I Transmigrated Into the Script and Married the Villain - Chapter 5

Zhang Xingxing woke up the next morning feeling like his kidneys were about to fail. Chunxiao, leading the maids, entered to help him dress, urging him to hurry. Manor Lord Cao was hosting a banquet at the manor that morning, and arriving late would be considered impolite.

With a stiff back, Zhang Xingxing allowed them to dress him in layer after layer of clothing. By the time he finally shuffled out, hunched over and looking utterly miserable, Wei Yu was already waiting in the courtyard.

“Straighten your back! What kind of posture is that?” Wei Yu scolded as soon as he saw him.

“It hurts, Godfather!” Zhang Xingxing wailed, clutching his lower back to emphasize his inability to stand straight.

Wei Yu’s dark gaze swept over him, as if assessing whether the young whelp was genuinely in pain or merely feigning it. Zhang Xingxing endured the scrutiny. Wei Yu didn’t mention the previous night’s events, which brought Zhang Xingxing a wave of relief. He truly didn’t know how to explain his relationship with Shen Zhijing to Wei Yu.

But the next moment…

“That person last night… was he a friend of yours?” Wei Yu asked.

Zhang Xingxing wanted to cry but couldn’t. What was coming had to come. He frantically shook his head like a rattle drum. “No, I don’t know him. We’re not close.”

Wei Yu ignored him. “Arrange a meeting with him tonight.”

Zhang Xingxing’s expression froze. “What?!”

“I spent the entire night pondering his fighting style,” Wei Yu said, his voice resolute, his eyes burning with murderous intent. “I’ve deciphered every technique he used against me. If we clash again, I might not lose.”

Zhang Xingxing scrutinized Wei Yu’s face. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and faint blood vessels streaked the whites, betraying his exhaustion.

So Wei Yu stayed up all night obsessing over this! No wonder he’s ranked among the top ten martial artists in the entire book. Look at his relentless dedication—hanging his head from the rafters, stabbing his thigh with an awl, pouring his heart and soul into his craft, refusing to yield! Observe his selfless, single-minded devotion to martial arts!

This man was the ultimate try-hard of the modern martial arts world. Zhang Xingxing felt utterly inferior.

Yet admiration aside, Zhang Xingxing had no intention of courting trouble. Are you kidding me? Helping the villain and the second male lead arrange a duel? Do I not find my cannon fodder existence bland enough? Neither of them were people you wanted to cross. With these thoughts, Zhang Xingxing waved his hand dismissively. “Godfather, you jest. I have no friends with such formidable martial arts skills. That person must have mistaken me for someone else. I swear, I don’t know him.”

At that moment, someone called out from behind, “Young Master Zhang!”

Help! He’d forgotten Shen Zhijing had slept in his courtyard last night!

Shen Zhijing emerged from the room next to Zhang Xingxing’s, impeccably dressed. His face glowed like peach blossoms, a gentle smile playing on his lips, his radiant presence almost blindingly captivating.

Wei Yu asked Zhang Xingxing expressionlessly, “You really don’t know him?”

Zhang Xingxing slumped, unable to defend himself, and hung his head in silence.

Shen Zhijing stepped forward, smiling warmly, and bowed to Wei Yu. “Brother Wei, I sincerely apologize for last night’s incident. I was drunk and acted foolishly, offending you. I offer my sincere apologies. After the Dragon Boat Festival, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Wei Yu flicked his sleeve. “May I inquire as to Young Master’s name?”

“Shen Xing,” Shen Zhijing replied with graceful poise. Zhang Xingxing couldn’t help but suspect this hastily fabricated name was plagiarized. Why else would the last character be “Xing,” the same as his own?

“The meal isn’t necessary,” Wei Yu said. “I’d rather have another match with Young Master Shen. Would you be willing to spar?”

Shen Zhijing clearly hadn’t anticipated this challenge. Before he could even respond, Wei Yu strode out of the courtyard, declaring, “I will await Young Master Shen at the rear mountain at midnight tonight.”

Zhang Xingxing, rarely seeing such a bewildered expression on Shen Zhijing’s face, couldn’t help but burst out laughing. The laughter aggravated his waist injury, causing him to grimace and clutch his back in pain. Shen Zhijing raised a hand and channeled qi into his lower back, pressing through the fabric. Warmth seeped into his skin, and the pain noticeably eased.

