Chapter 5
The cheat-enabled harem protagonist, Lu Feng, was utterly ordinary before acquiring his golden finger.
He spent his days idly, either holed up at home playing video games or chatting with his roommates about which beauties had been snatched up by wealthy young men, leaving no scraps for ordinary guys like them.
After getting his cheat, he gained cultivation by collecting goddesses; the more beauties around him, the stronger he became.
Therefore, when Lu Feng heard Gu Chi’s name from his new beauty’s lips, his first thought was to teach Gu Chi a lesson for her brother, Xue Xu.
By helping Xue Xu, he would be helping the goddess, earning her favor and thus increasing his cultivation.
In his eyes, Gu Chi was a bully who, relying on his wealth, acted arrogantly, picking on classmates and assaulting teachers. Dealing with such a bully was an act of righteousness. Xue Xu was the victim, and later, Lu Feng even used treasures obtained through his golden finger to repair Xue Xu’s meridians, enabling him to cultivate again.
In the original plot, the protagonist even became good friends with the demonic cultivator Xue Xu. Moreover, Lu Feng had another romantic interest, a witch. Unlike Gu Chi, whose mastery of the demonic path and possession of the Demon Sword earned him the title of Demon Lord, this witch was a true demon, cultivating her techniques with the blood of living people and finding pleasure in slaughtering ordinary humans.
The protagonist, while hypocritically advocating demon hunting, kept this nationally wanted witch by his side.
Wen Linyu couldn’t understand how such a person could be the protagonist, but he understood why 998 had to bring someone in to play the role.
With this plot, Gu Chi would inevitably kill the protagonist.
Following his teacher’s advice, he had learned more about Gu Chi. The butler mentioned Gu Chi’s deep hatred for demonic cultivators, stemming from his parents being demonic cultivators themselves.
They had timed his birth and raised him to a specific age for the sole purpose of refining him into nourishment for themselves. However, unlike ordinary children, when his parents tried to consume him, he killed them, feeding their bodies to hyenas.
With such a backstory, Gu Chi wouldn’t hold back against Xue Xu. And with Lu Feng intervening on Xue Xu’s behalf and even provoking him directly, there was no way Gu Chi would spare him.
Now, Lu Feng had already progressed through the early stages of the plot, reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment, supported by several goddesses, and gaining some fame. Hearing Wen Linyu’s dismissive words, he was naturally displeased, immediately challenging Wen Linyu to a duel on the school’s arena.
The arena was where students settled disputes and sparred.
Wen Linyu slammed his book shut, coldly glancing at Lu Feng: “Scram.”
Xin Ge, observing the scene, trembled, quickly jumping in and pointing at Lu Feng: “Who do you think you are? You’re not worthy of challenging our classmate Gu! I’ll take you on!”
His underlings cheered, stirring up the atmosphere. Lu Feng smirked. He saw Xin Ge and the others as mere lackeys of Gu Chi, and attacked directly.
Their cultivation levels weren’t comparable. Xin Ge was swiftly defeated. His underlings rushed to his aid, cursing under their breath, “Ungrateful bastard! We’re trying to help you, and you hit us so hard! Idiot!”
Their voices were low, and Lu Feng didn’t quite catch their words. Just as he was about to ask, Wen Linyu stood up, glancing at him with disdain, and said emotionlessly: “Sign a life-and-death contract. Do you dare?”
The words caused an uproar, drawing everyone’s attention. Lu Feng was stunned. How had it escalated to a life-and-death duel? He had only said a few words!
However, he had initiated the challenge, and now, with everyone watching, he couldn’t back down. He accepted.
Gu Chi praised Wen Linyu’s performance: “Excellent. A perfect opportunity to test your progress.”
Wen Linyu’s heart skipped a beat, a small smile tugging at his lips, which he quickly suppressed, maintaining his icy facade.
They proceeded to the outdoor arena, where anyone passing by could watch.
