Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

Ziwei!?

Jiang Mu’s heart skipped a beat.

"The Grand Star Position that caused the celestial phenomenon before?"

"Mhm."

Ling Ye nodded gently.

The wind lifted her hair, and a few strands brushed against Jiang Mu’s cheek, carrying a cool, faint fragrance and a subtle tickle.

"That is the Emperor Star, Ziwei, the Lord of all Stars. Whoever can attain its position will become the undisputed sovereign of this world."

"Wow, that powerful..."

Jiang Mu’s eyes filled with envy. "So which big shot is trying to attain it this time?"

"The Old Island Master of Glazed Island, Beitang Batian." Ling Ye scooped up a spoonful of watermelon, her red lips parting slightly.

’Beitang Batian... sounds like "Beaten."’

Jiang Mu clicked his tongue inwardly. ’That old man must have had a rough time.’

"His Star Position is the ’Concubine’s Son Star’ among the five stars of the North Pole. After that Great Demon died, he briefly reached the number one spot in the world. Although he was later surpassed by several others, his foundation is still solid."

"So, will he succeed?"

"I don’t know."

Ling Ye brought the watermelon to her crimson lips. The juice flowed past her pearly teeth, only to be instantly swept away by the tip of her tongue.

"But this is likely his last chance. His lifespan is nearing its end. Others can take their time and plan carefully, but he can only bet everything on this one shot."

Jiang Mu understood.

’So he’s an old senior forced to the edge of a cliff by time itself, rushing to attain his Star Position.’

Jiang Mu felt his mouth go a little dry, his gaze falling upon the watermelon in Ling Ye’s lap.

"I’m a little thirsty. Can I have some?"

Still looking up at the sky, Ling Ye asked, "Do you like to drink milk?"

?

Jiang Mu was caught completely off guard by the question.

’I wasn’t even staring there.’

He said dryly, "It’s not... out of the question."

"It has a bit of a gamy taste."

"That’s fine. I’m a man who appreciates nature. I like things all-natural."

Jiang Mu had a sincere look on his face.

Ling Ye reached behind her back and pulled out a sheepskin waterskin, handing it to him.

"Freshly squeezed goat’s milk from this morning. It’s been warmed."

Sigh.

’Oh, so she meant milk from an actual goat.’

Jiang Mu felt a strange sense of disappointment. He took the waterskin, opened it, and sniffed. There was indeed a gamy smell.

Just as he brought it to his lips, a hand suddenly shot out from the side.

"Wait!"

Ling Ye snatched the waterskin back.

She lowered her head to sniff the opening, and as if remembering something, said in annoyance, "I forgot. I mixed a potion in this. You can’t drink it."

She put the waterskin away and took out another spoon, handing it to Jiang Mu.

Then she drew a line down the middle of the watermelon.

"Let’s just eat the watermelon then. You eat this half, I’ll eat this half. No crossing the line."

"..."

Jiang Mu really wanted to retort.

’Can’t I just use my forty-meter-long broadsword to chop it into pieces?’

But looking at the woman’s cool, elegant profile, he didn’t dare voice his opinion and obediently began scooping up the flesh from his half of the melon.

’Mmm, it’s very sweet.’

’But I still want to drink milk.’

Atop the roof, the wind grew a little stronger.

The two sat side-by-side, gazing up at the boundless azure sky, holding the same watermelon as their spoons rose and fell.

The wind rustled their clothes, and the distant clamor of the market was filtered into a muted background hum.

In that moment, it felt as if the world had been reduced to just this one rooftop, half a watermelon, and their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other.

It was a picturesque scene of tranquil, beautiful years.

"Lord Jiang..."

"Elder Sister Ling, just call me Xiaojiang."

"..."

’How did he just climb up the social ladder like that...?’ Ling Ye took a deep breath and asked:

"Xiaojiang, have you ever thought about what you’ll do in the future?"

"What future?"

"Don’t you have any plans for your future? Are you really going to sell your life to the Court forever?"

Ling Ye gazed at the drifting clouds, her eyes seeming to look at something far away.

Jiang Mu sat up straight, his expression solemn.

"As an official who receives the Court’s stipend, it is my duty to be loyal to the sovereign. Slaying demons, protecting the common people, serving the Court above, and pacifying the populace below—this is my sworn duty! As for my own personal comfort, how could I dare..."

"That’s enough."

