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The No. 1 Hunfen King in the Entire Server [Interstellar] Chapter 56

The Kiss of Thorns (3)

The Count’s three daughters each bore distinct family resemblances—Christine took after her father, while the two older sisters inherited the golden hair and amber eyes of their mother, Madam Mary.

The eldest, Bella, had striking and radiant features, while the second sister, Bonnie, had a gentler, more reserved demeanor, with a round face and a warm smile.

With the Count away on business, only the four of them dined at home.

The fireplace crackled warmly, and candlelight bathed the silver tableware in an orange glow.

As Lin Jing descended the stairs, Madam Mary was seated at the head of the table, calmly wiping a knife with a napkin. She narrowed her eyes upon seeing him and asked directly, “Christine, how are you feeling today?”

Lin Jing pulled out a chair and replied with a well-behaved smile, “I spent the afternoon reading in the attic. I’m well, thank you, Mother.”

Madam Mary nodded in satisfaction.

The servants brought out dinner.

Since returning from the estate’s tea party, Bella had been in a foul mood, clanking her knife and fork with deliberate force.

Madam Mary shot her a disapproving glance. “Bella, mind your manners.”

Bella clenched her jaw, stabbing into her food as if taking out her anger on an enemy. “No, Mother, I can’t stand it anymore. Didn’t you hear how that vile woman, Helena, slandered us? That wretched harpy—I swear, one day, I’ll carve up her face!”

Madam Mary remained composed, eating at an unhurried pace. “And what exactly did she say? Was it not the truth? Do you not have an outstanding younger sister who confessed to a commoner and shamed our entire family?”

Lin Jing: “……”

He lowered his head even further, trying to shrink into the background.

Bella, dressed in a deep rose-colored court gown with a high-waisted cut, was so enraged that her chest heaved with every breath. She nearly shouted, “That’s different! What right does Helena have to mock Christine? No one in this city is more obsessed with Cyril than she is! She’s just jealous. I bet she’s done worse behind closed doors—she just hasn’t been caught like Christine!”

Madam Mary, long tempered by raising these three daughters, remained unbothered as she took another bite. “So? If I hand you a sword now, will you charge out and fight her?”

Lin Jing: “……”

Bella: “……”

The furious eldest sister was speechless, turning away in frustration.

Bonnie sighed. “Don’t take it to heart, Bella. Helena has always been a spiteful person.”

Madam Mary then turned her cool gaze toward Lin Jing. “Exactly. Christine isn’t even reacting. Why are you so worked up?”

At once, all three of them turned to stare at Lin Jing.

The scrutiny made Lin Jing’s scalp tingle. He almost bit his fork but managed to swallow the bite of meat with effort. Keeping to Christine’s persona, he lifted his head and gave them a sweet, innocent smile.

Madam Mary smirked knowingly, her expression dripping with the sentiment of, Ah, fools do have their blessings.

Bella, on the other hand, was further aggravated by her oblivious little sister. She turned away, fanning herself irritably.

Only Bonnie spoke gently, “Just look at how beautiful our Christine is. With all the princes and noble guests arriving in town, if Christine were to find love at the ball, these rumors would vanish on their own. Don’t you think so, Christine?”

The candlelight reflected in Bonnie’s amber eyes, giving her words a surface warmth but leaving no room for refusal.

Lin Jing: “……”

What did he think? He thought it sounded like a bad idea. He just wanted to grind for points.

—Wait, the royal ball?

The palace?

Wouldn’t that mean he could meet the king?

A flash of calculation crossed Lin Jing’s mind.

He hesitated for a few seconds before sitting up properly and putting on a bright, innocent smile. “A ball? Of course, Bonnie, I love balls!”

After dinner, his two sisters dragged him into the garden.

A swing hung beneath a laurel tree. Bonnie sat on it, pulling Lin Jing to sit beside her.

The night air was cool, and dappled shadows stretched across the ground.

Bonnie whispered gently, “Christine, do you remember what happened that day?”

Lin Jing, playing the role of an airheaded noble girl, stuck to his strategy—acting clueless. He lowered his head. “I don’t remember.”

Bonnie’s voice softened even further. “The day you confessed to Cyril at the church doors, in front of everyone. Sometimes, I think you must have been bewitched by a witch’s spell. You ran out, threw yourself before a man, and declared your love publicly. Christine, were you out of your mind?”

Lin Jing’s expression turned blank—so this girl was that bold?

