Chapter 8: The Villain’s Unexpected Dilemma and Hua Yaoyao’s Misguided Loyalty

As a villain, it was only natural for Qin Yangjun to be adored by all in the early stages, held aloft like a moon among stars, for the higher one is lifted, the more tragic their fall.

Qin Yangjun, of course, was no exception.Beyond his status as Chief Disciple, Qin Yangjun possessed another widely known identity.The Sect Master of Yuqian Sect was his sister.Naturally, this was not a blood relation; their connection was quite intricate.

To put it simply, when Qin Yangjun was eight years old, he was attacked and fell from the Upper Realm.He was discovered and adopted by Mu Xianxian, who was traveling at the time.Owing to this relationship, most of the elders in Yuqian Sect looked after Qin Yangjun with great care.

Only the two elders currently before him remained indifferent towards Qin Yangjun.This was primarily because both elders possessed upright and unyielding personalities, while Qin Yangjun frequently used his connections to get special treatment.His actions were naturally an eyesore to them.

In the novel, these very elders had, in the early stages, helped the protagonist resolve many dangers created by Qin Yangjun, the villain.Therefore, strictly speaking, they were his potential enemies.Yet, Third

Elder had immediately accused him of a crime. ‘A crime? What had I done? Surely, simply wandering around Trial Mountain wasn’t enough to warrant such an accusation.’

“Third Elder, might I inquire what this is about?”

Without further ado, Third Elder flicked her sleeve, and a blue orb materialized before everyone.Displayed upon it was the very scene of Qin Yangjun striking out with a palm, sending the Tyrant Bear flying with his palm force, and thereby rescuing Yu Lingyue and Qian Xiaoyu.

Both auxiliary examiners wore expressions of shock, for such unauthorized assistance was a direct violation of Trial Mountain’s rules, let alone the fact that he was the chief examiner.

A chief examiner leading the charge in breaking rules was an even graver offense.Qin Yangjun, however, was even more stunned than the two examiners; he had never imagined that his palm strike, unleashed purely out of vexation, would actually help the protagonist escape danger.

‘No wonder I hadn’t seen any trace of the protagonist here; so she was still in Trial Mountain.’

As for the matter of helping trial participants being a violation, he truly had no idea.

‘He had been busy digesting memories these past few days; how could he possibly pay attention to such details?’

Nevertheless, Qin Yangjun now understood why these two elders were present.In the book, these two had always sought an opportunity to mildly punish Qin Yangjun, to make him understand the consequences of flouting rules.His unwitting action had inadvertently given them the perfect chance.

‘He speculated that this time, they had intercepted the news from the Disciplinary Hall.The other elders likely knew nothing of this, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any talk of punishment.They would have simply turned a blind eye.’

Now, because of his actions, the early plotline had completely collapsed.

‘The butterfly effect was simply too terrifying.’

And to think he was being punished for helping his future enemy.Within Qin Yangjun’s heart, a stampede of ten thousand ‘grass mud horses’ (TL Note: A Chinese internet meme, ‘cǎonímǎ,’ used to express extreme frustration or exasperation, often as a euphemism for a vulgar expletive) seemed to thunder.

‘If the protagonist had been eliminated at this point, he might have been able to develop smoothly for a while longer.How he loathed this outcome!’However, with the matter already decided, regret served no purpose. ‘He could only proceed one step at a time.’

Seeing Qin Yangjun remain silent, Grand Elder spoke up:

“Since you have nothing to say, according to the rules, you shall be confined to Evil Spirit Valley for seven days, and furthermore…”

The two auxiliary examiners exchanged glances. ‘Confinement? According to the rules, such an act of knowingly breaking the law should warrant entry into the Lightning Punishment Pool; merely facing the wall?’

‘However, considering the Chief Disciple’s relationship with the Sect Master, the punishment suddenly seemed quite reasonable.’

“Wait, Grand Elder, there must be some misunderstanding here! Senior Brother certainly had his reasons for acting this way.”

To everyone’s surprise, Hua Yaoyao suddenly stepped forward, shielding Qin Yangjun.

