Chapter 15: Kneeling on One Knee

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But today, things never seemed to go as hoped.

When Pei Zheng drew Xie Lin as his opponent, he didn’t glare with jealousy. Instead, he patted his chest with a look of relief, then leaned close to Xie Lin, whispering something with a grin stretching almost to the back of his head.

Ah, that smile was truly blinding.

Not even a brother, yet you secretly switched from a villainous supporting role to the protagonist’s brother without bringing me along?

Fine, fine. The whole sect, the entire novel—only she remains as the malicious female antagonist causing trouble, right?

Jiang Lingyi wiped away her sorrowful tears. Jiang Yuanshan clutched the handkerchief in his sleeve, uncertain whether to give it to Jiang Lingyi to wipe her tears or save it to hand to Xie Lin later to wipe his sweat.

“Don’t cry, Qin Qin. Xie Lin’s swordsmanship surpasses most disciples inside the sect; there’s nothing to worry about.”

Jiang Lingyi cried even harder. It was precisely because Xie Lin was formidable that she was worried…

Only the elite disciples could enter the advanced arena, where the matches were even more intense. Jiang Lingyi stared unblinkingly at Pei Zheng’s moves—partly hoping he could wound Xie Lin to create an opportunity for herself, yet also feeling guilty for secretly wishing him harm.

But…

How was it that in just fifteen minutes, Pei Zheng’s sword was already deflected by Xie Lin?

Jiang Lingyi pressed her throbbing temples hard, her head buzzing.

What are you doing, Pei Zheng?!

Jiang Lingyi was exasperated at his incompetence, and Jiang Yuanshan was even more furious, baring his teeth in frustration, nearly howling at the sky and pounding his chest.

“Fine, fine! Yun Ce’s been slacking off, but now even Pei Zheng’s gone lax? None of you will get away with it. After the monthly exam, I’m locking you all away in the back mountains for secluded training!”

Jiang Lingyi couldn’t understand. She had followed the original story exactly—even down to the order of drawing lots and the opponents drawn—so why was Pei Zheng the only one who changed?

She never realized it was her own character that had shifted. Since the male protagonist had no interest in her, how could he possibly compete with the supporting male?

Xie Lin smoothly advanced in the arena matches, defeating the defending champion and two challengers in succession.

According to the original story, he would discover that the third challenger’s moves bore traces of the long-extinct Hunyuan Sword Classic, then deliberately lose to that third challenger.

Jiang Lingyi’s palms were sweaty as the third challenger stepped onto the stage.

She had to rush onto the arena and complete her task before Xie Lin stepped down, but until now, Xie Lin only bore two or three minor cuts from sharp sword edges. She had previously altered his inner thoughts, but wasn’t sure if it would really take effect.

It was noon; the sunlight blazed fiercely. Jiang Lingyi glanced up at the splendid sky, sniffled, and recalled her junior disciple’s words before the monthly exam began.

With such brilliant sunlight, she feared she’d never see it again, sobbing silently…

The plot seemed to proceed normally. Jiang Lingyi left the martial viewing platform before the duel began. Jiang Yuanshan, ever perceptive, pressed the handkerchief he had been clutching into her hand.

But when she reached the arena’s edge, the plot suddenly collapsed again!

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In the original story, the duel lasted less than the burning time of an incense stick. Because the opponent revealed a fatal flaw, Xie Lin intentionally held back and lost, so Jiang Lingyi didn’t even know this NPC’s true strength, nor remember his name.

But now, this NPC seemed injected with energy, growing more fierce with every strike. Each move was ruthless and lethal; the shrill clash of sword edges cutting through the air sounded like a death knell, causing the surrounding crowd to sweat nervously for Xie Lin!

Jiang Lingyi: Huh?

They even gave the NPC an awakening to enhance the drama?

She wasn’t sure if the man had used the extinct Hunyuan Sword Classic, but his sword energy was sharp and oppressive. Xie Lin’s attempts at various sword techniques barely held off his offense.

The intense struggle lasted nearly half an hour. Jiang Lingyi’s frail body was nearly fainting from the sun’s heat, but she forced herself to watch the arena. Suddenly, she heard a sharp metallic clang—the Mingyi Sword was deflected and flew out of Xie Lin’s hand. He was struck down by a palm blow, spitting blood!

Ah, this moment had finally come!

Her excited heart trembled, hands shook.

Jiang Lingyi wept silently inside, lifted her skirt, and was about to rush onto the arena, only to see the Mingyi Sword spin several times in the air before the NPC quickly caught it!

Jiang Lingyi: …

Is this never-ending? More dramatic twists?

The NPC glanced disdainfully at the Mingyi Sword, sneering, “Mingyi Sword—legend says it was wielded by the Sword God Xing Ke who ascended a thousand years ago. You are unworthy of it.”

Jiang Lingyi: Huh?

He then gave Xie Lin a scornful smile and arrogantly declared, “A mere lone cultivator, relying on dirty tricks to defeat my junior brother. You really think you deserve to stand on the Xu Yang Sect’s sword trial arena?”

Jiang Lingyi was dumbfounded, stunned, speechless.

So that’s it. He couldn’t stand seeing Shen Jiwen defeated by Xie Lin so easily and came to avenge him. No wonder he was giving it his all.

But big brother, those are my words!

How many people did this cursed system recruit to play villainous roles? Both male and female?

The NPC twirled the Mingyi Sword in his palm, pointed it straight at Xie Lin’s face. The sword spirit sensed the killer intent in his heart and began to tremble!

[Host! Now’s the time!]

The system’s prompt sounded urgently.

[The male lead will step down from the arena in one minute. Host, you must rush up now or it’ll be too late!]

One minute?!

“Wait!”

Jiang Lingyi didn’t have time to think it through and immediately lifted her skirt to dash onto the arena!

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But she forgot—she was weak, frail, and sickly, someone who could be knocked down by a strong gust of wind.

Especially after being nearly drained by the sun, and now rushing onto the arena in haste, Jiang Lingyi collapsed immediately, kneeling at the NPC’s feet from sheer exhaustion!

The crowd gasped.

Even the fierce-faced NPC was stunned.

Jiang Lingyi: …

Great, lost face before losing her life.

Everyone’s attention had been focused on the duel above. A few were dozing off, but Jiang Lingyi’s kneeling made them all wide awake.

This gossip was explosive!

“The young madam actually rushed onto the arena for Xie Lin despite her frail health—and then fell down!”

The gossip spread from the judging stand to the martial viewing platform.

“What? The young madam knelt down at the arena to beg the opponent to spare Xie Lin because she feared he’d be hurt?”

The gossip spread from the front rows of the viewing platform to the back rows.

“What? The young madam and Xie Lin are in love, and she knelt on one knee on the arena to propose becoming sword partners?”

Upon hearing this terrible news, Jiang Yuanshan’s face turned red with anger and shock; he fainted on the spot.

Meanwhile, on the arena, oblivious to the chaos, Jiang Lingyi stared blankly at the Mingyi Sword in the NPC’s hand. For a fleeting moment, she wished she could snatch it away, slit her own throat, and end it all.

She didn’t dare look back at Xie Lin’s expression. Surely it was the pitiful, helpless look one gives to a foolish child.

[Host, get to work! You have a mission!]

[Step one: defeat him! Just make him admit defeat to you!]

Jiang Lingyi: No, step one is for me to get up from the ground first and stand to complete the mission.

Silently, she rose from the ground, pretending nothing had happened, and looked back at Xie Lin.

“Xie Lin, do you admit defeat in this duel?”