Dual Cultivation System: My Cultivation Was Crippled, So I Rely on Intimacy to Level Up

Zhou Kai was jolted awake by a nameless sense of foreboding.

Dawn had just broken. The world outside the window was a gray, deathly stillness, like an old photograph drained of color.

He instinctively checked his internal state and then his Divine Sense. The value on the panel remained a cold “500”.

The only sliver of good news was that the black miasma in his Consciousness Sea had weakened somewhat. It seemed the eerie gong from last night also affected Fu Weilun’s Soul Poison.

He sat up abruptly, his gaze darting around the room.

The antique furnishings were exquisite. Beside him, Lin Zhiwei—no, “A’Zhu”—was still asleep, breathing evenly. A faint blush from last night lingered on her cheeks, giving her a look of devastating tenderness.

Everything seemed normal. Yet, an eerie strangeness permeated every corner, clinging to the air like damp mist.

He didn’t want to go out. Not at all.

His only thought was to find Qing Shuang—that icy Sword Immortal Shen Hanyi—and ask her about the gong.

But suddenly, a crystal-clear thought exploded in his mind with irresistible authority:

Take your wife and return to her parents’ home! Visit her parents immediately! Then, go to the school and teach the children their morning lessons!

Each instruction was perfectly clear, etched into his brain as if reading from a pre-written Script.

“Damn it!” Zhou Kai cursed under his breath.

He could feel it in his bones. If he didn’t comply, immense trouble would descend upon him instantly. It was the feeling of being watched by an invisible beast, its hot breath on the back of his neck.

Suppressing his irritation and unease, he glanced at the bedside table. Clothes and gifts were already prepared, folded neatly.

His heart grew colder.

“A’Zhu, wake up. It’s time for the return visit,” Zhou Kai said, shaking her gently.

Lin Zhiwei opened her eyes drowsily. Seeing Zhou Kai, a relieved, dependent smile touched her face. She nodded obediently. “Yes, husband.”

The two washed up and changed. Zhou Kai noticed all the clothes in the wardrobe perfectly matched his identity as “the Su family’s only son” and “Xiucai teacher.” Even the sizes were exact down to the last inch.

Everything was meticulously arranged. Too perfect.

Carrying the prepared gifts—boxes of pastries, bolts of silk, dried goods—Zhou Kai and Lin Zhiwei left the room and crossed the courtyard.

The early morning in Red Cliff Town was bustling with life.

Vendors set up stalls, selling breakfast and sundries, their calls rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence. Children ran past, leaving trails of silvery laughter. Townsfolk greeted each other with gentle, almost rigid smiles.

“Xiucai Su, returning to your wife’s home?” an old man selling steamed buns called out warmly.

The creases of his smile seemed stiffly carved into his face, like a wax figure. His eyes were slightly unfocused.

Zhou Kai forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, Uncle Wang. May your business prosper.”

“Thank you for your kind words!” The old man’s smile remained unchanged, not twitching a millimeter.

Everything felt so real, so vivid. Like an ordinary, peaceful morning.

Yet Zhou Kai’s heart grew heavier with every step.

This liveliness felt too deliberate. Like a stage set where everyone played their part with mechanical precision.

Just then, a figure stumbled out from an alley ahead.

It was that mad cripple!

The moment the madman saw Lin Zhiwei, his eyes widened as if beholding a ghost. He rushed forward, pointing a shaking finger at her and shrieking:

“Doomed! Doomed! Can’t get out now!”

Lin Zhiwei turned pale, hiding behind Zhou Kai and trembling violently.

The surrounding townsfolk seemed accustomed to this. They merely stepped aside with expressions of pity or mild disgust.

“Old madman, don’t scare Madam Su!” a passerby scolded.

But the cripple paid no heed. He turned to Zhou Kai, his gaze filled with a bizarre pity.

Just as he opened his mouth to say more, he choked. His hands clawed at his throat, his face contorting in extreme agony as if an invisible hand were strangling him.

