Chapter 12: Just Waiting to Show Off Boldly

Page 1/3

Yes, I know, it’s utterly unbelievable.

Jiang Lingyi herself understood how absurd it was, like a severely ill person suddenly signing up for a marathon—a reckless defiance of fate.

Clutching the Boundless Sword, Jiang Lingyi was momentarily at a loss, her gaze wandering nervously. When people feel awkward, they tend to pretend to be busy.

Voices carried up to the platform, where Jiang Yuanshan, dozing off, suddenly heard Jiang Lingyi’s name. He jolted awake, glanced down at the training ground, and sure enough, saw Jiang Lingyi surrounded by a crowd.

Why was she up so early practicing swordsmanship?

…Maybe she came to bring a handkerchief and water to Xie Lin?

Had she been kicked in the head by a donkey to get such a love-struck brain?

Jiang Lingyi’s presence was like a giant panda stumbling into a monkey mountain. Everyone stopped practicing and gathered around her, chatting: “Senior sister, why the sudden urge to join the monthly exam? How’s your Guiyuan Sword technique coming along? I can spar with you for free!”

Jiang Yuanshan pulled her out of the crowd, his expression a mix of anger and nervousness. “Why are you here practicing sword so early? You don’t even need to take the monthly exam!”

Jiang Lingyi blinked innocently. “How do I not need to? Father, you can’t just let Xie Lin off easy and forbid me from practicing sword. That would make me feel guilty about winning so easily.”

Like you haven’t felt guilty about your wins these past few days, Jiang Yuanshan thought silently.

He dragged her further away, lowering his voice. “Xie Lin’s body still isn’t fully recovered; he won’t be taking the exam. You’d better get some rest and stop messing around.”

Jiang Lingyi: ?

What? He’s not competing?

So all that time yesterday, when they talked behind his back, it was actually Jiang Yuanshan unilaterally stripping Xie Lin of his qualification.

My mission hasn’t even begun, and you’ve already taken away the whole premise!

“No! He must take the exam!”

This wasn’t just her mission background—it was a crucial plot point in the main storyline.

Her reaction was so intense that Jiang Yuanshan looked puzzled. “If you want him to admire your swordsmanship, just spar with him in private. Why do you have to beat him in the monthly exam?”

“Do you know the rules of the monthly exam? The beginner stage matches are one-on-one. Winners advance to the intermediate stage, then winners move on to the advanced stage. The advanced stage is a tournament-style arena—no one holds back!”

“Even if I could persuade disciples from Danyang Peak to go easy on you, what if you face disciples from other elders? Your health is already poor; what if you get injured again…”

Jiang Yuanshan was practically wearing out his lips explaining, but finally saw a flicker of willingness in Jiang Lingyi’s expression.

Page 2/3

Exactly, why chase after a man with so much fighting and killing?

Jiang Lingyi conceded, “If I join the monthly exam, you definitely won’t agree, right?”

Jiang Yuanshan looked heartbroken. “Of course not!”

Jiang Lingyi nodded. “Alright, then I won’t join. Let Xie Lin compete. His body should be mostly recovered in three days, and one monthly exam shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Fine, that works!” Jiang Yuanshan agreed immediately, afraid she might change her mind.

As long as Qin Qin doesn’t compete, it’s fine. Besides, Xie Lin had already said this morning he wanted to take the monthly exam with the other brothers. He didn’t want Xie Lin to lose the chance to bond with the sect members.

With her father’s assurance, Jiang Lingyi grabbed the Boundless Sword and left the courtyard without looking back.

After all, the mission only said to defeat Xie Lin in the sword cultivator’s monthly exam. It didn’t say she had to participate herself.

According to the original story, Xie Lin was certain to reach the advanced stage arena. She planned to swoop down at the right moment, challenging him unexpectedly—

Strike when you’re weak and take your life!

Yes, she was that ruthless and unorthodox. She wouldn’t follow the rules; she would knock him down (then slide to her knees to apologize, shower him with potent spirit medicines, and serve as his little attendant to help him recuperate!)

She would also break his spirit sword (then destroy her own home and her father’s assets to compensate Xie Lin with an even more powerful sword! Anyway, Pei Zheng would sabotage his sword beforehand, so the Ming Yi Sword wouldn’t be useful.)

Finally, she would stomp on his chest in fury (she hadn’t yet figured out how to kneel and apologize after that—she’d think about it later).

Her plan was almost complete; now she just had to wait for the day of the monthly exam to show her hand!

Page 3/3

Sure enough, after Jiang Yuanshan returned, he called Xie Lin aside and let him decide whether to participate in the monthly exam based on his health.

Jiang Lingyi.

Xie Lin frowned, his brows heavy with gloom and frustration, gripping the Ming Yi Sword tightly.

He needed to find a way to keep Jiang Lingyi occupied, so she wouldn’t have time to bother him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Pei Zheng leaning against a tree, reluctant to see Jiang Lingyi leave. Xie Lin’s tense mood suddenly eased.

He walked over to Pei Zheng and suddenly asked, “Do you like Jiang Lingyi?”

Pei Zheng’s eyes widened, stunned.

Though similar in stature to Pei Zheng, Xie Lin’s aura was completely different—his dark, cold, world-weary presence often repelled people. Yet what he said next made Pei Zheng overjoyed.

“I can help you pursue her.”

...

Behind Jiang Lingyi’s oblivious back, the main storyline quietly collapsed.

No more sabotage or scheming. No vicious antagonists.

Her supposed rival had become a master strategist in love, trying to entangle an unfortunate soul who just wanted to finish her mission and quietly await death.

Jiang Lingyi was still looking forward to the monthly exam two days from now.

She had a plan: since the advanced stage was a tournament, once Xie Lin reached the arena and fought a few rounds, she would seize the moment—when he was injured and exhausted—to leap from the stands and—

Strike while you’re weak and take your life!

Yes, she would be utterly unscrupulous and unconventional. She would knock him out (then slide to her knees to apologize, buy him heaps of spirit medicines, and become his devoted follower helping him recover!)

She would break his spirit sword (then ruin her family’s fortune to compensate Xie Lin with an even stronger sword! Besides, Pei Zheng would tamper with his sword beforehand, making the Ming Yi Sword useless.)

And finally, she would stomp on his chest in rage (still figuring out how to kneel and apologize for that later).

Her plan was nearly ready. Now, all she had to do was wait for the monthly exam to unleash her move!