Chapter 306 - A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga

Chapter 306 "Oh dear." Li Shu was the first to express a schadenfreude tone. Even though he also chose "won't," it didn't stop him from finding amusement in Wu Mingbai's misfortune. Wu Mingbai indeed wanted to sigh. He looked helplessly at the perplexed Wu Jin, and then at Li Shu with a mix of exasperation and amusement, "What are you laughing at? It's as if you guessed correctly." However, Li Shu didn't care at all, "So what if I guessed wrong? At least it wasn’t me who got asked the same question six or seven times." Wu Mingbai: "..." He was successfully thrown off balance. On the other side, Wu Jin could catch onto the gist from their exchange and quietly asked Su Bei, "What just happened?" Su Bei quietly recounted the events that had happened and then comforted him, "Don't worry, as the subject of the bet, you won't face any punishment." Though it was somewhat unfair to say this, Wu Jin indeed felt a sense of relief. How did these people come up with a punishment involving exploring secrets in a foreign palace? It truly tested one's social skills! Suddenly struck by a thought, he asked, "Who lost?" "You should ask who won." Zhao Xiaoyu, overhearing their conversation, couldn't help but chuckle, "Only Su Bei and Feng Lan guessed correctly." Bold as she was, Zhao Xiaoyu was never worried about the punishment; otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to the bet in the first place. The punishment truly only penalized those who were less talkative; for the rest, it was more like a reward. Exploring a castle was something they would do even without the bet. Hearing this, Wu Jin was initially surprised but quickly displayed understanding. Indeed, if he and Ling You switched places, he wouldn't expect her to tease Wu Mingbai either. However, Ling You and Lan Subing were not as lucky. Neither of them was particularly adept at conversing with strangers. As someone who also wasn't very social, Wu Jin could empathize with them, although he knew their situations were quite different. Lan Subing had true social anxiety, and it was borderline pathological. But after training at the "Infinite Superpower Academy" for so long, she had improved significantly, now displaying merely severe social anxiety. Ling You had a cold demeanor and wasn't fond of speaking. But if she were required to converse with others, she wouldn't encounter much difficulty. As for himself, Wu Jin knew he had psychological issues too, though unlike Lan Subing, he simply preferred not going noticed by others. Plus, as long as he brushed his hair back, he could enter a state of super confidence. Reflecting on this, Ling You was arguably the most normal among them. Indeed, if the three were to fulfill the bet, it seemed Lan Subing would truly be the one to suffer. Evidently, Lan Subing came to the same realization, staring blankly and murmuring, "I seem to have lost out?" Sitting on the plane, the cold air made everyone drowsy. Since it was a chartered flight, without any concerns, they quickly fell asleep. When they awoke, they had reached the Kingdom of Afeia. After deplaning, they saw a line of uniformed bodyguards and a butler-like figure waiting for them at the airport. Behind him stood a row of bodyguards, giving off an air of authority. However, the flamboyant, handmade welcome sign resembling those at elementary school sports days looked somewhat out of place. Paired with the indifferent expressions of the row of individuals and the curious glances from surrounding tourists, Wu Mingbai just wanted to turn back around and pretend he had never been there. The last thing he wanted was to be gawked at like a spectacle. Fortunately, the butler seemed reliable, recognizing Wu Mingbai, handing the welcome sign to a bodyguard, and approaching quietly, "Prince Mingbai, I was sent by the king to greet you, and I am the castle's butler. You may call me Butler Weiss. The king has already arranged accommodations in the castle for you and your friends. Please follow me." Royal jets certainly didn't resemble buses, and the transportation awaiting them consisted of several luxurious black cars. Su Bei, Feng Lan, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Mu Tieren were assigned to one vehicle. Once the vehicle started, Zhao Xiaoyu observed briefly before starting a conversation with the driver. She could discern that he wasn't particularly stern, so she took the initiative to chat. "Do you all know about Mingbai's identity?" Zhao Xiaoyu asked curiously, "We thought there would be a crowd of citizens here to see him upon his arrival." Unconcerned about confidentiality, the driver shook his head and replied, "Only those of us affiliated with the royal family know the details. The citizens are still unaware. There's supposed to be a public ceremony once Prince Mingbai returns and gains Gaodi Anzhuo's approval." So surprised by the information she extracted, Zhao Xiaoyu's eyes widened, "Gaodi Anzhuo's approval? Does the Afeian royal family need the guardian deity's approval?" Realizing the potential misinterpretation of her words, she quickly added, "I don't mean