Chapter 140

When Wen Jian saw the golden divine blood slowly drifting from the far end of the pool and obediently flowing into Ye Zheng’s palm, his heart began pounding violently. Only then did he finally realize what a disastrous mistake he had made.

He’d been far too eager to be rid of Ye Zheng, and in doing so, he’d handed her an enormous opportunity!

Wen Jian’s expression twisted slightly. He grabbed the hand of the priest standing beside him and lowered his voice urgently, “Quick, shut it down! Turn off the projection!”

Pei Xi, who had silently witnessed this so-called “miracle,” watched the panicked clergy and thought: it’s already too late.

The image of Ye Zheng standing in the blood-red pool, holding the golden divine blood in her palm, had already been carved into the eyes and minds of countless onlookers. Not only had the Divine Sword chosen her, but even the divine blood itself had moved toward her. From this moment onward, she was an undeniable God’s Chosen. Everything she did from here on out could be interpreted as the will of the gods themselves!

Compared to Ye Zheng’s now unshakeable status, what unsettled Pei Xi even more was the sudden realization that his blood had genuinely summoned the divine blood. What exactly was he? And just how much did Ye Zheng already know?

Having personally watched Ye Zheng use his blood to deceive the entire empire and complete such a shocking miracle, Pei Xi couldn’t even summon anger anymore. As he observed her step out of the pool, all he felt was a deep, suffocating sense of powerlessness, as though an insurmountable chasm had opened between them.

Ye Zheng looked visibly pale and exhausted. Her lower body was soaked through, and droplets of water kept falling from her white robe as she walked, leaving a trail of damp marks across the polished white jade floor. Knight Wende quickly draped a prepared coat over her shoulders and handed her a fresh set of clothes.

When the frail-looking Ye Zheng, now wrapped in a black coat, walked past him, her dark eyes drifted over as if by accident. For just a fleeting moment, their gazes locked.

He clearly saw that Ye Zheng was conveying to him with smiling eyes — “Thank you.”

✧✧✧✧✧

【Aaaaaahhhh!】

【Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!】

On the phone screen, rows upon rows of meaningless “ah” characters flooded the chat box between the two girls.

Tang Mingxi and Li Yixin were studying in the library. When the time came, Tang Mingxi opened her phone, and Li Yixin couldn’t resist leaning closer. Together, they finished reading the latest update of Throne of the Aberrant Realm.

This chapter’s plot had sent their emotions spiraling. Tang Mingxi instantly regretted opening the update in the library. By the end, she almost wanted to scream, but her strong self-control barely held her back.

In the new chapter, Pei Xi and the others were summoned by the emperor for a discussion. The emperor informed Ye Zheng that she was being accused of murder, and that her own father would be the one presiding over her trial.

As a die-hard Ye Zheng fan, Tang Mingxi’s heart tightened the moment she began reading. The emperor, as the most powerful figure in the country, made his first appearance with a very subtle, unreadable attitude; especially toward Ye Zheng.

The author had rendered the emperor’s appearance with great care. Such meticulous design meant he was undoubtedly an important character, one who exuded an invisible, suffocating sense of oppression the moment he appeared. If he were to use his authority and methods to convict Ye Zheng… Tang Mingxi was genuinely worried.

After all, Ye Zheng wasn’t the protagonist of this manga. She’d even stood against the protagonist on multiple occasions. Although Ye Zheng’s popularity was extremely high right now, it was entirely possible for the author to suddenly lose restraint and write her out of the story!

However, the later development of the chapter did allow Tang Mingxi to breathe a sigh of relief, though she also felt a bit depressed.

Ye Zheng was placed under semi-house arrest within the imperial palace. Her knight reached out to Pei Xi for cooperation, and the protagonist Pei Xi agreed. At the same time, the scene shifted to Crown Prince Sykes, who dispatched people to investigate the identity of the plaintiff accusing Ye Zheng.

Both the male protagonist and the male second lead, the antagonist, were working to rescue Ye Zheng. Tang Mingxi felt relieved because she knew Ye Zheng should be fine now. But this was also exactly what left her feeling down; the reason Ye Zheng would be okay was fundamentally because the author wouldn’t allow their efforts to fail.

Ye Zheng’s current crisis was very likely just a setup designed to highlight the male characters’ shining moments.

