0003 - I'm Not Lazy, I'm Just Fuel-Efficient.

"Say…you can automate anything, right?" He asked again to be assured, to make sure there was no hidden condition.

[Yes, I can automate anything as long as you have comprehended the methods.]

He was still not sure because it sounded a little illogical so he tried asking one more time.

"Are you sure? There is no hidden catch or anything I need to know. Something you think is logical but I am fool enough to ignore it."

[Give me an example.]

"Example?...hmm…Let's say I can lift heavy objects but if I ask you to automate lifting 100KG or 1000KG, would that work?"

[I understand your concern now and the answer is, no. I can automate everything related or connected to your mind because I am in your mind, I send additional brain signals to your limbs, to your entire body to work automatically without you using or spending your own Will or Mental Strength. Think of me like a second brain, a powerful processing computer that can act, react, process, and perform various brain-related tasks much faster than anything you have witnessed, as long as the instructions are clear.]

He sighed, this was not what he hoped for, he wanted a System that would make him OP from the start. Deep down he suddenly accepted that he was not that lucky to get a super-powered ability. He cursed himself for not listening to the Horse and Bull Head guards and writing down all the women, wealth, armies, super strength, and other things.

He felt like cursing himself. He believed that the opinions of others about him were true. He couldn't even perform a simple task correctly - a simple task of writing down boons and blessings on a piece of paper. He messed that up too, big time.

He sighed. "There is nothing to cry over spilled milk…huh? When did I start speaking like this?"

[it's the effect of both memories harmonizing in your mind.]

"I guess, it's better, now let's automate a few things." His laziness returned and evaporated all his depression, along with all his motivation to make the most out of his situation. "I'll just let the System do everything," he muttered, once again seeking the easy way out. Perhaps, he will waste his second chance too in this life because of his casual approach to life, even in this Cultivation world where strength is survival.

[What would you like to automate?]

"It's a pain in the ass to wake up in the morning and do daily chores of brushing, bathing, cleaning, washing, and other things. If I give you a timetable will you be able to automate all these things?"

[If you have done this in your life then I can follow those same methods and perform all of it for you daily.]

He thought for a moment and tried to remember if he was good at any one of these things. "I lived alone and did most things alone, I had not much money too to pay for these services, I am fairly confident, I did a good job."

[Yes and the previous owner of this body, also lazy, did fairly in daily chores, weekly. Both of your experiences will help adequately. Then let's proceed.]

He quickly decided his entire plan for the day, including some workouts.

[Host, did you forget, you have a duel with Lu Zhan.]

"I am not going and I don't care if they will laugh at me, they are going to bully me anyway. What is there to gain anyway?"

[With my help you have a chance.]

"It's not worth it, too much hassle and childish to play their games."

[What if they come seeking you?]

"Then I will run or hide from them."

[You can get rid of the problem from its root if you fight.]

"The root is very deep, if I fight then there will be a long line of people who will come to fight me again and again, there is no end to it. It's better if they find me worthless so that they will not waste their time and mine. Let's start Automation of Daily Task, it's about to be morning."

[Automation Initiated.]

His fat body which was in the cozy cover of blankets suddenly sprang into action. "Whoa!" He felt the morning chill discomforting but not discomforting enough when he used to force himself. Seeing his body controlled by someone else while he does not have to muster up a thought made him surprisingly laid back.

"Say…what if you are making a mistake?"

[You can always stop me by using your own will.]

"Glad to know it. Now I can enjoy the ride and the fruit of this cheat."

[You are easily impressed, this is just a daily task, nothing impressive at all.]

"You have no idea how tough this task is, you never experienced the horror of washing piled-up dishes or cleaning a mountain of trash."

[if you do this every day, little by little, then it will never pile up or turn into a mountain.]

"Yes, but why make an effort for little things every day? when I can get the same results once a month. Sleeping and playing games is much better."

[I give up.]

He laughed out loud.

[On a serious note, is it not a good idea to dive into some books to gain what we can learn more and help ourselves?]

Lu Sheng agreed but still wanted to avoid today's duel. "Let's eat first then we will see what we can do about that."

Automated System dragged his ass for an hour finishing his daily morning rituals and then to the kitchen, his kitchen, part of his separate house as one of the perks of Lu Clan's core generation clan members.

The moment his body entered the walled-up separate kitchen, his body froze. 

A woman, with long dark hair, topless, bathing near the well. Her glistened back was exposed to Lu Sheng as she noticed Lu Sheng's arrival. She only turned her face a little to acknowledge Lu Sheng's presence.

"I apologize, Young Master, I am a little late in preparing the breakfast, please wait for me in the kitchen and I will prepare something quick for you." Her sweet, gentle but numb voice tugged at Lu Sheng's heart. The wet lower robe clung tightly to her curves, the moisture, and mist around enhancing her every subtle movement, enough to boil the blood of any male, enough to awaken any dragon.

[Host?]

Lu Sheng snapped back to reality, quickly nodded like a little child, and obediently followed her instructions.

As he entered the kitchen he quickly took the corner to hide. "Why did you freeze?" He cursed at the Automated System.

[Host, I didn't. You did. Remember, only your will can stop me.]

"No, I did not freeze. you are lying." He did not want to accept his fault.

[Host. I am a System, I am incapable of lying.]

"Fine, fine. Shit! This is embarrassing. Btw…who is she?" He can recognize her but is not able to recall properly.

[She is Yu Yunxia, she is your maid or rather your cook because she does not leave this kitchen at all.]

"Oh yeah! No wonder the moment I saw her, I felt pity for her at first."

[Yes, She was supposed to be your elder brother's wife but her clan declined overnight and that reduced her value in Lu clan's eyes. She was disgraced and demoted to maid later. I am not sure you noticed this ever.]

"No, I did or rather, now I can, the previous Lu Sheng never did."

[Yes, It was she who once saved your elder brother's life. During the incident, she got wounded badly, leaving a long scar on her face that extended from the middle of her left eyebrow to her left cheek, perpendicular to her nose. Her left eye was also injured, but she eventually regained her vision. However, her left eye remained slightly off-white, giving her a ghost-like appearance. Her right leg was severely damaged, but they managed to reattach it. Unfortunately, it hasn't fully healed yet, which causes her to walk with a noticeable limp. All these injuries have taken a toll on her beauty, making her less attractive than before.]

Lu Sheng felt a tinge of pity for Yu Yunxia. He briefly considered freeing her from her duties as his maid, but he realized that he couldn't behave impulsively just because he was in a child's body. As an adult, he knew he had to make responsible decisions. Although he is still a little naive, he understands enough of the adult world to understand her predicament, and her helplessness towards leaving the clan. She has nowhere to go and the outside world is not safe for a beautiful girl like her who has been discarded and disfigured.

She has nowhere to go, she might have accepted her new role to keep herself away, to stay detached from the world. He should not disturb her current peace of mind.

"Young Master, I am present. Let me quickly prepare breakfast." Yu Yunxia suddenly entered and without any delay started preparing the breakfast.

[Host, this would be a very good chance to learn cooking, please observe properly.]

"Hmph! I know how to cook."

[Ready-to-eat meals are not considered cooking, here you need to understand how to properly prepare the ingredients, which part to eat or not, which part takes what kind of cooking methods or preparation or duration. I would advise you not to miss out on this opportunity..]

Lu Sheng had nothing to retort so he started observing. The speed at which Yu Yunxia was preparing the ingredients and food was bewildering for Lu Sheng, but he lacked the courage to ask her to slow down or answer any questions regarding her cooking.