Chapter 7: The Prince’s Impostor: A Deadly Appraisal

Gazing at the three options displayed on the screen before him, Su Mu fell into deep thought.

In reality, he was merely gazing at Bai Ji’s character portrait on the screen.

‘So that woman’s name is Bai Ji.’

Just moments ago, facing her directly, he hadn’t dared to scrutinize her closely. The poor lighting, coupled with Bai Ji being shrouded in black, made her detailed appearance even harder to discern.

‘Who knew she was actually quite beautiful?’

The sheer artistry of the portrait alone was enough to make countless fans of beautiful girl games from his previous life exclaim, “Wife!”

The Bai Ji in the portrait wore a faint, gentle smile, exuding an aura of tenderness. Yet, in reality, her demeanor had been utterly cold, making one hesitate to approach.

If it were in his past life, he would undoubtedly have been one of those shouting “Wife!”

However, now that he was transmigrated, with every action potentially a matter of life or death, he found himself utterly unable to utter such a casual endearment.

Su Mu shifted his gaze back to the options list.

In the top right corner of the list, there was an exclamation mark, easily overlooked if one wasn’t careful.

Su Mu tapped the exclamation mark, and a prompt appeared:

[Critical choice node. Please choose carefully.]

This prompt further solidified Su Mu’s understanding of the choice’s gravity.

‘But seriously, why is this exclamation mark so tiny? I almost didn’t notice it.’

It was like those deceptive food packages that displayed mouth-watering images of delicacies, only to have a minuscule line of text hidden in some corner, stating:

‘Images for reference only; actual product may vary.’

‘Too abstract,’ Su Mu mused inwardly.

After his internal grumbling, he refocused his attention on the options, beginning to ponder them seriously.

From the perspective of a normal person’s psychological sensibilities, Option Three was immediately discarded.

After all, killing so many others on a whim hardly aligned with modern values.

‘So, should I choose between Option One and Option Two?’

Option One was to rebuke Bai Ji and banish her from the bedchamber.

Based on his previous conjectures about the original owner’s relationship with Bai Ji, they should have been very intimate. Therefore, from the original owner’s perspective, the likelihood of him rebuking Bai Ji was extremely small.

Though small, it wasn’t zero.

The murdered woman had been a concubine. What if this concubine had deeply charmed him?

If Bai Ji had accidentally killed ‘his’ beloved, he might, in a fit of rage, rebuke Bai Ji and banish her from the bedchamber. It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Conversely, Option Two: comfort Bai Ji and let the matter slide?

Logically, this was the most probable outcome.

After all, between an intimate companion and a mere concubine, whose importance was greater was self-evident.

Moreover, with everything currently unclear, the more one did, the more mistakes one was likely to make.

To stop dwelling on the matter, quickly resolve it, and proceed steadily—this approach would yield the highest returns.

Su Mu compared the three options, and the answer was obvious: Option Two.

As he made his decision, Options One and Three dimmed, while Option Two protruded, growing brighter.

Next, a prompt window popped up:

[Do you wish to make this selection? YES/NO]

“YES!”

Su Mu mustered his courage and confirmed his choice.

The screen vanished.

In the resplendent bedchamber, the headless corpse still bled, the kneeling maids still trembled, and the crystal wind chimes by the bed swayed without a breeze.

“Ding-a-ling-ling~ Ding-a-ling-ling~”

“Your Highness?”

Bai Ji, standing at the foot of the steps, awaited Su Mu’s next instruction.

Su Mu lowered his gaze, stretched slightly, and then looked at the kneeling maids.

The maids’ trembling, fearful expressions stirred Su Mu’s modern sensibilities, igniting a sense of sympathy within him.

He looked at Bai Ji, offering a gentle smile. “I’m fine, Bai Ji. That was just a misunderstanding.”

“Is that so…”

Bai Ji stared blankly at Su Mu’s smiling face, pursing her lips. Her voice was cold as she said, “My apologies, Your Highness. I acted impulsively.”

Su Mu quickly replied, “It’s nothing, nothing. You were only looking out for my well-being. Just be more careful next time.”

“Mm…”

Bai Ji said nothing more. She instructed the kneeling maids behind her to clean the corpse and bloodstains from the bedchamber, then led them away.

“Creak—”

As the bedchamber door closed, Su Mu was left alone in the vast room.

“Ahhhhhh, you scared me to death.”

Su Mu let out a sigh of relief.

Facing Bai Ji, he had almost suffocated; her aura was truly powerful. Thankfully, he had endured.

