The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

After the two sides met, there was no time for small talk.

Young Master Lin directly asked, “Meng Xiaoyao took the Green Spirit Fruit and wanted to maximize its effects. He came to the Valley to find the master of the valley to prepare medicine. But now, it looks like the Valley is under siege, and Meng Xiaoyao won’t find a chance to start, so he might find other people to make medicine or make a hasty decision to take the Green Spirit Fruit directly.”

The crowd’s expressions turned serious, and everyone started talking at once.

“What if we withdraw first and set up an ambush in secret?”

“The area around here is only so big. Where can we possibly ambush them? Do you think the Demon Cult are fools?”

“What about hiding underground? We can dig a hole and squat inside.”

“Oh, and then get discovered and burned alive? You’ve got some nerve.”

“Digging a hole with two exits, wouldn’t that work? You’re the fool here!”

Just as they were about to come to blows, Lin Changjian suddenly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to He Dongchen.

Everyone quieted down, exchanging glances.

“I’d like a word with the Valley Master, if you please,” Lin Changjian scanned the chaotic room and began.

He Dongchen probably guessed what he was going to say and nodded slightly. Yuan Changsheng, who was idly playing with a whip nearby, immediately took over the wheelchair and pushed He Dongchen out of the courtyard.

“In matters concerning demon extermination, please don’t blame anyone,” Lin Changjian bowed to the others and turned to follow.

“Take me with you!” Shen Youcai hurried forward. Lin Changjian frowned slightly, thinking of his sincere feelings towards Jiang Xinyue, and reluctantly nodded.

The four of them moved to a secluded courtyard.

After checking that there was no one around, Lin Changjian frowned as he looked at the unfamiliar Yuan Changsheng. “This young lady, we have important matters to discuss. Please excuse us.”

“No need, she’s with me,” He Dongchen raised his hand to stop him. Yuan Changsheng, who had been about to retort, proudly lifted her chin and snorted at Lin Changjian provocatively.

Shen Youcai mediated from the side, “Miss Yuan is highly skilled in martial arts and has faced Meng Xiaoyao before. There’s no problem.”

Lin Changjian didn’t say anything more upon hearing that and went straight to the point. “Meng Xiaoyao only wants Valley Master He; it has nothing to do with Money Valley. Why don’t we turn the tables and use Valley Master He as bait to lure out Meng Xiaoyao? That way, we can also avoid the crisis for Money Valley.”

“No way,” Yuan Changsheng interrupted firmly. “The Valley Master is fragile. If he falls into the hands of the Demon Cult, how can he protect himself?”

Lin Changjian said, “Meng Xiaoyao wants the person who can make medicine. I believe Valley Master He is not in mortal danger. Moreover, we can make arrangements in advance to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

On the contrary, Jiang Xinyue falling into the demon’s lair was the real crisis. Lin Changjian hasn’t slept or eaten for days.

Shen Youcai’s expression changed, “Indeed, whoever dies, Valley Master He surely won’t die.”

A Divine Doctor who can cure all diseases would be a huge loss to anyone if they were to die. Throughout the generations of Valley Masters, they have been frequently kidnapped, but outright killings were rare.

“No, what if something goes wrong in the chaos?” Yuan Changsheng firmly opposed, and scorned the two, “You’re so bold. If you want to save your loved one, have the guts to charge in yourselves. You’re actually letting Doctor He, who’s defenseless, take such risks.”

Both of them showed a hint of shame on their faces, but when they thought of Jiang Xinyue’s helplessness in the demon’s lair, they remained steadfast.

Lin Changjian promised He Dongchen, “I, Lin Changjian, swear here that even if I have to risk my life, I’ll ensure your safety.”

Shen Youcai, unwilling to be left behind, declared, “As long as we rescue Miss Jiang, I’ll reward generously.”

Yuan Changsheng glanced sideways at the two, then looked down at He Dongchen, afraid he might agree to this.

Under the scrutiny of the three men, He Dongchen slowly spoke, “It’s not impossible.”

“Doctor He!” The three exclaimed simultaneously, two with joy and one with resentment.

“However,” He Dongchen narrowed his eyes.

