The protagonist committed numerous evil deeds.

In the capital city, at a teahouse near the East Gate, a storyteller was passionately telling his tale downstairs. The teahouse, both upstairs and downstairs, was packed with people.

"Now that I've finished telling you the story of how His Highness the Crown Prince single-handedly killed a hundred demons, I'll tell you about the origin of His Highness's reputation as a 'Bodhisattva with lowered brows and a mad prince who slays demons and evil spirits'."

Someone in the teahouse blurted out, "My mother said that the Bodhisattva lowers her eyebrows because His Highness is handsome."

"I know that! The former is said to be because His Highness the Crown Prince has a compassionate heart and took the initiative to treat the people when the plague infected them. The latter is because His Highness has powerful magic and is invincible when fighting demons."

The storyteller shook his head mysteriously: "Yes, but not entirely."

"what is that?"

"Speak quickly! Speak quickly!" The people below the stage all seemed very anxious.

The storyteller was an elderly man. He first took a slow sip of tea, cleared his throat, and then began to speak: "The reason why the Bodhisattva lowered his brows to Shen Yingsi is firstly because His Highness the Crown Prince has handsome features and exceptionally clear and beautiful eyes. The red mole on his forehead makes him look like Guanyin, a Bodhisattva incarnate. Secondly, this story begins with a strange illness twelve years ago."

"Twelve years ago, a strange disease suddenly appeared in the capital. Anyone who contracted this disease would initially experience fever and cough, but eventually, they would feel a burning sensation all over their body and grow hair all over their body. It is said that the hair that grows out looks like rabbit fur, so people called this disease 'rabbit disease.' Many people would die from the pain within a month or commit suicide because they could not bear it. The most terrifying thing is that this disease is contagious, and the elderly and children are most susceptible to it."

Those in the teahouse who knew about this couldn't help but say, "My grandmother had this rabbit disease. At first, our family thought she was possessed by a rabbit demon. My grandfather was so scared that he wanted to ask a demon hunter to kill her."

“I know that. It is said that many people were wrongly killed at the time, and it was only later that they found out that it was a disease.”

The storyteller sighed and continued, "At that time, the imperial court sent many imperial physicians and invited many famous doctors from all over the country, but all of them were helpless against the disease. With no other option, the court could only lock up those who had contracted the disease in cages and let them die on their own. Most of those who contracted the disease were ordinary people, and many of them were elderly people and children. From the court to the common people, most people agreed with this decision."

"But the seven-year-old Crown Prince strongly objected. Some people advised him that those who died were lowly people, and that if they gave their families some money, no one would care about their deaths. But the Crown Prince said that there is no distinction between noble and lowly people, and he cared about their lives. At the time, no one took the Crown Prince's words to heart, but the day after the court gathered the people together, the Crown Prince secretly broke in alone, attempting to use his spiritual power to heal the sick. When the Empress discovered this, the Crown Prince had also contracted the disease, and the court had no choice but to continue searching for someone to treat the patients."

"His Highness the Crown Prince has retreated to this cage that everyone avoids, and has devoted all his efforts to saving lives. Isn't His Highness's action akin to a bodhisattva descending to earth?"

The audience members, who already admired the Crown Prince, were even more excited upon hearing this.

But Wen Li, who was sitting on the second floor, rolled her eyes.

Si Xiaxia was so excited she was practically dying of excitement. No wonder he was the male lead of this story—he was so handsome! Even though she'd seen countless male leads in novels, she still had to shout, "Who wouldn't love Shen Yingsi!" After her excitement subsided, she turned to see her host's grumpy face and wished she could transform into human form and frantically recommend him to her.

"Host, didn't you glean anything from this story?"

Wen Li took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Yes."

"What? What did you hear?"

Wen Li looked at the little beggar on the street with a mocking expression and disdain: "People are indeed divided into high and low, noble and lowly. How so? It's not about money, status, or family power, but about how others care about you. Whether they care about your money, your power, or you yourself, as long as more people care, you are naturally noble. That little beggar that no one cares about, don't you think his life is cheap?"

Si Xiaxia was speechless. This vicious female supporting character's perspective was truly unique.

The storyteller downstairs continued.

