The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Although Lu Sangjiu was dying to see Sword Bu Gui and Bai Heng throw down, she knew in her heart that they wouldn’t.

For one, fighting on someone else’s territory would mean offending the Gold and Silver Gate.

For another, they weren’t just representing themselves, but their sects as well.

The politics involved were too complicated. Even Bai Heng, who had always done as he pleased, had to show some restraint.

So, with the two men locked in a standoff, Lu Sangjiu spoke up again, her voice weak. ”S-Senior... I really can’t hold on any longer. I need to get back and treat my injuries right away. May I ask Mr. Gu to take me back first?”

Sword Bu Gui seized the opportunity to back down gracefully. ”Of course. Coincidentally, I am also feeling fatigued today. Elder Yin, thank you both for your hospitality. We will take our leave now.”

The two elders from the Gold and Silver Gate had been scared out of their wits. Hearing Sword Bu Gui volunteer to leave, they were so overjoyed they nearly wept, nodding profusely.

”Of course, of course! Please, take care, Sword Master Bu Gui. Let’s get together again some other time!”

Bai Heng gave Lu Sangjiu a long, hard look. Without so much as a polite farewell, he said coldly, ”Ayao, we’re leaving!”

The two Gold and Silver Gate elders scrambled to see Bai Heng off with ingratiating smiles.

And with that, the excruciating meal was finally over for Lu Sangjiu.

Worried about Lu Sangjiu’s condition, Gu Jue didn’t bother saying much to his master, simply sweeping her into his arms and heading out.

And so... Lu Sangjiu found herself being carried all the way downstairs by Gu Jue, through the packed main hall, and finally out of the Moon Viewing Tower.

Lu Sangjiu was speechless.

’The feeling of being carried bridal-style while everyone stared... so awkward.’

So she buried her head in Gu Jue’s chest the entire way, pretending to be unconscious.

Once they were outside the Moon Viewing Tower, she quickly patted Gu Jue. ”Mr. Gu, I think I’m feeling a lot better. Why don’t you put me down?”

Gu Jue’s brows furrowed. ”No. You’re in terrible shape. What if walking makes your injuries worse?”

Lu Sangjiu’s cheek twitched. ”Actually... it’s not that serious.”

Gu Jue’s expression was grim. ”Don’t push yourself.”

Flying was forbidden within the city, so they had to walk. The inn was still a long way off, and Gu Jue was genuinely afraid Lu Sangjiu’s condition would deteriorate.

Feeling like crying but unable to shed a tear, Lu Sangjiu settled for the next best option. ”Then... how about you give me a piggyback?”

’A piggyback ride has to be less embarrassing than being carried bridal-style!’

Gu Jue didn’t refuse this time. He nodded and said, ”Alright.”

With that, he set Lu Sangjiu down and adjusted his position to carry her on his back.

Neither of them spoke again. Just as Lu Sangjiu, resting on Gu Jue’s back, was beginning to feel drowsy, he suddenly broke the silence.

”Just now, at least three different groups were spying on us.”

”Oh... yeah.” Lu Sangjiu sounded unconcerned. ”I noticed.”

’Bai Heng may be classless, but he probably wouldn’t go so far as to send assassins after me. At least, not on the Gold and Silver Gate’s turf.’

’So it was probably one of Li Yijiang, Zhou Yun, Yi Ze, or Du Xing’er’s groups.’

’Or maybe it was the Qilin Sect, who already tried to kill me once today.’

’Thinking about it, Lu Sangjiu felt a wave of melancholy... How could someone as kind and friendly as her have unwittingly offended so many people?’

’But with Gu Jue around, she wasn’t worried in the slightest.’

’Once she was back, she would just hole up in the inn and not go anywhere, waiting for the Sword Seizing Conference to begin!’

Gu Jue had expected Lu Sangjiu to say something, but after she acknowledged it, she fell silent.

After a moment’s hesitation, he took the initiative again. ”What do you plan to do, then?”

”You don’t need to worry about me, Mr. Gu. I’m injured, so I’ll definitely be staying at the inn to recover. They wouldn’t be bold enough to storm the inn and try something, would they?”

Gu Jue grunted in acknowledgment. ”Still, that’s not a long-term solution. You never know when you might need to leave.”

Lu Sangjiu sensed there was more to his words. She asked hesitantly, ”S-So? Does Mr. Gu have some brilliant insight, perhaps?”

Gu Jue’s steps faltered. He tilted his head slightly. ”My master and I are staying in a private courtyard arranged by the Gold and Silver Gate. It’s quite large. If you wouldn’t mind, you could...”

Lu Sangjiu cut him off immediately. ”No, no! I couldn’t possibly trouble you!”

Gu Jue didn’t seem to expect such a blunt refusal. He was stunned for a moment before saying, ”Miss Lu, please don’t misunderstand. I have no ill intentions. Besides, it’s not just my master and me at the courtyard. My junior sister is there as well, so you have nothing to worry about.”

”That’s not what I meant!” Lu Sangjiu saw they were almost at the inn and realized it was easy to cause a misunderstanding when they couldn’t see each other’s faces.

So she patted his shoulder. ”Put me down!”

Gu Jue set her down before turning to face her.

He stood there quietly, watching her, his back to the dim yellow lanterns in front of the inn.

For some reason, Lu Sangjiu suddenly felt the atmosphere turn strange...

She subconsciously shuffled back, putting a little distance between them before she spoke. ”Mr. Gu, everything that happened today was purely a matter of coincidence or necessity.”

”My relationship with you has become increasingly difficult to explain. Even though we both know we’re just friends, getting too close will inevitably start rumors.”

”So, for the sake of both our reputations, I must decline your kind offer. I hope you understand.”

The words Lu Sangjiu had said to Ye Zhiyao earlier were purely to quash any ideas Ye Zhiyao might have about Gu Jue.

But those words could easily be misinterpreted. She didn’t care what others thought, but she felt it was necessary to make things clear to Gu Jue.

Gu Jue’s lips parted. He wanted to say that the innocent have nothing to hide, so why care what other people think?

But as the words came to his lips, he couldn’t help but ask himself... ’Is my conscience truly clear?’

After a long silence, he finally nodded. ”Miss Lu, there’s no need to explain. I understand.”

”Since that’s the case, I won’t put you in a difficult position. If you need anything, you can contact me.”

Seeing Gu Jue wasn’t angry, Lu Sangjiu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. ”Alright then. Take care, Mr. Gu. Thanks for walking me back!”

With that, she walked past him toward the inn.

She had only taken a few steps when Gu Jue suddenly called out to her.

”Miss Lu...”

Lu Sangjiu looked back, puzzled. ”Is there something else?”

Half of Gu Jue’s body was hidden in shadow, making it difficult to see his expression, but his voice seemed to hold a trace of nervousness.

”Since... since we’re friends, you can... you can just call me by my name from now on.”

’Lu Sangjiu froze. She never thought a guy as straightforward as Gu Jue would actually make such a request.’

’But thinking about it, did this mean he truly saw her as a friend?’

’Once a person like Gu Jue considered her a friend, he probably wouldn’t turn against her for someone else’s sake in the future, right?’

Lu Sangjiu’s mood instantly brightened. She nodded, beaming. ”Alright, Gu Jue.”

With that, she waved. ”You should get some rest, too. Thanks again for today!”

Gu Jue stood there for a long time, watching Lu Sangjiu turn and enter the inn. Only when he was certain she wouldn’t look back did he let his gaze fall, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

’But... you didn’t say I could call you by your name, too.’