Chapter 9: Do You Even Hear What You're Saying?

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At night, hurried footsteps echoed intermittently along the guesthouse corridor. The aftereffects of undercooked green beans still lingered, likely causing those people’s stomachs to churn throughout the night.

Jiang Lingyi lay sprawled on the bed, silent and dazed.

Only belatedly did she realize that Xie Lin’s performance earlier wasn’t merely a fit of madness.

He was both poisoned and injured, giving him a valid reason to rest. Once back at the Xuyang Sect, he could be alone without disturbance, secretly investigating his enemies.

After that incident, Jiang Yuanshan also felt awkward acting as her divine assistant. Even if she wanted to approach Xie Lin for a mission, her father would insist she take a few days off to recover first.

Tsk, Jiang Lingyi felt a mix of sadness and fury. The promised redemption of the gloomy young master had now turned into nothing but a dog.

Who exactly was the villainous supporting character here?

If this villainous role is pointless, she might as well wash her hands of it and be an NPC in their story!

She hadn’t expected the male lead’s character in the original story to collapse so quickly and so completely. Jiang Lingyi sighed deeply, feeling her prospects were bleak.

She lay in bed, carefully replaying the evening’s events. The only consolation was that although Xie Lin disliked her, he no longer harbored murderous intent towards her.

The male lead’s main plot was avenging his parents. She, as the eldest daughter of the Xuyang Sect, so long as she didn’t interfere with his plans, wouldn’t suffer harm from Xie Lin.

But this mission was unbearably difficult. Even a simple novice task drained most of her mental energy.

Jiang Lingyi wanted to die.

[Beep—Novice stage task rewards have been issued, please check!]

Three item prompts flashed before her mind’s eye.

Rollback Item x1 — Oh heavens, how wonderful it would be if there were a remedy for regrets in this world! Ding ding ding~ Here comes the regret cure!

Instructions: After use, the host may choose a previously passed plot point to roll back to, useful for salvaging broken storylines~

Modification Item x1 — Ah, divine brush of Ma Liang, go write your own exclusive storyline!

Instructions: After use, the host can modify an upcoming plot segment to make it more favorable~

Forgiveness Item x1 — Sob sob, I’m so adorable, brother will surely forgive me, right?

Instructions: After use, the host can convert the anger levels of all surrounding characters into affection, so no more worries about getting scolded for reckless behavior~

Jiang Lingyi no longer wanted to die.

Come on! If you had these wonderful items, why not show them earlier? Isn’t this too distant?

But before she could be happy for three seconds, that maddening mechanical voice returned.

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[Beep! Novice stage complete, villainess development stage begins!]

[Task One: After returning to the Xuyang Sect, Xie Lin, due to his tragic and strong character, receives much attention from everyone. Dissatisfied that all focus shifts from you to the male lead, as the villainous supporting character, your task is—]

[You must easily defeat Xie Lin in the sword cultivator’s monthly exam, break his spirit sword, stomp angrily on his chest, and declare the following line to all: “A worthless piece of trash like you dares to practice swordsmanship? Useless! Get out of the Xuyang Sect immediately!”]

Jiang Lingyi: …

Ah, my head hurts so much.

What was the task again?

Me? I’m supposed to easily beat Xie Lin, break his sword, stomp his chest in anger?

System, are you okay?

Maybe you should know that my cultivation level is ten Jiang Yuanshans apart from Xie Lin!

Jiang Lingyi laughed bitterly. With her frail body, comparable to that of Lin Daiyu, she had never even participated in the monthly exams at Xuyang Sect.

She was the sect’s mascot — a beautiful, delicate vase, a backdrop to highlight other sword cultivators.

Firstly, her father would never agree to her joining the monthly exam, let alone facing off in a duel against Xie Lin, whose cultivation was far beyond hers and who bore the male lead’s aura.

Unless Jiang Yuanshan was planning a second child and wanted to elevate the younger sibling to the position of sole heir.

Jiang Lingyi wanted to die again.

Another sleepless night ensued.

Early the next morning, Jiang Yuanshan knocked on her door and was shocked to see the dark circles under her eyes extending almost to her chin.

“Qin Qin, being troubled by matters of the heart is never good!”

Leaning against the doorframe, Jiang Lingyi looked drained, as if a spirit had sucked away her vitality. Seeing this, Jiang Yuanshan’s heart ached even more.

“Your father knows you like Xie Lin, but matters of affection must be handled slowly. As the saying goes, constant dripping wears through stone — with time, you’ll surely win his heart. But next time, don’t resort to hitting people, okay?”

Hitting him?

Jiang Lingyi let the words wash over her, nodding perfunctorily. “When is the sect’s monthly exam this month?”

“On the fifteenth of each month. Why?” Jiang Yuanshan pondered briefly, then smiled knowingly. “Oh! I get it! You want to go watch Xie Lin’s sword fight and bring him a handkerchief and some water, right?”

Jiang Lingyi forced a smile more painful than tears and whimpered, “Father, I want to duel Xie Lin one-on-one.”

Jiang Yuanshan nearly lost his breath and nearly fainted on the spot.

…

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Outside the Xie residence, Xie Lin carried only a small bundle with two sets of clothes inside.

The day was beautiful, sunlight warm and gentle, putting one at ease. Jiang Yuanshan, worried for his frail daughter, never allowed her to sword-fly on her own; instead, she traveled by flying talisman, wrapped securely within a wind-proof barrier.

Because Xie Lin’s health was still poor, Jiang Yuanshan also forbade him from sword-flying, so both traveled together on the flying talisman.

Before departure, Jiang Yuanshan looked at Xie Lin with a conflicted expression, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.

Xie Lin understood and quietly stepped beside Jiang Yuanshan, coughing twice. His pale, sickly face contrasted with his obedient, mature demeanor. Jiang Yuanshan’s tone softened considerably.

“Arin, you’ve just arrived at the Xuyang Sect and your health isn’t fully recovered. The sect’s sword cultivator monthly exam is in three days—let’s postpone your participation until next time.”

They had originally agreed that upon returning to the sect, Xie Lin would attend the upcoming monthly exam and officially make a public appearance before Jiang Yuanshan accepted him as a closed-door disciple.

But Jiang Yuanshan hadn’t expected that his frail daughter, for reasons unknown, suddenly insisted on joining the exam too, even demanding to duel Xie Lin, claiming she wanted to defeat him to earn his respect.

Jiang Yuanshan: …

Do you even realize what you’re saying?

You, who get winded and dizzy practicing a few sword forms, want to challenge the most talented in the monthly exam?

Earn his respect?

I think you just want to get hurt and cling to Xie Lin so he’ll take responsibility for you!

Jiang Yuanshan refused but couldn’t persuade Jiang Lingyi, so he turned to Xie Lin for help.

He simply forbade Xie Lin from competing. If Xie Lin didn’t take part, Jiang Lingyi would have no opponent, and they could both watch the others fight from the stands. Wasn’t that a kind of amusement?

It could also nurture their relationship, right?

Xie Lin remained silent.

He had to participate in this exam.

The group who killed his parents years ago had long since changed their appearances. He only knew one of them had entered the Xuyang Sect but didn’t know who.

Sword styles cultivated over the years could not be altered. Different masters taught with subtle differences.

Judging by age and cultivation, those people would now be elders or even sect leaders at Xuyang Sect. The monthly exam showcased all sword cultivators’ techniques; by tracing the clues, he hoped to uncover the faintest traces of the past.

He was prepared to challenge multiple opponents in succession but couldn’t understand why Jiang Yuanshan suddenly changed his mind about the plan.