After Transmigrating into a Book as Cannon Fodder, I Pampered the Villain - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Under Attack

Interrupted by these events, Yu Yingxia forgot the conversation about Yan Huaixi looking similar to Fang Yuetong. After changing the patient’s dressings, she fed Yan Huaixi the last bit of sweet soup.

She helped the patient lie down, instructing her: “Your subordinate needs to go to the bookstore. Stay in bed and rest; don’t move around, or the wound might reopen.”

“I might be a bit late coming back today, but don’t worry, My Lord. I will definitely be back in time to brew your evening medicine.” Just as she finished, she heard a faint “Tsk” from the person on the bed.

A look of pure disdain flashed through Yan Huaixi’s eyes.

Yu Yingxia suppressed a smile, adjusting her expression before Yan Huaixi could see. Who would have thought that the fearsome Sect Leader of the Changsheng Sect, Yan Huaixi, would hate taking medicine so much? Seeing this great villain look stifled yet forced to submit was perhaps Yu Yingxia’s only amusement lately.

“Do you really have to go to that bookstore? Have you become that poor?” Yan Huaixi asked, turning her head as Yingxia packed her things.

“Mmm… I am indeed a bit short on funds.” Almost everything valuable on her person had been traded to the system for energy to treat Yan Huaixi and for medicine. She was, in fact, quite broke.

“But more importantly, I’ve discovered the bookstore owner isn’t an ordinary person. Tianqiu Sect disciples often go in and out of there. By working there, I can get first-hand information on their movements.”

If the plot had ended exactly as the novel described, Yingxia wouldn’t be worried. But now the ending had turned into this mess; someone behind the scenes was smearing Yan Huaixi, successfully drawing the protagonist’s gaze. Hiding forever wasn’t a solution. Yu Yingxia wanted to grasp the initiative regarding intelligence.

However, there was another reason she chose that bookstore.

The owner, Yang Xunzhou, had helped them significantly when they first arrived. Yu Yingxia had practiced calligraphy since childhood and was proficient in traditional painting. At the bookstore, she occasionally transcribed books, but her main job was illustrating the owner’s “masterpieces.”

Once, in a corner filled with moldy books, she found the first volume of a secret manual a cultivation technique. The generous owner told her she could read anything in the shop.

Her original cultivation was gone, but her memories remained. She could re-cultivate based on the original owner’s experience, which would be twice as fast. However, the original owner’s technique was a foundational method of the Changsheng Sect created by the sect’s first “madman” leader. The world called it a Demonic Art because the further one practiced, the more insane one became. It was fast and powerful, but it had a hard ceiling and guaranteed a mental breakdown.

Yu Yingxia decisively abandoned it. But knowing she needed power to survive in this world, this bookstore appeared just when she needed it most!

“Intelligence?” Yan Huaixi’s eyes darkened. “Right, I haven’t asked—has anything happened at the Tianqiu Sect?”

“Yes. Yin Duo issued a bounty for you. He claims you fled with heavy injuries and are no longer a threat, calling for all righteous paths to crusade against you.”

The pale beauty sneered, mocking Yin Duo. “Just that? Nothing else… about that old fossil?”

“No,” Yingxia shook her head.

Yan Huaixi’s face turned grim. “What a stupid thing. The evidence was right in front of her, and she still missed it.”

Yu Yingxia didn’t know who she was scolding, but it certainly wasn’t her.

After cursing the unknown person, Yan Huaixi looked back at Yingxia. Her bloodless lips parted, hesitating before she said: “Continuing to stay at the bookstore risks exposure.”

The implication was clear: Don’t go.

“It’s fine. I can disguise myself well; they won’t find out.” Yu Yingxia assumed the Living Yama was just worried about being dragged down if Yingxia got caught.

Yan Huaixi was already fuming at some “unintelligent person,” and now Yu Yingxia had failed to understand her subtle concern. The frustrated woman turned her back to Yingxia, leaving a cold: “Suit yourself.”

Why is she unhappy again? Yingxia flipped through her mental notebook of the villain’s moods but couldn’t find the reason.

“Then… your subordinate takes her leave.” Since she couldn’t figure it out, she stopped thinking about it. Just then, a knock came from the courtyard gate.

“A-Sheng! Sheng-sheng, are you there?” The voice belonged to Yang Xunzhou.

Yu Jisheng was Yu Yingxia’s alias here.

Inside, Yan Huaixi listened to the sound of Yingxia leaving. She could imagine the girl respectfully exiting her room and immediately breaking into a light run. Those footsteps were much more cheerful, as if being in her room was a set of invisible shackles she could finally shed.

Hmph. A lying hypocrite who is good at disguising herself.

Just now, Yan Huaixi had actually felt a strange moment of warmth while being treated and had kindly warned her not to go out! And the girl hadn’t even appreciated it! The chill in Yan Huaixi’s expression deepened.

Sanxi City was far from as peaceful as it appeared. Recently, the “stench” Yan Huaixi sensed had grown thicker, and a new, different scent had been added. Something else had arrived here.

