Chapter 126 – Bai Yunxing: He Couldn’t Help but Wonder If His Parents Had Been Swapped Too

Jiang Dai and Bai Tian, who had just heard the news, were both stunned: “???”

Who died?

Kang An died?

Juanjuan, however, felt a chill run down her spine.

Because she heard a cold, scornful laugh echoing from her third brother’s heart.

【Of course he’s dead. Not just dead—he died miserably. A walking disaster like him, always stirring up trouble… Better to cut him off cleanly.】

Perhaps because the thought was so strong, Bai Yun’an’s murderous intent seeped out without restraint, washing over Juanjuan like a wave.

Only then did Juanjuan realize that sometimes, just hearing someone’s voice could be enough to strike fear into your heart.

【System, let’s get something straight. You’re the one who set me up. Who do you think I’m afraid to kill? You threaten me with those damn Favorability Points—what a joke.】

【Yeah, I’m not doing the Strategy route¹, so what? Don’t try to scare me with “fail the route and lose HP.” Go ahead, deduct it! Kill me in one go if you’ve got the guts!】

【If I want to kill someone, you can’t stop me. Besides, if I don’t kill Kang An, my target could end up dead. What’s the point of a strategy route then?】

His voice continued to echo in her mind, and Juanjuan didn’t dare turn around. She was afraid he’d see something on her face.

After spending these past days together, Bai Yun’an had more or less figured out how the System operated.

【Getting sent to this ancient world might’ve really been an accident. The Strategy route is probably just a leash to keep me from going on a killing spree.】

【Now it’s even lending me powers and constantly trying to persuade me. As long as I stay firm and don’t go too far, it keeps backing down.】

【In just over a month, the Favorability Points have gone from negative to 60. At this rate, this mission isn’t even that hard.】

He pondered silently.

Meanwhile, Li Pingqing continued, “Kang An is dead. Just a short while ago.”

Bai Tian reacted quickly and asked, “Are we suspects?”

Li Pingqing shook his head. “Of course not!”

“According to the coroner’s preliminary report, you were being hassled by someone else at the time of death. It couldn’t have been you.”

“Besides, after hearing about Kang An’s death, those people admitted he was the one who hired them.”

Jiang Dai asked in a low voice, “Second Young Master Li, would you be willing to share how Kang An died?”

Li Pingqing’s expression stiffened slightly.

“They say… it was gruesome. I couldn’t get the details, but apparently, the guards who saw the body were so scared they wet themselves.”

“What’s strange is, with such a horrific scene, there should’ve been some noise. But the guards outside didn’t hear a thing.”

The more he spoke, the more animated he became—it was clear he was a fan of storytellers.

“And get this—the only reason the guards even found the body so fast was because the killer deliberately made noise when leaving, pushing the door open on purpose.”

“What’s even more bizarre is that Kang An’s crimes were posted right outside the private academy. Those people can read, and the news has already spread. Turns out Kang An wasn’t just forcing women into prostitution—he had multiple lives on his hands and left families in ruins!”

Bai The Culprit Yun’an sneered inwardly, quite satisfied.

【Scum like him deserves to die. Tch. Next time trouble comes knocking, better to strike first.】

【Look at what he did to Mother… Though, maybe this was a necessary experience. It’s fate, in a way. But I can’t protect them forever.】

【This ancient world… sure, there are no zombies, but isn’t it just another kind of apocalypse? Without the ability to protect yourself, everything else is meaningless.】

【Only strength rules. That’s the truth.】

Juanjuan looked down at her own hands, her third brother’s final words still echoing in her ears. But what surfaced in her mind was the image of their mother taking on six attackers alone.

She… wanted to become like their mother too!

Jiang Dai looked at Li Pingqing and thought to herself: This kid’s probably listened to too many storytelling sessions and gotten a little too into it…

But that was just internal commentary. Out loud, she still cupped her hands and said, “Many thanks for your help, Second Young Master.”

Li Pingqing waved it off. “No need, no need! It was nothing! Just that…”

He looked a little embarrassed as he turned to Jiang Dai and asked, “Madam Jiang, did the Great Sage² retrieve the Sea-Calming Needle?”

Jiang Dai gave him a gentle smile. Under his eager gaze, she said, “It’s just as you imagined, Second Young Master. The storyteller should be getting to that part today. No need to rush.”

Stories, after all…

Even if you had the author’s outline, it wouldn’t be as interesting. Better to wait for the latest chapter.

Outlines are dry and dull—nowhere near as exciting as the real thing.

“Great, great! I’ll make sure to head over early today!”

After a few more words, Li Pingqing took his leave. Most likely, he was off to dig up more information about Kang An’s death.

Bai Tian, meanwhile, suddenly spoke up, looking thoughtful. “Jiang Dai.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Bai Tian’s eyes sparkled—that glint of someone who smelled money.

“What do you think about launching a paid early-access³ feature?”

Jiang Dai tilted her head in confusion: “? Is that what I think it is?”

Bai Tian nodded furiously: Exactly what you’re thinking!!!

“What’s paid early-access?” Bai Yunqi asked, curious and clueless.

Even Bai Yunxing looked intrigued. He glanced at their parents, wondering where they’d picked up such strange terms.

In fact, the way they’d been acting lately…

He couldn’t help but wonder:

【Did someone swap out my parents too?】

Translator’s Notes