The three held their breath again, their expressions varied.

“We’ll need to add money.”

Yuan Changsheng, who had been feeling relieved, choked on his words.

The wealthy Shen Youcai waved generously, “No problem!”

“Though I’m not as wealthy as Brother Shen, I can still contribute some.” Lin Changjian’s face showed a hint of a smile. Once the direction was set, the group began to discuss specific plans on how to lure Meng Xiaoyao out. He’s quite shrewd and definitely not a fool.

Yuan Changsheng wasn’t good at this sort of thing; she only excelled at fighting. When she listened attentively, she secretly glared at He Dongchen. He’s so fixated on money; it’s such a waste of that appearance of his as if he had descended from the heavens.

He Dongchen noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow, deepening his smile.

***

Lin Changjian and Shen Youcai argued vigorously, rejecting one idea after another without reaching a consensus for half a day. He Dongchen grew impatient and spoke up directly, “Jiang Xinyue’s admirers are like crucian carp crossing the river. Find someone with mediocre martial arts and a bad reputation to abduct me and exchange for Meng Xiaoyao.”

At first, the three found this idea absurd, but upon closer consideration, it seemed like a viable plan.

Shen Youcai paced around the room excitedly, “I have a candidate, the Perfume Thief Qiu Liuzhi. This man has a penchant for collecting, especially stealing rouge and powder from young ladies, never failing. Once he sneaked into Miss Jiang’s room and was captivated by her beauty. He made his first mistake and was nearly beaten to death.”

“Qiu Liuzhi’s lightness skill is extraordinary, and his reputation is bad enough; he’s always been ostracized by the righteous path. He could indeed be persuaded to abduct Valley Master He for the sake of rescuing his beloved.”

Yuan Changsheng immediately countered, “You say he’s capable of it. What if he takes it seriously?”

Lin Changjian frowned and spoke after a moment’s thought, “If I recall correctly, this man also has an elderly mother. We should take care of her for a couple of days first.”

He Dongchen’s mouth twitched. Calling it ‘taking care of’ was just a veiled threat. Even someone like Lin Changjian, who was as upright as Wei’s Zheng Guang and hated evil as much as his enemies, would propose such an unscrupulous method.

(T/N: Zheng Guang = former Emperor of Northern Wei (520–525))

Shen Youcai coughed and took over the conversation, “I’ll send someone to find Qiu Liuzhi.”

“I’ll go arrange the ambush with everyone else,” Lin Changjian said.

As the two left one after the other, He Dongchen turned to Yuan Changsheng and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I can protect myself. I won’t risk my life recklessly.”

Yuan Changsheng sighed softly, “Yes, after all, the money hasn’t run out yet.”

He Dongchen rubbed his nose with a raised hand, realizing that his money-obsessed persona was quite successful.

If in the original plot, Valley Master He proposed to exchange himself for Jiang Xinyue, everyone would just sigh and think he was deeply in love with Jiang Xinyue, willing to sacrifice himself to save her.

***

Meanwhile, Jiang Xinyue, who was the concern of everyone, was actually living quite well in the secret base of the Demon Cult. She suffered no humiliation, enjoyed good food and drink, and was attended by several maidservants who flattered her.

Meng Xiaoyao was busy studying the Green Spirit Fruit and how to capture Valley Master He.

Jiang Xinyue was confined in a beautifully decorated embroidery building, enjoying luxurious living every day, with the only task of embroidering wedding dresses.

Meng Xiaoyao boasted that once he cured the violent Qi in his body, it would be their wedding day.

Jiang Xinyue was powerless to resist, only able to silently shed tears as she cut the fabric for the wedding dress.

In the original plot, Meng Xiaoyao had disguised himself by Jiang Xinyue’s side for some time, sincerely falling in love with her, which was why he gave her the opportunity to steal the Green Spirit Fruit. Now that He Dongchen had exposed it prematurely, Meng Xiaoyao witnessed Jiang Xinyue’s disgust towards the Demon Cult. His attitude changed faster than flipping through a book, naturally not letting her get close easily.

