The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Luo Linlang pouted. ”It’s all because *she* used a Communication Talisman to show off, telling me you came to the Joyful Union Sect to hang out with her.”

”I thought, Little Junior Sister, you’re so naive, and this woman is eyeing you like a hawk. The other people in the Joyful Union Sect would probably get ideas about you too. If I didn’t come to protect you, what would you do!”

Lu Sangjiu: ”...”

’Senior Sister, you’re giving me way too much credit. It’s not like I have a protagonist’s halo or something. I’m not *that* universally adored.’

Yan Zui snorted coldly. ”I had just left the sect today when I ran right into these two who were looking for you. I had no choice but to bring them along.”

Lu Sangjiu was a little puzzled. ”Then why didn’t you just contact me directly?”

Luo Linlang grabbed her arm and said affectionately, ”We wanted to give you a surprise!”

Lu Sangjiu thought... ’Well, there was plenty of shock, but not so much delight.’

’After all, they were heading to Yuelin City to investigate matters related to Demon Cultivators, and there was no telling if it would be dangerous.’

As if sensing her thoughts, Shen Yuzhao gave her a reassuring smile.

”Little Junior Sister, Second Senior Sister and I are both very strong now. We won’t hold you back.”

”Besides, I have my Abnormal Fire, and Second Senior Sister has her own special abilities. Maybe we’ll be surprisingly useful?”

Lu Sangjiu considered this and realized he had a point.

’Besides, they were already here; she couldn’t just send them away, right? Of course, she probably couldn’t get rid of them even if she tried.’

So, she stopped worrying needlessly and nodded. ”Alright, then let’s all go to Yuelin City together!”

”But let’s be clear about one thing first: I’m leading this operation. Any objections?”

They all replied in unison, ”None!”

”Okay, let’s move out!”

It was still a considerable distance from the Joyful Union Sect to Yuelin City. Since Lu Sangjiu wasn’t short on cash these days, she simply took the Teleportation Array there with them.

Yuelin City was a relatively large city, located rather close to the Western Demon Realm.

A Golden Core Stage cultivator using Sword Flight could reach the border of the Western Demon Realm in about three days by heading west from here.

The border was perpetually guarded by cultivators from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect and other sects. As this was the closest city to them, many cultivators passed through. While this led to a bustling commercial scene, it also resulted in a motley crowd, and public security was consequently weaker.

So, although it was territory under the Joyful Union Sect’s jurisdiction, the sect didn’t particularly like to get involved in the affairs here. For the most part, the City Lord of Yuelin City managed things.

Only when a problem arose that was too troublesome for him to resolve would the City Lord report it to the sect and request assistance. Only then would the Joyful Union Sect send people over to help.

This recent string of bizarre deaths among women had actually been going on for some time.

Approximately every five or six days, someone would die. So far, seven victims were known to have been killed.

Last time, they had finally gotten Miao Miaomiao to come, but she ended up returning before solving the case, giving the City Lord another major headache.

Now, hearing that the Joyful Union Sect had sent people again, he was ecstatic and had been waiting early by the Teleportation Array to welcome them.

Thus, just as Lu Sangjiu and the others stepped out of the Teleportation Array, they saw several cultivators in the City Lord Mansion’s attire, craning their necks and staring intently.

However, probably because their attire had nothing in common with the style of the Joyful Union Sect, it didn’t even cross the guards’ minds that this was the group the City Lord was waiting for.

Yan Zui had no choice but to take the lead and walk up to ask.

”Are you waiting for the people sent by the Joyful Union Sect to investigate the string of bizarre deaths among women?”

The men were taken aback. They carefully looked the group up and down again and asked doubtfully, ”Could it be that you’re...”

”Yes, that’s us.”

Yan Zui revealed her Joyful Union Sect token and said calmly, ”I am Yan Zui of the Joyful Union Sect. Take us to the City Lord Mansion.”

The name Yan Zui was quite well-known in the Joyful Union Sect, as she was, after all, a Direct Disciple of a Supreme Elder and possessed exceptional talent.

So, the moment she announced her name, the men immediately understood. They were overjoyed. ”It’s actually Yan Dao You in person! The City Lord will be ecstatic when he finds out!”

He paused, then said respectfully, ”Everyone, please follow me. The carriage has been prepared!”

Lu Sangjiu couldn’t help but mutter, ”We’re cultivators. Do we still need to take a carriage?”

Luo Linlang whispered, ”It’s definitely not going to be an ordinary carriage.”

”Our Seven Emotions Sect dislikes extravagance, so you’ve never seen anything like it. But the Joyful Union Sect loves luxury. You’ll see in a moment.”

Yan Zui turned around, her face expressionless. ”...Luo Dao You, could you keep your voice down? I can hear you!”

Luo Linlang looked completely unconcerned. ”So what if you can hear me? I’m just telling the truth.”

Yan Zui: ”...”

Hearing this exchange, the man from the City Lord Mansion couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.

”Yan Dao You, these people... aren’t from the Joyful Union Sect?”

Yan Zui grunted in acknowledgment. ”Don’t ask questions you’re not supposed to ask. I will explain it to the City Lord myself when the time comes.”

The man didn’t dare to pry further. He just kept a smile on his face as he led the group to the ”carriage”.

Just as Luo Linlang had said, this so-called carriage was indeed no ordinary carriage.

It was pulled by four white unicorns, their coats gleaming. They looked valiant and spirited, cutting a very imposing figure.

The carriage itself was the very picture of luxury, spacious enough to seat eight people. Inside were silk cushions, snacks, and a tea set. In short, it looked incredibly comfortable.

Lu Sangjiu let out an unsophisticated ”Wow.” ”I guess I’m finally getting a taste of the Joyful Union Sect’s style.”

’This was just the carriage a City Lord used to transport people. If the Joyful Union Sect’s Sect Leader were to travel, how much more extravagant would it be?’

Xie Ningyuan chuckled beside her. ”Calm down. You could have something like this too if you wanted. It’s just that there’s no real need for it, so most people can’t be bothered.”

’That’s true,’ Lu Sangjiu thought. She was also very wealthy now; there was no need to be envious of others.

The group boarded the carriage one by one. After parading ostentatiously through more than half of Yuelin City, they finally arrived at the City Lord Mansion.

The City Lord was a refined-looking middle-aged man who had been waiting at the main entrance for some time.

When the group disembarked, he showed no airs at all and was extremely respectful toward them.

Naturally, it was up to Yan Zui, the cultivator from the Joyful Union Sect, to handle these pleasantries. Lu Sangjiu and the others just had to stay quiet and follow behind.

”You’ve all come from so far. I’ve already arranged rooms for you. Why don’t you go and rest for a bit?”

”It will be dark soon. How about we discuss the official business at the banquet tonight?”

Yan Zui said calmly, ”You are the host. You can make the arrangements. We have no objections.”

The City Lord immediately agreed with a cheerful laugh and turned to instruct a servant to lead them to the guest rooms.

On the way there, Lu Sangjiu discreetly observed the layout of the City Lord Mansion, as well as the guards and servants within her line of sight.

So when they arrived at the guest quarters, she immediately realized that something about their placement was off... ’Whose guest rooms are located in the very center of the mansion?’

’She was certain their rooms were in the exact center of the entire City Lord Mansion. This meant that to get out, whether by door or by climbing a wall, they would have to cross half of the City Lord Mansion.’

’...Is he guarding against them?’