Standing nearby, Bella found his dumbfounded look oddly satisfying. She folded her arms and said coldly, “Regretting it now?”

Lin Jing: “Yes. Regret it.”

Bella exhaled, stepping closer. Bending down to meet his eyes, she sneered, “Helena was right. No nobleman in the city will marry a woman as disgraceful as you. Tomorrow’s royal ball is meant to welcome the visiting nobility. Many of them are foreign princes and aristocrats. You’d best seize the opportunity.”

Bella smirked. “Or will you fall for another pretty face again?”

Lin Jing, as a player, had zero interest in Christine’s past. He brushed off their words, but his mind was already plotting.

Forget everything else—those foreign nobles would undoubtedly include other players. Dancing with them was the fastest way to expose himself.

He had to be careful.

When Lin Jing returned to the attic room, the rat had already woken up. He squatted down slightly, locking eyes with it.

The rat rubbed its eyes with its paws, looking completely baffled.

Lin Jing sighed and said, “Stop staring, it’s me.”

The rat blurted out, “What the h*ll—why are you a woman now?”

Lin Jing replied, “Well, didn’t you turn into a rat?”

The rat, still groggy, muttered, “…Oh.”

Lin Jing casually tied up his hair, sat cross-legged in front of the rat, and took out a pen and paper to share his thoughts. “Tomorrow, I’m going to the royal palace for the ball, and I’ll take you with me. The Heart of the Rose is on the crown. Do you think there’s a chance we can find it right away, grab the crown, and just clear the game on the spot?”

The rat replied without hesitation, “You’re dreaming.”

Lin Jing protested, “Why so pessimistic? Anything can happen in a game!”

The rat scoffed, “I’ve been playing this game long enough to know its bullsh*t—no shortcuts, only dead ends. The only person who’s ever had fun here is that one guy I saw on the forums. D*mn, his whole team threw themselves under the bus just to carry him to victory.”

Lin Jing: “…” As someone in the know, he actually wanted to say that wasn’t how things had gone down at all.

But he didn’t want to reveal his ID, so he changed the subject. “Fine, then you go scout out the palace first. At the very least, you can find out where the princess is sleeping, right?”

The rat snorted. “Obviously. Who do you take me for? I’ll make you a map when I get back.”

Lin Jing smirked. “Remember you said that.”

The next day, the first snow of the season began to fall and didn’t stop by nightfall. The carriage set off toward the palace.

The wheels rolled over the thin layer of snow, making crisp crunching sounds.

Lin Jing lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside. Under the snow, Eberon City was nothing more than a hazy, dark silhouette.

Before he could take in the view, his eldest sister yanked him back.

“Christine, do you want to freeze me to death?”

Lin Jing replied softly, “Sorry, Bella.”

The Count’s estate had sent out two carriages—he and Bella sat together, while their mother and Bonnie took the other. The rat was curled up inside his pocket, sleeping soundly.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Jing decided to probe for information. His deep brown eyes filled with curiosity. “Bella, after this winter, will the princess really never wake up again?”

Bella replied, “Most likely.”

Lin Jing continued, “Why did the witch curse the princess?”

Bella curled her lips into a mocking smile. “All thanks to that foolish, dead queen.”

Lin Jing’s heart skipped a beat. He forced himself to stay composed, feigning gentle surprise. “The queen? What did she do?”

Just then, the carriage jolted violently over a rough patch of road, making Bella instantly irritable. She leaned forward, snapping, “Are you blind? What kind of terrible driving is this?”

The coachman pleaded, “Miss Bella, please bear with it. We’re almost at the square.”

“The horse could probably walk a straighter path on its own.” Bella sneered and insulted the driver a bit more before settling back in her seat. She turned her head. “What were you asking again?”

Lin Jing: “…”

He had figured it out—his eldest sister was just a full-blown tyrant.

And compared to her… he really was ridiculously delicate.

But he had no choice. If a guy had to pretend to be a girl, keeping it simple was the way to go. A helpless, gentle little flower was the easiest persona to maintain—after all, there was a standard way straight men expected delicate girls to talk.

Lin Jing spoke hesitantly, “I… I was just curious about the queen’s story.”

Bella rolled her eyes. “What’s there to be curious about? She was an idiot. The queen couldn’t have children, so she turned to forbidden magic, begging the gods for help. But instead of a god, she summoned a witch. She did end up getting pregnant, but things only got worse. The queen died after giving birth, and the princess was taken deep into the forest by the witch when she was three.”

