The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix's Novels Also Desires Happiness

Would the protagonist lack money?

Of course.

In many Long Aotian and Feng Aotian type novels Muen had read in his past life, the issue of resources was always a hurdle that the protagonist had to face early on. There were even many protagonists who carried the word “poor” from beginning to end.

Because if you wanted to play the counterattack route, it doomed their identity—at least in the early stage—to not be too exalted.

Just like Ariel. Before she smashed those arrogant brothers and sisters who looked down on her, her status was just that of a lowly illegitimate daughter. The reason she was now so adept at “black eating black” was precisely because she had eaten her way up like that since childhood.

Even now, as the first heir of the earl, with the family line flourishing and a crowd of people coveting her position, she could not obtain the full support of the earldom like Muen had. Not to mention, even if she truly did, it still might not be enough to sustain her expenses.

Because the so-called Aotian protagonists walk the high-end route, burning resources tenfold or a hundredfold more than ordinary people, in exchange for near-invincible combat strength among peers and top-tier potential.

Like Ariel. Learning magic already burns money; people even call it a “noble’s parlor trick.” And the ancient magic she studies—because many of its materials have become extremely scarce—has terrifyingly high prices. That’s not just burning money. At least burning has a process. What she does is basically just tossing money directly into a pit.

But for an excellent Feng Aotian protagonist, though resources are a hurdle, once she strides over it, it shouldn’t be too hard.

For example, in the original book, Ariel did indeed suffer a period of poverty, but with help from her teacher in soul state, she produced large numbers of ancient magic scrolls and special magic items, sold them on the black market, and even through “black eating black” means managed to make up for her shortage of resources.

Like a taotie, devouring every chance and resource she encountered, transforming them into part of her own strength—that was what an Aotian protagonist truly was.

But why had things gone wrong this time?

He remembered that last time she was broke because the black market had been shut down. This time...

Wait a minute. Could it be that it was still because the black market was closed?

A bolt of lightning split through Muen’s mind. His thoughts suddenly became clear.

Don’t ask why Ariel’s goods could only be sold on the black market. Because as a Feng Aotian protagonist, she had another trait—much of what she possessed, before her strength fully grew, could not see the light of day!

So in the original book, throughout the entire Academy arc, most of Ariel’s resources came from black market sales, picking up bargains, and sudden “black eating black” incidents.

The black market...

Just a few days ago, before Silent Moon descended, plenty of noble lords were pressed into service by His Majesty the Emperor, and the entire city had gone into martial law... naturally the black market couldn’t open.

As for “black eating black”...

If Ariel had managed to snatch the Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood, then she wouldn’t have had to worry about money for a long time.

But the Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood... had been stolen by Muen.

Even this Silent Moon incident, which wasn’t part of the original plot, when traced to its roots... had been triggered by Muen.

”So that means... in the end... after all the circling around... the root cause... is still...”

Me?

Muen was dumbfounded.

What kind of ultimate scapegoat luck was this? The storm stirred by the wings of his tiny butterfly had somehow all landed squarely on Ariel’s face?

Once he pieced it all together, a pang of guilt welled up unbidden in Muen’s heart.

Was this the protagonist’s black hole effect?

Sucking in everything? Damn, gotta respect that.

”But that’s not right either.”

Muen suddenly came back to himself and looked toward Liya.

”Right now Ariel shouldn’t be so broke, should she? After all, not long ago I gave her a whole million!”

Muen recalled the money he had handed over to Ariel in a burst of excitement when she had awakened him.

Even if she wanted to throw money around, a million should last her a while. It had only been a few days!

”Sure... sure enough it’s your fault!”

But hearing this, Liya didn’t show any gratitude to Muen. Instead, she glared at him fiercely, puffing her cheeks as she spoke.

”My fault?”

Muen’s expression turned strange. ”What did I do?”

”Ariel’s been acting really strange lately.”

