The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

The thick spikes growing inward moved slowly, almost as if they were deliberately giving the person inside a chance to escape.

But it was easy to see this was no act of mercy. It was torture.

It gave its victim a glimmer of hope, only to slowly squeeze their space away, forcing them to despair amidst their struggles.

What’s more, the cage was lined with barbs. While dodging the spikes, it was inevitable that one would touch them, and any contact would tear flesh and draw blood.

Luo Linlang’s first instinct was to attack the spikes with a Magic Treasure, but she had no idea what they were made of. They looked fragile, as if they would break with a single blow, but in reality, they were impossible to sever.

As a spike was about to impale her, Luo Linlang had no choice but to retreat and dodge.

But immediately, new spikes sprouted, shrinking the space she had to move.

This was hardly a scene one would expect in a proper match. It was clearly a method for torturing prisoners and extracting confessions under duress.

A hush fell over the crowd. Watching Luo Linlang’s predicament, they couldn’t help but look on with pity.

Sword Bu Gui held Luo Linlang in high regard, and his brow furrowed deeply. He shot a hostile glare at Bai Heng, who had calmly settled back into his seat.

”Mr. Bai, for someone so young, your disciple’s methods are far too vicious. Using such a Magic Treasure in a tournament match... anyone who didn’t know better would think her opponent was the one who killed her father!”

Bai Heng’s expression was placid. ”I purchased this Hell Cage from the Gold and Silver Gate not long ago. I asked at the time if it could be used in the Sword Seizing Conference matches, and the Gold and Silver Gate never said it was forbidden.”

”Since it is within the rules, on what grounds do you base your accusation?”

Sword Bu Gui immediately turned to the Sect Leader of the Gold and Silver Gate, who looked rather awkward. Nevertheless, he had to bite the bullet and nod. ”That... ahem, the Hell Cage is indeed a recent creation from my junior brother’s refining.”

”It’s called that because it’s meant to inflict Hell-like torture on any enemy trapped within. Although it was intended for use against foes during its refining, it is, after all, a Magic Treasure. Using it in a competition... is not forbidden.”

A smirk played on Bai Heng’s lips as he glanced at Sword Bu Gui. ”Now, do you have anything else to say?”

Sword Bu Gui’s face darkened. He snorted coldly. ”It may be within the rules, but justice resides in the hearts of the people. Everyone has eyes; they can see for themselves.”

Meanwhile, Ye Zhiyao was in high spirits as she watched Luo Linlang’s wretched state inside the cage.

However, she also knew that this item was excessively cruel, and using it now would surely draw criticism.

So she put on another show of pity, trying to persuade her. ”Senior Sister Luo, my master bought me this Hell Cage for self-defense against my enemies. I never wanted to use it in a match because it’s so cruel.”

”But my personal sword was broken by Junior Sister Lu, and I still don’t have a decent replacement. For the chance of Entering Sword Tomb to find a new one, I have no choice but to do everything I can to win.”

”You have no chance of winning now, Senior Sister Luo. Why insist on suffering? Just admit defeat.”

While making excuses for herself, she didn’t forget to throw Lu Sangjiu under the bus.

Of course, she didn’t actually want Luo Linlang to surrender. She knew Luo Linlang’s temperament all too well; the more she urged her to give up, the more determined Luo Linlang would be to refuse.

But unexpectedly, at that moment, Lu Sangjiu shouted from the crowd, ”Second Senior Sister, surrender! There’s no need to let your pride get the better of you!”

Lu Sangjiu saw right through Ye Zhiyao’s little ploy. If she didn’t speak up and give Luo Linlang an out, her senior sister would likely keep fighting out of sheer stubbornness until she collapsed.

At Lu Sangjiu’s cry, Feng Lin, Chi Yan, Xiang Qian, and the others beside her all began to shout as well.

Even some strangers in the crowd were shouting, ”Luo Dao You, you’re already incredible! There’s no need to go on, just surrender!”

At that moment, countless voices reached Luo Linlang’s ears, and she finally wavered. ’Maybe... I really should surrender.’

Seeing Luo Linlang’s expression waver, Ye Zhiyao immediately added, ”That’s right, Senior Sister Luo. Junior Sister Lu broke my sword, and I’m sure she’s felt guilty about it ever since. She probably wants you to give this spot to me, too. Just think of it as you repaying her debt for her.”

Lu Sangjiu knew exactly what Ye Zhiyao meant by that.

It was nothing but a blatant attempt to sling mud at her, to provoke Luo Linlang and stop her from surrendering.

The rage in Lu Sangjiu’s heart flared. ”Ye Zhiyao, shut your mouth!”

”Luo Linlang, I told you to surrender! Do you hear me?!”

At that moment, she couldn’t care less about some damned green tea persona. She didn’t even call her ”Senior Sister” anymore; she just wanted Luo Linlang to surrender immediately.

However, Luo Linlang didn’t say a word. She didn’t even look back at Lu Sangjiu.

By now, large patches of her skin had been torn open by the cage’s barbs, and she was covered in blood.

A spike had unavoidably pierced through her left shoulder, and her clothes were almost completely dyed red with her own blood.

The waves of pain wracking her body, Lu Sangjiu’s furious shouts, and Ye Zhiyao’s condescending, mocking eyes before her...

All of it grated on Luo Linlang’s nerves.

As another spike plunged into her right calf, she suddenly broke into a grin, aimed right at Ye Zhiyao.

”...You don’t want me to surrender, do you? Fine, then... I’ll give you what you want!”

Luo Linlang’s pupils were gradually overcome by an azure blue. Her already beautiful eyes now looked as if they held a raging sea, both stunning and magnificent.

Lu Sangjiu didn’t know what Luo Linlang was about to do, but a terrible premonition gripped her heart.

”Luo Linlang, don’t do anything rash! Surrender! Hurry up and surrender!”

She couldn’t stop herself from trying to rush the stage, but the powerful Barrier repelled her, throwing her back.

”Mr. Lu!”

Feng Lin and the others didn’t understand what was happening, much less why Lu Sangjiu was so agitated. They quickly grabbed her. ”Disrupting the match is a serious offense! Are you tired of living?”

But Lu Sangjiu couldn’t care less. She stubbornly kept trying to rush the stage.

But... it was too late.

Suddenly, as if she no longer felt pain, Luo Linlang fiercely grabbed the nearest barbed iron railing.

She didn’t care that her palm was instantly shredded and dripping with blood. She used the grip to lean her body forward slightly, as if trying to get a closer, clearer look at Ye Zhiyao.

Ye Zhiyao felt a chill run down her spine under the gaze of those blue eyes and subconsciously took a step back. ”You...”

She started to speak, but after just one word, she saw Luo Linlang staring at her, her red lips parting slightly.

”Ye Zhiyao... get on your knees!”

Luo Linlang’s voice wasn’t loud, but it seemed to carry a power that pierced straight to the heart.

Even though they were outside the Barrier, everyone present fell subconsciously silent.

But once the words registered, they could only wonder if Luo Linlang had gone mad.

In her situation, telling Ye Zhiyao to kneel? What was she thinking?

The next moment, however, everyone’s eyes nearly popped out of their heads!

Because they watched, stunned, as Ye Zhiyao, after hearing those words, slowly but irresistibly sank to her knees before Luo Linlang!