The male supporting character was actually myself.

Fortunately, the script always has the trope of villains dying from talking too much, and the few words this 'villain' uttered revealed showed that his mentality was constantly changing.

From initial greed to later firm belief that he didn't want to live in the protagonist's shadow or be his foil, it feels like the consciousness of a passerby or supporting character in a story is awakening.

When everyone in the story awakens to absolute self-awareness and is unwilling to play a supporting role to the protagonist or make silent sacrifices, the protagonist's halo naturally loses its meaning and may even backfire.

Jiang Chen looked up at the sky. The bright moon hung high in the deep sky and the stars shone, seemingly without any abnormalities.

Could it be that the entire mission world is undergoing some kind of reversal or mutation? Is that why those who once helped Ling Qiye are unwilling to accept it and are trying every means to kill him?

Could the murder that occurred in Qingyue Tower have been committed by a powerful figure in the Da Sui Dynasty who was the first to awaken to self-awareness?

After knocking Chen Xingcai unconscious, binding him, and hiding him, the original writing on the Book of Prophecy disappeared. Clearly, this prevented him from immediately informing on the truth, and since no one else would betray the protagonist for the time being, it can be inferred that the backlash would be gradual rather than a sudden, overwhelming attack. At least there's still some room for maneuver…

With the little white cat protecting Ling Qiye, Jiang Chen didn't chase after him. Instead, he carefully examined the neatly folded papers in Chen Xingcai's arms. They looked like recent notices, and he wondered what his purpose was in taking them with him.

When the chosen one is riding high and the whole world revolves around him, a night is long and he can accomplish many things.

But when his aura was threatened, time seemed to fly by and everything felt urgent.

After Jiang Chen tracked down and knocked Chen Xingcai unconscious, he didn't have time to do much before the sky in the east began to lighten. He then commanded the Soul Weapon to untie the man and wake him up.

"Hiss... What's wrong with me..." Chen Xingcai woke up groggily, rubbing the back of his head and looking blankly at the corner where he was curled up. He couldn't help but wonder, "Wasn't I supposed to be going to the Dali Temple? How did I end up like this..."

Has someone discovered us?

Chen Xingcai was startled and jumped up. He carefully checked himself and found no injuries or missing belongings.

"No one should have noticed, right?" he muttered to himself, carefully reviewing his route. From meeting Ling Qiye to returning to the duty station, he hadn't interacted with anyone else, so it was impossible for anyone to know about his reporting plan!

The route to Dali Temple was also carefully planned, and no one would suspect anything if I didn't tell them.

Therefore, no expert would ever harm themselves to protect Ling Qiye...

After thinking it over, Chen Xingcai figured it was most likely because he hadn't rested well and was too tired. Being older, his body was also failing him, which was why he had fallen asleep in a daze. He dusted himself off, saw that it was still early, and decided to proceed with his original plan to report Ling Qiye's prison break!

"As long as I get the reward, I can return home in glory and never have to work like a dog again!" He was secretly delighted and quickened his pace toward the Dali Temple, afraid that someone would find out about the news before him and the huge reward would be lost.

When Chen Xingcai arrived, the guard on duty at the Dali Temple was fast asleep.

"Wake up! Wake up! Something terrible has happened!" Upon seeing this, he hurriedly shook the guard awake and said anxiously, "Ling Qiye has escaped from prison! I ran into him while patrolling Yujingfang last night at the hour of Chou!"

"what?!"

"Holy crap! This is a huge problem!"

"Damn it, I knew something bad was going to happen!"

…………

Several people hurriedly got up, quickly straightened their official robes, and ran inside.

Chen Xingcai hurriedly followed up and asked, "If a top-level wanted criminal escapes from prison, and I report it immediately, wouldn't that be considered providing a lead for his capture? Are you sure there's a huge reward?"

"First, we need to confirm the accuracy of your information. If the wanted criminal has indeed escaped, you will receive a portion of the reward. If the clues you provide are indeed used to track down the fugitive, you will receive another portion of the reward. If you can provide crucial clues to help capture the wanted criminal, you will receive the final and largest portion of the reward."

While busy greeting people, the steward explained, "The Dali Temple will also implement protection measures for those who provide clues, in order to prevent the fugitive from harming you. It would be better if you went to the back hall to wait now, to avoid any unexpected complications."

Chen Xing was able to understand the other party's words because they were phrased tactfully.

First of all, this is the prison of the Dali Temple. How can the guards of the School Affairs Department be allowed to enter and inspect it at will?

