But before this reckless senior could escape, Xiao Lu had already grabbed his shirt, lifting him up like a shield.
And he said with a smirk, “Thank you, senior, for clearing the way for us.”
Outside the crowd, Zhang Jiuqi and Liang Boling caught the implication in his words. They had been mingling in the cannon fodder group for a long time and had developed a keen sense for judging the right moment.
The two exchanged glances and immediately rushed into the crowd, pushing aside the slightly scattered people who were stunned, closely following behind Xiao Lu. Since they did not initiate an attack, their actions did not incur any penalties.
They saw Xiao Lu holding the senior up, and even lent a hand to help.
The three of them pushed the senior, acting as a meat shield, charging forward without mercy against anyone who blocked their way.
Along the way, the senior being used as a shield cried out continuously, “Get out of the way! Get out of the way! You all better move aside!!!! My points!!!”
If they didn’t move aside soon, he would be done for.
Thus, the three of them broke through the crowd like a hot knife through butter, leaving behind three fleeing figures and a trail of wails.
The blocking characters were left dumbfounded. It wasn’t their first time surrounding a newly promoted rookie, but it was the first time they had seen such a flamboyant and reckless display.
“What should we do? Chase them?”
“Should we… chase them?”
“Why chase? Are you sure that Qiangzi’s points are enough?”
Everyone fell silent. Indeed, what if they chased after them, and Qiangzi ended up being used as a meat shield by those three shameless rookies again? What then?
Rush in and take my brother away?
Although they were just plastic brothers, they couldn’t be so blatant about it.
Just as they hesitated, the three figures had already disappeared down the corridor, abandoning the poor meat shield and rushing to their respective rooms.
Rooms were absolute private domains; without the owner’s consent, no one was allowed to enter.
Now, the blocking crowd could only lower their flags and take their nearly falling-apart plastic brothers away.
The rooms of the supporting characters were simply furnished, with a bed and a table. Since everyone wore the same uniform, they even saved on wardrobes; after all, the clothes produced by the system wouldn’t get dirty and didn’t need washing.
Fortunately, the main system hadn’t deprived them of the joy of taking baths. Xiao Lu relaxedly lay in the bathtub, chatting casually with the friends he had just made on the system’s chat interface.
Zhang Jiuqi: After leveling up to supporting characters, we can choose from more roles. We don’t have to dig for gold in the cannon fodder group every time. What do you want to draw next time?
Liang Boling: Those with money and a penchant for recklessness, let’s enjoy ourselves first, then we can have a good old plot kill.
Zhang Jiuqi: Look at your ambitions; can’t you do something useful?
Liang Boling: Useful? What do you mean?
Zhang Jiuqi sent a mysterious smile: Don’t you want to try for the top table?
Xiao Lu: You mean the Top group?
Zhang Jiuqi: Yes.
Liang Boling: How is that possible?
Zhang Jiuqi: Nothing is impossible. I heard some rumors before; when a supporting character’s contributions exceed those of the protagonist, the system will consider you qualified to level up to a protagonist. Don’t you see there’s still an empty spot at that table?
Liang Boling: Then I wish you all the best.
Zhang Jiuqi: Why are you so insincere?
Liang Boling: I’ve already wished you well; what more do you want? Please, my lord, hurry up and become Top 1 so you can take me to great heights! Let’s not forget each other in wealth and honor!
Xiao Lu watched the two bicker, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
The Top group, he was determined to join.
Thanks to his collaboration with Mr. A, he felt that he would eventually reach that position. By then, he would be able to uncover more secrets about this collaborator and get closer to the truth of this broken system.
He absolutely despised being controlled; he wouldn’t let anyone do that to him.
·
Three days later, the break time ended.
Identity cards floated before Xiao Lu. Some were gray, indicating that his current identity could not be selected. But there were also many that lit up; white represented cannon fodder roles, and cyan represented supporting characters.
Unfortunately, they were all facing backward, making it impossible to see what was on the front.
These identity cards were issued by the main system, and even the system hacker Ivan couldn’t help him cheat.
Xiao Lu couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it and directly chose randomly.
With a flash of light, a white card appeared.
A reclusive pharmacist and backup who was infatuated with the protagonist.
Hair like ebony, skin like morning snow, eyes like dots of lacquer, and exceptional medical skills. He was the first choice for the protagonist and his love interest when they were injured or poisoned, a versatile tool without complaint.
After experiencing testing drugs for the protagonist, detoxification, blood transfusion, poisoning, being cursed, and severe injuries… he died a tragic death. After death, he had to watch the protagonist and his beloved whisper sweet nothings at his grave, calling each other dear, which was simply sickening.
Xiao Lu looked at it with disdain.