Liya’s eyes reddened as she said:

”Every night she stares at that million you gave her, muttering things like, ‘I won’t let your scheme succeed,’ ‘I won’t bow to a mere million,’ ‘This money won’t corrupt me.’ Clearly holding a fortune in her hands, but refusing to spend a single coin. Instead she’s living even more frugally, like... like she’s possessed!”

”...”

Muen froze for a moment, then pressed his palm to his forehead with a wry smile.

So that was it. That stubborn protagonist... she still didn’t trust him, let alone casually accept his goodwill. The million he gave had only deepened her suspicions.

Sure enough, as the yellow-haired villain who had given her plenty of trouble in the past, it wouldn’t be so easy for her to forgive him.

”So you secretly snuck out to perform music and earn money, just to help Ariel through her difficulties?”

”Mm...”

Liya nodded gently. ”Ariel doesn’t spend any of her money. I don’t know where it all goes. I can feel she’s growing stronger every day, but... if she keeps surviving on black bread, her body won’t be able to take it.”

She pouted. ”At this rate, she really won’t grow up properly.”

”...”

Looking at Liya, who thought only of her childhood friend, Muen suddenly didn’t know what to say.

What was this? Life is hard, childhood friend plays for coin? This plot was already going wildly off-track.

”But, Liya...”

Muen let out a long sigh, looking at the girl who kept her head lowered as she spoke, and asked softly:

”For Ariel’s sake, you came out to earn money... but what about yourself?”

”What?”

Liya lifted her head, confusion on her face.

”Your studies.”

Muen said seriously: ”What about your studies?”

Because as a candidate Saintess of the Life Church undergoing her trial, Liya’s education wasn’t just the Academy’s classes. Her Saintess curriculum was something she absolutely couldn’t neglect.

Especially now, with the Rite of Muen—deciding the position of Saintess—fast approaching, she could least afford to slack off.

Ariel’s frantic burning of resources and growth lately was clearly for the sake of helping Liya prepare. But who could have thought it would instead make Liya, who most needed peace of mind for study, so worried that she would sneak out to earn money.

”My studies... won’t be affected.”

Liya twisted her fingers and said softly:

”I only sneak out at night. There’s still plenty of time in the day.”

”Then you study during the day and earn money at night. When do you rest?”

”...It doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.”

Liya paused, then revealed a moving smile that was meant to reassure:

”Actually, holy light spells can also wash away fatigue. I can manage!”

”...”

Muen looked at her, his eyes flickering.

As if it were possible that it didn’t matter. Even if holy light could ease physical fatigue, how could it soothe mental exhaustion?

As someone who regularly tempered his spirit within the Black Book, Muen knew all too well that the draining of the mind was far more unbearable than weariness of the body.

No. Whether from guilt toward Ariel or something else, he had to help her.

With this thought, Muen instinctively reached for his storage device.

But Liya instantly noticed his motion and cried urgently:

”Let me make this clear, I... I won’t accept your charity, and I don’t want your filthy money!”

”...This isn’t charity. It’s thanks for saving me earlier.”

”I already told you, I didn’t really save you at all. And if you want to thank me...”

Liya brushed her bracelet and said quietly: ”That money from before was already enough. Even if it’s hard, I still want to earn my own rewards with my own effort. After all, this is the first time I’ve truly helped Ariel with nothing but my own power.”

”...”

Muen couldn’t help but once again look straight into the girl’s eyes.

Clear, bright, with an unshakable weariness hidden deep inside, yet still... so firm.

So was it long-term companionship that had dyed her with Ariel’s stubbornness, or was this fragile-looking future Saintess’s nature always this way?

In that case...

”Liya, I’ll be returning to the Academy soon.”

”Mm?”

Liya looked at Muen in confusion, not understanding why he suddenly brought up such strange nonsense.

”For a true noble, musical appreciation is a required course.”

”But unfortunately, Saint Maria Academy, famous for its magic, doesn’t have a dedicated music appreciation class.”

”So...”

Muen extended his hand to Liya, smiling as he said:

”Liya, may I hire you, at a salary befitting a performer, to be my private musician?”

...

...

”Private musician?”

After a brief daze, Liya’s eyes widened. She hugged her ample chest and stepped back, watching Muen warily.

