Chapter 93 - The Harem Rescue Project

In the vast water prison, only a young man was immersed in the foul-smelling bloody water. Hearing footsteps on dry ground, he swept aside his wet, oily hair, looked at the visitor, and asked, "Senior Sister, why are you here alone? What about Master? Why didn't she come?" Lin Qianshuang handed a bottle of healing medicine to Liang Jingxuan through the iron bars, feigning concern as she said, "Junior Brother, this is medicine from Master. Use it, and ask me for more if it's not enough." Liang Jingxuan took the bottle but didn't apply it immediately. He gazed at Lin Qianshuang with a hint of anticipation in his voice, "Qianshuang, you came here alone. Is there something you want to tell me privately?" Lin Qianshuang's eyes roamed around the water prison, searching for the mechanism to open the iron cage in the water, and she whispered, "Junior Brother, I heard people from the Liang family in the Northern Regions plan to kill you on the way back. I'm here to set you free. It's thanks to Xiao Lanyue who bribed the guards outside that I could get in." Liang Jingxuan reached through the iron bars and grabbed Lin Qianshuang's sleeve, the chains clanking noisily in the water. His eyes lit up as he said, "Don't worry. I can escape on my own without needing you to find the mechanism. I planned to see you before leaving, but you've come to me first. I knew you'd come to save me." This protagonist with a golden finger, Liang Jingxuan, indeed couldn't be restrained by this small water prison. Lin Qianshuang's eyes darkened for a moment before she smiled and said, "That's good then, seems I was being redundant." Effortlessly unlocking the shackles, Liang Jingxuan shattered the water prison bars and leaped onto the shore from the bloody water. Disgusted by the filth on him, he stripped off his clothes, took a new set from his storage ring, and changed. It seemed he intended to put on a show for Lin Qianshuang, each movement deliberate and suave, like a peacock flaunting its feathers, exuding masculinity as his eyes occasionally glanced at her. Lin Qianshuang turned her back, rolling her eyes, perplexed by Liang Jingxuan's delay in leaving despite being able to all along. Was there another motive behind his actions? As she pondered, she immediately asked, "Junior Brother, you knew I'd come here?" Liang Jingxuan, now fully dressed, suddenly pulled Lin Qianshuang to him and leapt onto the uneven stone pillars rising from the water, the sole path out of the cave. "I was marked with a scent upon arrival here. The crocodiles use it to identify and kill escapees, but they won't attack disciples. Heh, Senior Sister Qianshuang, I knew you still loved me. You wouldn't leave me to die. As long as you're here, the crocodiles below won’t attack, and we'll be safe." Feigning fear in Liang Jingxuan's embrace, Lin Qianshuang watched a giant crocodile leap from the water before splashing back down and climbing onto the shore. Internally, she retorted, "Such sweet talk, but aren't you just using me as a shield? And to think this body was once your dream girl's." "Senior Sister, since you're willing to save me, the Sect Leader might suspect and send someone to intercept us. I'm afraid I might end up troubling you." Liang Jingxuan vaulted onto the final pillar, landing steadily on the ground. No sooner had he finished speaking than Sect Leader Xiao Shen appeared outside the cave. Lin Qianshuang immediately noticed Xiao Shen accompanied by Xiao Lanyue and several disciples. Her heart skipped a beat. Did they have to be so punctual, showing up right on time? Xiao Lanyue's gaze paused on Lin Qianshuang, realization flashing across her face. Her expression shifted unpredictably, darkened eyes deepening in shade. "Everyone, step aside, or I'll kill Senior Sister Lin. I remember her engagement was promised by the Sect Leader and the Lin family. If she's dead in half a year, what will you say to the Chen family and the Lingxiao Sword Sect? My woman, even if she were to die in my arms, would not marry another." Liang Jingxuan held a sword to Lin Qianshuang's throat, using her as a hostage to progress to the cave's entrance. Fearing Xiao Shen might not believe him, he lightly nicked her neck, his eyes watching Xiao Lanyue's reaction. Lest Lin Qianshuang misunderstood his intentions, fearing she'd think he meant actual harm, Liang Jingxuan softly assured, "Senior Sister, I'm just putting on a show. They won't kill you, but if I'm caught here, I'd surely die." Although aware that Liang Jingxuan was acting, Lin Qianshuang felt a chill in her heart. If one truly loved another, would they gamble with their safety as a mere ploy for survival? To think some still idolized him as their ideal. Her attempts to reform him into a principled person were indeed naive. Such a person respects no moral boundaries, a self-serving imposter. Xiao Shen was about to order his disciples to seize Liang Jingxuan but was held back by Xiao Lanyue. Xiao Lanyue's gaze lingered on Lin Qianshuang before she turned and advised, "Sect