At that moment, the other cards also flipped over, and Xiao Lu glanced over—
The spoiled and willful little junior sister with stinky feet, who, after taking off her shoes, left no living creature within a hundred meters.
The highly respected martial arts senior, who often secretly read erotic novels in his room and kept around thirty young concubines, had long been suffering from kidney deficiency.
A middle-aged bald businessman with a strange temper who loved to wear double ponytails.
Xiao Lu: “…”
The backup beauty pharmacist seemed pretty good.
·
When consciousness returned, Xiao Lu only felt a wave of weakness and powerlessness in his body. Every meridian ached as if something had burned them fiercely.
He struggled to open his eyes, revealing an interior decor rich in ancient charm.
On the wooden table lay various medicinal materials scattered about, bottles and jars of all sizes labeled, and the most eye-catching— a pool of bright red blood on the table.
This time, his identity was called Bo Lu, a pharmacist who had been ostracized by his sect and could only live alone in Chunxin Valley.
The cause of death was: that unfortunate protagonist had been poisoned this time. The protagonist held him as they climbed the mountain, pleading softly with red-rimmed eyes for the original owner to save him.
Thus, the original owner’s heart softened and agreed to the request of his beloved. This poison was already dangerous, and during the process of testing it on the protagonist, the original owner accidentally poisoned himself.
What a fitting death for a tool person.
Perhaps for this backup pharmacist, dying like this was even a bit easier. At least he wouldn’t have to watch the protagonist and his beloved chase and flee, back and forth, breaking up and getting back together countless times. Constantly giving him hope, only to let him down.
In the end, for this hopeless relationship, he even had to sacrifice his life.
Xiao Lu endured the pain in his body, propping himself up on the table, moving his fingers one by one, feeling his body gradually regain control.
As Ivan gradually helped him repair his body, he sensed that this body was different from the previous one. The setting of this world was a martial arts world, and even the pharmacist had martial arts skills.
He tried to close his eyes and adjust his breathing, clearly feeling a flow of energy circulating within him. This sensation was very novel; Xiao Lu even wanted to try the lightness skill he had seen in films from the previous world. Flying around would surely be interesting.
However, for now, the urgent matter was—
His gaze swept to the unfinished prescription on the table.
The protagonist and his love interest were coming for their lives.
The protagonist of this world was named Shen Yunhe, a standard martial arts-style Gary Stu.
He was originally an ordinary boy from a small town who, by a twist of fate, saved a dying big shot from Jiujian Mountain. At the other’s deathbed, he gained decades of internal energy and a unique martial arts technique.
To fulfill his master’s last wish, he set off on a journey, encountering numerous adventures, apprenticing under many big shots, and befriending heroes from all over the world, ultimately becoming a legendary hero.
Of course, along the way, he wouldn’t lack for various beauties throwing themselves at him. Spoiled, aloof, charming, gentle… all kinds, richer than a buffet.
And Bo Lu was the one who had been saved by him a few years ago during a mountain mishap. Perhaps this child had never seen much of the world; upon first seeing the protagonist descend from the sky, sword light like autumn water, he fell deeply in love, convinced that he could only have him in this life.
But the protagonist’s journey was one of stars and seas; he couldn’t possibly be tied down in this small valley, guarding a few acres of medicinal fields and a worthless broken house.
More importantly, the protagonist would encounter his destined partner during his travels. That is, the protagonist’s love interest, Jiang Qin.
Jiang Qin was the young master of the Yinqin Villa, spoiled since childhood, lacking in money and experience. He was fair-skinned, beautiful, soft, sweet, fresh, and pure, sometimes giving the impression that his brain hadn’t fully developed.
Due to investigating missing items from the villa, Jiang Qin and the protagonist Shen Yunhe met by chance, and after traveling together, feelings gradually blossomed, deepening their emotional roots step by step.
Of course, Jiang Qin was also dissatisfied with Shen Yunhe’s endless romantic entanglements, often getting jealous, with one chasing and the other fleeing. Whenever they encountered trouble, they would turn to Bo Lu for help, ultimately ending up in a happy ending with Shen Yunhe.
Now, this young master Jiang had gone out to cause trouble after a quarrel, resulting in him being poisoned and brought to the tool person Bo Lu for free treatment by Shen Yunhe.
At this moment, Jiang Qin was still lying in the guest room.
Shen Yunhe, while swearing eternal love to the unconscious Jiang Qin, was waiting for Bo Lu to obediently concoct the antidote, after which he would leave behind a few bland words of thanks, pat his butt, and take Jiang Qin out to roam the martial world, leaving Bo Lu alone once again in his empty room.
As the plot unfolded to this point, Xiao Lu couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.
Was he the parent of these two? Why did he have to take care of them like this?
Xiao Lu walked to the bronze mirror.
