C23 Step by Step Mistake

He had erred from the outset; his plan was inherently flawed.

The simplest and quickest route to Prof. Snape's trust was through Malfoy.

But getting close to Malfoy meant attracting the attention of Dalang and his associates, which is why he remained by Malfoy's side.

Now, Liang Mu could say he had successfully apprenticed under Prof. Snape. The challenge ahead was to avoid arousing Dalang's suspicions while achieving his objectives.

Yet, the goals he pursued and the rules he vowed to follow were at odds, indicating his strategy was misguided from the start.

Liang Mu chuckled at his own expense. Despite his age and cunning, he realized that years as a tech enthusiast couldn't match the intellect of true sages. In this world, he didn't need to overthink; solutions came with a mere flick of the wrist.

The only solution now was to become a "Slytherin," a qualified agent of change, the kind Dumbledore and Grindelwald anticipated.

As a devoted fan in his past life, Liang Mu had perused numerous analytical articles and fan edits. Coupled with twenty days of research and deduction, he understood what Dumbledore and Grindelwald sought.

They yearned for a young successor capable of disrupting the status quo of the British Wizard Realm.

Certainly, in times of peace, the Little Wizards of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were excellent choices.

Wizards from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw possessed admirable qualities and capabilities, leading the British Wizards to continual advancement, as evidenced by their representation in the Magic Department.

They could subtly transform the entire British Wizard Realm.

Regrettably, though Lord Voldemort had vanished, his lingering shadow still cast a pall over the realm, with the clearest indicator being the reluctance to utter his name, even in code.

Gryffindor's valiant lions, unafraid of sacrifice, were best equipped to dispel this darkness.

Hence, Dumbledore's choice of Harry Porter, the miraculous boy who had vanquished Lord Voldemort as an infant.

With Dumbledore's strategic guidance, Harry Porter remained the beacon of hope for the British Wizard Realm. If Harry Porter could systematically defeat Lord Voldemort, his prestige would soar, eradicating Voldemort's impact on the Wizard Realm and potentially leading it through a transformative era.

However, it was clear that the price Dumbledore paid in the film was far too great. Even though Voldemort was defeated, the British Wizarding World was left in utter disarray.

Dumbledore died for Harry, Grindelwald chose death in the face of despair, and Snape died for the sake of his plan. As a Harry Potter enthusiast, Liang Mu couldn't come to terms with such an ending.

Regarding the Slytherin students, they were, by nature, Dumbledore's top choice for their innate revolutionary spirit. So why didn't Dumbledore choose Slytherin students? The answer lies in the Slytherin wizards themselves. Years of subtle indoctrination through their families and environment, the glory of pure-blood supremacy, and their disdain for Muggles and half-bloods made them ill-suited for the role. After all, the primary targets of reform were the pure-blood families they hailed from, followed by the half-bloods and the relationships between different peoples.

If we were to go by the film's narrative, the ideal choice would naturally be Harry Potter and his friends. But now, Liang Mu has entered the picture. Liang Mu's family has successfully integrated into the British Wizarding World and holds a significant status. Raised in England, Liang Mu lacks the traditional pure-blood prejudices due to his family's influence, making him a prime candidate for Dumbledore's attention.

Now, all Liang Mu needs to do is become a "Slytherin" to garner Dumbledore's interest. Liang Mu is convinced that someone as shrewd and strategic as Dumbledore wouldn't overlook such a promising reformer. Moreover, aiding Liang Mu wouldn't interfere with his plans for a savior; Liang Mu is meant to be a reformer, not a savior.

Liang Mu operates on dual tracks, ensuring that success would be a win-win situation. And if he fails, it's no great loss, as his family's roots aren't truly in England, so he has nothing to fear.

Liang Mu always anticipates the worst in others' intentions, but he isn't bothered by his own cynical predictions. Ultimately, Liang Mu plans to stay in this plane for just two years. As long as he achieves his goals and acquires sufficient knowledge, he'll leave when the time comes. Would Dumbledore really chase him down to an amusement park? If that were the case, the English wizards would have already taken over...

Whack!

The resounding slap jerked Liang Mu back to the present, and he turned towards the source of the sound.

A Player lay on the ground, clutching his face, as Marcus stood over him, foot planted on his stomach.

Nick Phil's face was a mask of rage, yet he was immobilized by two wizards. The senior wizards around them were visibly thrilled, while the humiliated first-year Little Wizards looked on, having endured a year of oppression.

It was as if everything was building to a dramatic crescendo.

The pocket watch in Liang Mu's hand now pointed to the time indicated on the note.

Flash!

A sudden burst of light captured the attention of everyone in the hall.

A diminutive Family Elf, with wrinkled skin and a hunched back, appeared, holding a tray with a covered dish.

Yet it was the aroma wafting from the dish that drew all eyes.

