I Transmigrated as the Protagonist and Was Kidnapped by the Villainous Omega - Chapter 16

Warm sunlight slanted through the wooden window, casting a gentle glow inside the small grass hut. It was peaceful and cozy.

The person on the bed kicked off the blanket and lazily turned over.

The bed was hard, but this was the most comfortable sleep Su Cheng had had since transmigrating into the book.

She stretched with a yawn and slowly opened her eyes, spotting some clean clothes neatly folded on the chair, and a new wooden crutch standing beside the bed.

She had no idea who kept silently delivering these little comforts.

She had slept straight through to the afternoon, and by the time she woke up, her stomach was already growling. Su Cheng got up, changed her clothes, sat at the table to tie up her hair, and only stepped outside after carefully checking her reflection in the mirror.

After all, she still had to rely on this pretty face to seduce Ling Yuexi, didn’t she?

The setting sun cast an orange glow over the cobbled path. Su Cheng stood by the river with a cup and toothbrush, rinsing her mouth.

Voices drifted over from a distance. She turned her head and saw a few people walking toward her, carrying bamboo baskets, all wearing bright smiles of a good harvest.

“Hey, Cheng Su, you’re up! Perfect timing,” Song Ci greeted her with a cheerful grin. “Dinner’s gonna be great today—you’re in for a treat!”

A treat? Didn’t Hong Xiu Zhao serve porridge and greens every day…?

Su Cheng wrung out her towel and wiped her face. “What’s the occasion? Why’s everyone so happy?”

“You haven’t heard? Yun Qi just came back with a group from the back mountain and brought back quite a haul!” The contents of the bamboo basket suddenly twitched, and Song Ci quickly pressed the lid down. “Oh, right—you haven’t met Yun Qi yet, have you?”

Su Cheng gave the basket a suspicious look and shook her head. She ran through the original novel in her mind and realized—there had been no mention of this person at all.

Seeing her puzzled expression, someone nearby butt in, “You’ll see her tonight; she should be with the Big Boss right now.”

Ling Yuexi? Their relationship seems pretty good?

“Oh, she sounds really impressive. What does she do?”

At this question, a look of admiration immediately spread across their faces. “Yun Qi is certainly impressive. She’s like the strategist of our Red Sleeve Order, the Big Boss’s right-hand!”

“That’s right, our stronghold owes its existence today because of her!”

“Well, you’ll meet her soon anyway.” Song Ci said, holding the squirming bamboo basket, “We’ll go get busy now!”

“Alright.” Su Cheng smiled, waving goodbye to them, her heart growing more curious.

This person named Yun Qi seemed to be no ordinary individual. Could she be some hidden character? Although the original book didn’t describe Red Sleeve in too much detail, since they could develop so strongly in the later stages, they must have many powerful figures, certainly more than what she currently saw. She had a general idea of Red Sleeve’s location, and her next step was to investigate their combat capabilities.

Having made up her mind, Su Cheng packed her things and headed back.

The stronghold was much more populated than before; its former desolation had now become lively. The sun gradually set, and torches were lit everywhere, making the place bright. Everyone seemed busy. The long tables in the open area were wiped clean, with wooden plates, chopsticks, and other utensils neatly arranged on them.

Su Cheng bumped into Hu Ziyuan just as she returned to the thatched hut.

“You certainly can sleep.” Hu Ziyuan said while carrying a medicine box and approached her.. “Among the medicines we ‘borrowed,’ there are some for mending bones and tendons; they’ll be very helpful for your leg.”

Although Dragon Domain’s weaponry was a bit backward, their medical standards were quite high, especially after they got Pu Lao. They had even developed many highly effective medicines. With her S-rank physique, if she recuperated at a medical clinic, she’d be cured in less than half a month.

“Then I’ll trouble you!”

The two entered the thatched hut. Hu Ziyuan removed the splint from Su Cheng’s leg and examined the injury. It was strange; this disabled A’s physique seemed unusually good. Even with a broken leg, she could still run around with them, her agility no worse than an ordinary person’s.