”You... what are you trying to do?”

Her cheeks, only just cooled, suddenly flushed scarlet again. She stammered nervously:

”C-Could it be that you really are like Ariel said, using this as an excuse to lure me somewhere secluded, and then do those beastly things to me? To make me... this way... that way... in all sorts of shameful poses? And I... uu...

...No, no way! I will never let you succeed! I... I am...”

”...”

Watching Liya’s overreaction, Muen’s mouth twitched.

Just what the hell had that bastard Ariel been stuffing into this pure girl’s head?

”Liya, I told you—this would be inside the Academy.”

Muen explained helplessly:

”Under the cover of the Grand Rite, how could I possibly do anything beastly to you? If I really tried, you could just shout and Professor Prang would come and butcher me on the spot. And if you’re still worried, I can settle your pay by the lesson. The moment you feel I’ve got any bad intentions, you can end it immediately.”

”But...”

”No buts.”

Seeing her about to argue, Muen knew if he let her, she’d pile up excuse after excuse. So he suddenly grinned wickedly, flashing the killing move he’d prepared all along:

”Liya, you wouldn’t want Ariel to know you came out here playing for money, would you?”

”Uu...”

Liya’s delicate body trembled. She whimpered miserably, her rabbit-like red eyes glaring at Muen with indignation.

”You... despicable.”

”Then call me despicable.”

Releasing his DNA with a satisfied rush, Muen raised his hand with a smile. ”So, what’s your decision?”

”...”

It felt like an entire century passed.

No one knew what kind of turmoil went through her little head. After long silence and Muen’s pressing gaze, Liya’s eyes flickered, her lips trembled, and at last she slowly stretched out her hand...

But just before her pale, delicate hand touched his, she fixed her eyes firmly on him and said seriously:

”Muen Campbell, you... you’re not actually trying to woo me, are you?”

”Pfft...”

Muen almost spat blood, his face full of shock.

”Where did you even get that idea?”

”Ariel told me: when a man suddenly treats you especially well, and goes roundabout trying to help you, that definitely means he wants to woo you.”

Liya tilted her head seriously.

”Ariel told me to stay away from such people.”

”...”

So just what had Ariel been filling her head with? Was this the power of the old seductress? Before even sharpening her knives, she was already making sure her insurance was in place.

Muen sighed softly, gazing at the girl before him.

Pure and cute features, a flawless face, paired with a body one in a million—she could stir any man’s desire. Add to that her future Saintess status, and how many men could possibly resist?

And according to the timeline, though that old seductress was already sharpening her knives, Liya’s feelings for Ariel should still be at the simple childhood-friend stage. After all, her true emotional event, the Rite of Muen that decided the Saintess, hadn’t yet begun.

So yes, the corner was still loose.

But...

If Muen really dared pry even this, forget seeking forgiveness—he might actually be beaten to death by the wrath of the Feng Aotian protagonist.

”Don’t worry.”

Muen gave her a smile without the slightest impurity.

”I absolutely don’t have those kinds of thoughts about you.”

”Really?”

”Truer than a pearl!”

”Promise me.”

”I promise!”

”You better not lie to me.”

”I swear to the Goddess!”

Muen straightened his chest, raised four fingers of his other hand, and declared solemnly:

”If I ever try to woo Liya, let me be hacked to pieces by a hatchet!”

”...”

Liya looked steadily at him, her lovely eyes sweeping his face as if weighing the truth of his words.

A long moment passed. Just as Muen was starting to struggle to keep a straight face, Liya suddenly broke into a radiant smile, making even the candlelight ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) flickering in the restaurant pale into insignificance.

”Alright. Since you don’t seem as bad as Ariel said, I’ll believe you this once.”

She clasped his hand, giving it a playful shake.

”Then please take care of me, Employer.”

”Mm, pleased to work with you, Miss Performer.”

Muen smiled faintly as well.

And so, as their hands touched, a secret contract belonging only to the two of them was sealed within the quiet, dreamlike atmosphere of that restaurant.