to belittle your guardian deity. It's just that our country doesn't have one, so I'm not familiar." "No worries, no worries. Many visitors ask about Gaodi Anzhuo every year. You haven't offended," the driver shrugged with a smile, "Once the royal family has Gaodi Anzhuo's approval, it adds an additional layer of protection in Afeian territory. Our king was saved from an assassination attempt thanks to Gaodi Anzhuo's protection." So that's the story, Zhao Xiaoyu had initially thought the guardian deity held a higher status than the royal family in Afeia based on the driver's words. But it seemed not, especially given the driver's attitude, suggesting an equal relationship. Su Bei had similar thoughts, but with an intention to probe deeper, he considered more than Zhao Xiaoyu. The guardian deity provided protection for the royal family and Afeian territory, but what did Afeia offer in return? If only the guardian deity provided benefits without any reciprocation from Afeia, there would be constant reverence. Rather, the guardian deity wasn't merely a tourist attraction, and the driver discussed royal and guardian affairs with such a casual demeanor. With these thoughts, he also started speaking, "Does every household in Afeia have a statue of Gaodi Anzhuo? In Ancient times in our country, nearly every household had deity figurines." "If so, I'd like to buy one as a travel souvenir," Mu Tieren chimed in without knowing Su Bei's deeper thoughts, genuinely wanting a keepsake. Obviously, this was another common question, and the driver replied smoothly, "Of course, every household has a statue of Gaodi Anzhuo. The market street not only sells statues but also trinkets with the guardian deity motif — keychains, phone cases, and more, available for purchase anytime." With every household worshipping, they indeed held great reverence for the guardian deity yet had no qualms about monetizing its name. It must have been set in motion by royal conduct. Because they're willing to use the guardian deity's name for national GDP increments, the populace followed suit. Thus, the Afeian royal family derived national and royal protection from their guardian deity, even utilizing it for financial gain. If they offered nothing in return, that would be absurd. Even Mother Mary wasn't so selfless, right? There were two possibilities: Either the royal family offered something to the guardian deity that ordinary people were unaware of, or they provided nothing, and the guardian deity required nothing, suggesting it had neither life nor desire. According to Su Bei's knowledge, the guardian deity was a variant of a Nightmare Beast. With its capacity to influence the geomancy of foreign lands, it was certainly an Advanced Nightmare Beast. These beasts possessed intelligence, so rather than it having no desires, Su Bei leaned towards the royal family offering additional value to the guardian deity to keep it guarding them. Looking to obtain some answers from the guardian deity, Su Bei felt it imperative to discern exactly what the deity required. Since some questions couldn't be posed by Wu Mingbai, given his lack of royal blood, even if he accompanied Wu Mingbai to meet the deity, there was no guarantee of answers. Opportunities favor the prepared, so it would be wise to cater to its preferences ahead of time. With this thought, Su Bei glanced at Feng Lan. After so many previous trials, surely, before coming to Afeia, Feng Lan must have had some foresight. Yet, he quietly followed along, perhaps indicating Afeia was devoid of surprises? How absurd! Su Bei trusted his judgment unequivocally—there was undoubtedly something afoot here. Yet with outsiders present, further inquisition was inconvenient for Su Bei. He wouldn't dare rely on speaking his native tongue in a foreign land, gambling that others didn't understand Chinese. With a recently recovered prince returning, the royal family undoubtedly had dedicated translators prepared. If their conversation was recorded and translated, Su Bei feared immediate arrest. As the convoy moved forward, a towering castle came into view. At first glance, the Afeian castle looked quite extravagant — unlike the somber, stately structures in other countries, it was adorned in vibrant colors. Each level was painted in a different hue, with fantastical patterns created with oil paint. In terms of flamboyance, it rather resembled the plane they had arrived on. Yet, perhaps due to the castle being specifically designed by an architect, it didn’t appear abstract; instead, it embodied a lively and refreshing beauty. One had to admit, the castle in Afeia was indeed a novelty. Su Bei had visited numerous countries before high school and seen various castles, but this was the first time he had seen one with such vivid colors. Speaking of which, most of the houses they'd seen along the way shared this color palette, lending the entire city a vibrant atmosphere. Afeia's reputation as one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations was well deserved; it wasn’t simply due to the guardian deity's miraculous presence. After all, Gaodi Anzhuo didn’t extend protection to foreigners, and frequent