After Transmigrating into a Book as a Cannon Fodder Character, The System Turned out to be Completely Unreliable! - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Lotus Pavilion (Part 3)

 

Lan Mushu held her breath and shouted menacingly, “Come out!”

 

Ye Lingxi felt her ears ringing. Sis, doesn’t your throat hurt yelling like that?

 

She had infused her voice with spiritual energy so it could reach inside the Lotus Pavilion. The soundwaves rippled violently, and even Ye Lingxi wobbled from the impact.

 

Not long after, a woman walked out of the Lotus Pavilion.

 

Ye Lingxi steadied herself for a better look, but Jing got ahead and said, “That person is Mu Yun.”

 

“She’s Mu Yun?”

 

The graceful woman was dressed in purple, and the two mounds on her chest swayed as she walked. When she moved, her fair thighs were exposed.

 

Whew!

 

Even Ye Lingxi couldn’t help but praise her, “What a chest.”

 

Jing: “…”

 

“Why are you also impressed?” Jing looked up and asked.

 

Ye Lingxi said, “Who doesn’t love a beauty?”

 

Jing: “…”

 

“Well… fair point.”

 

Although Mu Yun didn’t have the best reputation, her figure was undeniable—absolutely top-tier.

 

“What business do you have with our Pavilion Master?”

 

Lan Mushu said, “We want to know why the crystal stones from Rong Kingdom have become currency here in Lotus Town?”

 

Mu Yun narrowed her eyes. “Young lady, that doesn’t seem like your business.”

 

“Oh? Wasn’t it your Pavilion Master who was indirectly responsible for the deaths of Rong Kingdom’s people back then?!”

 

“You—!” Mu Yun couldn’t bear it any longer and fired off countless talisman papers toward them!

 

Lan Mushu wasn’t afraid at all—she struck forward with her whip. Seeing her talismans ineffective, Mu Yun asked, “How did you break our formation?”

 

“You let your Pavilion Master come out, and I’ll tell you!”

 

“Don’t be so arrogant! Who are you to speak so wildly?!” Just as Mu Yun was about to strike again, a maid stepped out.

 

The maid bowed to everyone. “Our Pavilion Master invites you in.”

 

Mu Yun asked, “He’s willing to meet them?”

 

Maid: “Yes.”

 

“Hmph, lucky you!” Mu Yun flicked her sleeve, her fragrant shoulders revealed by the force of her gesture.

 

Jing and Ye Lingxi’s mouths both formed an “O”.

 

The maid said, “Please, everyone, follow me.”

 

Only then did Lan Mushu withdraw her celestial vine whip and say to Ye Lingxi and Ji Fuyu, “Let’s go in.”

 

Ye Lingxi couldn’t help giving a thumbs up. Sis, you’re amazing.

 

When I get back, I’m definitely becoming your biggest fan.

 

The group entered through the main gate. Immediately inside was a vast lotus pond.

 

Jing leaned close to Ye Lingxi’s ear and whispered, “Be careful of that man. He’s extremely dangerous. I even saw him hit that woman yesterday.”

 

“What? He’s that brutal?” Ye Lingxi was shocked. “But how come I didn’t see any bruises on her?”

 

“What are you, a pervert? Why would you ask that?”

 

“You’re the pervert.” Ye Lingxi rolled her eyes. “I was just curious. Usually, even a pinch leaves a mark. But she had no bruises at all and her skin’s smooth and fair.”

 

Jing: “…”

 

“Is it possible she’s like that Lian Qi Pavilion Master, maintaining her looks by shedding skin?”

 

Ye Lingxi raised a brow. “Right! You really are a smart one.”

 

“…Why does that sound more like sarcasm?” Jing felt something off about her tone.

 

Ye Lingxi: “It’s not. You’re overthinking it—I’m praising you.”

 

Jing: “…”

 

“By the way, who exactly are you? Why do you seem like you’re not scared of anything?”

 

Ye Lingxi’s eyes shifted. Her system still hadn’t returned—she didn’t know if it was dead. Plus, the plot had changed. She just wanted to finish this arc and get out. She’d wait for the finale from a distance. She didn’t want to get involved anymore.

 

In short—she had already given up.

 

She smiled at him. “You don’t need to know that. For now, let’s just complete the damn mission and follow the plot.”

 

“Plot? What’s that?”

 

“Plot means we go find the Pavilion Master!” Ye Lingxi shoved him forward. “Why do kids talk so much?”

 

Jing: “…”

 

I’m only like this temporarily.

 

“My true form isn’t a kid.”