The characterization of Pei Xi during the Western District arc had sparked quite a bit of controversy. Many readers, in reaction against the plot, had begun supporting Ye Zheng instead. But Ye Zheng’s greatest charm lay in her initiative and ability to act.

While most characters were pushed forward by circumstances, Ye Zheng had actively carved out a bloody path for herself. Whether she was a good or bad character, her intensely strong personality traits were captivating enough to hold attention.

This time, however, the author had placed Ye Zheng in a situation that severely reduced her subjective agency. Ye Zheng had no time to prepare anything before being placed under house arrest and thrown into a trial. Her room for maneuver had been ruthlessly suppressed.

What could Ye Zheng do? Team up with Pei Xi, Sykes, and perhaps even her father? Tang Mingxi didn’t think absolute independence was the only way to make a strong female character qualified, but the upcoming direction clearly seemed intent on giving the spotlight to the male characters.

This style of handling the plot felt overly deliberate, as if it were saying: no matter how powerful, intelligent, and accomplished Ye Zheng was, in the end she still had to rely on men to save her?

The following plot jumped straight to the day of the trial. The author gave screen time and inner monologues to Pei Xi, Wen Jian, Sykes, and even Ye Zheng’s judge father, yet the person on trial herself — Ye Zheng — received almost no direct description at all.

Just as readers expected the proceedings to conclude following Sykes’s arrival, signaling the end of a dramatic spectacle where men vied to play the hero rescuing the damsel, Ye Zheng shattered those expectations by stepping forward to demand the Holy Verdict for herself.

The Holy Verdict was something no one in the entire empire had ever passed. Only those acknowledged by the gods could survive it. Tang Mingxi naturally assumed that Ye Zheng, as the empire’s most flawless Saintess, would definitely be able to pass the gods’ test without any issue.

However, Ye Zheng’s actions once again went far beyond everyone’s expectations.

In this chapter, Tang Mingxi saw yet another side of Ye Zheng. Her sense of justice did not stem from her identity as a Saintess or from her devotion to the gods. On the contrary, this girl simply treated everyone’s faith in the gods as nothing more than a tool. Just as she herself had once said:

【For the sake of my goals, I will not hesitate to use any means, noble or dark, open schemes or hidden plots…】

Ye Zheng had taken Pei Xi’s blood. When she stood within the blood-red pool and held the divine blood in her palm, her slightly upturned black eyes seemed to be smiling and at the same time, seemed to carry a faint trace of contempt…

Tang Mingxi immediately began frantically taking screenshots. She had already figured out how she would edit a new “godhood” moment. Once she finished her language exam next week, she would immediately turn on her computer and start editing.

This was the first time she had ever encountered a character like Ye Zheng. She embodied the ultimate contradictions, black and white, love and hate, everything about her was pushed to the extreme. Inside the manga, she held the hearts of countless people in the empire; outside the manga, Ye Zheng was just as capable of stirring the emotions of all the readers.

When Tang Mingxi opened the forum, she was mentally prepared. This plot would definitely draw criticism from many people, because Ye Zheng had shown a side that wasn’t morally upright.

She had used the protagonist, disrespected the gods, and deceived the entire empire. So what? Tang Mingxi thought. That was exactly Ye Zheng’s boldness. Anyone who didn’t understand could just say goodbye forever!

Forum.

【I can’t recover from this. What am I supposed to do now that my oshi has really turned into a blood bag?】【Hot】

【I really can’t bring myself to like Ye Zheng anymore. She feels like a gender-swapped man. Does anyone else get what I mean?】【Hot】

When Tang Mingxi saw the first hot post, she instantly decoded the character the original poster was a fan of and was about to jump in to mock them. But then her eyes landed on the second post, and her smile froze. Who was so vicious as to call her female lead a man?

【1L: I really can’t bring myself to like Ye Zheng anymore. She feels like a gender-swapped man. Does anyone else get what I mean?】

【2L: People have been hyping up the Western District arc as her “liberating women,” but is “liberating women” just turning herself into a violent, murderous man? This latest chapter is even more ridiculous. Pei Xi came to save her, but she ended up stealing his blood and taking the recognition that should’ve belonged to Pei Xi. She disrespects the gods and deceives the trust of ordinary people. It really makes me think of some unscrupulous, third-rate male characters…】

【3L: Don’t say I hate female characters. I really like Lu Qi, Bai Muqíng, Wu Shu, and I even think Sela is kinda cute. I just don’t like Ye Zheng.】

【4L: OP actually dares to diss the almighty female lead? So bold, aren’t you scared of getting killed?】

【5L: Kid, if you like Bai Muqīng, at least spell her name right first…】

[T/N- Bai Muqing name is 白木清, but 3L wrote 白木情, difference is last character although both character translate to qing they mean completely different things 清 (qīng) — which means "clear", "pure", or "clean". But 3L's 情 (qíng) — which means "feelings", "emotion", or "love".]

