Chapter 31

Ye Zheng continued reading.

【2L: Good ensemble building doesn't mean this is an ensemble manga. Pei Xi is the absolute protagonist of this comic!】

【3L: Ye Zheng isn't explicitly the female lead, new character Zhao Mei getting a few more buildup chapters is normal right? Don't get why you're so triggered.】

『4L: The ID of the person upstairs is literally called “Waiting for Zhaolu* to sell big,” and you’re still pretending to be some neutral, rational observer? Go ship your BG couple somewhere else—we want our male lead to shine alone, no attachments.』

[T/N- Zhaolu probably is Zhao Mei+ Lu qi]

【5L: New chapter thought we'd see Pei Xi use second ability big move, result one flood later aberrant realm cleared, Zhao Mei appears amid everyone's shocked gazes, even Pei Xi became foil for Zhao Mei's mysterious power— is this reasonable?】

【6L: Protagonist stans hilarious, this manga was promoted as hot-blooded ensemble from the start, side characters get a bit more screen time and not allowed at the table anymore?】

【7L: Supplement fighting ah! Everyone's teammates helping each other, don't bring fandom rank-tearing culture to 2D...】

【8L: Upstairs right, but Pei Xi is undisputed all-round ACE, popularity top, milk skin, visuals carrier...】

【9L: Done, one effeminate character getting this much screen time, pissing me off watching, author bottomless selling BL to please female readers, this manga's done for.】

【10L: Ah not all female readers like this type, I also prefer more masculine characters.】

【11L: Ah 9L typical macho little man stay off the internet, this is Yin Te Nai!】

[T/N- In Chinese online communities (especially on Bilibili, Tieba, Lofter, etc.), "阴特奈" is a deliberate, sarcastic misspelling of "Internet" used to mock people who bring toxicity.]

...

"Hahaha... Sorry, should I not laugh?"

Ye Zheng couldn't help letting out a light laugh. She found it really amusing how everyone was arguing so heatedly over this.

She thought her presence was already very low. The battle shots all revolved around Pei Xi, the black shadows' secrets were revealed by Pei Xi too. As Zhao Mei, she had few frontal appearance panels. At the manga's end, she just ordinarily rejoined the protagonist group.

Ye Zheng lightly cleared her throat and clicked into another hot post.

【1L: We Zhao Mei stans don't start trouble, but we're not afraid either. Don't treat us Zhao Mei pushers like pushovers...】

【2L: Is publicly dissing another character allowed on the forum? @admin】

【3L: How did we Zhao Mei stans become bottom-tier? Zhao Mei barely had any panels in the new chapter? The flood and clearing the aberrant realm are just everyone's guesses that it might be Zhao Mei.】

【4L: Zhao Mei's only frontal shot is that final appearance—how is that stealing the spotlight? I even think he has too few scenes.】

【5L: Sorry not sorry, my baby is just that dazzling. One single panel and he casually slays everything!】

【6L: Xi-Zhao CP fans are suffering so bad—both hands are my flesh and blood.】

【7L: Crooked-ass product sis, please roll out gracefully.】

【8L: I used to ship Xi-Zhao, but after getting bullied nonstop by Xi-Sy and Pei Xi moms, I can't take it anymore. Zhao Mei with Lu Qi feels way more real than Xi-Zhao...】

【9L: Upstairs has taste. Both Zhao Mei and Lu Qi are good kids, and I always feel like in the manga Zhao Mei doesn't really like getting close to Pei Xi—he obviously prefers sticking to Lu Qi.】

【10L: No beef with Pei Xi himself, but his stans are way too much. I was neutral on Zhao Mei before, now I'm straight-up pity-loving him.】

【11L: Ye Zheng moms next door feel this too—we little girls did nothing and still get chased and beaten.】

【12L: Ye Zheng stan here, such a rare breed... If the theory that Zhao Mei is from the Ye family turns out true, we're basically suffering sisters/brothers.】

【13L: Quick doodle of Mei Bao for everyone—don't be sad yet, come eat some fanart! (attached image)】

......

Ye Zheng looked at the drawing from a Zhao Mei stan. Though the art skill couldn't compare to the manga author's, it captured the expression perfectly. She had no real attachment to this disguised identity of Zhao Mei, yet this drawing still brought a faint warmth to her heart.

It was a strange feeling. Even though this affection was built on a lie that crossed dimensions, Ye Zheng could sense the genuine weight of that love.

She kept scrolling down the hot post, reaching the very last floor. Soon, new replies popped up.

【568L: Dual-stan here, I'm so upset I can't even do homework. Thought about it all night and officially became a diehard Zhao Mei solo stan. Stop bullying Zhao Mei!】

Her scrolling finger paused on the screen. Ye Zheng replied to this user whose ID was "Reborn in Senior Year Three—I Want to Mutate into a Xenomorph."

【569L: Get some proper rest. Don't get sad over meaningless arguments. Remember to finish your homework soon, okay?】

Not long after Ye Zheng sent it, the other side quickly replied.

