Chapter 8: A Strategic Compromise

Shi Yang watched Wang Yu regain her composure, a smile gracing his lips. “It’s good to see your spirits lifted. By the way, little girl, how did you discover my presence?”

Indeed, Shi Yang remained quite fixated on this point.

Wang Yu held a favorable impression of Elder Shi. Kind-hearted old men typically possessed a great deal of charisma, so she spoke candidly.

“Just now, when I was talking to that perverted lolicon, he suddenly ignored me, but the expression on his face kept changing. He also unconsciously touched his ring, and that’s when I guessed it.”

“Just that?” Shi Yang was puzzled. Although Wang Yu’s explanation was logical and well-reasoned, it didn’t seem to provide sufficient clues to infer his existence.

Wang Yu rubbed her nose, glancing away guiltily. “Well, there were some other special reasons.”

‘I couldn’t possibly tell an old man like him that your type of plot device is practically cliché in novels. I merely bluffed, and you actually showed up.’

Shi Yang naturally discerned Wang Yu’s evasiveness.

“Heh heh, if you’re not comfortable sharing, I won’t press. You young ones always have such peculiar notions. Anyway, little lass, what do you plan to do next?

I hardly think your current predicament can be described as ‘good.’ If you simply walk out like this, you’ll easily encounter danger.”

Wang Yu acknowledged Shi Yang’s kind reminder, feeling a sense of certainty within herself.

After a moment of hesitation, she said, “I plan to first find a city to buy some necessities, then further consider my next steps. Oh, and Elder Shi, could I temporarily travel with you? I won’t be a burden; I managed to procure some things.”

“Of course, you can.” Shi Yang asked, intrigued, “But aren’t you afraid that young Yue will bully you?”

Wang Yu blinked her bright eyes. As the ancients say: ‘A wise person utilizes their advantages.’ The omniscient, nameless ancient sage.

Wang Yu unleashed her unique attack skill: feigned cuteness, attempting to charm Shi Yang. “With Elder Shi here, he wouldn’t dare bully me!”

To be honest, Shi Yang was also smitten. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. If that boy dares to bully you, I’ll beat him to death.”

Yue Feng’s eyes widened as he silently complained about his master. ‘???? Has he already betrayed the revolution? As a master, shouldn’t you be helping your disciple with his marital affairs?’

Facing Yue Feng’s internal grumbling, Shi Yang’s face darkened as he spoke directly into Yue Feng’s mind. ‘Are you an idiot? Are you actually planning to force yourself on her? I’m creating an opportunity for you; what do you know?’

Yue Feng shrugged. Wang Yu’s willingness to join them was already an excellent gain.

Yue Feng looked at Wang Yu, who was still wary of him, and said with a chuckle, “Are you so eager because you’ve fallen for my handsome looks?”

“Would you die if you didn’t narcissistically compliment yourself for a day?” Wang Yu made a delightfully playful face at Yue Feng, habitually launching a teasing, friend-like retort.

‘Hold it in. A small impatience can ruin a great plan.’ Yue Feng was utterly charmed. He already wanted to pull Wang Yu into his arms and thoroughly… cherish her.

Yue Feng chuckled. “I’d die of narcissism, but would I also die for telling the truth? It’s widely known that I’m handsome; only you would speak against your conscience like that.”

Yue Feng had a sudden thought. He continued to joke with Wang Yu, subtly closing the distance between them.

‘You’re just a kid!’ Wang Yu glared fiercely at Yue Feng, though her gaze held no true intimidation.

Yet, she had to admit that in this face-obsessed world, Yue Feng was the type who could ascend to the stage and garner millions of fans purely based on his looks.

‘If I used to be this handsome, would I have worried about not having a girlfriend?’

Wang Yu didn’t notice Yue Feng’s subtle intentions and genuinely began to argue with him.

“Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re handsome. I’m not just anyone.”

“Then I’m increasingly looking forward to seeing how ‘not just anyone’ you can be, Yu’er.”

