I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 3

Lin Sheng clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to strike only to avoid another severe thrashing from his father. Instead, he opted for a cold, mocking sneer.

The Lin family was a minor, unremarkable clan in Cloud City, possessing neither great wealth nor significant power. His father was a man obsessed with reputation and loathed nothing more than his children causing trouble for him in public.

However, the humiliation was hard to swallow; he couldn’t simply let Qi Ye walk away unscathed.

Suddenly, he remembered the gossip surrounding the Shen family. The noble and mysterious Young Master Shen had a long-standing betrothal to Qi Ye, a fact known to every soul in the Kingdom of Yun.

“Do you know why he’s appeared this time?” Lin Sheng jeered. “This young master has heard that the Imperial Family is hosting a grand palace banquet in a few days. Every noble family in the kingdom is invited. Do you think it’s just an ordinary party? Let me tell you: Young Master Shen returned to the Kingdom of Yun specifically to annul his engagement to you. Once that happens, you’ll be absolutely nothing!”

Lin Sheng expected Qi Ye to maintain his usual mask of indifference, but to his delight, he caught a flicker of emotion across Qi Ye’s face. It vanished quickly, but it was enough to embolden Lin Sheng.

“And rightfully so!” Lin Sheng babbled incessantly. “Someone as exceptional as Young Master Shen deserves only the most elite talent in the world. Don’t go blaming him when the time comes; it’s your own fault for being unworthy. Hahahaha!”

Qi Ye’s brow tightened. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

In the Nine Provinces, profound energy was the ultimate authority. Beyond the four nations and various clans, there were academies dedicated to cultivation. Among them, the Canglan Academy was the most prestigious and difficult to enter. The original Shen Qingzhuo was the sole disciple of the Academy’s Director, Li.

For the past year, Shen Qingzhuo had remained at the academy, spending his days reading and soaking up the sun. Having far too much free time, he had planted a variety of flowers and herbs; now, half of the blossoms currently beautifying Canglan Academy were the result of his hobby.

Upon returning to the Shen Estate, Shen Qingzhuo summoned an aide. “Deliver this into the hands of the Eldest Young Master of the Qi family.”

The subordinate peeked through the exquisite packaging of the box. His jaw dropped. “Do you mean the Eldest Young Master who holds a marriage contract with you?”

Shen Qingzhuo nodded. “Yes, him.”

He could guess why his subordinate was so shocked. He wasn’t sure how the grapevine worked so efficiently, but the moment he stepped foot in the estate, news of his return had already swept through the kingdom. He suspected that within a few days, the entire Nine Provinces would know he had retrieved the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass from the Illusory Mist Forest.

Worse yet were the rumors claiming he had returned specifically to break his engagement with Qi Ye at the palace banquet in three days.

The gossip made Shen Qingzhuo’s head ache. Such a perfect opportunity sat right in front of him—was there any better way to stay close to the protagonist than being his fiancé? Why on earth would he annul the engagement?

Meanwhile, at the Qi Estate.

Qi Yannian had battled Jun Huaiyan in the forest for a long time, eventually winning only through a series of underhanded tricks. The Head of the Jun family had been carried back in disgrace. However, when Qi Yannian ventured deeper into the forest, he discovered the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass had already been taken.

At the heart of the Illusory Mist Formation, all that remained was the carcass of the Tier 8 Blood Python that had guarded the divine herb.

Qi Yannian gritted his teeth, his middle-aged face turning a mottled shade of blue and white.

Damn it!

Some despicable thief must have taken advantage of his distraction with Jun Huaiyan to snatch the prize!

However, he hadn’t returned entirely empty-handed. Near the python were various grades of spiritual plants, including several of the fifth and sixth rank treasures never seen outside the forest. There were also over a dozen slain demonic beasts whose cores had been left behind. Since each profound rank was divided into ten levels, and Qi Yannian had been stuck at the fourth level of the Green Profound realm for a decade, these herbs and cores were enough to help him break through to the next sub-tier.

Once he grew stronger, it wouldn’t be too late to track down the thief and reclaim the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass.

As he returned home with his entourage, he was greeted at the gates by an envoy from the Shen family. He had heard of Shen Qingzhuo’s return and the rumors regarding the annulment of the engagement with his “wicked son,” Qi Ye.

Qi Yannian didn’t mind the annulment. In fact, he was wondering if he could pivot dissolve Qi Ye’s marriage contract while keeping the Shen family close by arranging a new match between Shen Qingzhuo and his favorite son, Anning.

After all, the Shen family’s influence was staggering. Back then, a mere maid from the Shen household had brought him prosperity; if he could truly ally with the main family, the future benefits would be limitless.

He had “found” Anning a year before Qi Ye was born, while his late wife was still pregnant. That woman had stubbornly refused to let him establish Anning as the eldest son. Eventually, they reached a compromise: Anning would enter the family as the second son, following Qi Ye.

Though Anning was an adopted son and lacked the natural talent Qi Ye once possessed, he was sweet and obedient. Qi Yannian doted on him. Surely, the young master of the Shen family would find such a child charming.

Seeing the envoy holding a gift, Qi Yannian approached with a wide smile. When he saw the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass inside the box the very treasure he had been dreaming of he froze. Then, his grin widened until it nearly split his face. So, the Shen family had taken the grass! They were certainly showing great sincerity by sending such a precious item to his estate.