The person in the mirror had disheveled black hair, dressed in red, with a dot of vermilion between his brows, blood-red lips accentuating his already pale face, making him look even more ghostly, as if he were a seductive ghost sneaking into a scholar’s room at night to take his life.
Wiping away the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and tidying up his slightly messy hair, Xiao Lu picked up his notebook and pushed the door open to go out.
·
“Qin’er, wake up…”
“Can you open your eyes and look at me one more time?”
“I won’t argue with you anymore or say anything to make you sad. From today on, we’ll watch the stars together, see the moon, walk through the first snow, traverse the deep autumn, and witness every inch of beautiful scenery, never to part again, okay?”
Shen Yunhe’s voice was sincere, filled with three parts choking and trembling, making anyone who heard it feel a tremor in their hearts, unable to help but be moved to tears by his deep affection.
If it were the original owner, he would surely feel both bitter and envious at this moment. His beloved was indeed a deeply affectionate gentleman, but unfortunately, this affection was not for him. What a pity!
But unfortunately, at this moment, the one hearing this confession was Xiao Lu, who only felt discomfort in his stomach.
Not wanting to knock, Xiao Lu raised his leg and kicked open the tightly shut door.
Shen Yunhe, with slightly red eyes, was startled by the sound. Turning around, he saw a beauty in red with disheveled black hair stepping into the room, his somewhat pale face illuminated by the glow of the sunset, appearing as if he had been dusted with rouge, suddenly gaining three parts of allure.
It was enough to make one unable to look away for a moment.
The red-clad beauty walked step by step to him, looking down from a height, scrutinizing him.
Only when their eyes met did Shen Yunhe come to his senses, shifting his attention from that dazzling face and asking, “Lu’er, has the antidote been prepared?”
Xiao Lu’s fingers tightened.
That name was too disgusting; it sounded like a stupid donkey grinding mill.
He took a step back, regretting this foolish move of getting too close to the protagonist. Once the distance was widened, the air felt more comfortable, at least the pretentious sour smell wasn’t as strong.
Xiao Lu held his notebook in one hand, gently tapping it against his palm, his expression cold: “Shen Young Hero, I am two years older than you; let’s refrain from such titles in the future. Just call me Bo Pharmacist.”
“Additionally…” His voice elongated, scrutinizing Shen Yunhe.
“Lu, um, Bo Pharmacist, is there something you need?” Shen Yunhe was clearly concerned about his change in tone, but at this moment, Jiang Qin’s life was at stake. Weighing the two, he decided to prioritize saving Jiang Qin.
As for Bo Lu, they could share their feelings later when they had time. He believed that any misunderstandings would dissipate under his honest explanations.
“Shen Young Hero, you owe me quite a bit in medical fees; is it convenient to settle that now?” Xiao Lu spoke leisurely.
Shen Yunhe’s expression froze. He thought Bo Lu was here to share his feelings, but unexpectedly, he was here to collect a debt.
Upon reflection, he had visited Bo Lu many times, sometimes sustaining minor injuries. During those times, Bo Lu would tenderly treat him without ever mentioning payment.
What was going on today? Was he planning to sever ties with him?
Shen Yunhe felt a sense of vigilance; he still valued the functional little fish in his pond.
“I thought we were just looking out for each other as friends…” Shen Yunhe’s handsome brows furrowed, as if he had suffered a great grievance.
“After all, living alone in this remote area, it’s not easy to support so many medicinal materials.” Xiao Lu was unmoved by this emotional appeal.
Using his, living in his place, and relying on him, yet still wanting to take his life; he wouldn’t indulge these two who didn’t treat him as an outsider.
“Actually, I don’t want to make things difficult for Shen Young Hero.” The red-clad beauty’s tone was gentle, making Shen Yunhe’s heart relax.
“If Young Hero is short on funds, I can itemize your bills from the past year and send them to Shaluo Sect, Muyu Sect, and Fuyang Temple. I believe your masters have always cared for their disciples and wouldn’t be stingy with such expenses.”
“I will also list Jiang Young Master’s bill separately; the Jiang family is wealthy and wouldn’t skimp on silver.” He added thoughtfully.
Shen Yunhe broke out in a cold sweat.
He had lost track of how many times he had visited Bo Lu, how many times he had been treated, and how many precious medicinal materials he had used.
But it wouldn’t be a small sum.
Sending the bills to his masters was one thing; his masters were all high-ranking individuals with generous personalities, and seeing the bills wouldn’t affect their master-disciple relationship.
But the Jiang family absolutely wouldn’t do. If the Jiang Young Master found out that his son was not only injured and poisoned but also couldn’t afford to pay, he would probably flip out and forbid Jiang Qin from going out.
Xiao Lu was completely uninterested in the storm brewing in Shen Yunhe’s mind. He opened his notebook and quickly jotted down the bills, relying on the records provided by his versatile assistant Ivan, making everything clear and straightforward.
