The protagonist committed numerous evil deeds.

Chapter 45 Jiangcheng 3: Suffering Leads to Godhood

Wen Li didn't know how she got back yesterday; she had nightmares all night.

Shen Yingsi was everywhere in her dreams; she could see him no matter where she went.

Shen Yingsi at age eleven, Shen Yingsi at age seventeen, Shen Yingsi at age twenty, and Shen Yingsi at age thirty.

They surrounded her, chased after her, and questioned her, asking, "Why did you hurt him?"

After waking up from her dream, Wen Li felt overwhelmed by a huge, unfamiliar emotion.

Why, why does she always feel guilty towards him?

Wen Li is a heinous criminal, but now she feels inexplicably uncomfortable whenever she thinks of him.

For some reason, she began to understand Jing Chan. Someone as pure and kind as her would probably be overwhelmed by guilt if she were to be with Huo Zhao.

"Host, what's wrong with you?"

When Si Xiaxia returned, she noticed that Wen Li was in a bad mood. She was lying on the bed with her eyes open, not moving for a long time.

"Si Xiaxia, I suddenly understand. That's why you and I are bound together."

Si Xiaxia was curious when she heard this, after all, it was a misunderstanding.

Si Xiaxia asked, "Why?"

"Because I owed him in my past life, I am destined to come here in this life to atone for my sins."

Atonement? Now Si Xiaxia understood a little; her host had finally come to her senses.

However, noticing that Wen Li was a little down, Si Xiaxia comforted her, "It's nothing, really. When the protagonist goes through a tribulation, he's bound to suffer. If it's not you, it will be someone else."

"Does becoming a god necessarily involve going through countless hardships?" Wen Li asked curiously.

"Of course, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will and strengthen their body..."

"Okay, okay, okay, I understand." Wen Li was impatient to hear these grand principles.

"In short, a god must live for thousands of years. Only by seeing through the beauty and sorrow of this world can he truly rise above all living beings and not be disturbed by worldly affairs."

Si Xiaxia spoke with great conviction.

Wen Li interrupted her, saying, "So you're also willing to endure all the suffering of this world and then ascend to godhood?"

"Of course! That's a god. He'll only suffer for a few years. There are thousands upon thousands of good days ahead of him."

So Shen Yingsi must be willing, right? He doesn't need to change anything, and he'll choose to endure the demonic poison this time. Because as long as he gets through these few years, he can steadily ascend to the rank of High God.

Wen Li comforted herself in this way.

Wen Li was somewhat reluctant to help the system with its tasks before, but now she genuinely wants to heal the corrupted Shen Yingsi.

She might have been partly responsible for his descent into darkness. Therefore, she wanted to put his life back on track.

When Wen Li arrived at the banquet hosted by the Zhao family, the sight of Shen Yingsi reminded her of the scene from the previous night.

So she chose the seat furthest from Shen Yingsi at the table, thinking she could take a break first. But when she looked up, she found Shen Yingsi sitting right across from her!

At the dinner table, Zhao Wenbai, as always, spoke politely: "It is truly an honor for my humble abode that you all have come to my Zhao residence! Along the way, you heroes have been fighting demons and monsters to save the people of this world, and in a few days you will be heading to Danli to eliminate the hidden dangers of this world! To be honest, I, Zhao, have no ability to help you, so I can only offer you this cup of wine to express my respect."

As he spoke, Zhao Wenbai picked up his wine glass and brought it to his lips. The others at the table also raised their glasses in return.

Wen Li raised her wine glass, and her eyes accidentally met those of Shen Yingsi across from her. She thought for a moment and gave him a flattering smile.

The person opposite her gave a cold snort that barely registered. Wen Li pouted, and accidentally choked on her drink after taking a sip.

He was unusually dressed in black today, and when Wen Li thought of the injuries on his clothes, she felt guilty again.

Wen Mingzhu was the first to notice Wen Li's unusual behavior. She asked with concern, "Sister, are you alright?"

"fine."

Seeing how much Wen Mingzhu cared for Wen Li, Zhao Wenbai remarked, "I never expected that you two sisters had such a good relationship. The rumors circulating among the people are indeed unreliable."

Wen Mingzhu smiled at Zhao Wensong, seemingly a little shy.

