Chapter 2: CH1: Birth: Twice the charm
Chapter I: Birth: Twice The Charm
"Hurry! Take him to the hideout!" A voice harshly shouted.
Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice of a man, I immediately attempted to open my eyes, but a cloth wrapped around my head prevented me on doing so. As I hang in some sort of metallic armor wrapped around my captor's shoulder, I couldn't help but take notice of a carving on the area, near the shoulder.
I should remember its outline as much as I can...
Finally aware that I am conscious, the man tighten his grip around my legs as I remained hanging on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
Oh my, this one certainly is diligent with his training, isn't he? Although he complained about my weight, I could tell that he didn't really have a hard time at all by his stable posture the whole time he carried me.
Several minutes later it seems to me that we had reached their hideout. I was set down quite harshly before being kicked in the side, the man who had carried me complained that his shoulder now aches. 'I guess we're quits now, but you can only blame your foolish decisions.' I was tied very tightly to what I could tell is a pillar, after that, I heard the footsteps slowly fading away.
Dare I say, I was thrown and not, was "set down." That honestly felt like an understatement. If you can't treat your own kin right, how can you treat a woman right?
This guy probably doesn't have anyone who cares for him.
What reason would anyone have to abduct someone penniless like I am?? Is it for my organs then? If that is the case, they got a rotten chicken. My organs are probably of low quality...
"Ugh..." I groaned feeling the coldness of the pillar and roughness of the ropes.
⟨⟨Restarting⟩⟩... 'Excuse me, What?'
"Restarting?" I repeated the word orally, startled and confused.
What could that possibly mean at this moment? And who is it?
I must be going crazy, why is there a voice in my head? I could feel that no one is around, is someone playing a prank on me? Wait, when was the last time that I ate a meal again? It makes sense if I'm being delirious.
⟨⟨Welcome User 000000008! Would you like to restore this character's data status?⟩⟩
I paused, "Data? Ah, I see..."
"Ah, I'm hallucinating." I said, confidently. What else could it be?
⟨⟨Negative, User 000000008 is in excellent condition. Would you like to restore this character's data status?⟩⟩
"By any chance, are you referring to me as User 000000008?"
⟨⟨Yes, That is correct, User 000000008. Would you like to restore this character's data status?⟩⟩
"What character? Uh, can you please elaborate?"
⟨⟨Understood. Character Lan Zhī Yuán, mysterious yet average side character of the Visual Novel known as Vengeance. Lan Zhī Yuán although average would later on awaken a special bloodline which could later on change his role in the story. Please act cautiously.⟩⟩
I sighed, I don't think there's any point in questioning everything when my life could be in possible danger which I believe I am but then again, this is probably just another dream? So I'll say yes to whoever is talking to me. Let's humor my title as a 'Yes Man'. I'm too tired to try and think, I'll do that later when I feel like using my wits, this is just a dream after all. What could go wrong?
"Yes."
⟨⟨Understood, Loading Character Data Status. Please wait.⟩⟩
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⟨⟨Retrieval Successful⟩⟩
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"Ah! Shit!" I cursed, the sudden bright light was quite painful to my eyes. Don't things like this warns people first?
Before I could complain to whoever was talking to me earlier, I suddenly felt pain all over my body, it felt like I'm being poked by millions of needles on every part of my body.
Minutes later, my eyesight gradually started returning, that's what I thought, but it remained a blur, only enabling me to barely make out anything of whatever is in front of me.
I let out an exasperated sigh, "Haa, I can barely see. If you're giving it back, just give it back. Oh? What is that?" I questioned while observing the surrounding around me. I was distracted by the noise coming from outside where I currently am, and why do I feel like I'm wearing a dress? And... why can I not feel IT?? And where am I now? I was tied up just awhile ago...
This is all so strange...
I stood up and guided myself around, feeling the wall with my hands. I paused upon hearing another unfamiliar voice from somewhere nearby, 'Oh, Who's shouting?' I slowly made my way to what I could make off is a door with square holes, subtle light passing through it. I held on to the door and slowly pulled it open, the bright morning sun immediately hurting my eyes again, making me groan.
"Oh? Junior Brother Zhī Yuán! Careful! Let's come back inside and sit. You just had started recovering, what are you hurrying outside for?" A warm and probably gentle sounding man spoke as he led me back inside. This man is probably around the age of 19 based on his voice, but I can be completely wrong.
Somehow he gives me the impression of that type of teen that would be adored by girls in a university. What do they call that again? The nice and warm president trope? The untouchable angel prince trope? Something like those, probably.
He set down something that I could barely tell to be a wooden tray he was holding in the nearby table located in the middle of the room. I sat on the edge the bed so did he.
"Who are you?" I spoke, I paused upon hearing my own voice.
Why do my voice sounds so different? I sounded quite feminine too... Is this Karma? How come I only noticed this now also? This wasn't how I sounded just before that bright light from earlier.
I'd really like to know why this instant, but i'll think about this later. I need to know who is this guy and where I am.
Even though I could barely see, I noticed that the man with me flinched from my question, I wonder why? Is it so strange? Uh, wait... he called me Junior Brother Zhī Yuán, right? ... Huh??? But, my name is Zhang Xi Yin...?
