The Female Lead Always Comes Around [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 3

Ning Shu wanted to explain further, but the black-clad attackers gave her no chance. They surged forward, their long knives glinting coldly in the sunlight, each strike brimming with lethal intent.

Ning Shu had no choice but to fight back. Once the attackers realized she was no ordinary fighter, they became more cautious, aiming each move at her weak points.

They moved like trained assassins here to kill, not engage in the restrained duels of the martial world.

With Ning Shu drawing their focus, the woman in pale green began to fight back. Her robes were stained with bl00d, her face and arms marred by cuts and bruises, yet she exuded a formidable aura. Her gaze toward the black-clad attackers was sharp and proud, completely unafraid.

Ning Shu swiftly defeated all the black-clad men surrounding her. She dusted the gray dirt off her skirt and sighed, “I already told you I don’t know her. Why won’t you listen? Must you taste a little pain before understanding?”

The leader’s expression darkened as he glanced at his injured subordinates on the ground. Holding his knife defensively, he asked, “What proof do you have that you’re not working with her?”

Ning Shu thought for a moment. She really had no way to prove it. If words couldn’t solve the problem, she’d handle the problem at the source.

Her foot traced a circle like flowing clouds. She kicked the knife lying on the ground toward her, catching it in her hand, and told the leader, “Two choices: One, you and your men leave. Two, taste my blade. Choose wisely.”

The leader’s face darkened, all arrogance gone. Glancing at the green-clad woman, then at Ning Shu holding the blade calmly, he reluctantly ordered the remaining men, “Go!”

A short, sharp-featured subordinate asked, “Boss, we’re just leaving? How do we explain this to the palace master? We outnumbered them; those two women shouldn’t have been a match.”

Wu Lie turned to him, scowling. “You don’t understand. The one surnamed Li isn’t a threat; the real problem is her ally. Didn’t you see her strike down so many of us bare-handed? Keep fighting and we’d all end up dead here. Move!”

Ning Shu raised an eyebrow, unfazed. Half a year at the cliff bottom hadn’t been wasted—she could win without a fight.

Dropping the knife, she continued on her path only to be blocked by someone.

“You can’t leave. You haven’t told me your name.”

Ning Shu looked at the pale, wobbly green-clad woman, frowning. Even now, she cared about her name? Truly bizarre.

“Consider it a good deed for the day. No need to thank me.”

The woman in green snapped, “Who’s thanking you? You saw me being chased and humiliated. Once I recover, I’m coming for you.”

Ning Shu: “…Definitely a weird one. Her brain works differently.”

She ignored her and tried to walk past. The green-clad woman stomped, frustrated. “Hey! Shouldn’t you see it through when you save someone? What if they come back?”

Ning Shu ignored her, quickening her pace. The woman’s voice faded.

“This place has no village, no town! Leaving a weak, injured woman here how heartless!”

“Oh, my head… I’m dizzy, I really am!”

Ning Shu paid no attention, disappearing around the bend. Whether she was genuinely dizzy or faking it, it wasn’t Ning Shu’s problem. She had saved her once; the rest was up to her.

The green-clad woman lay there for a long time. Seeing nothing around, she squinted and peeked ten miles in any direction, and not a single living thing in sight, let alone the person who saved her.

“Damn it! How can someone be so cruel… leaving a beauty to die!”

She rose unsteadily and limped down another path. Even her own sister had been harsher than a stranger, failing to send anyone to look for her all this time.

She sniffled, eyes stinging. “Fine… if no one’s coming, I can manage on my own.”

After two hours, Ning Shu finally reached the small town she remembered. The smallest and most remote in the capital region, it was more like a large village than a town—slightly busier, but not much else.

Her memories of this place were strong. This was where she and Long Tao had lived together for three years. Had Long Tao not later come to the Ning household to enforce their engagement, the original Ning Shu might have continued living in her own fantasies.

Although she had woken up in time, she had still lost her life. Pitiful.

That shameless couple!

Ning Shu cursed silently and headed to the small courtyard she remembered, where an elderly woman had once taken care of her.

Shu. A frail but gentle voice rang out, tinged with surprise.

Seeing the woman, Ning Shu felt a wave of warmth. “Grandma, it’s me.”

The woman hesitated, tentatively touching Ning Shu’s arm. Feeling it warm, she relaxed, disbelief in her eyes. “How…? Xiao Tao said you… said you…”

She trailed off, but Ning Shu understood what Long Tao had said.

