chapter 1 Framed ===

"The suspect, Thorpe Chen, drove under the influence resulting in three deaths and one injury. The nature of the crime is extremely severe. By law, he is sentenced to death, to be executed immediately."
In the suburbs of Fengling City, at the execution ground by Qili River, several death-row inmates stand in line.
The Qili River execution ground was an ancient battlefield long ago, and in modern times it's known for executions. Even during the day, the atmosphere here is dark and eerie.
Thorpe Chen, with handcuffs on, stands in the middle of several inmates. The moment the guns are raised, his entire body shivers.
"Thorpe Chen, don't worry, I'll take care of Enid and your unborn child," said his close friend Shipley Zhou, with a face filled with sorrow.
"I didn't hit anyone. I was framed!" Thorpe Chen suddenly shouted with all his might, using this to vent his inner fear in the face of death.
But the evidence was undeniable. Any argument from him was futile.
The moment the gunshots sounded, Thorpe Chen felt a sudden lightness, his consciousness floating out of his body.
Everything before his eyes turned into a world of black and white.
At this moment, he suddenly heard the inner thoughts of everyone present – the murmurs of the onlookers, the nervousness of the rookie executioner, and the cold laughter of Shipley Zhou.
"Thorpe Chen, you're just a scapegoat. I had someone else cause the accident, and after getting you drunk that night, I put you in the driver's seat. Everything was seamlessly planned."
"Heh, your Chen's corporation will be mine, and your wife, Enid Li, will be mine as well. Rest in peace."
"Shipley Zhou, you bastard!"
Thorpe Chen was shocked beyond words. He only remembered getting heavily drunk the night of the incident and didn't remember driving. All of this was a conspiracy by Shipley Zhou, who had framed him.
He spread his arms, wanting to assault Shipley, but as he flailed, he couldn't touch him because he was now just a semi-transparent shadow.
All that was left was anger, resentment, and unwillingness.
Suddenly, a strong magnetic force emanated from the ancient battlefield, trapping all the deceased there, and Thorpe Chen turned into a cloud of black mist.
Numerous strands of black mist circled the execution ground, representing the souls of the thousands who had fallen on this ancient battlefield over millennia. They were supposed to leave, but a strong magnetic field held them, preventing their departure.
Clouds of black mist collided, swallowing and merging with each other.
A powerful strand of black mist integrated into Thorpe Chen's body. Suddenly, he understood various domains – medicine, martial arts, and mysticism.
This was the "Tai Xuan Holy Scripture", a comprehensive method of cultivation. He now had its legacy.
The black mist that was created by Thorpe Chen became powerful. He surged upwards, trying to escape this magnetic field. He couldn't stay here forever; he needed to get out and seek revenge.
The unwillingness and sorrow gave Thorpe Chen a mighty strength. Finally, he felt a release from the grip of the ancient battlefield's magnetic field. As he broke free, his consciousness gradually slipped into unconsciousness.
"Shipley Zhou, I'll kill you!" On a bed, Thorpe Chen jolted awake.
He suddenly realized he was in an unfamiliar environment – a cramped room, dim light, and a body that had been hollowed out by alcohol.
"Am I... Thorpe Chen?" Thorpe Chen felt as if his head was about to explode, his merged consciousness making him confused.
Gradually, his original consciousness took over.
Turns out, a year had passed since his execution. After breaking free from the ancient battlefield's magnetic pull, his consciousness found itself in a drunkard, who also happened to be in Fengling City and was also named Thorpe Chen.
This man, nearing thirty, was a total loser. Although he had a family, he didn't work. Instead, he spent his days with bad company, drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels. When he was upset, he would beat his wife.
Having had a heavy drink last night, he woke up at four in the afternoon, his thoughts jumbled.
It's been a year. How is his family? His child must have been born by now. Could his wife withstand the pressure and keep the Chen Corporation afloat? How should he seek revenge? How could he find them and explain his identity?
"Shipley Zhou, you bastard, I will definitely kill you."
As he was pondering, the door opened, and a woman walked in. Seeing Thorpe Chen, she looked a little scared.
"You're awake, Thorpe Chen."
The woman was Gloria Ye, the wife of the body Thorpe Chen currently occupied. Life's pressures made her look worn.
She had a pretty face, which would look even more beautiful if she dressed up.
But there were several bruises on her face, and her belly was slightly protruding, indicating a pregnancy of three to four months.
"I..." Thorpe Chen didn't know how to explain his identity.
