I Don't Agree to the Terms

The more the other party comforted him, the colder Wang Qi's heart became.

And so, somewhat dazed, he went to bed, not bothering about the mud on his body, just lying there with his eyes open, tossing and turning, finding it hard to fall asleep.

Not until deep into the night did he finally doze off in a haze.

Afterward, the white jade gourd vibrated slightly, as if it was checking something.

Without thinking, one knew this was Gu Shanhai's incarnation. After confirming that Wang Qi was the protagonist, he had deliberately set up a situation.

The things he said were mostly true, with just a bit of falsehood mixed in. Whether it was the Godslayer Alliance or the illness in Wang Qi's body, those were real, but the falsehood was that Gu Shanhai was sealed and powerless.

Gu Shanhai could be sure that the illness in the other's body was likely a way to change his circumstances; it was just going to be a couple of months before it manifested.

It was like giving Wang Qi pressure, a goal to strive vigorously toward. Wang Qi wanted to shed his identity as an earthling and become a Transcendent of the sea, but he had no good methods for doing so.

Only when faced with such a desperate situation would he take a risk and, ultimately, take the path of confronting the Divine.

The current situation was more about laying the groundwork.

As for his rabbits being stolen, that genuinely wasn't Gu Shanhai's fault. Those rabbits, indeed gifted by him, but the four local bullies weren't his doing.

Gu Shanhai suspected the world had arranged this to compel him, to make him learn from shame and then become courageous.

If he hadn't intervened, perhaps the effect might actually have been achieved, unfortunately, now Wang Qi was wondering why his life was so short-lived.

Early the next morning, Wang Qi woke up early, not going out to work as usual, but lying in bed and staring at the beams of his room.

"You're up this early, slacking off with such diligence," Gu Shanhai said sarcastically, then continued, "Aren't you going to hurry up and strive to solve the eternal torment of being cast into the sea after death? Doesn't seem too great, does it?"

"Today, I rest, and I think you're lying to me," Wang Qi seemed to be avoiding reality; his actions implied acceptance of his impending death, yet he was unwilling to admit it.

"Oh, then let's chat, since you're resting anyway," Gu Shanhai seemed not to understand Wang Qi's disdain, continuing to speak on his own.

The two chatted fitfully for a good half-hour before Gu Shanhai abruptly said, "I've got this feeling you're about to hit some bad luck. I suggest you take me and run now. Never mind, it's probably too late. Take me and hide under the bed, or you're going to get beaten up pretty soon."

"What?" Wang Qi was startled, but he picked up the small and exquisite white jade gourd, quickly rolled under the bed, and covered it with things.

Less than three minutes passed when he heard the violent kicking open of his house's front door.

"Boss, no one's here, might have gone to work."

A familiar voice rang in Wang Qi's ears, one he couldn't possibly forget—the voice of the four bullies who had stolen his rabbits and beaten him up the night before.

He peeked through the gap under the bed.

"Hmph, lucky for him he's not home. We'll come back tonight and have to catch that kid. I promised Mr. Song I'd deliver a live pig to him tomorrow," the leading Mr. Li said impatiently.

"Should we squat outside today then?" one of the bullies suggested.

The result was a slap from the leader, Li Ye: "You think that kid's an idiot? Wait for him to fall asleep tonight, and he'll be at our mercy. If you're squatting at the door, he'll run the moment he sees you."

After trashing the place, the group left discontentedly.

Ten minutes after the people had gone, Gu Shanhai finally said, "They're gone, you can come out now."

Wang Qi crawled out, looking at the mess covering the floor, feeling somewhat numb inside.

Gu Shanhai could be certain that Wang Qi's path as the protagonist had begun, and encountering small-minded people was the most classic way to refine him.

"I don't know what to do," he muttered softly.

"Don't worry, I just received some good news, which will spare you from fearing future illness, and from fearing eternal torment in the sea after death," Gu Shanhai said with an excitement that seemed to celebrate for Wang Qi.

