Chapter 90: Strategy to Conquer the Villain Liu Ruyi
"Dog system, tell Liu Ruyan I don't love her anymore."
Su Chen roared in his heart, his eyes overflowing with hatred.
Nine lifetimes—he had been forced by that damned system to pursue Liu Ruyan nine times, and not once had he succeeded.
In the first life, he had truly fallen for her, his heart filled entirely with Liu Ruyan.
He had given her nearly all the treasures he earned from the system's rewards, helping her reach the Divine Fire Realm within a few decades.
He even supported her ascension to the imperial throne, leading the Su Family's Iron Templars to sweep across the world, subduing immortal sects and demonic cults alike.
Yet all his devotion had been met with indifference. In the end, because his merits overshadowed hers, Liu Ruyan imprisoned him in the heavenly dungeon and summoned heavenly lightning to destroy him.
In the second life, he used gratitude as a bond, making Liu Ruyan marry him.
He once again devoted himself fully to her, gathering the world's talents, uniting the wastelands, and building the Great Qing Empire into a golden age of peace.
But Liu Ruyan remained utterly cold, even filled with disgust toward him.
In the third life…
In the fourth life…
Until the ninth life…
No matter how much he gave, Liu Ruyan was like a stone that could never be warmed—arrogant, proud, and looking at him as if he were a fly.
Forget about winning her heart—she hadn't even given him an extra glance. He had the title of emperor's consort but never the reality.
Nine lifetimes. He had licked after Liu Ruyan for nine entire lifetimes.
Su Chen was exhausted.
[Given the host's nine consecutive failures, the system now permits the host to choose a new target.]
The system's cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Really?" Su Chen's eyes widened, excitement surging through him.
[Of course. However, you may only choose between the sisters Liu Ruyan and Liu Ruyi.]
[But are you sure? Once you switch, you cannot change back.]
[Furthermore, this is your final reincarnation. If you fail again, this system will permanently erase you.]
"I've decided. This life, I'll switch to Liu Ruyi."
Su Chen's heart pounded with exhilaration.
That wretched woman Liu Ruyan—he'd had enough of her.
If not for the system's coercion, who would willingly be such a pathetic fool?
This time, he would make Liu Ruyan regret everything.
He wanted to see how she could possibly compete with Liu Ruyi without his help.
[Understood. The system has switched the host's target…]
"Good, good, good!" Su Chen shouted with glee, finally rid of Liu Ruyan, that eternal heartless woman.
"You unfilial son, why are you smiling and fuming at the same time?"
Su Qingtian observed his shifting expressions and grew uneasy.
Had his son gone stupid from those two slaps earlier?
"Father, I'm fine."
Su Chen brushed off the thought, replied quickly, and hurried out of the room.
"Dog system, if you could change the target all along, why didn't you tell me earlier?" he cursed inwardly.
[You never asked.]
[Also, given the host's low intelligence, changing targets won't necessarily improve your success rate.]
"…"
Su Chen exploded with rage, cursing the system's eighteen generations of ancestors.
[Facts speak louder than words. If the host weren't incompetent, nine lifetimes wouldn't have all ended in failure.]
[Additionally, friendly reminder—the new target, Liu Ruyi, is even harder to conquer than Liu Ruyan.]
"☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆"
Su Chen's mind nearly shattered. He spent half an hour furiously cursing the system, unable to tolerate even a word more.
Call him a fool in love if it wanted—but to call him an idiot? That was pure slander!
Everyone knew Liu Ruyan was now a hunted witch, struggling even to survive, let alone plotting against Liu Ruyi for the throne.
A single word from Liu Ruyi could send Liu Ruyan into eternal damnation—how could she ever hope to overthrow her?
And yet he, Su Chen, had managed to help Liu Ruyan climb step by step to the imperial throne.
That difficulty was nothing short of hell itself.
Across nine lifetimes, who didn't know Liu Ruyan's ascension was entirely due to him?
Who didn't know his wisdom bordered on demonic, his talent unparalleled?
The system said nothing more, unwilling to argue, and instead issued a task: [New mission: Host must befriend Liu Ruyi and reach a favorability level of thirty.]
Upon hearing this, Su Chen revealed a confident smile.
"Dog system, for once, you're actually doing something right."
This task would be easy.
After all, Su Chen knew perfectly well—although Liu Ruyi was cold, ruthless, and bloodthirsty, she had always held a certain fondness for him.
She had even used countless means to draw him to her side, trying to stop him from aiding Liu Ruyan.
