After Transmigrating, the Female Lead Went Dark (GL) - Chapter 28

Zhou Zhuying lay in bed for half a day. The lingering pain in her lower abdomen gradually faded. After confirming that her period had not come, she became worried again. “This body can’t really have some illness, right?”

Going through menopause at such a young age—how could that be allowed?!

When Xiao Xinyue came back and saw her staring blankly into space, she felt a little worried and asked, “Is the Cult Leader still feeling unwell?”

Zhou Zhuying grabbed her hand and said, “Sister Saintess, what kind of illness makes a person stop menstruating? I mean, when their period disappears.”

“Old age,” Xiao Xinyue said.

Zhou Zhuying waved her hand. “That’s not right. I’m only eighteen. How am I old?”

Xiao Xinyue smiled and said, “Yes, yes. The Cult Leader is only eighteen every year.”

“You’re brushing me off.” The Cult Leader curled her lips.

Xiao Xinyue said again, “I am not skilled in medicine, so I truly do not know what other illnesses besides age can make menstruation disappear. However, people of the martial world gather qi and practice martial arts. Sometimes, different cultivation methods and different ways of training place great burdens on the body. In more severe cases, people suffer qi deviation, have their dantian completely destroyed, and their internal breath becomes chaotic, affecting the body. So it cannot be generalized.”

Zhou Zhuying thought of that palm strike from the Demon Lord in the “dream.” Although she had never seen the Demon Lord before, from the man’s words, she could infer that he was the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord was a cultivator, and he had also taken a Youth-Preserving Pill, so his appearance had remained at twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. In reality, he was already one hundred and sixty. Perhaps this body’s problem had something to do with the Demon Lord.

But to be safe, she still asked Xiao Xinyue to help her find a doctor and see whether she had any gynecological illness.

Xiao Xinyue said, “There is a doctor in Moshan Sect. I will go find her.”

She moved quickly. Before long, a young woman arrived carrying a medicine box.

The female doctor observed, listened, asked questions, and took her pulse. At the end, she diagnosed, “Your liver fire is somewhat strong, and your qi and blood are also weak. This has caused your menstruation to be delayed or stopped. Drink some chrysanthemum and goji berry tea, eat more meals that clear the liver and drain fire, and exercise more.”

She paused, her gaze moving between Zhou Zhuying and Xiao Xinyue. “Of course, I do not mean exercise in bed. You need to walk around outside more. Otherwise, it will not only be weak qi and blood—you may even develop kidney qi deficiency.”

Zhou Zhuying: “?”

She did want to engage in bed exercise, but weren’t the conditions not allowing it?

Why did she need to specifically remind her?

Xiao Xinyue’s face darkened. “Junior Sister Shu, thank you for your concern. Please help write a prescription so I can go collect the medicine.”

The female doctor smiled, packed up her medicine box, and stood to leave. “I will have someone deliver it to the Saintess later.”

After she left, Zhou Zhuying asked, “She is Sister Saintess’s junior sister?”

“She is the Third Elder’s disciple. Her name is Shu Ji. She comes from a family of imperial physicians, but because she is a woman, she could not inherit the family business, so she entered the Third Elder’s tutelage. Whenever anyone in the sect has external injuries or illness, they seek her treatment.”

“Moshan Sect really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!” Zhou Zhuying exclaimed. In the original novel, Moshan Sect became the final winner perhaps not only because of the male lead’s addition, but also because it had this strength to begin with.

“Tomorrow, during the meeting with the Thousand Mechanisms Cult, I will formally introduce you to the sect disciples before that.”

This had originally been scheduled for today, but who knew the Cult Leader would feel unwell? So Xiao Xinyue had canceled the plan.

After learning that her body did not have any major illness, Zhou Zhuying happily hugged Xiao Xinyue, who was standing in front of her. However, she was still sitting on the stool, so with this hug, her face ended up buried against Xiao Xinyue’s flat lower abdomen.

“Sister Saintess, when we meet those people from the Thousand Mechanisms Cult tomorrow, what should I say?”