visits wouldn’t lead to familiarity. What truly enticed tourists to return was the unique yet consistently joyous cultural experience. Even Su Bei felt a sense of contentment at the sight of the colorful town. "No wonder it's a tourist hotspot; it’s stunning," Zhao Xiaoyu couldn’t help but exclaim as she stepped out of the vehicle. "This style is quite rare globally, isn't it?" Mu Tieren nodded in agreement, genuinely echoing her sentiment, "Indeed, this was definitely worth the trip; the surroundings are just as the photos online depicted." Hearing such praise for his country, the driver chimed in cheerfully from the car, "You can rest assured when traveling to Afeia; you’ll definitely not be disappointed! Being friends of Prince Mingbai, you’re bound to receive the highest level of hospitality." As they spoke, the last vehicle arrived, bringing the entire S-Class together. Butler Weiss led them to the castle’s entrance. Once the doors opened, lights instantly illuminated the castle's interior. A red carpet unrolled down the center like a tumbling roll, and lined up on both sides were maids, who bowed and in unison exclaimed, "Welcome back to Afeia, Prince Mingbai!" "What a Mary Sue moment..." With so many people present, not even the gravity of the scene could suppress Lan Subing's strong urge to comment sarcastically. She never imagined that scenarios she had fantasized about in childhood would play out in real life, especially before her own friends. In contrast, Zhao Xiaoyu, who enjoyed such fantasy genres even more, instantly blurted out a show's title: " 'Princess O-Mai'..." The others: "..." Even if they hadn’t watched the show, just the title alone seemed fitting for the current spectacle. Wu Mingbai's lips twitched as he turned his gaze to the grand procession of seven people at the end of the red carpet. Leading them was a couple in their fifties, dressed lavishly — evidently the King and Queen, Wu Mingbai’s birth parents. The Queen bore a striking resemblance to Wu Mingbai, with tears brimmed in her eyes, hands covering her mouth, trying hard not to break into tears. The King, with a deeply satisfied countenance, arm around the Queen, led the group towards Wu Mingbai. Among the remaining five, three were male and two female, besides Andrew, whom they had seen during the competition. The rest were younger, presumably other princes and princesses of Afeia. Their expressions varied, each one worth a more nuanced observation. The entire family had come to greet Wu Mingbai, demonstrating the sincere intentions of the King and Queen. However, the sentiments of his siblings towards his return were uncertain. Those siblings swiftly composed their expressions as the King led them forward, uniformly displaying joyous enthusiasm, as if genuinely anticipating Wu Mingbai's arrival. If Su Bei hadn’t been observing closely from the start, he might have missed their initial expression changes. What followed was a predictable emotional reunion, with the Queen clinging to her long-lost son, crying for joy. Once she calmed a bit, the King began introducing Wu Mingbai to his siblings. Andrew needed no introduction as the somewhat simple-minded eldest prince. Earlier, his expression upon seeing Wu Mingbai carried a hint of caution, but mostly conveyed an arrogance that dismissed Wu Mingbai. The second princess, named Meili, shared a similar wary gaze towards Wu Mingbai. It's worth noting that in Afeia, the choice of a royal candidate wasn’t confined to males; females could vie for it too, often bringing in a contracted partner when required. With just a glance, Su Bei could discern her ambitions for the throne. But that's understandable; who wouldn’t aspire to ascend to royalty? The next two male siblings were twins: the left one named Modal and the right Mo Qi. The older brother, Modal, mirrored the second princess's wary and scrutinizing gaze. Mo Qi, however, like the youngest princess Sophia, appeared full of curiosity — neither seemed to bear hostility towards Wu Mingbai, suggesting they lacked ambition for the throne. With outsiders present, in-depth discussion wasn’t feasible, so the King intended to first arrange accommodations for Su Bei and his group elsewhere. A mere exchange of looks with Butler Weiss set things in motion; the butler approached them with a polite gesture, "You all must be weary from your travels. Allow me to guide you to your accommodations." After a confirming nod from Wu Mingbai, they followed Weiss with ease. The Afeian royal family wasn’t short on resources, providing them with deluxe single rooms. Each room was equipped with a bedside bell to summon a maid with a single press. Their rooms were conveniently located on the same floor, facilitating easy visits among one another. Once their rooms were settled and luggage arranged, Weiss continued, "About tomorrow’s itinerary, would you prefer to explore on your own, or should I arrange a guide for you?" Everyone, except perhaps Su Bei harboring ulterior motives, purely came for sightseeing, so they unanimously opted for the latter plan: "We’d like a guide!" In unfamiliar territory, a reliable guide could greatly enhance their