The Villain Is Soft and Clingy [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 2

Wait a moment. Why did that name sound ever so slightly familiar?

She had been in this world for fifteen years. Since resources were scarce in ancient times and there were no phones, computers, or other forms of entertainment, she could only read that little booklet over and over again.

After more than a decade, she knew its contents inside and out. Thus, when she heard the name “Zhang Lan,” something from the book suddenly came to mind.

…In Year 264, Zhang Lan changed her name to Zhang Kuang.

And who was Zhang Kuang? She was the legendary Demon Cult Leader, infamous for her brutality, lawlessness, and countless crimes!!

Her strength was unfathomable, and her temperament unpredictable. Whenever she appeared, bloodshed and chaos followed. Her name struck fear not only into the immortal cultivation world—even among ordinary mortals, it was enough to make people’s ears ring and their hearts tremble.

Two years ago, Zhang Kuang single-handedly massacred the entire Shura Dao Sect on Qiling Mountain. It was said that blood flowed all the way down to the foot of the mountain, and neither the peak nor the dozen or so great halls escaped destruction.

Black ashes from the bodies of countless demonic cultivators rose into the air. Thick smoke swallowed the endless blue sky and did not fully disperse for more than a month.

A year ago, she broke into the Yashan Sect, shattered nine layers of seals in three moves, twisted apart eighty-one layers of black-iron chains, smashed the entire Demon-Sealing Tower into dust, and openly walked away with the imprisoned Demon Sovereign.

It felt as though a basin of bone-chilling ice water had been poured over Xia Zhitao’s head. Her heart went cold.

It was over.

I actually touched the great villain’s head without permission. And because her hair felt so nice, I even rubbed it several times… Is it too late to throw myself to the ground and sincerely beg for forgiveness?

Although Xia Zhitao’s expression remained calm, turbulent waves were already raging inside her.

Calm down. Calm down!

They only had the same name. “Zhang” was already a common surname, and the character “Lan” was not particularly rare. Zhang Lan could not possibly be the only person in the world with that name.

It had to be nothing more than a coincidence.

Xia Zhitao took a deep breath inwardly. She quickly withdrew her hand and hid it behind her back, forcing a stiff smile as she finished her sentence.

“…What a—what a lovely name.”

The young girl lowered her head shyly, her slender, pale fingers twisting the corner of her clothes.

“And Senior Sister?”

“Xia Zhitao,” Xia Zhitao answered honestly. Gathering her sleeves, she turned around. “Follow me. I’ll take you to find somewhere to stay.”

Because her back was turned, she did not see the young girl behind her gazing at her figure before lowering her head.

Zhang Lan murmured the name, letting it linger gently between her lips and teeth.

“Zhitao… Xia Zhitao.”

。

Xia Zhitao returned to the bluestone path she had come from. This time, however, an obedient little shadow followed behind her.

…And not an ordinary little shadow, either. This one could swallow someone whole when provoked without even spitting out the bones.

Because Xia Zhitao felt uneasy, she inevitably walked a little too quickly and did not pay much attention to what was happening behind her.

The little shadow followed closely. Perhaps because she was unfamiliar with the path, she suddenly kicked a stone.

Xia Zhitao heard a thud. She quickly turned around and saw the little shadow sprawled on the ground, gritting her teeth as she pitifully tried to get back up.

Cult Leader! Cult Leader, how did you fall?!

Xia Zhitao’s heart tightened. Ignoring the cold moisture covering the stone steps, she dropped to one knee and lowered her head to examine Zhang Lan.

The little shadow had fallen quite hard. Her knee had struck the bluestone with force, and tiny beads of blood were already seeping out. It looked rather frightening.

Zhang Lan frowned. A layer of mist covered her eyes as she sat half-upright on the ground. Her voice trembled faintly with the hint of a sob as she apologized repeatedly.

“I-I’m sorry. I was too careless…”

“How could you be so careless?” Xia Zhitao could not worry about anything else. She hurriedly took a piece of soft cloth from her storage ring and carefully placed it over the wound on Zhang Lan’s knee.

Feeling distressed, she blamed herself. “It was my fault. You only just joined the sect, Junior Sister. I should have walked more slowly.”

Zhang Lan shook her head. She bit her lip and said nothing.

With the soft cloth covering the wound, Xia Zhitao lowered her head and gathered spiritual energy between her fingers. Warmth flowed through the thin cloth and spread over the injury, gradually erasing every trace of blood.

Having spiritual energy really was convenient. As long as the injury was not too serious, minor bumps and scrapes could heal instantly.

When she removed the cloth, the wound on her junior sister’s knee had already disappeared, replaced by smooth, soft, fair skin.

Zhang Lan’s eyes were still watery. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Xia Zhitao breathed a sigh of relief. She returned the handkerchief to her storage ring, then raised her head and looked once more at her pitiful junior sister.

Thinking about it this way, Zhang Lan probably really was only someone with the same name. After all, how could the mighty Demon Cult Leader trip over nothing and fall so hard that tears came to her eyes…? It seemed far too unrealistic.

Feeling guilty for suspecting the girl merely because of her name, Xia Zhitao’s remorse toward her junior sister deepened.

She extended a hand toward Zhang Lan and said gently, “Let me help you up.”

Zhang Lan froze.

One moment, she still looked utterly pitiful. The next, her expression suddenly brightened like the sky clearing after rain.

She happily reached out and placed her hand in Xia Zhitao’s palm. “All right!”

Her palm was soft and warm against Xia Zhitao’s, as though she were holding a cloud between her fingers.

Xia Zhitao pulled her up. Once she saw that Zhang Lan was standing steadily, she was about to let go. Unexpectedly, Zhang Lan stepped closer, turned her hand around, and firmly clasped Xia Zhitao’s, refusing to release it.

