CHAPTER 1031: CHAPTER 1028: "WHY ARE YOU SO SKILLED AT THIS?

"Young master, do you wish to..." the shopkeeper inquired.

"Have Chunhua and Xiaocui come over, and prepare a private room for us." Upon arriving at the Red Mansion, Noel displayed his adeptness once more.

Su Ming’an coldly observed Noel. Previously, he thought Noel was familiar with Red Mansion literature, hence his proficiency. But now he understood, Noel was inherently skilled.

...Should really award a speech champion to the deities. Noel, Xin Yue, even Lin Yunting... they are all likely roles played by deities.

Ten minutes later, Su Ming’an faced the tearful Bailian. She wept like a pear blossom in the rain, pleading for Su Ming’an to take her in, yet Su Ming’an remained unmoved.

[Initial favorability was inexplicably 5 points, truly a man with a heart of stone; no matter how sorrowfully I cried, he seemed unaffected, with not a single increase in favorability.] Bailian thought to herself.

Su Ming’an was always puzzled about where Bailian’s favorability system originated from. It didn’t seem like a mechanism from the game "Louyue Nation."

Su Ming’an reached out, drawing close to Bailian. A blush appeared on Bailian’s face.

"You like her? Should I step aside?" Noel, standing nearby, averted his gaze.

...Oh deities, keep pretending, keep pretending.

Su Ming’an glanced at Noel: "Step aside then."

Noel left silently. Su Ming’an looked at Bailian’s slightly blushing cheeks.

"What’s the deal with your favorability system?" Su Ming’an suddenly asked.

"...Huh?" Fear appeared on Bailian’s face.

"Answer me, don’t make me resort to torture." Su Ming’an’s demeanor was cold and harsh; this was a cycle destined to be discarded, and he would show no mercy.

Bailian, being an Exotic Species, didn’t fear Su Ming’an’s aggressiveness. However, Su Ming’an had already placed his hand on her nape when he reached out.

Under duress, Bailian had to reveal the favorability system to Su Ming’an. She said it suddenly appeared on her one day. The system indicated Su Ming’an was the "Child of Destiny" of this world. As long as she raised Su Ming’an’s favorability to 100 points, she could receive props to enhance herself, along with a skill that could "forcibly raise others’ favorability."

Besides Su Ming’an, raising others’ favorability also earned her props. So far, she’s gained favor with many people, including the Prime Minister’s daughter, the Great General guarding the borders, and various nobility.

Listening to the mechanisms, Su Ming’an thought if the favorability system were deity derived, the deities were truly... adapting to local practices.

"...Is it ’recognition’ then?" Su Ming’an murmured to himself.

If he were truly swayed by Bailian, utterly in love with her, would it signify... he transferred "recognition" of this favorability system?

The deities seemingly always needed his "recognition"; even the previous Archangel ceremony required his approval for proceeding, for deities could not compel him to become an Archangel. It was as if... his level was above that of deities.

"What happened to those you won over?" Su Ming’an asked.

Bailian bit her lip, reluctant to speak: "Once their favorability reached 100 points, they became obsolete. So, I didn’t bother with them anymore..."

Su Ming’an hadn’t heard about the Prime Minister having a daughter, she was likely deceased. As a daughter of the Prime Minister falling for a Red Mansion woman like Bailian, what chance did she have for survival? Those utterly devoted to Bailian likely met grim ends as well.

Though Bailian was the reincarnation of the maid sister, that sister had long died, fallen under the gaze of palace walls, perished from the Noble Consort’s envy, drowned in a well reflecting the sky. This world had caused her demise; if conscious, she’d not wish her reincarnation to become someone like Bailian.

"I apologize." Su Ming’an said.

"...Huh?" Bailian didn’t grasp it immediately.

Annihilation flashed by, dimming the light in her eyes.

Su Ming’an gently laid Bailian on the ground, acquiring all her memories.

...

My name is Bailian, an Exotic Species.

Since having awareness, I have been like this. I recalled nothing, wandering this world akin to ghosts.

One night, a favorability system suddenly appeared on me. The system instructed me to win over others to acquire props.

Initially, I only subtly raised people’s favorability. Later, I let go, as those folks were too dull—my smile could gain favor, a hug could make them blush; their little thoughts and emotions appeared mere seethrough data. It felt like... handling a bunch of rigid NPCs.

In this turbulent, dull era, I seemed to become a "Player" transcending the mortal world.

