Competing with the Male Lead for the Female Lead (Transmigration) - Chapter 1

The cave was dark and damp, with water dripping onto the rocks, the sound echoing through the long, eerie passage. From the depths of the darkness came the sharp crack of a whip, accompanied by the clanking of chains being pulled.

“If it weren’t for you, how could this journey have been so difficult?!” The person on the shore, holding a long whip, had a gloomy expression.

In the water prison, there was a woman with disheveled hair, chained to the stone wall by two iron chains as thick as her wrists.

“You still dare to negotiate with me?!” With a cold laugh, a black whip swept towards the person in the water prison again, but it was suddenly caught by a green light in mid-air.

“Who?!”

A person stepped out from the shadows, and the whip-wielder, upon seeing the newcomer, walked over with a look of surprise. The person who had been sabotaging him had finally been caught; she was finally going to belong to him.

“Step back.”

The whip-wielder’s smile froze.

The person who had endured the whipping in silence suddenly burst into wild laughter, their laughter dripping with mockery.

So what if she’s not here? The female lead still looks down on you.

Hearing the sarcasm in her smile, the whip-wielder’s gaze hardened, and he turned to lash out again, “Shut up!”

The long whip was hooked again.

“Master seems to be looking for you.”

The empty cave was filled with the woman’s mocking laughter, which only faded once the target of her ridicule left. She returned to her half-dead demeanor, and as for the person who wasn’t on the shore, she didn’t spare them a single glance.

Splash, someone is going into the water.

Flowing with the water.

A soft thing was wiping the blood and dirt off her face.

“Although I was shocked at the time, I wasn’t actually surprised, because you’ve always been someone who doesn’t play by the rules. Deep down, I always felt that sooner or later, you would do something extraordinary…”

Her drooping eyelids trembled slightly. Yes, she, a person who disliked rules, had fallen in love with someone who was all about following them.

Not knowing what she was thinking, she suddenly showed an expression that seemed like a mix of crying and laughing, her voice dry as she said, “Senior sister, always preaching.”

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*

The large trees provide shade, and the bushes are dense; if one is not attentive, it is hard to notice the small figure hidden under the thicket.

Lan Fei’er had been hiding under the tree for a while. She was staring at a small cave not far ahead, hesitating whether to go take a look.

Ever since she was transported into this damn book, she has been living cautiously, observing the protagonist and those characters whose names she can recall, always paying attention to the plot’s direction.

As a nameless passerby in the book, it’s not an exaggeration to say she’s in danger; after all, no one would randomly come looking for trouble with a passerby like her. But saying she’s safe isn’t necessarily true either. In cultivation novels, when two sects clash, hundreds or thousands of people can die, and these people are just like her, nameless passerbys. So she has to constantly pay attention to the plot developments to be prepared in advance; she doesn’t want to die.

For two months, she had kept her distance from key figures like the male and female leads. Part of the reason was her low talent, making her too inconspicuous among the many disciples, and she had no chance to interact with them. However, she was fine with it; after all, the closer she was to the protagonists, the more dangerous it became. If the male lead found out that she had also traveled here and knew the entire plot of the book, she couldn’t guarantee that this fellow transmigrator wouldn’t kill her to silence.

Don’t blame her for interpreting human nature with the utmost malice.

After all, life is one’s own, and no one can be trusted except oneself.

That being said, should she go up and take a look?

Lan Fei’er gazed at the cave entrance, pondering. Just a moment ago, she had seen the male and female leads enter one after the other.

According to the development in the book, the next scene is going to be a melodramatic one. The female lead has been poisoned with something inappropriate for children, and the male lead, with no other choice, has to use an inappropriate method to detoxify her.

The novel describes how the male and female leads had already developed feelings for each other before this, and this time it was a natural progression that solidified their relationship. As the first woman of the protagonist, Sheng Baihe, Wen Wuning, even if she is not the one with the highest cultivation, the best talent, the most appearances, or the one who helps the male lead the most in the future, still firmly holds the position of the main wife in the harem.

