Seized by the System

After Bai Ruocang was done setting up the Vitality Sealing Formation, he glared hatefully at the devil in front of him, dressed in his ancestor’s skin. He had the urge to just bite him outright, but he was still rational, thus he repressed himself from acting impulsively, from avenging.

He knew that demons had many tricks up their sleeves, they were able to shift their souls and change their bodies. He did not want his hatred to make himself a fool who let the demon escape instead.

After checking the formation thrice, he left but turned to look back at every step he took.

Throughout the whole process, Cang Gongzi seemed to be in slumber, he did not utter a single word.

Perhaps he decided to avoid getting involved in this like an ostrich…

The moment Bai Ruocang wormed back to the office of the city being built, Dragon Carp leaped three feet high, and said arrogantly, “Where did you go this time? You’re always away from home. The construction period is very tight now, and I’m the only one watching over it, I don’t see you helping at all.”

Bai Ruocang suddenly became alert after being yelled at to his face. There was a problem that did not seem like a huge one but was, in fact, a very important one.

Although he had set up the Vitality Sealing Formation, his revenge was only half complete. He must not let that old demon escape at any time throughout the process, or all his previous efforts would be wasted.

In order to not let him escape, he had to quickly build the city, so that the vigilante would come for inspections regularly.

As for himself, he needed to cultivate as soon as possible, and must at least break through to Pond-level. By advancing all the way up, he would need to live for at least another two to three hundred years for the old demon to die from being drained.

The latter was the easier one. After all, he came from a family of cultivators, due to the influences from his surrounding, he had long built a solid cultivation foundation.

However, the former was a little tricky. He was still a nineteen-year-old youth with limited time, and he was already finding it hard to manage his cultivations, how could he have the ability to deal with construction work?

One should not be fooled by Cang Gongzi’s cowardly character, he was truly a young master of a renowned family in the upper realm. Since he had lived for hundreds of years, he was far more knowledgeable and experienced that Bai Ruocang was. After descending to this realm, he often took in the fruits of human culture as well.

All along, he was the one in charge of construction work in the city, whereas he only tagged along.

Now that he was falling out with him, and that Cang Gongzi had hidden like an ostrich, the outsiders would not bother about this, they only looked for him to bear all responsibility.

This was all because both of them shared the same body.

Given the current situation, it was natural for him to be unwilling to beg him for help.

Fortunately, he had once lived in a reputable family as well, so when Dragon Carp mentioned something like that, an idea sprung in his head.

He looked for a while then removed an anklet from one of his hind legs, and told Dragon Carp, “Brother Dragon Carp, I”m really sorry, you’ve worked hard for the past few days. I’ll gift this interspatial anklet to you as a token of appreciation, I’ll need to rely on you for many things in the future.”

“Uh…this, I feel abashed.” Though that was what Dragon Carp said, he still took the anklet away with its mouth as swift as the lightning, it was not concerned about the smell on it either.

There was nothing it could do, It wanted to use its hands too but it had not regained its magical powers, so it could not form them even if it wanted to…

After Dragon Carp acquired the interspatial anklet, it quickly kept its gold bars.

It said pretentiously, “Little Cang, look at you, why are you being so polite? We’re both serving the host, there’s no distinction between us, you don’t need to present me such a big gift.”

“Oh don’t be, it’s just a tiny gift. Senior Dragon Carp, you’re very well-informed, I’ll be seeking help from you in the future.”

“It’s my pleasure, do look for me if you need any help.” Dragon Carp rejoined generously.

Upon hearing that, Bai Ruocang felt more at peace.

From the way he looked at it, Dragon Carp had been around longer than Cang Gongzi, so he knew a lot. Regarding the city’s construction work, Dragon Carp indeed gave many suggestions, it was an expert in this.

As a matter of fact, he had no idea that if Dragon Carp could not portray itself like a professional in the city’s construction work, how could he be able to intimidate some people, and collected an enormous amount of gold…

…

A couple of days later, Bai Ruocang was caught up with familiarizing work related to the city construction, it could only watch over the Demon Suppression Monument occasionally.

Thankfully, the Vitality Sealing Formation was operating normally. That being said, the old demon had such a rooted strength that there was no sign of his declination.

On this day, underneath the Demon Suppression Monument, came another young person.

This person looked around him to see if anyone was around. Afterward, he placed a bottle of wine, a plate of broad beans flavored with aniseed, and two steamed bread below the monument.

“Master, you’ve been suppressed for a few days, I believe that you’re starving. I’m not very capable, I can only sneak some food in for you, please enjoy them.” He announced sincerely.

