Yu Xingwu was utterly speechless. Everyone knew that being a simp meant giving everything and ending up with nothing. There was no way she would ever simp for anyone!
【Stupid system! You’re only telling me this now?! Why didn’t you tell me it was Shen Zhuo when you made me recite those lines?!】
【Who is Shen Zhuo? He’s the villain! A ruthless demon who kills without batting an eye! And you actually made me say such ridiculously lovesick lines about him!】
【This is seriously going to be the death of me! Only a dog would fall for him!】
The system replied, “…Dear host, please calm down. Shen Zhuo doesn’t know there’s a Demon Seed[1]A Demon Seed (魔种): a demonic presence within a cultivator. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3694184_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3694184_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); inside his body yet. At this point, he hasn’t become a villain!”
“Besides, even though he’s your fiancé, he doesn’t think much of you either. The villain only has eyes for the sweet, adorable female protagonist~”
【Why the hell do I feel like you’re taking a dig at me? Still, that rebellious, arrogant, and dangerously obsessive main villain really is ridiculously handsome!】
【That face, that lean, slender waist, those long legs… He’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s just a shame the female protagonist isn’t interested in him.】
【I’m a simp for him, and he’s a simp for the female protagonist. Talk about karma coming full circle! Ahahaha!】
【Of course, the female protagonist isn’t wrong for rejecting him. Only someone out of their mind would fall in love with a villain. Remember, loving a villain is the quickest way to an early grave! That damned villain can get lost!】
Below the competition platform, Shen Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly, his pitch-black pupils growing even darker.
After confirming that he wasn’t hearing things and that he could actually hear Yu Xingwu’s inner thoughts, the corners of his lips curled into a cold, intrigued smile.
Only a dog would like him? He should hurry up and get lost, was that it?
Some people certainly had unique ways of courting death.
For some inexplicable reason, Yu Xingwu suddenly shivered. She had the distinct feeling that a pair of extremely cold eyes was staring at her from beneath the competition platform.
Lowering her gaze, she was immediately greeted by an extraordinarily beautiful face. The small red mole beside the right side of the young man’s nose made his appearance especially captivating and alluring.
Just as she was about to lose herself in his beauty, Yu Xingwu suddenly felt a jolt of alarm!
Shit! Wasn’t that Shen Zhuo, the main villain?!
He really lived up to his name. His beauty was truly dazzling[2]The character 灼 in Shen Zhuo’s given name can mean ‘blazing’ or ‘radiant,’ making the description of his dazzling beauty a play on his name. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3694184_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3694184_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });!
But the way he looked at her was anything but warm or dazzling. Instead, his gaze was filled with unmistakable disgust.
【Fuck! System, who does he think he’s looking down on?! If I ever simp for him again, I’m not human!】
System: …Host, please remember what you’ve just said. Hopefully, those words won’t turn into a face slap too soon.
Yu Xingwu had confidently made her declaration, completely unaware that Shen Zhuo had heard every single one of her inner thoughts from beginning to end, without missing a word.
Meanwhile, her earlier arrogant and overbearing speech had not only failed to provoke public outrage but had actually made the disciples present believe she was someone who openly expressed her true feelings.
Taking a pill to seriously injure a fellow senior sister was undoubtedly disgraceful. Yet, after she proudly and openly admitted to doing so, everyone somehow interpreted her actions as those of someone who dared to love and dared to hate.
As for Lin Xi, who was seriously injured on the competition platform, clutching her chest and remaining silent, everyone had completely overlooked her.
“So Senior Sister Lin was the one who set her sights on Senior Brother Shen first! That’s why the junior sister from Zhaoyao Peak attacked her so ruthlessly!”
“Although Senior Brother Shen doesn’t like Junior Sister Yu, the two are engaged, after all. I suppose it’s understandable that Junior Sister Yu would take a pill and seriously injure Senior Sister Lin.”
“Sigh. Even if it’s understandable, she still shouldn’t have taken a pill and seriously injured a fellow senior sister. Love really does make people lose their heads.”
“Come to think of it, Junior Sister Yu, the favored daughter of heaven, is rather pitiful herself. So what if she’s the Grand Elder’s daughter? So what if she managed to secure an engagement? Senior Brother Shen doesn’t like her, so all she can do is take her frustration out on Senior Sister Lin.”
“According to what you’re saying, Senior Brother Shen doesn’t like Junior Sister Yu but likes Senior Sister Lin instead?”
“If that’s the case, Senior Brother Shen should make his feelings clear to Junior Sister Yu and break off their engagement instead of standing by while she fights Senior Sister Lin over him.”