He had climbed high in Ning Han’s family, disdainful of staying here, but before leaving, he had to perform the farewell ritual with Grandma. Being careful to avoid any mistakes, he likely claimed Ning Shu had fallen to her death. That explained Grandma’s current reaction.

“Grandma, I’m not dead.”

Ning Shu explained simply, and the woman immediately brightened. “It’s fine, it’s fine! Come inside. I’ll make your favorite stir-fried tofu with pickled cabbage.”

Ning Shu smiled and followed her in.

During the meal, Grandma recounted the past few months. As Ning Shu had guessed, Long Tao had taken her belongings but hadn’t fully left. He came back occasionally, claiming to check on Grandma, but really to ensure Ning Shu was truly gone.

Ning Shu smiled coldly. That man was cunning, meticulous, leaving no gaps.

“Has he been here recently?” she asked.

“Not for three months, I can’t remember exactly.”

Ning Shu nodded and continued eating. It had been so long since she’d had plain rice; she savored every bite.

After the meal, she helped clear the table and wash the dishes. That night, they sat in the courtyard together, enjoying a rare peaceful moment.

When Ning Shu had fallen off the cliff, it had been April. Now it was October. Luckily, the climate here was mild, and the nights weren’t cold.

“Xiao Shu, no matter what happens, always protect yourself,” Grandma said unexpectedly.

Ning Shu paused, then smiled. “I understand, thank you, Grandma. It’s late let’s go sleep.”

She helped Grandma inside, then stayed up in the chair until sleep overtook her. The next morning, the bright sunlight woke her, and she felt refreshed despite less than four hours of sleep.

The legendary martial arts really did wonders; the benefits were immense.

Grandma, being old, had already risen to water the vegetables. Ning Shu joined her, then they prepared breakfast together a simple, tranquil rural life.

Ning Shu stayed for three days. On the fourth morning, she bade Grandma farewell. She wanted this peaceful life, but she had unfinished business.

“Xiao Shu, if the outside world is too harsh, you can always come back. Grandma’s door is always open for you.”

Ning Shu hugged her, pressing her face into Grandma’s neck to stop herself from crying.

“When I finish what I need to, I’ll come back. I’ll help you with the vegetables and chickens.”

“Good, Grandma will be waiting.”

Ning Shu set off for the capital, planning the most satisfying way to exact revenge.

She had thought about it last night, but dismissed each idea.

Rushing in to kill that shameless couple directly would likely anger the righteous sects, attracting attention and trouble.

Feigning kindness toward Long Tao, being gentle and understanding, would provoke Ning Han’s jealousy. She could then sow distrust between them and take them down one by one…

Though clever, with her temperament, she might accidentally kill Long Tao in the process.

Such a scumbag was like chocolate falling into dung just looking at him made her nauseous. Why be kind?

As she walked, Ning Shu’s instincts flared. Passing through a gorge, she sensed something amiss. She halted, scanning her surroundings.

Though the area seemed empty, she felt a powerful presence nearby.

“Since you’re waiting here for me, why not show yourself?”

A low, deep laugh echoed. Suddenly, four black-clad figures appeared on the stones before her, weapons at the ready.

“This girl is cautious,” one said.
“Her martial skills are impressive she sensed our presence.”

Ning Shu listened carefully. None of their voices matched the laugh she had heard earlier. There must be someone hidden a greater threat.

The four argued among themselves. One glanced at Ning Shu, frowned, then suddenly smiled a sinister grin that sent chills down her spine.

“Palace Master, does this girl look like the heir you’ve been seeking?”

Before Ning Shu could respond, another figure appeared silently, like a ghost, right in front of her. A gust of wind ruffled her hair, and she instantly knew this person’s martial skill matched her own.

Damn system. It promised invincibility after training in the divine art. How could this happen?

She wanted to escape but couldn’t. By the time the wind swept past, her limbs had already moved on their own.

“Strong skills, solid foundation. I might give her a chance,” said the man.

What chance? Ning Shu was confused, about to speak, but he swept his sleeve across her, sending her flying.

“Take her back. Give her the Tendon-Transforming and Marrow-Cleansing technique. I’ll provide the test myself.”

The four men descended, catching her mid-air, steering her off her path with several leaps.

Ning Shu swore all the way, until her throat grew hoarse.

The so-called Tendon-Transforming technique? A day in a bubbling hot spring. Afterwards, she was taken to a spacious hall, where she finally saw the man called “Palace Master.”

Clad in red, hair casually tied, he sat on a thick tiger-skin-covered throne. He glanced at Ning Shu sideways, his long lashes shadowing his eyes, revealing nothing.