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The Face-Slapping Journey of a Sword Cultivator Male God (QT) Chapter 006: The Rightful Heir's Retaliation in the Story of a Reincarnated Concubine's Son - Part 5
🕑 Added 2023-08-11 12:01:15 +0000 UTC
System 0617 found itself momentarily speechless, the host's logic undeniably resonating with it. After all, isn't eliminating one's nemesis a form of revenge? And surely, it's the most satisfying form.
Lin Xuanzhu had once met his end at Lin Yingjie's hands, and now Lin Yingjie had met a similar fate through the host inhabiting Lin Xuanzhu's body. Indeed, fate weaves a curious thread! Yet, something still seemed out of place.
Gazing at the freshly downloaded 'Annual Best Collection of Face-slapping and Scum-abusing', System 0617 acknowledged the host's distinctive approach. His style was a class apart, starkly contrasting with other hosts who preferred to emotionally torment and abuse their adversaries.
"So, is the mission accomplished?" Xuan Yuan inquired nonchalantly, a single eyebrow raised at System 0617, which was engrossed in its turbulent thoughts.
System 0617 was caught off guard for a moment before hastily verifying, "Half of the first revenge mission has been completed!"
It was that easy to complete half of it? Could a mission truly be accomplished this way? There was no requirement to attack the enemy from all sides or torment their hearts – was it sufficient to simply inflict physical torment?
At this juncture, System 0617 no longer questioned the host's capability to complete the mission. It felt that the newly downloaded 'Annual Best Collection of Face-slapping and Scum-abusing' was starkly insufficient. The host had no need for such guidance. Observe, on the very first day in this microcosm, half the first mission was already achieved!
However, Xuan Yuan's decision to eliminate Lin Yingjie was far from impulsive, rather, it was the fruit of deep consideration. Evidently, the moment Lin Yingjie was possessed, the entire scenario began to shift. The very reason those conspiring against Lin Xuanzhu had joined forces was tied to Lin Yingjie.
Now that Xuan Yuan had decisively dealt with Lin Yingjie, the root of all strife, would Lin Xuanzhu continue to be victimized and framed in the future? Could Lin Yingjie's mother still invade the Marquis Manor and torment Lady Li?
The answer was clearly no. With Lin Yingjie, the epicenter of the turmoil, eliminated, such scenarios would never recur. In the absence of Lin Yingjie's unexpected ascendancy, Luoning Marquis would not forsake Lady Li and Lin Xuanzhu. The royal family would likewise not abandon Lin Xuanzhu; he would remain the most illustrious young prodigy in the capital of the Great Wei.
Yet Xuan Yuan had no intention of unveiling these elaborate strategies brewing in his mind to System 0617. Therefore, the unsuspecting and innocent System 0617 believed Xuan Yuan had arrived solely for the first mission, to avenge Lin Xuanzhu.
In reality, the discrepancy was immense.
"Eh, hold on," 0617 suddenly contemplated something, its voice adopting a solemn tone. "Host, you strangled Lin Yingjie. Won't people suspect something off about his death?" If not managed adeptly, this issue could indeed spell trouble!
Lin Yingjie was, after all, the protagonist of this world – wouldn't his demise cause one of the microcosms to shatter?
Xuan Yuan cast a glance at the lifeless body sprawled on the bed, his tone remaining unperturbed, "Nobody will uncover that it was I who killed him. Lin Yingjie died of a cold."
System 0617: …There's a limit to stretching the truth, host, you can't delude yourself. Just because you declare he succumbed to a cold, do you really believe the physicians and undertakers examining the body will concur?
Regardless of System 0617's astonishment and conflict, Xuan Yuan had no plans to linger here further. Even though he was a sword cultivator with little knowledge of illusion arts, his repertoire of tricks was more than enough to mislead the commoners who hadn't yet embarked on the path of cultivation.
As Xuan Yuan was about to leave, he suddenly sensed an unusual fluctuation, and his gaze shifted to Lin Yingjie's lifeless form, revealing a touch of surprise.