Also for certain reasons, Wen Wuning has always been an irreplaceable cinnabar mole in the male protagonist’s heart.

However, from Lan Fei’er’s observation, the situation between the two just now was somewhat strange, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint what was odd about it. Although Lan Fei’er was cautious and prudent, she sometimes acted on her instincts.

Just like now, she couldn’t stay put and wanted to go take a look, so she moved over.

Pushing aside the grass blocking the way, Lan Fei’er emerged from the bushes.

The two of them have been in the cave for about ten minutes. If nothing unexpected has happened, they should be busy with their tasks. If that’s the case, they should be on low alert at this time. Although she thought this, Lan Fei’er did not rashly run to the cave entrance.

Paying attention to the surroundings, she focused all her attention on listening carefully to the sounds inside the cave with her ears. Holding the small broken sword that each disciple at the sect had, she took small steps forward, reached the cave entrance, leaned against the entrance, crouched halfway, and listened intently to the sounds inside.

“Senior sister, are you okay?” It was the male lead’s voice.

Lan Fei’er frowned. The male lead in the book originally came from a scholarly family, but later, his family’s fortunes declined. Despite this, he possessed a rare scholarly elegance for a practitioner. Coupled with his exceptional talent, intelligence, diligence, and gentle demeanor towards others, he practiced a domineering and fierce technique and had a deep and contemplative mind. However, it was precisely this contrast that made countless young men and women bow down to him, either following him as his underlings or wanting to become his woman.

It is also this unconventional protagonist’s character design that makes this story stand out as particularly elegant and unpretentious among a sea of harem novels, leaving a deep impression on Lan Fei’er.

To be honest, a man like this being the protagonist and winning the hearts of so many girls doesn’t seem wrong to Lan Fei’er, because he is indeed outstanding and exceptional.

But the person who came through.

Lan Fei’er had a somewhat complicated expression; this fellow villager knew the plot and was certainly aware that the female lead was drugged at this moment, and also knew what would happen next.

The male lead’s voice was originally elegant and refined, but when he said this, it came off as hypocritically lecherous, though it might be because of Lan Fei’er’s preconceived notions.

She put away her wild thoughts and refocus on the cave.

“Nothing.” It was the female lead’s voice, usually cold and indifferent, but this time it carried a hint of restlessness, sounding anything but calm.

“Sister, you don’t look well. You must have been hit by that monster’s trick just now. Sit down first, and I’ll take a look at you.”

“No need.”

“Senior sister——”

“I said no need!”

Such a big reaction, I wonder how the male lead will manage to bring her down next. Outside the cave, Lan Fei’er was somewhat taken aback but continued to watch.

“Sister, you’ve been poisoned by aphrodisiac; the only way to cure it is…”

The male lead’s words were subtle, but anyone could tell what the implied meaning was.

Suddenly, it became eerily quiet inside, even the protagonist’s restless breath seemed to have vanished. Lan Fei’er suppressed the urge to peek inside and pressed her ear against the stone wall at the cave entrance.

The sound of a sword being drawn suddenly came from inside, exceptionally clear.

Draw a sword? Who drew a sword? Lan Fei’er felt somewhat bewildered, her ear almost pressed against the stone.

“Sheng Baihe, if you dare to say another word, I’ll make you regret it today.”

Pointing at her long sword that glimmered with a cold light, but this cold light was nothing compared to the chill in the sword owner’s eyes, Sheng Baihe felt frustrated. How was this different from what was promised? Didn’t the book say that Wen Wuning had long harbored feelings for him and would yield to him half-heartedly at this moment?!

Outside the cave, Lan Fei’er was also a bit puzzled; Wen Wuning’s attitude was somewhat off.

Even though Wen Wuning was exuding an aura of coldness at this moment, making it seem like she wasn’t secretly in love with him, Sheng Baihe, whose mind was clouded by her beauty, thought she was just proud and couldn’t lower her ego.