“Did I actually hit him yesterday? I can’t remember at all,” Shen Zhijing asked Zhang Xingxing, who was walking beside him behind Wei Yu.

“Maybe you did, but you missed.”

“That’s true. Hero Wei doesn’t seem injured either,” Shen Zhijing remarked, glancing at Wei Yu’s retreating figure.

Of course not! You two were the ones fighting last night, yet I’m the one who got hurt! What kind of world is this?! Zhang Xingxing mentally raged.

Guided by disciples of the Sword Manor, the trio took their seats at the banquet. Amidst the clatter of cups and the lively chatter, Zhang Xingxing spotted Chen Che sitting across from him. Chen Che gestured for him to look toward the main table, where Cao Chengyong and his wife, A-Ling, whom they had met the previous night, were seated.

Zhang Xingxing recognized Cao Chengyang, Cao Chengyong’s younger brother, in the second-tier seat. Cao Chengyang’s reputation in the martial world rivaled that of his elder brother. Had he not divided his attention to assist Cao Chengyong in managing Pan Lake Sword Manor, his martial prowess would undoubtedly have reached even greater heights.

By now, Zhang Xingxing had abandoned all hope of escaping Pan Lake Sword Manor. His only chance of survival lay in enduring until the end of the storyline, clinging to his godfather’s coattails, and somehow making it out alive.

As Zhang Xingxing observed Cao Chengyang, his thoughts drifted aimlessly. Suddenly, his gaze froze, drawn to a young man attending to the main table. Dressed in the simplest Pan Lake Sword Manor disciple’s uniform, the cloth concealed a lean, upright figure. His handsome face remained impassive as he stood silently beside the main table.

“Changyue! I want that!” Cao Chengyong’s daughter, Cao Xiaoyu, tugged at the young man’s sleeve, her voice ringing out. Without a word, Changyue picked up the young mistress’s plate, walked to the opposite side of the table, and retrieved the dish she had requested.

Cao Chengyong and A-Ling were busy entertaining guests, leaving them no time to attend to Xiao Yu. Thus, the young man called Changyue remained by her side, serving her food and attending to her needs.

Zhang Xingxing felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity with the man, yet he couldn’t place him.

As the banquet neared its end, Cao Chengyong raised his cup and announced loudly, “Esteemed heroes, please lend me your ears! With the Dragon Boat Festival still some time away, I propose a martial contest here at the manor. The Gold-Shattering Sword shall be the prize. Whoever emerges victorious in the arena shall claim this legendary blade. What do you say?”

His words sent ripples of excitement through the hall, sparking lively debate among the guests.

“The Gold-Shattering Sword was forged by Alliance Leader Li Yin himself to suppress Shen Zhijing, the Sect Leader of the Demonic Cult. Legend has it that with this blade, he utterly defeated the demonic fiend, driving him back to Mount Cangxuan, never to set foot beyond its borders again.”

“This renowned sword vanished from the martial world years ago. Who would have thought it would resurface here at Manor Lord Cao’s estate?”

“How can Gold-Shattering be offered as a prize? Who could possibly wield such a blade?”

“Gold-Shattering was crafted by the Old Alliance Leader himself. It’s indestructible, its golden light fills the heavens when drawn, and its elegance is unparalleled. But even if someone wins the contest, can we truly trust Manor Lord Cao to honor his promise?”

Cao Chengyong smiled enigmatically, allowing the crowd to speculate and conjecture.

“Esteemed guests,” Cao Chengyong began, his voice resonating with authority, “the Old Alliance Leader has been in seclusion since the battle at Mount Cangxuan. We elders are no longer what we once were, our strength waning with age. The Central Plains Martial Arts World has seen generations come and go, and those gathered here today represent the young heroes of this era. Should the Demonic Cult ever rise again, it will be on your shoulders to draw your swords and fight. Placing the Gold-Shattering Sword on the arena is both a prize and a legacy. I urge you all to safeguard the future of the martial world.”

His words ignited a fervent passion in the crowd. All doubts vanished, replaced by admiration for Cao Chengyong, who embodied the noble spirit of a true martial arts elder.

Amidst the fervor, Shen Zhijing quietly placed a piece of snowflake pastry in his mouth, then lowered his gaze with a serene smile.

As expected, by afternoon, the arena was packed with spectators. The Gold-Shattering Sword hung high above the platform, while Changyue stood silently beside it, guarding the blade with his sword.

