"Why don't you become my wife?"
"W-What?" Yujin yelled, standing up straight from his seat, his eyes widened in shock and anger.
Ashen had just proposed to his childhood love, how could he not be angry?
He had agreed to live here only to get some alone time with Xiran; however, it now seemed that he would have to attend her wedding with teary eyes instead.
Meanwhile, Xiran, on the other hand, was baffled by this sudden proposal.
It hasn't even been a full day since they had met. It was all just too sudden for her to accept.
However, she still felt delighted.
Not because she wanted to marry Ashen, but just because this was something she could brag about to others.
A prince proposing to a commoner like her... it would boost her reputation.
Moreover she felt more confident about herself, knowing a prince would desire her.
However, coming back to the moment, she knew she had to give him a reply.
A reply that wouldn't offend him even if she refused.
She pondered in her mind, deciding on how to answer.
Did she like Ashen?
Indeed, she liked his gentle behavior towards her, how he treated and complimented her, moreover, he didn't give her any less respect despite her commoner status.
There was no girl who wouldn't like someone like him who treated them with such respect.
But... the most important question was—Did she love him?
No, atleast not yet.
However, before she had the chance to answer, Ashen bursted into laughter: "Pfft... hahaha!"
Wiping his tears, he said giggling: "I was just joking."
Ashen's laughter then turned dim before turning silent.
A saddened expression revealed on his face as he said in a low voice:
"Why would you marry me when you have Yujin already?"
"Yujin is just my friend, we don't have any other sort of relationship" Xiran clarified, standing up from her seat.
She saw Yujin as just a friend and nothing more. However, this revelation hit Yujin straight in the face.
He saw Xiran as his lover and believed that she felt the same way. He merely thought she was a little shy; however, he was confident that she would openly accept his love given some time.
"Oh, sorry—I thought you two were lovers." Ashen delivered his final attack, peeking at Yujin's expression from the corner of his eyes.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
...
Ashen received numerous notifications from the system, however, ignoring them, he kept his gaze fixed at Yujin.
This protagonist, the one who is supposed to be overpowered and a chick magnet, had tears in his eyes.
His state of mind had been shattered by Xiran's statement as he tried to justify himself in his own twisted way. He turned himself into a victim and blamed Xiran in his heart:
She has betrayed me.
Since I am poor and haven't started cultivating, she has chosen to betray my love for a better target.
I'm not desirable to her when she has a better option available...
She must've thought that he is richer and more powerful compared to me. He can provide her with a more comfortable and happier life.
You bitch!
Just for riches you've decided to discard me?
Just wait!
I will have my revenge!
I will make this prince—the one you consider better than me—lick my feet and beg for mercy.
I will make you regret making this choice!
Yujin roared in his mind, steeling his resolve to enact his revenge upon these two.
From his point of view, Xiran's hesitation in rejecting Ashen's marriage proposal as if she was considering to accept, had become a seed of doubt in his mind.
And now, her stating him just a friend confirmed his doubt.
What if Ashen hadn't laughed and interrupted?
Maybe she would've even accepted.
He couldn't help but think the worst.
He had given his heart to her, and she didn't even notice him.
He felt ignored, mocked, ashamed, and angry.
It was then that he made up his mind to destroy both of their lives.
From his point of view, they appeared to be mocking him as if laughing at him together.
He considered himself righteous and on the side of justice.
He was supposed to have her for him but then this random prince appears and takes her away.
Isn't it right to take revenge on this Prince?
To show him his place and serve justice.
Just because he was weak, he had been humiliated.
It was because he was weak that this prince dared to snatch what was his.
He would grow strong and return to get answers from them!
Yujin steeled his mind and muttered in a low voice: "I am not hungry so I will take my leave."
He turned around and left with tears streaming down his eyes, hidden from the eyes of everyone.
Xiran attempted to stop him, but she was stopped by Ashen as he grabbed her hand.
"Let me go! Yujin never skips a meal. Something must have happened," She yelled, trying to get out of Ashen's grip.
However, her efforts were futile.
Ashen was a Bone Transformation realm cultivator whereas she was no different than a mortal who hadn't even awakened her spirit. There was no way she could resist him.