Perhaps the Shen family wasn’t just here to break an engagement; maybe they had the same idea of forging a deeper alliance with the Qi family.

With this thought, Qi Yannian began reciting polite pleasantries while reaching out with both hands to take the box. To his surprise, the envoy did not let go.

Confusion flashed in Qi Yannian’s eyes. He forced a smile. “What is the meaning of this, honored guest?”

The subordinate, acting on Shen Qingzhuo’s strict orders, replied sternly, “Master Qi, please conduct yourself with dignity. This is not for you.”

Qi Yannian’s face stiffened. “Oh? Then who is it for?”

“Where is Young Master Qi Ye?”

The subordinate had been instructed to deliver the item personally to Qi Ye. If anyone from the Qi family dared to interfere, he was told to show no mercy, regardless of their status.

Qi Yannian’s expression shifted. Was the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass a compensation from the Shen family for breaking the engagement?

They were certainly generous. However, once it was inside the Qi Estate, it shouldn’t matter whose hands it officially landed in.

After a moment of tense silence, Qi Yannian offered a sycophantic smile. “Please forgive me. My son has been rebellious and strange since the incident three years ago; he often hides himself away. Even I, the head of the house, do not know his current whereabouts. Since the Shen family is so thoughtful, I shall accept it on his behalf.”

The subordinate remained unmoved. “My master ordered me to deliver this into Young Master Qi Ye’s hands personally. If he is not here, I shall wait until he returns.”

Qi Yannian was suddenly unsure of Shen Qingzhuo’s true intentions. Since he couldn’t afford to offend the Shen family, he kept the fake smile plastered on his face. “Of course, of course. I will have the servants search for him immediately.”

As he spoke, a youth emerged from the inner courtyard. His features were as delicate as a porcelain doll’s fragile and refined. He ran toward Qi Yannian with a shy smile. “Father, you’re back!”

Qi Yannian had always adored his adopted son. Seeing Qi Anning calmed his irritation toward Qi Ye. He pulled the boy into a fatherly embrace.

“Anning, I’ve brought back many good things this time. Once I’ve settled this business with Qi Ye, I’ll let you take your pick!”

A joyful light danced in Qi Anning’s pale face. “Father is the best. By the way, is Brother in trouble again? I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“Hmph,” Qi Yannian snorted, not caring that he was disparaging his own son in front of the Shen envoy. “He’s a useless waste who can’t do anything but embarrass the Qi family. I assume the envoy brought the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass because of the matter between my son and Young Master Shen? Please tell the Shen family that I am fully aware my son is unworthy of Young Master Shen. I wouldn’t dream of overstepping by insisting on the marriage.”

The subordinate remained silent and professional.

As Qi Yannian finished, Qi Anning let out a soft gasp of delight. “What? Father, they brought the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass?”

The Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass was a divine object seen once in a century. With it, he could improve his constitution and finally stop being a “waste” stuck at the lowest level of the Red Profound realm. Moreover, rumor had it the herb could enhance one’s beauty which was his primary goal.

His father had promised to get it for him. During his father’s absence, Anning had been monitoring the situation closely and was devastated to hear that someone had snatched it first. He had been furious and hurt. Why wasn’t he born a genius like Qi Ye?

He felt inferior to Qi Ye in every way. Even in status Qi Ye was the legitimate eldest son, while he was just an adoptee. Even though he was older than Qi Ye, he was called the “Second Young Master,” forced to listen to everyone address Qi Ye as the “First Young Master.”

But he was the protagonist! The “Book of Fate” had told him so. It promised that many exceptional men would fall for him, facing life and death just to give him whatever he desired.

This Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass must be for me!

Anning hid his resentment, his eyes shining as he looked at the box. Just as he reached out to touch it, the envoy took a step back.

Anning froze. Why won’t he give it to me? Didn’t Young Master Shen send this for me?

While Anning stood in confusion, Qi Ye walked into the courtyard from an unknown direction.

Anning’s irritation flared instantly. What is he doing here? With that dark, gloomy face that looked like everyone owed him a debt, he always seemed to appear at the exact moment to ruin Anning’s plans.

He had heard the rumors: the noble Young Master Shen was coming to dump Qi Ye. Qi Ye was already a useless cripple; once the Shen family discarded him, Anning wanted to see if he could still maintain that haughty attitude!

However, to his absolute shock the Shen envoy approached Qi Ye.

The subordinate bowed respectfully and presented the box with both hands. “Young Master Qi Ye, I am acting on my master’s orders to deliver the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass to you.”

Qi Ye said nothing, though a spark of confusion flickered in his mind. He didn’t understand Shen Qingzhuo’s motive.

Didn’t the man say he had a “very important use” for it?

As the subordinate finished his task and took his leave, Qi Yannian’s face darkened immediately.

“That grass is useless in your hands. Hand it over at once.” Qi Yannian couldn’t even look at his son without disgust, his voice dripping with impatience.

Qi Ye acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, calmly tucking the herb away.

Since he was a child, he had ceased to harbor any illusions about the kindness of others especially regarding this so-called “home” and “father.” In this world, the only thing he truly possessed was himself.

Qi Ye had no desire to waste his breath. “Move.”

“Give me the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass!” Qi Yannian barked.

Qi Ye’s gaze turned terrifyingly cold, showing none of the deference a son should owe a father. “Take one more step and find out. There is nothing I am not capable of doing.”