Young lady, you’ve come at just the right time!

John Sullivan rubbed his forehead. Grace Hill was the catalyst for the conflict between James Reed and Charles Clark; whenever she appeared, Charles Clark was bound to suffer.

John Sullivan lifted the carriage curtain with reserved grace, and sure enough, saw Grace Hill waving enthusiastically: “Charlie, not enough horses? Come ride with me!”

…She really knew how to make Charles Clark a target for resentment.

John Sullivan could already imagine James Reed’s jaw dropping to the ground. After all, this kind of plot where a down-and-out protagonist receives special attention from a beauty is a classic feel-good moment, but it’s also the easiest to provoke jealousy and suppression. If Charles Clark accepted Grace Hill’s offer now, he could forget about having a peaceful journey.

Sitting in the carriage, John Sullivan said, “Yin’er, don’t be ridiculous. Men and women should maintain proper distance, even with your junior brother there must be limits. James Reed, why are you dawdling for so long? Why haven’t we set off yet?”

James Reed was overjoyed, thinking, As expected, Master is on my side! He immediately urged the group to depart.

The little commotion was set aside for now. John Sullivan refocused, opened the dossier beside the small table, and continued to review the itinerary for this trip.

This journey was not only his first time leaving the mountain to follow the plot, but also the initial stage of the crucial task to unfreeze the OOC function. He couldn’t afford not to take it seriously.

The dossier detailed a series of gruesome murders that had recently occurred in a small town several dozen miles from Cangqiong Mountain Sect. Nine people had already died in succession.

Each victim shared one thing in common: their skin had been meticulously and completely stripped from their bodies. From head to toe, the technique was so precise it was as if the skin had never belonged to the victim at all—utterly horrifying. Thus, the murderer was dubbed the “Skinner.”

Despite nine murders, the authorities were at a complete loss. The townspeople were gripped by fear, and rumors spread that it was the work of ghosts—how else could the killer come and go without a trace?!

Several prominent families gathered together and finally decided to send for help from Cangqiong Mountain Sect, seeking aid from cultivators.

He had already read this information many times before. But no matter how many times he read it, it was of no help at all.

What the hell is this “Skinner”?! He’d never even heard of it! Is this some kind of side plot or hidden quest?! Is it dangerous?! Is its combat power high?! Can I even handle it?! This isn’t what was promised!

When he questioned the system, it replied: [What’s different? Previously, you were a reader of the novel. A novel is a form of artistic creation, and artistic creation involves choices—some things are omitted. But now that you’re part of this world, you have to experience everything firsthand, including the plotlines that were skipped in the original work.]

John Sullivan was helpless. Knowing it was unavoidable, he could only practice harder before leaving the mountain, trying to get used to his new abilities as soon as possible, so he could control them freely and avoid being killed by some monster he’d never even heard of.

The carriage was fully equipped with everything one could need. John Sullivan even found five or six different tea sets, leaving him speechless. In his previous life, he was at least a minor rich second generation, but he’d never been this extravagantly particular.

Charles Clark was still outside. He didn’t dare let his guard down, staying alert to any movement. Laughter drifted in from outside the carriage from time to time. John Sullivan glanced out.

Charles Clark was walking alone at the very end of the group, sometimes walking, sometimes running. Occasionally, horses would circle around him, deliberately kicking up dust and leaving him covered in dirt.

This was just a book; all these people were fictional characters created by the author. It was all that idiot author’s fault, always tormenting the protagonist in the early chapters—torment, torment, torment! What the hell!

But when this character was right in front of him, being treated like this, to say he felt nothing at all would be unrealistic.

Grace Hill tried to stop the others, but it was useless. Anxious, she rode her horse closer to the carriage and called inside, “Master! Look at what the senior brothers are doing!”

John Sullivan was moved, but didn’t show it, replying blandly, “What are they doing?”

Her voice was full of grievance as she insisted, “They’re bullying him like this, and you’re not saying anything. If this keeps up… what will become of the disciples you’ve taught, Master?!”

This was basically reporting them to his face, but James Reed and the others felt no pressure at all. After all, these actions had always been tacitly approved by the old John Sullivan; they thought the harsher they bullied Charles Clark, the happier Master would be, so why would they hold back?

James Reed was the happiest of all. That day in the back mountain, it really was Charles Clark using some strange magic he’d learned from who knows where. Now that Master was here, he was suppressed.

But John Sullivan actually just said “Oh,” and then, “Charles Clark, come here.”

Charles Clark’s expression was calm, as if he was used to it. He answered, “Yes,” and walked over.

At first, everyone was gloating, thinking Charles Clark was about to be dragged over for a scolding. But today, their worldview was about to be shattered.

Because John Sullivan lifted the curtain with his folding fan, raised his chin arrogantly at Charles Clark, and glanced inside the carriage. Though he said nothing, the meaning of the gesture couldn’t have been clearer.

Grace Hill exclaimed happily, “Charlie, get in the carriage! Master is letting you ride with him!”

A bolt from the blue!

If they didn’t know Master had been cultivating for years, James Reed and the others would have suspected John Sullivan was possessed by a demon!