Chapter 54 Roasting the Readers

Chapter 54: Trash-Talking the Readers

Entering the Monster Forest, Xu Linzhou nervously hugged his shield tightly. After being in this job so long, he hadn't learned a single skill—only how to yell for help.

After all, he became an adventurer just to get closer to Meng Shu.

Meng Shu had tried to persuade him several times but it didn't work, so he could only tell him to protect himself.

Not expecting help, just don't be a burden.

Jia Zhao asked, "What are you looking for in the Monster Forest?"

"Silver Ore," Meng Shu said. "I heard it's guarded by an eighth-tier monster."

"You're going to craft equipment?"

Meng Shu shook his head. "No. Ling Qingjue likes it, so I'll give it to him."

Xu Linzhou rolled his eyes in displeasure and couldn't help throwing shade. "He's such a pain. Why can't he be like me and ask for something safe?"

"Shut up," Jia Zhao interrupted gently. "Go take a hike and stop butting in."

Jia Zhao said, "How much does he want?"

"Ten kilograms."

Jia Zhao had a sudden realization and laughed. "Then he must be planning to forge a sword and armor for you. Ten kilograms is enough for a set."

"For me?" Meng Shu was pleasantly surprised. "Are you serious?"

"Of course. What else would he use Silver Ore for? It's exclusively for crafting high-tier equipment. It has no other use."

Meng Shu's heart skipped a beat. He bit his lip, a hint of shyness in his smile. "If that's true, then I'll prepare a gift for him too..."

Xu Linzhou spoke up gloomily, "I gave you a gift too. Why don't you return the favor?"

"Then next time I'll catch you some butterfly fish?"

Xu Linzhou rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested. I want rainbow shells. Go pick some up from the seashore for me."

"I'll go when I have time. I've been busy grinding Ling Qingjue's affection points lately," Meng Shu said casually. If he saw a rainbow shell, he'd pick it up; if not, he wouldn't bother.

The young master was practically fuming.

This oblivious straight man!

Jia Zhao wanted to laugh, but as soon as he chuckled, Xu Linzhou stepped hard on his foot.

He winced in pain, and he jumped three meters away. "What did I do to you?!"

"You were goofing off on the job! I'm your boss - I have the right to fine you!" Xu Linzhou, with nowhere to vent his anger, took it out on Jia Zhao, the soft target.

Meng Shu sighed helplessly. "Can we not fight among ourselves before we even meet the monster?"

Jia Zhao hid behind him. "Exactly! Master Xu Linzhou, you're exploiting your employees."

"And don't stir the pot either. Give me a break."

Teaming up with them, I feel like the future is bleak.

Meng Shu trudged ahead with his sword, and Jia Zhao, a bit more serious, pulled out a map to lead the way. "The Silver Ore is deep in the forest... An eighth-tier monster is barely manageable, but I can only handle one at most."

"I can cheer you on," Xu Linzhou said earnestly.

Mainly for morale.

Meng Shu gave a bitter laugh. "Let's hope we don't run into a higher-tier monster, or even I can't handle it."

The next moment, a screech echoed through the sky.

The whole forest seemed to tremble three times.

Well, be careful what you wish for.

Jia Zhao put away the map and tiredly rubbed his brow. "I told you not to jinx it before we left."

Meng Shu couldn't smile anymore. He tentatively asked, "What tier do you think the monster is?"

"With that kind of pressure, at least tenth tier." Jia Zhao's smile was more painful than tears. He grabbed Meng Shu's shoulder and shouted in frustration, "Why did I go out with you! Going out with a protagonist like you always leads to trouble!"

Everyone knows, staying close to a protagonist guarantees robbery/kidnapping/monster attacks/minion provocation... In short, being with the protagonist never ends well!

You could easily become a stepping stone for the protagonist!

Meng Shu was innocent. "How was I supposed to know we'd meet a tenth-tier monster?!"

"Because you're the destined hero. You're sure to run into a bunch of inexplicable things on the road—that's just the way the story is written!"

Meng Shu didn't understand. "What are you babbling about?"

"Anyway, whenever you go out, you'll definitely encounter a high-tier monster. When you go into a cave, you'll definitely find a secret manual. When you pass a stream, you'll definitely meet a beauty. When you fall off a cliff, you'll definitely run into an old immortal..."

Jia Zhao gritted his teeth in resentment. "This is the damn absurd life of a protagonist!"

His mind flashed through dozens of power fantasy novels.

Meng Shu awkwardly wanted to crawl into a hole—so this is how bizarre a protagonist's life really is? It's like wherever he goes, someone dies. Call it opportunity or not, it's like a jinx.

"You've got time to complain, so why not figure out how to escape?"

Jia Zhao clenched his fist. "The protagonist's team has another trope."

Meng Shu: "What?"

"When danger approaches, there's always someone who babbles on and on, dragging out the time, and then the protagonist's team misses the best chance to escape and gets caught by the villain!"

"..."

Meng Shu was silent for a moment. "So you're currently playing the role of the NPC who stalls for time?"

Jia Zhao nodded. "I think I'm playing that part!"

He pointed at Xu Linzhou. "As for this young master, he's the plot device in the team who always holds everyone back, cries for the protagonist to rescue him, causes trouble, and forcibly forces the plot forward!"

Xu Linzhou pointed at himself. "Me?"

He stomped his foot. "This young master actually got this kind of role!"

There were so many things to roast, he didn't know where to start.

Meng Shu placed his left hand on Xu Linzhou's shoulder and his right hand on Jia Zhao's shoulder.

He took a deep breath, feeling a bitter sense of disappointment. "You have time to complain, but no time to run? Since you're already aware of this sort of scenario, why do you still follow it?"

Jia Zhao looked at him with a reverent, proud expression. "The Lord Hero's path of growth always needs some cannon fodder to pave the way! Even if I have to play this stupid role, it's worth it knowing I'll witness the Lord Hero's rise!"

Xu Linzhou lowered his head, thinking guiltily that he hadn't even realized the danger. How could he run?

He really had ended up with the deadweight role!

Meng Shu's face twisted in anger.

"Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh—"

An evil laugh echoed through the air. A fierce wind swept through as a black tiger with wings came riding the clouds. "I am the King of the Forest, Evil Cloud Lord! How dare you step into my domain! I will tear you limb from limb!"

Even the villain's lines were this cliché!

And the name was so lazy!

The Evil Cloud Lord landed with a crash, his eyes glowing red. "You mortals, kneel now!"

Meng Shu had lost all will to fight. He forced a bitter smirk. "I'll kneel, I'll kneel..."

He really didn't want to go through this goddamn stupid plot anymore.

But Xu Linzhou grabbed him. "No! You are the Lord Hero! How can you kneel to a monster?"

"...Give me a break." Meng Shu was about to cry. "I'll kneel to you, okay? Can you stop forcing this plot on us? I don't want to be the hero. Can't we just keep things peaceful?"

The Evil Cloud Lord roared in fury, "You dare defy me!"

He swung his tail, smashing the ground and splitting it open with a thunderous, earth-shattering impact!

Meng Shu grabbed Xu Linzhou's arm and rolled ten meters away in an instant.

He rolled on the ground, swiftly kicked Xu Linzhou into a bush, and drew his long sword, screaming hysterically, "If I ever team up with you two bastards again, I'll spell my name in reverse! Get the hell away!"

According to the plot, those two would definitely rush out to die.

Forcing Meng Shu to save them.

Jia Zhao gave him a thumbs up.

"The Lord Hero, don't let our good intentions go to waste!"

Good intentions my ass!