Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 117

Since her combat power is entirely dependent on favorability levels to increase and recover, Si Xiaoxiao, who currently has basically zero favorability, would struggle to even beat a rat to death.

However, as a Sect Leader who has offended countless people, Si Xiaoxiao desperately needs a bodyguard to survive in this peril-filled world of martial arts. So, who is the most trustworthy candidate?

The answer was obvious. Although Li Ting had lost her memory, she was still Li Ting! The incredibly reliable Li Ting!

“I won the bet with the System on my end. I can already establish a connection with ‘her.’ Some of my thoughts can serve as a ‘inner voice’ to remind her, or even influence her. Go ahead and communicate with her; make her work for you.”

These were the words Li Ting No. 1 had sent to Si Xiaoxiao via her phone before Li Ting No. 2 woke up. These words were exactly where Si Xiaoxiao found the confidence to face this “lover” who currently wanted to kill her.

It had to be said, Li Ting’s brain was truly sharp and her abilities were outstanding. Starting with nothing but a “Baby Bus” cartoon, she had actually managed to wrestle some “discourse power” away from the System through their gambit in such a short time. Nothing could stump her!

Heaven only knows how she bet against that bastard System and won!

With the top-tier support of Li Ting, Si Xiaoxiao’s confidence surged instantly. Dealing with a little Saintess of the Hehuan Sect would be a piece of cake!

Thus, seeing that Classmate Li No. 2 on the bed was about to wake up, Si Xiaoxiao offered a friendly greeting.

Unexpectedly, the other girl’s gaze became even more hostile. Hatred seethed in her eyes, looking as if she might leap up at any moment to stab Si Xiaoxiao again.

Si Xiaoxiao had never been looked at like this by Li Ting before and felt a sudden pang of grievance. However, that intense emotion was only a flash in the pan; the young Li Ting No. 2 quickly regained her composure.

Her voice was clear and incredibly calm, as if she wasn’t questioning her mortal enemy:

“What exactly do you want? Why didn’t you just kill me with one stroke of your sword?”

As expected of Li Ting! She actually endured it!!

Si Xiaoxiao put herself in the other’s shoes and felt that she certainly wouldn’t be this calm in the same situation. Fortunately, the one the System was messing with this time was Li Ting… and moreover, a teenage, underage version of Li.

So, Si Xiaoxiao dutifully stepped into her role, first apologizing and then defending herself: “I didn’t mean to kill your Sect Leader. As for what I want… if I said I want to revitalize the Hehuan Sect and give all the women in the world a home, would you believe me?”

Little Li was not about to empathize with a murderer. She replied immediately and decisively: “I don’t believe you!”

Seeing the flames of revenge starting to burn in Li Ting’s eyes again, Si Xiaoxiao quickly tried to play nice. She flashed a pure and innocent smile, attempting to talk sense: “But don’t you think it’s strange? How could your Sect Leader suddenly undergo such a massive personality change, falling for a scumbag while betraying all of you?”

To her surprise, Little Li No. 2 was just like her original self—not easily swayed. She remained unmoved: “The Sect Leader has her own reasons! We are willing to do anything for her.”

When will she ever have the realization that ‘Whatever Xiaoxiao says is right’?

Si Xiaoxiao felt a bit salty, so she criticized: “Tsk tsk, personality cults are a no-go!”

Then, she patted her chest and began to trick the kid: “Anyway, just stay here peacefully for now. I’ll prove it with my actions!”

She remembered Li Ting saying before that it’s better to do than to say; even in her interviews, she mentioned she focuses more on a person’s behavior.

Yet, this little Saintess acted as if she didn’t believe a single word!

What was going on! Was this still Li Ting?

Wasn’t Li Ting the type who would kiss her the moment she saw a “fragrant and soft” Xiaoxiao?!

Wait! This girl is Li Ting, right?

Si Xiaoxiao’s train of thought was very jumpy, so she asked: “By the way, what’s your name?”

“My name?” The mysterious, cold-faced revenge girl remained frosty, her eyes full of wariness and resistance, her lips pressed thin.

“I can’t just keep calling you ‘hey’ all the time! After all, I still have things for you to do~” Si Xiaoxiao laughed boisterously.

The girl replied as decisively as before: “I will not do anything for you!”

So certain, huh? Fine, this deep-thinking, suspicious personality is exactly like Li Ting!

Hmph, dare to reject me? Sooner or later, I’m going to make you eat those words!

Thinking about the look on Li Ting’s face when she eventually got proven wrong, Si Xiaoxiao perked up again. She scratched her head and said, “Alright, it’s not exactly doing something for me. Would you go kill some men to help your sisters?”

However, after hearing the request to kill, Little Li No. 2 was first stunned, then showed a look of contempt and disdain, as if to say: “What makes you think I would help you?”

But Si Xiaoxiao had her own way of handling her—in fact, this method was taught to her by Li Ting herself.

The Master Plan — Tip #1:

[“I” value my Master very much; mentioning the Master will definitely make “me” waver.]

So, Si Xiaoxiao chose her tone carefully and said: “Do you want to know what the last thing your Master said before she died was?”

