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Rewritten Story

In the tranquil morning light, as dawn broke over the Bamboo Village, Xiao Lin prepared to visit the mountain temple—a ritual he had cherished for the past 17 years. Just as he was about to step outside, a soft voice called out from behind him.

"Can I come with you?" Sakura asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Of course," Xiao Lin replied, a smile spreading across his face. "If you want to, you can come with me."

"Thank you," she said, her voice warm with gratitude.

As they walked together, a few villagers glanced their way, their expressions shifting from surprise to delight. Though no one asked about Sakura, they greeted Xiao Lin with familiarity, having known him as a fixture in their community for nearly two decades.

"Why are they looking at me with surprise?" Sakura inquired, sensing the whispers of intrigue around them.

"It's because I've lived here for so long," Xiao Lin explained, chuckling softly. "They see me as family, and they're just surprised to see you with me. I've been looking for a wife for a while now, so they might be speculating."

Sakura's cheeks flushed at the thought. "But isn't it good that they think of me as your wife? I trust you, and I don't care much about the rumors. I would marry you if you wanted."

Xiao Lin halted in his tracks, his heart racing at her words. Was this truly happening? "You want to get married?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yes," she affirmed, her eyes reflecting sincerity. "I want a family just as much as you do."

Stunned but overjoyed, Xiao Lin nodded, a broad grin breaking across his face. "Then let's do it."

Upon reaching the temple, they were greeted by the resident monk, who raised an eyebrow in surprise at their sudden announcement. "You've found a wife?" he asked, glancing between them and the mountain god's statue. Other junior monks looked equally astounded, their usual smiles replaced by expressions of disbelief.

After offering their prayers, they returned home, where Sakura began preparing lunch while Xiao Lin headed to the farm. As he stood in the fields, he closed his eyes and whispered, "Sign-in."

The familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind: Basic farming knowledge obtained.

A wave of information flooded his brain, and for a moment, he winced in pain, but it quickly subsided, leaving him exhilarated with the newfound understanding of his craft. With renewed determination, he decided to take Sakura to the town to register their marriage and buy her some clothes.

As news of their union spread through the village, the community rejoiced, showering them with food and blessings upon their return. That night, as they sat down for dinner, the warmth of companionship enveloped them, and they celebrated their new life together as husband and wife.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through their window, and Sakura woke up first. Her heart swelled with joy as she gazed down at her husband sleeping peacefully beside her. She nestled her head on his chest, cherishing the sound of his heartbeat.

When Xiao Lin awoke, he was greeted by her radiant smile. "Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"You looked too cute to disturb," he replied, his voice soft and affectionate.

After they refreshed themselves, they made their way to the mountain temple once more. But as the days passed, an unsettling worry crept into Xiao Lin's mind. What if the enemies of Sakura's family came looking for her? Although his system was limited to farming knowledge, he understood the dangers that lurked in their world.

"They won't come for me," Sakura reassured him, sensing his unease. "They'll be focused on other targets. I'm not worth their time."

While Xiao Lin appreciated her confidence, the worry lingered in his heart. His family, the Xiaos, hailed from the capital city of Meng—a prominent martial arts family known for their unwavering loyalty to the imperial family. They wielded their blade with unmatched skill, a legacy he carried within him.

As the days turned to weeks, their lives settled into a blissful routine. Two months into their marriage, a thrilling revelation came to light—Sakura was pregnant. Joy flooded Xiao Lin's heart as he realized he was on the path to fulfilling his late grandmother's wish for him to have a family.

Now, as the eighth month of Sakura's pregnancy approached, Xiao Lin dedicated himself to caring for her. He helped in the kitchen and kept the house tidy, ensuring she had everything she needed for a safe delivery.

One morning, as ominous clouds gathered overhead, Xiao Lin prepared to visit the temple, deciding against farming that day. He kissed Sakura goodbye, promising to return soon.

The rain began to pour as he made his way home, the world around him blurring with the heavy downpour. He thought little of the strange group of figures he passed, too absorbed in his own thoughts.

Upon arriving, he called out for Sakura, but silence met his ears. Concerned, he assumed she had fallen asleep and hurried to wash the mud from his feet before entering the house. But the door was ajar.

"Did I forget to lock the door?" he wondered, pushing it open. "Sakura must be cold. I should've closed it tighter."

But as he stepped inside, a horrifying sight met his eyes. There, sprawled on the floor, was Sakura, blood pooling around her. A deep wound marred her stomach, the reality of the situation crashing down upon him like a tidal wave.

With tears streaming down his face, he rushed to her side, cradling her in his arms. "Sakura!" he cried, panic and sorrow clawing at his heart.

In pain, she looked up at him, her eyes reflecting her despair. "Xiao, I…" she gasped, unable to finish her thought.

"No, no, don't say anything! I'm here! You'll be okay!" He pressed his hand against the wound, trying desperately to stem the bleeding.

As her strength waned, the last thing she wanted was for him to see her in pain. She had only wanted to see him smile, to build a future together. But in this moment of tragedy, everything they had dreamed of hung in the balance, threatened by forces beyond their control.

Xiao Lin's heart hardened with resolve, and in that moment, he knew he would not rest until he avenged her and ensured that no one else would face such darkness. The path of vengeance loomed ahead, a shadow cast over their love, and he would do whatever it took to protect what remained of his world.