"Ah, Zhī Yuán... it's me Wen Hui, your Senior Brother. Do you not recognize me?" His voice sounded confused, is it not obvious that I cannot see well? Is this character not supposed to be nearly blind? I should have asked that voice from earlier.
⟨⟨Greetings Character Lan Zhī Yuán. Do you require assistance from the system?⟩⟩
At last, it appeared on its own.
'How do I talk to it? Do I just speak in my head? Like this? This honestly feels like I'm really starting to lose my sanity...'
But thinking about it, I was able to talk to this voice just fine by talking normally but, talking in my head is probably better than dealing with what could happen if someone sees me talking and no one else is with me...
⟨⟨That is correct, Character Lan Zhī Yuán.⟩⟩
I scoffed.
I wonder in what part was I correct? Is it talking in my head to communicate with whoever is this or I, losing my sanity? Of course, it should be the first one, isn't it?
'Then, why can I barely see anything? Is this Lan Zhi Yuan supposed to be blind?'
⟨⟨Character Lan Zhī Yuán was constructed with strange meridians who later on became blind due to an abnormality with the internal force and meridians itself. However, this could be avoided by awakening his bloodline which is estimated to start in midnight this day or by cultivating. Your bloodline will help to eliminate the abnormalities mentioned.⟩⟩
What is this, Cinderella??
'And how could I awaken this bloodline faster? What do I need to do?'
⟨⟨Character Lan Zhī Yuán may try to awaken his bloodline immediately by cultivating a rank 9 low tier technique which is available in the sacred library of the sect and the system shop.⟩⟩
'System shop?' Ah, right I'm in a visual novel.
⟨⟨System Shop unlocked, Character Lan Zhī Yuán has received 10,000,000.00 points as a welcome gift.⟩⟩
⟨⟨Searching for Rank 9 Techniques...⟩⟩
⟨⟨Searching completed.⟩⟩
⟨⟨A rank 9 lower tier technique is available for purchase in exchange of 5,000,000.00 points. Do you wish to make a purchase?⟩⟩
'Oh wow this one works very nicely.'
⟨⟨A rank 9 lower tier technique is available for purchase in exchange for 5,000,000.00 points. Do you wish to make a purchase?⟩⟩
'Do you really need to repeat that? Yes, ah wait, No. How much is a Rank 9 middle level technique? '
⟨⟨A rank 9 middle tier technique is available for purchase in exchange for 10,000,000.00 points. Do you wish to make a purchase?⟩⟩
'Will I still be able to unlock that bloodline if I cultivate a middle tier instead?'
⟨⟨That is correct, Character Lan Zhī Yuán.⟩⟩
'What is that technique?'
⟨⟨The rank 9 middle tier technique is called Heaven-Travelling, it allows the user to move from one location to another within one millisecond. It is advice to use this with the system's map feature.⟩⟩
'Then what are those two low tier techniques?'
⟨⟨The rank 9 low tier techniques are called, Omnicient Insight and Swift Moving Steps. Omnicient Insight allows the user to automatically discern any information of anything on sight. Swift Moving Steps as it names suggests, allows the user to move with perfect stealth and quick movement.⟩⟩
Due to my excitement, I felt the need to hurry to get my hands on those two.
'Both of the two low tiers, definitely, this instant. '
⟨⟨Character Lan Zhī Yuán is about to make a purchase. Please confirm the purchase.⟩⟩
'How...? Do I just say confirm?'
⟨⟨Character Lan Zhī Yuán had successfully purchased the rank 9 low tier Omnicient Insight Technique and the rank 9 low tier Swift Moving Steps Technique. Please choose the Status or Skill window to view your cultivation techniques.⟩⟩
'I'm not complaining, but I think you misunderstood my question for an answer. But anyway, uh... view Skill Window...?'
⟨⟨Understood. Displaying Character Lan Zhī Yuán's Skill Window.⟩⟩
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'Hey, I think you forgot something. I'm nearly blind.'
I guess things like this isn't really going to be flawless.
⟨⟨That is correct. Please pardon my mistake.⟩⟩
... What if I don't?
⟨⟨Text To Speech is now enabled.⟩⟩
⟨⟨Cultivation Method(/s):
Omnicient Insight
Current Level: Low Tier
Potential Level: Unknown
Note: User must give commands to use this technique to be activated depending on the cultivation realm.
Swift Moving Steps
Current Level: Low Tier
Potential Level: Unknown
Note: User must give commands to use this skill to be activated depending on the cultivation realm.⟩⟩
⟨⟨To give commands, Character Lan Zhī Yuán may speak the words: Activate Technique + The name of the technique.⟩⟩
'Ohh I see then, Activate Technique Omnicient Insight.'
⟨⟨Activating Omnicient Insight. Turning on Auto Cultivation.
Forcing character Lan Zhī Yuán into lotus meditation position...⟩⟩
⟨⟨Successful.⟩⟩
⟨⟨Character Lan Zhī Yuán will now enter auto cultivation.⟩⟩
'Hey wait !'
