Chương 2: Nalan City
Nalan City is located on City Gate Avenue, with low-ranking individuals bustling about in every direction. Among them, pawns, high-platforms, prostitutes, dogs, oil vendors, and food carriers are commonly seen lining both sides of the street, warmly welcoming guests.
The merchants passing through are affluent travelers journeying from the south to the north. Nalan City serves as the sole passage to the capital, where many merchants pause to engage in activities with prostitutes or revel in bars with waitresses.
Additionally, notable figures like disciples from nearby Cultivation Sects or affluent young officials contribute a lively buzz to this bustling street.
In the midst of the crowd stands a man approximately twenty years old, his eyes dull and pupils contracted like red beans. Observing his surroundings with a gaping mouth, his wide mouth could easily fit a fist.
This man is Liu Mang. After an otherworldly encounter that propelled him here, he finds everything strangely familiar. Isn't this existence akin to the starting point in his own life, reminiscent of a novice village – is this Nalan City?
Moistening his parched lips, Liu Mang senses a dry throat, uncertain whether from thirst or apprehension. He comprehends that what he has embarked upon is an arduous journey. The storyline is rife with twists and turns, akin to a rollercoaster ride. Formidable villains lurk, posing a threat to readers. Ultimately, the narrative crescendos into a cataclysmic climax, with the entire world facing destruction. It's a triumph for the malevolent forces, reminiscent of Thanos's infamous snap.
Typically, internet tales revolve around grassroots uprisings. However, in this narrative, the protagonist, Ye Qiong, swiftly ascends after unlocking their bloodline, only to abruptly vanish without any anticipated twist, eliciting vehement criticism.
Picture a scenario where an individual experiences unyielding success, their protagonist's halo seemingly invincible. Having vanquished the chief antagonist, when on the verge of an intimate moment with the female lead, a catastrophic world-ending event abruptly transpires. The hapless male protagonist remains chaste, deprived of even a first kiss.
Such a narrative proves unbearable for ordinary readers, let alone King Yama, renowned for his impatience.
"But it appears I'm not the protagonist..." Liu Mang muses, recalling that the protagonist boasted wheat-colored skin, a stark contrast to his porcelain complexion.
Perplexed, Liu Mang paces in circles, drawing puzzled gazes from passersby rushing past. Suddenly, the crowd points towards him.
"Isn't that Li Yugu, the effete scion of the city lord's lineage, on the brink of another outburst?"
"Let him face 300 deaths!"
"The Lord of Soft Rice!" Onlookers mockingly address Liu Mang.
"The Lord of Soft Rice?" Liu Mang tugs at his hair.
"It sounds oddly familiar; perhaps I've encountered it before..." He snorts, sensing drowsiness creeping in but spies a clear stream in the distance. Intent on freshening up, he peers into the water and startles: "Goodness, who's this handsome chap?!" Surveying his surroundings reveals no one else. Boldly, he scrutinizes the reflection, realizing he appears a decade younger. Fumbling, he uncovers a waist token inscribed with three words: Li Hugo.
"Li Hugo... Isn't he the tragic minor villain from the tome I recently perused? Could it be that I..." Liu Mang shudders, cognizant of the dire fate awaiting Li Hugo.
Amidst the recurring mentions of the "soft rice king," he acknowledges his transformation into Li Hugo, a hapless villain who failed at deceit early on and suffered the protagonist's retribution.
In reality, Liu Mang is a thirty-year-old recluse, a bona fide otaku steeped in indolence, disinclined towards travel or companionship.
Despite his discontent with this mundane existence, reality reflects a devoid individual devoid of wealth, looks, or connections, rendering love a distant notion.
Channeling his life's frustrations, Liu Mang relentlessly torments protagonists, whether male or female, inflicting tragedies aplenty. Despite readers' vehement rebukes, he perseveres in his narrative cruelty.
Perhaps this cruel literary pursuit is an expression of true passion; the pendulum swings between textual abuse and gratification, though self-inflicted torment remains unsustainable.
Following a brief spell of bewilderment, Liu Mang gradually embraces this reality. Viewing his newfound realm from a different lens, he recognizes the potential for self-empowerment. Every facet of this world, every blade of grass, owes its existence to his pen. Indeed, opportunity and treasure await his discovery.
He is the deity of creation here! With newfound resolve, he seeks out a messenger at the city gate, only to be addressed with unexpected deference: "Uncle, are you in need of assistance?" The messenger's respectful tone catches Liu Mang off guard, prompting introspection on his marital status.
"Uncle?" Liu Mang blushes, the address evoking a sense of excitement. Could he already be a married man?
"Uncle, contemplating another covert escapade? Beware, lest the county master catches you again, resulting in another round of chastisement..." Uncle Chai interjects.
Indeed, Li Yuguo's wife epitomizes beauty but commands authority as the formidable city lord, akin to an emperor in this domain. A local adage warns, "It is preferable to brave the mountain's terrors than encroach upon the City Lord's Mansion."
Undoubtedly, the Nalan County Lord surpasses even the fiercest tiger in terror. Liu Mang swiftly recalls from memory that Li Yuguo, a mere white-faced acquaintance of the hero Ye Qiong, leveraged his wife's status to perpetrate misdeeds, only to meet his demise at Ye Qiong's hands. Notably, Ye Qiong's retribution included severing a particular appendage in defense of his beloved.
The recollection sends a shiver down Liu Mang's spine, prompting a discreet self-check to ensure his own physical integrity. Satisfied with the outcome, he vents his frustration inwardly, questioning his plight as a transmigrated villain.
"Why me? How did I become a villain? Curse it all!" Liu Mang rails internally.
"Master, why the head-banging with the pillar?" the messenger inquires, prompting a hushed explanation from a companion regarding Li Hugo's infamy.
"Wishing for a swift demise? The Lord is within earshot; jeopardizing your reputation could result in dire consequences! Remember, the Nalan City Prefect is none other than the esteemed Princess Nalan Meng!"
"Let's depart swiftly; discretion is the better part of valor..." As the individuals retreat, Liu Mang remains lost in thought.
Yet, the circumstances fail to faze him. As the author, he holds the narrative's reins, foreseeing the impending cataclysm that will engulf the world – protagonists, antagonists, and all.
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