Chapter 7: Such a Straightforward Man?
Li Yu couldn’t believe that the protagonist of a novel would fail a transmigration system’s quality check.
As the male lead of Demon Bone, Mo Yichu was exceptionally well-equipped.
In terms of personality, he was calm, resolute, gentle, courteous, and frugal.
In terms of appearance, he was the kind of character who attracted admirers wherever he went.
In terms of strength, he was the most talented disciple since the founding of Mount Chao Yao, the most renowned prodigy of the new generation in centuries.
As for other aspects, he was proficient in cooking, cleaning, reading, writing, and healing.
Although she skipped many plot points in the early and middle stages of the novel, she vaguely knew that Mo Yichu had a tragic past.
It was because of this past that he felt a kinship with Mu Tao and subconsciously wanted to protect her.
So, the two protagonists were two lonely souls drawn to each other.
See, all the elements are there.
Why did the system reject him?
Li Yu pondered.
After much thought, she found the root of the problem.
—Mo Yichu lacked a heart solely devoted to love.
In the early stages of the novel, Mo Yichu took Mu Tao to the mortal realm for training. To protect her from demons, he personally tied a Harmony Bell onto her.
In Mu Tao’s eyes, the Harmony Bell was a promise from her senior brother to protect her for life. So, even when her Demon Bone was exposed, and the entire immortal sect bound her to the execution platform, even when her master only watched coldly, a sliver of hope remained in her heart.
She believed that in this world, there must be someone willing to defy everything for her, someone who would always choose her without hesitation.
Indeed, Mo Yichu came to rescue her and protected her as they fled to the entrance of the Demon Realm.
Just when she thought this journey would continue, that even if they had to live in hiding forever, she would no longer be alone, Mo Yichu suddenly released her hand and, without warning, shattered the Harmony Bell that had bound them together.
Even though he knew he was committing a grave sin, that the path behind him would be filled with thorns, far more dangerous than mountains of knives and seas of fire, he resolutely chose the direction she could never return to.
The dream shattered, and she finally understood.
—Everyone had their own Dao. [T/N: Dao (道) is a complex concept in Chinese philosophy, often translated as “way,” “path,” or “principle.”]
And her senior brother’s Dao was destined to be diametrically opposed to her only path to survival.
If she wanted to remain by his side, she would have to destroy his Dao.
The always obedient, unassuming little protagonist began to reveal the darkness in her heart from this point on.
If the male protagonist had been driven by love, the story could have had a happy ending right there.
But he wasn’t!
To save the female protagonist, he defied both his master’s orders and destiny.
He finally brought her to the entrance of the Demon Realm, a place where stepping through meant embracing a new life together, but he insisted on returning to face punishment, even severing their last connection before leaving.
Later, the female protagonist was left alone in that ruthless, lightless place.
To survive, she had to rely on the power of the Demon Bone.
Demonic energy gradually eroded her body and mind, and those once-hidden thoughts finally took root and sprouted amidst despair and helplessness.
This part of the story was enough to make even the readers want to turn evil, let alone the protagonist.
The system was right; this male lead was no good.
Regardless of whether there were better candidates, she had to prevent this relationship from developing.
After all, if the female protagonist turned evil, she would be the first one to be struck down!
Tomorrow, starting tomorrow, she would be the brightest light bulb on Mount Chao Yao—determined to break up this destined pairing!
As for today, she was home, time to rest.
Thinking this, Li Yu struggled out of bed, looked around the unfamiliar room, and voiced a simple question: “How do I brush my teeth, wash my face, and soak my feet?”
The system’s answer was—The bucket is in the courtyard. The water in Chaoxi Pond doesn’t freeze. Just draw some and heat it with a spell.
“Is this how immortals live?”
“Can’t I just snap my fingers and have the bucket fly to fetch water, then fly back and heat itself for me?”
【The original owner could do that, but the system lacks such flexible auxiliary functions. The host may be able to figure it out on your own later.】
“…”
Fine, it’s just fetching water.
Back in middle and high school, she had to carry two thermoses to queue for hot water every day. She was no stranger to this.
Just treat it as reliving her boarding school days.
How…fun!
After some effort, Li Yu finally finished washing up and collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted.
Perhaps due to the physical exertion during the day, sleep came quickly.
However, Li Yu didn’t sleep well on her first night in this world.
She had chaotic dreams.
She dreamt that her portrayal of “Li Yu” was full of flaws, her character compatibility plummeting to the teens. Countless people she knew, and didn’t know, even her boss and colleagues, were all trying to kill her.
She used dirt blocks to obstruct her pursuers’ vision, digging downwards and filling the hole behind her. In the dead of night, with monsters roaming, she hugged a torch and buried herself underground.
The space was too cramped. She tried to expand it, but as soon as she removed a few stones with her bare hands, she heard the groans of a female zombie.
The sudden sound startled her, and she stopped digging. However, the zombie was more lively than she was. While she had stopped, the zombie quickly dug through the stones and appeared before her.
