Starting from Robinson Crusoe

Bi Kai is not a frog looking at the sky from the bottom of the well; he’s always willing to ask questions when he doesn’t understand something.

Paul couldn’t communicate with him, even with willingness, crafting techniques couldn’t be explained in a short time.

So, much of the knowledge Bi Kai had to acquire from Chen Zhou.

After spending considerable time together, due to the shared linguistic roots, his Mandarin had become quite standard. Except for some terminologies that required Chen Zhou to explain, he could understand most concepts.

Regarding materials science and forging, Chen Zhou had both the theoretical knowledge from school and the practical experience accumulated from forging on a deserted island. His explanations were quite detailed and easy to understand.

With such a "teacher", Bi Kai came to understand why metals are hard, why they are strong, and why they do not corrode.

Why Treasure Swords can cut with a hair-thin edge, why they slice through iron like mud.

Who in the Martial World doesn’t wish to possess a divine weapon or sharp blade? They simply struggle to find a reputed craftsman, and lack suitable materials.

Bi Kai used to believe that only meteoric iron from the heavens was superior material, never expecting that actually, the finest materials for forging were abundant everywhere, and so-called divine weapons, after nearly a thousand years, could be mass-produced and even commonplace in ordinary households as kitchenware.

Of course, Chen Zhou did not forget to tell Bi Kai that in later generations, no matter how sharp cold weapons became, they couldn’t make a mark.

Firearms and even nuclear weapons were the true "Martial Arts Secrets", their power akin to exotic beasts in ancient texts, capable of wiping out armies of millions in an instant.

Upon hearing this, Bi Kai’s interest shifted again to history.

Though the world he lived in differed somewhat from Hua Xia, the general trajectory hadn’t changed.

Chen Zhou inquired, and Bi Kai sighed heavily, speaking of the unfair world, corrupt court, and the destitution of people.

Great snowfalls froze Taihu Lake and Poyang Lake, drought in Shaanxi and Gansu yielded no crops, and coinciding with the court imposing triple taxes, after eating bark, the people resorted to cannibalism.

Even pestilence broke out in the Capital, causing Ming soldiers to "stand stiffly by the roadside with weapons", with Li Zicheng’s rebellion, it was a scene of utter apocalypse.

When people suffer, how could the Martial World remain untouched?

Before the challenge began, Bi Kai had some ties with the Donglin Party.

Later, Wei Zhongxian took control of the court, the Donglin Party was massacred, making him a wanted man by the court. He had no choice but to flee to the northwest region, wishing only to devote himself to swordsmanship, spending the rest of his life in the wilderness, never expecting to encounter such bizarre events.

Bi Kai was not a scholar; although he had seen too many instances of powerful individuals oppressing citizens while traveling the Jianghu, and had performed acts of chivalry to punish evil and promote virtue, he knew he was not the material for an official, and could not survive the deceitful political arena.

It is said, when poor, one should focus on personal integrity, when prosperous, one should help the world.

Some matters Bi Kai witnessed but felt powerless toward. Though he wished to accomplish such acts of saving the common people, he had long since abandoned those attempts.

In his view, the situation of the world would inevitably change, whether it’s the King of Rebellion Li Zicheng or another king, as long as they succeed in rebellion, overthrow the court, the common people would live a peaceful life.

As for natural disasters, they were caused by the incompetence of the emperor, and when enlightened rulers took reign later, naturally the weather would be favorable and the nation prosperous with people content.

During communication, Chen Zhou could clearly feel Bi Kai’s pessimistic mood and often consoled him, telling him historical stories from later times.

Hearing the fall of Ming and the rise of Qing, followed by the humiliation Hua Xia people suffered during late Qing and the early Republic of China, Bi Kai became angry, his eyes reddened.

Listening further about Japanese invaders ravaging Hua Xia, committing atrocities on its land, Bi Kai became furious, his hair standing on end, and even stood up and sliced the bed with a sword.

It was not until Chen Zhou spoke about modern history, the establishment of China, and events entering the contemporary era, that his emotions calmed down.

Although he belonged to a different world, even on different timelines, being a similar person, Chen Zhou still hoped Bi Kai would actively seek change upon returning to his world.

It’s said that under the wheels of history, individual strength is extremely insignificant, after the trend is set, no one can reverse the situation.

But such things that cross the barriers of time and space, who can say for sure?

Speaking conservatively, even if due to some actions Bi Kai took, fewer people would die in later times, and fewer cities be plundered, it would be a tremendous change, saving countless families.

Of course, the change of thoughts could not be achieved overnight.

Chen Zhou just hoped Bi Kai, after completing the challenge and leaving, would have more advanced thinking, at least align more closely with modern thought currents.

If he could use the "prophet" advantage to change the collapsing situation of late Ming, or even ascend the throne and replace the Qing Dynasty by establishing a different empire, Chen Zhou would be considered the "imperial teacher" of the different world, silently revered or even worshipped by many.

...

Deeply aware that after leaving this world, he could never again meet someone truly able to foresee future matters, whenever he had time, he would always ask Chen Zhou questions.

Now heading towards the bear cave, following Chen Zhou, he occasionally asked a question aloud.

Paul, after listening to several months of Chinese, although he couldn’t speak clearly, he had no problem understanding; he could chime in when encountering an interesting topic.

White mist dispersed again and again, accompanied by the sound of exchanges, the three soon arrived at the bear cave.

...

After winter sets in, hibernating animals retreat into their dens and rarely venture out.

Until food becomes truly scarce, even non-hibernating predators seldom target them.