Chapter 63 Repairing Data and Marriage

Mingjian subconsciously looked at Xiao Bumian beside him.

Xiao Bumian didn't seem to have fully recovered from the afternoon's drowsiness. He was still listless, leaning against the wall with his sword in his arms, his eyes lowered. He seemed oblivious to the heavy atmosphere around him, appearing completely indifferent.

Mingjian heard the system screaming in his mind:

[Aaaaaaah! How could this plot point happen now?! It can't be! In the original story, Shi Yan's death at the hands of Xiao Bumian is a major plot point a year later! And given Xiao Bumian's personality, how could he have only seriously injured Shi Yan and spared his life?! This is absolutely impossible!]

The system paced anxiously back and forth within his consciousness.

[It's all messed up! Completely messed up! This shouldn't be happening! If the plot develops like this, Xie Linzhao now has a perfect alibi, so how could the disciples of Jianming Immortal Mountain suspect him? How will the crucial plot point of your falling out with Xie Linzhao because of this trigger?!]

[Besides! You're not even a disciple of Shi Yan anymore! There's absolutely no foundation of the ambiguous and entangled relationship between you and Xie Linzhao as described in the original novel! All the things destined to happen in the original novel have no reason to happen in reality!]

The more the system analyzed the situation, the more it realized that the current state of affairs was utterly chaotic.

Not only have the characters' personalities gone astray, but even the core plotline has become unrecognizable.

Especially when its gaze swept across another corner of the room and it saw Xie Linzhao squatting in front of Shi Lian at some point, raising his hand and gently rubbing the corner of Shi Lian's slightly red eyes with his fingertips, the system was completely stunned.

system:【……】

Is this scene accurate?! Is this scientifically sound?!

Wait, can someone tell him why Shi Lian and Xie Linzhao, who were supposed to be rivals in love in the original story, would make such intimate gestures that are almost comforting?

Mingjian was always rather oblivious to emotions, and he didn't think there was anything particularly wrong with Xie Linzhao's behavior towards Shi Lian.

He was still pondering what the system had said, which meant that the current plot had completely deviated from the so-called original work, but the system had not imposed any substantial punishment on him.

Does this mean that the system's previous threats of dying quickly if the task wasn't completed were actually unreliable?

After he figured it out, he realized that the system, which had been chattering incessantly, had suddenly gone silent.

Ming frowned slightly and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly not saying anything?"

The system paused for a moment, then shook its head, as if it had made up its mind, and its tone became unusually serious.

[Host, a major error and logical conflict have been detected in the world data stream. 051 may need to temporarily leave for a few days to return to the main system center for emergency repairs and reporting.]

This wasn't the first time the system had temporarily left, and Mingjian didn't seem to mind. He nodded and said, "Okay, go ahead."

Before leaving, the system, still somewhat worried about Mingjian, added: "Until I return, host... try to remain calm and absolutely do not cause any more trouble."

It was truly afraid that when it returned, the plot would have fallen apart so badly that it wouldn't even recognize itself anymore.

Mingjian gave a vague reply.

Just before the system connection was about to be completely disconnected, Mingjian suddenly remembered something and asked, "Wait! How far along is that villain's redemption mission?"

System: [The villain redemption mission is currently 80% complete. Please keep up the good work, host!]

Before he could finish speaking, the system's voice completely disappeared from Mingjian's consciousness, leaving only silence.

It was obvious that it had left.

While listening to Song Heyu and the others discuss countermeasures, he pondered the system in his mind.

When he inquired about the progress last time, the system gave him a redemption value of 80%. It seems that the last 20% will be far more difficult than he imagined.

Although he and Xiao Bumian are now considered to be mutually in love.

Yeah, probably.

But deep down, Mingjian still rejected the feeling of being controlled by the system's tasks.

It seemed as if his affection for Xiao Bumian was solely due to the mission. And Xiao Bumian's concern for him was merely a necessary element of the original plot.

This perception made him very uncomfortable.

What's more, this broken system seems to have a particular fondness for melodramatic "threesome" scenarios. On one hand, it makes him seduce the villain and persuades Xiao Bumian to give up his world-destroying thoughts.

On the other hand, tasks that show concern for Xie Linzhao are issued from time to time.

If Xiao Bumian finds out one day, isn't he just asking for trouble?

Given his sickly and delicate nature, Xiao Bumian would definitely kill him.

Currently, aside from exploiting plot deviations to exploit bugs, he doesn't seem to have a better solution.

Mingjian sighed silently.

After a long while, Song Heyu's voice pulled him back to reality.

Song Heyu looked at Shi Lian, who was still immersed in worry, and suggested in a gentle but firm tone, "Junior Brother Shi Lian, if you are really worried, why don't you and Junior Brother Xie return to Jianming Immortal Mountain first?"

Gu Zhi had already hung the Lingxi Mirror on his waist.

He nodded in agreement, "Now that the news of the sect leader's serious injury has spread, the other four major sects are now eyeing Jianming Immortal Mountain with covetous intent, not to mention the Demon Clan, who are irreconcilable enemies of Jianming Immortal Mountain."

"It would be bad if they found out that the sect leader was injured and took the opportunity to seek revenge. You should go back and take care of things, rather than worrying here. We are here, so you don't need to worry."

Shi Lian's eyes were slightly red, with a hint of tears in them. He was dressed in a blue robe and stood tall and straight like bamboo.