 

“Then why do you act like such a kid, just like Ji Fuyu?”

 

“Uh… I guess I caught it from her.”

 

Ye Lingxi: “…”

 

“You two haven’t even been together that long, and you’re already ‘infected’?”

 

“Still longer than you.”

 

Ye Lingxi: “…”

 

That line reminded her of a rather unfortunate incident—when that drugged Ji Fuyu dragged her into the mess, mistook her for someone else, and almost did unspeakable things. Just the thought of it made her stiffen.

 

Ye Lingxi ignored Jing and walked on ahead.

 

Jing: “????????????????????????”

 

“What’s going on now?” He looked down at his palms, confused.

 

The maid led them into the interior of the Lotus Pavilion. The center was empty, reminiscent of Lan Mushu’s secret room, but it looked more like an altar.

 

“The Pavilion Master says to wait here,” the maid had just finished speaking when a large net sprang up from the air.

 

“Hahahaha!” Mu Yun had been waiting for them to fall into the trap. She laughed loudly, “You believed something like that? How stupid.”

 

The three of them were lifted up by the net. Lan Mushu and Ye Lingxi tried to summon their spiritual tools, but nothing happened.

 

“Don’t waste your energy. This net is enchanted with runes. You can’t summon any magical tools,” Mu Yun mocked as she poked the one disguised as Ji Fuyu—actually Jing. “That’s how we found out about your existence yesterday.”

 

Jing’s eyes widened.

 

Lan Mushu wondered—was it the innkeeper from yesterday? She tried to break free.

 

Mu Yun sneered, “Told you it’s useless. Still won’t listen.” Her beautifully manicured fingers traced the net’s surface. “Take them to the dungeon. The Pavilion Master will deal with them tonight.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The maid carried them off.

 

No matter how much they struggled, it was all in vain.

 

They were roughly thrown into a dungeon. The three of them were completely unable to break free.

 

“What do we do?” Ye Lingxi asked.

 

Lan Mushu was still trying to break the net. “Can’t use any spiritual power.”

 

“What about you?”

 

“Same here.” Jing hadn’t expected the net to block even his magic.

 

Their struggling caught the attention of someone in the next cell. A voice called out, “Try merging with the net. Make it think you’re part of it.”

 

“Who? Who’s speaking?”

 

“Trust this old man.”

 

Ye Lingxi didn’t know why, but that voice sounded familiar. “Let’s give it a try. Better than flailing around doing nothing.”

 

The other two agreed. “Alright.”

 

They calmed down, but the voice from the next cell continued, “Take a deep breath. Clear your mind.”

 

The old man, sitting cross-legged, gently stroked his beard, back turned to them.

 

The three obediently followed his method—and it actually worked. The net loosened on its own.

 

They stood up and looked at each other. “Seriously? We did it!”

 

Ye Lingxi and Jing danced with joy.

 

Lan Mushu thanked the man through the wall. “Thank you, sir.”

 

“No need, no need. As long as you’re out, that’s enough.” He continued stroking his beard.

 

Ye Lingxi tried to lean closer, hoping to hear more clearly.

 

Jing asked, “What are you doing?”

 

Ye Lingxi laughed softly. “Stretching my neck.”

 

Jing: “…”

 

“Now we’re stuck in a dungeon. How are we supposed to find the Pavilion Master?” he asked.

 

Ye Lingxi shrugged. “We got out of the net, didn’t we? We can just use our spiritual power to break out.”

 

“Yeah, easy for you to say.” Jing plopped down on the floor, not the least bit dignified.

 

Ye Lingxi said, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it.” She gathered her spiritual power—a golden glow began to appear, then instantly faded.

 

“Told you,” Jing said with a shrug. “If we could get out, that old man next door would’ve escaped already.”

 

“That little one, I quite enjoy your cleverness,” the old man’s voice rang out again.

 

“Hey hey hey, don’t say it like that—it makes me sound dumb.”

 

“Are you not?” the old man and Jing replied in unison.

 

Ye Lingxi: “…”

 

“Elder, do you know anything about Lotus Town?”

 

“A bit.”

 

“Can you tell us about Lotus Town and Rong Kingdom?”

 

After her question, the old man stopped stroking his beard and asked, “Why do you want to know about Rong Kingdom and Lotus Town?”

 

Lan Mushu answered sincerely, “Because I’ve lost the memories related to Rong Kingdom and someone very important to me.”

 

“Why were they lost?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“If the heavens made you forget that part of your memory, there must be a reason. You’d best not try to disrupt the will of fate.”

 

“But… I want to know the answer.”