I Accidentally Triggered the Restricted Punishment Protocol - Chapter 18

When Yi Hanxing went downstairs for breakfast, she took special care to observe her surroundings. She saw no sign of Lin Wujiu or Wei Ruyi.

“Where is Immortal Lin?” she asked the other Yuxu Mountain disciples as she sat down at the table.

In recent days, she had spent every waking moment hovering around Lin Wujiu, constantly mentioning his name. Everyone assumed she had feelings for him. Upon hearing her question, the group stiffened. Some focused on chewing their buns while others busied themselves with their soy milk, all pretending to be incredibly occupied.

Wherever Yi Hanxing’s gaze landed, the heads of the young disciples dropped in unison, looking like stalks of straw sliced by a sickle.

Their faces practically screamed that they felt guilty. Though she found it amusing, she had to maintain her facade. She asked again, knowing the answer full well, “What about that tall, beautiful girl from yesterday? Why have I not seen her either?”

One disciple, unable to endure her staring any longer, stammered, “Actually, Miss Yi, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why must you persist in loving only our Martial Uncle Lin? A gentle and lovely girl like you is bound to be liked by many people.”

She noted his wording. It seemed that something had indeed happened between the male and female leads last night, just as the original plot dictated.

Yi Hanxing’s heart immediately burned with the fire of a gossip enthusiast. “Last night, did they—”

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by a woman’s cold and indifferent voice. “If that is the case, I shall kill you first and then commit suicide.”

The eyes of every Yuxu Mountain disciple at the table widened. They turned as one toward the second floor.

A figure in plain white rushed out of a room. When Yi Hanxing saw who followed, her jaw nearly hit the floor.

When had the great Asura Sword of Yuxu Mountain, Lin Wujiu, ever looked so disheveled? His jade hair crown was crooked, held in place by one hand, while his other hand hurried to tighten a belt he had not yet finished buckling.

As he tucked the belt into his robes, he offered a bitter smile to the figure in teal chasing him. He spoke apologetically, “I am sorry. I did not realize that we were both afflicted by aphrodisiac poison last night. We lost control. However, for what I did to you, even ten thousand deaths would not be enough to atone. Miss Wei, I will accept whatever beating or verbal abuse you deem fit.”

Wei Ruyi remained expressionless. Holding her sword, she nodded curtly. “Very well. I shall send you to the Western Paradise right now.”

With that, she swung her sword at him.

As expected of the emotionless beauty from the original novel!

Yi Hanxing snacked on broad beans while happily watching her favorite pairing bicker and fight. In the early stages of the original book, the leads followed a bickering rivals dynamic. They argued constantly throughout their journey, unaware of when their feelings had grown so deep that they could no longer live without each other.

This was top tier content. She loved it and intended to keep watching.

As she watched with great interest, a ghostly voice suddenly spoke beside her. “Does it not hurt your heart to see them like this?”

Yi Hanxing turned her head. Master Qin had seated himself in the empty spot next to her at some unknown point.

“Why would I be hurt?” She tossed another bean into her mouth. “Immortal Lin and Miss Wei are a perfect match in looks and talent.”

Master Qin fell silent, appearing thoughtful. “Is this playing hard to get? It is certainly a valid tactic.”

Yi Hanxing was confused.

At that moment, the two upstairs stopped. Wei Ruyi’s sword had missed Lin Wujiu. She sighed with some regret. “My skills are inferior. I shall return to learn a few more moves and come back to kill you another day.” After saying this, she truly drifted away.

Lin Wujiu rubbed his brow with a headache, straightened his crown, and walked downstairs while fingering his prayer beads.

The onlookers who had been enjoying the drama immediately scattered.

Yi Hanxing took the opportunity to step forward and satisfy her shipper heart. “Immortal Lin, what is going on between you and Miss Wei?”

Lin Wujiu paused before saying, “Once the matters of the Ghost Market are settled, I will propose marriage to her.”

Yi Hanxing was stunned. Wait, was the plot of the original book supposed to move this fast?

“Is that not a bit sudden? You only met yesterday.”

While she was happy her favorite couple was getting together, she needed to stay alive to enjoy it. She did not know if the proposal would succeed, but if Qin Wuzhou found out about this, she was truly finished!

Lin Wujiu shook his head with a bitter smile. “The rules of Yuxu Mountain are strict. Disciples must remain pure. I have already violated the sect rules and failed my clan. I cannot fail Miss Wei as well.”

Yi Hanxing remained speechless for a moment. She tried to make one final effort for her mission. “Ultimately, it was beyond your control. No one wants to be poisoned by an aphrodisiac. Even if there was a brief encounter, you do not necessarily have to marry immediately. Marriage is a major life event that should not be rushed.”

