☆, Chapter 38 Water Prison 2.0

Luo Binghe's face was gloomy as he paced back and forth in front of him a few times, his hands behind his back.

Just as Shen Qingqiu was thinking about how to deal with him, he saw Luo Binghe suddenly turn around.

He said sternly, "May I ask, Master, are all the sins of the demons in the world—killing people and massacring cities—to be attributed to me?"

Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.

Seeing that he did not answer, Luo Binghe slowly clenched his fist and said again, "You used to trust me so much, but now you suspect me of having ulterior motives at every turn. Is the difference between the realms really that important, that it can make Master's attitude towards a person change completely?"

No, you've missed the point. The key isn't the difference between different races, but the difference between the male protagonist and the Scum Villain's Self-Saving System!

The original owner of Luo Binghe never liked to hide his true colors in front of the scumbag self-sabotage team, whose death was imminent. Judging from the situation, it doesn't seem like they're going to kill him immediately.

Now that Shen Qingqiu felt confident, he became bolder and spoke up again.

Shen Qingqiu said, "Since that's the case, I also have something to ask you."

Luo Binghe turned his head and said, "This disciple is at your service."

Shen Qingqiu said, "If your infiltration of the Illusion Flower Palace wasn't sinister, then what exactly are your intentions?"

This was a question he really wanted to ask.

Why is that?! Why is the male lead acting on his own, deviating from the original thought process and plot?

Upon hearing this, Luo Binghe seemed stunned. He moved his lips but couldn't utter a word.

If you can't explain it, don't blame people for suspecting you of having ulterior motives... But something's not right with you, male lead!

In the original work, even a verbal sparring match could single-handedly take on the entire Azure Sky Mountain's "Lotus Flower of Tongue"!

Shen Qingqiu said, "Can't answer?"

I told you so! This is the price of rushing through the Endless Dungeon without properly training your skills to rack up points. See? You didn't level up your skills enough!

Luo Binghe lowered his head. In the dimly lit dungeon, the water and firelight flickered, obscuring his expression.

After a long silence, Luo Binghe suddenly said, "I hope Master will give me a sincere answer."

He pursed his lips and added stiffly, "Just one sentence."

Shen Qingqiu said, "Speak."

Luo Binghe paused, then took a light breath.

He whispered, "Do you regret it?"

Shen Qingqiu thought he had misheard.

He remained silent, his eyes darting around as he looked Luo Binghe up and down.

The question "Do you have any regrets?" is, of course, asking only one thing. Without abbreviation, it means he's asking if he regrets kicking Luo Binghe into the Abyss of No Return.

Why did Luo Binghe ask him such a question?

Of course he regrets it terribly. But what's the point of asking this kind of question?!

Shen Qingqiu's temples were throbbing when suddenly a huge pop-up window appeared in front of him.

System: [Please see the multiple-choice questions:]

Option A: Regret. I have long regretted it, and for the past few years I have been filled with remorse every moment.

Option B: (Sneer) Seeing you like this, I know there's no need for regret!

Option C: Remain silent.

...

Can you get out of here?

So this is what you upgraded and updated?

What the heck is that in parentheses?! They even pre-set the tone and expression for me, do you think this is a visual novel?!

It's not even as good as the old, low-end version. Someone please give me a system 1.0 installation package—I'd be so grateful to their whole family!

Shen Qingqiu's face darkened: "A is so fake! I wouldn't believe I was Luo Binghe, and I'd find it disgusting! What's with B?! Are you upset that he didn't strangle me last time? Only an idiot would say that!"

System: [Please select.]

Shen Qingqiu: "CCC!"

System: [Deepening of Imagery Philosophy +10.]

Shen Qingqiu: "Can anyone tell me how this 'depth of image philosophy' is calculated?"

He just kept his eyes straight ahead and remained silent.

Luo Binghe waited in vain for an answer, then slowly loosened his clenched fist and said to himself with a self-deprecating laugh, "Knowing the answer all along, I still asked Master this question. I was really stupid."

Shen Qingqiu made up her mind that from now on, she would not answer a single word to him.

This is really not right.

If Shen Qingqiu didn't know that Luo Binghe was the total energy source for all systems in this world, he would definitely have suspected that he had been possessed.

If it weren't for Shen Qingqiu's God-like perspective and insight into the plot, he would definitely have suspected... that Luo Binghe was probably a little bit sad.

Silence is golden; the more you say, the more mistakes you make. Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes and sat cross-legged in silence.

There was a moment of silence on the other side, then Luo Binghe's cool and soft voice came through.

“Master, you are always so taciturn. You used to be able to say more to me, but now you won’t.”

He paused, then his tone suddenly changed, and he grinned maliciously, "But it doesn't matter, I have plenty of ways to make you talk."

Talking makes you unhappy, not talking makes you unhappy too, so why bother!

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qingqiu suddenly opened his eyes.

A slight, sharp pain came from deep within my lower abdomen.

A moment later, the stinging pain disappeared, replaced by a strange sensation of something crawling through my veins.

The blood of the Heavenly Demon had been dormant for many days and had fully adapted to the environment inside the host's body. At this moment, it was summoned by the original owner, condensed into a worm, and began to explore the internal organs of this body.

Luo Binghe slowly and deliberately said, "Spleen, kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and internal organs."

Every time he mentioned a place, that place would experience an extremely strange itching and pain. It was truly itchy and painful, like rows of tiny, sharp teeth gnawing at it, accompanied by a burning sensation.

