Chapter 8 I Came for You, We Are Friends
If Mingjian had previously been somewhat skeptical, now he truly believed the system's words.
The villain is indeed a villain; even his way of expressing affection is more unique than others. If it weren't for the system, he would have thought Xiao Bumian wanted to kill him, but it turns out he was just cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
I've grown to the point where I feel like, "Even though I hate this world, I'm willing to let it exist for one more day because of you."
What a poignant tale of love and hate!
The system, within Mingjian's sea of consciousness, was so moved it cried uncontrollably: "Waaaaah, he really loves me so much!"
Mingjian sighed inwardly. It would be strange if someone with Xiao Bumian's personality could have a Daoist partner. No wonder Mingjian never liked him in the original storyline mentioned by the system; such a conflicted personality was simply not the kind he would like.
Therefore, Xiao Bumian was ultimately destined to love but not be with the one he desired.
system:?
The system's cries abruptly stopped: [Host, you're not doing the redemption mission anymore?]
Mingjian said to the system in his mind's eye, "We have to do it."
Then why do you say that?
Mingjian said matter-of-factly, "Doing a villain's redemption mission doesn't mean you have to fall in love with the villain. You just said you wanted Xiao Bumian to give up his idea of destroying the world. Since he gains one redemption point every time he sees me, wouldn't seeing me a hundred times give him a hundred points?"
system:"……"
That makes a lot of sense.
As long as the mission is completed, Xiao Bumian will abandon the idea of destroying the world, the protagonist will not perish, and the world will not collapse. In fact, the mission can be considered completed.
But the system, a staunch fan of Xiao Bumian, wanted to try one more time: "Xiao Bumian is handsome, with a refined and elegant appearance, striking features, and a lofty and aloof demeanor. His cultivation is unfathomable; he can annihilate enemies with a flick of his finger and shake heaven and earth with a single thought. Dating him would be wonderful!"
Mingjian: ...
Brother, is the person you're talking about even human?
Mingjian couldn't understand what it meant by "dating," but intuitively felt it wasn't a good thing, so he ignored the babbling system and let it run wild in his mind.
Seeing Mingjian's expression shift between shock, frown, and impatience, Xiao Bumian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure you're really alright?"
Is the little good-for-nothing really going to be poisoned?
Mingjian shook his head at him, his expression serious. "Of course."
As soon as he spoke, Ming met Xiao Bumian's beautiful eyes and saw a faint worry in them, which made his heart tighten. He suddenly remembered that the protagonist in the novel he had read a few days ago had said the same thing, and then the protagonist had hugged him and comforted him.
Ming felt increasingly disgusted by the thought, fearing that Xiao Bumian might use concern as an excuse to lay a hand on her, so she quickly and awkwardly changed the subject, "What are you doing here?"
Xiao Bumian calmly withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, holding his sword, and said, "Naturally, I'm on a mission."
On a mission?
Mingjian was taken aback. Xiao Bumian was a grandmaster-level figure, so why would he need to go on missions? Besides, with his cultivation level, he could simply tear open the void to go wherever he wanted, so why would he need a teleportation array?
"You're going to use the teleportation array too?" Mingjian blurted out instinctively.
also……
Xiao Bumian pondered the word carefully. Except for cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, who could freely enter and exit Sword Bright Immortal Mountain, all other disciples had to use the teleportation array at Sword Bright Platform to descend. Not to mention that traveling by sword alone from here to Cloud Lai Immortal Abode would take two days and two nights, and by the time they arrived at Sword Bright Immortal Mountain, Cloud Lai Immortal Abode would likely be closed. Therefore, very few cultivators would choose to travel by sword unless they prepared several days in advance, or were like Xiao Bumian, possessing the cultivation level to tear through the void.
Generally speaking, most people subconsciously assume that they will leave through the teleportation array, but Mingjian's words clearly have other implications.
This little good-for-nothing actually knew his identity.
Xiao Bumian looked at him again, a half-smile on her face, "If you don't want to leave through the teleportation array, do you have a better way?"
Mingjian: "Naturally..."
He paused abruptly, realizing that his words had sounded somewhat like he was trying to cover something up. After a moment's thought, he forced himself to say, "Of course not."
Xiao Bumian asked meaningfully, "Is that so?"
He chuckled softly, "I thought you had a faster way than the teleportation array."
Mingjian pretended not to understand, "Haha, then we're quite destined to meet."
“It’s not about fate,” Xiao Bumian said frankly, “I came here specifically for you.”
Perhaps traces of those people can be found on that little piece of trash. It's unknown what kind of concealment methods those people used, but for hundreds of years, we can only vaguely sense their presence, but we can't find where they are.
Mingjian had no idea what was going on in Xiao Bumian's mind. He was petrified on the spot after hearing Xiao Bumian's words.
I came here specifically for you!
What is Xiao... Xiao Bumian saying?
So this was his true thought? He was wondering why Xiao Bumian, who could have easily reached Yunlai Immortal Mansion, insisted on using the teleportation array.
I never imagined it was all because of him.
Mingjian felt a burning sensation on the back of his neck, and his face also became hot. He stammered, "You...you, you are so shameless."
