novelzi Chapter 196 : Chapter 196
Chapter 196 : Chapter 196
197L: I agree with 195L.Perhaps Bai Xuechao didn't even have time to think about these things. Yuan Lan wanted to turn him into his little toy, and Bai Xuechao only responded out of self-preservation, without time for so many schemes.
Not using his fire special ability should have simply been because his body couldn't handle the side effects anymore; his condition was already that bad.
198L: No time? That's the most impossible thing. Just think about the speed at which our Axue answers questions. (Afraid to make a sound)
199L: Let me refresh everyone's memory. [Can humans really do this.jpg]
200L: As expected, Xue is still the top trend on the forum, with several floors added instantly.
201L: Regarding whether Bai Xuechao actually took the opportunity to formulate a plan, or whether he was really deified, wouldn't it be clear by seeing what OP says next?
202L: Am I the only one thinking, did Xuexue make a name for himself? 195L actually used the word "deified"!
I am flattered, our Xuexue cannot bear such a title~ (Doge emoji)
203L: Haha, I was also thinking about that. Does 195L actually think OP is creating a god? This shows that our Xue has the qualifications to be deified, which is why he's perceived that way. (Doge emoji)
204L: I used to think that the character Bai Xuechao appeared just to steal the male lead's thunder, but after reading this chapter, I seem to understand. He is there to be an experience package for the male lead. This character won't live for too long; he will probably go offline after helping the male lead grow. (Conjecture)
205L: Upstairs, you're really stabbing me in the heart! (Crying hysterically)
206L: My Axue will not die—! (Roaring)
207L: 204L is really making me laugh to death. Was it intentional? You stabbed the Xue fans right in their hearts. (Laughing and crying)
208L: Isn't this meme made for them?
[Panda head devil's whisper: Your favorite character won't live long.jpg]
209L: You guys are bad. (Doge emoji)
[Panda head devil's whisper: Your favorite character won't live long.jpg]
210L: Xue fans cried out, "Woof!"
...
222L [OP]: How to ensure the plan can be implemented?
Bai Xuechao began to test Yuan Lan's attitude.
Many details in the manga indicate that Bai Xuechao had the ability to break free from control. My point is not about breaking free and saving people at the end, but that he could break free at any time.
Just after Yuan Lan implanted the puppet threads in Bai Xuechao, Yuan Lan personally confirmed that Bai Xuechao had momentarily broken free from control.
This indicates that Bai Xuechao possessed the ability to break free from control. At the same time, I believe this was an attempt by Bai Xuechao to see if he could break free. Although I don't know the conditions for breaking free from Yuan Lan's special ability, it is clearly not related to special ability level, otherwise Bai Xuechao, a Level 7 special ability user, would not have been able to break free.
In addition, look at Ji Chuanze's line: [How long will you be manipulated.jpg]
This indicates that he believed Bai Xuechao had the ability to break free.
There are two possibilities: one is that the worldview has a similar setting, for example, mental special abilities can be broken free from, regardless of special ability level; the other is trust, Ji Chuanze simply trusted Bai Xuechao's ability, unconditionally believing in him.
Given this premise, look at what Bai Xuechao did.
He broke free once, severed the threads holding Ji Chuanze, and also severed the puppet threads that almost entered Brother Hao's body, saving two people at once.
Why did I put "saved" in quotation marks? Because I believe this was a test by Bai Xuechao.
Is saving once useful? With Yuan Lan's ability, he could do whatever he wanted to these two as many times as he wanted, but could Bai Xuechao save them every single time?
So Bai Xuechao's true intention was not what it seemed. He was testing Yuan Lan's reaction to him saving someone, to see how Yuan Lan viewed him.
This time, Yuan Lan's reaction was not anger, but rather excitement. So he concluded that Yuan Lan valued him greatly, at least with a higher priority than Brother Hao. This allowed him to proceed with the next step of his plan, which is why I called it a test.
Of course, given Bai Xuechao's personality (?), he might have felt that this test wasn't enough, so he tested again, pretending to be on the verge of fainting.
Yes, I think his fainting there was an act.
Please don't rush to scold me; listen to what I have to say!
