Transmigrated as the Villain’s Sword - Chapter 3

After returning from the old man’s place, Ling Chenyan felt a sudden wave of drowsiness. When she woke up, she realized the System had finally returned.

“Sys, you back?”

The System sounded a bit world-weary: [Yes. I don’t know where the plot went wrong, but it’s drifted a hundred thousand miles off course. The Main System’s directive is for us to rescue the male lead and help him grow during the upcoming events.]

Ling Chenyan silently retracted her aura and played dead.

System: [Host, it’s time for you to shine. Your first mission: Rescue the male lead from the Demon Realm.]

Ling Chenyan: “I’m a sword. How am I supposed to rescue him?”

System: [Good luck! You can do it!]

Ling Chenyan: “…” Do it your foot. I’m a sword controlled by someone else.

While Ling Chenyan and the System were bickering, a guard’s voice came from outside the hall: “Your Highness, the Demon Emperor summons you.”

The current Demon Emperor was Guan Luowei’s grandfather. A hundred years ago, during a period of chaos, the previous Emperor had gone mad. Since Guan Luowei hadn’t been born yet, her grandfather—the retired old Emperor—had to step back up to the throne, where he had remained ever since.

Since childhood, her grandfather was the only one by her side. Her mother, the former Empress, died shortly after giving birth to her in prison. It could be said that her grandfather’s company had followed her from childhood to the present day.

Guan Luowei gave a brief acknowledgment, picked up the sword, and headed deep into the Demon Palace.

The Old Demon Emperor was a middle-aged man appearing to be in his late forties or fifties. When he saw Guan Luowei, a smile immediately broke across his usually stern face.

“Weiwei is here.”

“Grandfather,” Guan Luowei greeted him respectfully.

“Good, come, sit.” The Old Emperor seemed very happy. Once she was settled, he spoke cautiously: “Weiwei, about that man you brought back the other day… what’s the situation between you two?”

Guan Luowei’s mind raced; she knew exactly what he was thinking. She replied nonchalantly, “Just someone who offended me.”

The Old Emperor gave a long “Oh,” then changed the subject: “Weiwei, I actually called you here today to discuss the succession…”

“Of course, I know you don’t like dealing with the trivial matters of the Demon Realm, but my body is getting weaker, cough cough—” He faked a couple of coughs and continued: “So, if you’re unwilling, you could find someone else to help you manage things…”

The Old Emperor was being subtle, but Ling Chenyan could tell he was nagging the “Witch” to find a partner. Ling Chenyan laughed inwardly; she hadn’t expected “marriage pressure” to be a universal constant across worlds and eras.

She looked at Guan Luowei with interest. Guan Luowei’s expression didn’t change as she spoke: “No need, Grandfather. I am willing to take over the throne and manage the Demon Realm.”

The Old Emperor’s face had initially fallen when he heard her start with “No need,” but the rest of her sentence made his eyes bulge. To be fair, he had spoiled this granddaughter since she was a child; she was proud and hated chores. Usually, she’d be annoyed the moment he brought it up, but now…

The Old Emperor stared at Guan Luowei so hard his eyes nearly popped out. Has my granddaughter been possessed?

Guan Luowei knew what he was thinking but simply lowered her eyes: “Grandfather, what do you think?”

What did he think? It was fantastic!

The Old Emperor grinned from ear to ear. “Good, good! There’s no rush, though; I can handle a few more years. Didn’t you tell me recently you wanted to go out for ‘experience’? I’ve thought about it, and I think it’s a good idea.”

Guan Luowei nodded, a glint in her eyes.

The Old Emperor was still basking in joy when his eyes fell on the floating sword. Stroking his beard, he reached out and took Ling Chenyan into his hand.

“Weiwei, I heard from your Fifth Uncle today that this sword has awakened a soul?”

Guan Luowei confirmed it. The Old Emperor added, “But if the sword soul is weak, it’s a bit tricky.”

Thinking of the other possibility the old man had mentioned that morning, Guan Luowei glanced strangely at Ling Chenyan before silently accepting the “weakness” explanation.

Clearly, Guan Luowei preferred to believe the soul was weak rather than “delicate.”

“What is the sword’s name?” the Old Emperor suddenly asked. “And have you performed the Sword Soul Baptism yet?”

Guan Luowei answered: “The sword is named Yinye (Silver Leaf). I haven’t performed the baptism yet.” After some thought, she had decided to use the name she gave the sword in her previous life.