【570L: Such a gentle same-bias big sis www—I'll do my best!】

Outside the manga, Li Yixin was anxiously refreshing the forum nonstop until she received this comforting reply. Her heart softened, and she thought: Zhao Mei stans really are as gentle as Zhao Mei.

Sigh, holidays are like this—a small thing can blow up into a bloodbath. Once school starts again and the elementary* kids go back to class, things will calm down. Li Yixin comforted herself. Just endure this wave and it'll be over.

[T/N - ofcourse not real Elementary school kids, original was a mocking term for people who are Youth/Mature in age but argue like kids in Internet.]

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Ye Zheng messaged Pei Xi asking for a few days off. He replied quickly, telling her to rest well first.

She checked the original manga plot. Her upcoming scenes were still just edging—no point wasting action points. Better give Zhao Mei a break. As Ye Zheng, she still needed to clock in with Sykes.

The Pope had told her to assist Sykes in winning the competition but gave no specific instructions. Plus, with the dragon bone matter, the mysteries hidden on Sykes were no fewer than on the protagonist.

『Last time you offended Sykes so badly—with his personality, he'll still let you join the team?』

The system asked doubtfully.

"Don't worry. Whether I join the team isn't up to him alone."

Ye Zheng looked completely unconcerned.

The system wasn't optimistic at all. Sykes wasn't easy to fool. If he got unhappy, he'd just use 【Destruction】on someone. The system had seen Ye Zheng's strength and had to admit she was strong, but against Sykes she still wasn't enough. After all, Sykes was the high-spec villain the author had poured effort into shaping.

He not only had overwhelming power but a complete personal storyline deeply tied to the main plot. Later, when his seemingly glorious yet tragic backstory was revealed, his popularity directly surpassed Pei Xi's, taking first place in the entire manga's platform popularity ranking.

The manga author could kill off the female lead Ye Zheng but didn't dare let the ultra-popular villain Sykes go offline—that showed how much readers loved him.

Hearing the system's description of Sykes, Ye Zheng slightly furrowed her brows. Sykes had a tragic backstory? From what she knew, the people he casually disposed of were the truly tragic ones—and most people didn't go around hurting others just because they themselves were miserable.

Ye Zheng felt no sympathy for Sykes's supposed hidden tragedy. She was only curious—this backstory must hide royal family secrets, right?

The girl had already removed her disguise. Her smooth black hair hung loose. She curved her black eyes and smiled brightly. "So Sykes has some pitiful hidden circumstances. Looks like the Church sent me to assist him hoping I'd properly guide and redeem him."

"As the saintess, I need to work hard."

The system watched Ye Zheng speak the somewhat cheesy word "redeem" slowly and gently, yet somehow felt a chill—like seeing a white snake quietly flicking its tongue.

『Sykes is basically the second male lead of this manga. If you try stealing his scenes, it'll cost a ton of action points. But please don't have any more dangerous ideas—that wouldn't just be an action point issue...』

Losing one or two important characters wouldn't affect the main plot much, but if their trajectories changed drastically—or they were even erased—that would cause big problems! The system wasn't worried about that—the manga laws would intervene. Even if Ye Zheng really tried, the laws would stop her.

It was only worried Ye Zheng was too stubborn. Compared to the ultra-popular villain Sykes, she was just a disposable female lead. If their existences conflicted, the manga laws would definitely prioritize erasing her.

『Anyway, take it easy.』

The system advised uneasily.

Ye Zheng chuckled. "I always handle things properly."

She changed into the saintess's white long dress. In front of the mirror, she slightly adjusted her attire. Her hair reaching her ankles was braided and hung down her back—an immaculate, otherworldly appearance. No one could find a single flaw in the saintess.

Ye Zheng pushed open the door. The tall knight was already waiting outside. She gave Wende a smile. Wende slightly bowed in return.

"Let's go to where Sykes and the others are stationed. It's time to fulfill the saintess's duties."

✧✧✧✧✧

When Ye Zheng arrived at the Royal Academy team's lodging, she realized there was such a luxurious residence in the lower district. The continuous private buildings domineeringly occupied the prime location in the eastern district, decorated lavishly like a palace.

Wende lowered her head and softly explained for the saintess. "This was the previous city lord's residence. Back then, to build this manor, he ruined the nearby commercial district."

"The current city lord, to properly entertain the Crown Prince, gave it to him. That son of the prime minister following the Crown Prince heard about what happened here and, in the Crown Prince's name, compensated the victims from back then. Now the lower district is full of praise for the Crown Prince."

Ye Zheng lightly raised a brow. The Royal team's level was completely different from the Cloud Soarers. Just that prime minister's son Yu Tianming alone had more scheming than the entire Cloud Soarers team combined.

Seeing Ye Zheng about to enter the villa, Wende showed a trace of worry. "Pardon my presumption—let me first go greet the Crown Prince on your behalf."