It was precisely because of his poor physical condition that pretending to faint would not arouse suspicion, and he exploited this point.
This time, Yuan Lan's reaction was to speed things up, as he had had enough fun.
See? This was clearly to take Bai Xuechao away and quickly finish things here. (Spreading hands)
Therefore, Bai Xuechao was sure that he could take the final step, giving Yuan Lan a suitable opportunity to take him away and save everyone else in the process.
Yes, this time he really saved them. (Covering face)
Bai Xuechao broke free from Yuan Lan's control and dealt him a blow. Yuan Lan wasn't even angry when his foot was cut; naturally, he wouldn't be angry about being impaled. As expected, he was ecstatic. (Doge emoji)
Perhaps due to the side effects, Bai Xuechao was constantly vomiting blood, and his condition seemed dire.
Yuan Lan was faced with the choice of either taking Bai Xuechao directly or first spending some time to deal with the protagonist group + Ji Chuanze before leaving.
At this point, Bai Xuechao made the choice for him, using water to flush both of them out. This made it unnecessary for Yuan Lan to make a special return, so he simply took Bai Xuechao away.
In fact, even if Bai Xuechao had done nothing, he would have been taken away by Yuan Lan, but his previous tests were all for this moment—to save people.
So Bai Xuechao's complete plan was: to enter the Apocalypse Society and save everyone else at the same time.
Although his original goal might have just been to save Ji Chuanze, were the protagonist group just benefiting from Ji Chuanze's presence? (Conjecture)
Oh, and there's something to think about that's quite horrifying.
When Yuan Lan invited Bai Xuechao to join the Apocalypse Society, he said, "The treatment I give you will be better than what you have now."
What did he mean by "now"?
If he was referring to the bodyguard company, that's truly frightening. Yuan Lan likely knew who Bai Xuechao was, and might have even guessed that he wanted revenge.
Then... his act of taking Bai Xuechao away becomes quite terrifying.
Yuan Lan originally said that he wanted to make Bai Xuechao his little toy. Could it be that he took him away to slowly play with him? (Touching chin) (Deep thought)
By the way, there's a strange point to mention.
When Xia Xiaoxi was hanging, there was a close-up of Bai Xuechao's eyes, as if he was stimulated. [Pupils dilated.jpg]
Logically, Xia Xiaoxi is not related to him in any way, so he shouldn't have reacted like this because of her. It's likely the scene itself.
Thus, I have a bold guess...
Perhaps Bai Xuechao witnessed the corpse of his sister or brother hanging by puppet threads with his own eyes. (Afraid to make a sound)
Later, Yuan Lan asked if he cared about Xia Xiaoxi, and Bai Xuechao said no. One possibility is that he was telling the truth, and another is that it was a form of protection. After all, Yuan Lan is so perverted; if he had answered that he cared, Xia Xiaoxi might have been tormented even more. (.)
There's also a point about Bai Xuechao's illness that wasn't mentioned. It will continue on the next floor~
223L: Just finished the first paragraph. This unconditional trust, I suddenly started shipping the cat and dog. (Afraid to make a sound)
224L: That speculation about the worldview setting should not be true.
If that were the case, mental special abilities would be basically useless. If it's unrelated to special ability level, then anyone could break free from control, and even top-level mental special ability users would be useless.
225L: I agree with the above. Then only unconditional trust remains, hehe. (Propping up chin)
226L: Thanks, 224L, you made me ship them again. (Doge emoji)
227L: No, are you all assuming Yuan Lan has a mental special ability? Is it possible... he doesn't? (Afraid to make a sound)
228L: Holy shit, 227L, I never thought of that.
229L: What the heck, if Yuan Lan doesn't have a mental special ability, what else could he have? A special-type?
230L: Oh my god, it seems to be true.
Yuan Lan's special ability is called Puppetry. We all thought the focus was on mental control of puppets, but in reality, it might be about behavioral control of puppets?
231L: OP was caught making a mistake on the spot (laughing and crying). It's just a small issue, OP, come out and correct it quickly!
232L [OP]: I'm confused! [I want to scream.jpg]
First of all, 224L is correct, and secondly, 227L is also correct!