Leader Father, Liang Jingxuan is ruthless and might harm Senior Sister Lin. We shouldn't act rashly. Let me test him first." Xiao Shen frowned at Xiao Lanyue's interruption, a dissatisfied hum escaping his nostrils. Xiao Lanyue stepped forward, sternly saying, "Liang Jingxuan, move your sword away from Senior Sister Lin's neck and we'll let you go. We'll clear a path for you." "Come over, and I'll hand her to you." Liang Jingxuan spoke and shifted the sword slightly away from Lin Qianshuang's neck. As Xiao Lanyue was about to rush forward, Liang Jingxuan suddenly struck Lin Qianshuang on the back, sending her plummeting straight into the blood pool. The giant crocodiles lurking on the shore began to stir, eager to clamber up. Liang Jingxuan looked at Xiao Lanyue and said, "I transferred the scent mark onto her. Those crocodiles will attack her." Xiao Lanyue's eyes widened with shock, her face paling as she crazily dashed towards the blood pool. Watching from the side, Liang Jingxuan cursed under his breath, his emotions a chaotic mix of laughter and tears as he mumbled, "Lin Qianshuang, you spoke up for her in front of me. Were you afraid I'd blame Xiao Lanyue if she got in my way and I was trapped in the water prison?" I'm not stupid. Xiao Lanyue is easy to read. Her expressions when speaking to you at the Nine Cauldrons were so vivid, even a fool could see her genuine feelings for you. Xiao Lanyue would die for you like this. Did you show her the same concern and kindness you showed me? Is that why she's so devoted to you? "Senior Sister, have your feelings changed? We come from the same world. Don’t you feel we’re incompatible? Is it true you want to be with a maniac instead?" This question, unclear whether it was for himself or another. Liang Jingxuan felt like a lovesick fool, reminiscent of his high school crush, left melancholic when she rejected his love letter. Yet, unlike that time when a new love interest quickly emerged, Lin Qianshuang's affections seemed fixed on another, leaving him temporarily disinterested in women, especially knowing his first love and former girlfriend had entangled with each other, leaving him utterly discomfited. Liang Jingxuan felt disheartened by this world. He had hoped to become a dominant figure, surrounded by beautiful women, as with other reincarnation stories. Instead, the magical artifact he'd painstakingly obtained, the Zixiao Sword, turned out to be ridiculous—fragile and impractical despite its flashy appearance. Potential love interests who died for him were justified, but those who survived schemed against him, vying for his beloved other's affections. Despite his prestigious origins—the descendant of an esteemed family—he inexplicably bore a bad reputation, now pursued for his life. Was there any transmigrator more unfortunate than him? Liang Jingxuan was nearly infuriated enough to berate the destiny system. Wasn’t the script supposed to be ideal, the future bright, with the world adapting to his influence? Why did it all feel futile? Xiao Shen, observing Xiao Lanyue leap from the stone pillars to rescue someone, hastily pursued. The disciples were thrown into disarray. With his temper flaring, Liang Jingxuan enveloped his sword in top-grade violet fire and flew out of the cave. Though disciples tried to stop him, they were forced back by the flames. About to chase after Liang Jingxuan, the disciples were halted by a command. "Don't pursue him. You may all leave and focus on your sword practice," Sect Leader Xiao Shen instructed, unbothered by Liang Jingxuan's escape. Finding him would only be a matter of time with the intelligence network in Tianxu City. However, something seemed to have changed about Xiao Lanyue. Xiao Shen wore a thoughtful expression as a stable aura emanated from Xiao Lanyue. In her emotional state, the inner demon seemed dormant, potentially indicating the Buddhist Glass had purified within her. Perhaps, Xiao Shen mused, it was time to find a suitable husband for Xiao Lanyue, someone who could stir her emotions and perhaps extract the treasure from within her. In the pool, the water churned as a giant crocodile opened its filthy, sharp jaws towards the descending Lin Qianshuang. She wasn’t an escaped prisoner, so why attack her? Was she supposed to be an extra meal? Perplexed, Lin Qianshuang halted her descent using demonic energy. Observing the eager crocodiles below, she deliberated killing a few for their inner cores to replenish her energy. Suddenly, a flash of white swept past, securing her at the waist and whisking her toward the cave's exit despite her wishes. The aura surrounding the figure holding her was too familiar. Realizing it was Xiao Lanyue, Lin Qianshuang felt reassured, understanding Xiao Lanyue must be worried about her being attacked by the crocodiles and had come to rescue her. Living together in the Xiaoyao Estate, if Xiao Lanyue wished to carry her back there as a hitch, Lin Qianshuang wasn’t about to make a fuss. She'd use this opportunity to sort through her thoughts during the ride back.