Xiao Xinyue raised her hand and supported the back of the Cult Leader’s head. “Persuade them to turn toward goodness.”

“How hard is it to persuade evil people to do good?”

“When a person even more evil than them demands that they turn toward goodness, they will not refuse.”

The Cult Leader curled her lips. “So I’m the person even more evil than them?”

Xiao Xinyue teased, “The Cult Leader has self-awareness.”

Although Zhou Zhuying felt that it was difficult, she was not completely without a plan. She said, “Getting them not to oppose the righteous path is easy. But eliminating the prejudice between both sides is difficult. I can only persuade them to find proper livelihoods, but I cannot demand that when facing the righteous path, they consciously see themselves as inferior. Does Sister Saintess think there is a problem with that?”

Zhou Zhuying had no experience handling disputes between organizations. In her opinion, they should find a special working group to crack down on pornography and illegal publications and have all these illegal social organizations, whether righteous or evil, shut down!

But this was the world of a martial arts novel. The background setting itself was a natural protective umbrella for these sects. Since shutting them down was impossible, she could only borrow from the experience of certain organizations whitewashing themselves and transforming into businesses.

Xiao Xinyue said, “As long as they wash their hands of the past from now on and no longer commit evil, that will be enough.”

Zhou Zhuying seemed to think of something and became rather dispirited. “But whenever I think about some people who have murdered, set fires, burned, killed, robbed, and violated women being let off, I still hope there is justice in this world.”

Zhou Zhuying’s body belonged to the Demon Sect Leader, but her soul was still that of a law-abiding person. So she could not forgive those members of the Demon Sect who had truly committed evil.

It was only that she knew nothing about the Demon Sect, nor did she understand those Demon Sect members. Therefore, she could not judge them guilty simply because they had joined the Thousand Mechanisms Cult.

Xiao Xinyue unconsciously stroked Zhou Zhuying’s hair. After pondering for a moment, she said:

“The Thousand Mechanisms Cult was founded fourteen years ago. Its Cult Leader is Zhou Zhuying. There are two guardians, the Left Guardian You Ronglin, who handles money and financial matters, and the Right Guardian Yue Changgou, who manages discipline within the cult. There is also one Administrator, Bu Nianfang, who manages miscellaneous affairs.

“Under the Administrator are six halls. They are the Golden Seal Hall, which manages the cult’s businesses; the Judicial Punishment Hall, which oversees punishments; the Eastern Dawn Hall, responsible for the eastern branch; the Southern Marsh Hall, responsible for the southern branch; the Western Nether Hall in the west; and the Northern Wasteland Hall in the north.

“Because of the various sects’ punitive attacks and encirclement, most of the four branch halls have already hidden themselves. They contacted Left Guardian You Ronglin and planned this rescue of the Cult Leader. You Ronglin holds a relatively high position in the Demon Sect and mainly handles money and grain. There are many matters he does not need to personally act in, and at present, we have not found blood on his hands. But as for Yue Changgou and Bu Nianfang…”

Zhou Zhuying’s eyes widened as she listened.

The female lead was incredible!

Had she just finished investigating the Demon Sect’s household registration?

She had figured out the Demon Sect’s background so clearly. No wonder she had the confidence to lead the righteous path in attacking Dangu Mountain.

Zhou Zhuying was only distracted for a moment before Xiao Xinyue’s words, “Those whose hands were stained with innocent commoners’ blood and who carried sins on their backs have already been dealt with by me,” startled her back to attention.

“Dealt with means…” Zhou Zhuying made a gesture of slitting her throat.

Xiao Xinyue asked, “Is the Cult Leader distressed?”

“Not really.”

Zhou Zhuying did not know what kind of feelings the original owner had toward her subordinates. As for Zhou Zhuying herself, she would not care about those covered in sin.

Sensing that the atmosphere had become a little heavy, Xiao Xinyue took Zhou Zhuying’s hand and led her into the study. “For the next period of time, the Cult Leader may encounter the sect masters and disciples of various sects. I fear the Cult Leader may not be able to recognize them all, so I will give you some background first.”

“That sounds great!” Zhou Zhuying took the initiative to grind ink for her.