Yuan Lan's special ability doesn't require mental control over others, and he can even heal himself. The only special ability type that fits this is a special-type!
233L: As for the first test, I think saving Little Ji and Brother Hao was also genuine. The test didn't delay saving people; it just happened to be the right time.
234L: 233L+1! Xuexue is actually kind at heart.
235L: Actually, I agree with 233L, but I feel strange using "kind" to describe Bai Xuechao. (Laughing and crying)
236L: It's good enough that no one called him a "good child like a god." I have PTSD from that kind of rhetoric now.
237L: Perhaps because Bai Xuechao is essentially a fun-loving person, it's psychologically difficult to associate him with kindness.
But he has helped the protagonist group so many times. You can say he's kind, especially when compared to Yuan Lan; he looks like an angel. (Covering face and crying)
238L: 236L is making me die of laughter.
239L: (Conjecture) I agree that Bai Xuechao was faking his faint, because he used his special ability more than once after that.
240L: I lean towards Axue genuinely being about to faint, and the later part was him pushing his body to the limit. (Biting hand emoji)
241L: Now, the underlying question is whether Bai Xuechao was scheming against Yuan Lan?
242L: I think he was. I feel OP's analysis is quite reasonable. Even if his wife was really about to faint, that could also have been a part of his plan.
243L: Regarding whether there was any scheming, perhaps tomorrow's update will have the answer. Let's wait for the verification. (Obediently)
244L: OP said Xuexue's plan was to enter the Apocalypse Society + save people. Wuwu, my kind baby, it's already tiring enough to consider one thing, and now he has to consider two.
245L: What else? His tsundere puppy is still there; he can't not save him, right? (Laughing and crying)
246L: No, no, now there are two puppies. (Covering face)
247L: Hahahaha, two puppies! Who else can make me laugh if not for you guys!
248L: That point is indeed quite unsettling. If Yuan Lan knew that Axue was the biological younger brother of the brother and sister killed by the Apocalypse Society, hiss...
249L: No, judging by OP's later thoughts about the hanging corpses, it wasn't the Apocalypse Society, but him. (Biting hand emoji)
250L: Holy shit, wouldn't that mean from Yuan Lan's perspective, it became: The relative of the person I killed has come to seek revenge. Look, he's acting, so I'll play along.
251L: I can't imagine, once my wife enters the Apocalypse Society, I have a bad feeling about it! (Hamster crying with a handkerchief)
252L: Ahh, stop, I'm scared! When will tomorrow arrive? I can't wait to read ahead!
253L: Don't cry yet! (Snatching 251L's handkerchief)
254L: OP's bold guess is so devilish!
But speaking of bodies hanging by puppet threads, I think it should be the sister, because if it were the brother, his wife should have also been stimulated when Little Ji was hanging. (Obediently)
255L: Hahaha, is the upstairs user a fan or an anti? Even more devilish! (Covering face)
256L: Zhaoxi fans, I'm not listening, not listening, the turtle is chanting! I don't care, this is Axue feeling sorry for Xia Xiaoxi! (Covering ears)
257L [OP]: Finally, let's talk about Bai Xuechao's illness, the black bracelet Yuan Lan put on him, and Yuan Lan's strange attitude.
To summarize what Mu Xinyue said about Bai Xuechao's physical condition.
His physical problems are all congenital, mainly concentrated in the lungs, heart, and kidneys.
He has congenital heart malformation leading to multiple valvular disease. When it flares up, a rapid heart rate can cause acute left heart failure, which further leads to pulmonary congestion, then acute pulmonary edema, and finally cardiac arrest. This combination is why Bai Xuechao was rescued this time. He also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can lead to chronic respiratory failure, mild pulmonary fibrosis, possibly asthma, and in addition, chronic kidney disease and abnormal blood clotting due to low platelets.
If they wanted to replace his organs for treatment, one illness hindered another, forming a direct closed loop. Low platelets also made it difficult to stop bleeding. It was unsolvable, and they could only leave it as it was.
Mu Xinyue's evaluation: He will die within two years.
Bai Guzi's character design is truly ruthless; she never intended for this character to live. (Wiping sweat)
If all of Bai Xuechao's organ problems were to erupt simultaneously, with left heart failure + respiratory failure + kidney failure, it would be multiple organ failure, and even immortals couldn't save him.
