“I see, so that’s how it is…”
Ling Huan patted his chest in relief, rejoicing over the fact that he wasn’t actually a scumbag.
Even Yin Luoling showed a rare, faint smile.
This smile wasn’t entirely because of Ling Huan’s relief, but rather because his self-verification was successful.
If words alone could make Yin Luoling believe someone, she would have died hundreds or thousands of times over.
What mattered wasn’t Ling Huan’s attitude, but his words.
His talk about coming from another world happened to align perfectly with a certain event in the Immortal Realm.
There was an Emperor in the Immortal Realm who loved collecting rare treasures, and his treasury held a world-renowned item.
It was a carriage, yet it was forged from iron.
However, that iron was unique.
It lacked the weight of ordinary iron, being extremely light while possessing a hardness comparable to common iron blocks.
Its design was also peculiar.
The body of the carriage was supported by four wheels.
It had no curtains, and one didn’t enter from the front, but through doors on the sides.
The space was somewhat cramped, only seating four people.
It didn’t require horses to pull it; one only needed to step on a certain mechanism inside for it to move on its own.
Although its speed wasn’t fast and it seemed quite useless, it was very entertaining, and the direction could be controlled by a circular disc.
It required neither spirit stones nor spiritual energy to drive.
Though it eventually lost its power and could no longer move—causing that treasure-collecting Emperor much grief—he spent the rest of his life researching how that strangely shaped “carriage” worked.
He even ignored the suffering of his own disciples for the sake of that carriage.
This matter was known by everyone in the Immortal Realm.
Of course, it was possible the Old Man of Time had crossed through space-time to trick Yin Luoling under the name of a “System.”
But in reality, no one knew that the Emperor had been somewhat acquainted with Yin Luoling.
He had even revealed to her where this “carriage” came from and its true name.
It came from Blue Star and was called a “sedan.”
She never expected that her idle chatter with that fellow back then would actually help her now.
Truly, the world’s affairs were unpredictable.
It was only after hearing this that Yin Luoling felt completely at ease.
The original Ling Huan had died by her sword long ago; he certainly wouldn’t know about matters from the Immortal Realm.
Even if that Old Man of Time sent instructions through the “System” to make Ling Huan act out a play in an attempt to gain her trust, a fabricated lie would never include the original name of that “carriage.”
Thus, Yin Luoling gave a relieved smile, knowing that the foolish behavior Ling Huan displayed wasn’t a facade.
“However, Sister Luoling… wait, no. Since you’ve lived another life, your age shouldn’t be small. If I count my previous life, I’ve only lived for twenty-six years. What about you? That way, I’ll know whether to call you Sister in private later.”
‘Sister…?’
“There’s no need,” Yin Luoling said, shaking her head.
“Call me whatever you like. Since you aren’t the Ling Huan I remember, your previous care for me must have come from the heart… yet I treated you like that… it was truly impolite. As an apology, just call me whatever you want. As for these spirit stones, I will surely repay them a hundredfold in the future.”
As Yin Luoling spoke, she suddenly realized she had only mentioned the past life of the “beastly Ling Huan,” but she hadn’t mentioned her own yet.
Otherwise, without proof, it would only seem like she was being dismissive.
Just as Yin Luoling was about to begin explaining her past life, Ling Huan spoke up first.
“Alright.”
Ling Huan wasn’t a difficult person and nodded in agreement.
But then he seemed to remember something.
“Right, right. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, your hostility was because you thought I was that beast. That’s why you ignored me. Then I have to explain something to you as well. That incident in Teacher Jiang Yue’s room… I really didn’t have any improper intentions.”
“Giving you a foot massage today was to show you through action the benefits of massage for the body and mind. Teacher is plagued by illness, so her body must be quite stiff. Moreover, I have a special constitution that can alleviate toxins, so I planned to absorb the toxins while giving her a massage.”
” I just didn’t expect… that the person under the covers would be you… Don’t hit me yet! Look, you fell asleep during the massage today, which is the best evidence!”
The matter in Jiang Yue’s room… made Yin Luoling’s face turn red instantly.
She cleared her throat twice and followed the topic.
“Mhm, it is indeed beneficial for the body and mind. How—however, I was also at fault for being reckless. Speaking of which, I’m a bit curious. Why is it that even after you did such things, Teacher would still believe your nonsense? Do you have some kind of trick to de—method for it?”