"Oh, the seized body has perished, but the soul persists?" Xuan Yuan quirked an eyebrow as he spoke. Abruptly, he reached out, his right hand seemingly grasping at thin air. However, the sorrowful screams and vindictive curses echoing in the air suggested that reality was not as simple as it appeared.
Witnessing this scene, System 0617 shuddered uncontrollably. Its primal instincts were stirred, an icy chill creeping up its spine. Stammering, it asked, "Ho, host, what have you grasped?"
"The soul of the body-snatcher," Xuan Yuan succinctly replied. He cast a sideways glance at his right hand; his narrow phoenix eyes twinkled, emanating a sharp, icy glare.
As for body-snatching, Xuan Yuan's attitude was fairly nonchalant. In the Cultivation World, such acts weren't deemed taboo.
However, this soul was the puppeteer behind the dire fate of Lin Xuanzhu and his mother, his true mission target. Hence, Xuan Yuan had no intention of setting it free.
Holding the soul of 'Lin Yingjie', Xuan Yuan turned and left the residence. Similar to his arrival, his departure went unnoticed. He was akin to an invisible, imperceptible breeze passing by, his presence undetected.
Upon exiting the street, Xuan Yuan did not retreat to Luoning Marquis Manor. Instead, he steered his course towards the Li Mansion.
Lady Li, a scioness of the Li family, hailed from a lineage renowned for its scholarly pursuits across generations. Lady Li's father occupied a prestigious position as a member of the Hanlin Imperial Academy and also served as the Minister of Rites of the third rank. All of Lady Li's brothers held influential positions within the court.
Lady Li's secure standing as the Madam of Luoning Marquis Manor was indelibly tied to her natal family's sway.
Following the commencement of his studies, Lin Xuanzhu would frequently visit the Li Mansion to seek counsel from his maternal grandfather and uncles, thereby cultivating a strong bond with them.
In the original narrative, due to Lady Li and Lin Xuanzhu, the Li Mansion was embroiled and victimized by Lin Yingjie's machinations.
Lady Li's father was a die-hard imperial loyalist, and his interactions with the Crown Prince's faction involved numerous underhand dealings. It was the Crown Prince's power that Lin Yingjie utilized to strike at the Li Mansion.
If he were to honor Lin Xuanzhu's final desires, he couldn't ignore the Crown Prince and Princess Chaoyang, who played significant roles in aiding Lin Yingjie in persecuting the mother and son. Moreover, the Crown Prince's existence not only pertained to the quest for vengeance but could also jeopardize the realization of Lin Xuanzhu's third aspiration.
Upon entering the Li Mansion, Xuan Yuan was guided by familiar servants directly to the study of Lin Xuanzhu's maternal grandfather.
Having just returned from the court, the senior Mr. Li initially beamed at the sight of his favorite grandson's arrival. However, his joy quickly morphed into shock and ire upon noticing him alone.
"How did you manage to come here by yourself today, Zhu'er? What are the servants at the Marquis Manor doing, failing to send anyone to accompany you?" The elderly man, with his snow-white hair and beard, was so agitated that he thumped the table. Having served as an official all his life, even when not incensed, his aura bore immense authority. Now that he was enraged, his presence was even more commanding.
Xuan Yuan responded, "I dismissed them. There are certain matters I wish to discuss with grandfather."
"Oh?" At Xuan Yuan's words, Mr. Li's fury seemed to slightly recede. He observed Xuan Yuan with a cryptic expression, stroked his beard, and chuckled, "Are you feeling anxious about the forthcoming imperial examinations in half a year? You can put your mind at ease. Given your scholarly prowess, I can't assure you'll place among the top three imperial scholars, the first tier, but achieving a rank among the second-tier scholars is undoubtedly within your grasp."
It must be noted that Mr. Li had a keen insight into his grandson's abilities. Indeed, Lin Xuanzhu originally ranked among the second-tier imperial scholars.
Xuan Yuan neither endorsed nor refuted this. He simply stated, "The purpose of my visit today is not about that." Without allowing Mr. Li to inquire further, a spark flashed across Xuan Yuan's eyes, and a sliver of intensity surfaced in his gaze, "Primarily, I wish to discuss with grandfather the matter of the Crown Prince's faction."
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