The Sickly Cannon Fodder Becomes the Manga's Most Popular Character

When Bai Hanjian is gravely ill, he discovers a comic book. The comic tells of a world inhabited by demons invisible to ordinary people, where spiritualists exorcise demons and protect peace in the world. The hospital where he is staying is about to hatch an S-rank demon that will destroy it and make headlines, thereby launching the comic's next story arc. Bai Hanjian, who is about to die as cannon fodder: Really? I don't believe it. Following the comic, he finds the location of the demon embryo and slaps the comic book down on a completely empty spot. That night, the comic book changes. Bai Hanjian becomes a mysterious new character in the comic, and can also see discussions by readers on a forum at the back of the book. Comic readers: [White-haired, sickly pretty boy, I'm in love! I'm going to give him a popularity vote!] [He can see demons, so he must be a spiritualist. He also wears a medical eye patch over one eye. Could he have an ocular technique?] Bai Hanjian: Thanks, but I have a stye. But when Bai Hanjian discovers that popularity votes can stabilize his health and prolong his life, and that the settings most forum readers agree on will come true for him... Bai Hanjian, who has already mastered spiritual qi: Then I won't hold back :) * The Spiritualist is this year's hit urban fantasy action manga. When the new character Bai Hanjian first appears, he immediately draws attention with his mysterious, sickly pretty-boy persona and the medical eye patch over one eye. His casual slap that kills an S-rank demon embryo is especially memorable and much discussed. After that, his popularity soars because of his morally ambiguous stance, his deranged troublemaker personality, and his exceptional intelligence and ability to control the whole situation. As the story develops, more of Bai Hanjian's background is revealed. He is the adopted son of the most evil spiritualist, and the young leader of a notorious organization of dark spiritualists. His friendship with the manga's male lead, as they fight side by side, is all an act, and he nonchalantly manipulates the protagonist like a puppet. The forum readers are ecstatic: [The villain setup is so good! I love him so much!] [Help, I didn't care about him before, but now I'm completely in love!] [Ahhh, the male lead is about to turn evil after learning the truth. I'm calling Bai Hanjian the male lead's moonlight, and nobody can disagree!] Later, there is another shocking reversal in his identity. It turns out he is the lost child of a spiritualist family. Raised by an evil spiritualist as a tool, he has never once smiled sincerely; A past-life arc then reveals that 1,300 years ago, he was an exiled immortal who helped humanity but received no reward, gradually grew weaker, and eventually became mortal. Later, he sacrificed himself to seal away the strongest demon of that era. He has endured so much pain and bitterness, yet after the strongest demon breaks through its seal, he still smiles and prepares to sacrifice himself again, ready to face the future fate has decreed. The comic forum readers are all in tears. [Waaah, my baby has suffered so much!] [You damn old villain, sob! You can't keep picking on the same person! How have those old, feudal fossils still not changed after 1,300 years? Why do you still want my Hanjian to sacrifice himself? Why?! I refuse to accept a final battle where only Hanjian dies!! (Piercing scream)] [My baby hasn't had a single happy day in his entire life. Please, old villain, give him a happy ending, or I'll send you blades!] [Everyone, hurry and vote for him! Sob, Hanjian has to come first in this character popularity poll!] Bai Hanjian, the beloved king of tragic beauties: I don't know how to wrap this up either. Maybe I'll fake my death :) Theme: Change your fate through hard work. The future is in your own hands.