[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-in-fairy-tail-sorry-i-really-am-the-mastermind-b":3,"chapter-in-fairy-tail-sorry-i-really-am-the-mastermind-b-in-fairy-tail-apologies-i-am-the-mastermind-chapter-596":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","In Fairy Tail: So Sorry, I Really Am the Mastermind",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2127151,3474,"Chapter 596","in-fairy-tail-apologies-i-am-the-mastermind-chapter-596",596,"\u003Cp>Once these words were spoken, the onlookers boiled over, raising their hands and jumping up, with only one goal: to be chosen by Master Lin Cheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Zhai Yuanba... and that green-haired mercenary, you look like you have a story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"You two come over, I will carve inscriptions on you to demonstrate to everyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng’s naming made the chosen mercenary extremely happy, jumping on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"God bless, I was actually chosen! Wonderful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As for Zhai Zhai Yuanba, he had already arrived in front of Lin Cheng one step ahead. He was chosen; he had expected it!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Even, one could say, he was more suitable than anyone in the guild, because he was Lin Cheng’s disciple!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Hmm, relax, the process might be a little painful, but the power of the inscription will benefit you a lot!\" Lin Cheng placed his hand on Zhai Yuanba’s shoulder, signaling him to rest assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, Teacher, I will definitely cooperate with you with all my strength!\" Zhai Zhai Yuanba nodded with a firm look in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Hahaha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This firm look, as if about to charge into battle with no hope of survival, made Lin Cheng laugh instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Relax, inscription carving is not as complicated as you think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lin Cheng also looked at the green-haired mercenary, signaling him to relax as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Master Lin Cheng, will it hurt? I am the most afraid of pain.\" The green-haired mercenary was already shivering a little before he even started.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"It’s like being pricked by a needle, it doesn't hurt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"That’s good.\" The green-haired mercenary was relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But Lin Cheng hadn't finished speaking. Although being pricked by a needle doesn't hurt, he didn't say how many times he would be pricked. \"Ready to start!\" Lin Cheng reminded.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Do you two have any requirements for the ability of inscription strengthening?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The green-haired mercenary seemed a bit impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Master Lin Cheng, I want to enhance my aggressiveness, speed, and defense capability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A very greedy idea, wanting attack, speed, and defense. Even some mercenaries below couldn't stand it. Do they really think Master Lin Cheng is omnipotent?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, Lin Cheng nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Inscription strengthening is best used to strengthen one direction. Being all-around is not impossible, but the ability will be slightly weaker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Will strengthening three directions at the same time be very weak? The green-haired mercenary scratched his head; he didn't understand the principles and abilities between inscriptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng shook his head and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"No... it’s just that the attack will not be as good as an inscription that only strengthens attack, the speed will not be as good as an inscription that only strengthens speed, and the defense will not be as good as an inscription that only strengthens defense. There are pros and cons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In short, being all-around has all-around benefits, and being single has single benefits. It depends on how you choose!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hearing this, the green-haired mercenary’s face clearly showed hesitation, and his face was extremely complex for a short time. Finally, he seemed to finally decide by gritting his teeth!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Master, just give me inscriptions that strengthen attack, speed, and defense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After speaking, the green-haired mercenary seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and his whole body relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He had thought about strengthening one of his specialties alone. God letting Master Lin Cheng choose him was undoubtedly giving him a chance to become stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If any one aspect is strengthened, although the strengthened aspect will be particularly prominent, corresponding obvious shortcomings will also appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He is all alone!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>All-around strengthening is more suitable for him than single strengthening. At least when encountering danger, he can have more chances to survive!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Decided?\" Lin Cheng looked at the mercenary with green hair who had a story, and finally asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Decided!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Master, please let the inscription make me stronger!\" In the next second, the green-haired mercenary actually knelt down to Lin Cheng in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Get up quickly, I would have carved inscriptions for you even if you didn't say it.\" Lin Cheng was startled and helped him up. Seeing the green-haired mercenary’s serious look, he knew he must have misunderstood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Inscriptions only give you a path to become stronger, a possibility. To truly become stronger, you have to rely on your own efforts and beliefs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The green-haired mercenary nodded even more solemnly and clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I know, Master Lin Cheng, I will definitely work twice as hard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He had heard this sentence, seen it, and believed in it deeply! A firm belief is the posture of a powerhouse!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"No, you don't understand what I mean yet, but you will understand in a while.\" Seeing him like this, Lin Cheng knew he must have misunderstood something, so he turned and asked Zhai Zhai Yuanba.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng first helped his disciple Zhai Zhai Yuanba carve inscriptions. His three inscriptions were carved on his arms and the center of his chest respectively. The whole process was observed by everyone present. When the exclusive symbols representing the inscriptions appeared on the body, it meant the carving was complete!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, the whole process was also slightly painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhai Yuanba was also very competitive, gritting his teeth throughout the whole process and not making a single sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Having finally finished carving the thirty inscriptions, Zhai Zhai Yuanba sat paralyzed on the ground, exhausted, with cold sweat on his forehead, panting heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Elder Zhai on the side immediately put clothes on his grandson and took out a towel to wipe the sweat from his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"You've worked hard, Zhai Yuanba.