Chapter Two: The System Activates!

He stood in a daze for a long time before Jiang Yuan finally managed to calm himself.

“Damn system, you really made me wait,” Jiang Yuan muttered, as if speaking to himself or perhaps trying to communicate with the system.

“This system can only be activated when the host says the correct command phrase,” a cold, mechanical voice echoed in Jiang Yuan’s mind.

“So if I hadn’t said those words just now, I’d have to stay stuck like this, waiting for Ji Chang of Xiqi to come storming in?” Jiang Yuan said, his tone a little sour.

“Yes, that is the system's setting.”

“To hell with your setting! I almost gave up on myself just now, completely lost all hope—do you even know that?!” Jiang Yuan swore.

“That is solely due to the host's lack of mental fortitude. It has nothing to do with the system,” the voice replied, as emotionless as ever.

“Hey, damn system, what’s your name?” Now that his golden finger had finally appeared, Jiang Yuan felt much more at ease and spoke more casually.

“Haven’t I already told you? I am the Tyrant System.”

“Oh? So what can you do? What am I supposed to do with you?” Jiang Yuan asked curiously.

“Be a tyrant.” The answer was terse.

Jiang Yuan was at a loss. What did it mean to be a tyrant? Wasn’t he supposed to help him become a wise ruler and restore the Shang dynasty?

“Why can’t I be a wise king?”

“This system is tailored for the host based on recent behavior. According to the system’s analysis, the host is more suited to be a tyrant.”

Jiang Yuan was displeased. Did he really come across as so unlikable? He immediately retorted, “Why can’t I be a wise king?”

“The system can offer the host one opportunity to change its settings. If the host chooses to become a wise king, you must honor and employ the virtuous, act with propriety, be cautious in speech, refrain from daily indulgence, and rid yourself of temptresses like Daji. Furthermore—”

“Stop, stop! I’ll be a tyrant, all right?” Jiang Yuan quickly interrupted.

What a joke. Become a wise king? They might as well make him a saint! No Daji allowed? What’s the point of being Emperor then!

“Is there any unreasonable requirement for being a tyrant?”

The system’s voice was as emotionless as ever: “The host with the Tyrant System has only one mission: to slaughter their way through the thirty-three heavens and overthrow the saints!”

“What the hell? You want me to go up against monsters like the Lord of Tongtian?” Jiang Yuan almost leapt up swearing. Right now, he was just a mortal whose body had been nearly drained by Daji. Sure, he looked heroic, but how was he supposed to contend with those saints? With his good looks? He’d be blasted to dust in seconds!

At this thought, even Daji lost her allure. “System, maybe we could discuss becoming a wise king after all?”

He waited a while, but the system didn’t respond.

“System? Where did you go?”

“Ding! The host is now fully bound to the Tyrant System. We hope the host will live up to expectations, keep up the effort, and forge ahead—be a proper tyrant.”

Jiang Yuan hadn’t expected that after all this waiting, the system’s reply would be so anti-climactic. What kind of encouragement was that—‘keep up the effort, forge ahead’?

“Damn system, did you ever ask what I wanted?” Jiang Yuan fumed.

“Rest assured, host. With the system’s assistance, overthrowing the saints and ruling over all realms is only a matter of time. Becoming the greatest tyrant in history is within reach.”

“Who wants that?” Jiang Yuan was really annoyed. Who would shamelessly aspire to be cursed as a tyrant for all eternity?

“Is there a time limit for overthrowing the saints?”

“Since this is the host’s only mission, there is no time limit. As for how to complete it, the host is free to act as he pleases.” With this, the system fell completely silent.

Jiang Yuan stood blankly in the empty Star-Plucking Tower, staring dazedly at the system’s projection before him.

You might not believe it, but I’m being forced by a system to become a tyrant!

Since the die was cast and there was no turning back, Jiang Yuan realized he had to figure out what the system could actually do.

Character: Di Xin

Title: King of Shang (future greatest tyrant)

Level: Earth Immortal

Tyrant Points: 50 (Note: can be used to exchange for power levels or for the lottery)

Possessions: System reward—ten consecutive draws.

Techniques: None

Luck: None (Note: Luck is akin to personal fortune. According to the system’s settings, the host is essentially out of luck, but it can be acquired through the lottery.)

Without hesitation, Jiang Yuan exchanged all his tyrant points for an increase in power. At a time like this, what could be more important than strength?

Amazingly, just those fifty points caused his level to soar—a great leap, breaking through to the Celestial Immortal stage!

Now, the gloom was gone from Jiang Yuan’s face. His cheeks were rosy, his eyes shone with divine light, and there was no trace left of the sickly, drained man he’d been.

“This feels great! If I’d known that cultivation was such a rush, I’d have used the Shang treasury to train the moment I arrived. Maybe I’d have even had more stamina with Daji.” Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

But he quickly put those feelings aside and set his sights on the ten-draw lottery! His face was full of anticipation. Sure, gambling is a losing game, but these draws didn’t even cost him any tyrant points.

As he thought about using the ten draws, the interface began to flash before his eyes, dazzling treasures floating past.

The Eastern Emperor Bell, Pangu Axe, Nuwa Stone, Fuxi Zither, Immortal-Binding Rope, Immortal-Slaying Sword...

Watching these treasures drift across the screen, Jiang Yuan could only stare jealously, praying for the system to grant him one of these magical artifacts.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn the Genesis Destruction Divine Art!”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn the mount—Violet Jade Qilin!”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn a Resurrection Coin!”

Jiang Yuan grew more excited with each prize—he’d won a mount and a resurrection coin!

Unable to contain himself, he cheered the system on: “Free loot is the best! Come on, system, you’re doing great!”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn... nothing.”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn... nothing again!”

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you have drawn nothing four times in a row!”

“...”

Jiang Yuan stared silently at the system interface, lost in thought. Now there was only one draw left. He was starting to wonder how he could sew the system’s mouth shut.

Drawing nothing—really? He hadn’t even started to dominate, and he’d already been given so much nothingness? Even a simple “You failed to draw a prize” would have felt better!

“Ding! Congratulations, host...”

Before Jiang Yuan could see what he’d gotten with his last draw, a shrill eunuch’s voice rang out from outside: “Reporting to the King! The Prime Minister requests an audience!”

At that, Jiang Yuan stopped paying attention to the system and turned his mind to the outside. The person the eunuch was announcing could only be Shang Rong, the prime minister of the Shang dynasty.

Seeing that the prime minister was still willing to seek an audience, Jiang Yuan felt a surge of comfort. Shang Rong, that loyal and upright minister, was still alive and willing to speak truth to power. If such worthy officials still remained, then there was hope for Shang yet. Jiang Yuan resolved to avoid the tragedy of history and not let Shang Rong die crashing into the Nine-Segment Hall.

He straightened his appearance, but then suddenly remembered—wasn’t he supposed to be a tyrant? Why bother with propriety?

With that, he deliberately messed up his just-arranged robes, lounged sideways on the bed, and propped his head up with one hand.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, on performing a tyrannical act—disregarding the image of the Human Emperor and ignoring your ministers. Tyrant Points +7!”

Jiang Yuan was stunned. What was this? He’d merely flopped onto the bed, hadn’t done anything yet, and earned tyrant points this easily? In his memory, those singing girls had to take off their clothes and lie down before they got paid...

Whatever the case, Jiang Yuan was in high spirits. He called out toward the hall: “Summon him!”

“Summon the Prime Minister to an audience—”