A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga-Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Back at the hotel, Zhou Renjie, now sober, provided more laughs.

During free time, the author didn’t favor Jiang Tianming’s group, giving each team a short arc. Though not plot-driven, readers loved these daily slices.

Su Bei’s arc was, of course, the group teasing Si Zhaohua into eating skewers: sly and mischievous Su Bei, proud and refined Si Zhaohua, bold and cheerful Qi Huang, innocently clueless Feng Lan, big-eating Mo Xiaotian, quietly observant Wu Jin, rarely speaking Ling You, and mature, steady Mu Tieren. Each character’s persona solidified through these small moments.

The final arc was Wu Jin and Su Bei’s tag-team claim that the teachers had fought, with the comic flashing back to Meng Huai and Ye Lin’s actual argument.

After Si Zhaohua said they’d review the contract tomorrow, the scene shifted to a contract, the last words reading “Life and Death Are Your Own.”

The comic ended with a bonus tidbit: the scene where they crashed the backstage during the team battle awards.

Su Bei: “...”

He didn’t know whether to laugh. As they got scolded, the comic drew a pitiful chibi Su Bei with the caption—“I didn’t do anything?”

Readers, unmercifully, laughed without pitying the unfairly implicated Su Bei. (Single rhyme)

Finishing the comic, Su Bei exhaled, knowing it was time for the forums. He skipped the eating posts and went to his personal page, opening his last post.

[[Prophet Post] The Protagonist Team Has Been Noticed by the Black Flash Organization. Predicting the Ability Academy’s Response]

[No.101: Digging up the grave. OP is awesome!]

[No.102: Wow, actually got it right?]

[No.103: Convinced. I’m truly convinced. I’ll believe whatever OP says from now on.]

[No.104: Worthy of Prophet. Lives up to the name.]

[...]

[No.144: I was wondering why this post had so many replies. Then I saw it was posted a week ago!]

[No.145: Tall threads are magical. Prophet is awesome!]

[No.146: I’m so curious about OP’s identity. Not the author’s assistant, right?]

[No.147: Don’t say that, it’s actually possible!]

[No.148: Maybe the author’s relative?]

[No.149: I bet a shareholder at Jinjiang Comics Group, getting early comic access!]

[...]

[No.178: Could it just be OP’s really accurate guesses?]

[No.179 replying to No.178: That’s way too accurate, isn’t it?]

[No.180: Stop guessing! If OP has an insider identity and we expose them, no one will spoil for us anymore!]

[...]

[No.200: Regardless, I’ll believe whatever OP says. Prophet, I’m your loyal follower!]

Seeing everyone vow to trust Prophet’s posts, Su Bei smiled, satisfied.

This was why he created the account, consistently leaking accurate insider info, some not easily guessed.

Once he gained readers’ trust, convincing them he had insider access, he could use the account for his own gain.

Done with this, Su Bei moved to new posts. The comic had updated a while ago, and the forums were buzzing. As usual, he focused on plot- and self-related content.

[Is the Spy Revealed Already? Su Bei Fits the Spy Role Well]

[Spy Candidate Discussion (Don’t Think Su Bei Is the Spy)]

[CP Free-for-All: Newly Obsessed with BeiJin CP. Can I Say That?]

[What’s Su Bei’s Info Source? How Did He Know the Different Space’s Creation Time?]

[I Really Pity Zhou Renjie This Time. Hope He Doesn’t Become a Villain]

Among the posts, Su Bei first noticed two about the spy. They had opposing views. After a moment, he clicked the one arguing he wasn’t the spy.

[Spy Candidate Discussion (Don’t Think Su Bei Is the Spy)]

[HappySheepSkewerNo.0: Disclaimer: I’m a Su Bei fan but also love all characters. Reading the first few pages of this chapter, my heart sank—Su Bei’s the spy?

