Surviving the Ancient Angst Novel [Transmigration] - Chapter 20

At that moment, the young man lying on the ground let out a groan and slowly propped himself up, trying to rise. I hurried over, leaning down with the intention of helping him.

“Don’t touch me!”

My extended hand was ruthlessly slapped away. The young man glared at me with fierce intensity, his face covered in a red rash that would trigger anyone’s social anxiety.

‘System, does he have a skin disease?’ I pulled my hand back and stood to the side, asking the system in confusion.

【No, it’s a venereal disease. It spreads through blood and sexual contact.】

My eyes darkened. I finally understood why the Guide had stuffed jars of wine under my bed not for drinking, but for disinfection.

The young man struggled mightily to crawl up from the ground. Once he finally succeeded in standing, albeit shakily, the inner robe draped over him slid down, the hem falling to his calves and just barely covering his exposed dignity. He stiffened his spine despite his trembling, striving to keep his lean figure perfectly upright like a small poplar tree standing proud in the depths of winter a display of stubborn, unyielding character.

Then, he began to walk. Step by step, he moved with forced steadiness. However, fresh blood continued to trickle down from his thighs, a jarring and harrowing sight.

The person in that carriage was truly ruthless…

I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. I walked over and scooped him up in a princess carry, bringing him into the house.

The young man was filled with a mix of shock and fury. “You… aren’t you afraid of catching it?”

I placed him gently on the bedding and said calmly, “I’ll change my clothes in a moment.”

The young man replied coldly, “Changing clothes won’t help. You’d better disinfect the hands that touched me with wine.”

I pursed my lips and nodded. “Alright.” After a pause, I placed the ointment I had been clutching next to his pillow. “Can you… apply it yourself?”

His gaze shifted to the medicine box, and he suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. “Ji Xing gave you this, didn’t he?”

Ji Xing? That was the second time I had heard the name. Recalling what the Guide had said earlier, I nodded hesitantly. The person in the carriage was most likely the Ji Xing who had taken him away.

The young man closed his eyes. “Go out.”

“Okay.”

The moment I stepped out of the room, I instinctively toggled on my “Auspicious Vision.” The person on the bed was radiating a golden light so intense it nearly illuminated the entire room.

Another protagonist.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise, closed the door for him, and sat down in the main hall, quickly pulling up the system panel. I saw a book titled The Ill-Fated Soul glowing prominently in the corner of the shelf.

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, on unlocking the fifth tragedy protagonist! Achievement completed: “A Keen Eye for Gems.” Reward: One “Quick-Clear Pill.” Effect: One pill cures a hundred illnesses. Supplement: Non-binding item; can be used on any target.】

Good stuff. I smiled, propped up my feet, and leaned back into the chair, opening the unlocked book to begin reading on the system interface.

The protagonist of this book was named Zhang Nianxiang.

Zhang Nianxiang was originally the young master of Hongguang Pavilion, a place once famous throughout the Jianghu for its spear techniques. From birth, he had been taught by the pavilion’s finest spear masters. As an only son, he was pampered by his parents and elders, living a life filled with sweetness and comfort.

The Hongguang Spear technique was characterized by a variety of moves sweeping, stabbing, and lunging integrated with mounted combat. As the saying goes: “A spear like a dragon, a heart full of courage.” In a charge, it was an unstoppable force! The phrase “His bravery is unrivaled across the nine provinces; one spear can hold off a million soldiers” was no exaggeration when applied to the Hongguang technique.

However, after being famous for centuries, the technique had inexplicably fallen into decline by the time of Zhang Nianxiang’s father. New sects had risen, dazzling the world with fresh styles, and a new generation of masters had emerged. The traditional Hongguang Pavilion was repeatedly challenged and defeated by rising stars.

“Hongguang Pavilion, garbage spear; one poke, and down they go!” No one knew who had composed the nursery rhyme, but it had spread among the common children. Everyone treated the pavilion like a joke. Once a place of endless bustle, it was now desolate and ignored.

Zhang Nianxiang was born into these circumstances. But even a fallen elephant is larger than a horse; though the spear technique had declined, the centuries of ancestral lands and shops remained, enough to provide the Zhang family with a life of luxury for generations.

Zhang Nianxiang grew up happily until he reached the age of twenty, carrying the hopes of his family. On the night of his capping ceremony (adulthood rite), the elder Master Zhang called him into the study.

“Nianxiang, how is your spear practice?”

Zhang Nianxiang puffed out his chest with pride. “Don’t worry, Father. While I haven’t reached the level of divine mastery, I won’t bring shame to our name.”

Master Zhang nodded in satisfaction. “Hongguang has nothing left to teach you. Starting tomorrow, you shall go to the Eastern Wasteland to further your martial arts.”

Since his youth, Zhang Nianxiang had heard of the Eastern Wasteland’s reputation from his elders. He heard it was a gathering place for every peerless master across the nine provinces, and that countless young elites fought tooth and nail to join. It was a sacred land of martial arts where strength was the only thing that mattered. He also heard that the Eastern Wasteland only accepted male disciples…

Zhang Nianxiang’s excitement suddenly deflated. He said hesitantly, “Father, I don’t want to be separated from Shanshan.”

Master Zhang’s eyebrows shot up in anger. “You worthless brat! Don’t you want to bring honor to your ancestors?”

Zhang Nianxiang nodded. “I do! But I want to be with Shanshan even more!”

Master Zhang gave him a smack on the back of the head. “Stupid boy! If you return successful in three months, I’ll take you to the Min family to propose marriage!”