Everything was currently normal, so it seemed his choice this time had been correct.

Su Mu couldn’t help but feel a little smug.

‘As expected of me, passed on the first try.’

Su Mu surveyed the surrounding bedchamber. Golden tripods and jade artifacts were everywhere.

‘This bedchamber is truly magnificent. Befitting a prince’s residence.’

He stood up, adjusting to his body.

Not far from the foot of the bed, there was a mirror.

Su Mu approached the mirror, and a clear, familiar face appeared within it.

Staring at his reflection, Su Mu felt a moment of disorientation.

He still looked the same, but his hair had turned a faint silver-grey, and the gold-embroidered robes he wore made him feel utterly unfamiliar.

Looking at himself in this attire, Su Mu’s face felt warm. It was like watching himself cosplay, which felt incredibly strange.

‘Too embarrassing.’ He ceased scrutinizing the mirror and began to consider his next course of action.

The bedchamber door was unlocked, as if he could leave at any moment. However, given his current situation, venturing out without knowing anything would be extremely dangerous.

‘It’s like playing a game. I haven’t even explored the beginner village thoroughly, and I’m already thinking of running into the wilderness to fight a boss. Isn’t that ridiculous?’

Su Mu immediately dismissed the idea of leaving the bedchamber. He walked to the other side of the room, where a desk stood—apparently where the original owner handled affairs.

Several thick books were stacked on the desk.

Su Mu’s heart stirred with joy. Books were excellent tools, capable of effectively providing him with various information about the world he was in.

He settled down and began to read with keen interest.

****

Bai Ji walked out of the bedchamber with heavy steps.

‘His Highness is a little strange.’

‘He actually smiled just now?’

‘How is that possible? His Highness rarely smiles. After so many years by his side, the times she had seen him smile could be counted on one’s fingers.’

‘And His Highness’s way of addressing me…’

‘Bai Ji? He always used to call me A’Bai!’

Bai Ji’s eyes were dark and unreadable. Her expression was cold as she murmured, “Your Highness… who exactly are you?”

Standing outside the bedchamber door, Bai Ji remained motionless for a long time.

Bai Ji didn’t leave, and the maids behind her also stopped, not daring to depart.

After a long while, Bai Ji recovered, looking at one of the maids behind her:

“Jessica, you are to guard the entrance. Do not let anyone approach the bedchamber. If His Highness wishes to go out, ensure his safety, but remember to remind him to return by evening.”

The blonde maid, Jessica, nodded. “Yes!”

Having made these arrangements, Bai Ji headed towards the Imperial Court Mage’s workshop.

****

“The Kingdom of Mistone, located in the central part of Dark State, covers an area of—holy crap, ten million square kilometers? Is this country really that massive?”

The books on the desk were historical texts about the kingdom he was now in.

Through reading, he gained a general understanding of his region.

Su Mu couldn’t help but feel astonished.

This world was far more complex than he had imagined, imbued with fantastical elements.

There were all sorts of magical beasts, dragons, and standard ‘otherworld’ structures like adventurer guilds. Humans wielded the power of combat techniques and magic, dominating various corners of this world.

However, most regions remained unknown, blocked by powerful magical beasts. Other known areas included kingdoms not belonging to humans, such as the Elf United Nations in the far east, a realm of elves, and the vast majority of the southern regions, inhabited by various demon races led by the Devy Empire.

The insights from these books greatly broadened Su Mu’s horizons.

His previously uneasy heart was gradually drawn in by the content of the books, by this rich and colorful world.

Fully immersed in the texts, time flew by. Before he knew it, it was already night outside.

“Thump-thump—”

A knock sounded at the door.

Su Mu snapped back to reality, looking towards the doorway. Remembering his current predicament, his previously wandering mind suddenly grew tense.

“Come in.”

“Creak—”

The figure of a black-haired woman appeared; it was Bai Ji.

Bai Ji carried a tray of food and immediately spotted Su Mu sitting by the desk.

She walked forward, respectfully placing the meal on the desk. “Your Highness, it is time for dinner.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Seeing that it was Bai Ji, Su Mu felt a slight sense of relief. He still trusted Bai Ji implicitly.

After all, Bai Ji had been protecting him ever since he first opened his eyes.

Moreover…

Observing Bai Ji up close, Su Mu realized just how fair her skin was. Paired with her long black hair, Bai Ji in person, he had to admit, looked even more beautiful than the portrait displayed on the system page.

‘How could such a beautiful young lady be a bad person?’

