The Unluckiest Man in the Cultivation World

[Everyone, I'm putting this story on hold for now. I really love this premise and have spent a long time developing it. I want to tell the story fully and properly, but my writing skills clearly aren't up to the task yet. I'm truly sorry. I won't give up on this idea. Once my writing improves, I'll definitely pick it up again. I'll also post a free short story later to fill this gap. Once again, I'm so sorry.]

Blurb:

After Shen Zhuo died, he transmigrated into the cultivation world and became an inconspicuous, frail, sickly nobody with no one to rely on. By accident, he also got bound to a lousy, unlucky System. If his misfortune score reached one hundred, he would die. The only way to lower it was to spend time with people who had high fortune scores.

To stay alive, Shen Zhuo joined the Fuyao Sect. Before he could even get inside, he rescued the Son of Fortune, who had fallen on hard times. Shen Zhuo immediately decided to help him when he needed it and cling to his coattails as his number one lackey.

The first rule of being a lackey: if your boss is insulted, you're insulted too, so you have to stand up for him right away.

When he heard someone badmouthing the Son of Fortune, Shen Zhuo didn't care who the person was. He immediately fired back with a barrage of sarcastic remarks, leaving them speechless and red in the face.

The Son of Fortune listened nearby and was, as expected, deeply moved. His gaze at Shen Zhuo was full of approval, and the misfortune score dropped.

The second rule of being a lackey: protect your boss and put him first in everything.

Whenever danger appeared, Shen Zhuo rushed to the front, risking his life to block blades and swords for the Son of Fortune. Before passing out, he even smiled and told him he was fine and not to worry.

Seeing this, the Son of Fortune naturally thought Shen Zhuo was utterly loyal. His hands trembled as he held him, and the misfortune score dropped again.

The third rule of being a lackey: be perceptive and give your boss whatever he needs.

The Son of Fortune needed pills, so Shen Zhuo made them. His sword broke, so Shen Zhuo replaced it. He ran out of resources, so Shen Zhuo spent a fortune on him. The Son of Fortune didn't have a partner, so Shen Zhuo even tried to set him up with someone. But then

The Son of Fortune looked wounded, grabbed him by the waist, pinned him against a wall, asked what he was playing at, and confessed his feelings.

Shen Zhuo: ???

Shen Zhuo: This isn't how the story is supposed to go, is it?

Shen Zhuo: I'm straight, man!!

Shen Zhuo sighed, Shen Zhuo despaired, Shen Zhuo refused to face reality. So Shen Zhuo faked his death and ran away.

-

When they met again, it was at a grand wedding banquet.

Wearing a phoenix crown and red bridal robes, Shen Zhuo sat in the bridal chamber, bashfully waiting for the refined gentleman famed throughout the land to lift his veil.

But an unexpected guest arrived instead.

Pei Heng, dressed in a groom's scarlet wedding robes, smiled tenderly as he lifted the red silk and pulled Shen Zhuo, who had been trying to escape, into his arms.

"Senior Brother, a night of bridal bliss is worth a thousand gold. Your husband just died, so why don't you marry me instead?"

-

Pei Heng had grown up lonely and knew all too well how fickle people could be. He never trusted anyone easily and never believed in kindness without a reason.

He thought Shen Zhuo had ulterior motives for getting close to him.

But when he was at the end of his rope and had even given up on himself, Shen Zhuo was the only one who charged in, grabbed him without a word, and dragged him out, disregarding his own injuries.

Amid the blazing firelight, Shen Zhuo's jade-like features made him look just like a bodhisattva who had descended to save all living things.

*Bonus Scene:

Shen Zhuo, the cultivation world's greatest beauty, came back from the dead, only to become a cripple with no spiritual roots or cultivation. His health was even worse than before; he had to rest three times for every step he took.

When the people Shen Zhuo had once bullied heard the news, they all came knocking

The junior brother Shen Zhuo had slapped in front of everyone: "Senior Brother, I know all your likes and habits. Become my cultivation partner, and I'll take good care of you."

The heir to the Medicine King Valley, whom Shen Zhuo had insulted, arrived with ten pages of betrothal gifts: "Medicine King Valley is a wonderful place to recuperate. With your health as it is, it's the best place for you. And I... happen to be in need of a wife."

The sword cultivator from the neighboring mountain, whom Shen Zhuo had defeated: "Fellow Daoist Shen, if they can't protect you, then be with me. I swear I won't let you down."

Meanwhile, in the room just beyond the wall, Shen Zhuo was limp with exhaustion, held tightly in Pei Heng's arms.

"Senior Brother sure is popular."

"But unfortunately, Senior Brother can only be mine."

Shen Zhuo: ╥﹏╥

I'm straight! Is something wrong with the feng shui in the cultivation world or what?!

#Reader's Guide:

1. The seme falls in love at first sight. The uke is somewhat of a heartthrob. One-on-one romance. Both are pure in body and heart, and neither is a perfect character.

2. The uke is sickly, and there's a reason he's getting married.

3. The author's logic, writing, and brain are all a mess. If you don't like it, leave at once. Don't force yourself to keep reading, and don't insult me, please. Thank you TvT

Theme: Wield the sword to uphold the Dao and champion justice