Chapter 49: Seeking Reward

Chapter 49: Claiming a Reward

Chi Jing had encountered the Supreme God twice.

The first time was when she signed a contract to become a Cleaner; the second was when she exchanged all her accumulated points for weapons to assassinate the Supreme God.

She acted not merely out of a dislike for being controlled, but more importantly, because she simply did not believe in the existence of gods.

So, what exactly was this Supreme God, cloaked in white robes, masked, revealing only a pair of cold, emotionless eyes?

It was a question that piqued her curiosity.

To sate this curiosity, Chi Jing spent the hundreds of thousands of points she had amassed as a Cleaner on an arsenal of highly lethal weapons.

006, her system, was naturally aware of her actions, though it remained ignorant of her ultimate objective.

"I wish to see the Supreme God. Convey this message."

At that time, 006’s understanding of her was superficial. Trusting its most exceptional Cleaner, it readily granted her request.

Perhaps the Supreme God harbored similar thoughts.

What harm could there be in meeting an outstanding Cleaner, a flawless executor?

Thus, Chi Jing met the Supreme God once more, then unleashed a cannon blast upon that masked face.

In that fleeting moment, she witnessed fear in the Supreme God’s eyes.

Though momentary, it was enough to confirm one truth:

The Supreme God could be killed.

After this, the Supreme God did not eliminate her but instead cast her into a Punishment World.

"Reform yourself, and the Supreme God will absolve your sins."

Everyone believed her regicide plot had failed, that it was over.

Yet, Chi Jing alone knew that the moment the Supreme God banished her to the Punishment World, her true plan had only just begun.

From the outset of her journey as a Cleaner, Chi Jing had pondered why the Supreme God sought to eliminate awakeners. Was it because they destabilized the novel worlds, thereby jeopardizing the Supreme God’s interests?

Did this imply that the Supreme God’s power was derived from these virtual novel worlds?

And the points she received, exchangeable for anything, were essentially a fragment of the Supreme God’s creation-like abilities.

If points represented power, then compared to her mere hundreds of thousands, the Supreme God, who commanded hundreds, thousands, or even more novel worlds, would possess quadrillions.

Against such overwhelming power, she was as insignificant as an ant.

The Supreme God’s decision not to kill her either stemmed from a desire to torment her or simply because she was deemed beneath notice.

After all, who would concern themselves with an ant’s rebellion?

Chi Jing gazed at the distant platform, her clear, black-and-white eyes imbued with a chilling resolve.

From the instant she saw fear in the Supreme God’s eyes, she understood that the Supreme God was merely a creature terrified of death—much like characters within novel worlds who, fearing their predetermined tragic ends, chose to resist.

When she attempted to whip the male lead to death and was warned by the Supreme God, she realized that even without physically entering this world, the Supreme God was monitoring him.

This, perhaps, was the wellspring of the Supreme God’s power.

Consequently, she immediately aimed her bow and arrow at this world’s other protagonist—Zhao Mingyue.

At that time, she cared little for the female lead, intending only to use her life as a probe against the Supreme God.

Unexpectedly, this time, the Supreme God remained entirely unresponsive.

Chi Jing reflected on her past mission worlds—those already under the Supreme God’s dominion. Without exception, none featured a female lead.

Were these so-called "Old Worlds" originally novel worlds with only a male lead, or were they, like this Punishment World, once love stories with a "happily ever after" for the hero and heroine?

If the latter, and the story ultimately concluded with only the male lead achieving fame and success, it was difficult not to suspect that the female lead’s demise was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Supreme God.

Well, then, it was her turn to orchestrate a conspiracy for the male lead’s death.

And the executor, naturally, would be the story’s female protagonist, Zhao Mingyue.

So, she wanted Zhao Mingyue to witness Zhao Chun’s suffering firsthand, gave her arrows to pierce the hearts of enemies, and bestowed upon her the power to execute high-ranking officials and save innocent lives.

And just as she had foreseen, when Zhao Mingyue next encountered the male lead, she had already learned to wield a blade to defend her inviolable dignity.

What would the Supreme God, observing all this, do?

Chi Jing’s lips curved slightly, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

She was, after all, earnestly reforming herself and had not incited the female lead to commit any wrongdoing.

————

"According to the plot, you should not appear before the female lead this early."

A mysterious voice echoed in Xie Qinjian’s mind.

Xie Qinjian had no idea what this voice was, but it had emerged and saved him in the Nanyang Palace when Empress Chi was about to whip him to death.

Following the voice’s instructions, he quietly departed the palace. Then, using a token, he acknowledged his kinship with Zhen Ruicai, transforming overnight from a mere stablehand into a coveted young nobleman.

The voice informed him that he was the protagonist of this world, destined to achieve great military feats, become a general, fall in love with Princess Mingyue while escorting her for a political marriage, and eventually ascend to the throne.

He believed this implicitly, held the voice’s owner in the highest regard, and consistently followed its directives: diligently practicing martial arts, learning combat techniques, gaining Zhen Ruicai’s favor, joining the Left Eagle Guard, gathering a band of followers, and steadily rising through the ranks to become a general.

