Forced to Act out a Strange Script with a Rival - Chapter 125

The first thing the young Saintess did upon waking was offer a very earnest apology.

“I’m sorry, I…”

She spoke almost reflexively, her voice carrying the hoarseness of early waking and a sense of overwhelming shame. Her gaze drifted frantically away from the person beside her, landing instead on her own fingers—knuckles white from gripping the corner of the quilt tightly.

Si Xiaoxiao maintained her usual smile and asked, “What do you remember?”

The question was vague, but her eyes were burning with intensity.

The young Saintess stiffened at the question. Her cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson, and even her small earlobes were stained a rosy hue.

Last night was the first time she had transitioned from the primary personality to the sub-personality, and she had been utterly dazed. Combined with her tendency to be “jealous of herself,” her overall memories were quite blurred.

Consequently, her current situation was such that while she had a faint recollection of what happened yesterday, it wasn’t clear. She simply felt she had lost her mind, been bewitched by beauty, and done something truly scandalous.

As an ancient person with limited worldly knowledge, she felt as if she had been possessed by a ghost. Yet, it was undeniably her; it felt like a grand dream—strange, truly too strange—and yet…

She had enjoyed it.

It was precisely this hidden “enjoyment” that caused her guilt to grow like wild vines, tightly winding around her heart until she could barely breathe. Like a helpless child who had committed an unpardonable sin, she lowered her head. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum, trembling as she offered a profound self-reflection: “I… remember basically everything…”

The warmth of the kiss, the softness of the skin, and… the loveliness of that place.

She didn’t dare think further. Her gaze was hesitant and soul-stricken; she didn’t even dare look at Si Xiaoxiao, as if one more glance would be a profanation—another piece of evidence of her guilt.

Watching her look as if she wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor, Si Xiaoxiao was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable irritability.

It was a consensual act, and besides, they were lovers!

Even if this “Li Ting” wasn’t that “Li Ting,” the body and the fundamental soul were the same! What was the need for this guilt?!

She’s really lost her head.

Unable to help herself, Si Xiaoxiao suddenly reached out both hands and cupped Li Ting’s burning cheeks.

The delicate texture and startling heat transmitted through her palms made her heart flutter slightly, but her movements carried a touch of “frustrated” force. She rubbed and squeezed the cold, peerless face until it was slightly deformed, forcing the other girl to lift those eyes—brimming with mist and panic—to look at her.

“Then—” Si Xiaoxiao leaned in until their noses nearly touched. Her eyes were sharp as she asked word by word: “Are. You. Still. Going. To. Kill. Me?”

This question was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the swirling shame and ambiguity in Li Ting’s heart.

The confusion and panic in her eyes receded like a tide, replaced by a bone-deep, unquestionable resolve that even carried a hint of chilling killing intent:

“Yes.”

As expected, this was the Li Ting she knew…

Si Xiaoxiao smiled helplessly. Pretending to be fierce, she increased the pressure of her hands on Li Ting’s cheeks and said, “In that case, don’t bother apologizing to a dying person.”

As soon as these words left her mouth, Li Ting’s expression softened even further, her eyes filled with even deeper guilt. She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.

One look at that expression and Si Xiaoxiao knew it would be some nonsense like, “Even though I must kill you, I am very sorry!”

She didn’t want to hear it! What she wanted wasn’t guilt; it was love!

Thus, almost as a reflex, Si Xiaoxiao abruptly raised her other hand and—without Brooker any argument—firmly covered Li Ting’s mouth!

“Don’t say another word!” She widened her beautiful cat-like eyes, trying to hide her unease with aggression. The “threat” she blurted out, however, sounded childish and flirtatious: “If you say more… if you say more, I’m going to kiss you!”

The moment the words fell, both of them froze.

Si Xiaoxiao felt Li Ting’s soft lips part slightly in surprise beneath her palm. A warm, moist breath puffed against her hand, bringing a numb itch that traveled straight to her heart. Looking at Li Ting’s widened eyes—full of disbelief and bashfulness—she suddenly felt… it was quite delicious.

The youthful Saintess had never experienced such a blunt and “rogue-like” tactic. Already in a state of mental chaos, she was caught completely off guard by Si Xiaoxiao’s combo of a hand-gag and a “threat.” Before the heat on her cheeks could fade, a new crimson wave surged up, turning her face bright red and even staining her neck.

She was, after all, no match for the older, more emotionally guarded “Li Ting.” At this moment, she fully displayed the greenness and panic appropriate for her physical age. Her mouth covered, she could only let out muffled “mmm-mmm” sounds. Those eyes, usually cold, were now shimmering with unshed tears, filled with shame, indignation, and a trace of… helpless pleading.

She nodded softly, then immediately shook her head. Replacing her usual frost-cold demeanor, she looked exactly like a little bride who had been teased by a bully but lacked the power to resist. Her voice, muffled by Si Xiaoxiao’s palm, carried a slight, aggrieved tremble as she whispered her protest:

“You… you can’t do this…” The protest lacked any real strength; instead, it felt more like a hesitant invitation.

Si Xiaoxiao had never seen this side of Li Ting!

When had she ever possessed such an alluring appearance—eyes rippling with emotion, speech hesitant, looking for all the world like she was ready to be plucked?

This state, rather than acting as a stern refusal, felt more like pouring hot oil onto the already restless fires of Si Xiaoxiao’s heart. It felt less like a “no” and more like an encouragement to do something.

No! This Li Ting is really a problem! I can kiss her all I want once we go back! But right now… she’s still a minor.