【6L: I’m already getting annoyed whenever Zheng Mom brags about the “strong female lead.” This chapter where she passed the Holy Verdict through fraud completely ruined the Saintess image. She’s neither saintly nor feminine anymore.】

【7L: I don’t get it. Pei Xi and Sykes both came to save her, so why did she still go and apply for the Holy Verdict?】

【8L: The current trend is that as long as you step on male characters without distinguishing right from wrong, you become a “strong female lead.” Poor Pei Xi tried to save someone and ended up being used as a blood bag. Is anyone going to address the fact that the divine blood actually recognized Pei Xi?】

【9L: Aaaaaah! Seeing everyone in the manga reacting to Ye Zheng’s miracle, I’m seriously about to lose it. The divine blood clearly recognized Pei Xi!】

【10L: A true strong female lead is independent and powerful, with both a woman’s soft heart and a man’s thunderous methods. A character like Ye Zheng is completely ruining the meaning of “strong female lead.” What kind of strong female lead gets her highlight moments by stealing from men?】

【11L: To be fair, the term “strong female lead” was originally used by Ye Zheng anti-fans to mock Ye Zheng and her fans, right? How did it end up becoming something her fans now use to brag about her?】

【12L: I just passed by and upvoted. In the early chapters, you all used “strong female lead” to drag Ye Zheng as an accessory female character. Later, you used it ironically to mock supporting character moms for not knowing their place. When Pei Xi had less screen time, you also used it to subtly accuse Ye Zheng of stealing the spotlight. Do you really think the internet has no memory?】

【13L: It’s over. Zheng Mom and Little Steam have arrived!】

……

Tang Mingxi was utterly speechless. Did she not know these people? They claimed to hate female characters who felt like gender-swapped men, yet their homepages were full of actual male characters.

【57L: I’d advise you big male-lead fans to stop using the term “strong female lead” to play the victim and trample on Ye Zheng. Does anyone still remember that in the early chapters, both Ye Zheng and Zhao Mei were criticized for “blood-sucking” the male lead? Guess what happened later on?】

【58L: What do you even mean? In the latest chapter, Pei Xi literally got physically bled dry! (Attached: manga screenshot of Ye Zheng pinning Pei Xi down and taking his blood)】

【59L: I’m actually dying of laughter. Can the big male-lead fans please keep using the term “strong female lead” to insult Ye Zheng? I’d happily accept it if my girl really becomes the manga’s strong female lead someday!】

【60L: I totally accept it, big time!】

【61L: Some male-baby moms’ logic is seriously worrying. Women are expected to have soft hearts, and thunderous, ruthless methods are apparently reserved exclusively for men. With thinking that outdated, they still dare to define female characters?】

【62L: Some people usually spend all their time deconstructing how three-dimensional and profound male characters are. The moment they see a three-dimensional and profound female character, they immediately start screaming “This can’t be a woman, how can a woman be like this” (foaming at the mouth) (slowly collapsing)】

【63L: So what if my Zheng is like this right now? She won’t change anyway. You can all kindly fuck off.】

【64L: Sometimes I really don’t understand male-baby moms. Just openly admit that you’re absolutely madly in love with your male babies and no one would specially come after you to curse you out. Why do you have to pretend to be a big feminist while secretly loving men…】

【65L: Because loving men is like secretly eating shit. You have to put on an act just to cover it up.】

……

【273L: I’m honestly stunned by the Ye Zheng fans in this thread. Pei Xi helped her this time, and she immediately turned around and drew his blood, stealing the glory that should’ve belonged to Pei Xi in order to deify herself. Is the moral level of you Zheng fans really as low as your oshi?】

【274L: Yeah, my moral level isn’t high. So what?】

【275L: So what? (Ye Zheng’s classic “What of it?” meme expression)】

【276L: Think about it carefully. Even though as manga readers you find her morally imperfect and hate it, the people inside the manga all think she’s perfect and flawless and admire her. Doesn’t that make it even more painful?】

