The Runesmith - Chapter 618 – Brothers Bonding.

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

Some say he is the bad apple in a basket, that he’s rotting everything around him with disgrace and corruption.

Some say he is the biggest scum of the South Zhanbu Continent, that he’s colluding with the dark sects to cheat, steal, and commit all manner of atrocities.

Some say he is the most wanted playboy. “Lock your daughters at home to keep Fang Xing away!”

To all of those people, “That’s right, I am that big rotten apple. Any problem with that?”

This brand of anti-hero is a young orphan with poor prospects and nothing more than the keepsakes of his uncles. He plots, schemes, and orchestrates all manner of villainy in his quest for power and revenge, unafraid to live precariously and make enemies out of those he really should not.

- Description from Novelupdates

Contemporary college student Ye Leyao died suddenly from staying up late, and found himself transported into a world where several novels merged together, becoming the useless adopted son of the prestigious Huo family.The good news is that, apart from him, everyone else in the family is a big shot. Eldest Brother Huo is a legendary figure in the business world, Second Brother Huo is a top actor in the entertainment industry, and Third Brother Huo is a skilled esports player and boss.The bad news is, these big shots are all antagonists, and none of them have good endings.Even worse news is that, upon waking up, he finds himself in the middle of a cheap romance involving Second Brother, who is oblivious to the fact that the child in his lover’s belly isn’t his seed at all!Ye Leyao couldn’t help but scream inwardly: “Aaaaaahhhh—seriously? This romance-idiot still doesn’t know the child in his lover’s belly isn’t his?!”All eyes in the family suddenly turn towards him. The second brother even stumbles.Everyone: What?!The top-tier Huo family adopted a young troublemaker some years ago.Initially, nobody in the family paid him any mind. That is, until they could all hear Ye Leyao’s inner thoughts—Just as Father Huo brings his down-and-out friend home. Ye Leyao’s inner voice: “Oh, so this is the little seductress trying to seduce Father Huo, plotting to make Mother Huo and Father Huo divorce, and wrecking the Huo family?”Father Huo’s pupils dilate: “!” That night, before Ye Leyao can subtly hint to Mother Huo, the little seductress is personally “thrown” out by Father Huo.During breakfast at home, Eldest Brother Huo takes a video call discussing crucial shipment matters with his assistant.Ye Leyao perks up his ears, muttering to himself: “Why do I vaguely remember a typhoon changing course to pass through this route in a few days? Big Brother’s business deal is definitely going down.”Eldest Brother Huo: “…” He immediately changes the shipping route with his assistant. Sure enough, five days later, news came that the original route was hit by a typhoon.Afterwards, Eldest Brother Huo transfers five million into Ye Leyao’s account. Ye Leyao is astonished. Eldest Brother Huo tries to remain composed, saying calmly, “Take it, you’ve earned it.”Third Brother Huo isn’t home often. After the league ends, he brings his newly recruited team members home for dinner. Just as they enter the house, Ye Leyao stares keenly at his new teammates.Third Brother Huo is about to warn Ye Leyao against premature romance, when he hears Ye Leyao whispering in his mind: “They’re handsome alright, but unfortunately, they’re moles sent by the rival team.”Third Brother Huo: “!!!” That night, Third Brother Huo begins investigating and not only discovers that the new teammates are moles from the rival team, but also finds out that his most trusted assistant has been secretly gathering data on their team!A week later, another ten million appeared in Ye Leyao’s account.Ye Leyao, holding the money happily: “Third Brother, you’re more generous than Big Brother!”Just then, Eldest Brother Huo passes by: “…”As a supporting character in the novel, Ye Leyao’s biggest dream is to save up money and flee with his family of antagonists when they hit rock bottom. Little did he expect that all these villains in his family would not only avoid disaster but thrive in their careers, and he would end up soaring with them.

Once I’ve become Immortal, then my attempt to conquer the world shall begin.