Even if left untouched, just the seemingly minor issue of low platelets would lead to spontaneous bleeding without injury. It's already hard to stop bleeding, and if Bai Xuechao had any minor issues like anemia, it would be unbearable.
As for special ability treatment, that path is also blocked. As Mu Xinyue said, it's a congenital problem, and special abilities only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
Moreover, according to the already public content of the manga, current healing special ability users can only heal external wounds and cannot treat diseases caused by viruses and bacteria, nor can they treat cancer cells. Even for auxiliary treatment of cancer patients, helping patients who have had organs removed grow new organs, the organs that grow out are not healthy ones, but organs based on the current physical condition, meaning the same organ the patient just had removed.
If you can't remember, you can review the training camp arc, the part about their classes. I know there are a lot of settings there, and some people definitely skipped it without finishing! (Hands on hips)
By the way, Meng Xizhou once mentioned that his mother died of cancer when he was in the sixth grade of elementary school.
If Meng Woyi was really his brother, Meng Woyi might have already been at the SAIDB at that time. Applying for family medical treatment wouldn't have been difficult, but his mother still passed away.
Did they not want to treat her? Impossible. It could only be that it was untreatable.
Let's talk about the black bracelet Yuan Lan put on Bai Xuechao.
Mu Xinyue implied that this was something that had been researched for a long time, and there was only one. Once worn, it removed the ability to resist.
To sum up, I guess this thing can interfere with a special ability user's ability to use their special ability? Because without the ability to resist, I can only think of special abilities.
Yuan Lan said it was a semi-finished product, so it's probably something that restricts special ability users from using their special abilities, but only by half? Hmmm, I can't currently think of how it would restrict it by half.
Finally, regarding Yuan Lan's strange attitude, he now gives me a feeling of both love and hate towards Bai Xuechao, but that's just a metaphor, okay!
When Mu Xinyue went off-topic, he pulled the conversation back to continue asking, showing that he cared about Bai Xuechao's physical problems.
But when Mu Xinyue said that they couldn't replace organs one by one, he dared to ask to replace all three at once. Mu Xinyue even scoffed, saying, "Does he not see him as human?"
To be honest, that scoff gave me an idea. Yuan Lan is now like someone who has snatched a broken toy and handed it to a repairman. The repairman says the broken parts cannot be replaced, that they were defective from the factory, and that the parts are jammed together. Yuan Lan then asks, "Can't you just take the whole thing apart?"
Later, when Mu Xinyue asked if they should try to extend Bai Xuechao's lifespan, Yuan Lan said, "We'll see." I think at that moment, he had already decided how he would treat Bai Xuechao.
Oh right, one more thing before I finish.
(Afraid to make a sound) Given Bai Xuechao's physical condition, I think Mu Xinyue was being kind when she said "within two years." What she actually meant was that he would die in little over a year.
See you tomorrow after the manga update, everyone! (Fleeing quickly) (Daring not to look back at the explosion)
258L: Okay, okay, the manga stabbed me, and now you're stabbing me again, right? (Vomiting blood and falling to the ground)
259L: I cried. My heart as a Xue fan is shattered into pieces. My favorite character is so miserable. Bai old scoundrel is inhumane, boo hoo hoo! (Crying torrentially)
260L: Who said the food chain doesn't have beautiful, strong, and tragic characters? Isn't this one here? (Smiling and vomiting blood)
261L: I knew it! The ultimate fate of falling in love with a frail and beautiful young man is watching his life fade away until death! (Pierced by a long sword)
262L: Just looking at that long list of illnesses Axue has makes me feel like I'm dying. Thankfully, he's a special ability user, so his physical condition is a bit better, and he can walk and run. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to imagine him lying in a hospital bed every day, boo hoo. (Crying Kitty Head)
263L: A body that even a special ability user can't save, isn't he lying in a hospital bed right now? (.)
264L: I read fast and already saw the next part, OP, don't run! Come back! (Raising a 40-meter knife)
265L: Actually, Bai Guzi didn't need to be so ruthless (:з」∠) According to the setting of healing special abilities, just giving Bai Xuechao congenital heart disease would have been enough.
