Open World

"I'm not lying, it wasn't me!"

Under Ma Wei's somewhat guilty denial, Feng Tianshuo shook his head helplessly and turned to Shi Dan, carefully patting the latter's shoulder.

"Boss... I don’t want to disturb you, but you should’ve heard him. He said it wasn’t him."

Shi Dan, who had his back to the two, paused slightly and removed the special jade slip he had stuffed in his ear.

He turned around, his expression dazed, sniffing the air.

Then he stepped up to Ma Wei, carefully scenting him before speaking meaningfully:

"Of course you didn’t take it... but do me a favor—find it and bring it back by noon tomorrow."

With that, Shi Dan mockingly patted Ma Wei’s head and left with Feng Tianshuo.

Ma Wei stood trembling for a long time before finally chasing after them and shouting down the stairs, "Old Feng, I told you it wasn’t me! That thing isn’t mine! If you want it, go find it yourselves!"

Only the dull sound of boots against wooden planks echoed from below, with no response.

Su Di'er turned her head curiously, locking eyes with Ma Wei.

Enraged, Ma Wei slapped her. "Get the hell back inside! If I catch you stealing my wine again, I’ll break your damn legs!"

Watching the girl clutch her reddened cheek and flee in panic, Zhong Yi couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.

"Tch, that bastard! I’d love to teach him a lesson!"

Zhong Yi stepped away from the door in frustration.

If it were up to him, he’d reason with Ma Wei and convince him to treat his daughter better.

But Li Ang’s body wouldn’t allow it.

Adhering to a life of anonymity and solitude, Li Ang had no connections with anyone.

The fact that Su Di'er could even exchange a few words with him was nothing short of a miracle.

[Main Quest: Rest in bed by Hai hour (can manually adjust illusion time)]

"Qi Refinement cultivators are such a hassle, needing sleep and all."

Zhong Yi clicked his tongue.

It was just dusk, still some time before Hai hour.

Though the illusion system allowed time adjustment, he wasn’t about to waste such precious exploration time.

There was still much he wanted to learn about this town.

With that thought, Zhong Yi decisively pushed the door open and ran outside.

[Behavior Points -10 (Li Ang’s first task upon returning home is meticulously tending to his potted plant—his only companion)]

The moment he stepped out, disaster struck.

His behavior points dropped another 10.

Now dangerously close to the 80-point threshold, any further deductions would restrict his freedom.

Zhong Yi hurried back inside to care for his "good buddy."

Grabbing a watering can, he sprinkled water over the greenery, watching his behavior points slowly tick back up.

"So the plant is his only friend..."

Zhong Yi marveled, gaining deeper insight into Li Ang’s character.

After tending to the plant and tidying the sparse bedroom, Zhong Yi finally left his residence just before nightfall.

Arriving at the tavern, he was informed there were no new assassination contracts.

However, outside, he stumbled upon a drunken vagrant muttering something about haunting someone even in death.

When Zhong Yi approached, the man immediately grabbed his leg, begging him to avenge his wrongs.

[Side Quest: The Vagrant’s Treasure]

[Once a wealthy merchant, he was betrayed and reduced to ruin—his family torn apart, his fortune lost. Now, he seeks vengeance, blood for blood.]

[Reward: Vagrant’s Treasure Map x1]

...

"Whoa, this illusion... hides so many secrets?"

Zhong Yi was stunned.

Given this scenario, it seemed everyone experienced different events within the illusion?

After all, not everyone would leave their residence and come here.

And according to the chat, no one else had encountered this drunkard outside the tavern.

This open-world, randomized gameplay design left Zhong Yi in awe.

"Fascinating! Let’s see just how many treasures Junior Brother Lu hid in here!"

Chuckling, Zhong Yi accepted the quest but didn’t rush to complete it, opting instead to explore further.

The town was bustling.

With a late curfew, the night market remained lively even after dark.

Zhong Yi tried his hand at a target-shooting game, earning a small sum.

But he soon received another behavior-point deduction—Li Ang was definitely not the type to flaunt his skills so openly...

From gambling dens to night markets and taverns, Zhong Yi indulged in every mundane pleasure the mortal world offered, thoroughly enjoying himself.

The live chat reveled in the spectacle.

[Damn, the mortal realm’s more fun than I thought!]

[What about brothels? Can the streamer take us inside?]

[Even the madam at the brothel’s entrance looks kinda cute...]

[Lu Zhenchuan knows exactly what we wanna experience.]

[Now you’re not calling him Old Demon Lu?]

...

As Hai hour approached, government officials arrived to enforce curfew.

Zhong Yi, ever the daredevil, resisted—only to be chased through the streets by guards and constables before being caught and fined a hefty sum.

Thankfully, he could reload his save, or the loss would’ve stung.

After much excitement, Zhong Yi reluctantly returned home and went to bed.

Day One’s main quest was complete.

The moment his character fell asleep, another cinematic sequence unfolded—this time starting from when he bought goat’s milk after a mission.

The spiraling staircase and gradual reveal of the girl’s figure immersed Zhong Yi instantly.

This was even more captivating than what he’d witnessed firsthand!

The cinematography, reminiscent of Léon: The Professional, was masterfully executed.

Lu Ze’s replication of such techniques was nothing short of revolutionary for this world.

The rebellious girl pretending to be mature, the cold-blooded yet tender-hearted assassin—both lonely souls were vividly portrayed.

This encounter carried newfound significance.

Watching the girl’s curious gaze and the man’s hesitant retreat, Zhong Yi chuckled gleefully.

His fondness for Su Di'er grew even stronger.

Finally, seeing Shi Dan sniffing around Ma Wei with that deranged expression sent a chill down Zhong Yi’s spine...

"What a madman... Seems the girl’s family’s in trouble."

As the cinematic ended, darkness swallowed the world.

A caption appeared:

[Day Two]

Zhong Yi opened his eyes, regaining control.

A red-eyed pigeon stood on the windowsill, staring straight at him.

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