He spun in place, then turned and fled wildly, letting out a piercing shriek:

“You’re going to die! You’re going to die! Hehehehe…”

That bizarre laughter sent chills down Zhou Kai’s spine.

This madman definitely knows something! Or perhaps he can “see” the strings attached to everyone else.

“Husband, he…” Lin Zhiwei’s voice trembled.

Zhou Kai patted her hand. “Don’t be afraid. Just a madman spouting nonsense.”

Though he said this, a storm raged within him.

Unfortunately, his Divine Sense was crippled. In this strange town where his spirit felt constantly constrained, probing the madman now was too risky.

He filed the thought away.

Soon, they arrived at the “Song Family” residence—Lin Zhiwei’s “parents’ home” in this world.

It was an imposing mansion with vermilion gates flanked by stone lions, clearly indicating wealth. An elderly Steward ushered them inside.

In the main hall sat a middle-aged couple dressed in rich silks: Old Master Song and Madam Song.

Old Master Song had a square face and large ears, exuding authority without anger. Madam Song appeared well-preserved, smiling gently.

“Father, Mother.” Lin Zhiwei curtsied gracefully.

Zhou Kai cupped his hands. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law.”

“A’Zhu is back. Son-in-law is here too. Please, sit.” Madam Song spoke warmly.

Old Master Song merely gave a faint “Hmm,” picking up his teacup and taking a sip, exuding an air of superiority.

Polite small talk ensued. They asked how A’Zhu fared in the Su family, how Su Moran treated her, and other mundane questions.

Lin Zhiwei answered obediently each time, playing the role of the virtuous wife perfectly.

Zhou Kai sat quietly, observing everything. He was testing the “rules” of this world.

He suddenly wanted to try something. Something that didn’t fit the identity of a “wealthy young master” and “refined scholar.”

How far did Red Cliff Town’s control extend? How would it enact “Correction” upon “errors”?

He made up his mind.

When Madam Song asked, “Son-in-law is now a Xiucai. Do you have any plans for further studies?”

Zhou Kai suddenly slammed his teacup down.

Clang!

He declared loudly, “Mother-in-law jests! What interest is there in studying? This humble son-in-law believes a true man should wield a sword! Abandoning Literature for Martial Arts to fight on the battlefield and achieve unparalleled feats! Mumbling classical texts all day is boring as hell!”

The atmosphere in the main hall froze instantly.

Lin Zhiwei’s face turned pale. She looked at Zhou Kai in disbelief, gently tugging his sleeve to signal him to stop.

Madam Song’s smile stiffened on her face. A flicker of astonishment and displeasure passed through her eyes.

Old Master Song’s half-closed eyes snapped open. His gaze became as sharp as knives, piercing toward Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai inwardly sneered. Here comes the reaction! Let’s see what form the so-called “trouble” takes.

However, contrary to expectations, they did not erupt in anger.

Old Master Song slowly set down his teacup. His voice was steady yet authoritative, carrying a heavy weight.

“Moran is mistaken. The Sage said: ‘All occupations are base, only studying is high.’ Since you possess the Xiucai title, you should devote yourself to learning. Scoring high in the Imperial Examination is the proper path.”

Madam Song also regained her smile, though it looked a bit more forced.

“Yes, son-in-law. Don’t speak such nonsense. Now that you represent the Su family’s face, you must think thrice before acting.”

She paused, then turned to the Steward beside her. Her voice became toneless, almost robotic.

“Steward, go to the Town Head. Say Su Moran’s speech and behavior are somewhat abnormal today. Perhaps he is influenced by evil spirits and has an unsettled mind. Ask the Town Head to send someone to persuade him… to see if he needs calming spirits and purification.”

Town Head?!

Zhou Kai’s heart lurched.

That term flashed across his mind like a lightning bolt.

From the forcibly implanted memories, he knew of this Town Head. A stern-faced, unsmiling middle-aged man who held absolute authority in Red Cliff Town. Everyone held him in extreme awe.

Not following the Script attracts a higher-level “Corrector”?

This so-called “persuasion” probably wouldn’t be simple.