The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Xie Ningyuan’s expression was composed. ”I’m fine for now.”

’Just for now...’

Lu Sangjiu lowered her gaze, falling silent for a moment. But this time, unlike before, she didn’t maintain the polite distance she usually kept between people.

Even though she could tell he didn’t want to elaborate, she pressed him anyway. ”What do you mean, ’for now’?”

Xie Ningyuan was taken aback for a moment, apparently not expecting her to press the issue.

Having observed Lu Sangjiu in secret for quite some time, he felt he understood her reasonably well.

She always seemed to be smiling and was kind to those around her, but deep down, she kept a barrier between herself and everyone else.

She cherished her friends, but she always maintained a certain line that she would never cross.

But with this question... she had crossed it.

As Xie Ningyuan remained silent, Lu Sangjiu showed no sign of backing down. Her eyes were fixed on him, waiting for an answer.

Finally, Xie Ningyuan could only manage a resigned smile. ”Fine. Since you’re so curious, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you.”

Xie Ningyuan’s situation that day had indeed been perilous.

But over the years, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect had put considerable effort into solving his problem and had found a way to suppress his Heart Demon.

After he was taken back that day, he was fed numerous spiritual pills and elixirs. Then, his master and several elders used a Secret Technique to help him reseal the Heart Demon.

This new seal was more robust than the one from the Poison Master. Even if he occasionally used his power, it wouldn’t be so easy to break. In other words, his condition was a little safer than before.

”Moreover...”

Xie Ningyuan glanced at Lu Sangjiu. ”My Heart Demon has weakened.”

Lu Sangjiu froze, pleasantly surprised yet puzzled. ”How could it just weaken out of the blue?”

’I know exactly how terrifying a Heart Demon is. It’s not something that just weakens on its own.’

Xie Ningyuan chuckled softly and answered without any hesitation, ”Because of you.”

”...Me?”

Lu Sangjiu hadn’t expected that answer.

She was bewildered. ”Did I... do something special?”

He didn’t answer, simply raising his hand to pat her on the head. ”So now, whether or not my Heart Demon can be resolved is all up to you. You’d better not let me down, you hear?”

Lu Sangjiu: ”...”

She asked uncertainly, ”Shouldn’t your Heart Demon require Gu Huang to be resolved? Why is it suddenly up to me?”

”Well... I suddenly discovered that you’re a better antidote than she is.”

Lu Sangjiu: ???

”So you’re not going to look for her anymore?”

Xie Ningyuan answered decisively, ”I’m not.”

Lu Sangjiu: ”...”

’So, I had just steeled myself to tell him my true identity, and now he doesn’t even care anymore???’

’I don’t know how to describe it, but for some reason, I feel a little indignant.’

Lu Sangjiu couldn’t resist testing the waters again. ”If I were willing to tell you where she is, would you still not want to see her?”

This time, Xie Ningyuan didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of silence, he chuckled softly. ”I do want to see her. But now... you’ve given me new hope.”

”Rather than appearing before her in this pathetic state to offer a superficial apology, I want to bring her a real resolution.”

”Lu Sangjiu, will you help me?”

Lu Sangjiu: ”...”

Her feelings at this moment were incredibly strange. It was like someone wanted to give her a surprise gift, but they were dragging her along to help prepare it—and she might even end up doing most of the work.

’But... fine. It’s not his fault he doesn’t know I’m the one he wants to give the gift to, right?’

’Besides, things have progressed this far. If I just blurted out that I’m Gu Huang right now, wouldn’t that be a little awkward?’

After a long silence, Lu Sangjiu smiled faintly. ”...Actually, we’re already like-minded friends. Why even speak of ’helping’?”

”Xie Ningyuan, since we share the same goals and aspirations, from now on... let’s move forward together as partners.”

She paused, then held out her right hand to Xie Ningyuan. ”And I mean *true* partners.”

Partners with no more suspicion or exploitation—the kind you could truly entrust your life to.

Xie Ningyuan looked at her outstretched hand. It was slender and elegant, looking so delicate it might break with a single squeeze.

But... in his eyes, it was the most powerful hand in the world—strong enough to pull him from the abyss and back into the light of day.

A smile unknowingly touched his eyes. Slowly and firmly, he also raised his right hand, clasping hers.

”Lu Sangjiu, you can always trust me.”

Their clasped hands held no romantic undertones; it was more like a silent oath between two people.

Lu Sangjiu watched his strong, well-defined hand close around hers, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

Then, she abruptly pulled her hand away, turning it palm-up in front of him. ”So, partner, how about a few more Elixir Pills? I’m not quite back to a hundred percent yet, you know.”

Xie Ningyuan: ”...”

Any and all sentimental feelings came to a screeching halt. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he irritably placed an Elixir Pill in her palm.

”So you’ve decided to completely drop the pleasantries with me, have you?!”

Lu Sangjiu accepted the Elixir Pill with glee, retorting with righteous confidence, ”We’re partners, aren’t we? I’m injured, so isn’t it only right for you to give me some Elixir Pills?”

”Don’t worry. Next time you’re injured, even if you’re on your last breath, I’ll search the highest heavens and the deepest underworld to find a cure for you!”

Seeing her spouting utter nonsense, Xie Ningyuan was torn between exasperation and amusement. ”Well, I certainly appreciate the auspicious words!”

After that, Lu Sangjiu devoured every last bit of food, then let out a contented burp before leaning back and closing her eyes to rest.

She appeared to be resting, but in reality, she was visiting the remnant soul of Mo Long, which she had imprisoned in her Sea of Consciousness.

The Domination Map Blade was also being nurtured within her Sea of Consciousness. With its intimidating presence, the tattered remnant of Mo Long’s soul was far too weak to cause any trouble.

When Lu Sangjiu turned her senses inward, she immediately spotted it cowering in a corner, trembling.

”Mo Long, get over here and answer me!”

Upon hearing Lu Sangjiu’s voice, Mo Long’s remnant soul visibly trembled. Nevertheless, it had no choice but to shuffle over reluctantly.

”Ahem, Your Excellency may ask whatever you wish. It’s just... you promised to spare my life. You won’t go back on your word, will you?”

Lu Sangjiu snorted. ”What? Do you think I’m the kind of person who breaks their promises?”

”I’m giving you a chance. If you don’t want to take it, fine. I can find out everything I need to know with a little investigation anyway. Do you really think you’re in any position to bargain with me?”

Lu Sangjiu’s words completely crushed Mo Long’s bravado. It was just a remnant soul, after all, and clearly not a very bright one.

He hastily begged for mercy. ”I was wrong! I shouldn’t have judged a person of your stature by my own petty standards!”

”I believe you will keep your word! Please, ask whatever you like. I will tell you everything I know, holding nothing back!”