Xiao Xinyue looked at her nimble movements and smiled faintly. While picking up the brush and writing, she said, “First is our Moshan Sect. You have already met Master, so I will not mention her. Beneath Master are five elders… Then there is Yaoshan Sect. Their sect master, Cheng Xiyang, is a leading figure in the martial world. Although his martial cultivation is beneath Master’s, he is still a grandmaster of high virtue and prestige…”

The two of them stayed in the study for the entire afternoon. Only when it was time for dinner did a disciple request an audience outside.

Xiao Xinyue heard that it was a male disciple’s voice and seemed to remember the daytime matter, so she said to Zhou Zhuying, “The kitchen has still not delivered dinner this late. I will go see what is going on.”

“Oh.” Zhou Zhuying lay on the table drawing turtles and had no interest in going out.

Xiao Xinyue’s steps as she left were rather hurried. When the disciple saw her, his expression dodged, yet he also seemed somewhat excited. She cleared her throat. “Come with me.”

Only after they reached a secluded place did Xiao Xinyue say, “Speak.”

The disciple hurriedly took out several small booklets and said furtively, “Saintess, the things that Demon Sect Guardian wanted have been b-bought.”

As he spoke, his ears turned so red they looked ready to drip blood.

“Should they be delivered to the Demon Sect Guardian?” the disciple asked again.

Xiao Xinyue pondered for a moment, then said in a dignified manner, “The Demon Sect Guardian wanted these things to deliver them to Madam’s hands. Give them directly to me, and I will pass them to Madam.”

“Ah!” The disciple handed the small booklets to her.

“Is this all of them?” Xiao Xinyue suddenly asked.

The disciple’s scalp went numb. After dawdling, he handed over a book he had hidden for himself. The small booklets were actually all pictures, but this book was written in an especially fragrant and alluring style, and it even had vivid illustrations!

Xiao Xinyue kept a stern face. “This will not happen again. The conduct of our righteous sect disciples cannot be led astray by the Demon Sect. Do you understand?”

The disciple’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, “The Saintess’s teaching is correct!”

Xiao Xinyue took the books and went inside. Behind her, the disciple wiped away sweat. “The Saintess is still right. It is bad enough that the Demon Sect’s crooked and evil customs lead their own people astray. How can they be brought into our famous righteous sects?!”

When Zhou Zhuying saw Xiao Xinyue return holding some books and booklets, she did not pay them any attention. After all, this study had plenty of books. Out of boredom, she had flipped through some earlier, and they had all been Moshan Sect documents, account books, and so on. She could not understand them and had no interest in them, so she had not continued reading.

Xiao Xinyue tapped the booklets and asked her, “Cult Leader, want to look?”

“No interest.”

“Oh,” Xiao Xinyue said. “Then the Cult Leader had better not regret it.”

Zhou Zhuying muttered, “What is there to regret?”

She had no intention of interfering with Moshan Sect’s affairs, nor did she plan to manage accounts.

Xiao Xinyue smiled with her lips pressed together, sat across from her, and openly began reading through these illustrated booklets.

Zhou Zhuying raised her head and saw Xiao Xinyue reading with great interest. She did not know what Xiao Xinyue had seen, but her brows suddenly lifted, as if somewhat surprised, and she even murmured, “So it can be done like this.”

Zhou Zhuying was curious. “What can be done like that? Sister Saintess, aren’t you reading account books?”

Xiao Xinyue shook her head. “They are not account books. Account books are not this thin. These are some ‘martial arts moves.’”

When Zhou Zhuying heard this, her eyes lit up. “Can I learn them?”

“Of course. But can the Cult Leader learn just by looking?”

Zhou Zhuying wilted again. “Probably my eyes would learn, but my brain and limbs would say they can’t.”

Xiao Xinyue smiled and said, “Then when I learn them, I can teach the Cult Leader.”

The Cult Leader had not expected the female lead to be so considerate and said with great anticipation, “All right. Study hard!”

Xiao Xinyue’s smile grew even deeper. “All right.”

