Chapter 144-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation

"Lady Saintess, this is the information on Amber Lake I compiled."

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. My family are all workers at Amber Lake."

In the break room, a young woman in a white uniform sat somewhat uneasily opposite Ye Zheng.

She was one of the members of the Holy Journey Knights Order. Hearing that the Ability Competition had set the final match at Amber Lake, she recommended herself to Knight Wen De, hoping to bring some help to the Saintess.

Amber Lake, full name Demonic Domain 47 - Amber Lake, was a precious resource-type Demonic Domain of the Empire.

There was a huge lake in this Demonic Domain. Buried under the lake were many blue crystals resembling amber. They had high medicinal value and were also important raw materials for creating insulating materials and producing weapon equipment.

Ye Zheng had heard of Amber Lake very early on. She didn't expect the Empire to actually use a high-value resource-type Demonic Domain as the competition venue.

To maintain resource-type Demonic Domains, the Empire invested huge manpower and material resources.

First, to preserve the Demonic Domain, the Empire could not destroy the core monster but could only imprison it. Then, they used Heterogeneous Stones to build passages in and out of the Demonic Domain. After stabilizing the Demonic Domain, ordinary workers were sent in to work.

"Is it convenient to talk about the content of your family's work at Amber Lake?" Ye Zheng asked softly.

The young woman pursed her lips, her face becoming somewhat heavy, but she still nodded.

"My sister is still working at Amber Lake. She is an ordinary person. She dives to the bottom of the lake every day to collect crystals. This job is hard and dangerous, and it also damages the body, but the income is good, so she is unwilling to give it up."

Ye Zheng knew that jobs in resource-type Demonic Domains were always very sought-after. Or rather, all industries related to Demonic Domains, whether for eliminating Demonic Domains or collecting Demonic Domain resources, were very hot.

It was ironic to say that Demonic Domains were the greatest scourge threatening the Empire's survival, yet they were also an important part of the Empire's development.

After the knight sitting opposite finished speaking, she lowered her head dejectedly. Ye Zheng noticed her emotions were a bit off and asked tentatively, "Have you gone home to visit recently? If you need to, you can ask Wen De for leave."

The young woman lifted her face and quickly shook her head, "Thank you for your concern. I went back a month ago... to attend my father's funeral. He had an accident while working at Amber Lake two months ago."

"The core of Amber Lake is a water monster. Although it is suppressed at the deepest part of the lake most of the time, it occasionally gets agitated... so the wages at Amber Lake are quite good."

Ye Zheng looked at the bitter smile on the woman's face. Her own expression also became heavier. After waiting for the woman to digest her emotions, Ye Zheng continued to ask, "Then, has your sister talked about recent changes in Amber Lake or anything like that?"

"Changes? She said the crystals are getting fewer and harder to mine. Amber Lake hasn't recruited people for a long time, and I heard they even dismissed some people."

A look of understanding flashed across Ye Zheng's face. She understood why the Empire was willing to use Amber Lake as the competition venue. It turned out that Amber Lake was already facing depletion and abandonment.

The two chatted for a while longer. Besides Amber Lake, they talked about the work situation of the Holy Journey Knights Order and recent trends in the Lower District. Until the sun set in the west, Ye Zheng stood up and picked up the windbreaker draped over the chair.

Before leaving, Ye Zheng patted the young knight on the shoulder, "Tell your sister to change jobs. The whole family should move away from the vicinity of Amber Lake as soon as possible."

Amber Lake being chosen as the final competition venue meant something unexpected and major would definitely happen.

Ye Fanjing became the Chief Judge of the Ability Tribunal and was recently busy with the job handover, beaming with joy. The Chief Judge had great power; for instance, the management of Amber Lake was also within his authority. But the greater the power, the greater the risk.

Vaguely, Ye Zheng had an ominous premonition. Invisible nets were approaching in the dark.

Besides worry, a trace of imperceptible excitement rose in Ye Zheng's heart. As the nets woven by the enemies for her became clearer, their positions and flaws would also become more conspicuous.

Leaving the Holy Journey Knights Order station, Ye Zheng walked alone on the street. She deliberately disguised her appearance; she couldn't appear on the street at will as the Saintess now.

A few months ago, people would greet the Saintess Ye Zheng who appeared on the streets of the Lower District in a friendly manner. Occasionally, people she had treated would enthusiastically give gifts. Their attitude was affectionate, like treating the popular little daughter of a neighbor, only this "girl next door" had a noble identity.

But now, if the Saintess suddenly appeared on the street, the entire street would soon be submerged by an excited stream of people—two days ago, someone mistook the Saintess, causing a laughable mix-up.

Ye Zheng quietly blended into the crowd, silently listening to people's idle chat.

"Hey, I have inside information. Blue Amber Pills are going to become popular. Let's stock up in advance..."