Overwhelmed by the spectacle, the Family Elf retracted its head and timidly addressed Liang Mu,

"Young Master Liang Mu, your late-night snack."

All eyes turned to Liang Mu once more.

Liang Mu gave Malfoy's shoulder a reassuring pat, gesturing for him to keep pace. With a flourish of his cane, he parted the two plump individuals blocking his path and strode confidently towards the Family Elf.

As the graceful piano melody filled the lounge, Liang Mu stepped in time to the music. His wizard's robe billowed behind him, lifted by a Magic Spell, revealing the dark green silk suit beneath, reminiscent of an elegant dark green feathered serpent surveying its domain.

Malfoy proved himself dependable in this crucial moment. With a swagger that bespoke the inherent superiority of a Slytherin, he paid no mind to the hushed murmurs of the onlookers, following closely behind Liang Mu, his fists clenched secretly within his robes.

The Family Elf, startled, found itself trapped by the table behind it and unable to retreat.

"Should I place it here, Young Master Liang Mu?"

Liang Mu surveyed the room and shook his head, then turned his gaze towards where Marcus was seated.

Or more precisely, the couch beneath him, which, regrettably, was not made of leather. Disregarding Marcus' furious glare, Liang Mu addressed the Family Elf,

"Excuse me, where is my suitcase?"

The Family Elf hesitated, glancing around.

Liang Mu's nonchalance was as good as a slap to Marcus' face, a blow to the pride of someone who had always been seen as the leader of the school, leaving him feeling deeply shamed.

"Are you challenging me, Liang Mu?" Marcus strode up to Liang Mu, towering over him in an attempt to intimidate him into fear.

He wouldn't actually strike Liang Mu; not only did Liang Mu come from a background that was nearly as influential as his own, but Marcus had also received favors from him before the term began.

The player who was knocked down? He was just a mixed-blood orphan, a nobody. Everyone knew he had simply taken a tumble.

"Provoke?" Liang Mu looked up at Marcus with an impassive face. "Senior Marcus, I haven't done anything provocative. I merely wanted to enjoy my meal."

He glanced at the Family Elf, gesturing for it to quickly bring out his leather suitcase. "I just wanted to enjoy my late-night snack." Without giving Marcus another moment's attention, he turned away.

"Amazing!" Liang Mu marveled as the suitcase materialized from thin air. It was difficult to fathom how the elves had been defeated in the past, or the extent of the dark wizards' power.

Liang Mu quickly arranged a long leather sofa by the fireplace, complete with a yellow rosewood tea table adorned with a ghost face pattern. Despite the bulk and weight of the items, it was a simple snap of the fingers for the Family Elf.

He beckoned Malfoy to join him on the sofa, then turned to face Marcus, who was still clenching his fists. Not just Marcus, but all the Slytherins had drawn close, eager for the spectacle. This first-year student named Liang Mu seemed utterly indifferent to them.

And the Little Wizard who was knocked over? Forgotten.

Wand in hand, Liang Mu pointed at the Player who was being helped up by his teammates, his eyes filled with mockery while maintaining his stoic expression. "What's the matter, you want to take a swing at me too?"

Marcus spit in the direction of the Player, a cruel sneer on his face as he surveyed the crowd. "I didn't hit anyone. He just fell, right?" He was reasserting his dominance, and with several Quidditch team members backing him and the rest silent, their complicity was apparent.

"So, you're no different."

"This is a blatant disregard for the school's rules."

"And what of it? Slytherins should never be shackled by rules. We, the proud Slytherins, are the ones who make the rules. The Pure-bloods... you're just a 'yellow'."

Marcus held his head high, his voice reverberating through the common room like a general proclaiming his vows, while the Little Wizards around him wore expressions of arrogance, their eyes filled with mockery as they gazed at Liang Mu.

Liang Mu didn't interrupt the display. He watched the Family Elf neatly arrange the plates on the table and reassured Malfoy not to be afraid. He casually opened a vial of lightweight hallucinogenic potion from his pocket and glanced at the Slytherin reputation points that had appeared on his faction panel.

Regrettably, as soon as Marcus uttered the word 'yellow', Liang Mu's walking stick found its way into his mouth.

Looking at Marcus's big yellow teeth, which could only be described as a snarl of fangs, Liang Mu felt his cane was demeaned. It looked like it was time to replace the silver ferrule.

But the most pressing matter at hand was to address the issue of the man before him.

"What are you trying to say?"

Liang Mu fixed Marcus with an icy stare, his sudden explosive presence intimidating the Little Wizard who had been about to come to Marcus's aid.

"The pride of Slytherin, the glory of the Pure-bloods?"

Liang Mu leaned in, looking down at the now petrified Marcus, and said:

"Do you really think you're worthy of being a Slytherin wizard?"