I Was Entangled by the Pathological Protagonists [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Yan Li’s figure appeared within the courtyard. Seeing Xiao Xiao’er, his gaze could not help but darken slightly.

Before he could even speak, Xiao Xiao’er felt as though she could already sense the chill radiating from him, directed solely at her.

However, Xiao Xiao’er now understood: in front of Senior Brother Lin’er, he always wore an air of submissiveness, but in reality, his heart was more arrogant than anyone else’s except toward Senior Brother Lin’er…

No, she couldn’t think about it anymore. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to resist exposing him. Doing so not to mention at this critical juncture wasn’t a matter of Xiao Xiao’er fearing his retaliation against her, but rather the fear of disrupting something that would prevent Senior Brother Lin’er from being cured.

At this thought, Xiao Xiao’er’s gaze shifted slightly, her eyes landing on Senior Brother Lin’er. As if a brilliant idea had occurred to her, the heart within her chest could not help but thumping wildly at what was about to happen.

She suddenly broke into a smile, vibrant and shy. Pinching a spirit fruit adorned with dew from the fruit plate, she leaned over to bring it to Yan Lin’s lips and said:

“Senior Brother Lin’er, try this. It’s very delicious~”

It was hard to say whether her heart had long wanted to do this, or if it was to annoy Yan Li—or perhaps to provoke his jealousy, thereby making him love Senior Brother Lin’er even more deeply for the sake of his self-sacrifice.

In this moment, as Xiao Xiao’er looked up at Senior Brother Lin’er, she felt as though she were drunk before even drinking drunk on Senior Brother Lin’er’s gentle eyes, a complete and total mess.

Yan Lin himself was surprised. Clearly seeing the protagonist’s arrival yet deliberately… wait, deliberately?

The slight surprise in his eyes transformed into a beaming smile. Yan Lin took the opportunity to lower his head and take the spirit fruit into his mouth.

“Mm~ it is indeed very sweet.”

From the corner of his eye, he glanced to the side and, as expected, saw the protagonist’s face turn black.

Walking over in two or three steps, he pulled Xiao Xiao’er’s body which was practically glued to Yan Lin away. Yan Li still wore a foul expression, and in a place where Yan Lin couldn’t see, his eyes, as cold and dark as an abyss, glared death at Xiao Xiao’er.

Under that gaze, Xiao Xiao’er instinctively shuddered, but she composed herself a moment later. Simultaneously, she looked up at Yan Li with a provocative smile.

Undeniably, her plan was a success.

It was likely only because of Yan Lin’s presence that a tragedy on the verge of erupting dissipated silently into the air.

Xiao Xiao’er, who had been pushed to the ground, brushed off her skirt indifferently, stood up, and smiled at Senior Brother Lin’er: “I just remembered I have some matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first.”

Having said that, she left without hesitation.

However, compared to the previous two times she fled in panic, this time she was clearly extremely composed. After walking a short distance, she even turned back to wave at Yan Lin, her smile radiant.

In Yan Lin’s eyes, however, he thought the female lead was likely waving at the protagonist; after all, seeing the protagonist get jealous for her sake must have made her very happy.

Yan Lin couldn’t help but nod in approval inwardly.

Immediately, the protagonist’s figure appeared before him, perfectly blocking his view of the female lead.

Yan Lin: “…” That’s right, he is definitely jealous.

He hadn’t expected the protagonist to be the “duplicity of mouth and heart” type (tsundere). On the surface, he rejected the female lead’s confession, but in action, he was unconsciously attracted to her and got jealous, not bad, not bad.

Yan Lin was very optimistic about their future; if the plot could develop truthfully, it would truly be for the best.

He thought this way, but in reality, the plot had strayed who-knows-where. The moment the thought entered his mind, Yan Lin felt a faint headache.

Yan Li, having returned safely to the Yaoguang Sect, acted as if nothing had happened, describing to Yan Lin the interesting things he encountered after leaving the sect.

As well as the fact that he had successfully eliminated the demon, completing the revenge for his deceased fellow villagers.

It seemed as though a weight had finally been lifted from his heart; even the smiles on his face were more frequent than before, no longer the silent or submissive version of himself from the past.

Yan Lin also probed indirectly to see if Perfected Cultivator Wuyan had used the opportunity to strike, only to receive a smiling reply from the protagonist, who shook his head:

“Junior Brother did not encounter any danger; the journey was smooth. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother.”

Yan Lin: “…”

Could the problem be on Wuyan’s side?

As Yan Lin pondered this, he failed to see the depth of Yan Li’s eyes as he looked down at him, the obscure obsession that was almost twisted.

…

The night was deep and quiet; the shadows of the trees were mottled.

In Yan Li’s residence, inside a bedroom, it was dark and lightless. Only the cold moonlight projected through the window lattice sprinkled onto a corner of the room, bringing a bit of dim light.