The Old Emperor stroked his beard and laughed. “Yinye. That’s a fine name.”

Fine, my ass.

Ling Chenyan complained internally, but she was too lazy to argue. She chose to “lie flat” like a salted fish and offer no resistance.

Guan Luowei took the sword back. “It is indeed time for a baptism.”

A Sword Soul Baptism not only tightened the bond between master and weapon but also allowed for simple mental communication. Most sword spirits were like toddlers when they first gained sentience—capable of basic emotions and following orders, but not yet able to act as strategists.

The ceremony was set for ten days later.

Upon returning to the palace, Guan Luowei placed the sword aside and sat cross-legged on a cushion to cultivate.

Seeing this, the System immediately began pestering Ling Chenyan to go rescue the male lead. Ling Chenyan tried to play dead but was “disciplined” by the System’s electric shocks. Forced by the strange silver-purple lightning, she sneakily drifted out of the hall.

Behind her, Guan Luowei remained still, seemingly noticing nothing.

Bypassing several guards, Ling Chenyan—with the System’s help—finally reached the male lead’s dark room again.

Looking at the tightly bound Mu Yunze, she began searching the room for something sharp to cut the ropes. Despite her caution, she made some noise, which Mu Yunze picked up on.

Mu Yunze suddenly spoke: “Is that you, Your Highness? I think we can talk.”

Ling Chenyan jumped. She realized that while he was blindfolded, he was no longer gagged.

Seeing the noise stop, Mu Yunze thought there was room for negotiation. He steadied his racing heart and spoke again: “Your Highness—”

Before he could finish, he felt something being stuffed into his mouth, cutting him off. Not only that, but the object had a very… peculiar taste.

Mu Yunze: “Mmph…?”

Seeing the male lead silenced, Ling Chenyan turned back to her task, satisfied. The System screamed in her head: [Host! How can you treat the male lead like that?!]

“Shh, be quiet,” Ling Chenyan whispered. “Forgot we’re on a ‘secret’ rescue mission? What if someone hears him?”

The System went silent, admitting she had a point. However, looking at the sock (wherever she found it) stuffed in the male lead’s mouth, it silently withdrew any plans to praise her.

Likely to prevent any escape, the room was devoid of sharp objects. Ling Chenyan frowned, then had a brain wave. Wait! I AM a sword!

Realizing this belatedly, she floated in front of him and tried to control the blade. With a gentle swipe, the rope on his leg snapped. Both Ling Chenyan and the System’s eyes lit up. This works!

She made quick work of the rest, slicing through the ropes before quickly retreating to a corner to hide her tracks, a “nameless hero.”

A moment later, Ling Chenyan watched the unmoving Mu Yunze and whispered to the System: “Is he shocked into stupidity?”

“No,” the System replied. “He’s been tied up so long his limbs are probably numb.”

Ling Chenyan: “…”

Just as she was about to step closer for a better look, the door swung open. Ling Chenyan, who hadn’t had time to hide, and the pile of severed ropes were caught red-handed.

The door was fully open now, and the sunlight flooded the room, leaving no room for the “crime” to hide.

Ling Chenyan’s body froze. She slowly, inch by inch, looked up at the woman standing in the doorway. The woman’s cold, vivid face looked even more regal in the sunlight, her hair gilded by the glow like a goddess from the nine heavens.

However, Ling Chenyan was in no mood for aesthetics. she forced a stiff smile and waved: “Hi.”

The System closed its eyes, unable to watch.

The next second, Guan Luowei stepped inside, followed by two patrolling guards.

The guards naturally saw their Highness’s sword, the pile of ropes, and the male lead who hadn’t escaped yet.

They were horrified. “You… you…”

“This… this…”

Guan Luowei glanced at them, and they both shut up, shrinking back guiltily. Such a thing happened under their watch? They were dead meat!

Guan Luowei didn’t seem interested in blaming them. She looked at the sword floating back to her side, then at the unmoving Mu Yunze. Her eyes narrowed. “I forgot you had the ability to bewitch hearts… but I didn’t expect you to dare bewitch my Yinye.”

The guards immediately caught on. “Exactly! How dare he bewitch Her Highness’s precious sword? Unforgivable!”

The other added, “Yes! That’s adding to the crime! He deserves ten thousand deaths!”

Mu Yunze, who had done nothing and didn’t even realize he was being “rescued”: “?”