in succession before quickly leaving.

Chu Youcai discovered that his clothing was somewhat amiss, and upon closer inspection, he was completely astonished. He was wearing coarse linen garments from ancient times, and the marshy puddles around him reflected his youthful face.

But suddenly, his expression changed slightly, as he recalled the identity and difficult situation of this Chu Youcai

My younger sister is seriously ill and urgently needs money for surgery. I have painstakingly invented a prescription and am preparing to apply for a patent. However, my medical doctoral advisor has stolen my成果 for himself. I rushed into the university lecture hall of the medical school to confront him, but suddenly there was an earthquake, and the lecture hall collapsed... Where is this place?

It turns out that this place is actually the world of the strange tales of "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio"! Flower demons and fox spirits are the masters of this world! The young man named Chu Youcai has already perished here, and I will take his place from now on

Unless ... ... is selling his wife

Chu Youcai noticed that Wang Hai had a robust physique, dressed in luxurious and splendid clothing, and wore shoes adorned with silver thread and python patterns, featuring a silver-bordered seal script character "木" on them

The Jiang family then sent someone to tempt him, causing him to become addicted to gambling. As a result, he borrowed a high-interest loan of 1,000 taels of silver from the casino, with only three days remaining until the final repayment deadline

At this thought, Chu Youcai's gaze became fervent

"Have you joined the gambling house?" Chu Youcai asked

At this moment, upon seeing Chu Youcai, Wang Hai's face was devoid of his usual amiable expression, instead contorted with ferocity: "Third Young Master, there are only three days left. How have you considered it? Do not force me to turn hostile!" Beside him, the thug wore an expression filled with murderous intent and a sidelong glance.

"Did you accidentally get caught in a trap?" Chu Youcai suddenly recalled the ordeal of his sister, and a sense of compassion arose within him. He stepped forward and carefully removed the trap from Yan'er’s foot, then looked around and happened to find several herbs that could stop the bleeding. After chewing them into a paste, he applied it to Yan'er’s leg

So it is! The other party is indeed sent by the noble lady. Now that I have reached a dead end, I am deliberately torturing myself like this, preparing to deliver the final blow to me. Thinking of the despicable actions of that noble lady, who harbors such resentment against me simply because I was born backwards, forcing me to this extent, Chu Youcai's body tensed up, and his pitch-black eyes were filled with flames of rage burning fiercely.

If my sister were here, she would surely snuggle against the wings of this goose, softly whispering that she would take care of this poor goose for a lifetime

Recalling these experiences, Chu Youcai was filled with intense anger. He despised such spoiled rich kids, these ungrateful individuals; if they died, so be it. From today onwards, I will certainly protect every person who treats me well, ensuring that they do not suffer even the slightest grievance

However, in comparison, he envies the flying heroes even more, such as Yan Chixia, and Xi Fangping, who refused to yield even unto death for the injustice suffered by his father, among others

One must protect those around them! Better to die than to yield! A flash of murderous intent passed through Chu Youcai's eyes; even if it meant losing everything, he would not allow the other party to succeed. He would ensure that Wang Hai received the retribution he deserved! Absolutely!

At that moment, as Chu Youcai was about to leave, the wild goose suddenly stood up, then leaned forward, making a "chirp chirp" sound, akin to a human bowing in respect, and respectfully bowed to Chu Youcai. However, due to the injury on its foot not having healed, it weakly fell to the ground.

This is his obsession

In this world, unlike the stories of Liaozhai, humans possess the ability to confront ghosts and deities. In addition to the powers of exorcism through Taoist techniques and talismans, humans have a unique ability, which is the use of cursed artifacts. As long as one employs a cursed artifact, it can compel demons and monsters to retreat three feet.

Running is akin to the pursuit of the sun by Kuafu, never ceasing for a moment. Even if he is utterly exhausted and in pain to the bone, just as he strives after hearing of his sister's serious illness, just as in the university lecture hall, he speaks with righteous indignation, never bowing his head.