Zhang Nianxiang was overjoyed and kowtowed to the old man three times. “Thank you, Father, for your blessing!” The old stubborn man, who had always disliked the fierce girl from the Min family, had finally relented. Zhang Nianxiang was filled with joy.

That night, he ran to the shores of Sun-Moon Lake their usual meeting spot to tell the news to Min Shanshan. Min Shanshan burst into tears upon hearing it, stomping her foot and pinching his ear. “You rotten fish egg! You’re leaving me alone and running off again.”

Zhang Nianxiang twisted his handsome face and begged for mercy. “My lady, this isn’t like when we were kids. My word is my bond! When I say I’m coming to marry you in three years, I will!!”

Min Shanshan’s grip loosened. She looked at her beloved with misty eyes. “Promise?”

Zhang Nianxiang seized the chance to rescue his ear and pulled the spirited girl into a long embrace. “Shanshan… just trust me this once.” He intentionally lowered his voice; his breath brushed against her fair neck, sending a wave of goosebumps across her skin.

Min Shanshan lowered her head and rested it gently on his shoulder. “You rotten fish egg…” she whispered, her lips pouting and her eyes shimmering with tears.

“I will definitely marry you. Wait for me, Shanshan!”

That night, the young couple poured out their hearts to one another, exchanged tokens, and made their lifelong vows.

The next morning, Zhang Nianxiang boarded a magnificent galley sent from the Eastern Wasteland, beginning the chapter of his tragic fate…

On his first day at the Eastern Wasteland Sect, he met Ji Xing. Ji Xing was a handsome man with bronze skin, deep-set eyes, and a broad, powerful build. He was a master of fist techniques; with a single punch, he had snapped the neck of a “Black-String Yellow Jade” newcomer who had tried to cause trouble in Wangfeng Woods. Later, he had delivered a cold-blooded kick to the groin of a “Black-String Green Jade” attacker, utterly crushing the man’s chance of having descendants. The harrowing screams had echoed through the forest.

Zhang Nianxiang, holding his long spear, hadn’t even had a chance to move. After Ji Xing had easily dealt with seven or eight Massacre members, he turned back.

“Hahahahaha!” The youth laughed freely under the sunlight. “You… your moves are far too overbearing and ruthless.”

Ji Xing narrowed his eyes. “You don’t like them?”

Zhang Nianxiang thrust his spear forward, wanting a comparison. “It’s not about like or dislike, only about who is more skilled! Watch my move!”

Ji Xing smiled and met him with his fists. However, he intentionally held back half his strength and all of his ruthlessness, adding instead a few layers of tenderness. Indeed, Ji Xing was a natural “cut-sleeve” and had fallen in love with Zhang Nianxiang at first sight.

Zhang Nianxiang, a thick-headed straight man, knew nothing of this. He spent every day living, eating, and sleeping alongside Ji Xing without a second thought. While he wasn’t used to the increasingly bold looks Ji Xing gave him, he never suspected anything untoward.

On the day of the faction selection, Zhang Nianxiang chose the Hero path without hesitation. Ji Xing, on the other hand, snatched a black string and walked away.

Zhang Nianxiang froze and chased after him. “Ji Xing? Didn’t you tell me you wanted to be an upright hero?” He had even made a pact with Zhang Nianxiang: once their training was complete, they would take Min Shanshan and wander the world as a trio of heroes.

Ji Xing stopped and spoke harshly with his back to the youth: “I lied to you. You actually believed me?”

Zhang Nianxiang was thin-skinned; he was so enraged he immediately pointed his spear at the man’s throat. “Ji! Xing! Are you treating me like a three-year-old child?!” His handsome eyes were red with a sense of extreme betrayal. He truly considered Ji Xing a brother no, even closer than a brother!

Ji Xing stared at him, ignoring the sharp spear tip as he walked forward several steps. Zhang Nianxiang panicked; fearing he would hurt the man, he quickly retracted his spear. Ji Xing’s gaze was burning like fire, fixed intensely on the youth’s flustered face.

Zhang Nianxiang couldn’t help but retreat a few steps. For some reason, he found the current Ji Xing to be quite terrifying. “I can’t endure it anymore, Nianxiang,” Ji Xing whispered cryptically.

Zhang Nianxiang’s face turned deathly pale. “You!” Even a fool would have sensed something wrong by now.

That day, the two parted on bad terms. After the faction selection, Zhang Nianxiang moved to his new residence and broke off his friendship with Ji Xing completely. He was a lively and handsome young man, and he soon made friends with his new neighbors.

The high-spirited young men spent day after day honing their skills, hoping that they too would one day join the ranks of the elite.

“One day, our names will be on the Hero’s List in the Hall of Swaying Wind!” “Hahahaha! Come, let’s drink to our future fame!”

Four cups clinked together a toast to their boundless ambition. Behind them, the setting sun painted the clouds in shades of pink. That moment was frozen in time, becoming a precious memory that would later cause Zhang Nianxiang to wet his collar with tears every time he remembered it.

At that time, Zhang Nianxiang truly felt his life was complete. From his birth at Hongguang Pavilion to learning his spear technique, meeting and falling in love with Min Shanshan, and then joining the Eastern Wasteland and meeting like-minded young talents. Returning home in glory to marry his beautiful wife and roam the world with his friends—what a joyful and carefree life that would be!

Zhang Nianxiang was earnestly planning his beautiful future, completely unaware that someone was lurking in the shadows, calculating how to devour him whole.