Chapter 98: The Fate of Fence-Sitters in TV Dramas

After Lu Mingze and Su Lin met in private, but before Su Lin’s historical projection ascended to godhood.

Su Lin: “Help post a task announcement (message broadcasted; do not communicate in chat groups).”

Su Lin: “Location: Dragon Clan World.”

Su Lin: “Reward: One portion of the Dragon King’s Authority. Required participants: 3.”

Su Lin: “Task: Boss battle (struck out) Pure Love Defense Mission; opponent: the future timeline’s Lu Mingfei (cannot use past strength); prevent him from arranging a harem path for the current Lu Mingfei or dominating the world. Posted by: Lu Mingze.”

Su Lin: “Three spots remain; first come, first served.”

When Kleine saw the word “Authority” in this message, he signed up at top speed and secured the first team slot.

The task details could be checked later.

This shouldn’t conflict with his Unique Trait.

It could greatly enhance one’s power.

But when he saw the task details…

He felt a pang of guilt toward Lu Mingfei, since guilt and shame compounded.

Xiao Yan fixated on the Authority of the Bronze and Fire Dragon King; if he obtained it, he might alone exterminate the Dou Wang of Yunlan Sect and the Soul Hall’s Protectors who would later attack the Xiao Clan.

After all, their target was the Tuo She Ancient Emperor’s Jade; even if Xiao Yan hadn’t revealed himself, they might still turn hostile toward the Xiao Clan.

If it were just an investigation, fine—but if they resorted to murder and arson like before… then he’d have to ask his master to intervene.

But solving it himself would be better.

So Xiao Yan quickly signed up; with Yao Lao covering his back, it’d make a good training exercise.

Zhong Li and Han Li, who had just passed another lightning tribulation, were the third to notice the message.

Upon learning only one spot remained, Han Li immediately offered his place to Zhong Li.

“Brother Zhong, don’t feel indebted; I’ve gained much from you recently,” Han Li said, slightly embarrassed: “Besides… you know my nature. That world and the future Lu Mingfei are too dangerous for me—I’d rather avoid unnecessary risks.”

“Then I won’t refuse your kindness,” Zhong Li nodded and confirmed his selection with Su Lin.

Private chat interface

Ye Fan: “Just counting money—any spots left?!”

Ye Fan: “Save one for me!”

Su Lin: “Full. Next time for sure.”

Ye Fan: “Damn!”

……

……

Looking at the three before him, Old Lu’s face darkened with melancholy—he’d been too excited returning to the past and had leaked his hand to Lu Mingze; that kid was naturally rebellious and never followed conventional paths.

Maximizing available resources, huh.

"If I pay more, will you come over to my side?" Old Lu asked tentatively.

“The contract is binding,” Zhong Li said. “I am the God of Contracts; I cannot break a pact I’ve signed.”

“Can’t be helped, Esteemed Dou Saint of Grand Void,” Xiao Yan scratched his head, seeming troubled: “First come, first served—you’ve got to wait in line. How about I help him first, then come to you?”

Kleine merely smiled and said nothing.

Old Lu sighed and turned to Su Lin: “What about you?”

Su Lin replied, puzzled: “Boss, are you talking to me? Didn’t you just say you’d pay me to do things for you?”

Zhong Li, Xiao Yan, and Kleine stared at Su Lin with strange expressions; the air suddenly grew quiet.

Xiao Yan ventured: “Aren’t you the one who posted this task for Lu Mingze? Then why—”

Su Lin said matter-of-factly: “Lu Mingze’s deal with me only required me to post the task and a few incidental matters. Anything beyond that falls outside the scope of our agreement.”

Kleine wanted to instinctively say something, but under reason, he forced out: “No wonder you’re the Sect Master.”

Old Lu shook his head, dismissing the table and soldiers before him: “Enough. It’s just a few more twists.”

He opened a portal and stepped through: “Come, Su Lin. It’s time for the third task.”

Su Lin waved to the others, smiling: “Let’s meet up tonight for late-night snacks.”

Xiao Yan watched Su Lin vanish into the portal and voiced his thought aloud: “In TV dramas, these fence-sitters who jump between sides end up sacrificed to the gods.”

Zhong Li: “.”

Kleine nodded in agreement: “But he gets double task rewards.”

Lu Mingze clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention: “This is still the enemy’s stronghold. Let’s move somewhere else to talk.”

“Honored guests from afar, what cuisine do you prefer?”

“Chinese food.” x3

“Mai, prepare a feast to welcome our honored guests,” Lu Mingze said. “Also, mark this occasion—we’re splitting from the Big Boss tonight.”

“Oh, and don’t mess up the asset division,” Lu Mingze added, smiling. “The Big Boss, my ex-husband, is filthy rich. Have Su Enxi calculate precisely what we can claim from this divorce.”

“Understood.”

Wine De Mayi stepped forward without hesitation or doubt.

Su Lin followed Lu Mingfei into a Japanese-style room, vast beyond sight of its far end.

It resembled a shogun’s war chamber: countless vermilion pillars, ebony floors polished so often they gleamed like mirrors.

Beams of light pierced through the wooden lattice windows; dust danced within them.

A massive cherry tree overshadowed the roof, its petals occasionally drifting down, adding color.

A visually striking scene.

Before Su Lin and Old Lu stood a massive object covered in red cloth.

“I really hope this is a Gundam,” Su Lin said, staring at the sharp protrusions beneath the cloth—too bad, his spiritual sense had already stripped him of any hope; it wasn’t made of steel.

“I can make that,” Old Lu said coolly. “If you like it, after I unify the world, I’ll build you a warehouse full. Which model do you prefer? I can build one first—can you accept replacing the 00-series’s perpetual motion engine with controlled nuclear fusion?”

For a moment, Su Lin wanted to drop everything and fully assist Old Lu in conquering the world.

“Too many things to handle now,” Old Lu complained, detailing Earth’s backward technology and future development goals, speaking like a local leader overseeing underdeveloped regions.

“Uh…” Su Lin pointed ahead. “Shouldn’t we do the main task first?”

“Oh, sorry.”

Snap.

Old Lu snapped his fingers; the red cloth ignited, revealing a colossal skeleton before Su Lin—the body and wings spread wide like a cross.

“Let me introduce you to my good friend.”

“Old Tang.”

(End of Chapter)