Chapter 6: The Savior Who Came to Light Up Through Complaints (System)

After spending a few more days eating and drinking at the charity house, Yun Zhan felt like he was about to grow mushrooms.

Assassinate Yan Linye? You make it sound so easy!

He hadn't been there for nothing these past few days; after careful observation, his heart grew increasingly cold. That Yan Linye was practically the national idol of Hejian Prefecture! Even when he went out to inspect the farmland, he was followed by a dozen burly men with sharp eyes and bulging temples; their aura was palpable even from a distance. Yun Zhan estimated that his small frame probably wouldn't even be able to withstand a single poke from one of them.

If they tried to kill him openly, he'd probably be beaten to a pulp by the guards before he even touched Yan Linye's clothes. Even if he managed to succeed by sheer luck (though the chances were lower than winning the lottery), he bet the angry people of Hejian Prefecture would chase him for eight blocks with hoes, dig him into mincemeat, and then bury him in a pit—that would be considered environmentally friendly treatment.

"Where did this sneak attack come from?" Yun Zhan recalled his previous "flying assassination attempt" and nearly urinating on someone's water vat, silently covering his face. Besides, he had personally witnessed Yan Linye practicing martial arts in the courtyard; his skills were as graceful as a startled swan and as nimble as a swimming dragon (though he didn't want to admit it), and a single punch could pierce a wooden stake. With his own mediocre skills (in fact, he had no skills at all), going up against him would just be suicide.

In summary—we can't win, we simply can't win! There's absolutely no chance on a physical level!

Yun Zhan lay sprawled on the hard plank bed like a salted fish, staring at the drafty roof, his heart filled with despair.

"God! Are you kidding me?!" He couldn't help but complain to the air. "Other people who transmigrate either start as an overpowered protagonist who can dominate the world, or they become rich with their own space and spiritual spring, or at the very least, they become princes who eat, drink, and have fun... But me? I transmigrated directly into a skull reserve! And it's a high-end custom-made one at that!"

He grew angrier and angrier, suddenly sitting up and pointing at the roof (as if God himself lived there) as he continued his tirade: "Where are the perks for transmigrators? Where's the promised cheat system? Where's the shrimp system? Where's the old man and his sprite? Anything will do! Even a hint would be nice! This hellish start, how am I supposed to fight this with my head?! My head is a work of art from the future, I can't let it break down prematurely!"

[Ding—The host's strong will to survive and sufficient吐槽 (tu cao, a form of humorous commentary) energy have been detected. The binding conditions have been met. 'The Tyrant's Self-Saving System' is activating... 10%... 50%... 100%! Binding successful!]

A completely emotionless electronic voice suddenly rang in Yun Zhan's mind.

Yun Zhan was so frightened that he almost rolled off the bed.

"Who? Who's talking?" He looked around warily but no one was there. He glanced out the window and saw that everyone was busy with their own things and no one was looking at him.

[Hello host, I am your personal auxiliary system, number 007. You can also call me 'Xiao Qi'. This system is dedicated to helping you escape the tragic fate of becoming a 'skull artwork' and reach the pinnacle of life.]

Yun Zhan was stunned for a full three seconds, then a surge of joy welled up in his heart!

It's here! It's here! The essential cheat code for any time traveler! He knew it! There's always a way out!

"System! System Brother! You've finally arrived!" Yun Zhan was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes, and he shouted wildly in his heart, "Quick! Tell me how to save myself? Is there some kind of newbie gift pack? Peerless martial arts? Or unlimited gold coins?"

[The primary threat to the host has been detected: Yan Linye, the Chosen One. Initial core mission issued: Assassinate Yan Linye.]

Yun Zhan: "..."

The smile froze on his face.

[Rewards for successful mission: The Great Yin Dynasty's national fortune increases by 20 years, the host's lifespan increases by 20 years, and system points increase by 10,000. The system shop will also open simultaneously; points can be exchanged for various items (including but not limited to modern goods).]

National destiny! Lifespan! Points! Modern commodities!

Yun Zhan's eyes lit up again! This reward is incredibly generous!

But the next second, he wilted again.

"No... System, Uncle Qi, are you kidding me?" Yun Zhan cried, "If I could kill him, would I need you? Didn't you see the entourage around him? It was difficult for me to even get close! Assassination? Are you issuing a mission or a death sentence?"

[...This system has detected a host complaint about excessive energy levels. The mission has been issued and cannot be revoked.]

"I don't care! This quest is impossible! Go find someone else to bind with! Let whoever wants to be the tyrant be the king, let whoever wants to be the skull be the skull!" Yun Zhan started acting like a rogue. "Either you give me some real help, like giving me invincibility or striking Yan Linye to death with lightning? Otherwise, I'll just lie here and wait to die! Tomorrow I'll go back to the palace to enjoy my last bit of fun. Anyway, I've already died once, so whatever!"

[Warning: Host is slacking off.] The system's electronic voice seemed to carry a hint of helplessness. [According to the underlying rules, the system cannot directly interfere with the world's operation or cause direct harm to key figures.]

"Then what use are you?" Yun Zhan said in despair.

[...Rules being supplemented...A severe mismatch between the host's strength and the mission's difficulty has been detected. Assist Mode activated: As long as the host carries out a specific assassination attempt against the mission target (Yan Linye), regardless of success or failure, corresponding points will be awarded based on the action evaluation. Points can be redeemed for auxiliary items in the shop.]

Um?

Yun Zhan blinked.

So... I don't actually have to kill him? As long as I "assassinate" him, just go through the motions, I can get points?

[This is a correct understanding. For example, if the host plans a poisoning, points will be awarded for the planning and execution process, regardless of whether Yan Linye is poisoned or not. If the action is creative or causes a minor impact, the points will increase.]

Yun Zhan's eyes instantly turned into points!

Is this for real?! Isn't this just getting something for free?!

He doesn't have to bear the psychological burden of successfully killing someone (although he's mainly afraid of failing and being killed), nor does he have to face the cruel reality after failure. He just needs to do something reckless... no, I mean, complete a "performance task" to earn points to exchange for good things? As long as he has points, he can exchange them for modern firearms. With a burst of fire, no matter how much of a favored son of Heaven Yan Linye is, he can't withstand the technological power of our future generation.

"Hahaha! Heaven hasn't forsaken me!" Yun Zhan instantly regained his strength, leaped out of bed, his back and legs no longer ached, and he felt like he could do it again!

"System! Xiao Qi! From today onwards, you are my half-brother!" Yun Zhan rubbed his hands together, full of fighting spirit. "It's just an assassination mission, right? Don't worry! I guarantee I'll complete the mission! If once isn't enough, I'll try twice, if twice isn't enough, I'll try ten times! For points... ah, no, for self-preservation, I, Yun Zhan, will fight to the death!"

He could almost see countless points and modern goods beckoning to him.

[...The host's mindset changed too quickly; this system can't quite keep up.] The system complained, but its electronic voice seemed a bit lighter now. [Wishing the host... a pleasant mission. Please begin your performance.]

Yun Zhan chuckled, his mind racing: what's the best plan for this first "assassination" operation? Poisoning? Creating an accident? Or... a honey trap 2.0, an upgraded version?

He felt that he had finally found a shortcut to "saving himself as a tyrant"... a shortcut with a unique style but a bright future!