The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Gu Jue took a deep breath and turned to leave.

But after only two steps, Xie Ningyuan grabbed him. "Wait a moment."

At that moment, Gu Jue nearly lost his temper. "What now..."

Before he could finish, a bag of Spirit Stones was shoved into his hand.

He froze for a second, then heard Xie Ningyuan say flatly, "I never take advantage of people. Especially not you."

Gu Jue glanced down at the Spirit Stones in his hand, but in the end, he said nothing more and turned to leave.

Lu Sangjiu used a Communication Talisman to find out where Yan Zui was and went to find her directly.

She pulled Yan Zui aside, set up a soundproof Barrier, and then told her about Miao Miaomiao’s visit earlier that day.

Yan Zui frowned, realizing at once, "So, you’re actually interested in this deal?"

Lu Sangjiu didn’t beat around the bush and nodded directly. "I am. But I don’t want to be on the opposite side of you, Ms. Yan Zui. So, after thinking it over, I decided to come and ask you if you know what kind of mission Miao Miaomiao accepted."

Yan Zui was a little surprised. "So, you’re interested in the mission itself, not the Fifth-grade Elixir?"

Lu Sangjiu let out a small "Ah," and said sheepishly, "This might sound like I’m bragging, but it’s true... I’m not exactly short on Fifth-grade Elixirs."

Yan Zui: "..."

’It really does sound like she’s bragging.’

But hearing her say that, Yan Zui felt less conflicted.

Originally, given her relationship with Lu Sangjiu, she would have felt it was asking too much for Lu Sangjiu to give up such a good opportunity for her sake.

But if the Fifth-grade Elixir wasn’t that important to Lu Sangjiu, the burden on her conscience would naturally be lighter.

After some thought, Yan Zui said, "It’s not a secret when Sect Disciples accept missions, so I should be able to find out. But I won’t have any way of knowing what she discovers during her investigation."

"That’s fine," Lu Sangjiu agreed readily. "As long as I know what the mission is. There’s no reason she’d be able to discover something that I can’t."

"That’s true... But in that case, you’ll have to hurry. Otherwise, once the Holy Daughter selection is over, if you don’t agree, she’ll definitely find someone else. It might be troublesome if you run into each other then."

What Lu Sangjiu was doing was a bit underhanded. It was one thing to do it in secret, but if she ran into the person who officially had the mission, she would be in the wrong.

Besides, if the two sides ended up competing, it would be detrimental to the investigation. They might even have to watch out for open and hidden attacks from the other party.

Lu Sangjiu didn’t seem to care much. "It’s fine. I’m thick-skinned."

Yan Zui: "..."

’This... Fine.’

After a moment, she asked one more thing, "So, are you sure you don’t want that Fifth-grade Elixir?"

"Honestly, while I’m not thrilled about you helping her, it is a good opportunity. I appreciate you coming to tell me about it first. Even if you agreed to help her, I wouldn’t be angry."

Lu Sangjiu nodded in understanding. "You wouldn’t be angry, but you’d still feel uncomfortable. From then on, we’d just be acquaintances, right?"

Yan Zui: "..."

’It’s really hard to argue with that.’

Seeing her silent, Lu Sangjiu chuckled. "Don’t overthink it. To me, a single Elixir Pill can’t compare to our friendship. Just go and find out for me."

Lu Sangjiu stayed with Yan Zui for a little while longer before leaving. On her way out, she made a special trip to the dining hall to buy some food to take back.

She had assumed Xie Ningyuan probably wouldn’t show up this time, so she hadn’t gotten a portion for him. But as soon as she returned to the courtyard, she saw him sitting by the koi pond, feeding the fish. He looked... quite lively.

Seeing Lu Sangjiu return, he took a moment to look up at her and extended an invitation, "Want to feed the fish together?"

Lu Sangjiu raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. "Are you all right now?"

Xie Ningyuan had an innocent expression on his face. "Hm? What could possibly be wrong with me?"

’Tch, keep pretending.’

’But he really does seem fine now. I guess he managed to stabilize the seal again.’

So she didn’t say any more. While setting the food on the stone table, she called out, "Gu Jue, come and eat."

Before Gu Jue could come out, Xie Ningyuan immediately put down the fish food and came over. "What’s good today?"

Lu Sangjiu feigned innocence. "I thought you wouldn’t be eating, so I didn’t get you anything."

Xie Ningyuan: "..."

Just then, Gu Jue came out. Lu Sangjiu turned and greeted him warmly, "Hurry, come eat!"

Just as Gu Jue was about to sit down, Xie Ningyuan snatched his seat.

Not only did he take his seat, but he also took his bowl of rice and said with complete self-assurance, "Mr. Gu, you ate last time. You don’t mind letting me have a taste this time, do you?"

Gu Jue: "..."

Lu Sangjiu’s mouth twitched. "...You’re bullying Mr. Gu again!"

Gu Jue, however, was already used to it. He let Xie Ningyuan take the seat and simply sat down beside him. "It’s fine. I don’t eat rice anyway. I’ll just have a few bites of the other dishes."

But Lu Sangjiu felt bad. "Don’t say that. Look, I don’t eat much anyway. I have a clean, empty bowl and chopsticks here. Let’s share my portion!"

But after Lu Sangjiu took out the empty bowl and chopsticks, Xie Ningyuan snatched them away again.

He grumbled awkwardly with a cold snort, "Stop saying I’m bullying him. I’ll give him half."

Lu Sangjiu: "...What’s wrong with you."

But it was a rare sight to see the two of them so "amicably" sharing a bowl of rice, so she didn’t stop them.

After a few more rounds of bickering, Lu Sangjiu told them about Miao Miaomiao.

"She said the mission has to do with a Demon Cultivator, and that Demon Cultivator’s cultivation is most likely no higher than the Nascent Soul Stage. So I’m pretty interested and plan to go check it out. What do you two think?"

Xie Ningyuan didn’t really need to be asked. He was basically a man of leisure these days, with no need to take time out for cultivation. He had all the time in the world to accompany Lu Sangjiu on her adventures.

So, when she finished speaking, he agreed without even looking up. "I’ll follow your lead."

Lu Sangjiu then looked at Gu Jue.

Gu Jue didn’t agree right away. Instead, he asked with some curiosity, "Mr. Lu, you’re interested in Demon Cultivators? Why?"

Lu Sangjiu’s fib came to her instantly. "I’ve always heard my master and the elders talk about the Immortal Demon War, but I’ve never actually seen a Demon Cultivator with my own eyes."

"I was thinking I’d go to the Western Demon Realm to see for myself once I got stronger, but since there’s an opportunity now, I naturally want to get a look sooner."

Gu Jue didn’t seem to doubt this answer. He nodded and said, "Come to think of it, I’ve never seen one in person either. I’m just worried that since none of us have experience dealing with Demon Cultivators, something might go wrong."

Lu Sangjiu immediately pointed at Xie Ningyuan. "Don’t we have an expert right here? We may not have experience, but he definitely does, right?"

Before Xie Ningyuan could answer, Gu Jue said, "Mr. Xie should have the experience, but his power seems to be restricted by something right now... Are you sure he’s up to it?"

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