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Well, at least I tried. I wonder if that Wen Hui is still in the same room with this body I'm using? Is he still talking? Am I just frozen in front of him? Ah, wait...wait! Let's not overthink.
Ugh. But it's bothering me still...
Shouldn't everyone in my situation would find it confusing and weird? They probably have issues if they accept it so fast.
'Hey system?'
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No response? Is it because of the auto cultivation? How long will this take anyway? All I see is darkness that I'm starting to imagine things. Ugh.
'Uh System On? Turn on System...? Show Character Window--'
⟨⟨Character Window is now on display.
Character Lan Zhī Yuán is currently on auto cultivation mode. Remaining Time: 10s.⟩⟩
'Hey about the remaining time, is it days? Hours? Minutes or seco---'
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 9⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 8⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 7⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 6⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 5⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 4⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 3⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 2⟩⟩
⟨⟨Remaining Time: 1⟩⟩
'So it was seconds... Thanks for telling me.' I seriously miss talking to another person but aren't everyone here a npc? Don't those usually have some sort of script something? '
⟨⟨Skill Omnicient Insight is now activated. Turning off Auto Cultivation Mode. Returning Character Lan Zhī Yuán in previous position. Additional Note, Omnicient Insight once activated will be used automatically, this can be turned off in the skill window.⟩⟩
I blinked upon opening my eyes, I could see Wen Hui sitting still in front of me, still waiting for my answer.
He scoots very closely towards me as I only stared at him not saying a word, I just felt the need to stop for a while, so it took me some minutes to be able to respond. Why do I somehow feel ... anxious?
Ugh, anyway. Is it a premonition? I'm feeling chills on my spine.
"Oh? Uh sorry, senior brother..." I spoke, trailing off my words. What did he ask again? Man, I feel like I'm standing on an edge of the plank. His gaze seems normal but somewhat eerie, it's hard to say why...
I awkwardly stared at Wen Hui, the conversation with the system was a bit long that his question had slipped from my mind.
"Uh, Senior Brother, can you repeat what you asked again? Sorry I think I'm still not feeling well, it feels difficult to focus..." I stated while I try to act frail, holding my head as if its hurting.
Sorry about that, why did I do that? Please pretend that I didn't do that. Please...
That's going to hunt me for years...
Wen Hui tilted his head to the side a bit and then chuckled. Man, how could a man be so pretty? I can't see very clearly--
What did I say...?
"Of course, I was asking you if you could recognize me? I'm your Senior Brother Wen Hui, can you recall?"
Hey wait, hold on! Does my eye deceive me, or I think I can see much better now?
"Wen Hui..."
"Yes, Zhi Yuan? What's wrong?"
"... Wen Hui"
"Yes, Zhi Yuan?? Is something wrong?"
I move closer to him, gripping his shoulders. I looked straight to his direction.
I trailed off, "You have..."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Your eyes are as breathtaking just like the most priceless jade. You have the most captivating eyes that I have ever seen!" I spoke with a serious expression, Wen Hui flinched, and a slight grin appeared on his lips. I'm romantic, aren't I? I know what I said is "cringe" like what would teens call it back in the modern age, but I just feel so elated to be able to see very clearly again It's even much better than my eyesight from before.
But honestly, I believe I would regret doing that when I would recall that moment when I get older. Let's just bury it deep within my forbidden memories and try not to stay up too late, or it might come to hunt me.
Wen Hui cleared his throat and flicked my forehead but despite what he did, he has an amused expression on his face. He spoke, "Are you trying to make romantic advances to your senior brother? How bold! Very good!"
That sounds very sarcastic...
I stared at him cautiously. I wouldn't know if what I did had unknowingly put myself on a death row.
"No." I answered plainly, I wanted to see how he would react.
Wen Hui took a deep breath and grinned, "I prepared food for you, eat it all."
That's all his reaction? How plain.
He hummed as he took the plate on the left area of the wooden tray, I wonder what's the other one?
Somehow I think my instinct is telling me not to eat it, but it looks good...
I stared at it for a solid minute, but it looks good, and the system isn't giving me any warning, so there shouldn't be any danger, right?
I took the chopsticks and took a small amount before eating it quietly, Wen Hui stared at me expectantly.
.... This is heavenly!
I took more amount and ate it until I ended up eating all of it. The soup's flavor isn't too strong, and the ingredients feels soft to bite, it was very pleasant to eat.
"Senior Brother? Do you perhaps like to cook?" I asked as I tidy up the plate, placing it back on the wooden tray before sitting back on the edge of the bed. I wonder who's the other plate for?
Wen Hui nods, "It's what I do when I'm not under a slaves job, but calling it a dog's job is probably more suitable." The edges of his lips curled into a mocking grin at his words before he plopped backwards on the mattress of the bed.
Dogs job ?
Could he be....
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Mx_Third
Mx_Third Hi this is Third! I hope you'll continue reading this book and if you liked it enough please consider to vote, tags and leave your comments! I really enjoyed writing and researching to write this story so I hope readers would also feel the same interest towards the story and characters. What do you think will happen next? What do you think Zhī Yuán plans to do?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone