Chapter 5

Ever since Shen Qingqiu awoke from that inexplicable high fever, his "convalescence" had been punctuated by several visits from Yue Qingyuan. As the Sect Leader of the world's premier cultivation sect—or, one might say, the headmaster of its comprehensive, advanced academy of cultivation—his duties were undeniably heavy. Yet, he still found the time and concern for this Junior Brother of his. Being a stranger in this strange land, Shen Qingqiu was genuinely moved, almost to the point of tearful gratitude.

That the original goods could turn on and betray such an elder brother and superior without a second thought… truly, what a scumbag!

Yue Qingyuan held a snow-white porcelain teacup offered in the bamboo cottage, his eyes filled with earnest concern. "Junior Brother, after these days of rest, are you feeling better?"

Shen Qingqiu gently fanned himself with his folding fan, seamlessly blending into the atmosphere of fraternal harmony. "Qingqiu is fully recovered. I've troubled Senior Brother with your concern."

Yue Qingyuan nodded. "In that case, it's about time for you to descend the mountain, is it not? Is there anything you require?"

The hand holding the fan froze. "Descend the mountain?"

Yue Qingyuan looked puzzled. "Did the illness make you forget? Was it not you who previously informed me that you would handle the matter in Twin Lakes City, as a training opportunity for the disciples?"

So, it was a troublesome commitment made by the original goods. But Shen Qingqiu hadn't yet adapted to controlling this body's spiritual power and martial techniques with any semblance of finesse. How could he lead disciples on a training expedition? He was just about to shamelessly backtrack, claiming he wasn't fully well, when the system's cold, omnipresent voice rang out:

[Primary Stage Mission Issued. Location: Twin Lakes City. Mission: Complete the Training Expedition. Please click to accept.]

Simultaneously, a floating mission brief popped into his vision. Below it were two options: "Accept" on the left, "Reject" on the right.

So this was the Primary Stage Mission. Shen Qingqiu's gaze lingered on "Accept" for a moment. The option turned green, and with a soft ding, the system prompted: [Mission accepted successfully. Please review the dossier in detail and make preparations. Wishing you immediate success.]

Snapping back to reality, Shen Qingqiu smiled at Yue Qingyuan. "I remember, of course. It's just that these days of idleness have made my bones lazy, and I nearly forgot the matter. I shall depart in a few days."

Yue Qingyuan nodded. "If there are still any difficulties, do not force yourself. The disciples' training is not urgent. And as for eliminating the threat… you need not personally involve yourself."

Shen Qingqiu smiled in agreement, yet couldn't help stealing a few extra glances at Yue Qingyuan.

Sect Leader Senior Brother, your current role feels a bit too much like an NPC handing out a quest…

The affairs of Qing Jing Peak were largely managed by his trusted aide, Ming Fan. Shen Qingqiu discovered that whenever the protagonist wasn't involved, this kid's efficiency and intelligence soared. By the next day, they were ready to depart.

Before leaving Qing Jing Peak, Shen Qingqiu checked his appearance. Blue robes, loose sash, a sword hanging at his left waist, a folding fan in his right hand. Elegant, refined, reliable, ethereal! The very picture of an otherworldly master!

In short, absolutely no OOC. Perfect!

At the foot of the long, hundred-step stone staircase, beside the mountain gate, a carriage awaited Shen Qingqiu, along with horses for the several accompanying disciples.

Shen Qingqiu muttered, "Are you kidding me? This is supposed to be a cultivation world setting. Why aren't we flying on swords?"

The system replied with aloof dignity: [Even in a Harry Potter-style magical world setting, not every wizard travels by broomstick. Too conspicuous.]

Shen Qingqiu grumbled, "You're quite knowledgeable. Did you work in the Harry Potter division before?"

The system projected a large, floating symbol: [……]

In all its years of operation, Shen Qingqiu might have been the first person with the spare mental energy to chat casually and try to get chummy with the system.

But upon further thought, Shen Qingqiu conceded the point. This descent was for training. Most of these disciples were young and inexperienced, likely without their own personal swords yet. According to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect tradition, disciples could only go to the Sword Peak among the Twelve Peaks to select a suitable blade once their cultivation reached a certain stage.

It was said the person chose the sword, but the sword also chose the person. If someone with mediocre talent insisted on wielding a top-grade spiritual sword, condensed from the essence of heaven and earth, it would be like pairing a beauty with an ogre, or fresh flowers stuck in manure. The sword itself would hardly be pleased.

Luo Binghe's golden finger would activate precisely when he found his own unique sword, "Heart Devil."

Shen Qingqiu entered the carriage. While its exterior was unassuming, the interior was spacious and comfortable. A small incense burner emitted a faint, soothing fragrance. Once settled, Shen Qingqiu felt something had been off earlier. Suddenly, he used the tip of his fan to lift the curtain and look outside. What he saw nearly blinded him.

No wonder that figure bustling around the carriage had seemed familiar! The errand boy being ordered about by everyone was none other than the male lead himself, Luo Binghe!

Just then, Luo Binghe finished loading the last item—the white jade chessboard Shen Qingqiu always brought on trips (and usually never used)—onto the carriage. Looking up and seeing Shen Qingqiu's complicated gaze fixed on him, he paused briefly before bowing respectfully. "Shizun."

The injuries from Shen Qingqiu's previous… lesson had mostly healed. The bruises on his face were gone, finally revealing his features. Though still young, his face bearing a child's softness, nothing could obscure the handsome elegance between his brows and eyes. Combined with the innate, upright aura in his movements, who could have guessed this was the same pitiful bud battered by wind and rain for years on Qing Jing Peak?

Even while performing menial labor, his attitude was meticulous. That focused, earnest demeanor was deeply moving to behold.

Especially for someone like Shen Qingqiu, who already held a degree of fondness for the protagonist.

He had always appreciated protagonists who were decisive in action and clear on gratitude and grievance. After watching for a moment, Shen Qingqiu made a noncommittal "Hmm," withdrew his fan, and let the curtain fall.

One had to admit, the protagonist was the protagonist. No wonder this kid, despite his down-and-out state, having no background, prospects, or parental love in the early stages, still had so many female leads, second leads, third leads, and fourth leads throwing themselves at him. Good looks were the ultimate truth!

Of course, this also explained why all sorts of cannon fodder always found him irritating and wanted to beat him to a pulp to vent their frustration.

A new thought struck him: Wait. If there are ten disciples including Luo Binghe, but only nine horses… who's missing one?

Well, one didn't need to think hard to guess who was behind this.

Sure enough, amidst suppressed snickers, Ming Fan's smug voice carried from outside the carriage. "We're truly short on horses. I'm afraid Junior Brother will have to endure this inconvenience. But then, Junior Brother's foundation is weak. This is a good chance for some exercise."

Short on horses, my ass! As the top sect in recent years, aggressively expanding its business, Cang Qiong Mountain might not be dripping with oil, but it certainly wouldn't lack a single horse!

Ming Fan, however, was a master of the cannon fodder art of courting death. After a pause, he added, "What? What's that look? Are you dissatisfied?"

Luo Binghe replied steadily, without servility or arrogance. "I wouldn't dare."

Just then, a sound like silver bells chimed—Ning Yingying had arrived. "Senior Brother, what are you all talking about?"

Shen Qingqiu facepalmed internally. Young lady, your timing is impeccable!

Ning Yingying was the powerful catalyst for the enmity between Ming Fan and Luo Binghe. Whenever she appeared, Luo Binghe was bound to suffer, and Ming Fan was bound to seek death.

Shen Qingqiu, with practiced restraint, lifted the curtain a sliver. As expected, he saw Ning Yingying waving excitedly. "A-Luo, is there no horse for you? Come ride with me!"

…She really knew how to draw aggro for Luo Binghe.

It had to be understood: while the plot point of a down-and-out protagonist receiving special attention from a beauty was a common wish-fulfillment trope in certain genres, it was also the easiest way to invite jealousy and suppression. If Luo Binghe accepted Ning Yingying's offer now, he wouldn't know a moment's peace for the entire journey.

