Crimson_Lore
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Chapter 27: The Wife Is Always Someone Else’s
🕑 Added 2025-02-16 14:18:34 +0000 UTCWhen Ji Rong woke up from her hangover, her head was still spinning.
She vaguely remembered that before getting drunk, she had followed the heroine to the top of an impossibly tall, illegal-looking structure. There, in her hazy state, she had stared at the moon for a while before completely blacking out.
Just before losing consciousness, she had caught a glimpse of the moon reflected in Gu Baiyi’s eyes, clear, shimmering, and rippling with light.
[Ding! Player must head to Jixian Pavilion within the day to complete the secret realm mission.]
The notification snapped Ji Rong back to her senses. Right, today was the day she was supposed to go to the Tianshui Secret Realm.
She quickly gathered her belongings, picked up her Qinghe Sword, and carried the little fox with her to the teleportation array.
The Daoist waved his horsetail whisk, and within the array, the starlight surged, radiating dazzling beams.
In the blink of an eye, Ji Rong landed firmly on the ground. When she opened her eyes, she had already arrived at Jixian Pavilion.
Looking up, she saw the plaque overhead. The three characters “Jixian Pavilion” were deeply carved, exuding a carefree elegance.
In the game, Jixian Pavilion was a grand structure with intricately carved beams and painted rafters. The calligraphy on the plaque was personally written by Yue Qianqiu, making it a place Mei He designated as the sect’s main discussion hall.
Ji Rong strolled leisurely through the corridors, admiring the exquisite architecture with a lazy, unhurried air, almost as if she were simply wandering through her own backyard.
Although Sword God was designed with all the carelessness of a developer who used their feet to code, the art team had genuinely put in effort. If even a million-dollar art budget couldn’t save this game, just how bad was the rest of it?
Ji Rong was in the middle of mentally complaining when she suddenly noticed a figure standing in the shadow of the corridor.
Dressed in white robes with dark trim, the person had a calm expression, their gaze fixed intently on the wall relief.
They looked… oddly familiar.
Perhaps hearing footsteps, Ye Chuyang turned around with a slightly wooden expression, a surprise flickering in his eyes.
You’re surprised?
Ji Rong was the one who should be shocked!
The Tianshui Secret Realm only opened once every fifty years, drawing in heroes and geniuses alike.
However, entry slots were limited. The elders typically ceded their spots to the younger generation, and the sects had strict rules, only cultivators below the Riding the Wind Realm were allowed in.
Every disciple chosen by their sect had to go through multiple rounds of selection, making them the elite among their peers.
Yet here, standing in the Jixian Pavilion, was Ye Chuyang, the notorious black hole of cultivation.
Not only that, but this walking disaster even cupped his hands in greeting and, with a completely serious face, said, “Oh, it’s you. I thought another Senior Sister had arrived.”
Kid, didn’t you get beaten up badly enough last time?
Ji Rong was speechless, but outwardly she remained composed, her expression indifferent. “Why are you looking for that Senior Sister?” she asked.
Ye Chuyang frowned slightly in thought before answering earnestly, “To spar.”
Spar?
More like volunteering to be beaten up again.
But if both sides were willing, one to hit and the other to take the hits, it was none of her business.
“Oh? Junior Brother Ye wants to spar again?”
Ji Rong turned her head to see a figure in crimson robes, Gu Baiyi, sword at her waist, lips curved into a smile. She seemed to be in a good mood, her tone uncharacteristically warm.
Ye Chuyang’s eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly.”
Gu Baiyi, however, shook her head and said gently, “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Junior Brother. Sect rules prohibit using weapons inside Jixian Pavilion. We’ll have to wait until after we return from the Tianshui Secret Realm. I promise I’ll spar with you then.”
Ye Chuyang looked a little dejected at that.
But since they were about to set off, it really wasn’t the right time for a duel, so he reluctantly gave up and said, “Alright. Thank you, Senior Sister.”
With that, he turned back to the relief, running his fingers over the carved sword marks, deep in thought.
Seeing that Ye Chuyang wasn’t in a hurry to leave, Ji Rong figured he must have had some kind of realization. Since Mei He was waiting in the hall, she didn’t linger and headed off first, with Gu Baiyi following closely behind.
They passed through the corridor, where pines and cypresses stood tall and flowers bloomed in quiet elegance. But neither of them paid any attention to the scenery, making their way straight toward the main hall.
Ji Rong was still mulling over one question, how had Ye Chuyang, an early-stage cultivation black hole, managed to sneak into the secret realm?
Has he been possessed by someone?
She glanced at Gu Baiyi and immediately dismissed the thought. If anyone here looked like they’d been possessed, it was this lunatic beside her.
Gu Baiyi noticed Ji Rong’s furrowed brow and chuckled. “Senior Sister, are you wondering how Ye Chuyang got into the secret realm?”
Ji Rong nodded.
She remembered that in the game, Ye Chuyang only got into Mei He’s good graces after meeting the heroine. Mei He, ever beautiful and kind-hearted, had recognized his potential and granted him an extra entry slot. That was how he had managed to get in.
But in this timeline, he hadn’t even interacted with Gu Baiyi. So with his current cultivation, how had he qualified?
