After Being Entangled By the Obsessive Heroine [Quick Wear] - Chapter 27

The wind howled in her ears, and Xian Ning had a feeling of utter unreality. Her mind and body seemed to have separated, unable to sense each other’s existence. The wind and snow continued to rage, her upper and lower eyelashes stuck together. It took a great effort to open her eyes into a slit.

Where am I? All she could see were fluttering snowflakes. The biting cold wind hit her face like a cruel stepmother’s slap.

Hmm? Someone is holding me? She moved her gaze upward and saw a face colder than the storm itself. The delicate, beautiful features looked like they were carved and set in place, lacking any sign of being a living person. Snowflakes drifted into her eyes, blurring her vision even more, and her brain felt too stiff to work.

Such a familiar face. The name is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t say it.

Qin Rong looked down at her, her eyes filled with even greater disgust. If Elder Jiang hadn’t been dispatched to deal with a demon, why would she be here? On the surface, they were fellow disciples, but “enemies” was a more fitting term. She had always known Xian Ning was unhappy with her, but she never expected her to use such a malicious method. God Devouring Grass was a demonic plant, a fatal poison to cultivators. Before this, she had always thought that while she disliked Xian Ning, a sense of camaraderie still existed. Now… this junior sister truly wanted to kill her.

Qin Rong looked at the innocent, sweet face in her arms and felt even more repulsed. To have such a harmless face while doing such cruel and vicious things was truly sickening. To shorten the time she had to spend with Xian Ning, Qin Rong chanted a spell to increase the sword’s speed. In an instant, the wind was cut through, and the two became a mere blur in the night.

Xian Ning felt the metaphorical stepmother’s slaps getting even harsher. She subconsciously tried to burrow into Qin Rong’s arms but was pulled out by the collar.

“Move again and I’ll throw you off.”

Xian Ning looked down. It was a black, empty void, like a giant maw waiting for its prey. She shrunk her neck and quietly tightened her grip around Qin Rong’s waist.

Soon, they crossed the deep chasm between the two mountains, and Xian Ning was unceremoniously dropped to the ground. Plop. Her stiff body fell face-first onto the ground. Qin Rong frowned at the sight and poked her with her sword.

“Hey! Stop playing dead. Get up and walk.”

Xian Ning wiggled her fingers, her voice hoarse. “I… I can’t walk.” Let alone walk, she couldn’t even tell if her legs were still attached to her body. Thankfully, this was a fantasy world, or she’d likely be needing an amputation.

Qin Rong’s gaze grew colder. She used her sword to lift Xian Ning and silently carried her forward. Being picked up by her waist and hanging on the sword like a cured slab of meat was a completely undignified position, but Xian Ning didn’t mind. She was grateful to Qin Rong. If the other girl hadn’t bothered with her, she would have certainly died tonight.

Just as expected from a female lead. A good person who repays evil with kindness.

Xian Ning’s residence was on Bamboo Gazing Peak. The peak was covered in bamboo, and her house was nestled within the grove, quiet and elegant—a sign of the favoritism she had once received as the most beloved junior sister. By the time they reached the peak, Xian Ning was already dazed, but she didn’t forget to thank Qin Rong.

Qin Rong didn’t even give her a second look and said coldly, “Don’t bother with these superficial gestures. Just stay away from me in the future.”

I can’t do that, Xian Ning thought. I still need to set you up with the male lead.

When she got no response, Qin Rong looked at her impatiently and found that she had passed out.

Qin Rong: “…”

Xian Ning felt a pair of warm hands hold her, and her frozen body slowly regained sensation. Her sluggish blood began to flow again. Instinctively, she sought out more warmth and grabbed onto the source, holding on tight.

Qin Rong, who was in the process of covering her with a blanket, was pulled down and pressed tightly against the unconscious person on the bed. Her expression instantly changed. Her whole body was screaming in protest, but she couldn’t break free.

“Xian Ning, let go!”

Xian Ning only felt someone talking but couldn’t understand what she was saying. She moved her ear closer.

The cold ear pressed against her lips, and Qin Rong’s eyes went blank for a moment. Then, a surge of unnamed fury rose in her heart. “It seems I’ve been too kind, making you think you can take advantage of me.”

Qin Rong used her spiritual power to shake off Xian Ning’s hands, her eyes icy. First a treacherous scheme, now this? She really has endless tricks up her sleeve, Qin Rong thought, a sneer on her lips but a gaze as cold as ice.