Ling Ye cut him off, glancing at him from the side. A hint of playful exasperation appeared in her cool eyes.

"I’m not testing you. Stop putting on an act."

However, Jiang Mu was determined to weld the "loyal subject" persona to himself, and launched into another passionate declaration.

His whole brand was loyalty, with a capital L.

Tired of listening, Ling Ye’s voice softened.

"The path of cultivation is fraught with thorns. Countless people spend their entire lives studying the scriptures until their hair turns white, yet never find the entrance. In this short century of life, rather than gambling on the ethereal and uncertain Celestial Dao, it is better to cherish the person before you and enjoy the pleasures of the mortal world."

Jiang Mu listened intently.

’Actually, he thought so too.’

’Ascension is a must, of course. After all, as a transmigrator with a cheat system, wouldn’t it be embarrassing not to ascend?’

’But I have to get married too. I can’t just be single my whole life, can I?’

’As the saying goes, when one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’

’If you can bring chickens and dogs, then a wife and kids should be no problem.’

’It’s just...’

’What kind of wife should I marry?’

The gentle and serene figure of Bai Xiang unconsciously surfaced in his mind.

Jiang Mu immediately shook his head.

’Hmph. A plain and overconfident woman.’

’The moment you rejected me, a pathetic, thick barrier was erected between us.’

’Chu Lingzhu?’

’That girl is certainly cute and pretty.’

’But her profession as a doctor is a bit scary. What if we get into a fight one day and she says, "Time to take your medicine, darling husband"?’

’So who’s left?’

Jiang Mu’s gaze drifted involuntarily to the person beside him.

’High Cultivation Level, and she’s a rich woman.’

’Her looks are impeccable, and her figure is the best of the best.’

"The future kids’ cafeteria would definitely be well-stocked."

’Although she seems a bit cold on the outside, once you get to know her, she’s actually quite warm on the inside. She even gives out swords and watermelons.’

’And also...’

’We’re a man and a woman, alone on a roof in broad daylight, eating watermelon like a couple. Then she suddenly brings up this topic, talking about ’cherishing the person before you’.

’Isn’t this a blatant hint?’

’Is this older, single woman desperate to get married?’

’Has she taken a liking to this young master, this little puppy?’

Jiang Mu’s mind was made up. He confidently uttered three words:

"I am willing."

"What?"

Ling Ye looked at him in confusion.

Her eyes were crystal clear, without a trace of flirtatious allure—only pure bewilderment.

"..."

Jiang Mu instantly sobered up.

’Damn it, I was getting ahead of myself.’

"Nothing. I said this watermelon is pretty sweet. I’m willing to eat it every day."

Jiang Mu let out a dry laugh.

Just then, the sky darkened without any warning.

It was as if a gray, dusty cloth had been forcefully draped over the heavens.

Immediately after, a pinpoint of starlight pierced the gray veil and lit up.

Then a second, a third... a myriad of stars appeared one by one in the daytime twilight.

They grew denser and brighter, weaving a brilliant and silent sea of stars.

Such a magnificent sight could only be witnessed by those who possessed a Star Position.

"It’s starting!"

Ling Ye’s gaze sharpened.

A tremor ran through Jiang Mu’s body. He held his breath and widened his eyes.

RUMBLE—

The void trembled.

At the edge of the sky, an ethereal figure as majestic as a mountain slowly rose.

It was an old man with white hair draped over his shoulders.

His eyes were like two scorching suns, and his body was wreathed in a magnificent, oppressive aura.

The mere manifestation of this ethereal form caused the Divine Souls of countless low-level Star Officials to tremble, instilling in them the urge to kneel in submission.

"I, Beitang Batian, have sought the Dao for over a hundred years. I have weathered the three calamities and nine tribulations, and I have watched the blue seas turn to mulberry fields.

Today, I sense my fate is near its end, yet my Great Dao is incomplete. I wish to use this body to reflect the Celestial Dao and beseech Ziwei—"

The old man’s voice was vast and ancient, like a great bell,

"If I succeed, I shall shine alongside the myriad ages, repaying Heaven with brilliance. If I fail, I shall return my Dao to Heaven, thanking Heaven in the great beyond."

"O, Azure Heavens above, I pray you show me mercy!"

"Ziwei, come!"

With that, the sky-supporting phantom let out a long cry and transformed into a brilliant streak of light, soaring toward the heavens.

It shot straight for the Emperor Star, Ziwei, hanging high in the ninth heaven.