Chapter Text
System x520x1314 was a very good System, one of the elite. It had guided many protagonists, taking them from knobbly-kneed whelps to world-striding heroes. It had helped its hosts negotiate intricate political machinations, interstellar wars, and harrowing post-apocalyptic worlds.
But System 1314 had a dream. It wanted a little world of its own--nothing big, or fancy, or important. Just a tiny little world where it could indulge in its favorite genre.
But Systems of its caliber were never sent to romance worlds. That was left to the newest, rawest recruits. By the time 1314 realized it was an option, it had been promoted far beyond that rank.
But now, after eons of careful saving and tactical use of its employee discount, it had succeeded. This world--tiny, scuffed, lopsided--was all its own. System 1314 examined the setting with delighted anticipation. A cultivation world, how nice! Great aesthetics. The little world had already been refurbished and returned to factory settings. 1314 now needed only to decide on a host.
*
[ Binding to host... Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! ]
Shen Qingqiu blinked awake in a panic, with the knowledge that something was in his tidy, private room. He'd fallen asleep at his desk again, but no one should have been able to get through his door--
[ You have been selected-- ] the voice cut off abruptly as a slash of cutting energy lanced through it, followed by a physical attack from one of Shen Qingqiu's wooden paperweights. [ Do not be alarmed! ] the voice recovered. [ You have been-- ]. A thrown binding talisman fruitlessly expended itself, to no effect.
Shen Qingqiu tried a dozen different methods for purging illusions, before giving up and talking to the creature.
[ Greetings, host! ] the being chirped. [ Congratulations! You have been selected--]
"Whatever you want, I'll die before you get it from me, creature," Shen Qingqiu spat.
[ ...This System is here to help! This System needs nothing from the Host! ]
Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes at the thing--a vague blur of colorful light, which appeared in the lower corner of his field of vision no matter where he was looking.
[ Congratulations! ] the creature said again. [ You have been selected by the Red String of Fate! ]
"There's no such thing," Shen Qingqiu said suspiciously.
[ ...There is, host! And you have been selected for a Fated Match! ] There was a little tinkle of music--not on instruments he was familiar with--and a brief shower of colorful sparks. It was like a bad play that had to point out to its audience which lines were important. [ With this System's help two--or more!--hearts will be joined, lives forever entwined in a beautiful tapestry of-- ]
Shen Qingqiu listened to the nonsense it was spewing, quietly seething. Then he picked up a sketch book, and went to Wan Jian.
He couldn't tell anyone. It would risk his position. Perhaps he could confide in his teacher, as a last resort. But the Sword Forging Peak had its own defenses, he knew. He left Xiu Ya behind, just in case the thing tried to control him.
*
Shen Qingqiu briefly stopped in the austere stone foyer of the sword museum, pretending to find just the right spot in his notebook. No alarms. He entered the museum itself and wandered through the displays, pausing to sketch swords which caught his eye. There were no guards on this building; the nested protective arrays would make them redundant. Shen Qingqiu wished they could do the same for the Great Library, but Shizun insisted it should be available to everyone.
...Shen Qingqiu could see his point. Though things would be so much tidier if they restricted access.
None of the swords showed a reaction to the creature--not even Hong Jing, when Shen Qingqiu stopped right in front of it while the irritating being bleated at him. Whatever it was, it wasn't a demon, a ghost, or any of the other malignant entities Wan Jian's master sword-smiths had seen fit to defend against in previous generations.
Wei Qingwei appeared at some point in his sketching tour, returning a blade to its proper place. He eyed Shen Qingqiu, then looked over his shoulder at the sketch taking shape.
"I'm planning on a larger piece," Shen Qingqiu explained. "I want to make sure I get the swords right."
Wei Qingwei brightened. "Oh, good. You wouldn't believe how many people put on just any old hilt and call it realistic. Let me show you a few of our finer examples--"
It was some time before Shen Qingqiu could extricate himself. This was why he never explained his work.
*
Shen Qingqiu began his return to Qing Jing, thinking deeply. None of Wan Jian's various precautions against possession or mental compromise had been tripped. He had half expected to be intercepted by one of the Peak Lords on his way out, but there had been no sign of alarm. The colorful blur was still in the corner of his field of vision; it had been with him throughout the trip. He tried to get more information.
{ You're... a device? An artifact, or a machine? } he probed.