In the nine cycles of reincarnation, during each of the last eight lives, whenever Liu Ruyan had him killed, Liu Ruyi would always come to collect his body.
It was only after his death in the second life that he realized—Liu Ruyi had truly loved him.
Fortunately, everything could begin anew. In this life, he would never again fail Liu Ruyi.
He swore he would devote this lifetime to protecting her.
As for that so-called Daughter of Destiny, Liu Ruyan—let that treacherous woman die.
He had been reborn; who would still choose to be a lovesick fool? Wasn't the villainess far more appealing?
"Stop right there."
Just as Su Chen reached the gate of the Princess' Residence, the guards barked at him, their eyes full of disdain.
They had, of course, heard of Su Chen's reputation.
Born with a crippled constitution, unable to cultivate, he was the greatest wastrel of the imperial capital—and, incidentally, Liu Ruyan's childhood fiancé.
Now that news of Liu Ruyan's return had spread, he was rushing over already? Clearly, he only wanted to cling to her for protection.
"I'm here to see Princess Ruyi. Go and report it." Su Chen's tone was calm.
He cared nothing for the contempt of these fools. After all, he had lived through nine lifetimes; such things no longer fazed him.
"What?"
The guards froze.
He wanted to see Liu Ruyi?
Wasn't Su Chen betrothed to Liu Ruyan? Why was he looking for Liu Ruyi?
"I said I'm here to see Princess Ruyi." Su Chen's voice grew cold.
"Get lost."
The guards grew furious.
How could someone as exalted as Princess Ruyi be seen by a useless, debauched fool like him?
A sudden, explosive aura burst forth.
Su Chen's expression darkened, and an overwhelming, domineering presence erupted from him, pressing the guards pale with fear, cold sweat streaming down their faces.
They stared at Su Chen in disbelief.
They had met countless powerful figures before, yet none had exuded such a commanding presence.
If they hadn't known he was a worthless playboy, they might have believed he was the emperor himself.
"I have matters to discuss with Princess Ruyi. If you refuse to announce me, bear the consequences yourselves." Su Chen's tone was icy.
"Get out!"
A thunderous shout rang out from within the residence, carrying terrifying power that struck Su Chen head-on, blasting him backward. Midair, he spat a mouthful of blood.
"Damn it…" Su Chen cursed under his breath. He had come brimming with confidence, only to be sent flying before even stepping through the gate.
These blind fools who looked down on him—once he met Liu Ruyi, he would make them pay.
But how was he supposed to meet her now?
Su Chen immediately called out to the system in his mind. "Dog system, do you have a way to help me see Liu Ruyi?"
[…]
Didn't you claim to have demonic-level intellect and unmatched talent?
Why do you need me just to meet someone?
[This is the host's personal matter. It does not fall within the system's responsibilities.]
"Useless dog system," Su Chen muttered, frowning as he lay on the ground, deep in thought.
Liu Ruyi's status was far too lofty. If she didn't wish to see him, even his father couldn't secure an audience.
Still, he was confident—if Liu Ruyi heard his name, she would surely come to meet him.
The only problem was, no one would report it for him.
"Su Yi, use your cultivation to send a voice transmission at once," Su Chen ordered the air.
"…" came the response from the hidden shadow guard.
"I can't," the guard refused firmly.
Anything else was fine—but sending a sound transmission would be seen as disrespecting Liu Ruyi.
Offend her, and the Su Family would suffer dearly.
Su Chen's face turned grim.
He had never imagined he would be stopped by mere gatekeepers.
If he couldn't even see her, how was he supposed to complete his task?
"Young Master, Princess Ruyi is meeting the Star Temple's true disciple, Gu Qing, today. It would be best not to disturb her. Let's come back another day," the shadow guard advised.
"Gu Qing?"
Only then did Su Chen recall—Liu Ruyan had joined the Star Temple.
But this wasn't how it happened in his previous nine lives.
He had never even heard of the Star Temple, nor did he know who Gu Qing was.
And according to his memories, Liu Ruyan was supposed to return to the capital two years later.
"Damn it, I was too busy arguing with that dog system and forgot something this important."
"Dog system, explain what's going on here!" Su Chen shouted inwardly.
[…] [This is outside the system's jurisdiction.]
"Trash system…"
Su Chen clenched his fists in frustration. The system was utterly useless.
Then a thought suddenly struck him—could it be that the reason Liu Ruyan had never accepted him in all those lives… was because she had always loved Gu Qing?
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