It’s Not Easy To Be A Villain This Time

Ji Rong spent her days immersed in scriptures and cultivation, quickly passing two days.

The snow fox was very cute and often snuggled into her arms while she practiced her exercises and meditated, lying like a little dumpling, breathing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Life was very comfortable, but there was one thing that puzzled Ji Rong—the bookshelves were filled with manuals.

She casually flipped through one and found it mostly consisted of basic sword techniques written by Yue Qianqiu, almost as if someone had deliberately placed them there for her to see.

But since she couldn't figure it out, Ji Rong didn't bother thinking too much about it. After all, survival was the priority.

Every day, she read, practiced swordsmanship, and meditated. Before long, it was time for the sect trial.

Early in the morning, a young woman was waiting outside Wantang Residence and delivered a message asking her to go to the Trial Hall.

Ji Rong opened the door and saw the same junior sister who had carried the lantern last time.

She had no resistance to pretty young girls, but for the sake of maintaining her image, she could only nod and say, "Thank you, junior sister."

The winter was cold, so Ji Rong put on a feathered robe and followed the junior sister to the Trial Hall.

On the way, she gazed at the snow falling from the sky and suddenly recalled the dream she had last night.

In the dream, the scene was also at Wantang Residence. The image was a bit blurry, but she could vaguely see a woman in a tang-colored robe standing in the courtyard, practicing swordplay.

The woman's robe fluttered in the wind, her moves sharp and precise.

Meanwhile, Ji Rong was wearing a gauzy dress, holding a wine cup, quietly leaning against the corridor, watching the woman practice.

The sword moves looked like falling snowflakes, flowing smoothly like clouds and water, almost making her dizzy with admiration.

After the sword dance ended, the woman turned around, smiling at her and saying, "Senior sister, you're here."

Her eyes were beautiful, dark like ink, as if they contained a pool of silver stars.

Looking at the woman's face, Ji Rong felt a little intoxicated.

She set the wine cup down, took a few steps forward, and kissed the woman, pulling her chin closer.

When she pulled away, she looked at the confused expression on the woman's face, licking the wine stain at the corner of her mouth.

She thought, So soft.

Ji Rong snapped back to reality, recalling the cold, burning gaze she had seen in the dungeon. She couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine.

…She had just had a spring dream, and the object of her affection was very likely the naive and sweet female protagonist from the early stages.

What a sin.

Recalling the eerie dream, Ji Rong lifted the tea lid, intending to take a sip to calm herself.

But just as she raised her hand to uncover the cup, smelling the fresh tea fragrance, she saw Gu Baiyi being escorted into the hall by two disciples.

Gu Baiyi was dressed in prison clothes, but she didn't look as miserable as the game's storyline had described.

Although her hands and feet were shackled with spirit-locking chains, she appeared calm and composed, standing in the center of the hall, waiting for the trial's questioning.

It was only when she made eye contact with Ji Rong that a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on her face.

Ji Rong closed the tea cup with a snap. Forget it, she couldn't drink the tea anymore.

Whether it was Junshan Silver Needle or Biluochun, nothing could compare to the female protagonist's thousand-year-old tea.

She saw the thousand-year-old tea gently nod and bow to Elder Shen Mingyun and Ye Yizhou sitting on the platform, saying, "I, the sinner disciple, greet Elder Shen."

After they nodded in acknowledgment, Gu Baiyi turned to look at Ji Rong on her left and smiled, offering her a salute.

Ji Rong met her gaze, slightly raising her chin in acknowledgment.

To her surprise, Gu Baiyi didn't intend to look away. She just kept smiling and staring at her.

The atmosphere became awkward.

Not only did Ji Rong feel uncomfortable, but even the disciples sitting in the audience couldn't help but feel embarrassed for her.

Represented by Wei Zongqiu, they eagerly gossiped, "What do you think junior sister Gu means? She's just staring at senior sister Ji like that, looks kind of resentful…"

Liu Ningxue countered, "I think it's more like unwillingness. junior sister Gu used to be so lively and innocent, but now her eyes are so numb and world-weary. There must be something more to this."

Ji Rong couldn't be bothered to engage with Gu Baiyi. She picked up her cup again and took a sip.

When she looked up, Gu Baiyi had already turned her gaze away.

As per the Trial Hall's usual procedure, Elder Shen Mingyun first made some pleasantries, "The harsh winter is upon us, and I thank everyone for coming to the Trial Hall. The Trial Hall has always been fair and open, so today, I invite you all to witness this trial. The order of Wan Jian Sect depends on the cooperation of all disciples."