It’s normal to think this way. Right now, Sheng Baihe is just a lifelong solo otaku who hasn’t even held a girl’s hand, let alone someone as stunning and graceful as Wen Wuning. Who could remain indifferent in front of such a beauty? Moreover, in the book, Wen Wuning is the master of his harem. So, when he found out he had crossed into the book, he had already considered Wen Wuning as his wife in his heart.

“Senior sister, I’m doing this for your own good.” Saying this, he took advantage of the moment when Wen Wuning was slightly dazed from the drug, stepped forward to press her acupoint, and caught the soft-falling beauty in his arms. With the warm and soft jade in his embrace, Sheng Baihe immediately felt a rush of blood, and his facade was almost about to collapse.

Wen Wuning, who had been dizzy and irritable from the effects of the drug, suddenly found herself unable to move after being acupressured. She immediately became alert and glared at Sheng Baihe with anger, “What do you want?!”

Holding the fragrant and soft beauty in his arms, Sheng Baihe felt like he was about to ascend to the heavens. Reluctantly, he placed the person on the haystack, adopting a seemingly righteous demeanor and said, “Senior sister, you were drugged, and this was my only option. Don’t worry, I will take responsibility. Once we leave this place, I will definitely go to Uncle to propose.”

Wen Wuning stared blankly at him, not because she was swayed by his words, but because she couldn’t believe she was in such a situation, nor could she believe that the usually gentle and refined Sheng Baihe would take advantage of her! Wen Wuning’s eyes were bloodshot, and she gritted her teeth, saying, “Sheng Baihe, you are despicable and shameless! If you dare to touch me, I will make sure you suffer a thousand cuts!”

The hand reaching towards Wen Wuning’s waist paused; Sheng Baihe was startled by her fierce demeanor. However, a bowstring cannot remain unpulled once drawn, and he firmly believed that the plot in the book was correct. Here, he was using this method to cure Wen Wuning’s poison. Afterwards, Wen Wuning did not pursue the matter but instead became even more obedient to him. Thinking of this, Sheng Baihe felt relieved.

The usually cold and indifferent face of the gentle beauty was now flushed pink from the poison, her dark eyes glistening, yet she still put on a brave front. Sheng Baihe sneered inwardly, his mind filled with inappropriate thoughts. No matter how fierce the beauty was later, she would turn into a puddle of spring water.

Thinking this, Sheng Baihe no longer hesitated, reached out to loosen Wen Wuning’s corset, and tossed him aside lightly.

“Sheng Baihe, I will definitely kill you!!”

Lan Fei’er couldn’t see what was happening inside, but she could hear the sounds. She furrowed her brows and crouched down, guessing what was happening inside.

She just didn’t expect Wen Wuning’s reaction to Sheng Baihe to be like this. According to the book, Wen Wuning is indeed a high and cold flower, wise and indifferent, but that’s only towards others. For the protagonist, she is just an ordinary lovesick girl. At this moment, she shouldn’t be acting like this.

Lan Fei’er couldn’t hold it any longer, and the female lead’s voice, almost bursting through her teeth, kept coming from inside. She regretted it; she shouldn’t have come to see.

But at this moment, even if she were to leave, she wouldn’t be able to do so with a clear conscience.

But if she doesn’t leave, what can she do? This is the development of the plot in the book, and the one inside is the protagonist, someone she can’t afford to offend.

Lan Fei’er was torn between her thoughts, her ears filled with Wen Wuning’s desperate and furious curses, and the sound of fabric being torn apart.

Lan Fei’er tightened her grip on the sword, glanced at the forest across from her, gritted her teeth, bent down, and ran over. At the same time, she cursed to herself, ‘I’ll never come to watch the fun for no reason again!’

Inside the cave, knowing that Wen Wuning couldn’t see him, Sheng Baihe completely dropped his disguise. His eyes glowed with greed as he stared at the beauty on the haystack. Such a beauty, if he hadn’t crossed over, he would never have encountered in his original world, let alone have her lie there and do as he pleased. His heart felt like it was on fire, burning away his reason. Like a starving wolf, he urgently tore at Wen Wuning’s clothes.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the cave. Instinctively, he looked up alertly, his rationality immediately returning. At the same time, he felt a pang of fear; he had been too careless. With beauty before him, he had almost forgotten where he was. This was the perilous subspace, where a moment’s inattention could cost him his life. Although he was the protagonist now, he still had to be cautious.