One day, Jiang Xinyue refused her meal, venting her frustration by handling the wedding dress fabric. Suddenly, the tightly closed door was opened. Meng Xiaoyao, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold, appeared in the room. He swiftly approached Jiang Xinyue, lifting her chin with his hand.

“What are you doing? Don’t touch me!” Jiang Xinyue struggled in embarrassment and anger, but her inner strength was sealed, and she couldn’t break free at all.

Meng Xiaoyao said, “Let me see this face of yours, how much charm it has to make Qiu Liuzhi risk everything, boldly abduct He Dongchen right under the nose of the righteous path, just to exchange him for you.”

For a moment, Jiang Xinyue forgot to struggle, puzzled, “Who is Qiu Liuzhi?”

Meng Xiaoyao fell silent for a moment, then let out a hearty laugh, “He loves you deeply, yet you can’t even remember his name. How pitiful, how pitiful.”

Frowning, Jiang Xinyue thought for a while, uncertain, “That pervert who likes stealing rouge and powder?”

Meng Xiaoyao’s laughter paused momentarily. Qiu Liuzhi, who stole rouge and powder; glamorously called the Perfume Thief, derogatorily known as a perverted maniac, was looked down upon by both the righteous sects and the Demon Cult.

The Demon Cult didn’t disdain him for bullying women; rather, they scorned his skill in stealing rouge and powder as shameful and disgraceful, unfit for public approval.

Meng Xiaoyao’s expression darkened as he regretfully glanced at Jiang Xinyue’s face. “Although I appreciate beauty, I prefer unrivaled power. So, for now, I’ll let you go.” Once I attain unrivaled power, Jiang Xinyue would come to me willingly.

Jiang Xinyue’s mind was in turmoil. Leaving this big demon was undoubtedly good, but Valley Master He would suffer.

Struggling internally, she finally said, “Doctor He loves money. Don’t force your way.”

Meng Xiaoyao fell silent again.

***

A few days later, fearing deception, Meng Xiaoyao personally selected a location; a vast grassland spanning dozens of square miles, endless and open, where nothing could hide, be it beast or spirit. It allowed for easy retreat, preventing being trapped like dumplings.

He sent a message to Qiu Liuzhi. On the day of the exchange, accompanied by a group of subordinates, Meng Xiaoyao arrived in a dark mass. Jiang Xinyue still received good treatment, her inner strength sealed but her hands and feet free. She wore a flowing white chiffon gown, her skirt billowing, a picturesque figure against the green grass.

On the opposite side, He Dongchen looked miserable, carried by a sly, skinny man, his face pale and quite disheveled.

“Doctor He, are you alright?” Jiang Xinyue worried.

He Dongchen forced a smile. “Not really.”

“Stop talking! Exchange the person!” Qiu Liuzhi’s voice was sharp as he roughly pushed He Dongchen aside, then stared at Jiang Xinyue with infatuation, rubbing his hands eagerly. “Miss Jiang, come over here~ It’s safe with me.”

Jiang Xinyue suddenly felt her steps grow heavy.

Although Meng Xiaoyao was despicable, he’s handsome and refrained from forcing me. Qiu Liuzhi, on the other hand, is never known for his integrity. If he dared to lay a hand on me…

With those thoughts in mind, Jiang Xinyue took a few steps back, her face full of resistance.

In the end, sensing Meng Xiaoyao’s impatience with her vigilance, he impatiently pushed Jiang Xinyue forward.

He Dongchen staggered towards the opposite side, brushing past Jiang Xinyue. A gust of wind blew by, carrying a strong scent of grass mixed with the smell of earth. He Dongchen lowered his eyes and slowed his pace without showing any panic.

Meng Xiaoyao felt the surroundings were unusually quiet, his unease growing. Suddenly, one of his subordinates behind him sneezed, cursing silently at the heavy smell of grass.

In a flash, Meng Xiaoyao realized it. He immediately leaped forward, aiming straight for He Dongchen.

” Valley Master He, run!” Jiang Xinyue exclaimed in shock.

He Dongchen slightly curled his lips, standing still without moving an inch, completely calm.

Meng Xiaoyao’s suspicions were confirmed instantly. What else did he need to understand now?!