The zombie was covered in purple frostbite, wielding a bloodstained broken sword. Without a word, it pinned her down. Just as she realized the zombie looked familiar, she heard the word “Master” repeatedly emanating from its raspy, distorted voice.
Then she was stabbed awake.
The moment she woke up, she kicked her legs violently, as if trying to kick the zombie off her, sending her blankets flying.
A slight chill brushed against her thin undergarments. The room was still unfamiliar, but she sighed in relief.
What a weird dream, even incorporating blocky game elements!
Fine, the dream was weird, but who mines raw ore with their bare hands? At least make a wooden pickaxe!
And why was there a female zombie calling her Master while stabbing her…
Talk about dreams reflecting reality. Being so afraid of death that she experienced various ways of dying in her dreams, what a thrilling experience.
No job is easy. As long as you’re working for a living, you can’t escape the fate of being chased by nightmares.
A new day has begun. Time to get up and go to work.
Despite thinking about getting up for work, Li Yu stayed in bed until the sun was high in the sky.
The winter sun lacked warmth, quietly illuminating her, reminding the sleepyhead that noon was approaching.
She stretched, rolled around a few times, and finally mustered the courage to sit up.
The clothes here were difficult to put on. Li Yu struggled for a long time by the bedside, unable to get it right. Finally, the system, unable to watch any longer, used a spell to fix her clothes and hair.
“So convenient, why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“This delay shouldn’t deduct from my pay, right?”
【Except for certain specific situations, the host is free to manage your own time and schedule!】
“That’s good!” Li Yu was slightly touched, then suddenly remembered something. “Why isn’t there a mirror? I’ve been here for a day and haven’t even seen what I look like now.”
【Request received. Assistance for [Water Mirror Technique] is ready!】
【Host, please raise your hand.】
No wonder there’s no mirror, you can just conjure one.
Being an immortal is convenient.
Li Yu raised her right hand. A clear stream of anti-gravity water flowed from her fingertip, following the outline she drew in the air, and slowly formed a water mirror.
As the water calmed and the reflection became clear, Li Yu stared at her image in the mirror, speechless.
She seemed to understand why the system had chosen her.
The face in the mirror was both familiar and unfamiliar. After a long moment, she realized it was her own face.
Longer hair, fairer skin, better figure, and because of the drastic change in clothing and demeanor, her overall appearance was much more refined, so beautiful that it seemed unfamiliar.
She always thought she looked decent, but she never imagined she could be this beautiful, this ethereal.
Is this the legendary effect of immortal energy?
Suddenly, even the air felt refreshing and invigorating, as if she could go to work full of energy at any moment!
Li Yu left the room with a cheerful expression, strolling towards the little protagonist’s residence.
Perhaps because of her good mood, her footprints in the snow were incredibly light.
However, her smile soon faded.
Cangming Revered One of Mount Chao Yao had an perpetually icy expression—remember, remember!
With a stern face, Li Yu arrived at the courtyard from yesterday.
Before even entering, she was stopped by the bitter smell of medicine.
The smell alone made her tongue tingle with bitterness; she couldn’t imagine how awful it must taste.
Li Yu silently prayed.
Please let me never have to drink Chinese medicine in my life.
As she thought this, she arrived at the door.
The faint clinking of bowls came from inside, making her heart clench.
In the original story, the little protagonist was terrified of bitter medicine. To make her drink it, the male protagonist would sit by her bedside, coaxing and feeding her one spoonful at a time.
A man and a woman, alone in a room, sitting so close, hand-feeding medicine, that’s a bit too intimate!
Li Yu pushed the door open without hesitation, her gaze sharp.
She immediately focused on the little protagonist, who was half-lying on the bed.
The words she intended to use to interrupt the intimate scene caught in her throat.
Mu Tao was holding a half-empty bowl of medicine, her cute little face scrunched up in a grimace from the bitterness. Her almond-shaped eyes looked back at her, confused.
Li Yu stepped inside and glanced around suspiciously.
Mu Tao was alone?
Li Yu: “Where’s your senior brother?”
Mu Tao: “Senior Brother left after putting down the medicine.”
Li Yu: “Where did he go?”
Mu Tao: “Probably the kitchen… Senior Brother said Master instructed him to prepare your meal today.”
Such a perfect opportunity to be alone, yet he chose to go to the kitchen and cook for his elder instead of staying to coax the protagonist into taking her medicine.
—Such a straightforward man?
He deserves to be deemed “no good”!
“Master…”
“Hmm?”
Li Yu snapped back to reality. Mu Tao was clutching the medicine bowl tightly, her eyes slightly reddened, looking at her pitifully.
Mu Tao hesitated, opened her mouth slightly, then pursed her lips, finally asking timidly,
“Master, this medicine is so bitter. Do I really have to drink it?”
“Of course.” Li Yu replied, glancing at the medicine bowl in Mu Tao’s hands.
She had already drunk half of it.
Just pinch your nose and down it in one go!
Why ask me? I got the medicine for you. You can’t just pour it out!
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