Xian Ning was startled by the sudden numbness in her arms. Her mind, however, cleared a bit. When she opened her eyes and saw the person in front of her, her heart skipped a beat.

“Xue Yingxian?” As soon as she uttered the name, she leaned in and kissed the person in front of her. It was all driven by instinct. By the time she realized what was happening, their lips were already pressed together.

Qin Rong’s mind went blank. She was frozen for more than ten seconds. Xian Ning looked at her with hazy eyes, and her dazed expression only captivated Xian Ning further. “You’re so cute.” She even bit Qin Rong’s lip as she spoke.

Qin Rong slowly came to her senses, looking straight into the other girl’s smiling eyes. A vein throbbed on her forehead.

“Xiao Xian, I…” Before she could finish her sentence, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

Qin Rong couldn’t stand the way Xian Ning was looking at her, so she knocked her out. She stared intently at Xian Ning, her grip on her sword tightening until her knuckles turned white. In that moment, she had a murderous thought. A while later, she finally let go, letting out a heavy sigh of relief.

Qin Rong turned and strode away, furiously rubbing her lips, trying to wipe away the mark Xian Ning had left.

 Kissing me is one thing, but treating me like someone else? This is infuriating!

She abruptly stopped. Her sword came out of its sheath and sliced through a whole patch of bamboo in front of her.

“Am I a replacement for someone?”

********

Xian Ning’s sleep was far from peaceful. She had many strange and bizarre dreams and was afflicted by sleep paralysis. She was surrounded by a thick, viscous blackness, and her feet were stuck in a muddy swamp, unable to be pulled out. A gust of wind blew by, bringing a rustling sound. Soon, many tentacles grew from the ground, wrapping around her…

Jingle. A series of clear bells sounded, and Xian Ning woke with a start.

“Having a nightmare?”

A gentle voice rang out. Fan Hua stood by the bed, looking at her with concern. Xian Ning took large, deep breaths. “A terrible one.” Fan Hua brushed her hand over her forehead, and the throbbing in her temples immediately vanished, as did the lingering fear she felt.

Xian Ning looked at her. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Fan Hua chuckled, patting her head. “No need to be so polite with me. How are you feeling? Can you get up?”

Xian Ning tried to push herself up. Fan Hua reached out to help, and the warmth of her palm reassured Xian Ning that her arms were still there.

“Wash up and eat something. You’ve been unconscious for three days, you must be hungry.”

Xian Ning was shocked. Lying down, she hadn’t felt anything, but three days had passed. Didn’t that mean the mountain expedition was right around the corner?

“Senior Sister, will you be going on this expedition with us?”

Fan Hua shook her head. “I have another mission. This time, your second senior sister and Junior Sister Qin will be leading the group.”

As expected. It’s finally happening.

To survive a fierce demon with her weak skills seemed like a fool’s errand. Seeing her silence, Fan Hua thought she was bothered by Qin Rong and added, “If you don’t want to be on Junior Sister Qin’s team, I can talk to your senior sister and have her lead you.”

Xian Ning looked at her and gave a sweet smile. “It’s okay. Let’s stick to the rules and draw lots.”

In the original plot, Qin Rong was injured by the demon that the original owner released. That meant that as long as she didn’t touch the seal, the demon wouldn’t be released. No mischief, no death. She had to be a good girl and do exactly as Qin Rong said.

Thinking of Qin Rong, a thought flashed through Xian Ning’s mind, too fast to grasp. She felt like she had forgotten something.

Fan Hua gently tapped Xian Ning’s forehead. “Stop daydreaming. Get up and wash, or do you want me to carry you out of bed?”

She made to lift Xian Ning, who scrambled out of bed in a panic, not even bothering to put on her shoes before she went to wash her face. Fan Hua let out a soft laugh, her voice gentle and melodious.

********

Two days later, the sect’s newest disciples began their mountain expedition. Xian Ning was the only inner-sect disciple among them. She felt the burning stares and couldn’t even lift her head.

Given how long she had been in the sect, she should have completed her expedition three years ago and begun cultivating a higher-level Heart Sutra. But her aptitude was so poor that she had failed every expedition for three years. This time, she was placed with the outer-sect disciples—a quiet way of getting a pass.

