Chapter 4: Jingliu’s Weakness

[The "Cloud Knights' Five Heroes" rose steadily in fame.]

[You began secretly observing Jingliu, even resorting to stalking and tailing her in hopes of uncovering her weakness.]

[As their fame spread, the Five Heroes—handsome men and valiant women—began to attract many fans. Some obsessive ones even started doing the same as you: stalking, snapping photos, and more. Ironically, their behavior became the perfect cover for you.]

"…"

Faced with a simulator growing more unhinged and immoral by the minute, Solon had no words.

[One day, by chance, you saw Jingliu out shopping with a white-haired Foxian girl. Both wore genuine, heartfelt smiles.]

[It was the first time you had seen Jingliu smile like that. The way she looked at the white-haired girl clearly went beyond mere friendship.]

["Master… I've found your weakness. Heh… heh heh heh…"]

You were overjoyed. This white-haired Foxian named Baiheng—she was Jingliu's untouchable moonlight, her reverse scale, the one thing that could truly hurt her.

Seeing this, Solon immediately realized why his previous plan had failed: Jing Yuan didn't hold enough weight in Jingliu's heart.

He was just another disciple—and because of Solon's presence, Jingliu instinctively kept some emotional distance from him.

Solon awkwardly scratched his nose with a finger.

Poor Jing Yuan. Ever since they were kids, he'd been getting trampled by Solon at every turn. At this point, Solon was basically a walking disaster in that boy's life.

Thankfully, only Jingliu retained memory of the simulations. If Jing Yuan also remembered everything, then Solon would've offended two future legends. Just imagining that was terrifying.

[Having found Jingliu's weakness, you began leveraging your authority to collect every bit of information about Baiheng.]

[Baiheng was an excellent aviator and a Wanderer. Wanderers served under the Trailblazers and held no official post within the Xianzhou.]

[This meant she didn't belong to the Alliance's internal system. Trying to coerce her through institutional power would be difficult.]

[But such obstacles were no match for your innate wickedness.]

[You quickly devised a sinister plan.]

"Innate wickedness? System, that's slander! You're slandering me!"

Solon, who considered himself a morally average person—neither good nor bad—was silently fuming inside.

The villainous simulator ignored his protests and continued.

[You impersonated Jingliu and lured Baiheng into Penacony Prison. You guided her through secret passageways known only to insiders until she reached the zone that held the most dangerous convicts.]

[There, she was immediately seized by guards and Soulshapers.]

Solon sucked in a sharp breath.

If she had just wandered into the outer edge of the prison, Baiheng's status—combined with her friends' influence—might've gotten her out.

But he had led her into the deepest area, where people like Huaiyan were locked up.

It wasn't some simple misunderstanding at the gate. She'd used staff-only passages to reach the innermost level.

This wasn't trespassing. It was premeditated jailbreak.

The whole thing reminded Solon of the classic Water Margin scene: Lin Chong and the White Tiger Hall trap. A total setup.

And as expected…

[With Baiheng captured, Dan Feng and Yingxing came to plead for her release. You sternly refused.]

[Somehow, they even managed to convince Luofu's current General, Teng Xiao, to intervene. The General personally approached you for Baiheng.]

[Given your position, you couldn't ignore the General's request.]

[But you, ever the cunning strategist, had already prepared for this.]

[Under your orders, news of "One of the Five Heroes breaks into Penacony Prison in a premeditated jailbreak" spread like wildfire across the Luofu. Now, even the General couldn't publicly shield her.]

"…"

Solon was stunned.

The version of him in the simulation felt like a completely different person. Calculating. Ruthless. Inhuman.

He couldn't help but question the system:

"System… is this really supposed to be me? Because this doesn't feel like me at all. I'm not this… evil."

The simulator paused, offering a response:

[As the Villain Simulator, all simulations are based on the Host's personality and experiences. However, the system amplifies and guides the Host's hidden desires and dark impulses.]

Now Solon understood.

In the real world, he was a normal person—morally neutral. But the simulation's purpose was to magnify his inner darkness. The more evil he acted, the higher the evaluation.

With that in mind, he let go of any guilt. Even if Jingliu remembered, it was still a simulation—a dream. It wouldn't hurt her physically in reality.

No one gets sentenced for having a spring dream, right?

Besides, if he wanted to survive the catastrophic events that loomed ahead, he had to grow stronger—even if it meant making enemies.

The system, having finished its explanation, resumed the simulation.

And in Solon's heart, a strange anticipation began to build. He had a feeling the next part would be… everything he'd been waiting for.

[Late at night, an unexpected guest arrives at your residence. It is the one you've long awaited—your master, Jingliu.]

["Master, it's been so long. I've missed you terribly."]

[Suppressing the fire burning within, you maintain the mask of a respectful disciple and bow before her with utmost sincerity.]

[You are in no rush. You know tonight, everything will go as planned.]

[You are like a patient chef, slowly "preparing" the finest dish—refining every detail for the most exquisite taste.]

[Your reverence, your respect… it's all a façade, crafted for maximum contrast when the moment of harvest arrives.]

[Jingliu, who had lived with you for years, saw right through the performance. Disgust and fury flickered in her eyes.]

[But she had no choice. She had to set aside her pride and beg the disciple she now despised.]

[Her gaze turned cold. Her voice, too.]

["Say it. What do you want, to let Baiheng go?"]

[You smiled.]

Just as Solon was savoring the moment, a new system prompt popped up:

[Special Event Triggered: Enter Real-World Immersion Mode? (Yes/No)]

Solon clicked Yes without hesitation.

In an instant, the world spun around him—

—and when he came to, he had already entered the simulation himself.

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