As they stepped onto the platform, the presiding teacher repeatedly emphasized the importance of showing restraint. Wen Linyu, ignoring him, tossed a life-and-death contract at Lu Feng. The teacher’s face paled.
The duel began. Lu Feng, with his lightning spiritual root, was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Although Wen Linyu had progressed rapidly, he had started from Body Tempering and hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment yet.
His training was brief, done in isolation, without any sparring experience. He was immediately on the defensive. As the fight progressed, Lu Feng’s confidence grew. He unleashed bolts of lightning across the arena, forcing Wen Linyu to dodge constantly, while taunting him to surrender.
Xin Ge and the others watched him like a clown. Go ahead, laugh while you can! You have no idea how much this guy loves playing the underdog. He’s a total freak!
As expected, in the next instant, they saw the still-smirking Lu Feng flung off the arena in shock, probably without even understanding how it happened.
Wen Linyu straightened, his hand trembling slightly. This was the first time he had truly struck someone, and with such force. He thought he saw Lu Feng coughing up blood.
A chuckle echoed in his mind: “Well done.”
Wen Linyu’s heart raced, partly from the adrenaline, partly from something else.
With his current cultivation and skills, he couldn’t defeat Lu Feng. But Gu Chi’s cultivation was immense. Since he lacked combat experience, he simply unleashed Gu Chi’s power to crush his opponent. It felt like cheating, and Wen Linyu was apprehensive, but his teacher had taught him that not utilizing available resources was a waste.
The results proved him right. His teacher praised him again.
And he now understood the feeling of retaliation. Like a breath of fresh air after being suffocated, a surge of exhilaration!
So satisfying!
As for Lu Feng, he suffered three broken ribs and his cultivation was completely crippled. Without a miracle, he would remain a cripple for life.
Xin Ge and the others grinned from ear to ear, of course, behind Wen Linyu’s back. No one in the entire school dared to laugh too loudly in his presence anymore, lest he be reminded of Lu Feng and feel the urge to punch someone again.
After this incident, no one disturbed Wen Linyu’s studies for a long time. He ventured into various monster-infested uncharted territories. His teacher had said that actual combat was the most effective way to improve combat prowess.
He attended classes and hunted monsters in his free time. Wen Linyu maintained this routine for three years. His progress greatly satisfied Gu Chi. Above all, this little apprentice was obedient, following every instruction without complaint or impatience.
So obedient that Gu Chi’s hands itched, but the only thing available to pinch was the chicken.
The thoroughly ruffled 998: What did I do?!
However, excessive studying also had its drawbacks. During a trip to a secret realm, Wen Linyu encountered Lu Feng again. He was the protagonist, with a powerful cheat. He should have been crippled, yet here he was, three years later, even capable of entering a secret realm.
Wen Linyu intended to ignore him, but as he passed by, he noticed a jade flute in Lu Feng’s hand. The flute was exquisitely crafted, its jade translucent and lustrous. Wen Linyu was instantly captivated.
Gu Chi, seeing this, subtly prompted: “You like it. What should you do?”
Wen Linyu’s eyes sparkled, his voice clear: “Take it!”
“Excellent.” Gu Chi was pleased.
998: “…” What a coincidence, right? The plot mission was to steal the protagonist’s treasure. It hadn’t even issued the task, and the host was already eager to act.
Tears welled up. This host was becoming a truly excellent villain!
Thus, Lu Feng, who had painstakingly recovered to the peak of Foundation Establishment, was once again stripped bare, his newly found treasure snatched away. After Wen Linyu left, Lu Feng cursed, vowing revenge. One day, he would make Gu Chi kneel and beg for forgiveness!
Unfortunately for him, his curses seemed to attract Wen Linyu.
He accepted a monster-hunting quest, and Wen Linyu appeared, stealing the quest and beating him up.
He found a treasure, hoping to impress a new goddess, and Wen Linyu appeared again, shamelessly snatching the treasure and beating him up again.