“What kind of talk is that!” Lin Wujiu frowned. “Matters between men and women are not a game! Hanxing, do not say such things again, lest I mistake you for one of those evil cultivators from the Hehuan Sect!”

Yi Hanxing had nothing to say to that.

After his sharp rebuke, Lin Wujiu regained his gentle demeanor. “Miss Yi, I have a favor to ask.”

He hesitated before whispering, “I have angered Miss Wei and wish to reconcile with her. However, I have rarely befriended women and do not know how to proceed. I originally wanted to ask Yingzi, but she has many misunderstandings. Therefore, I can only ask you.”

Yi Hanxing suspected that Wu Yingzi had once again mistaken the female lead for one of the many admirers pestering Lin Wujiu. She nodded readily. “Immortal Lin, feel free to speak. If there is anything I can do to help, I will give my all.”

Lin Wujiu said, “I would like you to convey my apologies to Miss Wei on my behalf.”

“That is simple enough.”

It seemed the leads still had a long way to go. After seeing Lin Wujiu off, Yi Hanxing sighed.

“Are you sad because your beloved is going to marry someone else?”

“Master Qin?” Yi Hanxing turned around in surprise. “Why have you not left yet?”

Had this man been standing silently behind her the entire time, listening to her conversation with Lin Wujiu?

Master Qin stared at her. “You claim they are a good match, yet the moment Martial Uncle Lin actually intends to marry her, you step in to interfere.”

Yi Hanxing did not know how to explain it to him. It was not about stopping the marriage, but rather about a gradual, slow, and optimized approach. She wanted things to happen in an orderly fashion, where those with the ability and means married first to lead the way for others.

Since she could not explain it clearly, she simply gave him a sharp look. “It is none of your business.”

Master Qin was not annoyed. Instead, he gave a brilliant smile. “However, compared to that Miss Wei, I still have more faith in you. Keep it up.”

Yi Hanxing did not want to deal with him. She chased after the direction in which Wei Ruyi had disappeared.

On the main street of the Ghost Market, she spotted the tall girl in the pale yellow dress from a distance. She hurried to catch up. “Miss Wei!”

Wei Ruyi was startled. “You?”

Yi Hanxing introduced herself. To her surprise, Wei Ruyi looked at her with eyes as clear as glass and said, “I saw you in front of the Fragrant Heaven Pavilion.”

Yi Hanxing was stunned. Thinking she had forgotten, Wei Ruyi reminded her succinctly, “You gave me a lot of money to redeem those human cauldrons.”

At the time, Yi Hanxing had only said one sentence to the female lead before throwing the money bag and running away. She did not expect to be remembered after such a brief encounter.

Yi Hanxing, the anonymous do-gooder, felt a bit embarrassed. “Yes! At that time, I saw how bravely you stepped forward to save people and I was inspired. It was just a sudden impulse.”

Wei Ruyi said seriously, “It was not a mere impulse. Good deeds accumulate. You did well, and those spirit stones were a great help.”

Yi Hanxing laughed. “Alright, let us stop praising each other! Are you out to buy something?”

“Yes,” Wei Ruyi said flatly. “My dress was torn last night. I am here to buy some needle and thread to mend it.”

It seemed the battle between the leads last night had been intense. Yi Hanxing felt delighted to have first hand gossip.

“I happen to be short of a garment as well. Why don’t we go together?”

Wei Ruyi found it strange. “I am not well acquainted with you. Why should I go with you?”

She had an innocent and inexperienced nature, exactly as Yi Hanxing remembered from the original book. Because her parents died young, Wei Ruyi was raised by her elderly uncle. It was said that children from poor families matured early. The female lead had been more sensible than others since childhood and understood the coldness of human nature. This made her unskilled at accepting kindness and unaccustomed to intimacy.

However, Yi Hanxing and the readers knew that Wei Ruyi was simply a person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

For instance, as Wei Ruyi walked beside her now, she could not help but glance at her as if she had something to say.

Yi Hanxing felt uncomfortable for her and finally spoke up. “Miss Wei, do you have something to say to me?”

Wei Ruyi immediately looked away. “No, you are imagining things.”

“Oh, but I have something to say.” Yi Hanxing smiled slightly. “Miss Wei, are you still angry with Immortal Lin?”

Wei Ruyi asked, “Did you come to find me just to speak for him? You are certainly good to him.”

Yi Hanxing thought for a moment and said, “Immortal Lin saved my life. I have always treated him like an elder brother.”

The brother excuse was perfect as it worked for both offense and defense.

Wei Ruyi hesitated before squeezing out a sentence. “But I heard from Miss Wu Yingzi that you like him?”