...How fickle and fragile are emotions? How complex is human nature?

Yet, I learned to manage such things freely, raising or reducing anyone’s favor at will. This "game" for me alone—as Player was so intriguing.

One day, the favorability system told me the Eldest Prince of Louyue was my ultimate target.

In a white dress, I gracefully proceeded to the Capital City.

The moment I saw him, something fiercely struck my unchanged heart. His presence felt so familiar... to the point that, observing him, my heart quivered painfully, as if we communicated countless times, locked gaze in silent exchanges.

Yet there was no reason to have met him. He was a noble of the royal lineage, and I was merely an Exotic Species leveraging others’ favorability.

We... had no reason to have met, right.

As he slowly reached for my nape, I thought similarly. Perhaps he genuinely fell for me at a glance, or maybe his slow movements were meant to embrace me.

Despite clearly showing only 5 favorability, for the first time, I wanted to deny the value. Seeing him caused my heart to tremble endlessly. I smiled honestly at many, but only this time was my heartfelt true.

If humans truly have past lives—perhaps we shared countless backward glances.

Until his fingers pressed firmly against me.

Then he apologized to me.

...

Su Ming’an finished viewing all of Bailian’s memories, he gently closed her eyes.

Heading towards the higher levels of the Red Mansion, he became invisible, entering Xiao Jingsan’s room once more seeing the familiar choices.

Diamond icon: [Let Noel be attacked, let Xiao Jingsan accept Noel into the Prince’s Mansion.]

As Xiao Jingsan attacked Noel, Su Ming’an stood aside, unmoved.

Noel seemingly exchanged a glance with Su Ming’an, and in that instant, it was as if Su Ming’an saw through Noel’s azure eyes, into a pair of cold, white, inorganic eyes.

"Bang!"

The talismans danced, and the yellow paper burned. After a few rounds, Xiao Jingsan subdued Noel, the golden-haired "beauty" fell to the ground, looking exceptionally beautiful and fragile.

Su Ming’an crossed his arms, still unmoved. If he had snacks at hand, he might even eat some.

"Take this girl back," Xiao Jingsan said indifferently.

The maids carried Noel away, but Xiao Jingsan did not leave, instead, he glanced at the spot where the invisible Su Ming’an was located as if sensing something.

Su Ming’an didn’t act; Xiao Jingsan told him from the start that he had memory protection, and even if he killed Xiao Jingsan, he wouldn’t get Xiao Jingsan’s memories.

"...Who’s there, come out," Xiao Jingsan said.

His hand was aimed at the spot where invisible Su Ming’an was.

"Should I congratulate Jingsan on acquiring a new beauty, such a beautiful exotic beauty at that," Su Ming’an lifted the spatial concealment, revealing his true form.

"...So, Your Highness, you’ve escaped here," Xiao Jingsan raised an eyebrow, the wooden token at his waist moved slightly.

Su Ming’an’s right hand moved, and judgment was instantly cast, taking immediate action!

This cycle, he focused on one word—kill!

With only five hours, he wouldn’t care about anything, exposing that he had memories didn’t matter. His real body was definitely in Dao Ya City right now, and the deity couldn’t do anything to him; it was impossible for it to kill him by following the network cables.

Enemies, kill!

Riddlers, kill!

Riddlers with memory protection, kill until the protection is lifted!

—Blow kill the riddlers!

Violence is always the quickest method, even though in most cases Su Ming’an wouldn’t use it, this was precisely the time when violence was most needed.

Under the spatial vibration, the entire wooden building began to shake violently. Xiao Jingsan quickly jumped out of the window, Su Ming’an followed closely behind, and their figures leapt under the moonlight, stepping on overlapping eaves as if they were two chasing hawks.

"Boom—boom—boom—!"

Wherever they ran, the spatial vibration blasted, and around them, there was a constant sound of intense explosions, shattered tiles flew, shattering the cold moonlight. The townsfolk huddled in their homes, trembling in fear, not knowing what was happening outside.

"—Your Highness’s actions really exceeded my expectations. Not only did you escape, but your strength has also become so powerful," Xiao Jingsan said while running.

"—Who are you now?" Su Ming’an asked coldly.

Only when the present world Xiao Jingsan plays "Louyue Nation" is he the Xiao Jingsan Su Ming’an is familiar with; otherwise, it would just be the native Xiao Jingsan in "Louyue Nation," the self-proclaimed immortal who desperately saves the Eldest Prince.

