Chapter 4: 【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 25%!】
【Keep going, Host! You can do it!】
Keep going my foot!
All you can do is cheer, without giving any helpful hints!
Li Yu gritted her teeth, quickly regaining her composure.
After a brief moment of thought, just as the percentage dipped to 77%, she had an epiphany.
The original text only described the male protagonist caring for the female protagonist. This doomed master had no role whatsoever in this scene.
Given the original owner’s personality, she might have left before her disciple even woke up, let alone stay to care for her.
It’s all about staying in character.
Fine, I’ll leave, is that what you want?!
Suppressing her frustration, Li Yu discreetly withdrew her hand, re-adjusted Mu Tao’s blanket, and silently got up, leaving without looking back at the pleading gaze.
Outside, the snow continued to fall, painting the world in white.
Li Yu wandered aimlessly through the snow. The cold wind, though unable to penetrate her body, made her head buzz.
She felt like someone who had just clocked in, hadn’t even sat at their desk for an hour, and was then told they could leave early.
It was fantastic news, but the thought of going “home” to a place with no electricity, internet, or phone left her at a loss.
The good news was that her character compatibility steadily climbed back to 85% as she walked away.
So, this damn number is just trying to drive me away!
“Do you systems even have a conscience? You want me to survive, but you won’t let me improve my relationship with the protagonist.”
Seriously!
Some things became more infuriating the more she thought about them.
So infuriating that her footprints in the snow became noticeably aggressive.
【The host misunderstands! The value changes solely based on the in-text characters’ perception of the host. The system would never manipulate the value to force the host to comply with the main storyline!】
“Is that so?”
【Yes! That’s exactly it!】
Li Yu stopped, looking back at the snow-covered courtyard.
In the original text, Li Yu, the Exalted Immortal, always maintained a certain distance from her kind-hearted, Demon Bone-bearing disciple.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care for the child, but a constant worry lingered in her heart—if one day this child truly opposed the world, she would have to personally eliminate her.
She didn’t dare care too much, nor get too close, fearing the day she would have to take action.
But how can you raise a disciple like that?
Look how much the little protagonist is suffering, crying and begging her master not to leave, then becoming suspicious when her master doesn’t. How insecure must she be!
She just left without a word. The girl must be feeling terrible.
How can she make it up to her…?
Li Yu bit her lip, lost in thought.
As she pondered, her stomach growled.
Right, someone who has knelt for three days and three nights must be starving.
Wouldn’t bringing her a meal move her to tears?
And she herself was hungry. This was a win-win situation, killing two birds with one stone!
Li Yu’s spirits lifted.
Having lived alone for so long, she could still cook!
“System, where’s the kitchen?”
As she spoke, the guiding line reappeared in the snow.
Li Yu followed the directions, her steps as light as if she were on a paid vacation, ready to show off her skills in a field she was finally familiar with.
However, the moment she found the kitchen, she was stunned—Damn it, I only know how to use an induction cooker.
How do I light this stove?
…
Years later, perhaps Li Yu would recall the first time she lit a stove in her life—it wasn’t a failure, but it wasn’t exactly a success either.
With the system’s assistance, she managed to light the firewood in the kitchen using basic spells.
There weren’t many ingredients available, so she chose familiar ones and made three simple dishes, along with two portions of lean pork porridge.
Though the process was somewhat tortuous, it was quite an achievement for someone who had never worn such inconvenient clothes, had such inconveniently long hair, and was always cautious about lighting birthday candles for fear of fire.
Ancient people had it rough.
Who was the kid who, when their parents weren’t home, draped bedsheets over themselves, fantasizing about being an ancient person?
—Oh, it was her. Never mind.
Li Yu reminisced about the convenience of modern technology while packing the food into a wooden food box.
She had never used a stove like this before and had no idea how to control the heat while cooking.
So, the taste of the dishes, compared to her usual cooking, was… probably a bit of a disaster.
She swore she had tried her best and really didn’t want to put herself through this again anytime soon.
As long as it’s cooked, it’s fine. A little burnt is okay.
She had tried it herself, it was edible, not exactly a culinary abomination. The little protagonist had been starving for three days; surely anything would taste delicious…right?
With this thought, Li Yu carefully held the square food box and followed the system’s guidance back to the small courtyard.
At the entrance, she paused, closed her eyes, and took three deep breaths.
She knew, she knew it in her bones, that the moment she pushed open that door, that damned character compatibility would start dropping again.
But fortune favors the bold!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
You can’t catch a wolf without risking your child! [T/N: A Chinese proverb about taking risks for greater rewards.]
Don’t be afraid, it’ll be fine!
Be brave, just do it!
It’s just a little wolf’s den, not some dragon’s lair!
She refused to believe that she would lose her life just by kindly delivering a meal.
Li Yu opened her eyes, exhaled heavily, and strode towards the closed door like a condemned prisoner—though looking like she was going to her death, each step carried the momentum of a prison break!
Of course, this momentum only lasted until she placed her hand on the door.
Li Yu pushed the door gently, but even the slightest push made a sound.
The small figure curled up under the blankets flinched at the noise.
The next second, she met Li Yu’s gaze as she peeked out from the covers.
Red-rimmed eyes, tear-filled, conveying utter disbelief.
