In the blink of an eye, the day of the sect competition had arrived, and Kong Hou Mountain was packed to the brim with people, disciples clad in various sect robes streaming in one after another.
Shen Tanqi climbed to the top floor of the Alchemy Pavilion, overlooking the dense crowd below between the clouds and the mountain slopes.
After a while, he lay back in his chair, casually picking up an ancient alchemy book to flip through. Shen Tanqi had actually read this book many times.
He read it while helping Yu Ce review his lessons. Shen Tanqi would ask questions, and Yu Ce would answer. But Yu Ce barely paid attention, deliberately making Shen Tanqi repeat the questions until Shen Tanqi nearly had it memorized.
Since their talk the previous night, Yu Ce had been speaking less and less, as if intentionally keeping a distance. Even though it had only been a day, Shen Tanqi could feel that Yu Ce wanted to cool things off between them.
Maybe that was for the best. At least when they eventually parted ways, it wouldn’t be so heart-wrenching.
The grand sect competition would last for a month, and today was the first day, the grand meeting and ceremony of the myriad sects. All the disciples would gather at Kong Hou Mountain to show off their sword dances, talismans, formations, and other skills.
Shen Tanqi thought it was probably like the opening ceremony of the modern Olympics.
He didn’t feel like watching. He wasn’t in the mood. With his imminent departure, watching the performance felt like seeing people dance on his grave.
The system jumped onto his lap, nudging the book in Shen Tanqi’s hand urgently, “Host, why are you still here? You need to find a way to cause trouble for Yu Ce!”
Shen Tanqi covered his face with the book, sinking into the chair, saying, “I can’t get too close, and I still have to cause trouble. That’s really hard, you know?”
“You can’t just hide here,” the system climbed onto his chest, its tiny claws holding his face seriously, “Have you forgotten how you almost got killed by Xie Chi last time?”
Shen Tanqi had only half-confessed to the system about what happened with Xie Chi. He told it that Xie Chi had kidnapped him and wanted to take over his body but didn’t mention that Xie Chi also wanted to smash his ‘egg.’
His gaze wandered, looking out the window at the lively crowd cheering at the festival, searching for a glimpse of Yu Ce. Absentmindedly, he said, “Xie Chi won’t come today. Yu Ce pierced his chest that day, and he was seriously injured. He can’t do anything for a while.”
He didn’t see Yu Ce in the crowd, which made sense. With his personality, Yu Ce definitely wouldn’t want to mix with the noisy crowd.
Shen Tanqi slowly withdrew his gaze, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in his heart that nothing could fill.
Hiding in the Alchemy Pavilion was also a way to avoid Yu Ce. Seeing him would always remind Shen Tanqi of their conversation last night, making him uncomfortable. Better not to see him at all.
The system’s expression was serious as it said, “We still need to be very cautious. This is the final plot point. Once we complete it, everything will be over.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Tanqi’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he muttered, “Yeah, it’ll be over…”
How would he get back then? His original plan was to trick the system into taking him back. But his system, despite not seeming very smart, wouldn’t be easily fooled.
He had to come up with a good way to bribe it.
The system, unaware of his scheming, continued its incessant warnings: “Think about it. Last time, Xie Chi attacked you, probably because the main system wanted to speed up the plot. In the original story, Shen Tanqi and Xie Chi never met; Shen Tanqi just died. This shows that the main system has noticed something’s off. We can’t make any mistakes from now on.”
That made some sense.
Shen Tanqi pondered for a moment and then said, “Alright, I understand. If I successfully complete the plot task, will there be any rewards?”
Aside from the initial promise of a monthly salary of thirteen thousand with five insurances and two funds, there should be something like a year-end bonus.
Hearing his question, the system looked uncharacteristically embarrassed. Its little bean eyes squinted awkwardly, and it said in a small voice, “Well, um, I need to apply to the main system for that…”
Shen Tanqi chuckled and said, “So, you’re saying there’s no reward?”
“…” The system took a step back, feeling like the host had become a bit more cunning today, almost as if he was planning to trick it.
Soon, the system’s suspicion was confirmed when Shen Tanqi said, “I’m willing to give up all my salary and benefits for this period. I have just one request: send me back home, then bring me back here.”
“What???”
The system’s eyes widened in shock, almost wanting to grab Shen Tanqi by the collar and demand what he was thinking. “There’s no such rule!”
Typically, those who travel into books fall into two categories: those eager to return home after completing their tasks to enjoy a blissful life, and those who failed their tasks and were forced to spend the rest of their lives in misery here.
No one ever wanted to leave and then come back.
“That’s the reward I want,” Shen Tanqi said, squinting his eyes. “The main system just wants the plot of this book to run smoothly. In the story, ‘I’ get stabbed to death, the male lead wins the sect competition, and that would mean I’ve completed my task. Since the task is complete, why can’t I come back afterward?”