Since Gu Baiyi's case involved the possible harm of a fellow disciple, it was serious, so besides the inner sect disciples, a few outer sect disciples were also invited as witnesses.

Ji Rong casually observed, setting her cup down on the table.

She joined the others in cupping her hands and bowing, echoing, "We, the disciples, vow to be fair and just, and will never cover for anyone."

She thought, It's just a process. Those who understand, understand.

Next came the sect trial. First, Elder Ye Yizhou, the Chief Law Elder, read out the charges against Gu Baiyi, followed by Elder Shen Mingyun explaining the events surrounding the case.

The case had caused quite a stir, and everyone naturally knew the full story.

The disciples below the hall were listening drowsily, sarcastically thinking that they would be held hostage by Elders Shen and Ye for several hours.

Just as Ye Yizhou was about to finish reading the charges, Gu Baiyi suddenly spoke.

Her voice, like pearls and jade hitting the ground, woke up the drowsy disciples.

"Elders, I have something to say."

Ye Yizhou frowned and asked, "What is it?"

Gu Baiyi remained calm and bowed deeply to Ye Yizhou and Shen Mingyun, saying, "The sinner knows that my crimes are severe, but what I did is not entirely as the charges state."

Shen Mingyun, who was always unceremonious, forced himself to act stern at this moment and said, "If there is anything hidden, you may speak frankly in front of the court, without concern."

Ji Rong calmly picked up her tea, not even looking at Gu Baiyi, as she did not believe she could say anything of significance.

After all, the original person had made sure everything was flawless. The key was there were no witnesses or evidence, and Gu Baiyi was the only suspect.

To everyone's surprise, Gu Baiyi remained silent for a long time, then turned around and looked deeply at Ji Rong.

If there were a pie chart analyzing the components of her gaze, Ji Rong was certain it would show: four parts sorrow, three parts melancholy, two parts heartache, and one part unwillingness.

After a while, Gu Baiyi withdrew her gaze and sighed deeply, "The sinner's reputation no longer matters, but senior sister Ji , she..."

The attention of the crowd shifted once more to Ji Rong.

This time, Ji Rong had learned from experience and was not flustered by such small scenes.

Aside from almost dropping her teacup, she remained calm and unaffected.

The disciples of Wan Jian Sect were burning with curiosity.

They had lost all sleepiness, and their eyes were darting between Ji Rong and Gu Baiyi, for the first time feeling that attending the trial was incredibly interesting.

Shen Mingyun felt a headache coming on again. He slammed the table and shouted, "Silence!"

The disciples' discussions gradually quieted down, but their curiosity only grew, and their interest in the case deepened.

Shen Mingyun cleared his throat and said to Gu Baiyi, "Since you cannot state the case in front of the hall, how about you tell Elder Ye and I in private?"

Gu Baiyi hesitated.

After a moment of indecision, she nodded and walked towards the high seats.

Everyone watched as she struggled to move, the sound of the spirit-locking chains dragging heavily on the floor.

She walked slowly to Shen Mingyun's side and leaned down to whisper in his ear. After hearing her words, Shen Mingyun froze, stunned.

Ji Rong watched his expression and suddenly had an ominous premonition.

Why did it feel like things were about to go awry?

Shen Mingyun's expression became complicated after hearing her out. He whispered to Ye Yizhou, who was usually stern and composed, but even his face showed some unease.

The disciples became even more excited. The first to sit at the front line of the gossip was Dou Weiyi, from Gong Yu's faction.

With a grin, she said, "I knew there was going to be a twist in this case. Ji Rong is usually reclusive and mysterious. She's not someone easy to mess with, but I didn't know Gu Baiyi wasn't an easy target either… Let's see who brings down whom."

Liu Ningxue couldn't stand hearing Ji Rong spoken of like that and angrily retorted, "You don't know anything. Senior sister Ji is really kind. A few years ago, she saved my life."

Dou Weiyi snapped back, "Maybe she just helped because she happened to pass by. Anyone could've done it, even a stray cat or dog."

Liu Ningxue was furious. "You!"

Bang—

This time, it wasn't Shen Mingyun slamming the table, but Ye Yizhou. He slammed his sword heavily onto the table, and the hall immediately became silent.

Ye Yizhou coldly said, "You no longer need to listen to this case. All of you may leave."

Ji Rong sighed in relief as the disciples grudgingly left, finally escaping the spotlight.

Just as she was about to get up and leave with everyone, Ye Yizhou turned his gaze to her and said, "Ji Rong, stay behind."