Bella let out a cold laugh. “Later, the princess escaped and returned to the palace. The witch was furious and covered the castle in thorns, pricking the princess and putting her into an eternal sleep.”

The carriage smoothed out as it reached the city square. Bella pulled open the window. Under the cold moon and falling snow, a statue stood in the distance, like a faded memory.

Through gritted teeth, Bella muttered, “That’s the one. The queen built it to worship the witch when she was pregnant. How ridiculous. She thought she was praying to a god, but it was a devil all along. Now that the truth is out, I can’t understand why the king hasn’t destroyed it yet.”

Lin Jing was afraid she’d actually throw something at it, so he quickly held her back. “Calm down, calm down.”

Bella took a deep breath, regaining her usual elegant and imposing demeanor as a noblewoman.

Past the square, the palace was just ahead.

She absentmindedly twirled the handle of her fan and said, “Cyril will be at the ball too. Don’t you dare lose your mind again, got it? Just sit quietly next to me.”

Lin Jing reassured her, “I won’t.”

As if he would! He wasn’t Christine—there was no way he’d lose his head over some guy.

The palace was lit up in every corner, adorned with bay laurel, beneath a sky full of stars and moonlight.

As Lin Jing stepped out of the carriage, he nearly slipped on the icy ground, barely avoiding a fall thanks to Bella catching him in time.

His eldest sister looked utterly exasperated. “Christine, you’re already weak in the knees, and you haven’t even seen him yet?”

Lin Jing was completely innocent this time, but he could only force an awkward smile.

At that moment, their mother and Bonnie approached.

Madam Mary’s gaze swept over her eldest and youngest daughters. She turned to Bella. “Keep an eye on Christine. Don’t let her embarrass us.”

Bella nodded repeatedly.

Lin Jing groaned and covered his face. “Mother, I know I was wrong.”

Inside, the palace was a dazzling display of luxury and extravagance. The ribbed vault ceiling gleamed with gold, while arcades and intricately carved stone columns lined the walls. High up, delicate rose windows adorned the inner walls, and crystal chandeliers bathed the ballroom in brilliant light.

The event was filled with nobles, their gowns and suits shimmering under the chandeliers, while the air was filled with the soft melodies of harps and flutes.

The moment Lin Jing entered, he was nearly blinded by the sheer amount of jewels, diamonds, and gold.

Before he could react, a woman stepped toward him with a smile.

“Christine, long time no see.”

She was a noble young lady with eyes like emerald gemstones.

Dressed in an opulent purple open-front court gown, she held a wine glass and smiled gracefully.

Lin Jing, unfamiliar with the people here, didn’t dare to respond.

Beside him, however, Bella straightened her posture, put on an air of composure, and spoke with mockery: “Helena? Good grief, you’re not clinging to Cyril but actually came over to greet us? Now that’s a rare sight.”

Helena smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with concern. “I was worried about Christine. I heard Madam Mary locked her in the attic for days without letting her out. Just look at her complexion. Are you alright, dear?”

Bella was so furious that the lace fan in her hand flapped violently.

Lin Jing was dumbfounded. “I—I’m fine.”

Bella fanned even harder.

As a low-tier “white lotus” type, Lin Jing had no intention of playing along with these three women in their melodrama. He quickly found an excuse to slip away.

Fortunately, Bella and Helena were like mortal enemies meeting on a battlefield, immediately engaging in a fierce exchange of sharp words. Their animosity burned so brightly that they completely forgot about Mary’s instructions and had no time to bother with their younger sister.

Lin Jing seized the opportunity to escape, lifting his gown as he navigated the long corridors until he reached the palace garden.

From his pocket, a small rodent peeked its head out, its tiny, bead-like eyes scanning the surroundings.

Lin Jing took it out in a secluded, rose-filled corner of the garden. After ensuring no one was around, he whispered, “This will be our rendezvous point. After the banquet ends, you’d better have found the princess’s room, the king’s room, and the former queen’s room. Draw me a map.”

The rat, irritated, said, “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

With its small body, it leaped from Lin Jing’s palm, quickly burrowing into the grass and disappearing.

Lin Jing slowly straightened up.

After brushing off some stray leaves from his sleeve, he was about to return when he suddenly caught the scent of blood.

It wasn’t overpowering, masked by the fragrance of flowers—something the average person would easily overlook. But Lin Jing’s keen senses immediately picked it out.

Someone had just been killed nearby.

His body tensed instantly. Feigning innocence, he casually snapped off a laurel branch, fashioning a sharp weapon. Then, without changing his expression, he walked forward, eyes fixed ahead.