The hints were too obvious. Su Bei vanished at the last moment of the team battle, and the last chapter ended with those white shoes, as if all evidence pointed to Su Bei being the spy.

Though a spy identity is cool, I don’t want a spy in the protagonist team in a shonen comic.

But thinking it over, I don’t think Su Bei can be the spy. I’ve got several reasons, listed below since the main post would be too cramped.]

[No.1: What’s there to discuss? Su Bei’s obviously the spy. Looks like the author didn’t plan to hide it.]

[No.2: Why not fight the OP of the other thread? Your views are exact opposites.]

[No.3: Su Bei fans, no need to deny his spy identity. His persona is so perfect for a villain!]

[No.4: Except at the start, he’s been half-absent the whole time. If not a mission-completing Saint, what is he?]

[...]

[No.9: Guys, don’t be so sure. I also think Su Bei can’t be the spy. It’s too obvious, right?]

[No.10: If the author didn’t plan to hide it, why only show white shoes last chapter instead of revealing Su Bei fully?]

[No.11: OP, are you typing too slowly?]

[No.12: Eating popcorn. When Jiang Tianming asked Su Bei that, I didn’t even finish the chapter and rushed to the forums for the drama.]

[No.13 replying to No.12: Hahaha, same! No idea when OP will show up. I’ll catch up on the chapter first.]

[...]

[HappySheepSkewerNo.36 (OP): I’ve listed my reasons, please read!

From the last chapter’s end, the author clearly wanted to foreshadow the spy’s identity. If he didn’t want to hide it and just wanted a cliffhanger, showing Su Bei’s face would’ve had the same effect and caused a bigger stir.

But he didn’t, so he likely wanted to conceal the spy’s identity. If he wanted to hide it, he wouldn’t reveal it this chapter. I can only think this is the author using Su Bei as a decoy.

Su Bei saved Si Zhaohua and Jiang Tianming. We know Black Flash values Si Zhaohua highly. If Su Bei were the Saint, why would he ruin the organization’s plan?

Some might say he didn’t plan to help but was forced to after the Purple-Haired Woman exposed him, which doesn’t prove anything.

I admit Su Bei didn’t intend to help initially, but after being exposed, he could’ve vanished (he did so with some unknown method this chapter) or handled it differently. He didn’t need to save anyone!

When he eliminated a student, he specifically told them to inform Teacher Meng that Feng Lan was missing. From his prior actions, he didn’t know Feng Lan was captured initially. (Shipping moment.)

This is the most important: remember Su Bei said in Chapter 1 he came to Class F for the “unluckiest” Jiang Tianming.

As a spy, he’d long known Jiang Tianming was special, even choosing Class F over Class A for him. So why would Black Flash target only Si Zhaohua and not Jiang Tianming in the team battle?]

[HappySheepSkewerNo.36 (OP): Cough (clears throat). In summary, I believe Su Bei cannot be the Saint spy.

My speech is done. Now, your performances, please.]

[No.37: OP, you’re awesome!]

[No.38: OP, writing a thesis?]

[No.39: So many words, I’m stunned.]

[No.40: So many words, let me read for a bit.]

[No.41: So many words, is this an analysis freak?]

[...]

[No.62: I thought Su Bei was the spy, but after OP’s analysis, I’m convinced he definitely isn’t.]

[No.63: OP’s got solid reasoning. I’m also on Team Su Bei Isn’t the Spy.]

[No.64: True, if Su Bei were the spy, how’s Jiang Tianming still so safe?]

[No.65: This chapter felt off from the start. The author loves hiding things; why would he suddenly reveal the spy so openly?]

[No.66: Posts analyzing Su Bei isn’t the spy have way more solid reasoning than the ones saying he is.]

[No.67: Even just for OP typing all this, I’m switching sides.]

[...]

[No.105: First, I agree with OP. Second, this is a spy analysis thread, so why only deny Su Bei’s the spy? I believe he isn’t, but who is?]