“Ziyuan, how much do you know about Yun Qi?” Su Cheng thought for a moment, deciding to gauge her reaction first.

“What, trying to gather intel on a love rival?”

???

It seemed she had accidentally discovered something.

“Ah, yes, yes.” Su Cheng immediately put on an act. “Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll win every battle! Tell me about her.”

Hu Ziyuan unscrewed a lid, and a faint fragrance wafted out. “Want to know?” She took some ointment with a small spoon; the paste was clear and translucent, clearly a top-grade elixir. “Why should I tell you?”

Oh-ho, it seems she knew quite a bit.

The scoundrel’s eyes darted around slyly, revealing a profound smile. “You understand. Mutual benefit, each taking what they need.”

Hu Ziyuan looked up: What do I need that you would know?

Su Cheng narrowed her eyes, smiling without speaking: Leaving aside other things, I know everything about Tang Jin’s matter.

Their eyes clashed silently in the air. The seemingly calm atmosphere actually held turbulent undercurrents. The candlelight in the hut flickered. After a few rounds, both sides exchanged smiles, nodding in satisfaction.

From that day on, a cunning, unscrupulous, and bottomless alliance was secretly formed in this unassuming little thatched hut.

About half an hour later, Hu Ziyuan left with her medicine box, looking refreshed. After she left, Su Cheng sat alone in the hut, pondering their conversation. The amount of information seemed quite significant.

This mysterious strategist’s full name was Shi Yunqi, and she had known Ling Yuexi for many years. Their relationship was extraordinary; the sniper rifle Ling Yuexi often used was meticulously modified by her. At this thought, Su Cheng’s heart tightened. In the original book, Ling Yuexi’s weapon was continuously improved. In the later stages, it not only had a silencer but also significantly enhanced power and accuracy. From a thousand meters away, a single shot could pierce through Yazhi’s soft armor, leaving him dead without knowing where the enemy was. She hadn’t expected it was Shi Yunqi behind these modifications.

This time, Shi Yunqi had led people to explore the back mountain and unexpectedly discovered many animals. She didn’t know how they had hidden there. Shi Yunqi ordered people to herd some livestock back, planning to build a farm at the foot of the mountain so Red Sleeve could have a steady supply of meat in the future. Su Cheng recalled the bamboo basket in Song Ci’s hand; the squirming living thing inside seemed to be… a chicken?

No wonder they said they were in for a treat! She licked her lips. This Shi Yunqi really was someone you couldn’t bring yourself to hate! She immediately grabbed her crutch and quickly headed out the door.

Damn it, after transmigrating for so long, was she finally going to eat meat?!

After awhile, they didn’t notice that the sky had already darkened. Some small dishes were already set out on the long tables in the open area. Song Ci placed several jars of wine by the table and, seeing people arrive, called out, “Cheng Su, come taste Uncle’s Peach Blossom Brew. It’ll be gone if you’re late.”

“Coming, coming!” Su Cheng responded, cheerfully hopping toward him.

Song Ci, though an ordinary Beta with no great abilities, brewed pure, flavorful, and potent wine. A single cup would leave one thoroughly refreshed.

“Song, you brat, why didn’t you call me?” A small, white-haired old man suddenly appeared from somewhere.

Song Ci’s face immediately changed. She hugged a wine jar and then run away. “Don’t blame me, Elder Zhen, you almost drank yourself to death last time! The Second Boss said you’re not allowed to touch wine.”

“That’s because I’m old, what does that have to do with wine?!”

“That’s still not allowed! Go argue with the Second Boss!”

The two chased each other, leaping and bounding, almost knocking over some passersby.

Who would’ve thought this bandit’s den was quite lively? Su Cheng smiled and shook her head, leaning her crutch aside and sitting down. Everyone in the stronghold also sat along the long tables. Soon after, dishes were brought out one after another.

At first, everyone was calm, chatting and laughing in harmony.

*****

The moment the hand-shredded chicken appeared, the entire scene changed. Everyone surged forward, pushing and shoving, not even waiting for the platter to be properly served.

“Hey hey, what’s with you guys fighting among yourselves?!”