“Miss.”

A rough male voice called from behind him.

The scent of blood grew stronger.

Lin Jing gripped the laurel branch tightly but turned back with an air of confusion and innocence under the lamplight. “Sir, were you speaking to me?”

From the shadows of the garden stepped a burly, towering man. His noble attire suggested high status, though his honest-looking face bore a scar on his forehead.

A lingering chill clung to him, along with the damp, metallic scent of fresh blood.

Lin Jing quickly analyzed the situation: This man was likely the killer. Almost certainly a player. He couldn’t let this guy realize he was one too. He had to act like a clueless noble girl out for a garden stroll. Judging from the man’s clothing, he was likely an invited noble. And his appearance… wait, he had a scar on his forehead?

Lin Jing: “…”

So, with his lackluster acting skills, Lin Jing ended up giving a perfectly natural performance as a noble lady. First puzzled, then surprised, and finally, as her brown pupils shrank, frightened.

The burly man’s wariness dissipated. He smiled. “My name is John.”

Lin Jing, feeling complicated, said, “C-Christine.”

John was indeed a player. His identity: a neighboring prince. He had entered the palace with one goal—securing the Heart of the Rose. Moments ago, he had killed the king’s most trusted guard to later “help uncover the murderer” and gain the king’s favor. His alibi and evidence framing another scapegoat were already in place. The only unexpected factor was this chance witness.

A seemingly pure and innocent noble girl.

She had long, waist-length black curls and deep brown eyes like melted chocolate. Dressed in an intricately embroidered white gown, she held a laurel branch lightly in her hand. When she looked at him, she resembled Diana, the moon goddess, descending to earth.

John had originally planned to eliminate her immediately. But now, his desires took hold, and he changed his mind.

“Miss Christine, are you lost in the garden?”

He took a step closer.

Lin Jing could defeat him, but with no preparation, killing him would expose his player status.

His only option was to continue the act. He took a step back, hesitantly replying, “No, I just wanted some fresh air.” Don’t come near me. The last guy with a forehead scar met a terrible fate.

John said, “Then may I have the honor of accompanying you?”

His hand, hidden behind his back, gripped the bloodstained dagger.

He had already secured his alibi and framed another suspect.

Killing one person was murder. Killing two made no difference. And now, he wanted to have some fun with this beautiful young “NPC.”

Lin Jing, retreating step by step in his high heels, frowned in distress.

John licked his lips, his eyes filled with predatory intent.

Lin Jing whispered, “But I should be going back.”

John: “That’s a shame. But I can escort you. You’re heading the wrong way, my dear.”

Lin Jing hesitated. “Did I?”

John: “Yes.”

The burly man loomed over the fragile young lady.

With the palace guests still arriving, the entire royal household was bustling—no one would come here.

Worst case, he could frame this as a case of forced resistance leading to accidental death.

But how could a frail noble girl, wielding nothing but a laurel branch, possibly kill a man nearly two meters tall?

Just as Lin Jing was at a loss, he saw salvation.

In his retreat, he misstepped—not enough to truly hurt him.

But he seized the opportunity to collapse to the ground, letting out a soft cry of pain.

“Ah.”

The sound startled John, but it also caught the attention of a passing silver-haired young man.

Beyond the winding corridors, his cloak billowed in the wind. His long, slender legs were wrapped in black boots, exuding an air of effortless elegance.

“Cyril.”

Lin Jing, rubbing his reddened ankle, no longer cared about the pesky fly nearby. Christine’s body was weak, and tears welled up in her eyes. He looked straight at Cyril, lips trembling.

“Could you help me?”

No matter whether it was intentional or not, everything seemed reasonable in front of the person one secretly admired.

There was no way John would dare to kill three people, especially when Cyril had a weapon at his waist. He could only watch them leave with resentment and malice in his eyes.

“Do you need me to support you?”

Cyril’s expression was cold, but his demeanor was surprisingly gentlemanly. His voice, resonating beside Lin Jing’s ear, was unexpectedly pleasant.

“No, no need. Thank you, I can walk by myself.” Lin Jing didn’t want any physical contact with strangers. Holding onto the laurel branch, he smiled at Cyril.

Cyril withdrew his hand.

The road back to the banquet was long. Lin Jing had to maintain his persona. To avoid awkwardness, he forced himself to make conversation.

“Cyril, what brought you to the garden?”

The young man’s voice was calm. “Taking a walk.”