—

After dinner, Xiao Xinyue took Zhou Zhuying out for a walk. Zhou Zhuying said, “Junior Sister Shu said I need to exercise more. I thought about it, and I need to put my exercise plan on the agenda. When Sister Saintess gets up in the morning to practice martial arts, can you wake me up too? I’ll go for a run.”

Xiao Xinyue refused. “The Cult Leader has morning temper. I do not want to suffer that anger.”

The Cult Leader stamped her foot and denied it. “I don’t have morning temper!”

Xiao Xinyue hummed and said, “The wedding matron said the Cult Leader’s morning temper yesterday was quite large.”

Remembering that she had lost her temper on her wedding day because of lack of sleep and had said something like not getting married, the Cult Leader felt extremely guilty. However, she had thick skin and said, “That was because, because I didn’t have Sister Saintess’s kiss. If Sister Saintess kisses me, then I won’t have morning temper, just like today.”

Xiao Xinyue looked at her in amusement. “It sounds like I am taking advantage of the Cult Leader, but why do I feel the Cult Leader is instigating me to do improper things?”

“Between us wife and wife, what is proper or improper? It is all legal.”

“Legal and reasonable?” Xiao Xinyue confirmed.

The Cult Leader thought for a moment, felt there was nothing wrong, and nodded.

“I understand.” Xiao Xinyue held her hand. “Tonight, let us not trouble the kitchen to boil an extra pot of hot water. When the hot water is ready, we will bathe together.”

The Cult Leader’s heart began to thump like a startled deer. Although she felt a little shy, after thinking it over, she felt that once this village was passed, there would be no such shop again. If one day their cooperative false marriage ended and she discovered that she had never slept with the female lead, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

Besides, it was the female lead who had taken advantage of her unconscious state and saw and touched her first. Now, if she looked at and touched the female lead back, that was called courtesy demands reciprocity.

Harboring such unspeakable thoughts, she followed Xiao Xinyue back to the warm chamber. The huge bath barrel was already half-filled with hot water, and an old maidservant was pouring cold water into it.

Xiao Xinyue said, “We will handle the rest ourselves.”

Xiao Xinyue took over the task of adjusting the water temperature. Since the maidservant had nothing else to do here, she went out first. Zhou Zhuying closed the door and came back. Her heartbeat grew faster and faster, and once again, her mouth became dry and her throat parched. She was quite at a loss.

Xiao Xinyue rolled up her sleeves and tested the water temperature. Looking back, she said, “The water temperature is just right. Why has the Cult Leader still not come over?”

Zhou Zhuying: “…”

“Could it be that you still want me to serve the Cult Leader like last night?”

Zhou Zhuying’s face reddened. “I-I’ll do it myself.”

She did not dare meet Xiao Xinyue’s gaze at all. She lowered her head to undo her clothes and occasionally stole a glance at Xiao Xinyue. However, as soon as she lifted her eyes, she saw Xiao Xinyue’s clothing slide from her shoulder, and her gaze immediately went straight.

The female lead moved so fast!

The moment this thought drifted through Zhou Zhuying’s mind, that charming dream suddenly appeared again. The Xiao Xinyue in the dream had exactly the same figure as the one she now saw!

What kind of development was this… a dream coming true?

Zhou Zhuying suddenly was no longer certain whether the female lead was still that iron-straight woman from the original novel.

But who cared!

Zhou Zhuying did not know where her courage came from, but she quickly undid her gauze garments and lay down in the bath barrel.

The cold wind outside was biting. Although the warm chamber was warmer than other parts of the room, it still felt cold. Zhou Zhuying’s whole body was wrapped in warm water, and it felt as if her bones and muscles had all been comforted. She narrowed her eyes in comfort.

Water splashed. Zhou Zhuying opened her eyes and saw Xiao Xinyue also enter the bath barrel. Her nose immediately disgraced her by bleeding.

Author’s Note:

At night, the Saintess taught the Cult Leader the martial arts moves she learned today.

Cult Leader: Great!

Afterward—

Cult Leader: The martial art was a good martial art, and the moves were good moves, but they were not proper martial arts moves!