“You!!!” Wang Yu felt her rational thought was weakened after her transformation. A few teasing words were enough to make her somewhat flustered.

“Alright, alright, save the flirting for later.” Shi Yang looked at Wang Yu, whose face was flushed crimson, and stopped Yue Feng’s teasing before she could erupt.

“Now that the Cloudwind Sect has fallen, various sects are vying for profits and re-dividing territories. If you don’t extricate yourselves quickly, you could easily be used as pawns.

Also, little Yue, you should quickly take Wang Yu to get her dressed. You can’t keep letting her walk around naked with just a black robe, can you?”

Yue Feng only then realized, after hearing Shi Yang’s words, that his little loli was indeed only clad in a black robe, with her delicate little feet bare.

A pang of concern struck him. He knelt down. “Yu’er, I’ll carry you down the mountain. It’ll not only be faster but also more comfortable for you. The ground below is all rocky.”

“Thank you,” Wang Yu said, not overly affected. She deliberately ignored Yue Feng’s overly intimate address and climbed onto his back.

Perhaps because her body was so small, Wang Yu found Yue Feng’s back surprisingly broad and solid, offering a sense of security as she leaned against it.

Yue Feng supported Wang Yu’s calves, keenly feeling how soft and tender her skin was, as if it would crumble at a touch.

Her weightless body felt like a wisp of cotton, exuding a faint milky scent. Yue Feng resisted the urge for inappropriate thoughts, and sped down the mountain with Wang Yu.

Wang Yu watched the scenery rapidly change, feeling as though she were on a rollercoaster. She couldn’t help but tighten her arms around Yue Feng, burying her face in his back as she pondered her future.

Wang Yu’s willingness to travel with Yue Feng was both a compromise and a decision made from the heart. She was alone in this unfamiliar world, without a single relative.

Even the sect master’s memories were incomplete, only allowing her to infer from fragmented recollections that the legal system of this world was far from sound.

There were no comforting presences like the police stations and police officers back home, who you could call for anything: getting lost, needing money for a ride, finding a place to stay, or even resolving marital disputes.

They were truly versatile and attentive helpers.

This world had similar organizations, but their authority and capabilities were vastly inferior.

In fact, it was the kind of world where a callous noble class held absolute power.

Wang Yu also had a rough understanding of her own charm.

If even the protagonist could be captivated, then a delicate, soft, and easily subdued loli like herself, seeking help rashly, would very likely end up losing both her person and her possessions.

She might even be locked in a basement, forced to drink milk every day.

‘How terrifying (๑ó﹏ò๑)!’ The thought sent a shiver down Wang Yu’s spine. This was precisely why she had compromised with Yue Feng!

Individuals with the protagonist template generally had their character guaranteed. As long as she didn’t court death, she shouldn’t have to worry about him training her in various ways. ‘Ahhh, I can’t let my mind wander anymore,’ Wang Yu felt her head was about to explode.

Wang Yu secretly glanced at Yue Feng, a hint of worry in her eyes. ‘It shouldn’t be, right?’

Yue Feng felt the small loli on his back secretly looking at him, so he returned a gentle smile, hoping to reassure her. He had no idea that her impression of him had evolved from a gentleman to a pervert.

Wang Yu quickly averted Yue Feng’s gaze. ‘?? Why is he smiling at me so lewdly? Did I guess correctly? How terrifying d(ŐдŐ๑)! Should I run away?’

But after a moment of thought, Wang Yu felt disheartened. ‘Where would I run? I have no self-preservation abilities whatsoever.

Clinging to the protagonist’s thigh is the wisest choice right now.

Thankfully, I’ve gained a surrogate grandfather. Even if this guy were to unleash one of the Seven Deadly Sins someday, someone would still stop him,’ Wang Yu reassured herself.

‘Perhaps this is just being pragmatic,’ she thought. ‘No (;｀O´)o, this is a strategic compromise made by intelligent me for a better tomorrow! It’s not cowardice at all.’

Wang Yu silently cheered herself on.