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"It is no hardship. I do this for Master, and for myself.\" Zhai Yuanba shook his head; this was his duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Elder Zhai smiled kindly and patted his grandson's head. They had long known that inscribing runes onto the human body would cause no issues, but this was something the other members of the Blacksmiths' Guild were unaware of.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Master Lin Cheng publicly inscribing runes onto a human body was merely a way of announcing the arrival of a new era.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Circulate the Qi within your body to stimulate and adapt to the power of the runes. Nourish them with your Qi; they possess the potential for growth as well.\" Lin Cheng gave a quick instruction, then turned and walked in front of the green-haired mercenary!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Elder Zhai and the others were still a bit puzzled, but since Master Lin Cheng had said so, there must be a reason for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They only needed to wait for Master Lin Cheng’s explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Afterward, the formal inscription for the green-haired mercenary began. At first, the green-haired man smiled at Lin Cheng; it didn't seem very painful, did it? But when the same rune was inscribed ten times in the same spot, the pain began to intensify continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hiss!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ten Balance Runes were completed on his chest. The green-haired mercenary couldn't help but gasp, his eyes filled with a look of pleading, his face seemingly saying, \"Master, you lied to me, why does it hurt so much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng acted as if he hadn't seen that look.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When another ten Hunting Runes were finished on his waist, the green-haired mercenary was already pale and exhausted, as if he had reached his body's limit!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Hold on, there's only one left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng instructed, moving to his back to begin the final inscription. He had expected the green-haired mercenary to cry out, but to his surprise, the man was quite tough, gritting his teeth to endure the pain that grew sharper over the next few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Not bad... not bad at all.\" Lin Cheng couldn't help but praise him.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"It hurts, Master.\" The green-haired mercenary complained.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng acted as if he hadn't heard this either, continuing on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Do you know why I said earlier that runes only provide you with a path and a possibility to become stronger? True strength still depends on your own conviction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hearing this, the green-haired mercenary scratched his head, confused by Lin Cheng's meaning, and asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Isn't it that the stronger the conviction, the greater the enhancement provided by the runes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Yes, and no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng said, feigning mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Only when he swept his gaze across the entire crowd did he give a formal explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Conviction is only one way to stimulate the power of the runes. The 'no' part is because runes also possess growth potential; they will grow stronger as your strength increases. However, they also need to absorb Qi to make their effects more potent. To use the ranking system, the runes I just inscribed on you are only Tier 1. You must use Qi to continuously nourish them so their grade can rise. When a rune reaches Tier 2, its effect will be greatly enhanced!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"After that, there are Tier 3, Tier 4, and the highest, Tier 5 runes! The more you want to advance, the more Qi you need to nourish them. Similarly, the enhancement effects of high-grade runes are quite terrifying!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"So, runes only give you a path and a possibility to become stronger. If you want to be strong, you must improve your own strength while simultaneously raising the grade of your runes. Only when both progress together can you transform into a true powerhouse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Do you understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lin Cheng looked earnestly at the green-haired mercenary, whose expression was quite complex—filled with regret, remorse, and determination...\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He now understood why the green-haired man had been so excited he knelt down when he first got the runes; the man must have mistakenly thought that getting the runes inscribed was a one-time fix for becoming strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, there is no such thing as a one-time fix in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"There is no such thing as a one-time fix in this world, except... death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The green-haired mercenary suddenly realized, his face full of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I understand, Master. Thank you very much for your guidance.\" The mercenary bowed repeatedly to Lin Cheng. A master is a master; not only did he help him inscribe the runes, but he also taught him how to truly become strong!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Becoming strong is a continuous process; the only one-time fix is to die!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He understood now, and he was so moved, boo-hoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Clap, clap, clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Thunderous applause erupted from below. The many onlookers and mercenaries had thought Master Lin Cheng was just a big shot in the forging world; they hadn't expected him to have such deep attainments in the martial path as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Previously, most people had the same idea as the green-haired mercenary, thinking that rune inscription would allow them to become truly strong once and for all, not knowing that runes could actually grow stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"By the way, there is one more thing I want to tell everyone. Years ago, I used runes to create a complex magical beast material conversion machine, which can turn the remains of dead magical beasts into special cultivation resources. I call them Spirit Coins! A special currency containing Qi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Chr\u002F>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>— Author's Notes —\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>· ·······Seeking flowers····· ·····\u003C\u002Fp>",1831,"2026-06-16T12:13:34.850Z","2026-06-17T08:53:56.698Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","39dd34899b3f85bccbe1bcbdb9f3ddfb37619d6f26642cf3e495e3b876ae4edf","in-fairy-tail-apologies-i-am-the-mastermind-chapter-597","in-fairy-tail-apologies-i-am-the-mastermind-chapter-595",660,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fin-fairy-tail-apologies-i-am-the-mastermind-cover.jpg"]