Chapter 17: Let’s Talk

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At this point in the original book, Xie Lin and Jiang Lingyi were merely developing feelings for each other, caught in a stage of pure yet ambiguous affection. At most, their interactions were limited to exchanged glances, and the greatest intimacy was an accidental brush of hands while passing something to one another. It was a story of pure love, beautifully innocent, much like a mutual secret crush in a school romance.

But now, the campus romance has abruptly shifted into a dark narrative—one of forceful conquest, with the female dominant humiliating and tormenting the male lead.

Ah...

“System, our relationship with the male lead has come to this. Is there any way to salvage it?”

The system remained silent, its deathly quiet clearly saying: No hope, just bury it.

“This is completely different from the original story. Will I be able to ‘die’ normally later on?”

Only then did the system speak.

“As long as the main plot doesn’t change drastically and doesn’t interfere with your descent down the mountain to encounter the great demon, you will successfully die in that battle.”

That was a relief. As long as she could follow Xie Lin down the mountain, travel as originally planned, and meet that great demon smoothly, all would be well.

However, rumors were swirling wildly within the sect. Xie Lin must hate her to death now and probably wouldn’t want to see her again.

She needed to find Xie Lin and explain.

At Danyang Peak, in the disciples' dormitory area.

Having barely survived the monthly exam, no one felt like practicing swordsmanship tonight. They gathered to crack sunflower seeds and gossip, naturally discussing the most explosive incident of the day.

The dormitory walls offered no soundproofing whatsoever. Pei Zheng lay on his bed, face buried in his pillow, as gossip buzzed from all directions, drilling into his ears repeatedly.

Inside, he howled like a slaughtered pig.

Xie Lin, you bastard! How dare you deceive me! What rotten idea did you come up with to make me lose to you in the monthly exam, claiming that this way Master would send me to closed-door training in the back mountain, allowing me to sneak out every night to recite poetry and admire the moon with my senior sister!

Now look! Not only am I sent to closed-door training by Master, but senior sister has also been kidnapped by you! Ah!!!

Furious, Pei Zheng sprang up from his bed, drew his sword from the bedside, and stormed out with fierce determination.

“Xie Lin! I’m going to fight you to the death!”

Back Mountain of Danyang Peak.

Night fell heavy, the interlaced branches mottling the moonlight into scattered shadows. Occasionally, a distant, crisp birdcall pierced the silence, lending a ghostly atmosphere to the still forest.

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Jiang Lingyi deliberately wore a modest sea-blue robe, lifting her skirt carefully as she entered the back mountain.

Earlier that afternoon, she had sent a message to Xie Lin via a sound transmission talisman, arranging to meet him in the forest at midnight. She had things to say face to face. She thought he might refuse, so she prepared several excuses, but to her surprise, Xie Lin agreed outright.

His prompt acceptance gave her the unsettling feeling that he might intend to silence her in the forest tonight.

Their affair had become the talk of the sect. Even disregarding Xie Lin’s dislike of her and his desire to avoid her, his current popularity was comparable to a major celebrity. Investigating the enemy’s trail afterward would be inconvenient…

Jiang Lingyi feared that if he grew angrier, he might kill her one day. Better to humble herself first and discuss how to manage this scandal.

She circled through the forest but saw no sign of Xie Lin. Afraid to call his name in case someone overheard, she thought hard, then imitated a birdcall.

“Cuckoo~ Cuckoo~”

Deep in the woods, Xie Lin: …

How could Jiang Yuanshan have such a daughter as Jiang Lingyi?

“Cuckoo~ Cuckoo~”

The birdcall echoed every ten seconds, making Xie Lin’s skin crawl. He quickened his pace, crunching dry leaves underfoot as he searched.

“Cuckoo~ Uh!”

Just as Jiang Lingyi peeked from behind a tree, Xie Lin suddenly leapt out and covered her mouth. Startled, she shuddered sharply right in front of him.

Xie Lin ground his teeth and whispered darkly behind her, “Your cuckoo bird sings at night?”

Jiang Lingyi brushed his hand away and instinctively glared at him, blurting out, “You manage heaven and earth and even control whether birds sing at night?”

Xie Lin opened his mouth to retort but suddenly choked on his words and swallowed them silently.

He couldn’t say that cuckoo birds only call frequently at night during mating season.

Seeing him silent, hidden in the dark shadows where she couldn’t read his expression, Jiang Lingyi belatedly realized she was supposed to be the pure white moonlight under the guise of a villainous supporting role. White moonlights don’t snap at people.

Damn it, damn it, she had broken character again!

Quickly, she switched tactics, soft and aggrieved, trying to endear herself, “A Lin, I actually wanted to explain what happened at noon. I saw you being bullied and got emotional. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I promise I won’t be so impulsive next time!”

Xie Lin snorted coldly, voice icy, “Oh? Breaking my sword was also impulsive?”

Jiang Lingyi: … I dare not speak.

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She nervously swallowed, the sound startlingly loud.

That cold voice dropped several tones and continued mockingly, “Stepping on me and humiliating me was impulsive too?”

Jiang Lingyi: Wuwu, I can’t handle this barrage of soul-searching questions!

“Breaking your sword was because that person dirtied it! And I… I…”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hurriedly unsheathed the Boundless Sword at her waist, holding it out with both hands, “I want to give you my sword!”

Xie Lin: …

He’d have to be insane to accept the exquisite spirit sword that Jiang Yuanshan had specially forged for his daughter.

“As for stepping on your chest, that was to assert my claim!”

Jiang Lingyi blinked at him, unconcerned whether he could see her expression, feigning innocence and pity, “You saw it yourself, bullying is rampant in the Xu Yang Sect. As a newcomer with strong cultivation and swordsmanship, they would definitely pick on you. But if I bullied you first…”

She pinched her thigh, forced herself to look shy and downcast, and coquettishly added, “It’s like marking you as mine. Then they wouldn’t dare to bully you.”

Such a poor excuse that even Jiang Lingyi couldn’t convince herself, yet now she had to convince Xie Lin.

Ha ha, let it be destroyed, whatever happens happens.

But when the moment of destruction truly arrived, she was scared.

The surroundings fell utterly silent, so quiet a pin could drop and be heard. Xie Lin’s sneering cold laugh sounded especially chilling.

“Do you really think I don’t dare kill you, so you keep teasing and humiliating me? What do you take me for?”

Though Jiang Lingyi was mentally prepared, when Xie Lin actually grabbed her neck and glared at her fiercely, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

“...I’m sorry.”

Xie Lin’s grip on her throat wasn’t strong, but enough to make breathing difficult and her throat ache.

Her trembling throat pressed against his palm as she spoke, forced to look up at him. Tears welled in her eyes. For once, Xie Lin could see a trace of genuine feeling beneath her false pretenses.

Because this apology was sincere, her falling tears authentic remorse.