Chapter #3: What should I do if the plot becomes unrecognizable?

*Tang Mu Xing*

This youth called Xu Tu is very strange. He could wake up from a sleep gas and hallucination gas bought from the store. Both of them were high-grade items. He should also be a native from the mortal part of this world, yet he has mutated fire spirit roots and a golden core. The animal that is following him around isn't a normal thing either, it has earth and metal element spirit qi.

If I didn't know that other cannon fodder system hosts weren't able to be in the same world with me, I would've thought he was also a transmigrator. He couldn't be considered a villain, main character, or even side character. So why are his talent and luck are able to rival the main character's halos?

While I was thinking about it, he woke up. Brown fox eyes fleeted around the room before landing on me. He briefly looked at my face and then shifted his gaze to my chest. It felt as if he was directly staring into my soul.

"Who are you?" he asked a simple question. Far too simple of a question than I expected.

"My name is Tang Mu Xing. I was assigned as the head of the guards assigned to protect you, eldest young master Xu." I kneeled.

"You're bad at acting, Tang Mu Xing. You seem to be unaware of the basic rules of a proper subordinate."

A cold sweat started forming. It was unusual for him to have this reaction. This is the first time that I have made such a mistake. It was also the first time that someone could make me feel this apprehensive.

"What do you mean young master Xu?"

"I am saying that you can't act like the guard of Xu Tu at all. Why do you need to confine me to protect me?" his voice was cold and condescending. Vastly different tone from before, it was as if the one sitting before him wasn't a delicate young master but a merciless god who could take your life within seconds. But this shouldn't be enough to pressure me. 

"I will tell you the reason why if you tell me who you are first."

"I don't need to know the reason but I'll answer your question. I am a world-destroyer. I am gonna make this world lose the power it holds. If your mission is related to following the plot then I recommend you to leave this world. Although you don't seem to be going with the flow of the plot judging from your actions, you shouldn't think of getting in my way." He flicked his hands as if dismissing me.

I didn't take it to heart. Him being a system host, whose job runs counter against the plot, makes my work far more easier. Their job is a bit dangerous but not one that I can't handle. "My mission is to protect you."

"Oh? No wonder you dared to kidnap me, on the day I had to throw the protagonist in the abandoned temple and give him the chance to leave."

Oh, right. Was it today?

"Why do you care? Isn't it better if the protagonist can't get his powers and the world plot falls apart right?"

"You don't need to know the reason."

"Can't you tell me? As a fellow transmigrator, I can help you."

"You are practically useless in my plans and now you're being a nuisance."

No denying that since it's true that I kidnapped him. Really, why does he need to let the protagonist follow the plot? Does he want to get the treasures for himself? But he can just go without the protagonist. Why is he doing something so troublesome?

Then suddenly he got up from the bed and walked towards the door. He reached the door then, without turning around, he said "I am going to guide Xu Tian Shen to the treasures. You are free to follow.".

Huh? HUH!? What do you mean you're going to guide him!? Are you serious?!

I followed after him speechlessly. He confidently went out of his courtyard to the protagonist's courtyard. When we reached the door he didn't knock and just stood there. It seems that Xu Tian Shen was truly the MC of a Xianxia novel. His aptitudes and senses were top-notch. He noticed us even though we weren't loud.

Judging from the clatters and rustles, he was putting his things in a sack, with the few books he found by luck and the pitiful little valuables he had. After the noise receded, Xu Tu knocked on the door slowly. Xu Tian Shen opened it before the third knock sounded.

His gaze was wary as he stared at Xu Tu. "What do you want from me?"

***

Tuma was also curious about why Hecate wanted to help the protagonist improve. It asked but all it got was 'You'll see.' It also couldn't know its host's thoughts at all. Usually, systems could read minds. It can too. Even reading other people's minds was not a problem. Yet, Hecate's mind was empty most of the time. It wondered if Hecate was a fool that had nothing to think about.

Hecate looked at Xu Tian Shen and found out that he had no acting ability. Not even enough to deceive a merchant.

"Be my attendant when I go to the Northern state. Father told me to visit the state magistrate. " Hecate said in a condescending tone.

Xu Tian Shen wanted to refute but decided against it in the end. There would be a better chance to run away if he went with him. Also, it wasn't as if he didn't know how to do a servant's work.

"Hurry up and go prepare your things." he said and was about to turn around and leave when he noticed the little sack on his shoulder. "It seems that it is not necessary. I'll let a servant prepare a few sets of things for you. You have to look good and healthy. Can't have you pulling the Xu family's name down."

Hecate was sure the protagonist would be angered by his remarks. To his surprise, Xu Tian Shen didn't even utter a word. He was disappointed by the lack of reaction and left without talking further.

Hecate didn't notice it, but the system that has a full view of everything around him and Tang Mu Xing who was paying attention to everyone did. The protagonist wasn't silent from anger. His mind was in a mess and his face revealed the surprise he experienced.

Xu Tian Shen perceived his ridicule as kindness. It was a miscalculation on Hecate's part. He couldn't break out much from his silent personality and express disdaining ridicule at the same time, which resulted in his words not delivering any malice. The protagonist was smart and could easily see his intention to help him out of his misery. He would take him away from his manipulative mother, let him wear fine clothes and won't starve him.

It was an unbearable amount of suffering for him to be the son of that greedy concubine. She was full of malicious thoughts. Not only will she take away his things, she will also get angry about how he wasn't of any use to her and abuse him. So, when there came a person who can and will end this suffering, even if he was sceptic he was still willing to follow him. 

When someone who is usually cold and indifferent to everyone shows a willingness to help, it normally wouldn't be understood as malice. Unless the nastiness is really obvious. Hecate didn't know that according to the timeline Xu Tu haven't actually interacted with Xu Tian Shen, much less bully him. 

Yesterday was supposed to be the day where he finds out that Xu Tian Shen's mother has a hand in his mother's death. Following that, today was the day that Xu Tu gets resentful with Xu Tian Shen for the first time and works against him to take revenge.

The day before, Hecate stayed inside all day after dismissing the servants. As such, it resulted in the informant being unable to relay the news to him. It wasn't a strange occurrence since Xu Tu was also a workaholic who worked day and night.