Secondly, the escaped prisoner was Ling Qiye, an eighth-level grandmaster who was known to everyone for helping him get in through connections. To avoid retaliation, he asked Ling Qiye to stay away from him.

He could only obediently follow the two constables to the back room to wait for good news.

"Clang clang..."

The prison gate was opened, and the warden was the first to see several guards lying sprawled on the ground. The prisoners, who usually cried out for justice, were now quietly curled up on their beds like quails, not uttering a sound.

He left one person to wake the lying guard, and then led the main force to open the second gate...

Several doors opened in succession, and everyone rushed into the lowest cell. The torches lit up the entire dungeon, and it was clear that cell number C was empty!

"Oh no! Ling Qiye has escaped from prison!"

"Someone must quickly go and inform the lord!"

"A top-priority criminal has escaped from prison..."

…………

The crowd, already suspicious, started banging gongs and shouting. But before they could even run out, they heard a lazy, clear voice coming from the opposite cell, "Can't you guys let people get some sleep?"

Everyone: d(OдO?)

Who? Who's speaking?

The supervisor reacted quickly, grabbed a torch, and turned around to see Ling Qiye sitting on a bed covered with dry straw, hands in his pockets, looking disgusted. "Who said I escaped? Can't you check properly? The beds in cell C are uncomfortable, so I moved to cell A. You can't falsely accuse me of escaping!"

I even changed my cell myself to avoid troubling you, how can you have the nerve to lie like that?

Everyone: ⊙▽⊙

Does changing my cell to sleep count as escaping from prison?

To be honest, he did escape; but to be honest, he just changed his sleeping spot and didn't actually leave the prison...

"Lord Ling, you're an eighth-level Grandmaster, so please don't make things difficult for us lowly followers." The steward patted his chest, his heart pounding with such turmoil that it nearly killed him. He pleaded sincerely, "Look at us, the highest-ranking among us has only just broken through to the fourth rank. We're really not worth a slap from you."

Such a serious case shouldn't normally be handled by the Court of Judicial Review, but since you are an investigator from the Department of Investigation and Statistics, we have no choice but to temporarily detain you at the Court of Judicial Review. Could you please be merciful and spare us the trouble?

Ling Qiye glanced at the little demon cat lying by his feet with its hands tucked in, not knowing if it was asleep or not, and couldn't help but feel admiration. He cleared his throat and nodded, saying, "Since we've come this far, let's get straight to the point."

First of all, I was wronged. I did not kill anyone, otherwise I would not have obediently surrendered and been locked in this small cage.

Secondly, I firmly believe that the officials of the Dali Temple and the School Affairs Department can find the real culprit and clear my name, so I will not break out of prison to make things difficult for you, but please don't make things difficult for me either.

Three meals a day should at least be decent, right?

If they dare to send in that spoiled food again, I really won't be polite.

"Furthermore, there isn't even a light in this cell, and the bed isn't comfortable. I'd like to read a few books to pass the time; is that too much to ask?"

"It's not excessive, it's only right." The steward smiled obsequiously, then turned to a stern face and reprimanded, "Lord Ling's verdict hasn't been handed down yet. He's just a suspect, not a criminal. How dare you be so negligent?"

"Hurry up and clean up Lord Ling, get him a comfortable bed and two clean, warm blankets. Anyone who dares to bring him spoiled food again, I'll twist your heads off!"

Everyone else shrank back and remained silent. Two young constables busied themselves opening the cell and clearing out the tattered bed, tattered bedding, and dry straw.

A moment later, Ling Qiye looked at the comfortable bed and clean bedding that had been moved into the clean cell, as well as the bookshelves, desk, lamp stand, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Little cat, you really have a way with things! Tell me quickly, how do you know they will definitely agree to these unreasonable requests I make?"

Yesterday, those people were so arrogant, they wouldn't even give me decent food, acting all high and mighty without any fear.

"Host, this protagonist seems a bit silly. I even wonder how he solved cases before?" The little white cat glanced at him, rubbing against its host's fur while purring.

Jiang Chen sighed and rubbed his forehead with his paw, "You seem quite shrewd, how come you can't even understand this simple principle?"

You were too nice after you were arrested. Those yamen runners hadn't seen an eighth-level grandmaster in person and didn't know how powerful he really was. They were also a bunch of opportunists who knew how to judge people. They thought you wouldn't dare cause trouble, so they neglected you.

The purpose of moving you from that cell to this one is to demonstrate your ability to easily escape and to intimidate others. Combined with the story I taught you, it will let them know that once you are cleared of charges, you are still a high-ranking official in the School Affairs Department. Who would be so foolish as to want to fight you to the death?

