After Transmigrating into a Book as a Cannon Fodder Character, The System Turned out to be Completely Unreliable! - Chapter 43

Chapter 42: “Don’t tell me… You’ve fallen for her?”

Ji Fuyu, born of heaven and earth, was never bound to good or evil—it was always her choice.

“You damn crow! You dare lecture me now? Are you tired of living, or do you just want me to rip off all your feathers?”

Jing flinched and quickly backed away. “No way! My feathers are my best feature, okay?”

Ji Fuyu scoffed, “Not that mortals would appreciate them. Most think you’re a bad omen.”

Jing huffed proudly. “That’s because they don’t have taste!”

“Oh, shut it already.”

“I’m serious!” Jing insisted, puffing out his chest.

Ji Fuyu rolled her eyes. “Done reminiscing yet? I haven’t eaten all day.”

“You want food?” Jing perked up. “Great, I’m starving too. Want to grab a bite together?”

Ji Fuyu glanced at the table where Ye Lingxi had left some pastries. “No need. I’ve already got something prepared for me.”

“Huh?” Jing looked around. “Where?”

Ji Fuyu held her sword in one hand and waved him aside with the other. “Move. You’re in my way.”

Faced with her commanding presence, Jing obediently shuffled aside.

He watched as she approached the pastries on the table, bewildered. “Wait… Don’t tell me you’re actually going to eat *that*?”

“I’ll eat what I want.” Ji Fuyu picked up a pastry and took a bite.

Jing stared, half amused, half in disbelief. “You know, we demons grow strong by feeding on energy and spiritual essence—not human snacks. What are you doing eating mortal food?”

Ji Fuyu looked at him. “Are you even still a demon?”

Jing replied smugly, “Ever since we fought those immortals side by side, I’ve already crossed the threshold with you. I’m no ordinary beast anymore—I’ve embraced the demonic path.”

Ji Fuyu didn’t respond. That much was true. She chewed slowly, falling into thought. “You must be pretty free these days.”

“Yeah. If I’m not with you, I’ve got nothing better to do. Do you know how much I’ve missed you?”

Ji Fuyu glared at him. “Don’t get all sentimental. It’s disgusting.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll just go check out your little cultivator friend over there.” He started to step forward.

Ji Fuyu instantly blocked him. “Don’t.”

Jing blinked in surprise. “What, why?”

She wasn’t even sure herself—she just instinctively stopped him. She nearly blurted out: ‘Don’t go near her!’

Jing narrowed his eyes, then grinned. “Wait… don’t tell me—you’ve fallen for her?”

Ji Fuyu froze. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

“Then why not let me look at her? I wasn’t going to *do* anything. Why are you so protective?”

Ji Fuyu turned away. “She’s still useful to me.”

“Oh?” Jing leaned in. “Useful how?”

Ji Fuyu: “…”

“Back off,” she snapped.

Jing finally took a few steps back, and Ji Fuyu gave him a rundown of what had happened so far.

“Whoa… You two have been through a lot.” Jing looked genuinely impressed.

Ji Fuyu frowned at his laughter. Something about it made her uncomfortable.

“Silence!” she barked.

Jing zipped his lips dramatically, hopping around in front of her like a fool.

Ji Fuyu sighed. “Why is he somehow more annoying than Ye Lingxi when she cries?”

She grabbed his face irritably, and he transformed into a crow with a flap of his wings, flying off and shapeshifting back into human form. “What was that for?!”

“You’re *annoying.*”

Jing pouted. “You’ve changed. You used to be so adorable when we were kids. Now you’re just cold.”

She shot him a deadly glare. “Done talking yet? If so—get lost.”

“Tch. See? Not cute at all,” he muttered.

Ji Fuyu raised her broken sword threateningly, and he immediately gave in.

“Alright, alright, I’m going! I’ll disperse the space.” And with that, he vanished into the distance.

Ji Fuyu stared down at her powerless hands, lost in thought. ‘So I really have no spiritual energy left… How can I get it back?’

Her gaze drifted to the sleeping Ye Lingxi. She gently touched her forehead. The fever was gone.

‘She was the one who helped me recover, wasn’t she?’ A warmth bloomed in her chest… only to be quickly snuffed out by cold reason.

No… I can’t let myself be moved. Not again. If she turns out to be like her, I’ll only be fooled a second time…

Those eyes. Her eyes. They haunted her.