Their fingers were interlaced—an extremely intimate gesture.

Xia Zhitao was slightly startled. When she turned her head, she found Zhang Lan staring at her without blinking, the four large words “I want to hold hands” practically written across her eyes.

Xia Zhitao: “…”

Forget it. The child had just been forced to leave her family and come to the completely unfamiliar Shuijing Peak. She must be terribly anxious. Xia Zhitao needed to take better care of her.

Thinking this, Xia Zhitao sighed and allowed Zhang Lan to hold on.

The grievance on her junior sister’s face vanished completely. Clutching Xia Zhitao’s hand tightly, she asked with sparkling eyes, “Senior Sister, where are we going?”

Xia Zhitao looked up at the sky. “I’ll first take you to the outer disciples’ residence and help you settle in. If it’s still early, we can walk around afterward.”

“Does Senior Sister live there too?” Zhang Lan asked.

Xia Zhitao shook her head. “I’m an entry disciple. Our residences are separate.”

The moment she finished speaking, she saw Zhang Lan’s entire figure dim. Her brows and eyes drooped like a wilted flower as she asked weakly, “Is it far from where Senior Sister lives?”

Xia Zhitao did not know whether to laugh or sigh. She raised her free hand and flicked Zhang Lan lightly between the brows.

“You’ve only been here for one day. After tomorrow’s spiritual-energy assessment, you’ll be able to have a room of your own.”

Although that was what she said, Xia Zhitao could not bear to tell her one thing.

—Only disciples who received recognition would be given their own rooms.

In other words, as long as her junior sister passed tomorrow’s spiritual-energy assessment, she would temporarily be accepted as an entry disciple, and Xia Zhitao could continue teaching her. After undergoing a series of trials, Zhang Lan could formally enter Shuijing Peak and become an inner disciple.

However, if the assessment revealed that her spiritual energy was too weak or her cultivation aptitude too poor, she would be placed among the outer disciples and would no longer receive instruction from lecturers or elders.

As an outer disciple, she could only attempt to cultivate on her own. If she failed to understand the proper methods and could not distinguish herself during the trial assembly, it would be almost the same as being abandoned by the Yashan Sect. She would remain an unremarkable outer disciple forever.

Xia Zhitao could not resist glancing at her junior sister. Looking at that little steamed-bun-like face and remembering how the girl could trip even while walking on level ground, she could not help feeling worried for her.

Her junior sister knew nothing about Xia Zhitao’s thoughts. Hearing that her current residence was only temporary, she instantly returned to her earlier cheerful state and declared confidently, “I’ll work hard!”

Xia Zhitao nodded with a smile. The two continued down the path, and before long, they arrived before several wooden cottages near the foot of the mountain.

。

Naturally, outer disciples did not receive the same treatment as entry disciples or inner disciples. Their living quarters were considerably worse, though not so dilapidated as to be uninhabitable. They were merely poorer and noisier.

Zhang Lan continued holding Xia Zhitao’s hand. She looked around and asked, “Am I going to live here?”

Xia Zhitao nodded. “Yes. If you pass the spiritual-energy assessment, you’ll be able to change rooms tomorrow.”

She led Zhang Lan into one of the small buildings and stopped before a table. Removing the wooden identification plaque tied at her waist, she handed it to the gray-robed woman standing before them.

The gray-robed woman examined the plaque. Her expression abruptly became more animated.

“Senior Sister Xia—an inner disciple?”

“This is a newly arrived junior sister. She hasn’t undergone her spiritual-energy assessment yet.” Xia Zhitao glanced at Zhang Lan beside her and explained to the gray-robed woman, “Please arrange a room for her.”

“Of course, of course,” the gray-robed woman agreed repeatedly.

She turned and pulled open a drawer, selected one key from among countless others, and respectfully handed it to Xia Zhitao. From beginning to end, she did not spare Zhang Lan a single glance.

“Here is the key you requested. Walk to the right—it’s the fifth building,” the gray-robed woman said carefully. “Four young women are already living inside.”

Xia Zhitao frowned unhappily. “Are there no empty rooms?”

The gray-robed woman shook her head. “They’re all full. This room has the fewest occupants.”

There was nothing that could be done. Xia Zhitao gave Zhang Lan an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry you’ll have to endure this.”

Zhang Lan shook her head, her voice soft. “It’s all right.”

Xia Zhitao led Zhang Lan to the small wooden cottage and placed the key in her hand.

“Go inside and familiarize yourself with the room. I’ll collect some necessities for you and come back shortly.”

Zhang Lan obediently nodded. She watched until Xia Zhitao’s figure disappeared into the distance, then used the key to open the wooden door and stepped inside.

The room was cramped, and the air was stuffy and harsh on the nose. When several women saw Zhang Lan enter, they abruptly stopped talking.

“What’s this? A newcomer actually arrived?”

One of them stood up and narrowed her eyes lazily as she ordered, “New girl, go fill the water vat by the door.”

The others covered their mouths and snickered, pointing at Zhang Lan with expressions full of disdain.

Then they saw the frail young girl standing at the entrance smile and slowly raise her head.

The color abruptly drained from her amber eyes. Their brightness gradually peeled away and dimmed until they seemed covered by a thick layer of black fog.

A cold pressure descended, making it difficult for anyone to breathe.

With a smile that was not quite a smile, she said, “Oh?”

Author’s Note:

Mini Theater:

Zhang Kuang: Why can’t the Demon Cult Leader trip over nothing? Can’t I deliberately fall in front of my wife? Do you have a problem with that?

Xia Zhitao: “………………”