"Forget just providing a comfortable prison environment; as long as you don't cause trouble and they find you some courtesans to sing and play instruments, they'll obediently and quietly bring you in."

Chapter Four: Talk-no-Jack

“But this is… too against the rules.” Ling Qiye shook his head with a wry smile and said, “I have always abided by the law and followed the rules. I would never do anything like this, relying on my status or ability to bully others.”

The fluffy little dumpling tucked its big, furry ears and chuckled, "Oh, I never expected the scriptwriting team to create a character for the protagonist. You're the kind of protagonist who's virtuous and upright? A light from the righteous path?"

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and asked, "How can you solve a case if everything is done according to the rules? As far as I know, solving a case usually requires dealing with all kinds of people from all walks of life. It's impossible to be completely inflexible, right?"

“We can reason with them!” The other person looked bewildered. “Why can’t we solve a case by following the rules? No matter if it involves a commoner, a bandit, or a high-ranking official, everyone should be reasonable. If you persuade people with reason, you can solve the case smoothly and get the clues you want.”

Jiang Chen: ...

Fluffy dumpling: ...

Okay, it's obvious that his protagonist aura has a huge influence to support the character of the righteous light!

"You mean persuading people with reason... are you sure you mean reason in terms of logic and not reason in terms of physics?" Jiang Chen thought for a moment and then asked again.

Ling Qiye was even more confused, "What is physics?"

Looks like he's not a time-traveling protagonist; he doesn't even know the word "physics"...

Jiang Chen stood up and made a knocking motion with his paw, explaining, "It means if you can win an argument, then use force to make the other party submit."

Ling Qiye shook his head and said seriously, "I am absolutely not the kind of person who bullies others or uses force to bully the weak."

"Since we still have some time, let's do a few questions." Jiang Chen cleared his throat and asked, "Have you ever said anything like 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; don't underestimate a young person' when you're in a difficult situation?"

The other person's expression hardened, and they seemed somewhat embarrassed. "Back then, I was destitute and looked down upon by others, and I did say similar things. However, I didn't boast; instead, I used my own strength to prove that one shouldn't underestimate a young person's potential, and I successfully made them realize their mistake."

The little white cat made a note on the paper: "Hmm, a typical example of a loser's rise to success."

"So you must have exceptional talent and good physique, making one year of cultivation equivalent to ten years?"

"No, it's not that exaggerated, but I do cultivate very quickly and have good comprehension."

"You don't happen to know medicine and pharmacology, be skilled in using poisons, or know the art of divination and escape, do you?"

"For the needs of handling cases, those who have studied it are naturally proficient."

"Does this mean that all the beautiful and wealthy women in the Great Sui Dynasty like you, and even refuse to marry anyone but you?"

Ling Qiye blushed slightly and rubbed his nose with his fingers, saying helplessly, "I'm really not that kind of womanizer, but... perhaps it's because I've solved many strange cases at a young age, so I do have quite a lot of luck with women. Even the current princess... I'm so focused on cultivation and solving cases that I haven't been entangled with any beauty so far."

The fluffy dumpling added another note and exclaimed, "What a typical protagonist template from a wish-fulfillment novel!"

The characters are all clearly defined and well-developed; the script team even designed a small gesture for him to touch his nose.

"Host, I've taken notes! Once I successfully complete my job change, I'll definitely come find you to bind with me, so you can be a smooth-sailing, all-powerful male protagonist!"

"But your good luck seems to have run out." Jiang Chen stretched and sighed, "Even the senior sister who has been silently helping you since we first met refuses to reveal any more information to you. Ling Qiye, are you prepared to fight against the whole world?"

Ling Qiye: ∑('△｀)? !

Why make enemies of the whole world?

I didn't do anything at all! Although it was a bit difficult, it was the same as when my fate was first altered. I was inexplicably involved in a murder case. As long as I could find clues from the many leads as usual, I could solve the case smoothly, clear my name, and return to my peak!

Jiang Chen, who had just been granted special privileges by the main system, looked at him with a resolute expression. The protagonist's aura surrounding him was slightly brighter than before. It was clear that as the light of the righteous path, the protagonist could maintain his aura as long as he remained steadfast in his beliefs and was not defeated.

“I’ll tell you what will happen next.” He glanced down at the book of prophecy on the fluffy ball’s back and said in a low voice, “At 1:15 AM, your third senior brother, who is the same person you met on night patrol last night, will come to interrogate you personally.”

The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate will conduct a joint trial. The Department of Investigation and Statistics will only be responsible for monitoring to prevent you from suddenly attacking people or even escaping.