【277L: No, Ye Zheng was already labeled as a villain by you guys ages ago. Exactly how saintly and upright do you want a villain to be?】

【278L: These people aren’t asking for villains to be saintly. They just love nitpicking the morality of female characters. If it were Sykes using Pei Xi’s blood to gain glory, the forum would be full of “I’m shipping this” and “Blood mixing, fate intertwining, destined rivals.”】

【279L: Male characters can kill their wives, mothers, fathers, and friends, and still have tons of people kissing up to them. Compared to that, Ye Zheng is still too kind.】

【280L: “Stealing Pei Xi’s glory.” May I ask if your oshi has the guts and courage to apply for the Holy Verdict?】

【281L: Being Ye Zheng’s blood bank is his honor. When I saw Zhengzheng standing so pale in a pool of blood, I really wanted to donate my blood to her…】

【282L: I almost cried. First she was dragged onto a trial for doing something righteous by her own father and questioned by everyone. Then, in order to pass the Holy Verdict, she bet her own life. I really feel so sorry for this stubborn little girl…】

【283L: Not a Zheng fan, but after reading this chapter I’ve gotta say I really admire Ye Zheng. That kind of determination and courage to literally gamble her life is honestly really charming!】

【284L: This chapter seriously makes me wanna ship all-Zheng. I didn’t expect Sykes would also show up to save Ye Zheng. Who even gets this enemies-to-lovers dynamic? (Screenshot of Ye Zheng and Sykes in the same frame)】

【285L: Go ahead and ship it. One ship, one silent death. Just be careful not to get beaten up by the Xi-Sy sisters and Little Steam.】

【286L: Actually, the Xi-Sy ship has pretty high popularity. Xi-Sy fans are like cockroaches — once you spot one, there are already tons more hiding around…】

As Tang Mingxi kept scrolling further down, her suspended heart finally dropped. Even though Ye Zheng’s actions had tried her best to avoid falling into the trap of male characters stealing her spotlight, outside the manga there were still readers who completely ignored the characters’ actual lives and just focused on shipping CPs.

Did Ye Zheng even like men at all? Tang Mingxi really wanted to switch apps right away and head straight to the 【Steam Empire】 bot just to cleanse her eyes.

The author’s decision to have Sykes also step in to help Ye Zheng felt especially malicious. Couldn’t the information have just been delivered to the court before the trial? Instead, Sykes had to make this dramatic entrance at the most critical moment with full special effects and a halo-like glow, and the author even specifically gave him a brand-new, flashy outfit.

As a toxic solo fan, Tang Mingxi couldn’t accept anyone shipping her girl with other people. She immediately started her photo-editing project, turning all the carefully saved ugly screenshots of Sykes into a 3x3 grid. She even did a bit of liquefaction on them, making him look even worse.

Male characters were just like male idols in real life — they tended to have way more ugly shots and bad-angle pics than female characters. Even though the author of Throne of the Aberrant Realm had pretty solid art skills, male characters still couldn’t escape occasionally looking like mangoes, hoes, horse-faces, or overly affectionate rabbits.

【303L: Are you looking for the so-called “strongest” Sykes who was actually pinned down and beaten by Ye Zheng? Or the villainous Crown Prince with rock-bottom intelligence and morality? Alright, this is the real Sykes. He’s not as much of a tool blood bag as Pei Xi, nor does he have as tragic a fate as Kieran. He’s just the most useless one among thousands of male characters~ (Attached: 3x3 grid poster of ugly shots and getting-beaten pics)】

【304L: I’m impressed. Zheng Mom is forever the most devoted Xi-Sy shipper. Every time she’s super fast at beating up both Pei Xi and Sykes, hahaha】

【305L: Ye Zheng fans have really gone insane. Pei Xi and Sykes help Ye Zheng once, and they still get cursed out by Zheng fans. Who would dare help Ye Zheng after this?】

【306L: As if you guys loved Ye Zheng so much before. When Ye Zheng healed Pei Xi and Sykes, I didn’t see any of you being grateful to her.】

【307L: Oh my god, I took a break from the manga for a while. What the hell happened? How has the forum already changed its surname to Zheng?】

【308L: Endless arguments, suspicion, and pretense. The doctrine of Ye Zheng supremacy. Welcome to Z City aka the forum that has been occupied by Zheng fans.】