Gu Qingyan spent fifteen years living as the pampered young master of the wealthy Li family in Qingzhou Prefecture. He enjoyed a life of luxury, free from hardship, protected by his mother figure, Madam Xu, and cared for by his devoted wet nurse, Madam Liu. However, his comfortable existence shattered when the biological son of the Li family returned from the capital. Upon his arrival, the truth was revealed: Gu Qingyan was the impostor, having been switched at birth. Madam Xu, furious that her biological son had suffered while the fake heir lived in comfort, demanded Gu Qingyan leave immediately. She stripped him of his identity, his savings, and his status, casting him out with nothing but the clothes on his back.
Cast out into the cold northwest wind, Gu Qingyan felt betrayed and confused. He questioned whether the fifteen years of affection were merely a facade. Refusing to accept this fate, he stormed to the Yama Temple to confront the underworld officials who had orchestrated his reincarnation. He accused Ox-Head and Horse-Face of lying to him, claiming they had promised a life of leisure but delivered a stolen identity instead. In a fit of rage, he threatened to kill himself to complain to the King of Hell. The terrified officials, fearing punishment from their superior, offered him a compensation: a Sign-In System. They bound the system to him, granting him the ability to sign in at various locations to receive random rewards, from wealth to skills. To ensure he could not return to the underworld to complain, they sealed his soul to the mortal plane.
Gu Qingyan tested the system and discovered that sign-in points appeared at commercial establishments and specific locations. His first sign-in at the King Yama Hall yielded a beginner’s gift pack containing silver, food, and travel gear. He then signed in at a money exchange, receiving one hundred taels of silver, which solved his immediate financial crisis. Realizing the system’s potential, he decided to travel to his original hometown, Lingchuan County, to start a new life. Before leaving, he learned that Madam Liu had also been driven out by Madam Xu. He found her in a dilapidated state, being abused by her own family, and rescued her. He took her in as his mother, and the two set out together.
During their journey, Gu Qingyan encountered Pei Xuan, an unconscious man lying in the wilderness. To his surprise, Pei Xuan appeared as a reusable sign-in point. Signing in with him yielded practical items, including an ox cart, which facilitated their travel. Pei Xuan woke up and, despite his cold demeanor, agreed to travel with them to Lingchuan County, claiming he was visiting a friend there. Gu Qingyan, seeing the benefits of the companion, insisted on keeping him close. As they traveled, Gu Qingyan continued to sign in at villages and landmarks, accumulating food, medicine, and other supplies. He also used points to learn medical skills, improving his health and ability to care for Madam Liu.
Their journey was not without danger. They were ambushed by mountain bandits on the road. While Gu Qingyan initially feared for their lives, Pei Xuan revealed himself to be a skilled martial artist, effortlessly dispatching the attackers. Gu Qingyan also contributed by using a dart launcher obtained from a sign-in point to injure a bandit holding Madam Liu hostage. The incident solidified their alliance, with Pei Xuan agreeing to protect them. As they approached Lingchuan County, Gu Qingyan prepared to establish himself in a new environment, relying on his system and the companionship of Madam Liu and Pei Xuan to navigate the challenges ahead.
