Do as Told, or Be Erased

Ning Xiang was mortified. So mortified that she tilted her head, slumped against Lu Qingchen's chest, and played dead. Then she felt his chest tremble slightly.

He was laughing!

Ning Xiang wanted to leap up and slap him across the mouth.

But she was a lady. Her upbringing would never permit it.

And so Ning Xiang very demurely withdrew from Lu Qingchen's arms and smoothed nonexistent creases from her clothes. Just as she was about to say something to dispel the awkwardness, a familiar, teasing voice rang out. "Xiangxiang, my dear little sister, I haven't interrupted anything good, have I?"

Ning Xiang turned to see a handsome young man standing a few steps away. His white robes had flowing sleeves, his sash fluttered in the breeze, and a green sandalwood hairpin held up his black hair. His bearing was leisurely and elegant, with a touch of carefree abandon.

"Second Brother!" Ning Xiang threw herself at him in delight. "You finally came out of seclusion!"

Lu Qingchen's gaze dimmed slightly. He felt as though someone had interrupted something good. He stepped forward and gave the newcomer a slight nod.

"Uncle-Master Lu," Ning Hui greeted him.

"Second Brother, what brought you here?"

Ning Hui wore a half-smile. "If I hadn't come, this hopeless little sister of mine would have been carried off in Uncle-Master Lu's jaws." With that, he lightly tapped Ning Xiang's head with his fan.

Rubbing her head, Ning Xiang stepped closer and linked her arm through Ning Hui's. "Second Brother, have you reached late-stage Core Formation already?"

"Still nowhere near that master of yours."

"He's eighty or ninety years older than you! All those years of cultivation weren't for nothing. My second brother's future achievements will definitely surpass his!"

As they spoke, True Lord Fuming arrived on a flying sword with several disciples.

Lu Qingchen gave Fuming a detailed account of what had just happened. Fuming's expression was grim. Ning Xiang only heard him say, "With the Sect Leader in seclusion, these treacherous scoundrels, demons, and monsters are seizing the chance to stir up wind and waves."

"Next, I'm sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother Fuming, but please lead some people to clean up this area, strengthen patrols and defenses throughout the grounds, and reinforce the defensive formations."

The two continued their discussion.

Though Ning Xiang was talking to Ning Hui, he could tell that her attention had never left Lu Qingchen.

"Let's go. They'll probably be discussing this for quite a while."

Ning Xiang followed Ning Hui away, step for step.

"Junior Brother Lu, do you see any oversights in the method I just proposed? Junior Brother Lu?"

Lu Qingchen gathered his wandering thoughts. "A few things need changing..."

The siblings had not seen each other in three years. Ning Xiang was just about to report her progress and gains during that time when her second brother asked, "First, tell me what's going on with the Overbearing War God."

Huh? Ning Xiang looked at Ning Hui in confusion.

"Don't try to fool me. Don't think I can't tell that the War God on Heaven-Question is you."

Ning Xiang nearly dropped to her knees before him.

So did you actually take your three years of seclusion seriously? How did you still find time to browse the forum? If Dad found out, he'd break your legs!

After she finally managed to bluff her way past him, Ning Hui gave her a few more instructions and left-not because he had decided to let her off, but because his master had summoned him.

Ning Xiang had just breathed a sigh of relief and had yet to sit down for a rest when the system's voice sounded-

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the quest, dear host. Your reward has been delivered to your Spirit Bracelet.]

Delighted, Ning Xiang was about to check what gift she had received when the system spoke again-

[Ding! Main Quest unlocked: drug Lu Qingchen. Time limit: two hours. Friendly reminder: this quest cannot be abandoned or failed.]

Ning Xiang: "???!!!"

She was so shocked she could barely find her voice.

"How are we already at the Main Quest? Doesn't this part of the plot happen two years from now?"

The system smiled. [Dear host, haven't you noticed that the plot has moved ahead of schedule?]

Huh?

[Originally, Lu Qingchen was supposed to visit the Demon Domain two years from now. But that part of the plot has already happened ahead of schedule, so your quest to drug him must also move ahead.]

The system cheered Ning Xiang on. [A host chosen by a system as wise and mighty as me will surely complete the quest to perfection.]

"Wait!" Ning Xiang blurted in a panic. "You sprung this quest on me so suddenly! I haven't even had time to prepare an aphrodisiac!"

[Don't worry, dear host. The reward for the side quest you just completed is a potent aphrodisiac.]

Ning Xiang: "?!"

This damned system was getting better and better at squeezing people dry!

She had completed several side quests. Had a single reward ever been useful?

Drug Lu Qingchen?

And then?

Jiang Miaomiao would rush in, bringing her and Lu Qingchen together?

That was the plot of the original novel. But why did Ning Xiang find it so utterly repellent?

Ning Xiang wavered.

"What if I don't do as told?"

[You will be erased from this world, dear host.]

[And you will be unable to return to your own era.]

Ning Xiang sneered. "Haven't you noticed that the plot has already gone off course?"

[...]

It didn't care. It was going to play dirty. [Please carry out the quest assigned by this system diligently!]

Gritting her teeth, Ning Xiang flew to Chengfeng Courtyard on the Azure Sea Sword.

Lu Qingchen had yet to return. She could only brew a pot of tea, add the potent aphrodisiac the system had given her, and wait for him at Chengfeng Courtyard.

Well, although Senior Brother Pin wasn't here this time, Ning Xiang believed his presence or absence made no difference.

Several stupid birds were fighting outside, making an enormous racket.

It was hard to imagine how someone as fond of peace and quiet as Lu Qingchen could stand them.

The system spoke up to comfort Ning Xiang. [Dear host, the male and female leads love each other. You are merely a tool to advance their relationship. Just think of yourself as an emotionless NPC.]

Ning Xiang: "..."

But she wasn't an NPC. And from the time she had spent with them, she could also feel that they weren't merely characters on a page.

Ning Xiang's gaze settled on the teapot and lingered there for a long time.

Should she keep following the steps of the quest the system had assigned, or abandon it and be erased by this little world?

Just as Ning Xiang was torn between her choices, footsteps sounded outside.

She jumped, thinking Lu Qingchen had returned.

Instead, the person who entered was actually Xie Feihong.

Looking rather embarrassed, Xie Feihong said, "Junior Sister, here's the thing. Your work, The Overbearing War God and Her Runaway Little Husband-you stopped right at a crucial moment. After I went back, the urge to know what happened next clawed at my heart and scratched at my lungs. I happened to see you just now, so I followed you here. Could you tell me what happens next?"

Ning Xiang: "..."

Forget it. I don't even know whether I'll be able to see Xie Feihong tomorrow anyway. I might as well tell him the entire plot I originally planned.

Ning Xiang unfolded her ideas in a flowing account. Xie Feihong sat beside her like an eager little student, listening and taking diligent notes. He repeatedly marveled at her ingenious ideas and raised questions of his own from time to time.

Ning Xiang talked until her mouth and throat went dry, and Xie Feihong hurriedly poured her a cup of tea.

The two talked for a full hour, during which Ning Xiang drank seven or eight cups of tea.

Xie Feihong was thoroughly satisfied, his face filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much for today, Junior Sister."

Ning Xiang was satisfied too, having forgotten that she still had an important quest to complete. At last, she asked, "By the way, where did you get the tea?"

Xie Feihong scratched his head and lifted the empty teapot. "Isn't this the tea you brewed?"