That was how it was supposed to unfold. Yet, unexpectedly, upon seeing the princess he was supposedly destined to love, he was severely stabbed and thrown into prison.

"I merely wished to appear earlier and cultivate a relationship with the princess," Xie Qinjian hastily explained.

He was in excruciating pain, fearing he might die, and quickly added, "What should I do now? I won’t just die like this, will I?"

"You are the protagonist; you will not die. Wait. Zhen Ruicai will come to save you. Do not act on your own again," the voice stated, cold and devoid of emotion.

Hearing this, Xie Qinjian breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly. "Alright, I’ll listen to you from now on."

It seemed he still needed to earn merits and become a general before he could win the beauty’s heart.

The mysterious voice vanished. Xie Qinjian’s consciousness returned; before fully awakening, he first felt the searing pain in his abdomen—Zhao Mingyue had indeed struck viciously!

Cursing inwardly, he slowly opened his eyes. The first sight that greeted him was a wall adorned with various instruments of torture.

Then, a curious voice sounded nearby, "Who is this fellow?"

"He seems to be Zhen Ruicai’s nephew. He led a group to cause trouble during the princess’s recruitment drive. You should interrogate him thoroughly."

"Is that so? Then I’ll have to give him a proper 'welcome,' won’t I?"

Xie Qinjian flinched and turned to see two officers in Golden Crow Guard uniforms standing before him, holding sharp iron awls and smiling.

"What do you want? I confess! I’ll tell you everything!" Xie Qinjian’s face turned pale with terror as he shouted.

After all, Zhen Ruicai would come to bail him out. He just needed to say anything to get through the interrogation for now.

But the two merely watched him, silent, their smiles slowly turning sinister.

They raised the iron awls and plunged them into his thighs, piercing straight through. Blood dripped from the tips.

Xie Qinjian let out a blood-curdling scream, "Aaaaaah—!"

One of the torturers spoke, "Those who offend the princess are beyond forgiveness."

Xie Qinjian spat out a mouthful of blood, his head lolled to the side, and he blacked out once more.

————

Meanwhile, upon learning that Xie Qinjian had been taken by the Golden Crow Guard, Zhen Ruicai was so enraged he nearly spat blood, smashing a table in fury.

Xie Qinjian’s repeated failures had utterly exhausted his patience, yet he had no choice but to rescue him.

After all, Xie Qinjian knew some of his illicit secrets. Now imprisoned, if he were to blurt out anything, it would be disastrous.

Especially the matter of sending Xie Qinjian to assassinate Princess Zhaoqing—that must never reach Empress Dowager Chi’s ears.

But the Yiluan Department was firmly under Empress Dowager Chi’s control, making it impossible to infiltrate. He had no way to get Xie Qinjian out!

Zhen Ruicai, in a fresh fit of anger, smashed another table.

His subordinates dared not speak. At this moment, Cai Shang boldly stepped forward. "Perhaps we could appeal to Princess Mingyue? Send her some gifts and at least get Captain Xie out first."

Zhen Ruicai instinctively snapped, "What a terrible idea!"

But then he reconsidered. This idea seemed to be the best option for now. The recruitment matter could wait. First, he needed to apologize and get Xie Qinjian out to prevent further trouble.

So, he immediately ordered ten chests of jewels to be retrieved from the treasury and sent Cai Shang to present them to the princess as an apology.

Cai Shang readily agreed, confidently taking the jewels to seek an audience with Princess Mingyue.

And, as expected, he received Princess Mingyue’s reply: "Get lost!"

————

"Three days, and we’ve recruited a thousand people. So, Mother, how will you reward me?"

Zhao Mingyue placed the recruitment roster on Chi Jing’s desk, smiling triumphantly, her expression begging for praise.

Chi Jing picked up the roster, scanned it briefly, then looked at Zhao Mingyue and smiled faintly. "You’ve handled this task well. You certainly deserve a reward."

Zhao Mingyue immediately sat beside Chi Jing, eagerly massaging her shoulders, and said with a smile, "It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Mother, and Master Xue’s strategic advice. It wasn’t just my effort alone."

Chi Jing glanced at her. "What, have you learned to sweet-talk from your Master Xue?"

Zhao Mingyue continued smiling. "I just want to make you happy, so I can get an extra reward."

Chi Jing feigned contemplation. "In that case, how about I have a princess manor built for you outside the palace?"

Zhao Mingyue was stunned.

Since ancient times, princesses were only permitted to leave the palace and establish their own manors after marriage, to reside with their consorts. Unfavored princesses didn’t even qualify for such privileges.

The only princess in the current dynasty who had her own manor was her aunt, Princess Zhaoqing, but that was also after her marriage.

She was only fourteen. To have a manor built for her so early was an unprecedented honor.

Zhao Mingyue was nearly overwhelmed by this tremendous surprise and was about to speak when Dan Ying entered from outside. "Your Majesty, Secretary Wu requests an audience."

Chi Jing looked up. "What is it?"

"Princess Zhaoqing has submitted a memorial. Secretary Wu finds it difficult to approve and requests Your Majesty’s personal review."