After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Guidance

For the first time, Fang Yuetong felt that the second Miss Yu’s smile was a bit terrifying. Whenever she got nervous, she ate faster, and before she knew it, she had scraped the bottom of the pot clean.

Fang Yuetong’s face flushed with embarrassment, while Yu Yingxia’s smile remained unnervingly kind.

Eat more. When the time comes, you can help me work off those calories.

“Oh, right! I heard from Daoist Yang that you want to cultivate? Has she tested your spiritual roots?” Fang Yuetong suddenly thought of a way to repay the “debt of a meal.”

“Yes, Sister Yang said I have triple spiritual roots.”

“Triple roots… not bad. Do you have a manual yet?” Fang Yuetong asked.

“I found a manual at Sister Yang’s shop, but I’m not sure if I can successfully practice it.” Yu Yingxia thought of the scrolls in her room. She didn’t hold much hope; after all, no one had succeeded in a thousand years. She didn’t think she was lucky enough to be the chosen one.

“Triple roots are decent talent; usually, failure is just due to an ill-fitting manual. If that’s the case, don’t force it. Tell me your attributes, and I might have a suitable technique… With your aptitude, you could even join the Tianqiu Sect. I can recommend you!” Fang Yuetong’s eyes sparkled, looking quite expectant.

If Miss Yu joined the sect, it would be so much easier to visit her! Perhaps there would be delicious food every day!

Yu Yingxia felt as if she were looking at a fluffy white Samoyed wagging its tail, making her want to reach out and pet it. Unfortunately, for a cannon fodder, the Tianqiu Sect was a death trap. Where the protagonist and the villainous boss co-existed, conflict was inevitable. She preferred to stay far away to avoid an accidental “game over.”

“I’ve already promised Sister Yang I’d stay with her, but thank you for your kindness.” She watched the Samoyed’s ears droop.

“I see. Then take this.” Fang Yuetong pulled a plain, light-green sachet from her storage bag and pressed it into Yingxia’s hand.

“This is…”

“If you have questions about cultivation, write them on paper and put them in this sachet. I’ll receive them on my end.” Fang Yuetong pulled out a matching blue sachet.

The guidance of a protagonist was a rare opportunity. Yu Yingxia didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted it with a smile. What a good kid, so sincere to those she trusts. Too bad she’s stuck with that old fossil.

Because Yan Huaixi always called Yin Duo “the old fossil,” Yingxia had picked up the habit.

After the protagonist left, Yu Yingxia immediately went to Yan Huaixi’s room. She didn’t know what her “living ancestor” wanted now.

Yan Huaixi’s expression was flat, unreadable. When Yingxia approached, she simply held out her hand. Having spent so much time with her, Yingxia had mastered “The Yan Huaixi Expression Observation Method.” She wordlessly handed over the sachet Fang Yuetong had just given her.

“You two get along well. She even gave you this and offered to guide you. Heh…” Yan Huaixi played with the sachet, a trace of an unreadable emotion in her fox-like eyes. “And you say you’ve found a new manual? What, do you plan to betray the Changsheng Sect and join Yang Xunzhou?”

“Your subordinate wouldn’t dare.” Yingxia felt her heart tighten. Abandoning the sect’s technique was a sensitive topic, but she figured Yan Huaixi shouldn’t care too much, given that Yan’s own cultivation had nothing to do with the Changsheng Sect. “It’s just that I can no longer progress with the sect’s foundational art, so I had to seek an alternative.”

Yan Huaixi stared at her for a long time, ensuring she wasn’t planning to pack her bags and run. “That girl is young and inexperienced. What could she possibly teach you?”

She continued, “Besides, she is right under that old fossil’s nose. If he notices something off, do you think you can escape? You were staring at her just now; you aren’t actually stupid enough to want to go to the Tianqiu Sect, are you?”

Yingxia blinked. While Yan Huaixi was emphasizing Fang Yuetong’s flaws and the danger, Yingxia felt she was trying to emphasize something else entirely.

“Then… should I ask Yang Xunzhou?” Yingxia tested.

Yan Huaixi’s gaze turned icy, making Yingxia shiver.

“But of course, Yang Xunzhou’s experience can’t compare to yours! If you were willing to guide me, My Lord, I would be eternally grateful.” Yingxia immediately pivoted. Sure enough, Yan Huaixi’s expression softened.

It was strange—Yan Huaixi didn’t usually guide subordinates, nor did she take disciples. Why the sudden interest?

“I’m lying here with nothing to do anyway. Teaching you isn’t out of the question,” Yan Huaixi said, returning to her lethargic state. “But I will be strict. I won’t go soft even if you cry.”

Yu Yingxia breathed a sigh of relief. Yan Huaixi was a genuine genius; having her guidance was actually an incredible stroke of luck.

“I was staring at her earlier because I was thinking of how to drive a wedge between that master and disciple. It seems Fang Yuetong still believes the Guanyue Villa massacre was your doing?”

Guanyue Villa was where Fang Yuetong’s parents were killed. It was the root of the conflict. Rumor had it Yan Huaixi was seen there that night, so the blame had been pinned on her.

“Not just her; the whole world thinks I did it.” Yan Huaixi looked indifferent, but Yingxia noticed her knuckles whitening as she gripped the quilt.

Yingxia gently pulled the blanket over Yan Huaixi’s hand. Thinking the woman might dislike direct touch, she offered wordless comfort through the fabric.

Feeling the warmth of a palm through the quilt, the tension in Yan Huaixi’s heart loosened slightly. She looked at Yingxia and asked with a self-deprecating smirk, “You don’t think so?”

“It was Yin Duo who framed you. I know you’re not like that despicable man; you never kill the innocent,” Yu Yingxia said firmly.

“…” Yan Huaixi’s breath hitched as she met Yingxia’s trusting eyes. This was a secret no one knew, a permanent ache in her heart. She didn’t care about other “dirty water,” but for this one thing, she hoped someone would believe her.

And now, the only person who believed her was this mysterious person with unknown origins. Fine. I can play the fool for some things. As long as this Yu Yingxia kept believing in her and saying sweet things—even if it was an act she was willing to indulge her.

“I have my own plans for those two. Now, show me the manual you intend to practice.” Yan Huaixi urged, keeping the green sachet in her hand with no intention of returning it.

Yingxia brought the scrolls. Because Yan Huaixi was injured, Yingxia held the manual open for her. But after reading just one line, Yan Huaixi’s composed expression shattered.

The atmosphere grew oppressive. Yingxia saw nostalgia, shock, and a deep gloom flicker across the woman’s face. After a long silence, Yan Huaixi regained her composure.

“Yang Xunzhou gave this to you? Did she say anything else?” Yan Huaixi traced the ancient parchment with her fingertip.

“She said it came from a fallen clan and that no one has been able to practice it for years. She told me not to expect much and that she’d find me something else later.”

“She’s right. This is a Soul Cultivation manual created by an Immortal. Unfortunately, no one has been able to cultivate it for a thousand years. If you are interested in the Soul Path, I have several manuals you can look at.” Yan Huaixi reached into her storage bag and tossed five or six manuals into Yingxia’s lap, leaving the girl dazzled.

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