Transmigrated as The Cannon Fodder Bride of The Villainess

Qu Weiyin’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted. She turned to look at Luo Jinxiao, her eyes even redder than before.

But she quickly regained her composure, pulling her hand away and biting her lip, remaining silent.

Luo Jinxiao’s heart ached even more. She stepped in front of Qu Weiyin, her voice sharp as she addressed the onlookers. “What are you all staring at? Disperse immediately!”

The surrounding disciples flinched at her outburst, taking a few steps back. A young man dressed in white stepped forward. “Luo Jinxiao, these are your senior brothers and sisters. How dare you speak to them with such disrespect?”

“And they dare disrespect Junior Shishu?!” Luo Jinxiao retorted, her eyes blazing with rare ferocity.

The man was momentarily speechless. Another disciple muttered, “We heard what happened. If Junior Shishu Qu really is a demon, then respect is irrelevant.”

“No one can prove Junior Shishu is a demon!” Luo Jinxiao shot back. “She is still your Junior Shishu! How dare you blindly believe rumors and treat her with such disdain!”

She raised her hand, summoning Wujue. The sword hummed as she held it before her, its tip pointed at the crowd, radiating a cold light.

“I don’t care if you’re senior brothers or sisters. Leave now, or face the consequences!”

Though she was slight in stature, the coldness in her eyes was intimidating.

The crowd finally began to disperse. Though they didn’t know the extent of Luo Jinxiao’s cultivation, they still held a healthy fear for the champion of the Ten Directions Tournament. Even the most defiant among them only dared to mutter a few curses before scurrying away.

Luo Jinxiao lowered her sword and turned to look at Qu Weiyin, but found herself at a loss for words.

In the end, Qu Weiyin spoke first, her voice tired and soft. “Where have you been?”

“I…” Luo Jinxiao began, but hesitated.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s good that you’re back.” Qu Weiyin seemed exhausted, unwilling to elaborate. She turned and walked towards the forest. “I need some rest.”

Luo Jinxiao followed, struck by the loneliness and vulnerability in Qu Weiyin’s posture. “Junior Shishu, why do you put up with them?” she asked, unable to contain herself. “They’re just a mob, blindly following baseless rumors.”

Qu Weiyin’s steps slowed. She was reminded of her past life, how she had endured similar treatment. She had tried to be patient, hoping for their understanding, but it had only led to more pain.

In this life, she had vowed not to endure such treatment again. She would rather embrace the path of a demon.

But now, she found there were still things she couldn’t let go of, preventing her from simply walking away.

In the end, she didn’t answer Luo Jinxiao’s question. Instead, she asked, “What if I really am as they say?”

“You’re not,” Luo Jinxiao stated firmly.

“But what if?” Qu Weiyin pressed.

Luo Jinxiao fell silent. She had never considered that possibility. If Qu Weiyin were to become the ruthless Demon Lord of her past life, what would she do? Would she abandon her principles and follow her? Or would she stand against her?

Or perhaps, they would simply drift apart, becoming strangers?

Seeing Luo Jinxiao’s silence, Qu Weiyin mistook it for an unwillingness to answer. Her expression grew even more desolate. She let out a hollow laugh and continued walking, her back rigid with resolve. Luo Jinxiao instinctively took a step forward, but Qu Weiyin stopped her with a sharp word.

“Don’t follow me.” Her eyes were cold. Luo Jinxiao froze in her tracks, and they stared at each other from a distance.

“From now on, don’t follow me,” Qu Weiyin repeated, each word laced with finality. All she wanted now was to disappear, to escape from this unbearable situation.

What was she hoping for? For Luo Jinxiao to declare that she would follow her even if she became a demon?

It was an unfair request, an impossible promise to demand.

As she flew on her sword through the cold autumn wind, Qu Weiyin’s eyes stung more and more. When she looked down, a single crystal tear fell straight down, carried away by the wind to who knows where.

It had been a thousand years since she had last shed a tear.