experience. Weiss wasn’t surprised by their choice; after obtaining their answer, he prepared to leave to arrange the guide. Before leaving, he thoughtfully suggested an activity, "You may begin exploring the castle today. Please do not enter locked rooms, which might be storage or personnel quarters. Avoid the top two floors, reserved for the King's immediate family. Apart from that, feel free to explore. Should you encounter any issues during your visit, please do not hesitate to seek assistance from passing staff. Note, there is no internet in the castle." "Mr. Butler!" Just as he was about to leave, Zhao Xiaoyu called out hurriedly, "Can we ask about the guardian deity? We’re all very curious about it." The inquiry was so common among tourists that Weiss wasn’t surprised that friends of the prince had this curiosity. He smiled politely, "Certainly, it would be my pleasure to enlighten you." Intrigued by this topic, everyone gathered in the sitting area near the stairs on the same floor. Zhao Xiaoyu, being genuinely curious, couldn't wait to ask upon sitting down, "Mr. Butler, have you seen the guardian deity in person? What does it look like?" Though multiple pieces of evidence suggested the guardian deity truly existed in Afeia, as an atheist, Zhao Xiaoyu found it hard to suppress skepticism, fueling her curiosity further. "I once accompanied the King to see Gaodi Anzhuo," Weiss spoke with no reservation, even pride in his eyes, "The deity is omnipresent in Afeia, but the time I saw it, it appeared as a human face protruding from a rock wall." In their nation, the guardian deity’s presence was no secret, and seeing its visage was indeed a badge of honor. "What did the King seek from the guardian deity?" Zhao Xiaoyu, a sharp-minded individual, skillfully built upon the information Weiss provided. Unexpectedly, her deft inquiry led Weiss to chuckle awkwardly before quickly regaining composure, "It was a routine check to ensure there were no impending geological disasters within Afeia." The reason seemed reasonable enough, but Su Bei didn’t miss the fleeting awkwardness that crossed Weiss’s face — perhaps a slip of the tongue, indirectly confirming that the King’s purpose for visiting the deity couldn’t be disclosed. Sigh, how he wished to know where the guardian deity resided; it’d be ideal to plant a listening device there... Su Bei mused, yet he wasn’t worried. With the protagonist group around, opportunities to meet the deity would surely arise. For now, he just needed to enjoy the sightseeing. If clues appeared, he’d take note; if not, he’d wait patiently. Once the manga updated, clues would be handed directly to him. After Zhao Xiaoyu finished her questioning, Li Shu, showing keen interest, followed up, "Will we have the chance to see the guardian deity?" He had little interest in sightseeing, but was intensely intrigued by the guardian deity. Among the many legends about Afeia's guardian deity, some claimed that merely seeing the deity could grant a wish, while others suggested it could provide divine protection... Li Shu wasn't naive enough to blindly believe these baseless rumors, but they did pique his interest in the guardian deity. Even if none of these legends held up, witnessing the presence of a "god" would be a fascinating experience in itself. "I apologize," Weiss said with a note of regret, "It is said that only those with great fortune can encounter Gaodi Anzhuo. Other than that, only members of the royal family can be arranged to meet Him." No one was surprised by this; if the deity could be seen so casually, it would indeed be suspicious. Once the butler left, Lan Subing spoke up, "This guardian deity is a bit different from what I imagined." "How so?" Ai Baozhu inquired, curious. Before Lan Subing could answer, Jiang Tianming guessed her thoughts, "Is it because it doesn’t seem mysterious enough?" Hearing this, Lan Subing nodded with a "You understand me" expression, "It feels like it can be seen just like that. Sure, it's said only by royal members, but they’re just people too." Perhaps due to the fact that their friend Wu Mingbai was a legitimate member of the Afeian royal family, Lan Subing found it hard to feel any reverence towards royals, viewing them as equals, just people like herself. Su Bei pondered for a moment and offered an apt analogy, "It doesn't seem much like a god, more like the royal ancestor of the Afeian family." Being the royal ancestor, it made sense it would watch over them and be frequently seen. And encouraging the people of Afeia to worship the guardian deity was logical too — what’s wrong with honoring one’s family ancestor? However, he meant it as a jest. Maybe the guardian deity and the royal family shared some undisclosed secret, but it surely wasn’t about shared ancestry, given Gaodi Anzhuo was a mutated Nightmare Beast — it wouldn’t share blood ties with humans. "Ahem, we're still in the royal family's castle," Si Zhaohua noted with a hand covering his mouth as he lightly coughed. Everyone had momentarily forgotten where they were. With his reminder, they fell silent. Spreading rumors about their hosts while under their roof was indeed a risky move.