Alarm bells immediately rang in Si Xiaoxiao’s head. Suppressing her dangerous thoughts, she quickly released her hand. “Fine, I won’t kiss you. It’s not like I’m desperate!”

Then, she muttered under her breath, “Anyway, there’s always someone I can pin down and kiss…”

Though she spoke softly, Li Ting was a martial artist and heard her quite clearly. Her eyes darkened as she thought of the “Sister” whom Si Xiaoxiao had been pining for even in that kind of situation.

However, given her own position, it was not her place to say anything.

Just as the atmosphere turned silent, a knock sounded at the door. Su Linglong’s voice drifted in from outside.

“Pardon me, have the two of you awakened?”

Si Xiaoxiao hurried to open the door and ushered Su Linglong inside.

Su Linglong kept her gaze lowered respectfully, choosing not to pry into whether the two had spent a night of passion. She simply asked in a low voice: “I have received a secret letter stating that the Seventh Prince is preparing to return. What are your plans?”

Si Xiaoxiao gave a confident smile. “That Prince is backed by the Imperial Court and aided by many experts; he cannot be touched for the moment. However, the other participants can still be… dealt with one by one.”

“Your intelligence gathering is truly formidable; you even discovered that,” Su Linglong said, visibly stunned, though she still felt a flicker of disappointment that Si Xiaoxiao didn’t plan to move against the Seventh Prince immediately.

Si Xiaoxiao smirked inwardly. After all, she had a “cheat code”!

As the primary strategist, the first Li Ting had laid out a design long ago, starting from the moment they planned the “Heroine Invitations.” Compared to the somewhat naive Si Xiaoxiao, the older Li Ting knew far too much and was accustomed to thinking ten steps ahead of everyone else.

She had identified the masterminds behind the scenes long ago, and her entire plan was indeed crafted for revenge.

The Sect Leader of the Zhenhu Sect was merely at the bottom of the interest group’s food chain, primarily responsible for handling women deceived by the Hehuan Sect—essentially a channel for “disposing of stolen goods.”

By destroying the Jiangshan Ship, Si and Li had effectively wiped out a downstream channel. While it wasn’t a fatal blow to the entire syndicate, it was enough to break through their defenses.

This was equivalent to issuing a challenge to the group. Naturally, the Seventh Prince would pull his elite guards close to him; as one of the masterminds, he assumed he would be the next target.

In reality, he wasn’t.

Their goal was simply to lure the “tigers” away from the mountain to make contact with Su Linglong. Compared to killing a piece of trash prince who could be dealt with at any time, saving women trapped in misery was far more important.

“May I ask what your next objective is?” Su Linglong inquired.

“I’ve heard that some rats are unhappy with me being the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and want to gather a rabble to storm our Hehuan Sect. Why don’t we go join the fun?” Si Xiaoxiao fanned herself, her eyes blazing with the fire of battle.

This news had been shared by Li Ting last night while holding her. Poor Ms. Li not only had to work hard to “feed” her but also had to work overtime in the System Space to trade for intelligence.

Hearing that some scum were looking for trouble, Si Xiaoxiao was ecstatic. Her internal power had recovered significantly, and she was itching to show off her skills!

“You intend to go to… Wudang!?” Su Linglong was shocked. She had vaguely heard of the Wudang Grandmaster’s summons but hadn’t known the purpose. She never imagined it was to organize a siege against Si Xiaoxiao and the Hehuan Sect.

“Exactly!” Si Xiaoxiao nodded, giving a firm answer.

“But that is a dragon’s den! You cannot go!” Su Linglong urged.

Wudang was a sacred ground of the martial world, teeming with masters. Regardless of who held the title of Alliance Leader, they maintained a transcendent status—not as participants in the struggle for power, but as mediators and judges whom everyone trusted.

If the “judge” was personally entering the fray, this would not end well.

“Just a bunch of old fossils. What’s there to be afraid of?” Si Xiaoxiao remained arrogantly peerless. “Besides, I don’t intend to sit around and wait for death.”

Su Linglong fell into a silent contemplation. She agreed with that sentiment, so she volunteered: “I will go with you…”

She knew this vast martial world had no room for women, but she hadn’t expected them to be so desperate—even Wudang, known as the world’s academy and famed for its impartiality, was leading a coalition to wipe out Hehuan. They were driving them into a dead end.

Truly, this was a man’s martial world.

Yet, the more they pushed, the more she refused to let them have their way. She understood the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold—if Hehuan fell, they would all follow.

Though Su Linglong was prepared to follow them even to her death, Si Xiaoxiao shook her head. “No, the two of us are enough for that. You have something far more important to do.”

“Something… more important?” To Su Linglong, a siege by the entire martial world was a catastrophe. she couldn’t fathom what could be more vital.

“I need you to find someone to help us deal with the Seventh Prince together.” Si Xiaoxiao believed in the natural alliance between women, so she spoke plainly without concealment.

Su Linglong was even more confused. “His influence covers the sky with a single hand. Who would be willing to help us?”

“There will be someone.” Si Xiaoxiao smiled, looking incredibly bright and radiant. She said confidently, “Isn’t the First Princess an excellent choice?”

“The First Princess?” Su Linglong was stunned. She had expected Si Xiaoxiao to name a high-ranking official, but she never imagined the First Princess.

Si Xiaoxiao let her ambition show—no longer a playful cat, but a wild, arrogant tigress. “The reward for dealing with the Seventh Prince shall be… the Throne.”

“The Throne?” Su Linglong’s heart shook. She murmured, “But, she is… she is a woman…”

Si Xiaoxiao simply asked a question in return, as if she were speaking of the most ordinary thing in the world:

“Can a woman not be Emperor?”

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