But only the enemy knows the enemy best. As soon as Wen Mingzhu opened her mouth, Wen Li sensed the murderous intent in her eyes.

Wherever Shen Yingsi was, Wen Mingzhu's gaze would never leave her. And just now, she had clearly seen Wen Li seducing her fourth brother.

Wen Li really wanted to steal her crown prince brother!

"This trip to Half Moon City was also thanks to everyone who took good care of my Sicheng along the way."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sicheng immediately retorted, "Second Uncle, what are you saying! I'm very capable too, okay?"

"Si Cheng must not act recklessly in front of His Highness!" Zhao Wenbai said sternly, his eyes secretly observing Shen Yingsi.

Shen Yingsi smiled and said, "It's alright. Si Cheng is a child at heart, and traveling with him has brought a lot of joy."

Wen Li silently complained, "Zhao Sicheng is already twenty-one, but he still has the mentality of a child."

"I already told you, Second Uncle, you don't need to be so reserved. We'd like to stay here a few more days. At least until after the Thousand Lantern Festival before we leave."

"That would be wonderful. Si Cheng, you must show everyone the prosperity of our Jiangcheng."

Zhao Sicheng laughed and said, "Of course!"

As soon as the two stopped talking, a deathly silence fell over the dining table.

Shen Yingsi was a man of few words at the dinner table, and since he remained silent, Xie Xiao naturally didn't speak either. Wen Li, too, was ill-equipped for such situations.

Wen Mingzhu, who is usually quite talkative, had been secretly observing Shen Yingsi and Wen Li's movements. Meanwhile, Aunt Song was only focused on the food in front of her.

The group of people at the table were all doing their own thing, and Zhao Wenbai felt inexplicably awkward. Actually, what he hated most was entertaining guests, especially those he barely knew and couldn't afford to offend.

He glanced at his nephew, who was clueless and only knew how to fawn over the girl, and sighed helplessly.

As the host, he had to adjust the atmosphere. He couldn't just hope His Highness would think highly of the Zhao family, but he also couldn't leave a bad impression.

"Your Highness, it seems this year's coming-of-age ceremony won't be able to be held in the capital. Where does Your Highness plan to spend it, and could you please invite me?"

Zhao Wenbai asked with a smile, but after waiting for a long time, Shen Yingsi did not answer.

When Zhao Wenbai asked this question, Wen Li herself broke out in a cold sweat. Where did she spend her time? In jail, of course.

Wen Li cautiously peeked at Shen Yingsi's face. He seemed expressionless, but usually he would put on a friendly and approachable demeanor and answer with a smile, instead of remaining silent for so long like this.

The atmosphere became awkward once again, and Zhao Wenbai himself was the most embarrassed. He comforted himself, thinking that His Highness must have just misheard.

The atmosphere at the table was terrifying. Zhao Wenbai looked at Wen Mingzhu and decided to try harder.

He turned to Wen Mingzhu and teased her, "This Yueban City isn't far from the South China Sea. When you finish your mission, Miss Wen, you can take my Sicheng with you when you go back to your hometown for a visit."

Both parties fell silent after that. Crucially, Zhao Wenbai even gave Zhao Sicheng a meaningful look.

Wen Li silently shook her head. No wonder the entire Zhao family main branch went to the capital, leaving only Zhao Wenbai here. It turned out they were afraid he would offend someone.

Zhao Wenbai found it strange that the Crown Prince wasn't responding. Yesterday, he had seen that the Crown Prince didn't like Miss Wen at all. His nephew had been pursuing her for so many years, and he should still have a chance. As her uncle, he had to support him.

Wen Mingzhu opened her mouth as if to say something, and Zhao Wensong looked at her expectantly.

Wen Mingzhu opened her mouth for a long time, but in the end, she couldn't utter a single word. She couldn't very well say that she had never been back to the South China Sea at all.

Seeing Wen Mingzhu engrossed in her meal and her own nephew ignoring her, Zhao Wenbai found himself in an awkward situation once again.

It seems like nobody likes to talk.

Zhao Wenbai had no choice but to give up and pretend to be very busy eating.

The dinner table fell into a deathly silence; everyone ate their own food, ignoring each other.