Suddenly, Yan Li, sitting cross-legged on the bed, opened his eyes. As if possessing foresight, his low voice broke the silence of the night.

“Since you have come, why not come in and sit for a while… Master.”

As his voice fell, the tightly closed door slowly opened, and the moonlight spilled into the room accordingly.

That sage-like figure stood outside the door, his elongated shadow entering the room along with the moonlight.

The line between them was distinct.

Wuyan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Yan Li as he rose from the bed. Because Yan Li was able to sense his arrival and possessed such a calm and composed expression… Wuyan’s face could not help but shift.

However, Wuyan was not yet certain if his suspicions were true, so with the intention of testing him, he said:

“Do you know why your Master has come to find you?”

Yan Li gave a laugh, looking at the figure outside the door, his eyes dark.

“Why must the Master ask what he already knows?”

The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the scene froze instantly.

He actually admitted it, as if he had guessed Wuyan’s thoughts and provided the answer accordingly.

Dark clouds covered the moonlight; the air was clear and quiet. The evening breeze brushed through the dark night, making the leaves outside the window rustle loudly.

After a long while, Wuyan finally let out a cold laugh: “I thought you were a weakling, but I didn’t expect.”

As he spoke, a cold light suddenly flashed in Wuyan’s eyes. His cultivation at the peak of the Transformation Stage was revealed without reservation in this silent, dark night.

Undeniably, now that things were exposed, Wuyan did not intend to keep up the charade. He had intended to strike regardless, but he hadn’t expected this kid to know yet still dare to return to the Yaoguang Sect. He didn’t know whether to call him reckless or say he had some sort of backing.

At this point, there was no need to waste further effort; he would simply take him down directly.

Yan Li, whose cultivation was currently only at the Middle Foundation Building stage, would never be a match for Wuyan, even if he could challenge those above his level.

However, just as Wuyan was about to strike, Yan Li, standing in the center of the room, still maintained an unperturbed expression, as if he took no notice of Wuyan’s strength, which was three major realms higher than his own.

Had it not been for the fine sweat appearing on his forehead amidst the pressure that felt as though the surroundings had solidified, and judging solely by his expression, he appeared truly that relaxed. Only his deep, obscure eyes seemed to flicker with something, glowing faintly in the dead of the night.

“No, Master, you are mistaken.”

He shook his head, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly as his tone suddenly became a bit lighthearted.

“Master, you are too impatient. If it were me, I would surely know that the Supreme Profound Spirit Bone can only be considered truly mature when one reaches adulthood…”

He looked at the stunned Wuyan, his dark eyes appearing even brighter at this moment.

And… twisted.

…

Time passed like flowing sand; another two years or so went by in such a calm and waveless manner.

During these two years, Yan Lin frequently went to find Wuyan, probing indirectly to see if he had made a move against the protagonist. Now that the protagonist had even eliminated the demon that harmed his kin, the plot that should have proceeded smoothly was delayed again and again, making him extremely frustrated.

However, every time he went to find Wuyan, Wuyan would just give a doting smile, pat his well-behaved head, and say:

“No rush… Han Ji will protect our Lin’er from the heavens. We will definitely not repeat the fate of a Rootless One…”

Yan Lin: “…” No, that’s not the answer he wanted!

Although Wuyan repeatedly reassured him, there was never any sign of action. Yan Lin could only sigh at the stagnant plot and watch the protagonist radiate his brilliance within the sect.

Back then, after Yan Li displayed his outstanding strength in the previous Sect Grand Competition, the disciples’ views of him had changed. Now, his cultivation had even entered the Golden Core stage, an undeniable fact that made him even more preeminent.

Now, when Yan Lin framed or slandered him, even if everyone believed he did it, they showed a bit more tolerance, making Yan Lin feel that his performance as a villain was yielding very little result.

Furthermore, some Elders seemed to have unearthed various potentials in Yan Li. As expected of a protagonist: while his cultivation speed was already quite perverted, his alchemy, weapon refining, talismans, and formations all received unanimous praise from the Elders. It was as if they had struck gold, and their attitude toward the protagonist did a 180-degree turn, becoming limitless in their tolerance.

The only thing that probably brought Yan Lin comfort was that he still used the protagonist as a servant, ordering him around, and the protagonist remained completely submissive.

Recalling when he was working two jobs, he had felt a bit of lament that the protagonist’s submissiveness in front of him seemed to have become second nature; now, it had become his only consolation.

But now, Yan Lin only wanted the stagnant plot to move forward quickly. Could it be that he had to wait until his fate as a Rootless One manifested?

Yan Lin calculated the days; there were roughly two years left.

No, it should be said there were only two years left… he only hoped that no complications would arise.

However, Yan Lin did not know that the person responsible for the current situation was the result of a certain consensus reached between Wuyan and Yan Li on a certain late night two years ago.