It was clear that Manor Lord Cao held this man in high regard, entrusting him with everything from caring for his daughter’s meals to protecting the Gold-Shattering Sword. Zhang Xingxing and Chen Che stood to the side, cracking sunflower seeds and enjoying the spectacle.

“Who do you think will get the Gold-Shattering Sword?” Chen Che asked, turning his head to look at Zhang Xingxing.

Zhang Xingxing spat a sunflower seed shell into his hand. “It’s gotta be the male or female lead, right? Wait, why can’t I remember the plot?”

Chen Che teased him, “Did you slack off during the script readings before filming started?”

“Absolutely not!” Zhang Xingxing declared firmly. “This was my first drama based on a popular novel. I memorized the script and practically wore out the original text before filming. But now, I just can’t recall anything.”

Seeing Zhang Xingxing’s serious expression, Chen Che grew serious himself and began to carefully recall the details. “Now that you mention it, I’m having the same problem,” he said slowly.

“It’s like someone deliberately erased our memories of the script, preventing us from predicting the plot. Zhang Xingxing, do you think we’ve been thrown into some wacky time-travel variety show?”

Zhang Xingxing found Chen Che’s train of thought utterly bizarre and circuitous. “A variety show controlling our memories? If they could do that, why bother with entertainment? They’d be better off joining the medical field and forming a top-tier national research team!”

Chen Che muttered, “You’re right. So what do we do now?”

“Just take it one step at a time,” Zhang Xingxing said, cracking another sunflower seed and watching the martial arts competition with relish.

*****

A fierce wind swept across the stage as a disciple, thrown backward by the force of the clash, tumbled off the platform. His sword clattered to the ground as his fellow sect members helped him off, looking utterly defeated.

“Who else dares to challenge me?” The young woman on the stage leveled her spear, her white robes and ink-black hair tied in a high ponytail, radiating a heroic and dazzling aura.

“Cheng Wu of the Yueyang Sect requests the honor of learning from your skills!” Another young man leaped onto the stage, his sword thrusting forward as he landed. The woman tilted her head, dodging with a swift sidestep that left her eyelashes a mere half-inch from the blade’s edge. In that instant, her spear moved with lightning speed. As they passed each other, her eyes flashed, and the spear tip pierced straight toward the young man’s back. He had no time to evade, forced to roll awkwardly across the ground before scrambling back to his feet.

His footwork now completely disrupted, the woman seized the opportunity, unleashing three consecutive thrusts without giving him a moment to breathe. For dozens of exchanges, spear and sword clashed, the young man retreating steadily until he stumbled off the stage, his defeat sealed.

“What a formidable young woman,” Chen Che murmured in admiration.

This was already the sixth opponent to fall before her spear. Yet her face showed no trace of fatigue; on the contrary, she seemed to grow more exhilarated with each clash, her delicate cheeks flushed with excitement. Beads of sweat glistened at her hairline, her expression both imperious and radiant with youthful vitality.

“Tang Qianfeng of the Danhai Sect. Does anyone dare challenge me?”

Zhang Xingxing and Chen Che were both stunned. Zhang Xingxing even forgot to crack his sunflower seeds. This is the female lead!

If the female lead had appeared, the male lead couldn’t be far behind, right?

Sure enough, the next moment…”Sheng Lan of the Yueyang Sect. I invite you to draw your spear, Miss.”

The male lead, female lead, second male lead, and villain had finally gathered at Pan Lake Sword Manor. Zhang Xingxing’s heart raced as his trembling hands shook Chen Che. “Chen Che, the male lead himself is even more handsome than you portrayed him!”

Chen Che rolled his eyes. “Shen Zhijing himself has far more presence than you ever managed, thank you very much.”

The male lead, Sheng Lan, made his grand entrance, drawing all eyes. His lean, upright figure, his handsome and captivating face, and his effortless, unrestrained charm, this must be the legendary protagonist’s aura, so dazzling and radiant it practically blinded the crowd!

The groundhog in Zhang Xingxing’s heart let out a deafening shriek. Chen Che glared at him. “Look at you, acting so cheap!”

Sheng Lan made a graceful, courteous gesture. He had entered the arena unarmed, standing opposite Tang Qianfeng with a smile. Was the male lead planning to fight the female lead bare-handed?

That was exactly what he intended.

Support I Transmigrated Into the Script and Married the Villain