In the western suburbs of Yan Prefecture, Loulan Kingdom, there lies a once-thriving area that has now become a desolate marshland, almost entirely forgotten, known only to the nearby residents.

Of course, the more powerful the cursed artifact, the stronger the usage restrictions and backlash.

Watching Wang Hai and another thug, Zhang Kuang, walk away, Chu Youcai released his grip. Just moments ago, when he had clenched his fist tightly, his fingernails had dug painfully into his palm, leaving faint traces of blood.

Then he gently patted the body of the wild goose and said: "We are all bound in this world, compelled by the need to survive, how pitiable it is that we share the same plight. Let us be more cautious in the future"

It was only when he made such a movement that the scars on his body were immediately affected, causing him to flinch in pain.

Has this goose become a spirit? What is going on?

This is clearly a special attire from the Prince of Chu's residence, representing the identity of the servants of the Prince of Chu.

In April of last year, Chu Youcai, under pressure from the madam, left the residence of the Prince of Chu to establish his own household. As a result, he encountered ill fortune, was deceived into a gambling house, and lost everything. Consequently, he went to Lingyan Mountain to seek his fortune.

If he could possess the cursed artifact, he would be able to roam freely in this world alongside these heroes, experiencing the beauty of this magical realm

Recalling that last night this body had already communicated with that old matron, it is possible that she has gone to find Yun Cuixian by now. Chu Youcai immediately felt a surge of urgency within, and without delay, he hurriedly followed the impressions in his memory, almost running towards his residence.

He has a great fondness for classical literature, particularly for "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," and has often been captivated by the bizarre and fantastical world it presents.

Bai Songling used "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" to critique the corruption of the officialdom and the greed of officials at that time, while also celebrating the genuine love that emerges from sincerity, creating many classic female characters.

At the time when Chu Youcai was increasingly burdened by debts, his gambling friend Wang Hai, who had initially introduced him to gambling, unexpectedly invited him for a drink and secretly said to him: "You are actually very wealthy; you need not worry about those debts at all." When Chu Youcai asked him for the reason, he continued: "I have seen your wife; she is like a celestial being, and she does not match your family's status at all. If you sell her to someone as a concubine, you could easily get five hundred taels of silver. If you sell her to a brothel, you could even get one thousand five hundred taels of silver. With that money, would you still fear not having enough to drink and gamble?" Upon hearing this, Chu Youcai was overjoyed. After returning home, he deliberately banged on the table, kicked the stool, threw the chopsticks, and scolded the maid, putting on various displays for Yun Cuixian to see. Yun Cuixian spent her days in tears, yet found herself powerless to change the situation.

At that moment, Chu Youcai was completely stunned

On the day they arrived at Uncle Yun Cuixian's house, the old woman urged them to get married that very night. The next day, she sent a large dowry and left behind a little maid. However, despite having a beautiful wife, Chu Youcai remained obsessed with gambling, losing seven or eight times out of ten. Eventually, he resorted to stealing his wife's jewelry to gamble. Yun Cuixian repeatedly tried to dissuade him, but Chu Youcai not only refused to listen but also grew impatient, leading Yun Cuixian to guard the box every day as if she were protecting it from thieves.

At that moment, Chu Youcai suddenly heard a series of trembling sounds of pain. Turning around, he noticed not far from him, a small goose lying weakly on the ground. Its body was covered in blood, and particularly, a large iron trap was clamped around its foot. The goose looked at him with a painful and pleading gaze, evoking a sense of pity in him

At this moment, Chu Youcai slowly lowered his head. After a long while, he finally raised it again, but the anger in his eyes had already transformed into calmness. He took a deep breath, his tone turning serene, and said: "There is no need for Brother Wang to worry. In three days, I will return the money on time."

Those powerful cursed artifacts, such as the Demon Suppression and Heaven Punishment Scroll, can cleave through mountains and seas as long as they are infused with human blood. When the scroll is unfurled, it can reduce countless demons to ashes