When it was Xian Ning’s turn to draw lots, everyone’s eyes were on her, making her feel pressured. As expected, she drew Qin Rong’s team. Xian Ning wasn’t surprised; this was a pre-written script. It would have been strange if the result had been different.

Just as she was about to head back, Li Zhao grabbed her. “Little Sister, if you don’t want to be on Junior Sister Qin’s team, you can join mine.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but those who were watching Xian Ning heard it.

“Senior Brother Li, isn’t that against the rules? Even if Senior Sister Xian Ning is an inner-sect disciple, you can’t be so biased.”

After he spoke, other outer-sect disciples expressed their discontent. The young man, about sixteen or seventeen, had a decent face, but his eyes were too shrewd for comfort. It was Jing Ji.

Xian Ning felt like she had been hit by something. She immediately asked, “Is this man the male lead?”

System 033: [How did you know?]

Xian Ning scoffed, saying nothing. She couldn’t explain it in words. If she had to, it was probably a natural aversion to scumbags. In a crowd, her eyes locked onto the most annoying person, who just happened to be the male lead. How to describe it? An innate talent for spotting trash.

Xian Ning quietly thanked Li Zhao and then walked over to Qin Rong’s team. Qin Rong glanced at her, then quickly looked away, her disgust was clear.

*******

The expedition destination was a miasma forest known for its frequent demon and beast sightings. It sounded dangerous, but it was safe as long as they crossed it before sundown. The miasma was thickest in the morning and evening, but the strong midday sun would dissipate some of it. The beasts and demons in the forest also had some aversion to light, so if they timed it right, it wasn’t hard to pass the expedition.

Before they left, Fan Hua gave Xian Ning a spiritual fruit, a prize she had won from the sect’s last grand competition. Xian Ning held the fruit, feeling a little more secure. If nothing happened, she’d return it. But if something went wrong, she would use it to save her life and thank her senior sister later.

They soon arrived at the miasma forest. Xian Ning followed Qin Rong closely, not daring to leave her side, even though she knew the other girl disliked her. The forest was vast, and the miasma was thick, making it easy to get lost. As they walked, Xian Ning realized someone was missing from their team. There were supposed to be eight people, but now there were only seven.

“Ah! Help!”

A piercing scream echoed. The crows perched on the trees fluttered away. The sunlight seemed to dim. Haphazard sounds came from all directions, as if something had been startled awake. Vines writhed up from the ground, pulling several people into the thick fog so quickly they were impossible to see.

Qin Rong cut the surrounding vines and went to save the captured disciples. Xian Ning rushed to follow. Only four of the eight people remained. The sudden turn of events made everyone panic, and they became suspicious of every bush and tree.

“Junior Sister Qin, save me!”

 The voice was from the one who had screamed earlier.

Xian Ning turned to see a girl who had her arm caught in a carnivorous plant. Blood was pooling on the ground. In a dangerous place like this, the scent of blood would attract more monsters. Qin Rong sliced the plant in half with one strike. The female disciple was saved, but her arm was now a mess of bone. It was unclear if she would ever recover.

“Thank you, Junior Sister Qin.” The girl’s face was pale, and she spoke with difficulty. “Junior Brother Jing… he might have also been captured by a beast.” She paused, her expression complex, as if something had happened.

But this was no time to question things. The most urgent task was to find their missing teammates. Xian Ning took a bottle of medicine from her pouch and gave it to the injured girl, who took it and thanked her profusely.

“Don’t be so polite. We’re on this expedition together. Of course we have to look after each other,” Xian Ning said, and then hurried to catch up with Qin Rong. At a time like this, clinging to the strongest person was the only smart choice.

The “Junior Brother Jing” the girl mentioned was Jing Ji, the male lead of this world. He was captured somewhere without a sound. Either his cultivation was too weak to resist, or the beast that captured him was too powerful. Neither possibility was good news, as Qin Rong was the only one on their team who could fight.

As they walked, only Xian Ning and Qin Rong were left in the miasma. Qin Rong turned to her, her voice cutting through the fog with a humid chill. “Didn’t I tell you to find a safe place to hide? Why are you still here?”

Xian Ning gave an awkward laugh. She had been too engrossed in her thoughts and hadn’t heard what Qin Rong said. Facing the other’s unfriendly gaze, Xian Ning could only stammer out, “I just wanted to protect you.”