After a long silence, he pursed his lips, seemingly going through an extremely difficult internal struggle, before speaking in a slightly hoarse voice: "...Thank you for your understanding, fellow senior brothers."

Gu Zhi waved his hand and said readily, "This is nothing; it's only natural among fellow disciples."

The atmosphere fell silent again, carrying an invisible heaviness.

Mingjian really wanted to ask Xiao Bumian what was going on, but he suppressed his curiosity and stared straight ahead at the red maple leaves that were dyeing the sky crimson.

Suddenly, a soft footstep sound accompanied by a faint fragrance drifted in. A group of female disciples from the Hehuan Sect slowly walked in from outside the courtyard gate, led by the Holy Maiden Yun Hanyi.

She had a graceful figure and an extremely beautiful face; even with her face partially veiled, her stunning beauty was undeniable.

A gentle breeze lifted half of her veil, revealing a beautifully shaped chin and a touch of red lips. As she drew closer, a faint, exotic fragrance wafted on the air.

Mingjian thought absentmindedly that the scent of begonia on Xiao Bumian seemed to smell better.

Yun Hanyi still held her guqin in her arms, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. Her gaze fell on Shi Lian, and she asked with concern, "Young Master Shi, could you please tell me in detail what the Sect Leader's injuries look like? Are there any unusual signs at the wounds?"

Shi Lian raised her eyes and looked at Yun Hanyi with a scrutinizing gaze, but did not answer immediately.

Gu Zhi, who was standing to the side, seemed to suddenly remember something. He clapped his hands and his eyes lit up. "That's right! I've heard that the Hehuan Sect has a sacred artifact called the Pure Lotus Heart, which has the miraculous effect of dispelling demonic energy and purifying evil spirits. I wonder if this is true or not?"

"It's true," a lively female disciple behind Yun Hanyi answered first, her tone tinged with pride.

"The Pure Lotus Heart was jointly refined by the founding ancestor of my Hehuan Sect and several powerful figures. It is extremely powerful and can suppress the vast majority of evil spirits and demonic energy in the world."

“However,” she changed the subject, “only the sect leader and the Holy Maiden can wield sacred objects; it is difficult for others to even get close.”

Upon hearing this, hope ignited in everyone's eyes.

Shi Lian's Adam's apple bobbed as he suppressed his excitement. He did not answer Yun Hanyi's questions about the details of his injuries.

After all, the news had already spread, and Yun Hanyi must already know the general outline, so there was no need for him to elaborate.

He was more concerned about the cost. He didn't believe that the Hehuan Sect would use such a precious sacred object so easily without a reason.

Lou Jing's message clearly stated that the demonic energy in Shi Yan's wounds was extremely stubborn and lingered, causing the injury to continue to worsen. If it could not be removed soon, there might not be any time left.

Therefore, even if it's for Shi Yan's sake, he would agree to any conditions.

“Miss Yun,” Shi Lian’s voice was a little hoarse. He licked his lips and asked, “If your sect is willing to lend a helping hand, what conditions would my Sword Bright Immortal Mountain need to offer?”

Yun Hanyi smiled faintly. She enjoyed talking to people like Shi Lian. She said softly, "There is one condition..."

As she spoke, two very faint blushes appeared on her fair cheeks, and her eyes glanced lightly in one direction, seemingly unintentionally.

In that direction stood Xie Linzhao, whose demeanor was cold and aloof.

Shi Lian followed her gaze, and his face instantly turned extremely ugly, his fingers gripping the sword hilt tightening sharply.

In contrast, everyone else present, including Gu Zhi, Song Heyu, and even Ming Jian, were completely dumbfounded, their eyes wide open, as if they had just stumbled upon a shocking piece of gossip.

Mingjian: "...?"

He was greatly surprised; this development was truly unexpected.

Sure enough, the next moment, everyone heard Yun Hanyi speak in her still gentle yet surprisingly eloquent voice.

"Young Master Xie carries the blood of the demon race, and his life on Sword Bright Immortal Mountain must have been quite difficult. As for my Joyful Union Sect, we have always remained aloof from worldly affairs and do not participate in the conflicts between the demon race and cultivators."

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over Xie Linzhao again, seemingly casually, her cheeks flushing even more, before continuing...

"Furthermore, the sect's sacred artifact, the Pure Lotus Heart, can only be used by the sect leader or his/her partner to activate its core power. Even though I am concerned about the sect leader's injuries and would like to lend it to you, I am powerless to do so."

“However,” she said, a slight blush curving her lips, and finally revealed her true condition, “if Young Master Xie is willing to become my Daoist partner, then according to the sect rules, Young Master Xie will naturally also be qualified to use the power of the sacred artifact to heal the sect leader, and that will no longer be a problem.”

Yun Hanyi smiled and looked at Xie Linzhao, who remained silent. After a pause, she asked softly, "I wonder what Young Master Xie's opinion is?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

All eyes were on Xie Linzhao. Even Xiao Bumian, who had been drowsy, seemed to lift his eyelids and glance at him with interest.

Shi Lian's face was beyond ugly; it was almost ashen, and the veins on the back of his hand gripping the sword were bulging.

Gu Zhi, Song Heyu, and the others were completely dumbfounded, staring at Yun Hanyi and then at Xie Linzhao, never expecting that the Holy Maiden of the Hehuan Sect would propose a marriage alliance.