"—You seem to have a lot of information," Xiao Jingsan said with a smile.

Su Ming’an instantly understood—this was the native Xiao Jingsan from "Louyue Nation." Otherwise, the present world Xiao Jingsan would surely have invited to meet offline.

He launched another spatial vibration, which exploded behind Xiao Jingsan, tearing his skin. In the next moment, as a talisman burned, Xiao Jingsan disappeared into the vast night, escaping.

Su Ming’an didn’t pursue deeply; he turned around and rushed into the Imperial Palace.

A multi-cycle speedrun player focuses on "fast," "accurate," and "ruthless." After completing this task, he swiftly jumps to the next, not lingering on meaningless matters.

Charging into the palace so openly immediately drew the guards’ attention, but seeing it was the Eldest Prince, they quieted down again.

Su Ming’an thus entered the Imperial Garden with great fanfare, startling Princess Jing He who was practicing swordsmanship. She covered her mouth, looking at Su Ming’an, not expecting her brother to be so high-profile today.

In the White Jade Pavilion, the State Preceptor, dressed in a silver-threaded jade robe, slowly turned his head, peach blossoms falling on his shoulder and neck.

"...Shaoqing?"

Even his voice carried a hint of astonishment. Though the State Preceptor could understand fate, calculate celestial mechanisms, and know all astronomy and geography, he probably couldn’t foresee Su Ming’an’s current state of mind.

Triangle pattern: ["It’s February, and the peach blossoms are blooming."]

Square pattern: ["I’ve fallen to this point because of you! It’s fate! I come looking for you because of this unjust fate, Li Mingyue!"]

Diamond pattern: ["Yuheng, do you remember the promise you made to me?"]

Seeing these options, Su Ming’an felt a slight sense of grievance rise—he chose the diamond pattern at the time, which led the State Preceptor to recall his promise to the Eldest Prince, agreeing to send him to Penglai Fairy Island, yet not wanting him to go, resulting in his body and soul separating, and later collapsing, heavily injured, on a hillside.

"I’ve fallen to this point because of you! It’s fate! I come looking for you because of this unjust fate, Li Mingyue!" Su Ming’an selected, and a voice with variant tones automatically came from his throat.

State Preceptor Li looked at him with slight shock. Even the all-knowing State Preceptor couldn’t predict Su Ming’an’s next move. To outsiders, it seemed as if the Eldest Prince was possessed by evil spirits.

A chess piece jumped off the chessboard, where no square could contain it anymore.

"You..." State Preceptor Li frowned, sensing something amiss, and stretched out his hand, intending to knock Su Ming’an unconscious.

"Bailian is dead," Su Ming’an said.

Li Mingyue’s hand froze in midair.

"I won’t go to Penglai Fairy Island either," Su Ming’an said, "I’ll stay right here, not going anywhere. It’s too dangerous outside; only here is safe."

He was telling the truth; whether in the present world as Godfather Li Mingyue, or here as State Preceptor Li Mingyue from Louyue, they were among the few who genuinely cared for him. While the white-haired characters he encountered before would often try to kill him, Li Mingyue was different.

Perhaps it was because the difficulty was too great that he initially had someone like Li Mingyue who would always protect him.

State Preceptor Li remained silent for a moment.

"I understand, Shaoqing, do you need my memory?" State Preceptor Li suddenly asked.

"...?" Su Ming’an was surprised.

His original thought was to explain things to the State Preceptor and then ask him how to break the impasse. But what the State Preceptor meant was...

"Words have their limits when relayed; if you have access to all my memories... it might be more helpful to you," State Preceptor Li said as a moon-white curved blade took shape in his hand and he placed it in Su Ming’an’s palm.

Su Ming’an gripped the curved blade. He didn’t know what feelings he should have.

In a cycle meant to be discarded, his actions would be extremely ruthless, almost no different from evil people, because he knew everything would be overwritten. Only by gathering information at maximum efficiency could some people survive in the next cycle.

But even seeing the discarded cycle as just a game, viewing these people destined to revive as NPCs, this mindset tended to make a person increasingly indifferent...The people he just killed with his own hands in the next cycle are again in love with him; this feeling isn’t wonderful and only makes things feel even more absurd and detached.

The State Preceptor truly was extraordinarily insightful; he could discern Su Ming’an’s lethal intent from just one look. So much that... he handed himself over to Su Ming’an.