The system couldn’t argue with that logic, its tiny beak hanging open for a while before it stammered, “But that’s… that’s impossible!”
Shen Tanqi picked up his book and continued reading, “Why not? I’m just coming back to take care of my three kids. The male lead’s plot will proceed as it should. I won’t interfere with any plot tasks. Why can’t it be done?”
He sounded so reasonable that the system couldn’t find any flaws in his argument.
Logically, it wouldn’t affect anything. But… there had never been such a precedent!
Just as the system was about to firmly refuse, it saw Shen Tanqi spread open the book and murmur, “Actually, I’m really grateful you brought me here. Making such a request must be hard for you too, right?”
Without the system, he would never have realized there were so many things he wanted to do. Lying around like a salted fish in his predetermined life track—turns out he wasn’t satisfied with that kind of life either.
The system’s words got stuck in its throat when it saw a few conspicuous wet stains on the thin pages of the book.
Shen Tanqi was a resilient person, which meant that no matter what setbacks he faced, he could wipe away his tears and stand up again.
But he had suffered enough.
When it had to choose from a dozen host candidates, it picked Shen Tanqi at first glance, not just because he looked exactly like the original character, but also because…
It had seen Shen Tanqi’s past and his radiant smile in the photos.
Despite all he had gone through, he still smiled so brightly in the pictures.
It was the first time the system wanted to meet someone.
Not for any other reason, just to meet him.
After a long silence, the system rubbed its beady eyes and muttered, “Now I know why your eldest son’s charm value is so high—it’s genetic.”
Hearing this, Shen Tanqi met the system’s gaze, and both couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“I’ll help you,” the system jumped onto his shoulder, curling into a comfortable spot, and whispered, “I’ll help you. I’m your system, and I’ll find a way to help you.”
Why do they maintain the balance of these different book worlds, after all?
To ensure that the stories within them could proceed smoothly, so that good people would have no regrets, evil people would be punished, and love and hatred could be fully experienced.
As a system, it shouldn’t get too involved. But then again, they were all flesh and blood people, not puppet pieces. How could they perfectly replicate every story? This was a paradoxical challenge because they were inherently part of the story.
Even the system understood this, but the host didn’t.
“I’ll feel a bit sad leaving Goldfish, Taro Ball and Dog Brother behind too,” the system nudged Shen Tanqi’s shoulder and hummed twice. “I’ll figure out a way to secretly use system permissions to bring you back in.”
Shen Tanqi felt moved and couldn’t help but rub its head. Just as he was about to say something, the system added, “But I’m not sure with my permissions if I can really bring you back here. I’ll try my best, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up too much.”
What more could Shen Tanqi ask of it?
He stared at it intently and nodded, “I understand.”
It was the best they could do. Whether he could return or not, Shen Tanqi had to take the chance.
The system extended its wings, making a couple of gestures in the air, and a blue light panel appeared in front of Shen Tanqi.
“These are the key points you need to pay attention to in this plot point. I stayed up late last night to write this, so remember, don’t miss a single step.”
Shen Tanqi softly hummed in acknowledgment, looking up at the void panel in front of him, immediately freezing in place.
[Mission Name: Impaled by Yu Ce’s Sword.]
[Mission Details: Lure Yu Ce to Bloodthirst Cliff, launch a surprise attack from behind, get discovered by Yu Ce, face off with swords, fight to the death, end with a sword through the heart, fall off Bloodthirst Cliff, body not found.]
[Mission Difficulty: Five Stars!]
As Shen Tanqi read on, he suddenly chuckled, “No wonder it’s rated five stars. Just facing off with swords is difficult enough.”
Making Yu Ce draw his sword against him…
That scene, he really couldn’t quite imagine it.
The system sighed and said, “You tell him in advance. I’ll activate pain suppression for you when the time comes, so you won’t feel a thing. Just let him stab you to death without worries.”
Shen Tanqi blinked and asked, “Can I really say that?”
“Some things can be said, some can’t,” the system glanced at him. “Didn’t you sneakily talk to Yu Ce about it the night before last?”
After a moment, both of them chuckled softly.
One revealing secrets without the system’s knowledge, the other knowingly eavesdropping despite the rules. Their sneaky personalities really matched the system with its host.
“You haven’t been peeking into any other secrets of mine, have you?”
The system’s face turned red. “I don’t peek!” It was only concerned that Shen Tanqi might say or do something foolish with Yu Ce before a critical plot moment. With a hmph, it jumped down from Shen Tanqi’s shoulder.
“Oh,” Shen Tanqi drawled, “so you have no idea what Yu Ce and I have done together either?”
At the drop of those words, the system stumbled over its tiny claws, nearly falling to the ground. “Who… who would watch inappropriate things like that?! Don’t spout nonsense!”
Occasionally, it did pick up snippets of the host’s messages, like those nights when they stayed up late…
But all it saw was a blur of pixels!
Shen Tanqi: …
Well, well, it seems it did see something after all…
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