Lu Feng was beyond furious. Was he some kind of resource, constantly being farmed for equipment?
One day, one day he would have his revenge!!!
Days turned into years. Wen Linyu lived well in this world. He maintained his impassive face in public, but when alone, a smile almost constantly graced his lips.
This place was wonderful. Little Tong was wonderful. His teacher was wonderful. So wonderful that he was reluctant to leave.
But he hadn’t forgotten. The ten-year mark was approaching. This body wasn’t his. He was merely a passerby from another world, and he would eventually have to leave.
He was so reluctant, especially…
But excessive greed might leave him with nothing.
Seven days remained.
The chicken in his consciousness had gone crazy, humming strange tunes with lyrics about “slaves rising up.” Normally, Gu Chi would have swatted it away, but now, he was too preoccupied. His little apprentice seemed to be in a low mood for some reason. But he still cultivated and studied as usual, and there were no apparent sources of annoyance.
So what was wrong?
Gu Chi asked directly.
Wen Linyu was startled. Did his teacher think he wasn’t focused enough on his studies? He banished all other thoughts, dedicating himself to learning, filling every moment to avoid dwelling on his sadness.
Gu Chi watched Wen Linyu relentlessly slaying monsters: ???
Gu Chi’s body was truly resilient. Wen Linyu fought in the misty forest for seven days, becoming numb, yet feeling no fatigue. With a final sigh of admiration, Wen Linyu smiled, addressing the body: “Thank you, Gu Chi. I’ve troubled you during this time.”
Gu Chi was taken aback. Just as he was about to respond, wondering when his apprentice had realized he was Gu Chi himself, given his usual obliviousness, Wen Linyu continued: “Teacher, Teacher, are you there? I’m leaving now. Thank you so much for these years. Without you, I’d probably still be that useless waste.”
“I know we might never see each other again. I… I’m very… Teacher, I’m actually very…” Wen Linyu stumbled over his words, reverting to his former self, unable to express himself properly.
He could have been more direct, but fear crept in again, the fear of causing his teacher any distress.
“What are you talking about? Wait, where are you going?!” Gu Chi roared. “You dare leave without my permission?!”
Wen Linyu’s farewell was interrupted, leaving him bewildered: “Teacher, the ten years are up. Didn’t you know?”
Almost as he spoke, a mechanical voice eagerly announced: “Commencing transfer!”
Wen Linyu, stunned and flustered, managed a final: “Goodbye, Teacher—”
“Wen Linyu!” Gu Chi gritted his teeth, uttering his full name for the first time, reaching out, but grasping only air.
He looked down at himself. The other presence was gone.
After a split second of silence, Gu Chi’s face darkened. He reached into his consciousness and yanked out the fleeing chicken: “Tell me, where is he!”
998, having swiftly sent its host back, was about to make its own escape, but was caught. Facing the enraged Demon Lord, who looked ready to destroy the world, it trembled: “He, he, he went back to his world… W-we agreed on this before…”
“It’s you!” At that moment, an uninvited guest appeared.
The misty forest was forbidden territory for ordinary people, teeming with monsters, but for cultivators, it was the perfect training ground. Lu Feng, seeking rapid advancement, had come here.
Seeing Gu Chi radiating demonic energy, seemingly on the verge of succumbing to his inner demons, Lu Feng was overjoyed.
“You’ve finally…” Before he could finish, or even attempt his revenge, Gu Chi kicked him to the ground, his foot pressing down on his throat without mercy.
Today’s “Gu Chi” was also expressionless, but his eyes were filled with killing intent. Lu Feng was terrified. He had a feeling he might actually die this time!
998, watching the seemingly unconscious protagonist, trembled under Gu Chi’s murderous gaze, its beak quivering: “If, if, if you beat him, d-don’t beat me…”
It wailed internally: Host, Host, come back! I’m just a chicken, I can’t handle this!