Wang Qi was a bit puzzled by the sudden change and before he could ask, Gu Shanhai continued.

"Just let them capture you tonight, and then tomorrow you'll be roasted and eaten. Though your life will be short, you'll die without pain, quite comfortably."

"Don't worry, your bones and whatever else they don't eat will all be fed to dogs, so you won't have to worry about anything being left behind."

Wang Qi went pale, realizing that being tormented by illness might be preferable. At this moment, a wave of anger surged within him as he finally understood the meaning of being a live pig—it was meant literally—as in being given to some powerful person as a pig.

"Oh, right, remember to dispose of me as well. It would be best to find someone trustworthy or just bury me somewhere. You're wary of me and wouldn't use me, which is good, but if I fall into the wrong hands, who knows? They might be convinced to offer tribute to my true form, and then I might bring disaster to the region again," Gu Shanhai kindly reminded Wang Qi.

"I don't want to die like this; I want to survive," Wang Qi said fiercely. If it had been his own illness that killed him, maybe he could've accepted it. But being eaten by people or gnawed on by dogs—he could not accept this under any circumstances.

"Then you're being a bit presumptuous. Even if you escape, you'll be caught within three days. Trying to kill them in retaliation won't work tonight. Given your small size, in every future I've seen, you end up with broken limbs. The worst time, you were divided up right there on the spot."

"Mr. Song's influence on the island isn't weak."

Gu Shanhai did not seem to hold out much hope.

"Didn't you say you had no more powers? How can you still see the future?" Wang Qi sharply noticed... Well, even without sharp senses, it was apparent that Gu Shanhai had used some abilities.

"Because it's not really a power at all. Powers involve interference. What have I interfered with?" Gu Shanhai replied.

"Uh... my future?" Wang Qi asked.

"Has it happened?" Gu Shanhai countered.

"No."

"If it hasn't happened, why do you say I've interfered? It's like that rabbit. In the future I saw, there was a result where you had a full meal, and one where you were too late. Everything is your own choice. You didn't do as I told you, not only did you lose the rabbit, but you also got beaten up. Now you're even going to be taken as a gift to boost someone else's status—all of this was your own choice. What does it have to do with me?" Gu Shanhai forcefully argued.

Wang Qi also fell silent for a long time, but eventually, he sought Gu Shanhai's help: "I want to live, can you help me?"

He knew that the other was a Divine, with different thoughts and concepts from his own. For instance, his own death might seem like a good end, rather than a tragedy, in the other's eyes.

However, from today's communication, it was clear that the other was very kind, not only avoiding the ferocity common to other divines, but also strongly opposing anyone offering tribute to his true form. It was for these reasons that he sought help from Gu Shanhai.

"I can, but I can only offer some advice, as I can only predict the future now, and because I've lost my true form, there could be some mistakes. Like your situation today—if I were still in my true form, such an oversight wouldn't have happened. So, it relies more on you than on me."

Wang Qi also agreed with what Gu Shanhai said; otherwise, they wouldn't be having this conversation.

"No problem, if I can survive this time, I'll definitely thank you properly," Wang Qi said, feeling much better now that he had Gu Shanhai's support.

"Don't bother with thanks, just talk to me for a couple more days, then find someone trustworthy to send me on my way, so I don't get bored if you, a short-lived ghost, die," Gu Shanhai spoke without taking Wang Qi's feelings into account.

Wang Qi thought if he could indeed survive this ordeal with the other's help, perhaps he could also get the other to help him shed his status as a commoner, even if it meant offering tribute to the other's true form. After all, he was a Good God, who would not have fallen so far had he not trusted the Godslayer Alliance too much.

Now he truly believed that the higher-ups of the Godslayer Alliance had become corrupt, siding with those Evil Gods for the sake of becoming divine beings themselves.

But he had not broadcasted this because he knew that even if he spoke out, no one would believe him. Instead, the Godslayer Alliance would handle him. To expose this, one must have sufficient strength.