Xiao Bumian: "...?"
He glanced down at Mingjian and found the man quite strange, wondering if he was possessed by some evil spirit.
Xiao Bumian sneered and said in a gloomy voice, "You're very strange."
Before Mingjian could answer, he heard Xiao Bumian continue, "You seem to be unafraid of me anymore."
Mingjian choked and shut up.
Listen to that tone, so aloof now, but it's all an act. He's probably secretly thrilled.
Mingjian: "It's alright. Didn't I say before that I wanted to be friends with you? Why would I be afraid of you?"
"Friends?" Xiao Bumian paused for a moment, looked up at Mingjian who was looking up at him, and chuckled softly as if he had heard an interesting word. "So this is what you call friends?"
If Xiao Bumian had laughed like this half a month ago, it would have given me goosebumps. But now that my mindset has changed, I can hear a hint of helplessness in Xiao Bumian's laughter, a feeling of unrequited love.
He sighed softly, feeling a pang of sadness for Xiao Bumian. There was nothing he could do; he had no romantic feelings for Xiao Bumian, and no matter what Xiao Bumian did in this life, they could only be friends.
Mingjian hummed in agreement and nodded firmly: "Yes, that's what friends are."
He stood on tiptoe and patted Xiao Bumian's shoulder to comfort him, saying solemnly, "Friendship is the greatest emotion in the world."
He recalled the storybooks he had read and continued to make up stories: "Since I met you, the spring breeze always carries tidings, and the autumn moon always holds affection."
The implication is that one should lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot, and stop being so deluded about destroying the world. Although the cultivation world is not exactly a paradise, it still has him.
Xiao Bumian: "?"
He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Alright, if that's the case, then let's be friends from now on."
Ming Jian breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this madman wasn't so crazy that he couldn't live without him. As long as what the inner demon said was true, once the redemption mission was completed, he would have at least the cultivation level of a Nascent Soul cultivator. At that time, he could finally relax and live a carefree life.
These strange new words were learned from his inner demons, and they turned out to be quite useful.
system:……
Forget it, it's given up struggling. Let it be a demon in its heart.
It just felt like something was off, but it couldn't quite put its finger on it. Could it be that it had forgotten something very important?
Because of Xiao Bumian's uninvited arrival, the team of seven eventually became eight.
Gu Zhi's expression was unpleasant, and he said sarcastically, "Originally there were only seven people, but now there is one more burden. Aren't you outer disciples too confident in your strength? Even Song Heyu and I cannot guarantee that we can successfully get out of Yunlai Immortal Mansion unharmed, but you are very eager."
The outer disciples he mentioned were Mingjian and Xiao Bumian.
Mingjian had no idea what Xiao Bumian was planning. In short, while he was still hesitating about how to introduce Xiao Bumian to Song Yao and the others, Xiao Bumian had already suppressed his cultivation to the seventh level of Qi Refining, which was not much higher than Mingjian's.
No one around was surprised by the sudden appearance of this male cultivator who looked like a beautiful woman; it was as if he was meant to be there.
Xiao Bumian's appearance is among the best in the cultivation world, and Mingjian had often heard people mention him before. Logically, they shouldn't have had no reaction when they saw Xiao Bumian. But not only did they not react, no one found it strange.
An indescribable sense of unease welled up in Mingjian's heart. Could it be that Xiao Bumian's current face was disguised?
Before he could figure it out, Xiao Bumian said in a relaxed tone, "Outer disciple Xie Hanwei greets the two senior brothers."
After saying that, he stood next to Mingjian with his sword in his arms, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He ignored Guzhi and let him talk sarcastically.
Mingjian: "..."
Senior brother?
He glanced sideways at Xiao Bumian, his brow twitching. He wondered if Gu Zhi would feel it was a shortened lifespan if he found out the person in front of him was Xiao Bumian.
Xiao Bumian didn't react, and Ming Jian didn't react either.
Therefore, the two stood together, automatically ignoring Gu Zhi's chattering.
Seeing that the two were completely unmoved, Gu Zhi almost fainted from anger. It was only after Song Heyu glanced at him from the side that he reluctantly shut his mouth again.
Song Heyu was an extremely polite person. He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Xiao Bumian, saying, "I apologize, fellow Daoist. My junior brother is rather stubborn. Please forgive him if he has offended you in any way. Since you know Junior Brother Ming and haven't teamed up with anyone else yet, why don't you come with us?"
Xiao Bumian naturally wouldn't refuse, and readily said, "Then thank you both very much."
Song Heyu shook her head, "Junior brother, you flatter me."
After saying that, Song Heyu turned back and stood with Gu Zhi, seemingly whispering advice to Gu Zhi.
Gu Zhi didn't dare to say anything more, but when Song Heyu wasn't paying attention, she turned her head and glared at the two of them fiercely.
Mingjian: "..."
Why are you so pathetic?
“Xie Hanwei, that name sounds familiar.” A female cultivator at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment in the same team said.
"Yes, I think I've heard that name somewhere before."
Until a male cultivator exclaimed in surprise, "Xie Hanwei, isn't that the title of that person from the Nevernight Pavilion?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, and the surroundings became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
A note from the author:
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