Ji Fuyu shut her own eyes, trying not to think about the past. Yet somehow, she found herself sitting beside Ye Lingxi.

“Ye Lingxi… will you turn out like her?” Ji Fuyu’s voice was low, whispering into the air. “I hope not. I really… hope not.”

—

Ye Lingxi stirred in her sleep. She thought she heard someone speaking. But when she opened her eyes, it was morning.

She stretched with a yawn, then noticed the half-eaten pastries on the table. She really was here.*

Smiling softly, she checked herself—everything seemed normal. “Good. Nothing happened… I think.”

As she poured herself some water, she noticed her broken sword had been moved. Picking it up, she frowned. *Did the demon woman touch my sword? But why? She has her own. Mine’s basically junk compared to hers…

She was still daydreaming when a knock came at the door—Lan Mushu.

“Xiao Xi, how are you feeling?”

Ye Lingxi turned and grinned. “Totally fine! Look!” She twirled in place.

Lan Mushu nodded. “Good. Get ready. We’ll eat and then head out.”

“Okay!” Ye Lingxi gulped down her tea, threw on her clothes, and rushed to get dressed. “One second!”

Downstairs, Lan Mushu was already waiting, sipping tea. Ye Lingxi came running, sword in hand. Her unique eye color drew curious stares from the crowd.

“Xiao Xi,” Lan Mushu called calmly, waving her over.

“Sorry, sorry! I’m late!”

Lan Mushu didn’t mind. “No rush. I’m used to it.”

Ye Lingxi scratched her head awkwardly. “My bad…”

“Eat up.” Lan Mushu gestured toward the table.

Ye Lingxi dove into the steamed buns. “So good!”

“This whole table’s yours. Whatever you don’t finish, we’ll pack.”

Ye Lingxi looked up in disbelief. “Really?!”

“Really.” Lan Mushu nodded casually, glancing over her shoulder at two shady figures behind them. She sipped her tea again.

After stuffing herself, Ye Lingxi rubbed her round belly. “I’m full!”

“Then let’s go,” Lan Mushu stood up.

Ye Lingxi quickly gathered the leftovers and slung her sword over her shoulder. “Ready!”

Lan Mushu gave a quiet “Mm,” but glanced warily at two men in cloaks nearby. They wore wide-brimmed hats and held large blades. The moment she turned toward them, they flinched and grabbed their weapons nervously.

Once Ye Lingxi and Lan Mushu walked away, the two shady men let out a sigh.

“Boss, did you see those two? Gorgeous. We could sell them for a fortune.”

The taller one with scars nodded. “I noticed the girl in green the moment she walked in.”

“The other one might not be as pretty,” the scrawnier one added, “but her eyes… I’ve never seen that eye color before.”

“Neither have I. If we take those eyes, there’ll be buyers lining up!”

“You’re a genius, boss.”

“What are you waiting for? Let’s follow them!”

“Got it!”

—

“Xiao Xi, we need to move quickly,” Lan Mushu warned.

“Huh? But I just ate! If I run now, I’ll throw up!”

“The people behind us don’t care whether you throw up or not!” Lan Mushu said, now fully alert.

“Wait, what?”

Just then, a small figure darted between them. Lan Mushu reacted fast, pushing Ye Lingxi aside.

Ye Lingxi tumbled to the ground, rolling several times before vomiting. “Told you… can’t run right after eating…”

Lan Mushu summoned her celestial vine whip and snapped it in front of her. “Who are you?!”

Two shady men with sneaky looks grinned. “We’re the Mouse Brothers.”

“Why’d you say our name out loud?!” Mouse Bro smacked his brother on the head.

“Ow! Why’d you hit me?!”

“Quit talking. Let’s grab them!”

“You’ve got a big mouth,” Lan Mushu said coolly. “Come at me, then!”

“You little—!”

“Little what?!” Mouse Bro interrupted. “Just catch them!”

“Right, right!”

With a leap, Lan Mushu struck with her vine whip. It lashed across their bodies like a spinning top, leaving them wincing in pain.

“Boss, her weapon’s got poison or something!”

“Didn’t expect that weak-looking vine to be deadly with spirit energy!” Mouse Bro gasped. “W-wait… this whip… it’s the Celestial Vine Whip?!”

He studied her clothes and the weapon, then blurted out, “You’re the Sect Leader of the Herb Sect—Lan Mushu!”

Lan Mushu gave a sly smile. “Surprised? Thanks for the free introduction.”

Then she leapt forward—fists flying.