Chapter#4:The characters keep being OOC what to do?

All the work he does is actually supposed to be the left's magistrate's duty. But he dumped all on him in the name of 'learning from experience'. Before it was given to him, it was handled by the high rank eunuch by his father's side. The left magistrate, the father of the original owner, is a second generation type of playboy who has incredible amount of luck.

Firstly, the previous Xu magistrate, who is the grandfather of the protagonist, had ability and intelligence. He was such a strongly skilled worker that he had amassed a large amount of gratitude and respect. Not only capable but also a kind and loyal person who loved one woman for rest of his life and didn't have any other woman by his side. It's just that he only had one child, which is the current left magistrate, due to early passing of his wife.

He himself was an orphan who worked his way up to the top. He was taken in and raised up by an elderly farmer. So he didn't know how to raise a child well. Which led his son to be spoiled. After growing old, he went to the village, where he came from, to retire. Thus, the current Xu magistrate had inherited an incredible amount of wealth and prestige.

Secondly, the madam Xu, who died last year, was a smart woman. She came from an artisan family and married this man after being saved by him from wolves. The life saving grace was paid through her hard work. The wealth that would have been squandered away in his hands, multiplied through her clever management. Not only that, she had personally trained a few servants and subordinates to be able to keep the account and handle other such works. It has been a great help to Xu Tu when he first took over it.

Thirdly, his mother's side of the family was gentle people who took coddled him and his in-laws were graceful and elegant people. His eldest son Xu Tu was groomed by them and grew up to be a person who could handle almost everything. He seemed to have the protagonist's halo more than Xu Tian Shen.

He would go out to play in brothels and occasionally bring some women back. The amount of time spent in his house is pitifully little. This is one of the reason why he didn't notice Xu Tu bullying Xu Tian Shen. Their affection for their father was at the bare minimum. They wouldn't even care if there was a news of him dying. Xu Tu would be the heir and do some extra work to handle his funeral but that's all.

***

Three days later, they were sitting at a restaurant just outside the capital when trouble came knocking.

The protagonist's charm knows no bounds. A young miss from a noble family came and quite literally fell for Xu Tian Shen. He caught the girl gently and politely helped her stand back up. He had been treated badly but he was still a son of a magistrate, he had manners. Speaking of, the late madam Xu had truly been a great lady of the house. She taught etiquette to all the children of the Xu family by herself. They have been praised all throughout the capital and the nobility circle for their impeccable manners.

The girl blushed and thanked him. She was a great beauty. Silk smooth hair that gently billowed following her movements, milk-white skin, cherry red lips, and sapphire blue eyes. It contained boundless appeal. Indeed a gentle and innocent lady. But the grip she was using to hold Xu Tian Shen's hand was anything but such.

Tuma dutifully introduced her.

[Tuma: She is one of the harem members of the protagonist in the original story. Her name is Qin Rong. Main wife's daughter of General Qin of the west. She is one of the early harem members and has helped Xu Tian Sheng a lot. Then died halfway through the story by sacrificing herself for the protagonist.]

[Hecate: Poor girl. She was destined to become a character that can't be even more cannon fodder.]

[Tuma: Host, are you pitying her? Why not hook her to our side?]

[Hecate: Nope, never going to happen. She is nothing useful. If anything she's only trouble.]

Tuma nodded its non-existent head. As it is currently residing in Hecate's hairpin, the nodding was the hairpin's one end moving. It caused the jewels to make a jingling sound. It would've normally gone unnoticed. But everyone was paying attention to the drama of this General's daughter's attempt at flirting. So, they were currently in a dead silent restaurant. The crisp sound attracted everyone's attention to Hecate.

The protagonist used this opportunity to leave the grasp of the girl. To not have any further involvement with this scary person, he turned to Xu Tu, asking for help with his eyes as he courteously bowed towards him.

He has learned that the best way to survive was either to fight tooth and nail, hide away or get under the protection of someone stronger. He had chosen to run away in the past because fighting back has been futile and resulted in more severe beating. Now that he knew someone would help him, he didn't need to do so anymore. What was shame, he could sleep with dogs to hide from servants, asking for help was nothing.

Hecate saw this and got confused. Wasn't the protagonist supposed to be an unyielding and resilient person? What was with this begging look? Hecate's mind was thinking about such things but outwardly he didn't change his face, not one bit.

"I am done eating, let's head back to the inn."

Although Hecate covered his face, the jade pendant by his side exposed his identity. Xu Tian Sheng hurriedly nodded and prepared to go. Then, suddenly the girl called out to Xu Tu. "Young Master Xu, I am the second daughter of General Qin. I want this attendant of yours. Can you sell him to me? You can name the price." Xu Tian Shen heard this and was worried in his heart. He was afraid that Xu Tu would find him useless and sell him off.

Even if he was saved, he couldn't guarantee that this kindness would last.

"No, I won't be selling him. If you'll excuse us, we are leaving," said Hecate coldly. Xu Tian Shen sighed in relief and grew more reassured about following Xu Tu. He had a low standards. As long as they don't torture him, sell him off or make him do morally corrupt things, he could be their follower and never leave their side.