“Hah, I didn’t think that you’re the second person to visit me after my son. Hmph, Bai Shixin and the others claimed themselves to be loyal in the past, now they finally revealed themselves.” Elder Ancestor Bai sneered.

“Tss…” Nie Yuan was secretly shocked but he quickly felt elated. As expected, the old man had other plans.

After feeling surprised, a serious worry emerged in his thoughts once again – ‘Did this old man purposely use me as bait, adopting a trick of “injuring himself to gain the enemy’s confidence”, and to bait ambitious schemers like Bai Shixin?

‘This is truly horrifying. The outside world is talking about how this old man went into Vigilante A’s territory because he loved his son so much, and that he’s blessed by Heavenly Merit. In the end, he caused trouble for himself.

‘Could everything be a fake?

‘No, no, he’s an intelligent figure after all, unlike Bai Ruocang that novice.’

He thought hard again, then came to a sudden realization that the rumors heard were actually true. The old demon was only saying this now to continue flattering himself, and to cover up the fact that he miscalculated his plan.

Sure enough, the old demon was a cunning one!

Even though Nie Yuan had seen through his thoughts, his fear towards Elder Ancestor Bai was not lessened, instead, he paid more importance to him.

Under this hopeless situation, he was neither dejected nor slacking at all, and he turned this despair into his favor. He was able to identify those schemers with wild ambitions who were hiding, which was definitely matchless in the world.

In just a short period of time, innumerable thoughts filled Nie Yuan’s mind. Soon enough, he was able to react, he then continued, “Elder ancestor, you’re very wise. Bai Shixin and the rest have transferred armies into the kingdom, they’re having ulterior motives. On top of that, Bai Shifu even personally led some men to kill me. Luckily, I was able to see through their wild ambitions, thus I left in advance, and was saved from the disaster.”

“Hehe, the two of them are colluding, I’ve been watching them for a long time. Looking at how they’ve done creditable services, I didn’t hold them accountable for it. It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t refrain themselves from acting on it. I’ve just only gotten into trouble, yet they couldn’t wait to show themselves.” Elder Ancestor Bai shook his head and sighed underneath the monument.

“Yes, if they’re faithful followers, they should be thinking about ways to save you now, not transferring armies to take over your power, sweeping any dissidents away.” When Nie Yuan heard him, he immediately took the chance to tell on them, and described in detail about the transfer of several tens of thousands of elite soldiers into the city.

He knew that he had a history of betrayal too but he only sought refuge in another back then, and did not make any move aimed at the elder ancestor’s foundation. Unlike Bai Shixin and the others, who were extremely bold, daring to take advantage of the elder ancestor’s situation by launching a plan to seize the throne.

As soon as the elder ancestor was suppressed, they quickly set in motion. Evidently, it was not a plan made in a day or two. In a way, it could even be said that the elder ancestor’s awful situation now was very likely related to them.

After Elder Ancestor Bai listened, he nodded. “Mmm, you’re right. If they wanted to settle down the situation, they could’ve just asked Cang Er to return. Not only did they not do that, but they also transferred soldiers of their own will. They were really harboring treacherous intent.”

“That’s exactly it. It’s so maddening that my powers are weak, it’s hard for me to match them…” Nie Yuan’s face was painted with an expression that said “my ability falls short of my wishes”, he grieved.

“How about this, a certain enemy of mine has set up a 9981 Vitality Sealing Formation, you do something about it to let some air in, I’ll teach you the Royal Giant Rats’ secret skill. This skill is able to suppress all greater rats. Those two ambitious fellows must’ve not imagined that I’ve had plans since the beginning.” Elder Ancestor Bai said plainly.

Instantly, Nie Yuan was on cloud nine. Four words appeared in his mind – “My plan has succeeded”

Indeed, this old man never trusted anyone, including himself.

He quickly replied, “Thank you, master, for letting bygones be bygones, and for being willing to pass the skill to me. When I master it, I’ll certainly bring Cang Gongzi back to claim the throne.”

“Mmm. It is nothing exceptional for one to make mistakes, for a rat is not a saint. If one can correct what one has done wrong, it is considered to be a great virtue. Cang Er initially wanted to save me but was sadly harmed by a weakling, you’ll know about this later on. It’s good that he’ll be able to take a clear look at this world anyway. You must let him succeed to the throne, let him be crowned, and the greater rats will have hope once again.” Elder Ancestor Bai instructed.

Nie Yuan nodded hard.

The irony was that he previously betrayed because Elder Ancestor Bai mentioned that he was going to pass the throne to Cang Gongzi, and he despised this weak man.

Nonetheless, now he had become a protector. Anything was possible in the world, clearly, through a fight of the upper management, the situation was changeable. Nobody could guarantee which side one would take in the end.