"Don't worry, Wende. He won't truly harm me for now. Besides, this time Teacher Qin Lu is here too."

Hearing the name Qin Lu, Wende immediately relaxed and pushed open the door for Ye Zheng.

If there was anyone in the Sacred Citadel Empire who didn't fear the Crown Prince's authority—besides the emperor and the Pope—it was this sister of the late empress, Duke Qin Lu of the empire.

Duke Qin Lu's relationship with the Crown Prince was truly delicate. The late empress's parents died early. Logically, Qin Lu should be the closest maternal relative to the Crown Prince. However, the late empress's death stood between them, making this aunt-nephew relationship extremely awkward.

The late empress was quite older than Duke Qin Lu. It was said the sisters had a very deep bond.

"Little Ye Zheng! You finally deigned to come over. Staying with those stinky little boys all day was driving me nuts."

The casually dressed young woman pulled the girl into a hug and roughly ruffled her head.

Her meticulously styled hair was definitely ruined. Ye Zheng thought helplessly—it would take a long time to fix later. But to get Qin Lu to help her join the team smoothly, she could only let the other woman mess it up.

The bespectacled boy behind Qin Lu showed an embarrassed expression upon hearing "stinky." Meeting Ye Zheng's gaze, he gave her a friendly slight nod.

"Wanted you to come, but also worried they'd bully you. Aiyo, my poor little Ye Zheng—how did you end up on a team like that?"

Ye Zheng's mouth corner twitched imperceptibly. Last time they met in the library, Teacher Qin hadn't seemed to cherish her that much—she'd started with a beating.

With others present, Ye Zheng fluttered her lashes and lowered her eyes, looking like a pitiful little thing forced here by the Church and royal family pressure.

"Teacher doesn't need to worry. I'll do my best."

Ye Zheng patted Qin Lu's shoulder, signaling her to ease up.

She raised her eyes, directing her gaze to Yu Tianming not far away. The bespectacled boy caught on and chimed in. "Teacher Qin, rest assured—we all greatly admire Miss Saintess. With her joining, the Royal team will be complete."

"Fine then. You better protect little Ye Zheng well."

"Take her to meet your teammates. I won't go see that annoying guy."

Qin Lu's tone was casual. Probably only she in the entire empire dared openly shade the Crown Prince as "that annoying guy."

Yu Tianming gave a wry smile, turned, and invited Ye Zheng to follow him to meet the Crown Prince.

Ye Zheng obediently followed behind him. As the two walked through the quiet corridor, Yu Tianming meticulously introduced the Royal team's situation, gesturing animatedly—looking very enthusiastic and friendly.

Ye Zheng's gaze flicked to the missing thumb on his waving hand. Suddenly, she softly asked: "Was that injury caused by His Highness the Crown Prince? Perhaps I can heal it."

The girl's gentle, concerned words caused Yu Tianming's voice to pause. Yu Tianming slowly turned around. Bright sunlight from the stained-glass window shone on him, plating his handsome features in warm light.

He looked at Ye Zheng standing in the shadows. The soft darkness made the pure-white girl appear even more fragile and innocent—her pair of pure black eyes looking at him with curiosity and concern.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Saintess. Back then, my father sought many healing-type ability users to cure this wound... But as you know, injuries from the Crown Prince's 【Destruction】 are extremely difficult to heal."

Yu Tianming lowered his head, gazing at his maimed hand.

"Later, my father found an S-level ability user who might be able to heal it, but I refused treatment."

"This is a lesson from the Crown Prince. I should remember it well, so in the future I can better assist the monarch as the empire's prime minister."

Yu Tianming raised his head and gave Ye Zheng a relieved smile.

"Such touching loyalty between lord and vassal. Looks like I was being presumptuous."

"No, no, no. In the future, our Royal team will need Miss Saintess's healing."

The relaxed atmosphere flowed again in their conversation. Yu Tianming turned and continued leading Ye Zheng forward, his face no longer showing any smile.

He disliked anyone mentioning his disability. Smart people always avoided the topic.

But if Ye Zheng was a fool, that would be best. The team only needed one smart person like him—that way, everything could stay under control.

Moreover, Ye Zheng's status was special. Perhaps through her, the Yu family could even pull in Church connections...

Ye Zheng quietly followed behind the handsome boy, watching his silent back with interest. His acting wasn't good enough. If he truly didn't care, why go silent all of a sudden?

When he lost the finger, Yu Tianming was only about 13 or 14, right? To endure to this extent for profit at that age—in a way, he was more dangerous than Sykes.

But people accustomed to being driven by profit were often the easiest to manipulate. He might become a very useful pawn.

"We're here. Miss Ye, please enter."

Yu Tianming stopped at the door and pushed it open for Ye Zheng. The two exchanged a glance and both smiled satisfactorily at each other.

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Authors Note

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Main body Zheng and the scheming villain group make their grand entrance! But no worries—our Ye Zheng will be the villain among villains!