Luo Jinxiao watched Qu Weiyin’s figure gradually disappear into the mist, her mind in turmoil. She had single-mindedly focused on protecting Qu Weiyin, but she had never truly considered what she would do if she failed.

Could she really abandon everything, betray the entire world, and follow Qu Weiyin?

The weight of the question pressed down on her, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded.

She walked back to the disciples’ quarters in a daze, barely registering her surroundings. Lost in thought, she nearly collided with someone, stumbling back and grabbing a nearby tree for support.

“Yan Ying?” Luo Jinxiao exclaimed, surprised. Ever since the incident with the secret passage, the air between them had been thick with unspoken tension.

Yan Ying’s eyes widened in shock. She looked Luo Jinxiao up and down, her voice laced with disbelief. “You’re still alive?”

“Thanks to you,” Luo Jinxiao replied with a slight nod.

Yan Ying hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment, she pulled a small vial from her pocket, her voice strained. “Give this to her.”

Luo Jinxiao glanced towards the disciples’ quarters, her brow furrowing. “Is Luo Ning ill?”

“She’s sick with worry for you!” Yan Ying snapped, her voice tight with barely suppressed anger. “How dare you even show your face here? Aren’t you afraid of dying for real? If Elder Qu sees you, we’re both doomed!”

She turned to leave, but Luo Jinxiao caught her arm.

“Let go,” Yan Ying hissed, her eyes flashing.

“Yan Ying…”

“Don’t try to talk me out of this. I can’t escape,” Yan Ying said, wrenching her arm free. “I’m already a sinner. Just give her the medicine. I don’t want to see her.”

Her voice cracked slightly as she added, “If never seeing her again will bring her happiness, then I’m content to live in darkness.”

With that cryptic statement, she pushed past Luo Jinxiao and disappeared down the path.

Luo Jinxiao opened her palm, looking at the small medicine bottle, feeling her headache worsen. What was that supposed to mean?

As Yan Ying had said, Luo Ning was indeed quite ill, lying unconscious in bed. After administering the medicine, Luo Jinxiao sat beside her, staring at her pale face. As she watched, she gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Luo Ning’s forehead, her heart heavy with worry and guilt.

Her thoughts drifted back to Qu Weiyin’s desolate expression. The more she thought about it, the more her chest ached. *Perhaps I should wait until tomorrow, after I’ve cleared Junior Shishu’s name. Then I’ll talk to her.* Luo Jinxiao conjured a talisman with a flick of her wrist, its fiery glow casting flickering shadows on the wall.

The next morning, Luo Jinxiao was jolted awake by a cacophony of noise outside. She sat up just as Luo Ning stirred beside her, making a weak attempt to rise.

Luo Jinxiao quickly helped her up, placing a comforting hand on her forehead. “I’m alright,” she reassured her gently. “You’re the one who needs to rest.”

Tears welled up in Luo Ning’s eyes as she threw her arms around Luo Jinxiao’s neck, burying her face in her shoulder and sobbing quietly.

Luo Jinxiao hugged her back, her heart aching with sympathy for the trembling girl. This was what it felt like to have family, she realized, a warmth she hadn’t experienced in her previous life.

Suddenly, she felt a sharp thwack on the back of her head. “Ow!” She turned to see Lu Fanzhi, sporting two dark circles under her eyes, pointing an accusing finger at her. “I came back last night and saw you were asleep, so I didn’t wake you. Where have you been all this time? We’ve been worried sick!”

Luo Jinxiao rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, but before she could speak, Lu Fanzhi cut her off again.

“No time for explanations! We have to go see your Junior Shishu! Representatives from all the sects are gathering at the Wuhui Palace right now. They’re putting Junior Shishu Qu on trial!”

Luo Jinxiao’s expression changed at these words. She gently pushed Luo Ning away, wiping her tears. “Rest up,” she said softly. “I’ll be back soon.”

A storm was brewing, and she had a role to play.

The Wuhui Sect was unusually crowded. Almost all the disciples had gathered outside Wuhui Palace, listening to the commotion inside. Among them were many disciples from other sects, their distinctive robes standing out.

