The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Yan Zui was not surprised by Sword Bu Gui’s reaction.

She smiled faintly. ”My master said that since this is Sword Master Bu Gui’s first visit to Qingyun State in nearly a hundred years, the Joyful Union Sect should do its utmost to entertain you.”

”The people of my Joyful Union Sect will handle matters here. Sword Master Bu Gui, and all you esteemed friends, why not accompany me to the Joyful Union Sect as our guests? What do you say?”

Feng Lin and the others were unaware of the intricate history behind this, so they naturally had no reaction.

However, Sword Bu Gui was their elder here, so it was not their place to respond. They all remained quiet, waiting for his answer.

A stiff smile remained frozen on Sword Bu Gui’s face. His scalp tingled with anxiety, and he had no idea what to do.

Finally, Gu Jue, unable to watch any longer, stepped forward to stand in front of Sword Bu Gui and cupped his hands in a salute toward Yan Zui.

”Thank you for your kind intentions, Ms. Yan, but we are worried about Ms. Lu and were just about to go find her, so I’m afraid...”

Sword Bu Gui immediately latched onto this like a lifeline. ”My beloved disciple speaks the truth!”

Gu Jue: ”...”

’Just a moment ago I was a rebellious disciple. He sure changes his tune fast.’

Yan Zui knew this was just an excuse but didn’t get angry. She simply said with a beaming smile, ”I could let the others go, but as for Sword Master Bu Gui... if this junior fails to bring you back, my master will be angry.”

’What the hell does your master being angry at you have to do with me?’

Although he couldn’t say it out loud due to his status as an elder, his eyes probably conveyed the message quite clearly.

So, Yan Zui raised an eyebrow slightly and added, ”I mean... she’ll be angry at *you*.”

Sword Bu Gui: ”...”

”My master’s temper has never been very good. If she gets angry, the consequences...”

Yan Zui smiled, wearing a perfectly reasonable expression. ”Senior, you may decide for yourself whether to come with me or not.”

Sword Bu Gui: ”...”

’She’s already laid it all out on the table. How could I dare to say no?’

Besides, he was the one who had broken his promise by coming to Qingyun State in the first place.

Sighing softly in resignation, Sword Bu Gui looked hesitantly at Gu Jue. ”Disciple...”

Gu Jue said coolly, ”Master, you don’t need to say anything more. We can manage on our own.”

Sword Bu Gui gave an awkward smile and then looked toward Liu Xi, still worried.

Having been rescued this time, Liu Xi had changed a great deal. She was no longer the lively, boisterous person she used to be; in fact, she had become overly quiet.

She had barely said a word the entire time, having almost no presence at all.

It was the kind of sudden, excessive maturity that paradoxically made one worry even more.

Noticing Sword Bu Gui’s gaze, Liu Xi bowed to her master. ”I’m fine, Master. You don’t need to worry about me.”

She paused, then added, ”I will listen to my senior brother and will never cause trouble again.”

Sword Bu Gui opened his mouth, a strange, uncomfortable feeling welling up inside him. The words of advice he had wanted to give were now stuck in his throat.

In the end, he just nodded, turned to Yan Zui, and said, ”Let’s go.”

Yan Zui smiled slightly and nodded at Gu Jue and the others. ”Rest assured, everyone. The Joyful Union Sect will take good care of Sword Master Bu Gui. If you need any further assistance, you can contact me again at any time. Farewell.”

Only when Yan Zui and Sword Bu Gui were completely out of sight did Chi Yan finally fail to contain his gossipy heart. He shot a sly look at Gu Jue.

”Mr. Gu, your master and that Supreme Elder from the Joyful Union Sect... do they have some kind of history?”

He was already being very tactful, at least using the word ”history” instead of ”illicit affair.”

Unfortunately, Gu Jue wasn’t the talkative type. His expression was cool as he gave Chi Yan a three-word reply: ”I don’t know.”

Chi Yan: ”...”

’You think I’ll believe that?’

Chi Yan looked resentful, but he knew he wouldn’t get anything more out of him. He had no choice but to temporarily suppress his curiosity. ”Well... where do we go now?”

Gu Jue didn’t answer him, because just then, another message came from Lu Sangjiu.

”By the way, Mr. Gu, I got your storage bag and Phoenix Cry Sword back for you, so you don’t have to worry.”

Hearing this, Gu Jue’s expression couldn’t help but soften. ”Thank you.”

After a pause, he asked, ”Then where should we go to find you?”

This time, Lu Sangjiu gave a specific location. ”I just asked someone. There’s a town at the foot of this mountain called Qiling Town. We’ll wait for you here!”

Gu Jue was about to agree when he suddenly caught the key word. ”You... ’we’? Aren’t you alone?”

Lu Sangjiu didn’t hide anything and said directly, ”That’s right, Xie Ningyuan is here too. He’s the one who got me out of Menghua Forest!”

The smile on Gu Jue’s lips faded. He responded softly, ”...Mm, I understand.”

Traveling with Chi Yan and Feng Lin, he had long since heard about Xie Ningyuan’s deeds in Muxian Town from the gossipy Chi Yan.

Except for the final detail about Xie Ningyuan having Fallen into Demon to save Lu Sangjiu, he had pieced together the rest and had more or less figured out the whole story.

So, even without Lu Sangjiu telling him, he knew that the current Xie Ningyuan was not her enemy. Moreover... the day she had transformed into Lan Yu without any flaws, she had most likely used Xie Ningyuan’s Transformation Treasure.

’I just didn’t expect... that in the end, it would be him who brought her out of Menghua Forest.’

A sudden, baseless wave of disappointment washed over Gu Jue’s heart. It was faint, yet impossible to ignore.

Seeing him fall silent, Feng Lin found it strange. ”Mr. Gu, what are you spacing out for? What did Ms. Lu say?”

Gu Jue snapped back to his senses, his expression once again flawless. ”Nothing. She’s in Qiling Town. We’re heading over now.”

Meanwhile, Lu Sangjiu was dragging her weakened body down the mountain using Sword Control.

Seeing Xie Ningyuan flying neither too close nor too far beside her, with no intention of helping, she couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated.

”I’m still an invalid... Can’t you be a little considerate and give me a ride? Do you have to make me use Sword Control myself?”

Xie Ningyuan said coolly, ”An invalid who insists on going down the mountain instead of resting properly. It seems to me you’re not that sick. Do you really need me to give you a ride?”

Lu Sangjiu: ???

’No, seriously, what’s wrong with him!’

’Wasn’t I just anxious to get down the mountain and confirm our location because I was afraid Gu Jue and the others would be worried? Does he have to be so sarcastic about it?’

She was about to say more, but because she was momentarily distracted, her Flying Sword suddenly wobbled unsteadily.

She let out a small cry of alarm. Just as she was about to cast a spell to stabilize the Flying Sword, Xie Ningyuan grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her onto his own.

Lu Sangjiu steadied herself, feeling a little smug. ”’Not going to give me a ride,’ huh?”

Xie Ningyuan snorted. ”I was just afraid the person I worked so hard to save would fall to her death. That would be a waste of my Elixir Pills.”

Lu Sangjiu pouted. ”Is it so hard to admit you realized your mistake and promptly corrected it?”

Xie Ningyuan: ”...Cut the crap. Hold on tight.”

The two had only been staying at an inn in the town for half a day when Gu Jue and the others found them in the evening.

”Lu Fairy!”

Chi Yan’s jubilant voice stood out from the crowd.

He had always been an enthusiastic and unrestrained person. Seeing Lu Sangjiu now, he was overcome with excitement, breaking away from the group and lunging toward her in a flying leap.

”Ms. Lu, it’s so great that you’re okay!”