Yin Luoling almost let the word “deceive” slip and quickly corrected herself.
“Uh…”
How should he explain it?
“It’s all thanks to my sincere heart.”
Aside from that, Ling Huan couldn’t think of any other way to explain it.
“…But I was also sincere… Fine, that’s your own method, so it’s not my place to ask. But if you use this method to do evil, I won’t let you off.”
They had been speaking peacefully just a moment ago, but now her tone suddenly changed.
Combined with the deep memories left by the [Simulation Space], Ling Huan felt his skin crawl.
“It’s not a method, it’s just sincerity!”
In an instant, the roles of brother and sister were completely reversed.
“One more thing. What’s the deal with that ‘System’? Is it really your teacher? The Ling Huan of the past life also had a ‘System’.”
Yin Luoling finally spoke.
‘The Ling Huan of the past life also had one…?’
These words sent a shock through Ling Huan… He had thought this system belonged to him.
Was that not the case?
Recalling Yin Luoling’s words and the things the previous Ling Huan had done…
‘Could it be that the beast also awakened a system on the day he met Yin Luoling? But because of the punishments and rewards given by the system, that beast was set on the path of constantly abusing Yin Luoling?’
…
‘Could it be that this system originally belonged to that beastly Ling Huan? And I just happened to cross over and take over his soul, becoming my parents’ child…?’
‘So it’s not that I’m such a beast that a system was bound to me…’
‘In other words… all these coincidences are actually the heavens sending me here to deal with this beastly system?’
…
‘Why should I look at this system as something here to mess with me or play with me?’
‘Why can’t I look at it as me messing with the system, conquering it, and turning it from a “Scumbag Simulator” into a “Good Person Simulator”?’
Ling Huan suddenly had an epiphany.
It wasn’t that he was stuck with this system, but that the system was stuck with him!
His entire being felt refreshed, and his thoughts became incredibly clear!
“Forget it. Since you don’t want to kill me now, it proves you haven’t listened to that system. I advise you not to get involved with the ‘System’ any further, or it will bring you a fatal disaster. Of course, the root of that disaster is primarily me. Although… I really don’t want to say this, the first person who will want to kill you will definitely be me.”
Even though she said that, Yin Luoling couldn’t help but think—’If only the Ling Huan I met back then was this one. Then I… would definitely have had a childhood… It wouldn’t even matter if I couldn’t live forever.’
The longer a person lived, the more pain they would witness compared to happiness.
She sincerely hoped that the Ling Huan of this world would not be a beast again.
Faced with Yin Luoling’s threat, Ling Huan didn’t listen.
Or rather, he heard it, but his attention was drawn away by the scene before him.
[Task 2 in progress!]
[Please avoid discussing system-related matters with Yin Luoling any further. Please loudly and clearly state your declaration to Yin Luoling that you still want to be a “Villain” and specify that you will never give up the system.]
[Punishment: Death]
[Task Completion Reward: The previously promised rewards will be doubled. The amount of spirit stones obtained will be doubled. One random offensive or defensive magical treasure.]
Humans are complex.
But it is precisely because of this complexity that it’s easy to have different approaches and views on one thing.
Even for the same person, there can be a huge contrast between their earlier and later selves.
Because they see a different side, it brings about different effects.
Before, Ling Huan only felt that maybe he was also a beast, which was why such a beastly system was bound to him, so he resisted every day.
But now, thinking about how he had replaced that dog-like system’s intended host, everything felt different.
Now, thinking that he might be here to punish this system, Ling Huan couldn’t help himself.
Be a bad guy?
Of course he had to continue being one.
After all, he still had to collect many, many rewards.
However, it wouldn’t be the kind of demon hated by everyone as the system expected, but a “villain” who was loved by everyone and made them beg to be bullied.
‘Next, watch carefully and see how your master operates.’
Ling Huan’s lips curled into a confident smile as he said to Yin Luoling, “Give up the system? That’s impossible. I—”
Before he could finish, a blur of motion immediately approached.
A cold wind swept past his eyes, and a sharp object pressed against his throat.
A sharp sting gradually sank into Ling Huan’s skin.
A warm liquid immediately flowed slowly down his neck.
Yin Luoling’s gaze was fierce, her eyes sharp.
The killing intent in her eyes was no different from what he had seen in the [Simulation Space].
But even so, Ling Huan didn’t panic and continued with his unfinished words: “I want to be a villain, a fascinating villain.”