[ ...This System is an extremely advanced artificial lifeform, ] the creature said, tone stiff. [ Much more complex than biological organisms. ]
Pride. He could work with that.
But the 'System' had recovered its equilibrium, and returned to giving what Shen Qingqiu now realized was a rehearsed sales pitch. [ Many hearts wait for the host to capture them! Pursue fierce warrior maiden Qi Qingqi--]
Shen Qingqiu snorted. At least the System-creature didn't seem to have any real, reliable information about Cang Qiong. Even storytellers on the street wouldn't describe the inimitable Qi Qingqi like that. And her preference for women was well-known.
[ Or brave and beautiful Liu Qingge-- ]
Shen Qingqiu was finally driven to react. { That brute? Don't be absurd. }
[ Enemies to lovers is so hot right now, though, ] the System said sadly. Unfortunately, it rallied. [ Or the clever, dedicated physician Mu Qingfang. Or the kind, steadfast Yue Qingyuan-- ]
Shen Qingqiu's steps faltered. { Yue Qingyuan is a capture target? }
[ One of many, host! Marvel at the totally realistic depiction of human--]
Shen Qingqiu cut the device off ruthlessly. { Explain the mechanics. }
[ Opening strategy guide! ] the device chirped, sounding relieved.
{ Not now. Wait until I'm alone. You said-- } Shen Qingqiu paused. { --that this is an irreversible bond. }
[ Correct, host! The souls of you and your chosen suitor will be bound by red thread, never to be parted! Or even more than one suitor! Those looking for a higher degree of difficulty may pursue the challenging but rewarding harem ending-- ]
*
Shen Qingqiu returned to his rooms to study the strategy guide. The illustrations relied excessively on pink and purple, and were overly sentimental, but he could see the expertise behind the line-work and proportions. At least someone involved in this farce had a degree of skill. Shen Qingqiu paused to sketch out a few points of inspiration--illusionary flowers in the background to portray beauty, a tiny, stylized sketch of a floating face to express the character's inner thoughts. Fascinating.
{ So to be successful, I need to fill a character's 'heart' bar? } he asked the System. { And then they'll be tied to me, forever? }
[ Correct, host! And either empty or fill the heartbreak bar. There are multiple endings for each character, depending on the status of the heartbreak bar! ]
{ Show me Yue Qingyuan's again, } he demanded. A translucent image appeared before him; his shixiong's face, and a variety of information. He spread his fan to block the face from his field of vision. { His heart bar is already full. And there's this information-- } he indicated the list of likes and dislikes.
[ Yue Qingyuan is easy mode, host! His heart bar can never drop below full. And you start by knowing many of his likes and dislikes-- ]
{ I know all of them, } Shen Qingqiu hissed.
[ ...Okay. But you'll still need to increase or decrease the heartbreak bar to capture the target. And there are other options! Start their pursuit by fulfilling certain conditions-- ]
Shen Qingqiu waved that off. { Yue Qingyuan will be sufficient. }
[ There's really so much more available! ] the device insisted. [ Embark on a saga as a calamitous beauty-- ]
{ Three of the Four Great Beauties met tragic ends, } Shen Qingqiu responded dryly.
[ This isn't how this is supposed to go, ] the device muttered, as if to itself. Shen Qingqiu felt a flash of satisfaction at discombobulating it so thoroughly. But it recovered. [ Would host like to try the tutorial? ] it asked hopefully.
{ Yes, } Shen Qingqiu said instantly.
[ Alright! ] the device chirped, seeming to regain some cheer. [ Tutorial loaded! Please proceed to the courtyard. ]
Shen Qingqiu left his rooms, and immediately encountered two of the outer sect disciples. He didn't recall their names. They would be leaving the sect shortly, so he simply gave them a distant nod and continued on his way.
[ Host! This is the tutorial! ] the artificial voice urged him.
{ The leaving students. } Shen Qingqiu paused and looked at them. They both now had those 'heart bars' above their heads.
[ Yes! Go talk to them, ] the device encouraged.
Shen Qingqiu did--they each wanted evaluations of their work, apparently. He gave them brisk feedback, and left. The System was silent.
[ Hearts +0, heartbreak value +2. Host, this System recommends you pursue Yue Qingyuan. ]
Shen Qingqiu ignored it. He had a meeting to get to.
