The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Hidden Malice

Luo Linlang and Ye Zhiyao’s match was scheduled for the fifth round, which was also the final round for the Golden Core Group.

During the three matches in between, Ye Zhiyao unexpectedly came over.

"Senior Sister Luo, I didn’t expect we’d be put in the same group."

Her expression was gentle and smiling, as if the unpleasantness at Moon Viewing Tower that night had never happened at all.

Her attitude toward Luo Linlang could even be described as affectionate. Anyone who saw them would have thought they were close martial sisters.

Luo Linlang, however, frowned, her eyes filled with disdain. She only gave a perfunctory and cold reply, "Yeah, what a coincidence."

Ye Zhiyao acted as if she hadn’t noticed Luo Linlang’s unwelcoming attitude and kept the smile on her face.

"Senior Sister Luo, a fight between fellow disciples isn’t something any of us want to see, but since it has come to this, I will still give it my all. This is a sign of respect for you, and I hope you can understand."

She wasn’t speaking in private, so the surrounding spectators could all hear her.

Seeing Ye Zhiyao’s poised and graceful manner, and how she had even come to greet Luo Linlang before their match, they couldn’t help but feel that she was modest and polite, and developed a good impression of her.

Luo Linlang, however, didn’t believe Ye Zhiyao would hold no grudge after being hit with the Sadness Fan. She frowned and said, "I never asked you to go easy on me. What are you getting at?"

Ye Zhiyao hurriedly explained, "Senior Sister Luo, please don’t misunderstand. I’m just worried that blades have no eyes in a competition, and our harmony as fellow disciples might be damaged."

"Of course, I’m even more worried that you, Senior Sister Luo, will hold back against me out of consideration for our fellowship. I want to win, but I only want to win by my own strength. So, you must also give it your all during the match."

Luo Linlang curled her lip. "You think I’d go easy on you? You’re overthinking it!"

Witnessing this scene, the crowd immediately felt that Ye Zhiyao was magnanimous and polite, while Luo Linlang was blunt and rude. The contrast only made them think even more highly of Ye Zhiyao.

Lu Sangjiu, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but frown. She vaguely felt that something wasn’t quite right...

’Although this kind of feigned magnanimity fits Ye Zhiyao’s persona, she’s not unaware of Luo Linlang’s attitude toward her.’

’Luo Linlang would never hold back, even if she hadn’t said a thing. By announcing this in front of so many people, if Ye Zhiyao were to lose control and strike too heavily, wouldn’t she already have an excuse to absolve herself?’

’No matter how much Ye Zhiyao loves to feign kindness and magnanimity, she wouldn’t gamble with her own safety and reputation.’

’Unless... she’s certain she will win.’

’In fact, she probably wants to injure Luo Linlang severely, which is why she’s deliberately saying these things in front of everyone now—to lay the groundwork for what’s to come.’

At this thought, Lu Sangjiu’s gaze darkened, and her worry grew.

And Ye Zhiyao, having finished her act, had no intention of staying any longer.

Before she left, she glanced at Lu Sangjiu. "I heard Junior Sister Lu was injured. It seems you’ve recovered now? It’s just a shame you seem to have missed yesterday’s match. I suppose you won’t have a chance with the Gold and Silver Gate’s Sword Tomb this time."

Lu Sangjiu saw the unconcealed schadenfreude in her eyes, blinked, and gave her a pure, innocent smile.

"Since Senior Sister Ye is so concerned about me, why don’t you ask Master Bai to plead my case for me? Otherwise, it would be such a shame for me to have made this trip for nothing."

Ye Zhiyao couldn’t stop the corner of her lip from twitching, but she quickly suppressed it and said with feigned regret, "Although I’d love to help you, it would be too unfair to everyone else. So I can’t do something like that."

Lu Sangjiu immediately put on an admiring expression. "Senior Sister Ye is truly a paragon of virtue! Since you feel that using connections to get a spot for the Sword Tomb is unfair, then I suppose you would indeed disdain such a thing. I won’t insist."

’Luo Linlang was at first a bit puzzled. Lu Sangjiu already had a guaranteed spot, so why was she saying this to Ye Zhiyao, giving her another chance to act all high and mighty?’

’But hearing her deliberate emphasis, she instantly understood.’

’Lu Sangjiu was clearly worried that if Ye Zhiyao lost the match, she and Bai Heng would try to scheme for the spot she held. So she was deliberately trapping her with her own words.’

’Doesn’t Ye Zhiyao care about her reputation more than anything? After saying something like this in front of so many people today, if she goes back on her word later, how could she show her face!’

Luo Linlang, having figured out the key point, couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill of satisfaction as she watched the clueless Ye Zhiyao walk right into the trap.

’Little Junior Sister is so thorough. Given how shameless Bai Heng and Ye Zhiyao are, they really might pull something like that. Now we’re prepared, just in case.’

After Ye Zhiyao had had her fill of posturing and left, Luo Linlang secretly gave Lu Sangjiu a thumbs-up. "Little Junior Sister, brilliant!"

But Lu Sangjiu was in no mood for jokes. She just looked at Luo Linlang with worried eyes. "Senior Sister, I’m afraid you’re in for a tough fight today."

Luo Linlang, ever carefree, hadn’t thought deeply about Ye Zhiyao’s words before. But now, after hearing Lu Sangjiu’s detailed analysis, she finally realized.

"HISS... She’s really that vicious? All I did was make her cry once, and now she’s trying to get me half-killed?"

Although Ye Zhiyao certainly wouldn’t actually kill her, with all this setup, she was at least aiming to injure her severely.

Luo Linlang was so angry her teeth itched. She sneered, "Pah! We’ll see who injures who. I’m definitely going to teach her a lesson today!"

Seeing her attitude, Lu Sangjiu grew even more worried. "Second Senior Sister, you know how much Master Bai dotes on Ye Zhiyao. And now that we’re on the Gold and Silver Gate’s territory, it would be all too easy for him to buy her something good."

"Look how confident Ye Zhiyao is. She’s probably got either a top-grade magic treasure or a High-level Talisman. You really don’t need to fight her to the bitter end. You have to forfeit when you need to. Everyone has eyes; no one will laugh at you."

Hearing Lu Sangjiu’s earnest advice, Luo Linlang couldn’t help but feel sullen. "I’m the senior sister here. How can you, the junior sister, be more long-winded than me?"

"Relax. I’m more than ten years older than you. I know how to weigh the pros and cons."

Lu Sangjiu couldn’t say any more and just went back to watching the matches.

Soon, the four spectacular bouts were over, and the audience’s excitement was at an all-time high.

Four of the top five spots had been decided. With only the match for the final spot remaining, everyone was naturally even more expectant.

Luo Linlang and Ye Zhiyao walked onto the arena stage under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Luo Linlang felt nothing special, but Ye Zhiyao was thrilled.

’This is it. Everyone is looking up at me. I will be the absolute center of attention today!’

’And Luo Linlang... is destined to be my stepping stone.’

’Normally, since we’re from the same sect, I definitely wouldn’t have been so ruthless. But now... if she has to blame someone, she can only blame herself for being Lu Sangjiu’s senior sister.’