[No.106: Did OP derail the thread?]

[HappySheepSkewerNo.107 (OP): I’m back! I opened this thread mainly to argue Su Bei isn’t the spy, but I have guesses about the spy’s identity.

My candidates are characters who didn’t join the final team battle action.

That action basically derailed Black Flash’s plan. If the spy were there, they’d have sabotaged it, but the comic shows no sabotage, so the spy likely wasn’t involved.

But we should exclude Su Bei and Wu Jin. I’ve explained why for Su Bei. For Wu Jin, he’s likely a nepotism case. If he’s tied to the principal, he’s probably not the spy, or this school’s really rotten.]

[No.108: OP’s analysis is on point. I think so too.]

[No.109: Babble, understood nothing, just following the crowd...]

[No.110: So the candidates are Ling You, Li Shu, Zhou Renjie, Zhao Xiaoyu, Qi Huang, Mo Xiaotian, Mu Tieren? But if the last three are spies, I’ll kick my head like a ball!]

[No.111: Li Shu, Zhou Renjie, and Zhao Xiaoyu seem most likely. Ling You’s too cold to feel like a spy, but we can’t rule her out.

That said, Zhou Renjie’s definitely not the Saint. At most, he joined Black Flash later, not from the start.]

[No.112: Zhao Xiaoyu’s more likely. She’s smart and cunning (in a good way), perfect for a spy.]

[No.113 replying to No.112: But her Ability’s weak. Even if it’s an act, why act that weak? What’s the benefit of Class F?]

[No.114: I think Ling You. She fits too, suddenly joining Class S.]

[...]

[No.172: The Saint’s probably male, right? Can we rule out Zhao Xiaoyu and Ling You?]

[No.173 replying to No.172: Not necessarily. What if the author’s misleading us?]

[No.174: Honestly, I still think Su Bei’s possible. OP’s reasoning is solid and clears him, but what if the author’s playing us? Make us suspect him, then doubt it, only to reveal it’s him, toying with us like dogs.]

[No.175 replying to No.174: That’d be too cruel!]

[No.176: Don’t say that, with this author, it’s possible! Why do you think we call him Old Thief?]

[No.177: Haha, this reminds me of that seemingly comic relief villain from last season.]

[No.178: Haha, damn Old Thief! How could someone so funny have such a tragic backstory?!]

[No.179: Damn Old Thief!]

Reading the OP’s analysis, Su Bei was pleased. It was spot-on; from every angle, he couldn’t be the Saint. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Though Su Bei wanted a secret identity arc, he had no intention of taking the fall for Mo Xiaotian. He didn’t want to be the troublesome Saint.

Seeing everyone guess the spy but never Mo Xiaotian, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Mo Xiaotian’s personality was incredibly deceptive. He seemed like a protagonist type from other shonen comics—who’d suspect he’s the spy?

Sometimes, seeing his goofy demeanor, even Su Bei wondered if their first meeting two months ago was a dream.

As for the comic relief villain mentioned, having binged Season 1, Su Bei knew him. Initially a minor goon under a villain, sent to target the protagonists, he kept making hilarious blunders.

Only at the end, when he took down the villain in a mutual destruction, saving the protagonists, did they learn he had a deep grudge against the villain. His bumbles were a facade to avoid aiding evil while seeking revenge.

His fan page still had daily check-ins and wails.

Shaking his head, Su Bei left the thread and clicked the post about his info sources.

[What’s Su Bei’s Info Source? How Did He Know the Different Space’s Creation Time?]

[JiangLanWuNo.0: Yo, I see everyone’s hooked on the big reveal at the chapter’s start, but there’s a less-discussed but important detail I want to throw out for discussion.

In the desert Different Space discussion, Su Bei accurately stated the space’s creation time, clearly prepared. But from Jiang Tianming and Si Zhaohua’s reactions, they had no clue.