Shen Qingqiu had seen enough. "Yingying, don't be mischievous. Men and women should maintain propriety. No matter how close you are with your Junior Brother, there must be limits. Ming Fan, why the delay? Depart at once."

Ming Fan was overjoyed, thinking, Shizun is definitely on my side! He hurriedly urged the procession forward. Ning Yingying pouted but said no more.

With the minor drama temporarily set aside, Shen Qingqiu refocused, silently reading the dossier spread on the small table inside the carriage.

This journey was not only the memorable first descent to follow the plot but also the Primary Stage Mission crucial to unfreezing the OOC function. He couldn't afford to treat it lightly.

The dossier's contents concerned a small city several dozen li from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Recently, a series of murders had occurred there, claiming nine lives so far.

Each victim shared a common, gruesome trait: their skin had been meticulously, completely peeled from their bodies. From head to toe. The technique was so refined it was as if the skin had never grown on them in the first place. It was horrifying. Consequently, the perpetrator was called the "Skinner."

The Skinner targeted young, beautiful women. In Twin Lakes City, any household with daughters, cherished wives, or lovely concubines bolted their doors shut at night. Yet, even this couldn't stop the Skinner from coming and going as he pleased.

With nine consecutive deaths, the local authorities were powerless. Panic spread among the citizens, and rumors swirled of ghostly activity—how else could he appear and vanish without a trace?!

Several wealthy families pooled their resources and finally decided to send someone to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect to seek help from the extraordinary cultivators.

Shen Qingqiu had read this information many times before. But reading it again offered no new insights whatsoever.

What the hell was a skinning demon?! He'd never heard of it! Was this some kind of side quest or hidden plot?! Was it dangerous?! How strong was it?! Could he handle it?! This wasn't what he'd signed up for!

As these questions swirled in his mind, the system answered coolly: 【How is it different? Previously, your role was that of a reader. A novel is a work of art, and artistic creation involves choices—some details are omitted. Now that you have become a part of this world, you will naturally experience everything in detail, including the plot points the original work glossed over.】

Shen Qingqiu sighed in resignation. That was why he had spent the last few days training relentlessly, striving to master control over his spiritual power. He couldn't afford to die at the hands of some unheard-of monster before he even met his fate under the protagonist's heel. What a tragic end that would be—to fall before the journey even truly began.

Luo Binghe was still outside. Shen Qingqiu hadn't dared to relax his vigilance, keeping one ear tuned to the commotion. Meanwhile, he rummaged through the carriage. It was stocked with everything imaginable. He even dug out five or six different tea sets, leaving him momentarily speechless. In his previous life, he'd been considered a rich kid, but even he hadn't been this fussy or pretentious.

Just then, a burst of raucous laughter drifted in from outside the carriage. He glanced out.

Luo Binghe walked alone at the very back of the procession, alternating between a trudging walk and a jog to keep up. Every so often, a horse would circle him, deliberately kicking up clouds of dust that left him coated in grime.

Shen Qingqiu's grip tightened on his fan, his knuckles itching with the urge to act.

This was just a book. Every character here was a constructed, fictional role. Intellectually, Shen Qingqiu knew this fact all too well... Yet, when that character was being mocked and bullied so vividly right before his eyes, expecting him to remain completely unmoved was simply unrealistic.

After several failed attempts to intervene, Ning Yingying finally realized her involvement only made things worse. Urgently, she guided her horse closer to the carriage and called inside, "Shizun! Look at what Senior Brother and the others are doing!"

A thought stirred in Shen Qingqiu's mind, but he showed no outward reaction, his tone deliberately bland. "What about them?"

Her voice thick with grievance, she insisted, "They're bullying him like this, and you won't even say anything. If this goes on... what kind of disciples are you raising, Shizun?!"