Qin Rong scoffed, her mockery unconcealed. She turned away and thrust her sword into the ground, forming an array. A gust of wind emerged from the center of the array, scattering the surrounding miasma. It was only then that Xian Ning saw that the ground was covered in bones. Human and beast bones lay in a dense, chilling carpet.

Xian Ning jumped to the side, sword in hand, and instinctively swallowed.

“Are you scared already?” Qin Rong asked, her eyes disdainful and cold.

Xian Ning said nothing and silently followed behind her. They hadn’t walked far when a low beastly roar came from ahead, accompanied by someone’s faint wails. Qin Rong’s eyes hardened, and she flew forward like the wind.

Xian Ning was left behind, her heart pounding.

Wait for me! she screamed inwardly, but Qin Rong’s figure had already disappeared into the miasma.

Xian Ning walked forward, hugging her sword, every step a crunch, crunch, crunch. She knew without looking that it was bone. After a few steps, a roar shook the entire miasma forest. The sun was obscured by a dark cloud, and the miasma visibly thickened.

Xian Ning lost her way. She could only rely on her instincts to find Qin Rong. The smell of rotten blood filled her nose, and Xian Ning almost vomited. As she walked, she heard the sound of panicked footsteps and a man’s tearful pleas.

“I already gave you one! Why are you still chasing me? Please, leave me alone…” The beast’s roar was getting closer. Xian Ning didn’t have time to retreat when a frantic figure ran into her and knocked her to the ground.

Jing Ji saw Xian Ning, and his eyes lit up with joy. He pushed her toward the demon beast that was chasing him. “Here! Take her! Just don’t chase me anymore!”

Xian Ning’s heart sank as she looked at the demon beast. How could she, a person who was only five feet six inches tall, fight a monster as big as a small hill? She braced herself for death, but the beast only lowered its head to glance at her before continuing its pursuit of Jing Ji.

Xian Ning watched the departing beast, gritting her teeth and continuing into the depths of the miasma. Qin Rong was still ahead, and she couldn’t afford for anything to happen to her.

The foul stench grew stronger. The miasma was now causing tangible harm. Xian Ning found it harder to breathe, and her exposed skin felt like it was being pricked by needles. A flash of cold sword light appeared. Xian Ning’s heart leaped, and she ran toward it.

Qin Rong had been pushed into the demon beast’s lair by Jing Ji. She had fought off five beasts and was now at her limit, barely holding on. She held her sword out, facing the watchful demon beasts without fear. She and Qin Rong, would never die at the hands of a monster. If there was no escape, she would end her life with her family’s celestial sword.

“Junior Sister Qin, are you okay?”

From within the thick miasma, Xian Ning’s anxious voice called out. Qin Rong froze, then yelled, “What are you doing here?! Get out!”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to save you.”

“You? You think you can save me?” Qin Rong’s voice was full of scorn. “If you don’t want to die, leave now! I don’t want to have to clean up your corpse!”

Xian Ning came closer with every step. No matter what Qin Rong said, she had to save her. Xian Ning drew her sword, took a deep breath, and attacked the nearest demon beast. Her sword was a gift from her master, who had acquired it from Yingzhou, and it was almost as good as Qin Rong’s. The problem was that in her hands, it was useless. More than one person had said that she was wasting a good sword. The original owner, with her penchant for seeking out magic weapons, was a classic example of a bad student with too many pens.

The demon beast wouldn’t actively attack her, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t retaliate. Her reckless action infuriated it, and the three-meter-tall beast roared and charged. This eased the pressure on Qin Rong, who fought her way through the remaining beasts, blocked the beast’s attack on Xian Ning, and pulled her away.

Xian Ning had inhaled too much miasma. Her vision was blurry with pain, and her throat felt like it was filled with sulfuric acid, making her eyes water. But she didn’t utter a sound, struggling to keep up with Qin Rong. Stopping now would mean death for both of them.

The thudding footsteps and roars of the demon beasts were right behind them. Xian Ning instinctively looked back, and the largest of the beasts was almost on top of them. Its paw, larger than her entire body, was about to strike Qin Rong, leaving no time to dodge.

“Watch out!”

Before her brain could even process it, her body had made a choice. The demon beast’s large palm struck her chest. Xian Ning didn’t even feel the pain before she lost consciousness.

*******

Warm blood splattered on Qin Rong’s face. She looked at the person who had fallen in front of her, her pupils were dilating.

Qing Rong shock was so great that she was speechless.

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