“Ah!”
As Zhang Fang slowly opened his eyes, he found himself enveloped in darkness. He almost thought he was blind. The pain in his rear end was excruciating, a sensation that was far too vivid.
Just a second before, he had signed a contract, consenting to participate in a character experience game where, upon successfully completing a character’s reversal task, he would gain energy based on his success percentage. To his surprise, as soon as he signed, he was transported into the game.
Something wasn’t right! In the first world, his character was supposed to be the reckless son of the Chancellor, destined for wealth and luxury! How could he be suffering like this, especially with such a painful backside?
Determined to assert himself, Zhang Fang shouted, “Someone! I need help!”
His voice came out hoarse and unpleasant, comparable to a croaking duck, leaving him unsure whether it sounded like this naturally or if he had strained it by shouting too much.
Footsteps echoed from outside, and soon a beam of light emerged!
Zhang Fang let out a sigh of relief, grateful he wasn’t blind!
However, just as he attempted to shift his body, the pain in his rear spread like wildfire, preventing him from moving. Instead, he directed his voice toward the source of the light: “I’m dying…”
The guard outside hesitated. This prisoner was the precious son of the Chancellor!
The Chancellor himself was a legendary figure, having risen from humble origins to the pinnacle of civil service, not abandoning his faithful wife nor taking on concubines, even surfacing with a son at the age of fifty! Yet, his son became notorious for associating with a bad crowd, ultimately leading to the accidental murder of the empress’s nephew—a grave infraction that even the Chancellor could not shield him from. Since the incident, the Chancellor had not visited his son nor sent anyone to ensure he was cared for in prison.
Meanwhile, the maternal uncle of the nephew had made an appearance, and the court, unable to withstand pressure, resorted to punishment. A pampered youth suddenly faced thirty lashes and passed out. Fearing that Zhang Fang might die in prison, the chief magistrate even arranged for medicine to be administered to him while he was unconscious.
The higher-ups had made it clear: every prisoner must be monitored closely, especially ensuring none died on their watch!
So, hearing Zhang Fang’s weak claims of “I’m dying,” guard Zhao felt a twinge of fear. After a moment of hesitation, he opened the cell door and stepped inside to check on the son of the Chancellor. If the boy showed any signs of fever, he would have to report it to his superior and bring a doctor immediately.
Only when the door swung open did Zhang Fang realize the environment he found himself in.
No way! He was in prison?
How could the son of the Chancellor end up behind bars?
Zhang Fang reflected on the plot details of the contract and suddenly a lengthy segment of text appeared before him: it was the character summary.
It turned out the spoiled son had inadvertently caused the death of the empress’s nephew, leading to his arrest. And his father, the Chancellor, had still yet to show up to see him!
Zhang Fang felt a tightness in his chest. He had originally thought he would come into this role to change its bad habits and focus on studying, believing he would successfully alter the character’s life. But the plot was turning out to be far more complex! His father likely didn’t even know how to rescue him! That’s why he hadn’t acted yet. If even the Chancellor couldn’t save him, Zhang Fang faced the grim reality of either execution or exile!