The Background Character Becomes a Popular Big Shot

Chen Ji is approached by a System. It tells him that he is a minor character in an anime, and that if he maintains the plot and helps the series reach a proper ending, he will gain freedom and a new life.

To keep the plot on track, Chen Ji plays the male lead's hype man and junior martial uncle.

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The male lead is forced to jump off a cliff.

Chen Ji marvels at how cliche the plot is.

System: "Ahhh, hurry and catch him! The male lead jumped off the wrong cliff!"

Chen Ji jumps right after him to rescue him.

Comments: [Ahhh, the junior martial uncle swooping in to save him is so cool!]

·

The male lead is falsely accused and loses heart.

Chen Ji asks the System whether he should make it rain on the male lead, as the plot demands.

System: "Forget the rain! He's been hit too hard and doesn't want to follow the plot anymore!"

Chen Ji keeps him company and drinks with him all night.

Comments: [Aww, the junior martial uncle is so sweet!]

·

The male lead's clue-bearing boss doesn't show up, so the plot can't move forward.

Chen Ji remarks that it's a wonder such a thing, which should have been destroyed and disposed of long ago, has survived until now.

System: "Quick! If that clue gets destroyed, the plot is over!"

Chen Ji fastens his mask and strolls out of the shadows. With a bloodstained embroidered pouch dangling from one finger, he smiles. "Want it? Then let's make a bet."

Comments: [Whoa! Who's this villain? He's so intimidating!]

As he keeps maintaining the plot, the System tells him: Your popularity has exploded.

The junior martial uncle's and the masked stranger's secret identities are exposed. The audience suddenly understands and connects the backstory:

[Ahhh! The junior martial uncle is the ultimate beautiful, strong, tragic character!]

[Help! At first I thought the junior martial uncle was a reliable big shot who seemed aloof but was actually kind. Now that I know he's the mysterious man, every smile of his feels like a knife!]

[Male lead, please! He's not your enemy, he's saving you!]

·

Xiao Shengyan was born with a damaged soul. His cultivation is beset with hardships, and his life will be short. Only by killing the final villain, Yin Chenjue, can he restore his incomplete soul.

Yet somehow, he can always sense a force like an inescapable destiny, honing and testing him, nurturing him, driving him to destroy every enemy and overcome every weakness until he reaches the highest position in the world.

But the first time he sees that person, his heart is already shaken.

Xiao Shengyan spends his whole life fighting with all his might to break free of fate.

·

The male lead has been drugged with an indescribable aphrodisiac...

The System frantically searches the backend. "Don't panic! I'll look up this part of the plot and bring the heroine over."

Chen Ji watches the male lead with an enigmatic smile. I'm not panicking. Take your time. I think he can hold out a little longer.

System: ...Huh? This story doesn't have a heroine, and there's no part where the male lead gets drugged!

Chen Ji freezes and looks down at the male lead, whose gaze is shimmering. "Xiao Shengyan, do you know who I am?"

In those shimmering eyes, only he is reflected.

Xiao Shengyan tugs at his sleeve, and the mask hidden inside slips out. "Yin Chenjue..."

The System shrieks: "Wait? Isn't Yin Chenjue the final villain?!"

Xiao Shengyan, night after night gazing at the moon over Qinlou; Chen Ji, on the ancient road, Yin Chenjue.

Chen Ji was originally one of Yin Chenjue's masks.

"Quiet." Yin Chenjue slowly bends down.

The System falls silent at once.

Long hair spills like water across the floor.

"Call me Junior Martial Uncle."

"J-Junior Martial Uncle..."

·

System: The story of how I found a minor character to maintain the plot, only to discover that the minor character was a big shot in disguise.

Lie flat, get carried, and wave the flag for the big shot!

Deep as the sea, unwavering in his goal, master of disguise, unhinged big-shot shou

Loyal and obedient, always determined to save you, goes mad without his beloved, healing puppy gong

Note:

Xiao Shengyan, night after night gazing at the moon over Qinlou; Chen Ji, on the ancient road, Yin Chenjue. Adapted from "The Moon over Qin'e: Xiao Shengyan."

Theme: Never give up, and you will eventually succeed