Chased from the Start, I Acquired the Fastest Sword

Chu Qing transmigrates into the body of the third son of the Chu Family in Tianwu City, a young man who had run away from home at twelve to avoid an arranged marriage, leaving behind his two brilliant brothers Chu Tian and Chu Fan. The original Chu Qing spent seven years in hiding, diligently cultivating the family's secret internal art, the Ruoxu Scripture, a Daoist technique that emphasizes endurance and balance. A year ago, he joined the assassin organization Mirror of Retribution, believing in its motto of acting on Heaven's will, but soon discovered its hypocrisy. When ordered to assassinate Zhou Changtai based on false charges, he refused and warned the target, which led to an ambush by five assassins. After a desperate battle, he died together with the most skilled assassin, Blood Spear. The transmigrator Chu Qing awakens in this body, injured and confused, with the original's memories merging. He notices a glowing rectangular object above Blood Spear's corpse and grabs it, activating the Assassin System. The system grants a Random Martial Arts Box, which he opens to obtain the ultimate skill Afei's Swift Sword, the world's fastest sword, which integrates into his instincts instantly. Two remaining assassins attack, but he kills them with ease: one is pierced through the throat with a thrust faster than sound, the other is dispatched after deflecting a rope dart. Searching the bodies, he finds silver, silver notes, and a sealed letter. Using his knowledge from the Mirror of Retribution, he deciphers the letter: "Iron Palm Du E, Chu Yunfei, five thousand taels!"—a bounty on his father Chu Yunfei. Although he is a transmigrator, the original owner's memories and emotions create a complex sense of concern for his family. He decides to abandon his original plan of fleeing to a remote area and instead secretly returns to Tianwu City to warn his father.

Chu Qing possesses expert disguise and acting skills from his assassin training. He disguises himself as a beggar, smearing mud on his face, altering his voice to sound hoarse, and carrying a bamboo stick and chipped bowl. After half a month of travel, he reaches the border of Tianwu City and rests at a tea house near the ancient road. He sits at the entrance, feigning sleep. The kind shopkeeper orders a waiter to give him two flat cakes and a bowl of water. Chu Qing eats slowly, acting convincingly. Soon, two riders arrive: a young man and a woman. The young man, upon seeing the beggar, drops some silver into the bowl and sighs. He speaks to the woman, revealing that he is Chu Fan, the second brother of the Chu Family and a disciple of Taiyi Gate under the Unangry God Fist master Cui Bunu. Chu Fan explains that he gives to beggars because he constantly fears that his missing younger brother Chu Qing might be in such distress, and that their father has fallen ill worrying about him. Chu Qing is deeply moved but maintains his disguise. Suddenly, a group of riders approaches—the Iron Horse Seven Thieves, infamous bandits known for their fast horses and ruthless ways. Their leader announces they have come for Chu Fan, who killed their seventh brother. Chu Fan stands up and goes outside to face them, telling the beggar to hide. Chu Qing scrambles into the tea house, observing from under a window. The thieves surround Chu Fan, and the leader prepares to strike with a broadaxe. Chu Fan’s junior martial sister, who remained seated, calmly offers a teacup to the disguised Chu Qing, startling him and forcing him to play along. The story sets the stage for Chu Qing’s hidden return, his struggle against the Mirror of Retribution, the looming threat to his father, and the unexpected encounter with his brother amid a violent confrontation.