"I heard the matter in the West District hasn't ended yet. Someone saw with their own eyes that monsters appeared even outside the Demonic Domain. Do you think they will run to the East District?"

"What are you afraid of? Saintess Ye Zheng and the Crown Prince are both competing in our East District. Even if a Special-rank Demonic Domain comes, there's no need to worry."

"True. In history, no one has ever been so favored by the God of Hope. Saintess Ye Zheng must be the savior in the prophecy!"

Savior? Ye Zheng, sitting in the corner of a small restaurant, sneered lightly.

Kiran had told her that the true prophecy only contained world-destroying Demonic Domains. The existence of a savior was fabricated to comfort people's hearts.

The fabricated identity of a savior fit perfectly, in a way, with her, a Saintess who deceived the world and forged miracles.

"By the way, regarding this competition, do you think the Cloud-Soaring Squad will win? The reward is Dragon Bone..."

Hearing someone mention the competition, Ye Zheng's ears twitched slightly. She was also curious; could the Cloud-Soaring Squad win the championship?

According to the story development tropes, the protagonist team would definitely win the championship. They would receive the grand prize. The only one who might cause a change was Ye Zheng, but Ye Zheng had no interest in winning the championship; she was just going with the flow of the main plot.

She didn't believe the Royal Family would give away the real Dragon Bone as a reward. Moreover, according to her deduction, Dragon Bones were buried in the Lower District to begin with. Not only could they not repel Demonic Domains, but they would actually attract Demonic Domains, which was why the Lower District was a high-incidence area for Demonic Domains.

And the ignorant residents of the Lower District were still hoping that the Dragon Bone could save people. Ye Zheng sighed.

The truth of the prophecy, the secret of the Dragon Bone, the twisted and cruel Hope Project... She couldn't make these public yet. At least she had to consider solving these things step by step after obtaining the [Mother of All Things].

Ye Zheng was curious. As the male lead, did Percy already know the secret of the Dragon Bone?

[Ye Zheng, can you be sure that the Dragon Bone isn't buried in the Upper District to deter Demonic Domains, but buried in the Lower District to attract Demonic Domains?]

Just then, the System suddenly spoke.

Ye Zheng blinked in confusion, then said firmly, "I am sure."

She had already discovered Dragon Bones three times in the Lower District: the skull and spine of the demon dragon. The Hope Project base had placed the spine into an underground palace built of Heterogeneous Stones for experiments. This could explain why there were fewer Demonic Domains in the West District, because the Dragon Bone in the West District was isolated by Heterogeneous Stones.

As for other demon dragon remains... maybe a leg bone or something was buried under this small restaurant?

[Alright, assuming what you said is the truth—]

The System's voice carried hesitation, as if it couldn't be sure either.

[Then, congratulations, you have unearthed a hidden secret of this world!]

Ye Zheng's face froze. Did the System mean that the manga never revealed the secret of the Dragon Bone from beginning to end?

The manga creator had no reason to set up such suspense but not let the protagonist use it. Did he forget or discard this foreshadowing during the creation process? Or, did even he not know this secret...

Ye Zheng sat quietly in the crowd, her body motionless like a statue. The vivid noise and lively faces around her faded rapidly in her world. In an instant, it seemed as if she was the only one left in this world.

If the manga creator didn't know this crucial secret, it proved that he was not the creator of this world, but more like an observer who could influence this world with his will?

Ye Zheng suddenly thought of the restrictions on Percy. He couldn't change his own settings or the established plot. Other characters could make changes, but the protagonist Percy had triggered System warnings multiple times.

...Percy. The creator was influencing this world through the protagonist Percy!

Ye Zheng's expression suddenly condensed. Looking at it this way, the force behind the System seemed to be observing and influencing this world through her.

The System's attitude was extremely tough and controlling at first. Later, it gradually changed because of her unexpected actions every time. But the System was also an artificial creation; the force behind the System acquiesced to this change.

So far, the attitude of this mysterious force towards her leaned more towards prudent neutrality. To some extent, it had helped her and changed her predetermined fate.

But Ye Zheng didn't like this feeling of being observed and vaguely controlled, as if she were some lab rat used for experiments.

Moreover, could this powerful force really maintain a neutral observer attitude towards her forever? Ye Zheng didn't trust these mysterious existences.

Ye Zheng had also done experiments with Teacher Qin Lu. To get more discoveries, experimenters would constantly add variables to the experiment.

These variables were not necessarily friendly to her.

Sensing that Ye Zheng's attitude was a bit cold, the System fell silent. It indeed had nothing to say.

This was the biggest hint it could give Ye Zheng within its authority.

Outside the manga world.

Late at night in the city, the office building was cut into countless small squares lit by lights. A slightly chubby young woman was working in front of a computer, her thick glasses illuminated by the electronic screen.