“Exactly! If he doesn’t like Junior Sister Yu, he shouldn’t keep holding on to his position as her fiancé. Such behavior is hardly befitting an honorable gentleman.”
Yu Xingwu’s head was full of question marks.
【System, what the hell is wrong with these people?! Why aren’t they blaming me?!】
【I already admitted that I deliberately took a pill and seriously injured Lin Xi! Shouldn’t they be calling me vicious and cursing me out?! Why are they criticizing Shen Zhuo instead?!】
【And what the hell does any of this have to do with Shen Zhuo?! Hey, stop making enemies for me!】
【More importantly, Shen Zhuo doesn’t even like Lin Xi! He’s going to fall in love with the True Young Miss, the female protagonist! Guys, stop spreading rumors! Look, that damned villain’s face is practically green with anger!】
Shen Zhuo: “…”
Heh! Yu Xingwu, you’ve really outdone yourself.
Yu Xingwu didn’t notice the way Shen Zhuo was looking at her. Instead, her gaze settled on Deacon Li.
Today’s event wasn’t an official sect competition. Rather, Yu Xingwu had challenged Lin Xi to a match under the pretext of friendly sparring, so only one deacon had been present to judge the outcome.
Normally, when a disciple committed an offense, it was enough for the head of the Law Enforcement Hall to step in and hand down a punishment. However, Yu Xingwu was the Grand Elder’s daughter, and the Grand Elder treasured her dearly. He was fiercely protective of his child.
Although the Grand Elder was currently away from the sect, Deacon Li still didn’t dare decide on a punishment. Otherwise, once the man returned, he could forget about ever having peace again.
Then there was Yu Xingwu’s master, Sword Venerable Feng Chen, who was equally protective of his disciples.
Although he was currently in seclusion, who could say whether he might come looking for Deacon Li with his sword once he emerged, determined to avenge his disciple?
Left with no other choice, Deacon Li could only send a disciple to the Law Enforcement Hall to summon the Law Enforcement Elder.
Everyone knew that the Law Enforcement Elder and the Grand Elder had never gotten along. Since Yu Xingwu had seriously injured a fellow disciple, the Law Enforcement Elder was the only person who would dare hold her accountable.
It was better to hand this hot potato to the Law Enforcement Elder!
Not long afterward, a commotion arose beneath the competition platform, and the disciples automatically parted to create a path.
Upon seeing that the newcomer was the Law Enforcement Elder, everyone lowered their heads and bowed respectfully. “Disciples greet the Law Enforcement Elder.”
The Law Enforcement Elder nodded slightly. His dark robes made his already stern expression appear even more imposing.
On his way there, the Law Enforcement Elder had already received a full account of the incident from the disciple sent to summon him.
The messenger had even repeated Yu Xingwu’s response word for word, delivering it with remarkable accuracy and vivid expression.
However, in the interest of fairness, the Law Enforcement Elder decided to question her again.
His deep, stern voice rang across the competition platform, carrying an oppressive authority. “Yu Xingwu! You took a pill to enhance your cultivation and seriously injured a fellow senior sister. Do you admit your guilt?!”
Yu Xingwu, ever mindful of her Vicious Female Supporting Character persona, curled her lips into a disdainful smile. “I’ve already confessed, yet Elder still insists on making me say it again.”
“Yes, I took a pill and seriously injured her. Elder may punish me however you see fit. But since you’ve never gotten along with my father, surely you wouldn’t use this opportunity to punish me more harshly, would you?”
“Outrageous!” The Law Enforcement Elder was thoroughly infuriated.
He thought to himself, Like father, like daughter! Both of them are equally insufferable!
“Yu Xingwu of Zhaoyao Peak has demonstrated a corrupt character and mistreated a fellow disciple! She is hereby sentenced to thirty lashes with the Discipline Whip, copying the sect rules one hundred times, and one month of self-reflection at Reflection Cliff!”
Yu Xingwu: “…”
Getting whipped was one thing, but she also had to copy the sect rules? And worst of all, she had to spend an entire month at Reflection Cliff?!
Damn it! If that wasn’t taking the opportunity to punish her more harshly, then what was?!
【System, if I go to that godforsaken Reflection Cliff to reflect on my mistakes, will it interfere with the plot I’m supposed to follow? I’m not going to die again, am I?!】
“Don’t worry, Host. At present, there are no plot events you need to participate in.”
“However, according to the plot’s progression, your father will soon bring the female protagonist back to the sect and publicly announce her identity as the True Young Miss. At that time, your father will take you away from Reflection Cliff. Afterward, you’ll need to follow the storyline as instructed.”
Yu Xingwu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she didn’t die, everything else could be worked out.
References[+]