Yu Yingxia didn’t understand at a time when Yan Huaixi didn’t want to kill her, her side was the only safe place.

That woman named Yang might not be a good person either. She clearly possessed high cultivation but pretended to be weak and approached the seemingly “ordinary” Yu Yingxia. She likely had hidden motives.

Fine. When she finally suffers a loss, she’ll know to come crawling back. Or… perhaps she is quite capable. If she encounters an ‘accident,’ I can use the opportunity to test her depth.

Yu Yingxia opened the door and greeted the smiling Yang Xunzhou: “Sister Yang.”

Her voice was sweet and soft, making Yang Xunzhou’s smile widen. However, as she spoke, the sound of something being smashed on the floor came from inside the house.

Yang Xunzhou gave the house a knowing look, then switched to a worried expression. “Is your sister feeling better?”

“A bit better, I suppose.” Yu Yingxia’s worry was genuine. That was the protagonist’s Sword Intent; she had no idea how long it would take to heal.

“Take it slow. Illness leaves like silk being pulled from a cocoon; it takes time,” Yang Xunzhou comforted her, patting her hand.

“From your mouth to the heavens’ ears,” Yingxia thanked her.

“Let’s go. Those storybooks you handled have been selling like wildfire! Even the immortals in the mountains are sneaking out to buy them. They’re generous with their spirit stones. I’ll give you a cut of the profits later.” Yang Xunzhou winked. Silent, she looked noble; when she spoke, she was playful.

No one would guess that the most popular storybooks in the cultivation world came from this woman. Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal, but she wrote “fan-fiction” about people like the Sect Leader of Tianhuan, the Holy Maiden of Wushang, and the Daoist Master of Lingjian.

Every one of them was a powerhouse. Yang Xunzhou specialized in their “love-hate entanglements.” By the time Yu Yingxia realized she was illustrating for these people, it was too late to jump ship.

Yu Yingxia smiled bitterly. “Just don’t give me up if they find out.”

“What’s there to fear? My stories aren’t entirely made up; I just polished them a bit. Don’t worry, you called me sister; I won’t let them touch you.” Yang Xunzhou acted the part of the caring sister, but for some reason, Yingxia felt an uneasy premonition.

“Alright, don’t worry. Come, get in the carriage. The new book is finished; come take a look…”

Illustrating a new book wasn’t a one-day task. Yu Yingxia read the manuscript first. Setting aside the real identities of the characters, Yang Xunzhou’s writing was genuinely addictive. Since this was only the first volume, Yingxia felt the urge to lock Yang Xunzhou in a room until she finished the whole thing!

The cover had a very artistic name Blood Linglong. But upon opening it, the true title was revealed: Days and Nights in the Valley of Joy with the Daoist Master. Yang Xunzhou used an artistic style to write what was essentially smut, and Yingxia had to use an equally artistic yet provocative style to illustrate it.

“This book’s art won’t be easy. No rush, take your time,” Yang Xunzhou said, giving her plenty of time to brainstorm.

“Oh, and here is the second volume of that manual you were looking for. ‘Little Wood’ found it while cleaning the warehouse.” Yang Xunzhou placed a dusty scroll on Yingxia’s desk.

Yingxia’s breath hitched. Before she could celebrate, Yang Xunzhou’s voice turned troubled. “It’s a good manual from a fallen Soul-Cultivator clan, but the requirements are harsh. If I recall correctly, even that clan hadn’t produced someone capable of practicing it for a thousand years.”

“I was wondering why I threw such a high-level manual in the trash corner.”

Seeing Yingxia’s disappointment, Yang Xunzhou felt a bit of pity. This was her newly recognized sister, after all. Even if she had many “sisters,” this was the only one she could “collude” with.

Though Yingxia seemed to have no cultivation now, she did have spiritual roots a common triple-element root. Her limit would likely be the Refining Qi into Spirit stage, with a lifespan of 500 years.

“These two scrolls are yours. Try your luck. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find something else more suitable.” Yang Xunzhou wanted Yingxia to live a long time; otherwise, she’d never find another partner with such bold ideas.

Yu Yingxia thanked her profusely. They discussed the illustrations until evening. Remembering the recent murders, Yang Xunzhou didn’t let her stay late. As the sky dimmed, she had “Little Wood” drive Yingxia home.

Little Wood was a girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen, but her skin was unnaturally pale, and her eyes were void of human emotion like a puppet.

The sky grew dark exceptionally fast today. Just as Yu Yingxia sat in the carriage, the red sunset vanished at a visible speed. Because of the bloodbaths outside the city, residents had gone home early. The streets were empty, leaving only their carriage.

Little Wood seemed to sense something. She looked up at the sky and immediately brought the carriage to a halt.

Thrown forward by the momentum, Yu Yingxia broke into a cold sweat. Something was wrong it should have been another hour before dark. Why had the light vanished so suddenly?

BOOM!

A massive explosion sounded outside. The horse’s scream was cut short. The thick scent of blood filled the air instantly, followed by a bone-chilling aura of pure evil.

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