"We have no money left at home. We're struggling for meals, and we're two months behind on rent."
"I haven't borrowed any money, and my salary will only come mid-month. Please don't hit me. The child in my stomach would not be able to handle it."
Thorpe Chen moved, and Gloria, scared, stepped back several steps, one hand guarding her belly, afraid that Thorpe Chen would erupt in anger.
For her, domestic violence had become an everyday occurrence. For the sake of the child in her belly, she could only bear it in silence.
"What happened to your face?" After saying this, Thorpe Chen wished he could slap himself a few times. The injury on her face was caused by him when he was drunk the night before.
The original owner of this body was really a scumbag. How can such a bastard have such a beautiful wife?
"I'll make some porridge for you," Gloria Ye lowered her head.
"No, no, you're pregnant. It's inconvenient," Thorpe Chen quickly stood up.
Gloria Ye looked up in surprise. In the three years they were married, Thorpe Chen had never cared for her.
"I... I'm not your husband. I'll be leaving soon," Thorpe Chen didn't know how to explain.
Since God has given him a second chance at life, he must grasp it, find out where he is, go home, find a way to explain everything, and then vindicate himself.
"You're leaving?" Gloria Ye was shocked, and then pleaded in a soft voice, "Can you wait until the child is born?"
"Thorpe Chen, I don't ask you to take responsibility. You can hit me, scold me, gamble and find other women, and I won't care. I just hope that when the child is born, there's a father by his side."
Tears streamed down from Gloria Ye's eyes. She closed her eyes, expecting Thorpe Chen's slap.
"Um... I'm sorry, please don't cry. Everything was my fault before. I'll change, okay?" Seeing her cry like that, Thorpe Chen felt at a loss for a moment.
Such a good woman, who married a gangster without any reservations, but this bastard doesn't cherish her? How could there be such a terrible man in this world?
Gloria Ye opened her eyes and stared blankly at Thorpe Chen. She initially thought her words would result in a beating, but that didn't happen. What was going on?
"I know it's my fault. I'll change in the future, treat you well, stop gambling and drinking, and find a job to support the family. Okay?"
Thorpe Chen's words were sincere. This woman was truly pitiable. Although he would leave soon, these words might comfort her a bit.
"Thorpe Chen, I don't ask you to change. I just want you to let me give birth to our child safely," Gloria Ye's face was ashen. She no longer held any hope for Thorpe Chen.
Thorpe Chen was stunned. It had been a year already. His son from his previous life should be about six months old now. As parents, one always has a soft spot. If he left, could she cope with everything on her own?
"Thorpe Chen, stop hiding! I know you're home. When are you going to pay back the money you owe us?"
Suddenly, a loud voice came from outside the door, followed by someone banging on it.
"Rupert, he's here to collect the loan with high interest. Thorpe Chen, you need to escape through the window," Gloria Ye said, looking panicked. She desperately pushed Thorpe Chen towards the window.
"What about you if I leave?" Thorpe Chen was a bit dazed. The original owner of this body had amassed debts, and the creditors had come knocking on their doors.
"I'm pregnant. They won't hurt me. Rupert said if you don't repay the debt, they'll cut off your hands," Gloria Ye said urgently.
Thorpe Chen hesitated for a moment and moved towards the window. But then, he slapped himself. At this moment, should he just let a woman face the danger alone? Is he even a man?
With a loud bang, the door was kicked open. A bald man followed by two burly men stormed in.
Seeing Thorpe Chen, the bald man smirked, "Thorpe Chen, trying to escape again? You owe me a hundred thousand. When are you planning to pay it back?"
"Brother Rupert, we will repay you. Please give us a few more days," Gloria Ye pleaded, positioning herself in front of Rupert.
"Get out of my way!" Rupert roughly shoved Gloria Ye aside. He used too much force, causing Gloria Ye to stumble.
"Wife!" Thorpe Chen was startled and quickly helped Gloria Ye up.
Holding her belly, Gloria Ye's face turned pale, and cold sweat dripped from her forehead. She was nearly four months pregnant, and this shove might harm the foetus.
"Brother Rupert, please let him go. We will definitely repay the debt. I'm begging you," even at this moment, she was still thinking about Thorpe Chen.
"Repay? How will this idiot repay? He never does any legitimate work. Gloria Ye, I really don't understand. With your beautiful face, why did you choose this piece of trash?"
"How about this: abort the child and come with me. I promise you'll live a more comfortable life than now." Rupert leaned over with a malicious intent, trying to pinch her chin.