But Su Cheng was faster than all of them. Before anyone could move, she’d already pushed off the table, slammed her palm down, and sprang up on her one bad leg.

“This chicken is mine!”

…

At that moment, two people were strolling over from not far away.

“That one hopping on one leg—is that the crippled A you picked up? Doesn’t look crippled to me, pretty nimble actually,” Shi Yunqi bent over laughing at the chaotic scene in front of them. “She can really run.”

Over there, someone was clearly showing off, holding a piece of chicken in her mouth, cradling the plate as she darted nimbly between tables and chairs, a whole mob chasing after her.

Ling Yuexi’s lips curled into a faint smile. “More than that—she can climb out windows too.”

“Didn’t know you were into this type. A crippled A?” Shi Yunqi straightened up from her laughing fit and looked over. “I’m not any less crippled than her, you know? My gland’s completely removed.”

Ling Yuexi shot her a glance. “What, crippled As are competing now too?”

“Tsk, I’m being serious here,” Shi Yunqi leaned in, raising an eyebrow. “If we’re playing house, I can join in. What’s so good about her?”

“If I’m gonna play, I’ll at least pick someone easy on the eyes,” Ling Yuexi said, brushing her aside without turning her head, her steps are light. “Besides, I didn’t reject her during my heat.”

“Oh ho, now that’s rare.” Shi Yunqi looked genuinely surprised, quickly pulling out a small fan and patting her chest. “That poor soul must’ve had eight lifetimes of bad luck to catch your eye.”

Before another word could be said, a sweeping kick came flying toward Yun Qi.

…

Several more plates of meat were served after that, and the crowd finally returned to the long table and wine cups were clinking.

Hu Ziyuan snatched a wine jar from Zhen Yuan and swayed over to sit beside Su Cheng, whispering, “Hey, you think Tang Jin likes this wine?”

(Probably not? She didn’t seem like someone who drinks at all.)

“She definitely does,” Su Cheng’s eyes lit up as she slapped her thigh in assurance. “Don’t worry. Once I get in good with the new Dragon Domain guards, I’ll make sure your feelings get through.”

The two exchanged sneaky grins, clinked their cups, and downed their drinks in one go.

“Well well, so Su-su and Yuan-yuan are close too? Hope we’re not interrupting something.” Shi Yunqi put away her fan and walked over with Ling Yuexi, smiling sweetly.

Su Cheng suddenly felt a cold chill shoot down her spine. She’d been so focused on eating meat that she’d completely forgotten about her little ancestor.

She turned her head—and sure enough, met a pair of slightly cold eyes. Just as she was scrambling for an explanation, Hu Ziyuan slung an arm over her shoulder, cheeks flushed with drink, and said, “I’m telling you, today Su-su and I made a breakthrough in our relationship!”

There was no wind, yet everyone at the table suddenly shivered.

“Boss, we’ve had enough. You go ahead and enjoy,” the others at the table sensed something was off and made a hasty exit.

Su Cheng watched as she walked to the opposite seat and flung her mink coat down before sitting. “A breakthrough?”

Su Cheng quietly tugged at Hu Ziyuan, signaling her to sit properly.

But Hu Ziyuan seemed quite drunk. Her face was red, and she wobbled a finger, “That’s a secret between the two of us. Can’t tell you.”

“Is that so?” Ling Yuexi’s red lips curled slightly.

She was… actually laughing from rage.

Su Cheng waved her hands in panic. “Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! It’s not what you think—” Before she could finish, she was yanked over by the person next to her.

Hu Ziyuan had her in a headlock, her soft chest smushing right into Su Cheng’s face as she huffed, “What do you mean misunderstanding?! We agreed to take what we need from each other! Aren’t you satisfied?!”

Holy sh*t… why did that sound so wrong?

It’s Su-hu, okay?! Say it clearly, you damn tongue-twister!

Drunk people are surprisingly strong. Su Cheng couldn’t break free and turned bright red on the spot.

Screw this!!!

This pig teammate—was she sent by Tang Jin to sabotage her?!