After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Scheming

“Utterly audacious… she actually dares…” Yan Huaixi’s face shifted from pale to a faint flush before she finally let out a cold, exasperated laugh.

So this was what she was doing with Yang Xunzhou? No wonder she kept it a secret. It seemed Yan Huaixi had misjudged her; the current Yu Yingxia wasn’t a coward at all—she was far more reckless than the original! Her boldness had simply shifted directions.

The former Yu Yingxia would only dare to defect to a new master while her lord was dying. But give that woman ten times the courage, and she still wouldn’t have dared to draw her Lord in such a… compromised position!

Yan Huaixi realized she now understood exactly what kind of “stories” Yang Xunzhou was writing. They were probably just like that book Yingxia had “accidentally” left on her bed. Ah, I see. That book was the Scribe Sage’s masterpiece! No wonder she had to disappear years ago she was probably hunted down by the very people she wrote about!

Yingxia had been quick to cover the Scribe’s mouth, but her true feelings were laid bare on that paper. Covering the mouth was just a desperate attempt to keep Yan Huaixi in the dark.

Yan Huaixi snorted. Strangely, though she was laughing from anger, she felt no killing intent. In the past, if anyone had dared to do this, she would have flayed them alive before the next sunrise.

Is she this brave because I’ve indulged her too much lately?

She swirled the sweet soup in her bowl. The taste lingered on her tongue. Fine. Since she has been diligent in nursing me back to health, I shall spare her life. But while the death penalty is waived, punishment is mandatory. I won’t let this slide easily.

She wanted to see exactly how deep these “improper thoughts” went. Once she figured out the extent of her subordinate’s obsession, she would “correct” her properly.

In the study, Yingxia, who had just finished burning the evidence, felt a sudden chill down her spine. She looked out the window suspiciously. It was a sweltering summer day with no breeze why did she feel so cold?

She reached her hand out the window to test the air. By then, the blood butterfly had vanished, leaving only a microscopic trace of crimson.

Suddenly, the saplings in the yard began to sway. A biting wind, completely unnatural for the season, swept through Sanxi City. It carried a sharp, stinging sensation that reminded Yingxia of the lingering Sword Intent on Yan Huaixi’s wounds.

Has Fang Yuetong finally returned?!

As the cold wind passed, the faint scent of rot in the city was swept away. Shortly after, a figure appeared hurriedly at the gate. Fang Yuetong knocked, and seeing Yingxia safe, she let out a long sigh of relief.

“Apologies. I was chasing a demon and accidentally got sealed in a hidden realm. I only saw your message after I broke out. Are you hurt?” Fang Yuetong asked, looking guilt-ridden. She always seemed to be absent when things went wrong.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. You couldn’t control the accident,” Yingxia reassured her. “But someone is selling ‘Immortal Pills’ in the city. Two people are already dead, and the man who attacked me turned into a moving corpse. If the mastermind isn’t caught, something terrible will happen.”

“We’ve started investigating. I just caught a middleman, but the mastermind is hiding too well!” Fang Yuetong’s voice carried a hint of fury. The casualties were rising under her very nose.

She felt a sense of defeat. She had pierced that woman’s chest; her sword had been inches from the heart. She was certain the villain was at death’s door, yet somehow, she was still being played like a fiddle.

“From your tone… do you already know who the culprit is?” Yingxia asked. She felt like she wasn’t looking at a hero, but a moping Samoyed. She really wanted to pat her head.

Of course, she knew the answer. Besides the “Queen of Scapegoats,” Yan Huaixi, who else could it be?

“It’s that escaped Sect Leader I mentioned. These pills are the filthy creations of her sect. The clues my Master found point to her, as did the Poison Corpse attacks… it can only be her.” Every piece of evidence Fang Yuetong had was stacked against Yan Huaixi. In this position, no amount of explaining would clear her name.

Yingxia felt a pang of pity for Yan Huaixi. Truly, the woman had been splashed with so much “dirty water” over the years that she probably couldn’t scrub the scent off if she tried.

However, Yingxia noted that aside from the “evidence” in Yin Duo’s hands, everything else was mere speculation. She was curious about what that “evidence” actually was.

She posed the question to Fang Yuetong. The girl blinked, stunned. She had never questioned it. Because Yan Huaixi was notoriously evil, it had become second nature to believe Yin Duo’s constant reminders: If there is sin, Yan Huaixi is involved.

“I… I’m not sure what the evidence is,” the silly girl admitted, shaking her head.

Yingxia went silent. She couldn’t just tell Fang Yuetong, “Your Master is a transcendental old bastard and Yan Huaixi is currently bedridden and incapable of doing this.” If she said that, given her current identity, she’d be thrown into a cell and “suicided” within the hour.

She sighed and patted Fang Yuetong’s shoulder. “Since you haven’t found a trace of her for so long, is it possible you’re being misled? For instance… you could check the source of your Master’s information. What if the intel is wrong?”

She would slowly drop hints, digging for the truth. If there was a flaw, she would make Yin Duo swallow the consequences of his own actions.

Fang Yuetong’s eyes lit up as if she’d had a revelation. “You’re right! Maybe there’s a problem with the intel. That would explain why she always escapes a step ahead of me.”

“Be discreet. There might be a mole near your Master. After all, you were ‘conveniently’ trapped just as things escalated here…” Yingxia left the rest to the girl’s imagination.

The girl’s expression turned solemn. “I understand. Thank you for the warning. I’ll investigate when I return.”

Yingxia barely suppressed a smirk. This kid was indeed straightforward. Investigate well, little Samoyed. I hope you find some dirt on Yin Duo.

As Fang Yuetong prepared to leave, Yingxia packed some sweet soup and snacks for her journey. Feeling bad for always eating for free, Fang Yuetong searched her storage bag. She couldn’t find any herbs this time, so she pulled out a white jade hairpin.

“This is for you. I found it in the realm. It’s not incredibly valuable, but I think you’ll look good in it.” Yingxia always dressed simply, her hair held up by a plain wooden stick. Fang Yuetong felt the jade suited her better. She shoved it into Yingxia’s hand before she could refuse. The pin had the effect of nourishing the soul—useless for a cultivator of her level, but perfect for a mortal.

Before Yingxia could say thanks, Fang Yuetong vanished. Yingxia stared toward the mountains for a while, wishing her luck, then closed the gate.

When she turned around, she found Yan Huaixi standing silently behind her.

Yingxia, fresh off her “guilty” conversation, jumped back half a step. The panic in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Yan Huaixi looked at her expressionlessly, then at the white jade hairpin in her hand. Finally, her lips curled into a freezing, razor-sharp arc.

Yingxia felt like she wasn’t holding a hairpin, but a live hedgehog!

Support After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain