(GL) The Supporting Female Character Strategy Manual - Chapter 29

At the foot of Shenji Mountain.

The thin vines Jian Tongyao had curled up clutched gently at the other’s ethereal immortal robes and tugged without letting go.

“Don’t leave. Can’t you stay?”

Qian Wanyu was nearly at her wit’s end from all the tugging.

“You and the little white fox should wait here at the foot of the mountain for now. Once I report everything to Master and he agrees, I’ll come back for you. Be good, alright?”

Jian Tongyao knew she couldn’t stop her at all. “We made a promise. You can’t go back on it. You must come back to find me.”

Qian Wanyu saw her eyes reddening and her heart suddenly softened. Her fingers coiled around the thin vines clutching at her robe hem and gently caressed them. “You’ve said this many times along the way. Master is reasonable and understanding. Once he learns your true nature, he definitely won’t object to us being together.”

Jian Tongyao didn’t share her confidence. Setting aside how most meetings with the family usually didn’t end well, the fatal catastrophe in Qian Wanyu’s destiny would also occur on Shenji Mountain.

There was a demon in the mountain.

She had gleaned this single piece of information from the brief life synopsis the system provided. After Qian Wanyu returned, she would encounter this demon and would be killed by it.

Jian Tongyao’s brow furrowed slightly. “If you encounter any sudden situation, you must not act rashly. Think everything through carefully for my sake.”

This was the first time Qian Wanyu had seen her so uneasy. She pulled her close, and her warm softness lightly touched the other’s forehead.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be back very soon.”

The little white fox squatted in the tree, plucking leaves. The branches in front of her had been stripped bare by her picking. She tilted her head in confusion, watching the two below being lovey-dovey for such a long time. Only after Qian Wanyu left did she jump down to comfort her.

“Xiao Jiu, don’t cry.”

Jian Tongyao took advantage of the fact that the other person liked her just a tiny bit and struck first to gain the upper hand. She forced Qian Wanyu to face their cross-species feelings directly. If she followed the other’s pattern of avoidance, she might shrink back into her shell for years or even a lifetime and refuse to come out.

She sniffled. “Xiao Hui, I’m not crying.”

Then she added, “Xiao Hui, now that your tail has grown out, do you want to return to the fox clan?”

The little white fox swished her newly grown fluffy tail. “Wherever Xiao Jiu goes, I go.”

Jian Tongyao felt troubled. Her wishful plan to send the little white fox away and sneak up the mountain alone had gone awry.

“Don’t you want to go back to the clan to see your parents?”

The little white fox tilted her head in puzzlement. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly glimpsed a wild chicken flashing through the grass. Her eyes lit up with gleaming light, and her little paws couldn’t help but scrape against the ground. “Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu, chicken!”

What’s the point of talking about family affection with a little fox demon whose brain has gone silly? Bah! It’s not as tempting as a wild chicken.

Before Jian Tongyao could react, the little white fox had already transformed into a white flash and pounced into the grass.

Rustle rustle…

Cluck cluck, cluck cluck cluck…

Jian Tongyao feared this little white fox would cause some great disaster on Shenji Mountain and hurriedly followed.

At the same time, Qian Wanyu returned to Shenji Mountain and received an enthusiastic welcome from many junior brothers and sisters. However, when asked why Junior Sister Jiang Qin hadn’t returned with her, Qian Wanyu subconsciously rubbed the hilt of the demon-slaying sword at her waist. “Where is Master now? I have important matters to report.”

…

Inside the highest solitary room at the mountain peak, light and shadows intersected within while wisps of fragrant incense floated about. Qian Wanyu pushed open the door and immediately spotted the figure standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. The cool breeze passing through the window made his ink-green robes flutter loudly. A strange lingering scent flashed by so faintly it was impossible to trace.

She subconsciously twitched her nose and glanced at the two meditation cushions scattered on the floor and the incense burner on the table from which smoke curled upward. She stepped forward respectfully.

“Master, I have returned.”

Yan Song turned around. His plain, unremarkable face bore no traces of age. He quickly walked to Qian Wanyu and looked her over with delight before saying “good” three times.

“Your cultivation has advanced considerably after being away for several months. You truly are this master’s good disciple.”

The reason her cultivation had advanced was not only from accidentally consuming Xiao Jiu’s leaves but also entirely due to that seductive and bewitching little vine demon shamelessly entangling her to cultivate using another method. After trying it once and getting a taste for it, things spiraled out of control.

As soon as Qian Wanyu recalled those entangled and lingering scenes, a suspicious red color appeared on her cheeks, and her cold eyes held a few traces of tender affection.

These transformations that shouldn’t have appeared on Qian Wanyu naturally didn’t escape Yan Song’s observation. He toyed with the jade thumb ring on his thumb.

“I’ve already heard about the matter with Jiang Qin.”

Thud.

Qian Wanyu was already kneeling before Yan Song.

“This matter is entirely this disciple’s fault for trusting the wrong person. This led to Junior Sister paying a painful price. Please punish this disciple severely, Master.”

The matter with Yan Ying carried more or less responsibility on her part. If she hadn’t shown momentary compassion by bringing Yan Ying along to test her, the tragedy that befell Junior Sister Jiang Qin could never have happened. She had been too self-righteous and had underestimated the other’s ruthlessness.

Afterward, they had pursued all the way but ultimately lost all trace of Yan Ying near Shenji Mountain. Qian Wanyu thought it over and concluded that allowing this demon, who was skilled at disguise, to wreak havoc among the populace was truly inappropriate. That was why she returned to the sect to report.

After listening, Yan Song supported his chin with his pale hand while deep in thought.

“From what you say, this demon called Yan Ying is extremely vicious and is a demon that everyone should eliminate. Death is too good for her.”

Qian Wanyu recalled the common people along the way who had died from having their blood drained. A flash of murderous intent crossed her eyes.

“Yes. According to what this disciple knows, Yan Ying should be the offspring of that thousand-year-old snake demon from Xianyao Town.”

Half-human, half-demon.

She had learned this from Xiao Jiu’s mouth. Though surprised at first, she felt the speculation was reasonable. At least she had never seen Yan Ying reveal her demon form.

Yan Song sighed heavily. “Underestimating the enemy is a grave taboo. You actually trusted a demon. Wanyu, this master is truly disappointed in you. You must engrave Jiang Qin’s tragedy in your heart and never repeat such mistakes in the future.”

Qian Wanyu replied, “Yes.”

Yan Song continued, “Go and receive thirty lashes. Let this matter end here.”

Qian Wanyu thought of the little vine demon who had begged her to return quickly. Her lips moved slightly, and she raised her eyes to see that Yan Song had closed his eyes and was rubbing his temples. The words she wanted to confess caught in her throat.

“Yes, Master.”

Thirty lashes were not few. For a woman, a body covered in whip marks was already severe punishment.

As soon as Qian Wanyu went to receive her punishment, the many junior brothers and sisters dared not speak carelessly and only whispered quietly among themselves.

“Master has always doted on Senior Sister the most. How could he bring himself to be so harsh this time?”

“Jiang Qin’s matter can’t be entirely blamed on Senior Sister. If you ask me, we should blame the demon. Some demons wear human skin and hide in the shadows. They’re the most sinister.”

“I think Master’s soul has been completely seduced by that newly arrived little hussy. Senior Sister has fallen out of favor.”

“Ever since that little hussy arrived, Master has been speaking to her in soft tones and doting on her excessively…”

Qian Wanyu emerged from the Discipline Pavilion with a deathly pale face. Hearing these idle gossips, her expression darkened and she lightly rebuked, “Master’s affairs are not for you to comment on recklessly. Go practice diligently.”

Everyone scattered like birds and beasts, leaving only one or two junior sisters who weren’t afraid of her cold face to support her from left and right.

“Senior Sister, you don’t know that before you returned, Master took in another disciple of unknown origin.”

“Her outward appearance is delicate like a refined young lady, but that little mouth is coated with honey. Within just a few days, she coaxed Master into complete submission. These past days, Master has frequently summoned her to his cultivation room. Each meeting lasts an entire afternoon.”

Every year, people came up the mountain seeking to become disciples. For someone to be chosen by her master at first glance required not just talent. Qian Wanyu became somewhat interested in this person.

“Once my injuries heal, I’ll meet this junior sister of ours.”

Qian Wanyu’s back was a bloody mess with flesh torn open. After applying medicine, she could only lie prone on the bed to rest. Everyone knew she preferred quiet, so they left only one person to keep watch outside while the rest returned to their own cultivation.

She drifted in and out of consciousness. Half-asleep, she seemed to smell a faint fresh grass fragrance that was very familiar. During the past period, she could smell it from Xiao Jiu every day. Qian Wanyu’s eyes flew open to find the little vine that should have been patiently waiting for her at the foot of the mountain was now lying by the bedside with tears streaming down her face.

…

Jian Tongyao saw her eyes widen slightly with angry light flickering in those cool eyes. She immediately cried even more pitifully and silently shed tears.

One person and one demon faced off for a moment before Qian Wanyu quickly surrendered. She listened for movement outside and after confirming no one was there, reached out to wipe away the tears while coaxing softly, “Don’t cry anymore. Crying too much isn’t good for you. Didn’t I tell you to wait obediently at the foot of the mountain? Why are you so disobedient?”

Jian Tongyao accused her with reddened eyes.

“It’s a good thing I secretly came up. You’re so badly injured yet you still wanted to deceive me. How long did you plan to hide this?”

Fortunately, she had already prepared herself mentally and knew that meeting the family would most likely not go well. She hadn’t held much hope to begin with and simply didn’t want the other person to be disappointed.

She quickly extended her vine, preparing to treat the other first.

Qian Wanyu hurriedly grabbed it with a more serious expression on her face.

“You can’t. Didn’t we agree before that we wouldn’t use this method anymore? Have you forgotten what you promised me?”

Jian Tongyao stubbornly said, “But you’re injured.”

Qian Wanyu struggled to sit up. The wounds that had just been bandaged split open again in a bloody mess.

“This matter ends here. Aside from me and that little white fox, you cannot demonstrate such heaven-defying recovery abilities to anyone else. Otherwise, I would rather let my wounds fester and die.”

Jian Tongyao’s reddened eyes quickly filled with tears.

“Senior Sister?”

“I’m coming in.”

Jian Tongyao whooshed into a small vine form and secretly hid in Qian Wanyu’s bedding before that person entered. The little vine even pulled the bedding up a bit. That junior sister carried in the evening meal and placed it on the table. “Senior Sister, let me help you up.”

Qian Wanyu felt the thin vine rubbing chaotically around her waist. Her voice turned a few degrees colder.

“Get out.”

That junior sister knew the other’s temperament too well and realized she had somehow angered her.

“Yes. Senior Sister, if you need anything, just call me.”

After the person left, Qian Wanyu realized her tone had been too harsh just now. She gently tugged at her mischievous lover. She could even feel the vine rustling about wildly under the covers. The tingling sensation made her heart itch unbearably.

“Don’t fool around. While they haven’t discovered you yet, quickly go down the mountain. Once my injuries heal, I will definitely discuss our matter with Master. Trust me.”

Before even mentioning it, she was already beaten like this.

If she actually told him, would she even have a life left to come find me?

Jian Tongyao didn’t trust the people on Shenji Mountain. She found everyone quite suspicious. She still remembered the calamity surrounding Qian Wanyu and lazily shifted back and forth between her demon form and human form.

“I heard your master favors the newly arrived junior sister. He doesn’t dote on you anymore and he even beat you.”

She had climbed all the way from the foot of the mountain to the top and heard quite a bit of gossip before finding her way to Qian Wanyu’s room.

Qian Wanyu heard her indignant tone and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Master punished me because I failed to fulfill the responsibilities of a senior sister. As for Jiang Qin’s matter…”

Jian Tongyao interrupted her. “Jiang Qin’s body hasn’t been found, which doesn’t necessarily mean she’s really dead. It’s possible she was rescued by someone kind. You took this beating for nothing. Your master punished you without distinguishing right from wrong. He doesn’t care about you… Why don’t you leave with me? As long as you’re there, anywhere is fine.”

She had never eloped before.

Qian Wanyu’s fingers gently coiled around the vine she had extended and played with it for quite a while.

“Master’s kindness to me is as weighty as a mountain. Xiao Jiu, I hope our matter can gain his approval.”

Jian Tongyao nestled against her in the bedding for a while. “I understand. Rest well. I’ll come see you another day.”

Qian Wanyu grabbed her vine. “Don’t. Once my injuries heal, I’ll naturally come find you. Don’t sneak up the mountain anymore. If others discover you, they’ll accidentally hurt you.”

Jian Tongyao nodded like a pecking chicken but actually didn’t listen to a single word. As soon as she left the room, she took advantage of the night and the cover of plants to investigate this newly arrived “little hussy.”

If there was going to be a calamity, it would most likely stem from this person. Otherwise, Qian Wanyu would have met with disaster on Shenji Mountain long ago and wouldn’t have waited until now.

She slithered through the grass like a boneless snake. When she didn’t find anyone in that person’s room, she searched everywhere. Without realizing it, she wandered to Yan Song’s cultivation grounds and faintly heard a familiar voice leaking from this master’s room.

“If you don’t kill her, sooner or later she will discover the secret between you and me.”