“Shen Young Hero.” Xiao Lu’s voice interrupted Shen Yunhe’s internal turmoil.
He looked up just in time to see the other party handing over a bill filled with fine writing. The densely packed small characters made one dizzy, but the glaring “Total: Fifty Thousand Silver” at the end struck him like a bolt from the blue, leaving him dazed.
“Fifty thousand!” Shen Yunhe exclaimed in shock.
Could it really be that much?
The red-clad beauty sighed softly: “I know Shen Young Hero travels the martial world, and expenses are certainly not small. Therefore, I’ve already given you quite a discount. The orchid heart grass worth a hundred taels from three months ago, and the moonflower worth several thousand taels from six months ago, I didn’t even charge you for those.”
“If it weren’t for the need to care for this medicinal garden, I wouldn’t be able to bring this up. But if this continues, I fear there won’t be any medicinal materials left in my Chunxin Valley.”
As he spoke, he lowered his gaze to the ground, as if he was reluctantly asking for money out of sheer helplessness.
But in reality, while the medicinal materials had indeed been discounted, the discounts were added to the unique prescriptions and treatment fees, so not a single tael of silver was spared, and there was plenty of padding, rounding it up to a whole number.
Even Shen Yunhe, no matter how thick-skinned, felt embarrassed to say he would definitely pay next time.
He struggled to suppress his trembling hands, tucking the bill into his clothes, pulling out a banknote: “Thank you, Bo Pharmacist, for taking care of me during this time. I only have three thousand taels on me right now; I’ll send some more over in a few days.”
Xiao Lu happily accepted the three thousand taels as a down payment.
Only then did he mention another matter for which he had come: “I have some clues about Jiang Young Master’s poison and have listed a few prescriptions. However, this poison is tricky, and I don’t dare to use it on him without testing it first.”
“Oh, what kind of person do you need? I can help you find someone.” Shen Yunhe tried to pull his attention away from the three thousand taels.
“This person…” Xiao Lu’s red lips parted slightly, “It’s best if they are of a similar age to Jiang Young Master, possess decent internal energy, and have some understanding of the poison he has been afflicted with. Most importantly, they should be someone deeply affectionate, willing to take the risk of testing the medicine for him.”
Testing the medicine, testing the medicine.
Why would a doctor need to do that? Besides the patient, wasn’t there a lively person right here? With the protagonist’s halo over his head, he wouldn’t die anytime soon; he was the most suitable.
The more Shen Yunhe listened, the more he felt something was off; why did this sound more and more like him?
He looked at Xiao Lu, whose ink-black eyes were fixed on him, filled with pure medical compassion, showing no signs of calculation.
Shen Yunhe couldn’t help but feel guilty, thinking he had misjudged him with a petty mindset.
Xiao Lu, somewhat troubled, rested his chin on one hand, his beautiful brows slightly furrowed: “Does Shen Young Hero know anyone like that?”
With the conversation reaching this point, Shen Yunhe could only nod in understanding: “What do you think of me, Bo Pharmacist? For Qin’er, I’m willing to be that test subject.”
Xiao Lu’s lips curled up imperceptibly.
See, didn’t he know he could step up?
Why was it that in the original plot, whenever either of them got into trouble, they would both coincidentally play dumb, pushing all the dangers onto Bo Lu?
“Then I’ll trouble Shen Young Hero to accompany me for a trip.” Xiao Lu’s tone was gentle, yet it seemed to hide a hint of bitterness.
This tone fell into Shen Yunhe’s ears, and his previously fluctuating heart immediately settled down. Look, this was clearly a mix of being moved by his deep affection and a hint of jealousy. He had said that Lu’er couldn’t possibly sever ties with him.
His steps became lighter, and even his resistance to being a test subject faded.
Inside the pharmacy, the air was filled with the bitter scent of medicine and a subtle, indescribable aroma.
Shen Yunhe looked at the thick liquid in front of him, dark green with strange bubbles, and felt a tingle on his scalp.
Recalling the beautiful, round pills or the fragrant medicinal soups he had seen when he previously sought treatment from Bo Lu, this was the first time he had seen something that looked like it came from the banks of the River of Forgetfulness.
Shen Yunhe’s wrist trembled: “This… this medicine…”
But is it even drinkable? He struggled to swallow the rest of his words.
This medicine was brewed according to the original owner’s prescription, just with a slightly different appearance; the medicinal effect should be similar.
However, it still needed Shen Yunhe to try it to know for sure.
“Shen Young Hero, it’s time for your medicine,” Xiao Lu said softly.
Oh… the dark cuisine has reappeared!😱
Shen Yunhe, as the protagonist you should be… able to survive… I guess🫡