“Yaoyao, come back! Don’t be foolish!”

Third Elder glared fiercely at Hua Yaoyao.Then, she cast a glance at Yueyao, who had remained silent by Grand Elder’s side.Yueyao’s presence was due to her already being there; Grand Elder had simply called her over upon discovering her.

From their conversation, it was learned that:For the Heavenly Ranking Martial Arts Competition, Yueyao had gone out to train on her own and had only recently returned.

Grand Elder wished to inquire about Yueyao’s recent activities.This girl, however, was different.She had followed Third Elder here.

Third Elder had known this girl’s feelings for Qin Yangjun all along and hadn’t intended to bring her.But as fate would have it, she happened to be nearby when the Disciplinary Hall sent its message.

The girl was stubborn; even if she wasn’t allowed, she would have found a way to follow anyway.

Helpless, Third Elder could only bring her along.

Yet, despite all her meticulous warnings and instructions beforehand, the very situation she most wished to avoid had still come to pass.

“My apologies, Grand Elder, for letting you witness such a spectacle.”

Just as Third Elder was about to pull Hua Yaoyao back, the girl exclaimed urgently:

“I believe in Senior Brother! He would never knowingly break the law like this. He must have a reason for his actions, Master; please, listen to Senior Brother’s explanation…”

Qin Yangjun: …………….. ‘Qin Yangjun was rather pleased that Hua Yaoyao was willing to stand by him, but an explanation… with the facts laid bare, how could he possibly explain?’

‘However, upon closer thought…’ ‘Confinement for seven days… wouldn’t that mean he could avoid the Heavenly Ranking Martial Arts Competition three days from now?’

‘Having read the script, he knew clearly that Yueyao was already at the late Core Formation (TL Note: A cultivation realm, Jīndān Hòuqī, referring to the later stage of forming a Golden Core) stage.His chances of defeating her, being only at the mid Core Formation stage, were virtually zero.

Losing his Chief Disciple status was a foregone conclusion.’But if he couldn’t attend due to punishment, that would be an entirely different matter.Upon this realization, Qin Yangjun was suddenly struck by a feeling that a path had opened up before him.Therefore, he cupped his hands and declared:

“Once the trial concludes, whatever punishment the two elders deem fit, I shall accept.”

He cared little for the cultivation resources that came with being Chief Disciple, and the title of ‘Chief Disciple’ was not nearly as impactful as ‘Brother of the Yuqian Sect Master’.

Ostensibly, the identity of Chief Disciple held no meaning for Qin Yangjun at present.

However, in a later plot development, an event concerning the protagonist would require his Chief Disciple status.

If he could successfully ’cause trouble’ (TL Note: ‘Zuò yāo,’ literally ‘to act like a demon,’ implies deliberately causing mischief or making a scene to achieve a goal), he might even have a chance to eliminate the protagonist, or at the very least, cripple them.

Hence, he could not relinquish his Chief Disciple status just yet.Qin Yangjun’s straightforwardness caused Hua Yaoyao’s expression to shift repeatedly.

Pondering deeply the reason for her Senior Brother’s actions, a sudden flash of insight struck her. ‘The talent test was next; could it be because of that…?So that’s it! Senior Brother had already planned his retreat.

As expected of Senior Brother, he wanted to prove himself with facts.I understand, Senior Brother. In that case, I won’t cause you any more trouble.’

“My apologies, Master, I was being foolish.”

Hua Yaoyao immediately stepped aside, then subtly gave Qin Yangjun a resolute look. ‘That gaze seemed to say, ‘Senior Brother, I believe in you!’

‘At this moment, Qin Yangjun’s expression was truly a sight to behold.Amidst his incomprehensible emotions, a hint of utter bewilderment was apparent. ‘?????? What in the world?’Third Elder also froze for a moment. ‘She had been protecting him so fiercely just moments ago, yet now she had abruptly jumped away.

The speed of this girl’s attitude change made it seem as if she were toying with them.

‘This meaningless charade caused Grand Elder to let out a slight sigh:

“In that case, let us deal with this matter after the trial concludes.”

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