Choosing Huang Shang

While other reincarnators were still waiting outside the worlds of the heavens, Huang Shang not only entered first, but as the Universal Card flew out from his body, hundreds of character images emerged upon it, waiting to be chosen.

These were all named plot characters from the world of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

Can I choose a female character too...

Huang Shang scanned the list and the corners of his mouth curled upward.

Regrettably, he was no cross-dressing enthusiast; he waved his hand to exclude the women, leaving over a hundred male plot characters.

There were over two hundred and thirty characters in total, including those who appeared on screen and those mentioned in the background of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

From the three protagonists—Qiao Feng, Duan Yu, and Xuzhu—to the Sweeper Monk, Wuyazi, Xiao Yuanshan, Murong Bo, Murong Fu, Duan Zhengchun, and even minor roles with little screen time, everything was available.

These were all potential targets for Huang Shang to infiltrate.

They were arranged from top to bottom according to their importance in the original plot.

However, he glanced at the three protagonists in the top row and immediately shifted his gaze downward.

He would not choose a protagonist right now.

Protagonists are the core of any work; everything revolves around them, yet they are the least suitable targets for infiltration.

Not only are their personalities set in stone, but their plot lines are also heavily restricted. While the benefits are great, they would certainly be snatched up by other reincarnators.

When that happens, does one resist or not?

If you don't resist, your martial arts, status, and wives are all gone; if you do resist, you will inevitably reveal flaws and invite suspicion.

Therefore, it is best to choose a target from the supporting cast or even the villains.

In film and television, why do villains and supporting characters often stand out more, sometimes even overshadowing the protagonist?

Because they have more room for performance, providing the audience with a sense of novelty and leaving a deeper impression.

Of course, a supporting character must have a certain amount of screen time to be key.

If it were an insignificant extra, no matter how brilliant the performance, it would be over in a few lines, which would not meet his requirements.

Huang Shang had already considered these details clearly, and even before entering the world of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, he had tentatively decided on his infiltration target—

Duan Zhengchun.

It was absolutely not because Duan Zhengchun had the best luck with women and was surrounded by beauties of every type, but because his family heritage and plot importance perfectly matched Huang Shang's needs.

However, such a decision was of great consequence, so Huang Shang did not choose immediately; instead, he looked through the names one by one, taking the opportunity to recall the details of the plot.

Suddenly, a familiar name, strikingly similar to his own, caught his eye. Huang Shang was stunned: "Huh, why is he here? This is Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils!"

Appearing before him was a scholar with a refined and scholarly appearance.

But his plot importance was ranked at the very bottom, even lower than the extras whose names were merely mentioned in the original story.

Because this person was named Huang Shang.

The author of the Nine Yin Manual, a grandmaster who influenced the landscape of the martial arts world for generations to come!

How could he be among the plot characters of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils?

Upon reflection, Huang Shang understood.

This was correct.

The era in which Huang Shang was born was actually earlier than the time when Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils took place; he was born during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils had a clear timeline; the emperor of the Song Dynasty at that time was Emperor Zhezong, the son of Emperor Shenzong and the brother of Emperor Huizong.

These were all very famous emperors of the Northern Song period.

Emperor Renzong was the protagonist of the "Civet Cat for Crown Prince" story, the emperor assisted by Bao Zheng; Emperor Shenzong was the one who supported Wang Anshi's reforms; and there is no need to mention Emperor Huizong, the incompetent ruler who doomed the Northern Song. That Jingkang Incident, nailed to the pillar of shame, was an eternal pain.

In this turbulent era, at the end of the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils plot, when Qiao Feng, Duan Yu, and Xuzhu were repelling ten thousand enemies at Yanmen Pass, Huang Shang was just a minor civil official governing a region, having nothing to do with the martial arts world.

As for what happened later, everyone knew.

Huang Shang was first responsible for compiling books, from which he realized the ultimate truths of martial arts through the Daoist Canon. Once he possessed martial arts, he led troops to suppress the Ming Cult, which led to conflicts with various martial arts sects. As a result, his family was retaliated against and killed. He hid in the mountains, summarized everything he had learned in his life, and created the Nine Yin Manual.

By the time he emerged, the Northern Song had fallen and it was already the Southern Song. His enemies had died of old age, and his own lifespan was coming to an end. He passed down the Nine Yin Manual, ending a legendary life.

This grandmaster lived to be over a hundred years old.

"Huang Shang... Huang Shang..."

Huang Shang suddenly realized that Huang Shang was also an excellent target for infiltration.

First of all, as a background character, Huang Shang had never officially appeared.

No one knew or understood what his specific personality was.

This provided great convenience for infiltration.

He did not have to worry that some detail would differ from the original plot, causing his persona to collapse and inviting suspicion.

This was also the reason he did not choose the Sweeper Monk.

Strong as he was, the constraints were simply too great.

Furthermore, Huang Shang's talent was far superior to that of Duan Zhengchun.

Self-taught!

A grandmaster of his generation!

Huang Shang's martial arts talent was absolutely second to none in the Jin Yong universe.

If one were to consider the decline of heaven and earth's vital energy, even Ah Qing of the Yue Maiden Sword might not necessarily surpass him.

The Universal Card provided by the Heavens stated that while lurking, one could also inherit the strengths of the chosen character.

One could even form a contract with Huang Shang after the conclusion of this plot world.

At that point, Huang Shang would essentially be an external avatar, merely using the form of a character card to deceive the space.

I contract myself.

A logical and rapid boost to a reincarnator's strength.

This temptation was too great.

However, Duan Zhengchun also had his advantages.

As a member of the Dali royal family and a man of the pugilistic world, he could naturally intervene in martial arts affairs and interfere with the main plot of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

Huang Shang could not.

If he wanted to make "reasonable" changes, he would need to guide the reincarnators to alter his plot.

Moreover, Huang Shang was self-taught, which meant he had no martial arts to defend himself before he became accomplished.

If he were even slightly careless, his persona might remain intact, but he would be dead.

Thus, both had their strengths; unless one could foresee the future, no one could know which choice was better right now.

"Duan Zhengchun follows the martial arts path, while Huang Shang leans toward the historical path in the early stages."

"Judging by the Qing Dynasty hairstyles in The Book and the Sword, the Heavens worlds are very hardcore, and I have already crammed quite a bit of knowledge."

"Fortune favors the bold!"

In the end, Huang Shang pointed his finger toward Huang Shang.

It was not because Huang Shang's name was similar to his own, making it sound more pleasant to be addressed; ultimately, he was unwilling to give up the chance to become a grandmaster of his generation.

Since he had stepped onto this path, he could not fear difficulties, but rather had to seize every opportunity.

Following Huang Shang's choice, the young scholar entered the Universal Card, and a scroll of books slowly unfurled.

"Is this Huang Shang's memory?"

After examining it carefully, Huang Shang frowned: "Huang Shang was born in 1044, and this world is currently 1062. Huang Shang is only 18. How is this time span resolved? Am I just lurking for a period, or do I have to act from his 18th year to his 82nd year? Do I know him too well?"

After letting his imagination run wild for a moment, Huang Shang gritted his teeth and integrated the Universal Card into his body.

There is no turning back once the bow is drawn; regardless, this lurking in the Heavens was about to begin.

BOOM!

The moment the gold-rimmed card merged with his soul, Huang Shang felt a massive, sudden suction force pull him, sending him plummeting downward at high speed.

The azure planet magnified crazily before his eyes, and the terrifying impact caused him to instinctively close his eyes.

Then, he lost consciousness.