This was a direct complaint to his face, yet Ming Fan and the others felt no pressure whatsoever. These behaviors had long been tacitly permitted by the original Shen Qingqiu. They believed the harsher they treated Luo Binghe, the more pleased their Shizun would be. Why would they hold back?

Ming Fan was especially delighted. So it had been Luo Binghe using some unknown demonic trick that day in the back hills! Today, with Shizun present, he was finally being put in his place!

Shen Qingqiu let out a noncommittal "Oh," then said, "Luo Binghe, come here."

Luo Binghe's expression remained placid, as if this were routine. He answered, "Yes, Shizun," and approached.

The others initially watched with gleeful anticipation, thinking Shen Qingqiu was summoning Luo Binghe closer to deliver a scolding right to his face. However, in the next moment, their entire worldview shattered.

Shen Qingqiu used the tip of his folded fan to lift the carriage curtain. With a haughty tilt of his chin toward Luo Binghe, he glanced meaningfully inside the carriage. Though he said nothing, the gesture's intent was unmistakable.

Ning Yingying exclaimed happily, "Alo, get in the carriage quickly! Shizun is letting you ride with him!"

A bolt from the blue!

If they hadn't known their Shizun had been a cultivator for many years, Ming Fan and the others would have suspected Shen Qingqiu had been possessed by an evil spirit!

Luo Binghe himself was frozen in place for a moment. But he recovered swiftly. Without much hesitation, he replied, "Thank you, Shizun," and boarded the carriage. He sat rigidly upright in a corner, his posture impeccable, as if afraid his patched clothes might soil the pristine interior.

System: 【Warning...】

Shen Qingqiu: "Warning rejected. I have not acted OOC."

System: 【"Shen Qingqiu" would never make a move to rescue Luo Binghe from difficulty. Verdict: OOC level 100%.】

Shen Qingqiu countered, "Have you thoroughly studied this character's complex inner world? If my motive were simply to help Luo Binghe, then of course it would be impossible. But my current purpose is to avoid disappointing Ning Yingying, my beloved little disciple. She pleaded with me. How could I let her plea go unanswered?"

System: 【……】

Shen Qingqiu: "Therefore, my actions are completely in line with the logic of the character 'Shen Qingqiu.' Warning invalid!"

Through these past days of interaction, he had gradually discerned some patterns. The system had rules, but they weren't inflexible. Since the rules were alive, there was room for negotiation.

Sure enough, the system temporarily couldn't come up with a rebuttal for point deduction. Shen Qingqiu, victorious in his first skirmish, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

He had been sitting quietly in the carriage, eyes closed in meditation, seemingly deep in trance. The sudden sound of his laughter made Luo Binghe steal a glance at him.

To be honest, saying Luo Binghe wasn't surprised would be a lie. Although he had always shown Shen Qingqiu the utmost respect, he was well aware of how his Shizun truly treated and regarded him.

He had initially assumed being summoned into the carriage meant something worse was in store, and had mentally prepared himself. He hadn't expected Shen Qingqiu to simply ignore him and continue his meditation.

Luo Binghe realized he had never been this close to Shen Qingqiu, nor observed him so carefully.

In terms of appearance, Shen Qingqiu was undeniably striking. Perhaps not a peerlessly handsome man, but pleasing to the eye, with a refined quality that grew on you. The profile of his half-turned face seemed carved by mountain springs—gentle and clear when not twisted into a cold, disdainful scowl.

Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes to find Luo Binghe watching him. A glimpse of the future male lead's charm was already visible—eyes like twin points of cold starlight, capable of a dazzling, effortless smile.

Caught in the act, Luo Binghe floundered, unsure how to react. But Shen Qingqiu simply smiled at him.

It was a purely instinctive smile. To Luo Binghe, however, it felt like being pricked by a tiny, sharp thorn. He quickly averted his gaze, an indescribable discomfort settling over him.

Soon, Shen Qingqiu found he couldn't smile anymore.

System Prompt: 【Violation: OOC. Coolness Points -5. Current Coolness: 165.】

Shen Qingqiu: "...I get points deducted for smiling?"

The system replied with righteous conviction: 【.】