After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Quest

Yu Yingxia heard only her own heartbeat and ragged breathing. Having been startled several times in a row, her mind was a total blank.

As Yan Huaixi’s complex, deep gaze met hers, Yingxia’s mind drifted for a second. Long ago, she had known that if there weren’t so many grievances between them if Yan hadn’t held a lethal blade over her head—this woman was exactly her type.

But every time she felt a spark of attraction, the sense of danger would crash down like a giant wave, crushing the tiny ripple before it could grow.

Knock, knock, knock. The knocking at the gate grew more urgent. Jiang Li, having nothing else to do, ran over to open it.

She didn’t recognize Yang Xunzhou. Given the sensitive nature of her Master’s identity, she asked cautiously, “Who might you be?”

Yang Xunzhou hadn’t seen Jiang Li either, but sensing the heavy scent of medicine clinging to her, she guessed the woman was a doctor. “I’m looking for A-Sheng. Is she feeling better? I thought I heard her voice just now.” Yang had heard Yingxia’s cry when she nearly fell and was worried.

Who is A-Sheng? Jiang Li wondered. It had to be Guardian Yu. Living in seclusion required aliases, and “A-Sheng” was likely her fake name. In any case, the Master certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to call her that.

While Jiang Li hesitated, she suddenly received a telepathic message. Her heart sank. The Master dislikes this person. I have to find a way to block her. Jiang Li began chatting aimlessly, doing her best to stall Yang at the gate.

Inside, the noise from outside snapped Yingxia back to reality. Only then did she realize she was sitting on Yan Huaixi’s lap. Because she had almost fallen, Yan was holding her quite tightly.

They were pressed together, their breaths intermingling until they were indistinguishable. Yingxia’s face turned scarlet. Terrified and flustered, she stammered, “M-Master, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

She scrambled to stand up. Having learned her lesson, she grabbed the bedpost for support first, ensuring there wouldn’t be a “round two” of the accident. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before they both looked away simultaneously.

“…It’s fine. It was just an accident.” The moment Yingxia left her lap, the warm fragrance vanished, replaced by a cooling chill. To Yan Huaixi’s shock, a trace of reluctance flickered in her heart.

She inwardly scolded herself. She had just been lecturing Yingxia about “overstepping,” yet here she was, harboring these inappropriate thoughts.

But… after tasting a breath that wasn’t her own, she didn’t feel a shred of disgust. Instead, she felt a futile wish that time would just freeze for a moment.

Yan Huaixi, the Master of the Longevity Sect, had always possessed a spirit of inquiry. She felt she was becoming increasingly strange lately, and the source of all this strangeness was Yu Yingxia. If that’s the case, she thought, could a few more ‘experiments’ provide the answer?

Yingxia had no idea what dangerous thoughts were brewing in Yan’s head. Relieved that the Master wasn’t going to pursue the accident, she immediately found an excuse to flee the suffocating room. “Sister Yang is looking for me; she must have something important. I’ll go see her.”

Yan Huaixi, still pondering how to conduct her “experiments,” nodded instinctively. But when she saw Yingxia staggering yet clearly impatient to run out and meet “that person,” her face instantly darkened.

Is she that eager to see Yang Xunzhou? And calling her ‘Sister Yang’ so affectionately… Yan nearly snapped the armrest of her chair. Her expression turned so cold she looked ready to devour someone.

Yingxia’s voice calling for “Sister Yang” drifted in from outside. Compared to the cautious, guarded tone she used with Yan, this voice was light, relieved, and relaxed.

Hmph. All those pretty words she says to me are just to coax me, Yan thought. Who knows where her heart actually lies.

Jiang Li had exhausted every topic she could think of to stall Yang Xunzhou. Her transitions were so stiff that Yang was starting to look at her with suspicion.

Despite the Literary Saint’s easy-going nature, she wasn’t easily fooled. She had sensed from Jiang Li’s words that the woman was trying to hide something. If Yingxia didn’t come out soon, Yang would have forced her way in.

Jiang Li exhaled in relief as she heard Yingxia’s footsteps. She stepped aside to let her pass.

Seeing Yingxia’s sickly, pale appearance, Yang’s heart ached. “How did you get so sick? Are you feeling better now?”

This wasn’t the first time Yang had come to the courtyard since Yingxia fainted. However, during her previous visits, she hadn’t even made it past the door. The “Elder Sister” of the Yu family had guarded the house like she was warding off a kidnapper. Yang had felt too guilty to push—after all, she had “kidnapped” the innocent younger sister to draw those kinds of books.

Seeing Yingxia now—thin as paper and looking like a breeze could knock her over—Yang realized the illness was more serious than she had thought. She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the thin sweat from Yingxia’s forehead.

“Dr. Jiang’s medical skills are superb; I’m much better now.” Yingxia looked toward Jiang Li.

“Miss Jiang, thank you for taking such good care of my sister.” Yang’s smile turned genuine.

Jiang Li waved it off, saying it was just her duty. But then she paused. Whose sister?

“I’ve made Sister Yang worry these past few days.” Yingxia’s words cleared Jiang Li’s confusion. So, Guardian Yu had “adopted” a sister outside.

“As long as you’re safe. Wait… your body… you have spiritual energy!” Yang’s eyes widened. The energy was weak, but if one looked closely, it was undeniable.

“Yes. I’ve officially entered the Path.” Yingxia’s smile was full of relief. Even if her cultivation was currently weaker than an ant’s, she had achieved the qualitative leap from mortal to cultivator. Once she learned a few techniques, she would have the power to protect herself.

“Good, good! This is a double celebration! Come to my house today; I must celebrate for you!” Yang said enthusiastically. “How about a table at Wangxian Restaurant?”

“That’s… too expensive.” Wangxian Restaurant used spiritual ingredients; they dealt with cultivators and accepted spirit stones rather than mortal currency. Yingxia didn’t want to impose.

“Don’t worry about the cost! The books you illustrated were printed in a rush and have been a massive hit! I’ve made quite a profit lately, and it’s all thanks to you. Don’t be polite with me.” Yang affectionately patted the back of Yingxia’s hand.

A massive hit? Yingxia’s smile froze. For the first time, she desperately hoped her work wouldn’t be popular. If it became too famous and reached the person it was modeled after… she didn’t want to think about it.

Jiang Li stood by, unable to join the conversation. They had a strange rapport, as if they were conspiring right in front of her. She felt the Master wouldn’t be happy about this. The Master had a strong possessive streak and was especially “unique” toward Yingxia; she likely wouldn’t enjoy seeing others touch her.

Sure enough, a faint, cold chill—tainted with the scent of blood—drifted over.

It was the Master! She hadn’t arrived yet, but her aura was already there. Jiang Li retreated several steps, wanting to avoid being the collateral damage… and nearly bumped into Yan Huaixi.

“Mas—”

It’s Miss Yu, or Elder Sister Yu. Don’t use the wrong title. Yan’s voice rang directly in Jiang Li’s mind.

Jiang Li panicked and adjusted her expression. “E-Elder Sister Yu.”

Yan Huaixi’s lips curled into a cold arc. She let go of Jiang Li and walked toward the two at the gate. Yang Xunzhou saw her, and her guilt became impossible to hide. She couldn’t discuss those “drawings” in front of the girl’s elder sister!

Yingxia turned around, startled. She almost called out “Master,” but remembered her cover story just in time.

“Sister…”

Her voice was soft, carrying a slight tremble of unfamiliarity. Yan Huaixi’s footsteps faltered. A ray of light pierced through her dark mood, and a strange, joyful emotion began to take root.

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