>>> 30 Minutes Ago ]
In the distance, amidst the sea of people, a greenish glow stood out with crity. It shone with a steady, self-assured intensity, as if telling the world, "Here I am."
I walked in that direction without hesitation.
With every step, the figure beneath that auspicious cloud became clearer. It didn't take long for me to recognize him.
Lin Feng.
He was standing in front of a luxury stall, quite different from the makeshift stands surrounding it. His posture was rexed, but his eyes were fixed on a finely crafted porcein vase that, to any mortal eye, was a relic of the ancient Ming Dynasty.
"So, we finally meet..." I whispered to myself, a vicious smile curling my lips. "It's time to give you the surprise I've pnned so carefully."
...
I turned on my heels and entered a narrow, gloomy alley. There, a group of typical low-tier novel thugs blocked my path. I didn't stop; I didn't even blink.
"I have a job for you," I said indifferently, pulling out a thick wad of freshly printed bills.
The men's eyes lit up with greed. The leader, a guy with a scar running across his cheek, let out a hoarse ugh while flicking a butterfly knife and licking the bde.
"A job?" he mocked, spinning the bde. "How about you just hand over everything you've got and we let you leave with your teeth intact, kid?"
I didn't even spare him a gnce. My voice came out cold and bored:
"Lin Hai... teach these dogs how to behave."
Before the thug could react, a shadow detached itself from my back. Lin Hai moved with inhuman speed. A sickening, dry crunch echoed: the sound of the leader's radius and ulna snapping like gss. The knife hit the ground before the man could even scream, and in a heartbeat, Lin Hai had him against the wall, fingers dug into his throat, lifting him up.
The other thugs stood petrified. The intense aura emanating from Lin Hai had terrified them. None dared to breathe, fearing their neck would be the next to snap.
"Now..." I said, slightly adjusting my coat. "Are you willing to listen, or would you prefer to be tortured into agreeing?"
"We're willing," they said in unison, their faces pale with terror.
"Good... I like smart people. See that young man over there? The one in basic clothes in front of that stall," I pointed toward the alley exit, where the figure of "Lin Feng" was silhouetted under the light.
"Yes, Young Master... we see him," they replied with trembling voices.
"I want that person to disappear for a while. Take him away, give him a 'warning,' and make sure he doesn't return to the market today," I ordered coldly.
"But Young Master, we... that's a bit..." one stammered.
Before he could finish, I tossed a bck card onto the chest of the leader, who was still gasping on the ground.
"There are five million here. Take it and get out of my sight before I change my mind."
Greed overcame them instantly. They quickly scooped up the card as if it were a unique treasure. "Thank you, thank you, Young Master," they said as they scurried away.
"Ah... wait," I stopped them, remembering something.
"Yes, Master?" the leader asked, cold sweat sliding down his forehead.
I looked at his dirty, worn-out, cheap clothes. It was the perfect disguise for what was coming next.
"Hand over your clothes. Now."
***
>>> Back to the Present ]
"Vendor Wang, since you are so sure your 'relic' is real, do you dare to bet with me?" I said with a look of contempt.
The moment the words left my lips, I felt an almost electric satisfaction. The corner of my mouth rose barely a millimeter—the trace of a smile that no one there could comprehend.
In front of me, the vendor was sweating buckets; the glint of greed in his eyes began to be devoured by doubt. The murmurs of the pza died down instantly, leaving a vacuum of tension in the air. Gu Changfeng watched me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, while Xin'er... ah, Xin'er narrowed those intelligent eyes, pinning her interest on me.
The scene was fwless. A perfect carbon copy of the clichés I had read hundreds of times in my previous life: the hero of humble origins appearing out of nowhere to save the day.
Only this time... the protagonist wasn't the "Son of Destiny." It was the vilin.
?Kkajaja...? My internal ughter echoed, den with irony.
「 Master… I must admit. 」 The system's mechanical voice resonated with a hint of mockery. 「 Your malice is truly admirable. 」
"Malice?" I replied mentally, feigning offense. "Don't exaggerate! I'm just following the script to the letter. I'm an actor! An ac-tor!"
「 (゜゜;)... 」
The system fell silent for a second, but I could perfectly visualize its expression of disbelief before it broke in again.
「 Stealing someone's identity, usurping the favor of the Gu family, and throwing all the trouble onto the real Lin Feng! If that isn't malice, Master... may Heaven strike me down! 」
...
"I'm just a victim—a 'victim'—do you understand, you bastard system?" I thought, pretending to wipe tears from my eyes. "It's the world that forces me to py the role of the vilin; I'm just trying to survive. It's not that I enjoy watching Lin Feng's life crumble... it's just a small and noble sacrifice in my name."
「 (￣□￣;)... 」 The system went mute.
"Ha! Fine! I accept your stupid bet!" Wang Bao roared, regaining his bravado. "If you can't prove it's fake, you'll crawl through this market calling me 'Father' while spping yourself until I grow tired of looking at you! Show me your proof, brat!"
When the monologue I had been waiting for finally ended, I took a step forward without the slightest hint of doubt. I felt Lin Hai's aura covering me from the shadows; that security allowed me to move with confidence.
But in reality, I didn't care if the vase was real or fake.
If it was fake, I won. And if it turned out to be real... well, I'd simply destroy it and bme it on bad luck.
After all, I am not Lin Feng.
If the Gu family or the market wanted revenge, they could go look for the poor wretch currently being beaten by thugs in an alleyway.
—Hehehe... being a vilin is far too convenient,— I thought, savoring the moment with a small smile.