Luo Jinxiao recognized many of them: the Shengsi Sect, the Tianji Pavilion… They had all come to witness Qu Weiyin’s judgment.

What a grand assembly, she thought wryly. But perhaps a larger audience will work in our favor.

“Do you think Junior Shishu Qu is really behind all this?” she overheard someone whisper.

“Impossible! Junior Shishu Qu is as beautiful as a celestial maiden. She could never be involved with demons,” Baili Qingzhou shook his head repeatedly.

“Don’t be so sure. Senior Brother Huai Shan and Senior Sister Huai Yu sounded convincing. They wouldn’t lie about something this serious,” another disciple countered.

“Nonsense! Junior Shishu Qu has taught us just as much as they have! Ungrateful wretches!” Lu Fanzhi retorted, rolling up her sleeves as if ready to brawl.

“Everyone be quiet!” Gui Jiu barked, grabbing Lu Fanzhi and pulling her back. “The elders haven’t reached a conclusion yet. Show some respect!”

His words seemed to momentarily quell the chatter, and the tense silence was broken only by the muffled voices coming from within the hall.

Qu Chengzhou’s voice was particularly distinct. “Weiyin, how do you explain the demonic energy emanating from you?”

There was no response from Qu Weiyin; she must have remained silent.

Luo Jinxiao pushed through the crowd with a spell and stood by the main door. Through the crack, she could see Qu Weiyin’s cold, solitary figure.

“Elder Qu, allow me to examine the young clan leader. I will be able to tell if she possesses demonic energy.” A slender man dressed in luxurious black robes, a thick fur collar framing his pale face, stepped forward.

Luo Jinxiao recognized him instantly: the Sect Leader of the Shengsi Sect.

He reached out to touch Qu Weiyin but was stopped by her cold glare. After a moment’s hesitation, he said awkwardly. “Clan Leader Qu, demons are the sworn enemies of all cultivators. Now that the Wuhui Sect has been plagued by their presence, you need only prove you don’t carry demonic energy to clear yourself of suspicion.”

“So if I refuse, you’ll simply declare me a demon?” Qu Weiyin scoffed. Despite being a lone woman surrounded by powerful cultivators, no one dared to approach her.

Qu Chengzhou gave a dry laugh and said. “Weiyin, why don’t we hear what Huai Shan and Huai Yu have to say?”

“I’d like to hear that too,” Qu Weiyin replied, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Huai Shan and Huai Yu emerged from the crowd, clinging to each other for support. After a moment of hesitation, Huai Shan spoke, “We… we only saw the demonic energy around Junior Shishu Qu. We don’t know anything else.”

“Indeed,” Qu Chengzhou said, his voice deceptively gentle. “Weiyin, how did you know the location of the demon realm entrance?”

Luo Jinxiao had heard enough. She threw open the doors and strode into the hall, her voice ringing out. “Ridiculous! You claim to have seen demonic energy on Junior Shishu, but I can just as easily claim that you two colluded with demons and led us into a trap!”

The moment Qu Chengzhou saw Luo Jinxiao, his face darkened.

Ignoring his murderous glare, Luo Jinxiao walked over to Qu Weiyin, crossing her arms and fixing Huai Shan and Huai Yu with a challenging stare. “You two were unconscious and vomiting when you were rescued. You couldn’t even see straight, let alone demonic energy. How dare you fabricate such lies?”

“We… we were just pretending to be unconscious out of fear,” Huai Shan explained nervously.

Qu Weiyin had been determined to keep silent, but Luo Jinxiao’s words had clearly struck a nerve. She turned to her, her voice tight with suppressed anger. “This is none of your concern! Leave now!”

Luo Jinxiao simply winked at her, a playful smile spreading across her face. It was the same mischievous grin that Qu Weiyin had come to know so well.

“It seems we have a difference of opinion,” Luo Jinxiao announced to the room, her voice laced with amusement. “But perhaps another witness can shed some light on the truth.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, finally settling on a plainly dressed middle-aged man. “Sect Leader Tang, may I ask if Young Sect Leader Tang Lan’er is here today?”