He glanced at the beauty on the ground, licked his lips, and stood up. He would first make sure everything was fine before slowly enjoying himself. After all, this person wouldn’t be able to escape today.

Outside the cave, Lan Fei’er, who was hiding in the grass and trying to conceal her presence, saw Sheng Baihe come out of the cave, take a look, and fly off in another direction. She immediately jumped out and ran towards the cave.

As soon as she entered the cave, she saw Wen Wuning lying on the haystack, disheveled. Although his clothes were in disarray, it seemed that nothing inappropriate had happened yet.

“Who?!” Wen Wuning’s voice was hoarse, filled with vigilance and confusion.

Despite the situation, Wen Wuning could still sense that the visitor’s aura was different; it wasn’t Sheng Baihe.

Ignoring the unusual hoarseness in her voice, Lan Fei’er stated her name.

“Senior sister, it’s me, Lan Fei’er,”

She strode forward, removing the sash from Wen Wuning’s face and preparing to help her get dressed, but then she saw a pair of red, tearful eyes below. Lan Fei’er was slightly taken aback, but she pretended not to see and quickly helped Wen Wuning tidy her clothes and fasten her sash.

“Senior sister, I can’t unlock the acupoints, so I can only take you away for now.” Saying this, she helped Wen Wuning up, letting her lean on her shoulder with one hand, while she wrapped her arms around her waist.

Wen Wuning didn’t know Lan Fei’er, wasn’t even very familiar with the name or the face, but recognized Lan Fei’er’s robe; she was a disciple of the Wen family.

“Take my sword.”

Lan Fei’er didn’t waste any words either. Supporting the person, she walked over, kicked the sword into the air, and without saying a word, she took the sword and led the person out of the cave.

Even if she’s a weakling, at least she’s a cultivator, so her physical strength is definitely better than an ordinary person’s. Carrying one person is more than enough.

But this subspace is full of dangers, and given Wen Wuning’s current situation, it’s not advisable to run around outside. It’s better to find a safe place to hide.

The breathing beside her ear grew heavier, and when Lan Fei’er turned her head, she saw Wen Wuning’s face flushed and her eyes dazed.

She knew that Wen Wuning was holding back and not showing that inappropriate side.

“Senior sister, Senior Sheng went in that direction. He should be back soon. I’ll take you somewhere else to hide.”

“Mm.” Wen Wuning replied vaguely and urged, “Hurry up.”

As the legitimate daughter of the Wen family and possessing excellent qualifications, Wen Wuning’s prestige among her peers is second only to her elder brother, Wen Ran.

With such a status and her naturally aloof demeanor, she either doesn’t speak at all or naturally adopts a commanding tone.

At this moment, it is what it is.

At this critical moment, Lan Fei’er didn’t hold it against her either.

Now that she has taken the blame upon herself, there’s no way to shake it off. She can only try her best not to bring trouble upon herself, lest Sheng Baihe finds out that she has ruined his good deed.

Lan Fei’er hurriedly led her people into the forest.

In less than half a moment, Sheng Baihe returned without noticing anything unusual, only to find the haystack empty. If it weren’t for the lingering scent of Wen Wuning in the cave, he would have doubted whether he had come to the wrong place.

Someone took his people away?!

Sheng Baihe’s anger was uncontrollable. Wen Wuning had been acupointed by him and could never leave on his own; he could only have been taken away by someone!

In his heart, Wen Wuning was already his woman. If any other man took advantage of her, he would never accept it. Moreover, as the protagonist of this book, he actually suffered a setback. No matter who the other person was, Sheng Baihe walked out of the cave with a grim expression: “Once I find you, I will make you suffer a thousand cuts.”