Charles Clark was also completely stunned. But he reacted quickly, hesitated only briefly, and then replied, “Thank you, Master.” He climbed into the carriage, sat upright and properly in the corner, hands and feet all in order, as if afraid his patched clothes might dirty the carriage.

　　System: [Warning……]

　　John Sullivan: “Warning for what? I haven’t gone OOC.”

　　System: [‘John Sullivan’ could never do something like helping Charles Clark out of trouble. Judgment: OOC level 100%.]

　　John Sullivan said, “If it was simply to help Charles Clark out of trouble, of course it would be impossible. But right now my goal is to avoid disappointing Grace Hill as her master. Just think, how could he bear to let his most beloved little disciple be disappointed?”

　　System: [……]

　　John Sullivan: “So my actions are completely in line with the logic of the character ‘John Sullivan’. You can’t deduct my points.”

　　Through these days of interaction, he had gradually figured out some tricks.

　　The system had rules, but they weren’t dead rules. Since the rules were flexible, there was room for negotiation.

　　Sure enough, the system couldn’t come up with a countermeasure for now. John Sullivan was delighted and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

　　He had originally been sitting quietly in the carriage, eyes closed in meditation, seemingly deep in thought, when suddenly he laughed. Charles Clark couldn’t help but look over.

　　Honestly, to say Charles Clark wasn’t surprised would be a lie. Although he had always respected John Sullivan greatly, he was well aware of how his master treated and viewed him.

　　He had thought that being called into the carriage meant something even more severe was waiting for him, and had mentally prepared himself, but didn’t expect John Sullivan to ignore him completely and just meditate on his own.

　　Charles Clark thought about it and realized he had never been this close or observed John Sullivan so carefully before.

　　In terms of looks, John Sullivan was truly beyond reproach. Maybe not the most stunningly handsome man, but undeniably attractive and pleasing to the eye. The profile of his face seemed gently sculpted by flowing water, easily evoking goodwill. Just like his famed sword, renowned throughout the land—refined and elegant.

　　As soon as John Sullivan opened his eyes, he saw Charles Clark watching him. The kind of “eyes like cold stars, smiling with teeth showing, gentle and bright” aura that would later belong to the male lead could already be glimpsed now.

　　Charles Clark was caught red-handed and didn’t know what to do, but John Sullivan had already smiled at him.

　　That smile was purely instinctive. Yet Charles Clark felt as if pricked by a tiny thorn, quickly averted his gaze, and became even more confused about his feelings.

　　Very soon, John Sullivan couldn’t smile anymore.

　　System prompt: [Violation: OOC. B-score -5. Current B-score: 165.]

　　John Sullivan: “…I get points deducted just for smiling?”

　　System, righteously: [OOC is OOC.]

Author’s note:　　

　　☆ Mission botched (bug catching)

　　Having learned his lesson, John Sullivan became even more cautious from then on, keeping a stern face the whole way, and finally made it to Twin Lakes City without incident.

　　Though not large, the city was fairly prosperous. After entering the city, they stayed at the mansion of the wealthiest man in town, Mr. Brooks, who had sent people to Cangqiong Mountain Sect for help. Both of Mr. Brooks’s beloved concubines from his two households had been brutally murdered by the Skinner, so he had been anxiously awaiting John Sullivan’s arrival.

　　He held the white jade-like hand of his beautiful third concubine, sighing and weeping before the group.

　　“Immortal, you must help us! I don’t dare let Die’er leave my side for even a moment now, for fear that she too might fall victim to those damned monsters.”

　　A strong NPC vibe made John Sullivan’s face twitch.

　　He really didn’t like watching a sixty-year-old man and a teenage girl being lovey-dovey right in front of him!

　　Fortunately, John Sullivan was a master. After a brief meeting, he coldly retreated to his room, leaving James Reed to exchange pleasantries with Mr. Brooks. Masters have their privileges—no one dares say anything about their aloofness. The colder he acted, the more respect surrounded him.

　　Grace Hill knocked and came in, sweetly acting spoiled: “Master, Yin’er wants to go stroll around the market. Will you come with me?”

　　John Sullivan had his back to her, striking a scholarly pose with a scroll in hand, and replied coolly, “If Yin’er wants to go out, just ask your senior or junior brothers to accompany you. Before dealing with the Skinner, I still have things to do.”

　　Did he not know who she would ask to go with her?

　　John Sullivan was suffering miserably. Didn’t he want to go out and have fun? After being cooped up in the bamboo hut on Qingjing Peak, playing the highbrow, artistic master every day, he finally got a chance to come down the mountain, only to be trapped in his room by the system for “original setting: ‘John Sullivan’ likes quiet and doesn’t want to join crowds.” He didn’t even want to pretend to meditate anymore, so he lay on the bed playing dead for a while, then began seriously thinking about how to deal with the Skinner.

　　Based on the pattern of the previous nine crimes, the Skinner always targeted young and beautiful women. So in Twin Lakes City, any household with daughters, pretty wives, or concubines would lock their doors tight at night. Even so, it couldn’t stop the Skinner from coming and going as he pleased.

　　After sunset, James Reed came to his room to report what he had found.