"What about the Demon-Slaying Mad Prince?"

No one cared how the illness was cured; everyone's attention was focused on the Crown Prince, whom everyone revered.

"Hehe, well, it is said that His Highness the Crown Prince once killed a hundred demons by himself. When he was killing demons, His Highness the Crown Prince was completely different from the Bodhisattva we usually see."

How are you completely different?

"You'll only know once you see His Highness slaying the demon with your own eyes," the old storyteller said, stroking his beard with a smug look.

"Alright, that's all for today. His Highness should be back soon."

Downstairs, someone who hadn't heard enough said, "Say it again! They said a couple of days ago that His Highness was going to enter the city, but he hasn't arrived yet. Who knows if that news is accurate?"

“That’s right. Besides, we’re right here at the city gate. We’ll know as soon as Your Highness returns.”

"Sir, why don't you explain why His Highness chose three demon hunters to accompany him on this demon-hunting trip? Doesn't His Highness usually prefer to go alone?"

The storyteller, feeling helpless, could only continue: "This time, His Highness is going to Half-Moon City, which everyone knows is commonly known as Ghost City. The number of demons and monsters inside is still unknown. Because it is too dangerous, Her Majesty the Empress is worried and afraid that His Highness will object if there are too many people, so she has selected three demon hunters to protect and assist His Highness. Alright, I really have to go. If the news is true, and we are too late, we won't even be able to see the back of His Highness's head."

The people downstairs were still talking about it.

"Those three are really lucky to be able to go out with His Highness to catch demons."

"It's possible that His Highness will be protecting them from behind."

"I heard that this time, the plague is number one again. It's one thing for the Xuanling Sect, but many disciples from demon-catching families have also participated. Even Sister Wen couldn't beat her. Speaking of which, she should be the eldest daughter of the Wen family."

"Nonsense! If her mother hadn't married into the Wen family, she would have been dead long ago when their property was confiscated. Later, the mother and daughter were quite sensible and stayed obediently in the Wen family's ancestral home. But as soon as the head of the Wen family became the prime minister, the plague struck—ah! Who?"

"Who hit me?"

The man downstairs was talking animatedly when he was suddenly hit on the head by a teacup. Before he could figure out what was happening, a commotion erupted from the street.

"His Highness is back! His Highness is back!"

The teahouse erupted into chaos. Shopkeepers, diners, workers, strollers, vendors, and shoppers—almost everyone dropped what they were doing and thronged the street, crowding the buildings lining the street. The city's guards, clearly prepared, had asked demon hunters to use their spiritual power to create a protective barrier along both sides of the road.

Wen Li mingled in the crowd, then leaped onto the roof.

The city gates swung open, and the legendary Crown Prince was finally about to make his appearance.

The man rode a fine horse, which, like its master, was noble and gentle. The prince on horseback wore a white robe, his black hair half-tied up and secured with a jade crown, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly air, like a banished immortal.

The boy had thick eyelashes, long, narrow eyes, and clear, bright eyes. He had a high, straight nose, upturned lips, and lips of just the right thickness. He was beautiful without being effeminate; his facial features revealed a masculine strength, and his brows and eyes exuded a righteous and virile aura. A small red dot on his forehead further illuminated his jade-like face. He possessed a cool, noble air, seemingly divine, worthy of the description "a bodhisattva with gentle brows."

The crowd was noisy, with many people desperately trying to express their love, while the little beggar in the crowd was being pushed and shoved and was about to fall.

Shen Yingsi swiftly moved and carried him to the center.

Si Xiaxia has completely transformed into a little fangirl: "Oh my god, he's so handsome and kind. Now I'm full of confidence in our mission! His 'darkening value' might be zero right now."

"Really?" Wen Li asked.

Wen Li carefully observed every expression on Shen Yingsi's face, noticing his patience and gentleness towards the little beggar, showing no disgust at the beggar's stench. He handed the child to the guards, then mounted his horse, showing no impatience towards the onlookers.

He was a noble and gentle gentleman from beginning to end.

"Si Xiaxia, check his corruption level."

Even without Wen Li saying anything, Si Xiaxia had already prepared for the test.

"His Highness's corruption level is 99%! I knew it—it'll be 99% soon!"