Su Mu noticed that Bai Ji had now shed her attendant’s black robe, changing into a form-fitting leather outfit. Her curvaceous figure was fully displayed before him, a truly pleasing sight.

Out of politeness, he did not linger on Bai Ji, instead turning his attention to the food on the table.

The dinner was sumptuous: pork chops with broccoli, steaming hot and exuding an enticing aroma.

Su Mu’s stomach rumbled involuntarily.

He picked up his fork and began to devour the meal.

“Burp~”

‘Is this what noble food is like? It’s so delicious~’

After annihilating the dinner before him, Su Mu couldn’t help but smile, letting out a satisfied burp.

Bai Ji stood by, eyes downcast and silent, patiently waiting for Su Mu to finish. Then, she suddenly asked, “Your Highness, may I ask you a question?”

Still savoring the taste of the meal, Su Mu casually replied, “What is it?”

“Who, exactly, are you?”

The icy voice articulated each word distinctly. Su Mu jolted, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Bai Ji, you… what are you talking about? Haha, I am His Highness.”

Su Mu looked at Bai Ji with some fear, forcing himself to sound calm.

Bai Ji raised her head, meeting his gaze.

Those were eyes filled with rage, eyes that wanted to kill.

“His Highness, he doesn’t smile. He doesn’t call me Bai Ji; he calls me A’Bai. He doesn’t eat broccoli. He once told me that the thing he hated most in this life was the flesh of a vulgar, lazy pig…”

Bai Ji’s voice was laced with barely suppressed killing intent.

Su Mu was left speechless by Bai Ji’s words.

He hadn’t realized that, without his knowledge, this woman had dug so many traps for him!

‘What should I do now?’

Su Mu’s back was already drenched in cold sweat.

The murderous intent emanating from Bai Ji made him feel as if he had fallen into a cold abyss. The fear of death instantly enveloped him.

Su Mu wanted to flee.

But just as he stood up, he collapsed weakly back down.

“You, you poisoned me!”

Su Mu’s voice trembled.

Bai Ji did not answer, instead asking again, “Who, exactly, are you?”

“I am His Highness, the prince of this kingdom! How dare you poison me?! Release me at once!”

Su Mu stubbornly insisted.

By refusing to admit it to his dying breath, he might still have a glimmer of hope. But if he were exposed as an impostor prince, his end would be certain death.

“Hehe, hehe, hahahaha—”

Bai Ji suddenly burst into a crazed laugh. She looked at Su Mu, her eyes gleaming with an eerie light. “Very well, I’ll give you one chance.”

She produced a stone, saying, “This is an Appraisal Stone, customized for you. If you are truly His Highness, the stone will glow green. If you are not, it will glow red.”

Su Mu stared at the stone that would decide his fate, swallowing heavily.

Bai Ji moved the stone to Su Mu’s forehead. “Appraise!”

The next instant, the Appraisal Stone erupted with a brilliant red light.

Su Mu’s heart turned to ash.

Bai Ji continued to laugh maniacally. She grabbed his hair, violently dragging him to the floor, then straddled him.

“Red light. It seems, regrettably, you are not.”

Bai Ji’s voice was icy cold.

“Clang—”

The sound of a sword being drawn from its scabbard rang out.

Before Su Mu could even react, Bai Ji cleanly severed his right arm with a single swing.

“Eh—Ah!!!!”

An immense, sudden pain assaulted him without warning. Su Mu immediately let out a pained shriek.

Bai Ji leaned close to his ear, asking again, “Who are you?”

Su Mu gritted his teeth, suppressing his agony, and hissed, “I… am… His Highness.”

Bai Ji’s eyes grew even colder. She raised her hand and swung down again.

Another arm fell to the ground.

“Ah!!!!”

Su Mu’s tears flowed uncontrollably.

Bai Ji had long lost her patience. She roared into Su Mu’s ear, “Where is the real His Highness?”

“I… don’t… know…”

“Pfft—”

An icy flash of sword light. Su Mu’s left leg was also severed.

“Ahhh!”

The torment was slowly breaking Su Mu’s mental defenses. Tears and snot ran everywhere; his face was contorted, and he was utterly disheveled.

“Speak quickly! Where is His Highness! Give me back my His Highness!”

This time, before Su Mu could reply, several flashes of sword light descended upon him. His head was directly severed, and he became utterly lifeless.

But Bai Ji continued to desecrate the corpse, her crazed voice laced with sobs:

“Give him back to me! Give him back to me! Give me back my His Highness…”