Ashen shook his head with a solemn expression and advised in a soft voice: "Let him go. Give him some time. He needs it."
"But..." Xiran tried to retort but couldn't find a reason to.
Maybe he really needed some time alone.
He might be having difficulties adjusting to the huge mansion.
Maybe giving him some space would help him more than pestering him.
Normally, whenever he acted annoyed like this, he would get better with time.
Thus, she decided to adhere to Ashen's advice and give Yujin some time.
She could just talk to him after finishing her own dinner.
She finished the dinner with a solemn expression, puzzled about the reason for Yujin behaving this way.
Later, she left for her own room, leaving Ashen alone at the dining table.
Ashen too returned to his room. He ordered the system to show him the notifications he received at the dining table.
[Ding! Host, You have successfully affected Protagonist Han Yujin's mentality. You are awarded with 500 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Host, You have successfully shocked Protagonist Han Yujin to the core. You are awarded with 1000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Host, You have successfully broken Protagonist Han Yujin's heart. You are awarded with 2000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Host, You have successfully broken Protagonist Han Yujin's and Li Xiran's relationship. You are awarded 3000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Host, You have succeeded in turning yourself into a Villain of Protagonist Han Yujin's life. You obtain 5000 Villain Points.]
[Ding! Host, You have succeeded in making Han Yujin hate Heroine Li Xiran. You obtain 8000 Villain Points]
[Ding! Host, Li Xiran is no longer considered a heroine. System is removing her heroine status.]
Ashen's eyes widened in surprise before retracting to their normal size, he asked: "What do you mean by removing heroine status? What difference did it make?"
[Ding! Host, Li Xiran is now hated by the Protagonist, therefore, her heroine status has been revoked. The difference it makes is that, now, Even if you force yourself upon her, The world won't trigger a backlash against you.]
"What? The world can trigger a backlash against me? Why didn't you inform me about it? What if I had forced myself on Li Xiran without knowing this?"
[Ding! Host, Remember that I am The Villainous System and I act like a Villain! I'm not necessarily on your side.]
Ashen remained silent at this answer before ordering:
"Show me the status window"
--------------------------------
------STATUS WINDOW------
Name: Fang Ashen
Age: 20 years old.
Villain Points: 19,700
Cultivation: First Stage of the Bone Transformation Realm.
Cultivation Technique: None
Skills: Martial Fist
Bloodline: Dormant
Physique: Dormant
Spirit: 2-headed Sky flame Viper (2-star) [9-headed devouring Dragon] (dormant)
Weaknesses: None
--------------------------------
Ashen observed the status window before pondering upon something.
He asked:
"Hey System! why is this Protagonist so weak and a simp? Aren't Protagonists supposed to be super lucky with women? He couldn't even make one woman fall for him."
Xiran had never fallen in love with Yujin so she just accepted his advances.
How was he supposed to try different tricks when there was no need.
It was as if a needle had done the job for which Ashen had expected to use a knife.
[Ding! Host, Did you forget? The protagonist is supposed to be someone who is betrayed at first but then returns stronger to take his revenge and the world helps him in his quest by providing him with various opportunities.]
Ashen nodded before speaking: "Yes that's what I am sayi-" And that's when his eyes opened wide as a realization dawned upon him.
[Ding! Host, What you are thinking is correct. Han Yujin's journey has just begun and he will become stronger to defeat you, the villain of his life.]
Ashen rushed out of his room instantly and called for Chen Jie.
Chen Jie came running at the fastest pace he could manage and asked: "What is your order, Your Highness?"
Ashen, tension reflecting on his face, asked in a rushed voice: "Where is Han Yujin? Where is he?"
Ashen wanted to stop Han Yujin from ever getting the chance to become stronger. He wanted to turn him into his captive.
He didn't want to let him grow, knowing that his increased strength might come for his life.
Hearing Ashen's question, a confused expression appeared on Chen Jie's face as he bowed and answered:
"Your Highness, didn't you send him out yourself? He appeared at the mansion's gate fifteen minutes ago and informed the guards that you have ordered him to visit his village and call the villagers for the awakening ceremony."
Ashen's eyes widened in realization as he muttered: "I am too late!"
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(A/N : Thanks For reading. ^..^)