Genshin: A Bastard Life Simulation (Patreon)

V1 Chapter 31: Stolen Life

【As you look at the bodies of your parents, friends, and fellow villagers, you experience despair for the first time. But as a physician, you quickly regain your composure. You must burn their bodies to prevent the plague from spreading.】

【You set a fire to burn down the house along with your parents' bodies. However, due to the house's decay, a beam falls down as it burns, knocking you unconscious.】

Could this be happening?

Am I about to die like this?

【However, luck was on your side. Just as the flames were about to engulf your body, the sound of footsteps reached your ears from outside the house. Before losing consciousness, you caught sight of a group of people in white uniforms rescuing you from the fire (the talent "Die of Old Age" activated, and you didn't burn to death).】

Phew...

Seeing this prompt, Li Xingshan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems choosing this talent was the right decision after all. Otherwise, I might have accidentally burned to death because of these flames.

【After who knows how long, you finally wake up, only to find yourself in a sickroom in Mondstadt Cathedral. The nun tells you that Mondstadt Cathedral received news of the plague and went to provide assistance, but you were one step too late. You're the sole survivor of the village.】

【Though you weren't burned to death, half of your face was destroyed by the flames, and compared to the horrifying face of the Strange Physician, yours looks no better.】

【Out of humanitarian spirit, Mondstadt Cathedral decides to support you in staying in Mondstadt. They allow you to choose a job you like. You express your desire to stay as a physician in Mondstadt Cathedral. Your exceptional medical skills easily gain everyone's approval. You didn't expect to fulfill your "dream" in this way.】

【19 Years Old: To conceal your burnt face, you create a mask for yourself.】

【20 Years Old: Your medical skills quickly establish your position in Mondstadt Cathedral. You obtain opportunities to further enhance your medical skills. The abundant resources and advanced equipment temporarily help you forget the pain of losing your hometown.】

【21 Years Old: One night, while returning home, a mysterious person stops you. To your surprise, it's the Strange Physician! He tells you that his plan was indeed a success. The so-called "plague" was caused by him, and he informed Mondstadt Cathedral. You were the only one who survived because the Strange Physician had administered an antidote to you in advance. Only by doing this could you, as the sole survivor, have a chance to join Mondstadt Cathedral.】

【At first, you find it hard to believe the Strange Physician's words. You contemplate reporting him, but he warns you that if you're caught, your status as his disciple will be revealed, and the Knights of Favonius will know. That way, everything you've gained will be stripped away. Faced with the Strange Physician's threat, your choices are...】

【1. Compromise.】

【2. Refuse.】

This plot twist has left Li Xingshan somewhat speechless.

Refusing is undoubtedly the right thing to do, but if I choose this, the relationship between me and the Strange Physician will be exposed, and even the village's plague might be connected to me.

"I'll choose... the first one."

It seems I'm ultimately destined to walk the path of evil.

【You agree to the Strange Physician's demands and promise to provide him with various forms of assistance.】

【22 Years Old: You easily gain control over the morgue. At night, you conduct various research experiments with corpses alongside the Strange Physician. During the day, you maintain the facade of a gentle and kind "Masked Physician."】

【23 Years Old: Constantly shifting identities and immense pressure leave you physically and mentally exhausted. One night, while passing through Mondstadt's plaza, you suddenly hear a beautiful singing voice. Following the sound, you encounter a lovely young girl singing in the center of the plaza. Her enchanting voice seems to purify your body and soul.】

【24 Years Old: You visit the plaza every day to listen to the girl's singing. It's your sole source of comfort. Through inquiries, you learn her name—Rosalyne Cruzhica Loeufart. For the first time, your heart stirs. Yet, you lack the courage to approach her. How can your ugly face and dirty hands match such a beautiful and pure woman?】

Rosalyne?

Li Xingshan furrowed his brows.

Isn't that the original name of one of Fatui's Harbingers, "La Signora"?

This isn't turning into an infatuation, is it?

【25 Years Old: Today, as usual, you come to the plaza in Mondstadt. However, you don't hear the familiar singing voice. Instead, you see Rosalyne engaged in a lively conversation with a man dressed as a Mondstadt Knight. When you see the man's face, your breath seems to halt—he's actually your former good friend, Rostam! Now, he's a dashing and talented young knight in the Knights of Favonius, an object of admiration for countless Mondstadt girls.】

【You can see the mutual admiration in their eyes. Your heart is filled with intense resentment. Rostam not only took away your life but now he's also stealing the woman you like.】

【You contemplate that if you were as handsome as Rostam, you might have a chance to win Rosalyne's affection. Thus, a daring idea takes root.】

【26 Years Old: You master excellent plastic surgery techniques and give yourself an extraordinarily handsome face. Excitedly, you search for Rosalyne in the plaza. Along the way, numerous women scream at your handsome appearance, but in your heart, there's only one woman—Rosalyne!】

【With full confidence, you find Rosalyne and confess your feelings to her with a bouquet of flowers. Unexpectedly, she politely rejects you and informs you that she already has someone in her heart.】

In that moment, all hope crumbles, and from that day onward, you become dissolute. To forget about Rosalyne, you engage with many women. With your extremely handsome face, charming various girls becomes an effortless task. Young, mature, slender, voluptuous, single, married... You hardly refuse anyone. Yet, you realize that the more women you experience, the stronger your desire for Rosalyne becomes.

【27 Years Old: Rostam earns the title of "Wolf Pup" and, along with Arundolyn, known as the "Lion of Light," becomes one of the most prominent young knights in the Knights of Favonius. You can't help but fantasize—what if it was you who was chosen back then? Would you now receive such honors and Rosalyne's affection?】