429: Chapter 429 Who Understands My Suffering

"Because of capital!"

Chen You's voice exploded over the Cangxing City finals plaza.

The NPCs looked at each other, their eyes filled with a look of pure, innocent stupidity.

They knew about city lords, gods, and monsters, but what on earth was "capital"?

But the players understood.

They understood all too well.

In the crowd, the Mage player who had led the trouble-making froze for a moment, and then his eyes instantly turned red.

The staff in his hand drooped weakly, and his voice trembled: "God You... are you saying the system forced people into the finals?"

"How else?!" Chen You violently flicked his sleeve, pointing with a look of pained indignation at the massive stage shimmering with neon lights behind him.

"Do you think organizing such a high-profile city-wide event doesn't cost money? Venue fees, lighting fees, promotion fees—every single one of them is an astronomical figure!"

"Where does this money come from? Did the system just generate it out of thin air for no reason?"

He took a deep breath and tilted his head back at a forty-five-degree angle, looking up at the sky, trying hard not to let his "tears" fall.

"I, Chen You, am nothing more than a figurehead acting city lord. Just like you, I am merely a player!"

"Those big shots from the chambers of commerce, those financial magnates waving gold coins around—they get whatever they want!"

Chen You suddenly lowered his head, his gaze sweeping like a torch over the group of indignant losers below the stage.

"What could I do? To keep the 'Voice of Star Source' alive, to preserve even a glimmer of hope for those who truly have dreams, I had to compromise!"

He reached out and pointed at the three-meter-tall Berserker: "Your war dance had the power to uproot mountains and the spirit to overshadow the world! My blood boiled when I watched it! I wanted to let you through too, but it was useless!"

The Berserker froze.

This man of iron had tears actually welling up in his eyes.

"So... so you were bearing so much." The Berserker's gruff voice carried a hint of a sob. "I misunderstood you, God You."

Chen You then pointed at the scantily clad Succubus: "Your charm magic is simply the pinnacle of art! But do I dare let you on television?"

"They said you don't conform to 'all-ages' values! To protect you, I could only painfully give you low scores and keep you out of the spotlight!"

The Succubus covered her mouth, her tears falling in pitter-patter drops.

"God You... you're too great. You were protecting me!"

The player base completely exploded.

"Damn! I knew it! How could God You be involved in shady deals? It's all the fault of capital!"

"Sorry, God You! We misunderstood you!"

The direction of the public's indignation instantly reversed.

The fury that was originally directed at Chen You was now entirely transferred onto the ethereal "capital" within the system.

An older woman NPC squeezed to the front row, looking at Chen You with heartache: "Oh, young man, look how pale your face is."

"Don't let it ruin your health. Can't we just stop holding this blasted talent show?"

"Yeah, God You, look on the bright side. Don't punish yourself for other people's mistakes!" The players also spoke up to comfort him.

Chen You fought to keep the corners of his mouth down, while a look of resolute tragedy appeared on his face.

He slammed his hand against the railing.

"No! We cannot stop!"

Chen You's gaze was firm as he scanned the entire field: "Tonight is the final."

"They think they can buy the championship with money, that they can defile art with money! But I, Chen You, will never agree to that!"

He raised his right fist, his voice soaring high into the clouds.

"In tonight's final, I am still the chief judge! Even if I have to risk my life, even if I offend every chamber of commerce in the city, I will uphold absolute loyalty to art in my scoring!"

"I will let the true geniuses stand at the peak!"

"Are you willing to support me?!"

After a brief silence, cheers that could overturn the heavens erupted from the plaza.

"Support God You!"

"Crush capital! Protect art!"

"God You, whoever you choose, we'll support you!"

Chen You looked at the fanatical crowd below and withdrew his hand with satisfaction.

Finally, it was settled.

The emotional groundwork was laid. Next, as long as he pushed Lin Miao onto the champion's throne in the finals, the mission would be a perfect success.

...

The finals plaza was illuminated by magical lights as if it were broad daylight.

On the massive cyberpunk-style stage, holographic projections shifted through brilliant colors.

The crowd below surged, with cheers rising wave after wave.

Three people sat at the judges' table directly in front of the stage.

The entire Cangxing City was packed to capacity; players who couldn't snag a spot even climbed onto the roofs of surrounding buildings.

Directly in front of the stage, three luxurious judge seats were set up.

Chen You sat in the middle as the chief judge, holding a thermos he had gotten from somewhere.

To his left was Horn, the owner of the largest barbecue shop in Cangxing City.

To his right was Three Waters, the supervisor of the chamber of commerce.

"God You, want a skewer?" Horn handed over a skewer of grilled kidneys.

"It's working hours, mind your image." Chen You refused with righteous dignity, while simultaneously unscrewing his thermos to take a sip of goji berry water.

"Respected guests! Fellow Adventurers!"

In the center of the stage, a goblin host wearing a tuxedo held an amplification magic stone, his voice sharp and high-pitched.

"The highly anticipated 'Voice of Star Source' grand final begins now! Let us welcome our first contestant to the stage!"

The stage lights suddenly dimmed.

A beam of eerie blue spotlight hit the stage entrance.

Accompanied by the ethereal sound of rippling water, a petite figure slowly walked into the circle of light.

It was a young Merman NPC girl.

She had long, sea-blue hair and skin as fair as jade. On both sides of her cheeks were a few delicate colored scales that reflected a dreamlike luster under the lights.

She wore a short skirt woven from pearls and seaweed, and her large, watery eyes looked timidly at the audience.

She was too sweet.

This perfectly matched all the public's fantasies of a "Siren's Song" and a "pure idol."

Deafening screams immediately erupted from the audience, and countless male players' eyes were practically popping out.

Sitting at the judges' table, Chen You's brow furrowed tightly.

The final list didn't end up exactly as he had planned.

Although he had eliminated all the good-looking and capable contestants, the final say still rested with the system.

Chen You quickly clicked open his system panel and checked the contestant list for the finals again.

Only after confirming that "Lin Miao's" name was still there did his heart settle slightly.

"Hello, judges. Hello, audience friends."

The Merman girl picked up the microphone, her voice crisp and sweet, with a hint of shyness.

"My name is Bobo. Today, I want to bring you a traditional folk song from my hometown."

"Good!" Horn shouted his approval.

"Excellent image, estimated commercial value rating is S." Supervisor Three Waters quickly flicked his abacus, his eyes shining brightly.

The audience below held their breath, preparing for an auditory feast.

The songs of the Murloc Race had always been known for being ethereal and healing.

Bobo took a deep breath.

She closed her eyes, and the shyness on her face instantly vanished.

The next second, she snapped her eyes open, and a terrifying, fierce light erupted from her originally watery eyes.

She stepped one foot onto the speaker at the edge of the stage and leaned her body forward.

"ROAARRRR—!!!"

An incredibly hardcore, gruff, and gut-wrenching death growl erupted from her petite body.