As a coloring assistant for a well-known manga artist, to help the manga lead artist complete the massive weekly updates, she stayed up late almost every day, responsible for coloring, lining, and drawing backgrounds for fine manuscripts.

Suddenly, the hand holding her pen paused. A new character appeared in the manga, but that man hadn't told her the settings for this new character at all.

Fang Jue pushed her glasses up. She wanted to send a text message to that man with a weird temper and unpredictable moods, but after thinking about it, she exited the chat box.

Better not ask for trouble. Fang Jue decided to message the company editor to ask about the settings.

Although she was an assistant, she actually rarely interacted with that man. But every meeting left a deep impression on her. The man had sunken eyes and protruding cheekbones, looking more haggard and gaunt each time. This made her regret entering this industry countless times!

Fortunately, Fang Jue still had some love for this work. She liked the character Ye Zheng very much, which was a small comfort in her work.

To be honest, Ye Zheng didn't look like someone that man could create. Maybe the editor gave him some suggestions. Fang Jue thought she would just bypass him and communicate directly with the editor in the future.

She became an assistant also wanting to learn experience in creating manga from a lead artist. But that Old Uncle never came to the company to work. She heard he stayed at home all day. Fang Jue thought that if he died suddenly one day, probably no one would notice.

The phone screen lit up. Fang Jue picked up the phone to look.

[Editor Lin: The company says he has brown hair and green eyes. He is an important character. Baby, draw him carefully, okay.]

Fang Jue took a deep breath. Another important character. Last time Kiran was also said to be very important, but didn't he get killed by Ye Zheng after just a few chapters?

However, this new character was a new member of the protagonist team; he definitely wouldn't die anytime soon.

Fang Jue resigned herself to continuing work. Soon, a lively young boy poking his head out to say hello appeared on the screen, with slightly fluttering brown hair and bright, sly green eyes. Fang Jue paused her pen in confusion. Why did this character have a strange sense of déjà vu?

"Lady Saintess!"

A loud voice made Ye Zheng stop. Other Royal Squad members also stopped with her in confusion. There was still half an hour before entering the competition venue to officially start the final match.

"It's the real Lady Saintess. Ah, and His Highness the Crown Prince! Today is absolutely the most honored day of my life."

A strange brown-haired boy ran up to Ye Zheng. His face was flushed from running, and his green eyes were sparkling. He looked very likable.

Ye Zheng maintained the Saintess's gentle smile, inquiring about the stranger boy's intention with her eyes. Ye Di, standing beside her, scoffed. Where did this country bumpkin come from? He actually dared to hit on his sister, Saintess Ye Zheng, in public, and completely ignored his existence!

"My name is Wen Xiaoxing. Sorry, because I was too looking forward to seeing you, I was a bit impulsive. But if it's the Lady Saintess, you will surely forgive my small offense, right?"

Wen Xiaoxing smiled embarrassedly. His beautiful green eyes revealed an innocent look, making people unable to bear criticizing him.

"Not necessarily."

Ye Zheng answered him with a smile.

Wen Xiaoxing froze for a moment before realizing what Ye Zheng meant. She seemed not to want to forgive his "small offense".

"Don't dawdle, Ye Zheng." Sykes frowned and urged.

Ye Zheng's gaze stayed focused on the stranger boy for a while, then she smiled and nodded at him, turning to follow Sykes' pace.

This Wen Xiaoxing looked a bit familiar. Ye Zheng glanced to the left. He looked a bit like Ye Di; no wonder she didn't like him very much at first sight.

[Think again. Compared to Ye Di, does he look more like... one of your identities?]

"...So when I dress as a male, I really look like Ye Di?"

Ye Zheng's steps paused slightly, her pupils dilating, looking like she didn't want to believe it.

Seeing Ye Zheng missing the point, the System continued to hint anxiously.

[It's your brother's honor to look like you—don't you think that Wen Xiaoxing's over-familiar personality is very like...]

Ye Zheng didn't pause at all this time. She walked in the middle of the team with a normal expression, as if not very surprised.

"Like Yin Kong. But I confirmed that Yin Kong is already dead."

Ye Zheng recalled that Wen Xiaoxing's gestures and personality were similar, but the behavioral details were not like Yin Kong. For example, Yin Kong's walking posture was always crooked and shapeless, and Yin Kong liked to hold things when he was emotional.

She only counter-killed Yin Kong after careful observation. She could confirm that this Wen Xiaoxing was not Yin Kong.

But he must have some relationship with Yin Kong, and her.

What Ye Zheng cared about most was, would this Wen Xiaoxing's ability also be like Yin Kong's?

"It doesn't matter. No matter how many times things that hinder me come back, I will kill them as many times."

Ye Zheng lowered her cold black eyes and stepped into the rest room prepared by the organizing committee for the contestants.

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