Sure enough, the effect was outstanding.

Saintess Li No. 2’s reaction was exactly as the original Li No. 1 had predicted. She remained cautious, but at the very least, her interest had been hooked: “If I work for you, you’re willing to tell me?”

This worked because Li Ting, trapped in the System space, couldn’t remind her constantly. She had to speculate on her own personality and formulate a plan in advance to deal with a version of herself who was consumed by revenge.

What’s truly interesting is that while Li Ting No. 2 is putting on a huffy face and speaking icy words, Li Ting No. 1, back in the System space, has already completely exposed her own secrets.

Hahaha! Li Ting, you actually have a day like this, where you’re proactively teaching me how to manipulate you! This is just too satisfying!!

Now for Master Plan — Tip #2:

[“I” also deeply value my companions in the Hehuan Sect. The Sect Leader’s token can be used as bait to make “me” obedient.]

Seeing Li Ting waver, Si Xiaoxiao pressed her advantage: “Not only will I tell you everything you want to know, but I will also return the Hehuan Sect Leader’s token to you!”

“As I thought! It was you who stole the token!” The little Saintess Li Ting, who was being played like a fiddle, had eyes erupting with towering rage. She was so agitated she nearly coughed up blood and fainted again.

Si Xiaoxiao forcibly pried Li Ting’s mouth open, timely delivering a pill to treat internal injuries, and added Master Plan — Tip #3: “I can even help you get revenge.”

Li Ting No. 2’s brow furrowed tightly, her face contorting into an expression of utter absurdity, as if she were hearing a fairy tale: “What?”

Her voice was laced with sarcasm, as if she had heard the world’s most ridiculous joke: “You plan to… commit suicide? To help me get ‘revenge’ on yourself?”

But that expression was exactly what proved just how much she cared.

As expected, nobody knows you better than yourself.

Si Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected Li Ting’s suggestions to hit the mark so perfectly every time. Not allowing herself to become complacent, she pushed further, speaking with an air of righteous integrity: “Once I’ve finished the things I need to do, I can die at your hands.”

Li Ting No. 2’s eyes darkened, swirling with complex emotions. Finally, she looked up, her gaze like a cold blade scraping across Si Xiaoxiao’s face. Her voice was low and dangerous: “…Who knows how long the ‘things’ you need to do will take? A year? Ten years? Or a lifetime?”

Her tone was filled with distrust: “If you never finish, am I supposed to wait for you my whole life? I might as well find an opportunity to strike myself!”

Si Xiaoxiao had her ways. She pulled out a bottle of medicine, poured out a dark green pill, and placed it in Li Ting’s hand, asking: “You recognize the poisons you make yourself, don’t you? How long does it take for this one to take effect?”

Li Ting scrutinized the pill carefully and found it was indeed the “Five Poisons Powder” she had developed. But what did this woman mean by bringing it out?

Though she couldn’t fathom Si Xiaoxiao’s thoughts, Li Ting answered anyway: “In one month, it will be beyond any medical cure.”

“Good!” Si Xiaoxiao swallowed the pill in one gulp, her eyes clear and bright: “Well? Do you believe my sincerity now?”

This was the final move—finding life by embracing death.

Li Ting watched Si Xiaoxiao, her gaze shifting repeatedly. After a long silence, she lowered her head and finally chose to compromise: “Unlock my shackles. For this month, I am willing to follow your orders.”

Although she didn’t understand what Si Xiaoxiao’s goal was, as long as the current situation was in her favor, she would take the chance to maintain it.

Appropriate forbearance was what she needed to do for now. If the woman had lied to her and didn’t die after a month, it would simply be a matter of—taking care of it personally.

At this moment, Si Xiaoxiao naturally had no grand schemes. Her plan was actually very simple:

In one month, conquer Classmate Little Li!

“System! Report the favorability level!”

The System was never stingy with data reports, and the electronic voice chimed in immediately: [Target Character: Li Ting (Amnesiac Version/Hehuan Sect Saintess). Current Favorability: 0.]

Zero?!

I voluntarily took poison! This person doesn’t show even a single sign of being moved?

Si Xiaoxiao scratched her head in frustration. She felt she hadn’t done a bad job negotiating with Li Ting No. 2; she had clearly shown friendliness! Did she really have to wait until the poison kicked in and she actually died for the favorability to rise?!

Unexpectedly, that punchable electronic voice slowly added another line:

[Friendly reminder: This System’s favorability values only display positive numbers.]

“???”

Si Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment before the realization hit her.

Only displays positive numbers?! Meaning that zero… doesn’t it mean the actual favorability might be lower than zero?!

It’s currently in the negatives?!

Is it only showing as zero because the System doesn’t display negative numbers?!

Thinking that Li Ting No. 2’s internal disgust and murderous intent toward her might have already broken past the limit—and that she was only holding back due to her injuries and certain calculations—Si Xiaoxiao felt a chill run down her spine.

This wasn’t a “romance target”; this was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any second!

What should she do? Was there any other way to quickly increase favorability?

Maybe… try seduction?

Support