“I… I see. The palace gardens are quite beautiful, full of roses. Ah, do you hear the sound of crickets?”

Indeed, the garden was filled with the faint chirping of insects.

Cyril smiled slightly, his silver-blue eyes meeting Lin Jing’s. “I hear them.”

Lin Jing continued his awkward chatter. “Do you like them?”

Cyril asked, “The roses or the crickets?”

Lin Jing hesitated. “Um… both?”

Cyril replied, “Christine, ask a different question.”

Lin Jing: “……”

Swallowing his frustration, Lin Jing continued his lovestruck, naive persona. “Do you like Eberon?”

Eberon was the name of the city-state.

Cyril’s lips curved. “I don’t.”

Lin Jing: “Then why did you come? Was it for the princess?”

Cyril glanced at him but said nothing.

Lin Jing thought to himself: Well, what a coincidence, brother. I’m also here for the princess. In a way, we’re rivals.

“But to wake the princess, you need to venture deep into the forest. The witch is too dangerous.”

Cyril smiled faintly. “I know.”

Immersed in his own act, Lin Jing widened his eyes in sorrow. “You know and you’re still going?”

What a beautifully crafted tragic love triangle—he was a genius.

Cyril watched his performance with amusement, his tone casual. “It is my duty.”

To avoid further emotional distress for his “delicate” heart, Lin Jing pretended to storm off, shaking off Cyril before reaching the banquet.

He casually handed the laurel branch to a passing servant and returned to Bella’s side.

Bella was furiously gossiping with Bonnie, picking apart every aspect of Helena—her attire, her manners, her appearance.

Lin Jing took a deep breath and continued standing in the background, barely present.

This banquet was undoubtedly filled with players. He had to remain cautious at all times and avoid becoming a target.


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The No. 1 Hunfen King in the Entire Server [Interstellar]

The No. 1 Hunfen King in the Entire Server [Interstellar]

Status: Ongoing Author:
Green vines crept up the pitch-black castle; the third snowy night was upon them. Time had run out, and the mission had failed. As the door creaked shut, the dim light illuminated the players’ faces, twisted in despair. Ding dong. The punishment begins. Out of the darkness strode a tall, lean judge, with straight legs and an indescribable air of elegance. All the players were shocked, angry, and terrified. The man gave a lazy smile, his voice casual yet distant: “Don’t rush. I’ll give you ten minutes to run.” The survivors gritted their teeth, faces pale, trembling as they stood and began to flee frantically, searching for the final door. Among them, Lin Jing rose indifferently, heading to the depths of the third floor—the castle's forbidden zone. The final escape route had long been destroyed; it was nothing more than the judge’s cruel game. He’d rather end himself than die at that person’s hands. Suddenly, a statue’s eyes glowed red, and it lunged at him with a knife. In that instant, someone grabbed him around the waist from behind, pulling him out of harm’s way. A low chuckle sounded near his ear: “Baby, it’s only been ten minutes, and you’re already running into my arms?” Lin Jing lowered his gaze: “Get lost.” The young and handsome winner smirked, murmuring softly: “Call me husband, and I’ll let you go.” Lin Jing ground his teeth: “Heh, dream on, kid.” When the role-playing ended, he finally learned the truth: in this game, the "devoted and perfect boyfriend" written into his script was actually the final boss. A scummy liar who toyed with his feelings and ruined his youth. What Lin Jing didn’t know was that from this moment on, this liar would bind himself to him completely. *** In the Eternal Game Player Forum, one post remains perpetually at the top: — — Let’s continue to call out the infamous rank-climbing leech ‘Shuang Mu Cheng Jing’ and his forever-bound lover ‘Wan Feng Wan Yue.’ Ugh, what a disgusting dog pair!” Lin Jing originally wanted to rely on his own skills to pass levels and make money honestly. But thanks to his in-game first love/husband/boyfriend/master(?), he became the most notorious freeloader in the entire interstellar network. Even the official game moderators certified him as the #1 freeloader in the server. Lin Jing typed a slow “?”: Huh? Who’s the freeloader? Xu Wanzhi chuckled lightly, coaxing him gently: “I’m the freeloader. Thank you, baby, for carrying me to the top.” Two powerhouses. *Hunfen: Literally "mixing points," a gaming slang term for someone who gains points, rankings, or rewards by putting in minimal effort, often relying on teammates.

Comment

  1. whjin says:

    I suspect this silver bard might just be our aloof ml , now question is does he also have double role as the witch or princess? mystery mystery

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