“Master…”
【Warning! Warning!】
Li Yu: Hold on, don’t call me yet, I know what’s happening.
Isn’t it just the character compatibility dropping again?
Practice makes perfect. This was the third time today. If it didn’t drop every time she did something or said something, she’d feel out of place.
Ignoring Mu Tao’s surprised look, Li Yu walked to the table with the food box, took out the dishes, and sat down in a spot facing slightly away from the bed.
She remained silent, looking down at the steaming food, recalling all the things in her life that had made her feel guilty or regretful.
She imagined her face must be carrying a natural air of melancholy.
Her character compatibility, which had been steadily dropping to 80%, suddenly started fluctuating between 80% and 81%.
Good, just like that. This was the perfect time to speak.
“Are you resentful that I punished you?”
Mu Tao immediately got out of bed and knelt on the floor. “This disciple wouldn’t dare to be resentful…”
Li Yu turned slightly, summoning every ounce of her deeply buried aloofness, and cast an unreadable gaze upon Mu Tao.
The little protagonist looked no older than sixteen or seventeen.
Pale face, purple lips, and a thin frame, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.
If she hadn’t read the novel, Li Yu would find it hard to believe this was the future demon lord who would stab her.
Whether this girl would become a demon lord or not was yet to be seen, but her current defiance was quite apparent.
If she had answered “not resentful,” it would have been fine, but the word “dare not” was a bit nuanced.
Since things have come to this, I’ll try to soothe her first.
Thinking this, Li Yu deliberately let out a soft sigh.
The little disciple’s ears twitched, and her head drooped.
Li Yu: “You dare not be resentful, but I can’t help but resent myself.”
Mu Tao: “…!”
Li Yu: “Do you know why you were punished?”
Mu Tao: “This disciple is incompetent. I shouldn’t have signed up for the Cloud Platform Trial. I brought shame to Master…”
“I hear the whispers outside Chaoxi Pond. I know the doubts in your heart.” Li Yu sighed, weaving her elaborate lie. “I brought you back to Chaoxi Pond because your constitution is different from others. You cannot walk the path of ordinary beings.”
Mu Tao’s expression became pained. “Master, I…”
“I haven’t finished.” Li Yu interrupted. “Just because you cannot walk the path of ordinary beings doesn’t mean you cannot walk my path. But to walk my path, you need a heart tougher than ordinary people and a body untainted by the world, only then can you inherit my true teachings.”
Hmm, that sounds a bit strange, like some weird virgin cultivation technique.
Better explain that quickly.
“What I mean is, those ordinary immortal techniques are not suitable for you. They will only disrupt your foundation. I have techniques that are suitable for you, but the time hasn’t been right to teach them.” Li Yu cleared her throat slightly. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Mu Tao kept her head down. Li Yu couldn’t see her expression and didn’t know how much of this nonsense she believed.
Li Yu glanced at her character compatibility. 82% seemed stable, giving her the courage to continue her fabricated story.
“I didn’t intend to punish you so severely, but that day, I forcefully broke through my cultivation, damaging my spiritual power and unsettling my mind, which is why I lost control.” Li Yu’s voice was filled with remorse. “Seeing you unconscious today, I deeply regret it…”
Li Yu stood up, walked over to Mu Tao, and pulled her up by the arm.
The little girl was kneeling so rigidly, as if terrified of getting scolded if she stood up. Li Yu had to half-pull, half-drag her twice before managing to get her up and support her to the table.
During those few short steps, Mu Tao was incredibly timid, her metaphorical tail tucked tightly between her legs.
But no matter how timid she was, she still needed to eat.
Li Yu calmly pushed Mu Tao into the seat and placed chopsticks in her hand. “You must be starving. Eat something first.”
Mu Tao clutched the chopsticks tightly, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Did…Master make this…?” she asked softly, as if seeking confirmation.
Li Yu smiled and stroked her ear. “Eat before it gets cold.”
Mu Tao sniffed, picked up her bowl, and started eating silently, her head lowered.
The girl ate quickly, clearly famished.
As she ate, she couldn’t stop sniffing.
Tears welled up in her eyes and fell into her bowl like broken beads, which she silently swallowed along with her food.
Li Yu watched, a sigh escaping her lips.
To cry like this while eating, how much grievance must she be holding inside?
【Ding——】
【Protagonist Blackening Value -5%!】
Huh? What just dinged?
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 25%!】
Holy crap, there’s such a stat?!
The plot has barely started, and she already has a blackening value?
【Yes, the higher the protagonist’s blackening value, the more dangerous the host’s situation!】
You…
Oh, wait!
This was just stat monitoring, like a favorability rating. It was definitely a good thing to have such a clear visualization!
Li Yu felt a little relieved.
She glanced at the three dishes on the table, the hunger previously suppressed by her nerves now returning with a vengeance.
Might as well eat!
Li Yu walked lightly to a nearby seat.
Just as she picked up her chopsticks, she felt a gaze from the little protagonist beside her, a mixture of surprise and confusion.
【Warning! Warning!】
Mu Tao: “Master has long since ceased needing earthly food. Why are you…”
Wait, you, I…
Then, she…
Ugh…
This is incredible!
The original owner even had that setting.
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