Gu Baiyi smiled and said, “It was Elder Gong Yu who let him in.”
Ji Rong narrowed her eyes. Ye Chuyang’s surname was Ye, not Gong, what kind of connection did he have with Gong Yu?
Gu Baiyi’s smile deepened as she continued, “Senior Sister, you might not know this, but the outer sect’s written exam has a time limit. Ye Chuyang finished his entire paper in just two hours… and scored full marks.”
Full marks?
Ji Rong was momentarily stunned. If she remembered correctly, Ye Chuyang had ranked dead last in the combat trials, which meant…
Gu Baiyi nodded, confirming her thoughts. “Even without Elder Gong Yu giving him a special exception, his total score would have placed him in the top three of the outer sect.”
Ji Rong: "……"
What a top-tier specialist. Once his meridians fully open up, he’ll soar to the heavens.
As they talked, they unknowingly arrived at the main hall.
The hall was simply yet elegantly furnished, with a large ink wash painting of mountains and rivers hanging on the white walls.
Beneath the painting stood a figure. A delicate lotus mark adorned her brow, adding to her striking beauty. Mei He stood with her hands behind her back, offering them a slight smile. "You're here."
Ji Rong was momentarily dazed. Meeting Mei He’s gaze, she almost thought she was seeing the person from the painting come to life.
As expected, wifey is the most beautiful.
Gu Baiyi smiled warmly and respectfully bowed to Mei He. "Greetings, Sect Leader Mei."
The woman in the painting-like presence gazed at Gu Baiyi with a soft expression. "No need for formalities. Please rise."
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
Ji Rong followed suit, bowing alongside Gu Baiyi, though her hands trembled slightly.
This was truly a moment that could move heaven and earth.
In her lifetime, she had the fortune of witnessing her CP standing together before her very eyes.
Through Ji Rong’s shipping filter, Mei He’s gaze curved into a gentle arc, watching Gu Baiyi with deep appreciation, her smile lingering.
And as for the heroine, her usual polite, insincere smile seemed far more genuine now. She even curled her lips slightly while exchanging pleasantries with Mei He.
Mei He responded gently, thoughtfully explaining, "Once everyone has arrived, we can set off."
As she spoke, she even spared Ji Rong a glance, including her in the explanation.
Ji Rong was utterly entranced. Indeed, wifey was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted, even considerate toward insignificant NPCs like herself…
Just then, someone lifted the bamboo curtain and strode through the hall.
Gu Baiyi's expression shifted subtly, as if remembering something. She instinctively took a step back, making space for the newcomer.
Ji Rong, having only paid attention to her and the heroine’s rankings the other day, had barely registered the rest. She hadn't bothered to remember who placed third.
But now, it suddenly struck her, if Dou Weiyi was consistently ranked fourth, and Wei Zongqiu was fifth, then third place could only be…
The newcomer was dressed in elegant blue-green robes, with ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked as if she hadn't slept all night, with faint dark circles under her eyes.
Tall and poised, she carried an air of distinction. Though she moved through the hall like a gentle spring breeze, an undeniable sense of aloofness surrounded her, warning others to keep their distance.
Then, Qiu Sushuang bowed slightly and said, "Disciple greets the Sect Leader."
Without waiting for Mei He’s response, she lowered her hands from the salute and, with an indifferent expression, walked to the far side of the hall, retreating into the shadows.
Mei He was momentarily taken aback but, being an easygoing person, merely smiled and let it pass.
Gu Baiyi’s smile seemed to falter slightly, and an indescribable expression flickered across her face.
But at this very moment, Ji Rong felt like the happiest woman in the world.
Her character setting might bind her body, but it couldn’t restrain the soul of a hardcore shipper!
What was the most wonderful thing in the world?
Having both Wifey No.1 and Wifey No.2 in the same room while she, a mere outsider, was lucky enough to breathe the same air as them!
Yet in the next instant, a profound sense of melancholy washed over her.
She was actually the most pitiful person in the world.
Because… damn it! She wasn’t the main character, she was the villain.
The wives all belonged to someone else.
So when she looked at that "someone else" standing silently at the front of the hall, she burned with frustration.
She was furious, furious that iron wouldn’t turn to steel. She wanted nothing more than to shove Gu Baiyi aside and yell:
"If you don’t want your wives, then at least leave them for someone who does!"
What made Ji Rong even angrier was that Gu Baiyi remained eerily calm. She didn’t look at Mei He, nor did she look at Qiu Sushuang. Instead, she turned her head and stared straight at Ji Rong.
That one look nearly sent Ji Rong into a fit. She wanted to slam her head against the ground and end it all right there.
But because she had to maintain her character setting, she could only ask coolly, "Junior Sister, do you need something?"
Gu Baiyi smiled at her. "No, I was just looking around."
Ji Rong: "?"
The hell? Looking around?
Go look at your wives! Why are you staring at the villain?!
In that moment, Gu Baiyi left an irreversible scar on Ji Rong’s heart.
Because her behavior right now was like an emperor with three thousand beauties in his harem, who ignored his stunning empress, dismissed his bewitching consort, and instead showed great interest in a eunuch.
This choking sensation left Ji Rong with only one thought:
Gu Baiyi, are you sure you're okay?