While it may not be heartbreaking, it's enough to make one suffer.

Shen Qingqiu couldn't sit still any longer. He involuntarily bent over, feeling an urge to curl up into a ball. Cold sweat dripped down his chin, where the water droplets hadn't dried yet.

The male lead's art style finally got right, but then it was his turn to have some trouble. Damn, my stomach hurts so much! Is this what it feels like when a girl gets her period?!

Luo Binghe said gently, "Master, where do you want it to start biting?"

I don't want to go anywhere!!! Wait, it hasn't even taken a bite yet?! What will it feel like once it does take a bite?!

Shen Qingqiu slapped the system: "Can't you think of something? I'm your customer, after all!"

System: [Activate key item: Fake Jade Guanyin? Friendly reminder: This item can only be used once.]

Shen Qingqiu: "What is Luo Binghe's rage level now?"

System: [30 points]

Shen Qingqiu: "Why is it so low? Are you sure you didn't miscalculate?! This is completely unscientific!"

An artifact that can eliminate 5000 points is absolutely useless against 30 points!

Shen Qingqiu: "Are there any other options? What is the second most popular option in the industry?"

System: [Enable Contextual Pusher?]

...This name doesn't sound very high-end. But since it's the second-best option in the industry, this is it!

Shen Qingqiu decisively clicked!

Luo Binghe sneered: "You don't want to look at me or talk to me, is it because you find me filthy?"

As he spoke, he suddenly stepped forward and snorted, "Since that's how it is, I won't do as you wish!" He reached out and grabbed Shen Qingqiu's shoulder.

Seeing his movement, Shen Qingqiu instinctively dodged. Luo Binghe missed, only managing to grab a piece of clothing. The outer robe had already been torn to shreds by the Little Palace Master's whip, and with this tug, it was torn apart from the shoulder with a tearing sound.

This development caught both of them completely off guard, leaving them stunned and frozen in place.

Shen Qingqiu had just been splashed with icy water, and now his clothes and hair clung to his fair skin. Thin, red-thread-like binding ropes were wrapped around his body. Even though his expression was one of utter astonishment, he still looked extremely...unrefined.

Luo Binghe's eyes widened suddenly.

After a moment of stunned silence, he suddenly realized what had happened, as if he had been branded with a hot iron, and immediately shook his head and turned away!

His avoidance seemed to frighten the blood gu that had been stirring within his internal organs, causing them to scatter like birds and beasts, and the obvious blockage in his blood vessels immediately dissipated.

Shen Qingqiu breathed a sigh of relief, roaring inwardly: My period pain is gone!

So how exactly does this "scenario manipulation" work?! It's more like a "clothes-ripping expert," because it just makes him rip his clothes off! What's the underlying principle? Is it exploiting Luo Binghe's physical aversion to seeing a half-naked man?!

Luo Binghe stood stiffly with his back to him for a while, as if he didn't know what to do with his limbs. Suddenly, he quickly took off his outer robe and threw it behind him.

The outer garment covered Shen Qingqiu's head and face, leaving a smear of it.

Shen Qingqiu: "..."

What does this mean?

Why does this scene feel so strangely familiar, and why does it make me feel so uneasy?

Why does this remind people of the classic, clichéd plot of "a girl who has been abused is rescued, and her boyfriend puts a warm coat on her"?

Shen Qingqiu was horrified and couldn't accept it. He pushed with his arm, causing the dark robe to slide off his shoulder.

The soft, delicate outer robe fell to the ground, a silver halo flowing along its extremely fine, streamlined patterns. Hearing the rustling sound, Luo Binghe turned around and saw the robe lying on the floor. Shen Qingqiu cautiously pushed it back a couple of times; he was actually considering whether to fold it up for Luo Binghe, but before he could even act, Luo Binghe had already turned around, his eyes reflecting a blindingly bright fire, seemingly consumed by rage. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, his knuckles twitching as he unleashed several powerful blows in a fit of rage.

These shots were actually a series of unaimed attacks. Several hit the lake surface, creating huge splashes of water in the distance; another hit the cave wall, creating a large crater. Rocks tumbled down, and the torch, shaken by the impact, fell into the lake. Surprisingly, it didn't go out but floated on the water, continuing to burn fiercely. The firelight made Luo Binghe's face flicker between light and shadow, exuding a ghostly aura.

He slowly withdrew his hand and said, "I almost forgot, Master will definitely not like anything that the demons touch."

The male lead, the main antagonist of this story, is throwing a tantrum here, completely disregarding his image. What's the difference between this and a frustrated child kicking around toy blocks?

It's so cheap, so incredibly cheap!

Why are you blasting rocks for no reason? If you're so brave, why don't you chop them on the head! Chop them here—oh wait, I forgot you're chopping him now.

Author's Note:

Thank you A Liang GN for the deep-sea torpedoes and diving bombs, and thank you to Walking Will Fall Down, Mingzhi, Cute Little Fox, orli, Coer, Spoon Dropped, Little Pancake, Fengqi Yicheng Liluo, Jin Shanshan, banjiamao, Night Love, Little Defile, Amaterasu Moe God, Bai.Wuyi, Guo Xiaoyuan, and Zhu Yue Gn for the landmines!

I just finished measuring 800 meters and I'm still recovering from the late update, sorry OTZ. I'll catch the mistakes in the previous comments and reply to the comments later... Thank you everyone!