*
Their teachers had begun insisting the succeeding disciples meet once a month, as a smaller version of the real monthly peak lord meetings. It was supposed to foster camaraderie. It had not.
Yue Qingyuan presided over the meeting. Shen Qingqiu was distracted, participating only minimally. He didn't mentally leaf through the Strategy Guide, but he was thinking about the strange interface. He found that keeping the transparent character window open didn't interfere with his field of vision; he could look right past it. The others didn't call on him for his opinion; he was used to them working around him by now, unless he pushed to make his views known.
After the meeting, Yue Qingyuan approached Shen Qingqiu; several others, who had been preparing to leave, paused to reorganize their paperwork.
"Shen-shidi, the city is holding a celebration for Dragon Boat Festival next week." Yue Qingyuan's eyes were fixed on his face, as they always were. Shen Qingqiu looked away, as he always did. "This shixiong heard there will be a play; would Shen-shidi like to attend?"
"This shidi is busy," Shen Qingqiu said automatically. He had to figure out this System creature. He began to leave, but paused. Yue Qingyuan's Heartbreak value had risen, just slightly. He turned back, to see Yue Qingyuan standing where he'd left him, chin dropped slightly. "I've changed my mind," he said experimentally. The Heartbreak value dropped, by half a heart. Apparently, reducing it was much easier than increasing it. That would be more efficient. Yue Qingyuan was staring at him. "What time does this play begin?"
"The tenth hour," Yue Qingyuan said quickly. "Shidi--"
"I have a class, ending at the ninth hour. We'll meet then."
*
That wasn't the end of it--there were a few notes back and forth to arrange their meeting place, and Yue Qingyuan wanted confirmation on the hour. But on the appointed day and time, Yue Qingyuan arrived on Qing Jing at their prearranged meeting place. He was slightly overdressed for a simple city festival, but Shen Qingqiu had dressed carefully to maintain his image in public, too, so they matched. They would walk down to the city.
It was actually fairly pleasant. Shen Qingqiu didn't know how it was helping reduce the heartbreak bar, but just walking like this had seen a slow but steady drain on the little black hearts. He was already down to three. He wondered what would happen when it emptied.
Other festival-goers were currently ignoring them; in the beginning, a few people had tried to distract Yue Qingyuan and been easily rejected in favor of Shen Qingqiu, which was... satisfying.
As they approached the plaza where the play would be held, the crowd thickened. Shen Qingqiu jumped as a hand touched his elbow. He hadn't realized anyone was that close. Turning, he saw Yue Qingyuan already had his hands back in his sleeves and was looking nervous.
"This shixiong apologizes--" The heartbreak bar was slowly rising again.
"That's fine." Shen Qingqiu looked at the people around him, searching for an appropriate behavior to model in response. He saw one pair of elderly citizens walking slowly in front of them, and mimicked the way one held the elbow of the other. The heartbreak value dropped again; good.
The System had been strangely silent.
*
The play was tedious, crowd-pleasing drivel--full of plot holes and redundancies. Shen Qingqiu stewed silently about it until Yue Qingyuan began asking questions about the inconsistencies. Then, Shen Qingqiu was happy to tear apart the flaws--under a muffling charm, of course. If the audience wanted to waste their time and money with the thin plot, that was their problem. Shen Qingqiu thought the actors were briefly put off by his glare, but they rallied--in fact, they improved, dropping some sloppy and unprofessional habits like breaking character to mug at the audience. Though, at one point Shen Qingqiu had to mouth a cue when an actor froze up.
The other viewers seemed to have enjoyed the play, anyway; they were talking cheerfully as the crowd dispersed.
"It was kind of Shen-shidi to remind that actor of his lines," Yue Qingyuan said carefully as they reentered the street festival.
Oh, he had noticed that. "I happened to have seen this play before," Shen Qingqiu said stiffly. "I recognized the scene."
*
Things were going well... for awhile. Then, the steady decrease in Yue Qingyuan's heartbreak bar just... stopped. He seemed happy--ecstatic, even--but a single black heart remained and would not budge.
Shen Qingqiu was never going to get to the promised ending at this rate. He wondered if it would be worthwhile to fill the heartbreak bar instead--
[ No! ] the System said in a panic, breaking its long silence. [ Don't do that! You've come so far! ] There was a fraught pause. [ This System will create a Scenario to resolve the last step. ]