266L: Perhaps to ensure that my Xue would die. (Smiling and vomiting blood)
267L: From the setting of Axue's illnesses, it's clear that this character is destined to die...
The question is, couldn't they have said it earlier?! You make me fall in love with him, and then you tell me this frail character is truly frail to the point of not being able to live at all?! (Grabbing Bai old scoundrel's collar) (Vomiting blood)
268L: I've already entered cyber widow mode. My dying husband, Bai Xuechao. (Smiling and vomiting blood)
269L: I'm dying of laughter. The blood Xue fans vomited today could probably drown the Pink Forum, right?
270L: Holy crap, I finished reading it. Now I know why 264L raised a knife earlier. Because I'm joining the chase!
Yah—tai! (Raising knife) OP, come back! What do you mean he'll die in a little over a year?! Do you dare say that again?!
271L: What does it mean to have joy turn to sorrow? (Tactical lean back)
Before, Xue fans were rejoicing because Bai Xuechao was crushing Gong Ting with his full highlight reel, and now they're in widow mode. (Laughing and crying)
272L: Because your favorite character isn't the one dying. (Crying)
273L: Isn't there still more than a year left for him to live? If he's lucky, maybe an even more awesome healing special ability user will appear and be able to cure him?
(Comfort from Ling Feng's fan)
274L: Exactly, there's still over a year! Maybe the timeline of this manga is only half a year or a year, and it will be finished by then. Your favorite character will still be alive until the ending! Isn't that enough?~ (Thumbs up) (Encouragement from Brother Hao's fan)
275L: Be optimistic! Maybe this is just Bai old scoundrel's trick! She might think this is the character's appeal, a frail, beautiful, strong, and tragic young man, but in fact, he might get cured later! (Pep talk from Xia Xiaoxi's fan)
276L: Yes, yes, maybe Bai old scoundrel just wants to earn all your tears and then give you a plot twist! (Encouragement from Braised Pork fan)
277L: This is hilarious! What a grand scene on this forum, everyone is comforting Xue fans. (Laughing and crying)
278L: Braised Pork fan, what the heck is that?! [Yu Muyang Pushing Glasses.jpg]
279L: Apart from OP's explanation for that black bracelet, I can't think of anything else.
280L: OP's metaphor of Yuan Lan snatching a toy is so vivid.
281L: Just now, the teacher asked me why I was crying... Wuwu, I was caught multi-tasking and looking at the forum during online class. (Crying and fainting)
282L: Curious, how did you answer?
283L: Also curious.
284L: I'm 281L (crying loudly)
Wuwu, I said my husband was seriously ill and dying! (Covering mouth and weeping)
285L: Hahaha, you Xue fans are really going to make me die of laughter!
Xiao 6 couldn't help but let out a crisp laugh: "Hahahaha—"
Mid-laugh, it suddenly realized that the dying "husband" 271L was talking about was its very own beloved host! And it was laughing!
Xiao 6 cautiously spoke: "Host?"
"Hmm?" Bai Xuechao was still looking down at the post, his expression unchanged, as if he was just casually reading something for entertainment, rather than a discussion about his inevitable death.
Xiao 6 picked at its code, softly and hesitantly saying, "They're all discussing your illness, thinking you're going to die soon."
Bai Xuechao calmly retorted, "Isn't that the truth?"
Hearing this, Xiao 6 remained silent for a long time, seemingly in a daze. Although it was unclear how a system could be dazed, perhaps its program had suddenly crashed.
Bai Xuechao finished reading, exited the post, and closed the forum.
He said, "Did you forget how you first bound me?"
Xiao 6 jolted: "Oh right! You'll have a healthy new body once you complete the mission!"
Its host wouldn't truly die!
"So what are you agonizing over?" Bai Xuechao leaned back, lying on his side on the sofa he had been sitting on while reading the manga and forum, and asked, "Pitying me?"
Xiao 6 repeatedly denied: "No, no!"
How could it dare to pity its host! It just had a sudden moment of melancholy; it was all just an illusion.
Yes, it was an illusion!