Han Shuo's heart hammered against the stolen bone in his chest, but he forced his expression to remain a mask of cold indifference. The old Han Shuo would have stammered, looked at the floor, and begged for his sister's approval. But that Han Shuo was dead. This version of him was too exhausted and disgusted by his own stench to play the role of a groveling coward.
"What the hell do you want? Get out," Han Shuo snapped. His voice was raspy from the breakthrough, echoing sharply against the obsidian walls.
Han Ling froze. Her hand, which had been resting casually on the hilt of her jagged greatsword, tightened. Her eyes narrowed into slits of icy violet, scanning her brother as if seeing him for the first time. The oppressive pressure she released didn't vanish, but the shock in her expression was visible.
"You've grown a tongue, little brother," she said, her voice dropping to a dangerous, low hum. "Usually, you're shaking too hard to form a sentence when I break your door. Did the Dao Bone finally give you some courage, or are you just tired of living?"
(System, can I get Villain Points for messing with this woman? She's literally the scariest thing in this house.)
(System: Affirmative. Subverting the expectations of 'Major Characters' and maintaining an arrogant, villainous persona yields high rewards. Current Objective: Do not back down. If you act like a dog, I'll deduct the points you don't even have yet.)
Han Shuo scoffed, stepping forward despite the black sludge dripping from his chin. The smell was unbearable, but he used it as a weapon, walking right into Han Ling's personal space.
"I'm busy cleaning the filth out of my body, Sister. Unless you want to help me scrub my back, find someone else to bully. I don't have time for your posturing."
Han Ling actually recoiled a step, her nose wrinkling in genuine revulsion at the stench and the sheer audacity of his comment. A smirk tugged at her lips—a cruel, predatory thing.
"Fine. Keep your secrets and your stench. But remember, the Clan Competition is in two months. If you're still a 'trash' stage four by then, the Elders will take that bone back with or without your permission. I won't stop them."
She turned on her heel, her red ponytail whipping through the air as she vanished through the shattered doorway.
(System: Villain Points awarded: 50. Reason: Successfully provoked a Foundation Establishment powerhouse without being decapitated. You're still a loser, but a slightly wealthier one.)
(50 points? That's it? I almost died!)
Han Shuo didn't wait for a snarky reply. He turned to Lin Xua, the black-haired maid who had been standing silently in the corner, watching the exchange with wide, unreadable eyes.
"The bath. Now," he commanded.
An hour later, Han Shuo was finally submerged in a tub of steaming, medicinal water. The herbs stung his raw skin, but they helped settle the turbulent Qi in his meridians. Lin Xua moved silently around the room, cleaning the black residue from the floor with practiced ease.
(She's too quiet. In the memories, the original Han Shuo used to throw things at her just to hear her cry. What a pathetic piece of shit.)
As he soaked, he opened the system shop again. 50 points wasn't enough for the high-tier masks, but it was enough for a Qi-Concealing Charm. He bought it instantly. A small, invisible weight settled over his Dantian, masking the heavenly glow of the stolen bone. To anyone looking at him now, he just looked like a standard, mediocre Asura disciple.
He climbed out of the bath, ignored the towel Lin Xua offered, and walked back to his meditation mat. He felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. Somewhere out there, Ye Fan was probably falling into a cave filled with ancient treasures or being fed miraculous pills by a beautiful master.
(I don't know when that protagonist bitch is going to show up at my gates, but I'm not going to be a level three mob when he does.)
He sat cross-legged, ignoring the soft footsteps of the maid as she exited the room. He closed his eyes and began the "Asura Heart-Purging Scripture" again. The pain returned, sharper than before, as the Qi began to grind against the bottleneck of the fifth stage.
(Let him come,) Han Shuo thought, his teeth gritted as his Qi surged. (I'll be ready.)