Jiang Tianming’s inner monologue confirmed this and suggested Su Bei didn’t get this via [Destiny Gear] but another channel. I think Jiang Tianming’s right, and if he wasn’t, the author wouldn’t have included it.

So, the question is: what’s this other channel? How did Su Bei, in the short time after arriving, know the Different Space’s basic info when no one else knew the destination?]

[No.1: Every comic update, forum posts make me say: So many words...]

[No.2: So many words...]

[No.3: So many words...]

[No.4: So many words...]

[No.5: So many words...]

[...]

[No.26: Su Bei’s always mysterious. Honestly, if he suddenly said where the Closed Point was, I wouldn’t be shocked.]

[No.27: My analysis: after Meng Huai brought them out, Su Bei was always in sight, with no chance to gather intel. So, he must’ve gotten this during Class S training.

Meaning, during Meng Huai’s prep phase, Su Bei somehow knew they were headed to the desert Different Space and researched it.]

[No.28: That makes sense, but it makes things even murkier. I’d rather believe Su Bei got the intel by asking someone after arriving.]

[No.29: Su Bei was always with at least one person, no time to ask around. I think No.27’s guess is more likely.]

[No.30: Building on No.27, to know their destination that early, Su Bei must have an intel source in the academy.

This aligns with forum guesses when Sun Ming held Su Bei hostage. People thought Su Bei had ways to monitor the school.]

[No.31: With all this talk, those in the know say Wu Jin’s the one with connections, but you’d think Su Bei’s the one with a backer!]

[No.32 replying to No.31: Su Bei might actually have a backer. With such a strong Ability, how’d he end up in Class F? It can’t be the same as Jiang Tianming’s case, right? Look at Feng Lan; he’s a nepotism case too, feels just like Su Bei.]

[No.33 replying to No.32: True! Or he fooled the academy’s testing machine, which is scary in its own way.]

[...]

[No.34: Stop guessing; it’s pointless. Su Bei’s hiding so much. Didn’t Meng Huai say his Ability might not have awakened at 15?]

[No.35 replying to No.34: Damn riddle man!]

The thread didn’t conclude much, but No.34’s comment made Su Bei pause.

In this chapter, Meng Huai had said this to Ye Lin and the others. With his high Mental Energy, Meng Huai thought Su Bei didn’t awaken his Ability the summer before school but earlier.

Su Bei had brushed off the guess with a smile. But seeing this comment, he suddenly thought he could plan around it.

If he tricked readers into believing his Ability awakened much earlier, what benefits could he gain?

There might be one—

“Could I go back to the past?” Su Bei abruptly asked [Manga Consciousness].

The question was sudden. After a pause, [Manga Consciousness] replied: “Why ask? Looking for a time-rewinding Ability user?”

“No.” Su Bei shook his head. “I’m wondering, if I change something in the past—like saying in the comic I met Jiang Tianming before—and readers believe it, will I go back to meet him? Or will the comic just add that memory to Jiang Tianming?”

“Hm... If readers believe Jiang Tianming remembers it, you’d go back. But if they only know you met him then, and he didn’t see you, you wouldn’t need to.” After pondering, [Manga Consciousness] answered.

Though simple, it was a subtle distinction, requiring careful thought to grasp.

Understanding his intent, Su Bei asked directly: “Can you be more specific? When exactly could I go back?”

[Manga Consciousness] thought and didn’t hide: “I can think of three scenarios. First, changes that add memories to existing characters might give you a chance to go back and make the change, as some memories can’t just be added.

Second, if the comic depicts that past event, you could go back to fill that plot.

Third, if you gain physical items from the change, the comic can adjust your strength directly, but not items.”

The explanation was clear, and Su Bei understood. His earlier guess was viable.

If he convinced the forums he’d awakened his Ability earlier and used it to gain benefits, like the Feng Family did, he could go back to personally secure those benefits.

This wouldn’t just bring material gains but also connections. Meeting more people would pave more paths for the future.