The young miss didn't back down and even acted more aggressively as she tried to grab Xu Tu's hands to stop him but missed and pulled his hat off.

Everyone at the scene including the people who came to watch the commotion was stunned.

The Xu Family had good genes, even the people they married or took as concubines were beautiful. Xu Tian Shen inherited his handsome face and unique aura from his father and was an attractive lad.

On the other hand, Xu Tu looked more like his mother and was a graceful beauty. Even the Qin family's young miss, who was acknowledged as the most gorgeous woman in the capital, couldn't compare.

Xu Tu is usually surrounded by a gloomy aura and wears an annoyed expression. Not to mention he barely ever goes out of his courtyard. People only knew that Xu Tu was a capable heir. Never would they have imagined that he would be a nation-toppling beauty. It really wasn't his fault with all things considered. He was constantly tired and stressed due to the mountain pile of work his father was supposed to do but ultimately fell on his head.

Xu Tu took his hat back from the girl's hand and left without a word. This time, no one stopped him. His bodyguard and Xu Tian Shen followed him out.

Hecate told Tuma once they were out of the restaurant.

[Hecate: I have been thinking something for a while.]

[Tuma: ?]

[Hecate: You're not that smart for an AI, aren't you?]

[Tuma: Host, I am not an AI. I am a magical creature specializing in space, time, and mind magic.]

[Hecate: Didn't you say you were a system? Didn't you have that radar thing?]

[Tuma: That's the general name for the work we do. We chose the name 'system' to make the hosts' understanding easier. Also, I told you that was my ability.]

[Hecate: No wonder then.]

[Tuma: I. Am. Not. Stupid.]

[Hecate: It's hard to believe.]

Hecate was bickering with Tuma but since it was in his mind to others, he seemed as if he was spacing out. He absentmindedly walked without any planned destination. It was the middle of the day, and Tang Mu Xing and Xu Tian Shen knew it was early to return to the inn. Tang Mu Xing has been observing Hecate since the day they picked up the protagonist to start their journey. It has helped him realize that his co-worker and the protagonist by his side were people who attracted people and trouble constantly.

They followed him to a narrow wooden bridge spanning over a river crossing through the city. Suddenly, a carriage rushed by, causing him to stumble. He couldn't gain his balance back in the limited space and fell into the water. Tang Mu Xing dove into the water to save him. His reaction was fast. It was inevitable. He had to resolve numerous troubles that came their way during these three days.

Hecate could've gained back his balance if there was a railing on the side. But, who knows what kind of brain hole did the person who built this bridge have, to build such a narrow bridge over a large river. And to also not even add a railing.

Tuma was angered because it couldn't win against him in an argument and directed its rage towards someone else. Coincidentally, it happened to be the person who decided how to build this bridge. So, Hecate curiously went towards the bridge.

The carriage was passing by through a different road, but the horses were startled by something and the driver lost control of them.

These seemingly unrelated accidents added up to a huge mess.

Tang Mu Xing dove into the water right after him yet he couldn't seem to match the speed of his sinking. He swam with all his might yet he still didn't get closer. Xu Tian Shen was going to wait for them at the shore but seeing them moving more and more down he went after them.

It was weird how deep this river is. Then suddenly there was a flicker of light and three of them disappeared.

***

The next moment, they were in front of a steep rocky mountain. And there were people all around them climbing it. It was a bizarre sight, to say the least.

[Hecate: Tuma... I'm going to make you regret this.]

[Tuma: Host, I am blameless in this one.]

[Hecate: Couldn't you have warned me when a carriage was rushing at the bridge or at least you could've stopped talking!]

[Tuma: I don't have danger detection. I am not a system. The most I can do is detect a person in a hundred-kilometer radius and know their situation. There is a reason I call it an ability. I have to actively use it for it to work.]

Hecate heaved a sigh. He wondered how this thing lived up till now. Traveling through worlds was a dangerous job. No matter what kind of world they are in, one needs to have at least some basic intuitions. Yet, this creature had none.

Hecate was quite angry and baffled. His body couldn't be moved and felt weaker than when he was drugged with sleeping gas.

He wanted to ask Tuma a lot of questions. For example, why does he keep getting in danger everywhere even though he shouldn't have that much of an enemy? This plan was thwarted as his consciousness faded away.

Tang Mu Xing was informed about where this was by his system as soon as he came here. But he decided to not say anything. Since they came here with a teleportation array, someone must've been notified. Compared to Tuma who is a system in name only, his system was a real one and not a living being.

***

Light spilled into the room through the open window. A light breeze carried the plum blossom petals into the room. A few landed on the sleeping youth, itching him awake. He was an inner disciple of the third elder.

The Ice Python sect was one of the strongest in the upper cultivation realm. And there were five elders besides the sect leader. The third elder was called Han Zikui. The peak he resided on with his disciples was called White Jade. He was known for his array and incantation ability. He was a genius who already broke through the Nascent Soul Stage at a young age.

The young man who just woke up was dazed and was completely awakened by the arrival of his Shifu's messenger bird.

"The transportation array in the lower cultivation realm has been activated. Go to the sect gate and check this end of the array. Bring anything that has come." was what the bird said before leaving.