What! Wu Yingzi! How dare you spread rumors about me in front of my favorite couple!

How hateful!

Yi Hanxing was about to shake her head when she suddenly felt a chill. She whipped her head around. People were coming and going on the busy street, and the distant tavern was bustling. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Yet, she clearly felt an extremely intense gaze on her back just now.

Thinking that it might be Qin Wuzhou lurking somewhere to watch her complete her mission, Yi Hanxing forced herself to change her tone. “Who would not like a modest gentleman like Immortal Lin? However, I know there is a vast difference between us. I do not dare to dream. I only hope he finds a good match soon and lives a happy, peaceful life.”

Wei Ruyi’s expression was complex. After a long while, she whispered, “You truly are a kind and good girl.”

Yi Hanxing lowered her eyes guiltily. “No, not really.”

Wei Ruyi seemed to see through her intentions. “You do not need to waste your breath speaking for him. I do not have a single word to say to that man.”

The two of them entered a clothing shop one after the other, only to see a familiar face inside.

“Immortal Lin, what a coincidence! You are here to buy clothes too?” Yi Hanxing was the first to call out.

Lin Wujiu looked as guilty as if he had been caught doing something wrong. Seeing the two of them, he instinctively hid the dress in his hand behind his back. “Yes, that is right.”

Was that a woman’s skirt he was holding?

Yi Hanxing’s eyes were sharp. She pretended to be curious. “Immortal Lin, why are you buying a woman’s dress?”

She then acted as if she had realized something. She glanced at the expressionless Wei Ruyi beside her and feigned a realization. “Miss Wei’s clothes seem to be damaged. Could it be that you are buying it for her?”

She was witnessing her favorite couple in action!

A crack appeared in Lin Wujiu’s usually steady expression. “Miss Yi, do not—”

“I will not accept your things,” Wei Ruyi said coldly. “A small favor like this will not make me forgive you.”

Lin Wujiu looked disappointed. “Miss Wei, it was my fault.”

Yi Hanxing looked from one to the other and felt a headache coming on. She tried to ease the tension. “Meeting like this is fate. Why don’t we find a place to have some tea?”

Wei Ruyi suddenly said, “Instead of meddling in my business, Immortal Lin should look after the person in front of him. Miss Yi’s dress is also torn. You should buy one for her.”

Yi Hanxing, caught in the crossfire, was confused.

Lin Wujiu was startled and looked at her. “Miss Yi, is your dress also damaged?”

Yi Hanxing quickly waved her hands to say she did not need anything, but when she turned around, she saw Wei Ruyi staring at her with an expression that suggested she was disappointed by her lack of initiative.

No, female lead, why are you trying to play matchmaker!

Lin Wujiu looked apologetic. “It is my fault. I have been too busy lately and neglected to take care of you. Miss Yi, what kind of style do you like?”

Yi Hanxing was annoyed by the two of them calling her Miss Yi back and forth. She could not escape.

After a long bout of hesitation, Yi Hanxing eventually walked out of the shop in a daze, clutching two boxes of new dresses.

It was one thing for the nice guy Lin Wujiu to buy her one, but even the female lead, Wei Ruyi, had paid out of her own pocket to give her one as well!

Feeling indebted, Yi Hanxing insisted on buying them both a drink.

Lin Wujiu naturally accepted the offer. Wei Ruyi said she had some daily necessities to buy and told them to go ahead and secure a table, saying she would join them shortly.

Coincidentally, there was a magnificent tavern nearby. The two of them entered the lobby together.

There seemed to be a distinguished guest in the tavern today. The stairs leading to the second floor were lined with guards in white. Even the waiters delivering food had to undergo a thorough search before they could go up. All other guests were crowded into the first floor lobby. Yi Hanxing struggled through the crowd with her gifts in both hands. Lin Wujiu, unable to stand by, reached out to support her and took the boxes from her hands.

Yi Hanxing turned to give him a grateful smile. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the curtain of a private booth on the second floor being lifted slightly.

It was the Lord of Formlessness.

He was dressed in plain white again today, wearing a bone mask. He sat with one leg crossed over the other, resting his chin on one hand while holding a red lacquered feathered arrow in the other.

Behind the mask, a cold and piercing gaze seemed to fall on her and Lin Wujiu.

This elegant posture made it hard for Yi Hanxing not to look a few extra times.

Strangely, this man seemed different from when she had seen him at the Linglang Mansion last time.

“Miss Yi?” Lin Wujiu noticed her distraction. Seeing that she was about to be bumped by a waiter serving food, he placed an arm around her shoulder to pull her close.

At that exact moment, the Lord of Formlessness steadily threw the sharp feathered arrow. The tip of the arrow was aimed directly at the two of them below.