After Transmigrating Into the Book, I Picked up the Protagonist-Shou

Xie Shuci’s heart sank heavily.

Trembling, his lips quivered as tears instantly welled up in his eyes.

The surrounding scene gradually blurred, and all he could see was Ah Dong’s lifeless body. Blood flowed like a meandering river, spreading along the cracks of the ground.

“Ah Dong…” Xie Shuci murmured silently.

Just a while ago, Ah Dong was a lively little kid, eagerly asking if Xie Shuci was going to capture the demon. Now, he lay silently on the ground, seemingly disconnected from the world.

He crawled up from the ground, using both hands and feet, and stumbled over to Ah Dong’s side. Up close, he saw the bloodstains surrounding Ah Dong, and his legs went weak, causing him to kneel.

On the blood-glistening claws of the demon, there were bits of fresh red flesh. It glanced at them for a moment, seemingly frozen in place.

Seeing this, the Daoist enveloped his long sword in a silver spiritual power and thrust it into the demon’s calf.

The demon let out a low growl and retaliated in anger.

However, Xie Shuci, despite his fear, couldn’t care less. He knelt beside Ah Dong, his hands trembling aimlessly in mid-air. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out. He couldn’t even utter a word.

Didn’t I tell you to hide? Why did you come out?

I… I can’t save you. I lied to you. I can’t do anything, actually.

Why are you so foolish… Why did you believe me completely?

Xie Shuci saw a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of Ah Dong’s mouth, his face paler than snow. Could this be a dream? Is he still dreaming?

Yes, he was just an ordinary college student. He had simply gone a bit crazy looking for material. How could he actually have transmigrated into the world of a novel? It must be a dream, it must be!

Xie Shuci cautiously touched Ah Dong’s face with his hand, hoping desperately to prove that it was all a dream. He needed to prove that it was just a dream— the noise in his ears, the tragic scene before his eyes, and Xie An behind him— they were all just part of a dream.

When his fingertips touched the warm blood on Ah Dong’s face, his senses suddenly magnified. The noise in his ears, the tragic scene before his eyes, and even Xie An slowly approaching him from behind— at that moment, everything became exceptionally clear.

A misty gas formed in the palm of Xie Shuci’s hand, gathering the vital essence that could revive all things, the spiritual energy that nurtured the world. Xie Shuci hadn’t consciously used it before, but now it seemed to flow freely, continuously channeling into Ah Dong’s body.

Xie An had unknowingly stopped beside him. He bent down, his hand touching Xie Shuci’s cheek, his fingers caressing the tears on his face. His expression was dull, as if contemplating what Xie Shuci’s tears meant this time.

He thought for a moment, then turned his head towards the demon that was being besieged by several disciples.

Despite the sword wounds it had suffered, the demon held its ground against the disciples.

With a swipe of its claws, it tore through one disciple’s arm, causing the long sword to clang onto the ground near Xie An’s feet, the hilt hitting his toes.

He paused for a moment. When Xie Shuci’s scalding tears once again wet his fingertips, he finally bent down and picked up the fallen long sword beside him.

The air carried the scent of blood, and the smells of humans and demons were distinct, making it easy to differentiate between them.

As Xie An, dressed in white like a slender bamboo, walked slowly into the midst of the fighting crowd, everyone turned to look at him. His face was beautiful with a hint of immaturity, and his aura was steady and tranquil, like a crescent moon in the sky—gentle yet sharp.

“What are you doing?” Li Song’s face changed drastically when he saw Xie An, and he hurriedly stepped forward to pull him back.

But before he could get close, the wind caused by his movement betrayed his position. Xie An swiftly rotated the sword in his hand, pointing the tip directly at Li Song’s neck. If he took one step forward, Xie An would undoubtedly pierce his throat with the sword!

Li Song abruptly halted, cold sweat breaking out all over his body.

The young man exuded a sharpness and composure different from others his age. Despite his frail appearance, he possessed the demeanor of being able to sever a throat with a single sword strike. As he advanced, his robes billowed in the gusts of wind, and his vacant eyes and calm expression resembled a tranquil lake. Unconsciously, everyone held their breath, their gazes locked onto him, as if he, rather than the demon, was the one to be wary of at this moment.

Xie Shuci, exhausted from the depletion of his spiritual energy, collapsed beside Ah Dong. He felt Ah Dong’s fresh blood soaking his clothes and couldn’t help but let out a sob. His gaze passed over Ah Dong’s body and fell upon Xie An’s figure walking towards the demon.

His eyes quivered, wanting to call Xie An back, but he couldn’t produce any sound.

The tiredness from using all the spiritual power dragged his eyelids down, and despite his struggles, his eyes began to close.

Strangely, as the young man approached, the demon exhibited unusual alertness and hostility, as if it found this young man in front of it more dangerous than the numerous disciples trying to subdue it.

The tip of the sword trailed along the ground, emitting a piercing sound.

One hand rested behind the young man, while the other wielded the sword. With a sidelong swing, the sword’s radiance dazzled, and the momentary pressure surpassed that of thousands of troops!

Perhaps the other disciples couldn’t discern it, but the Daoist in the green robe was well aware that this young man possessed no spiritual energy. So how could he dare to appear in front of the demon?

The demon cautiously took two steps back, equally aware that this human before it had no spiritual energy, just an ordinary human. But inexplicably, its innate ability to sense danger made it unable to underestimate this person.

“Come back!” Li Song anxiously wanted to move forward but was stopped by the Daoist in the green robe.

The young man raised his right arm, wielding the long sword and conjuring a gust of wind. The sword wind resembled sharp blades, fierce and swift.

The Daoist’s face changed instantly as he exclaimed, “Xiaoyao Sword Art?!”

——

Xie Shuci had a nightmare.

He dreamt of Xie An leading Ah Dong as they walked together onto the Naihe Bridge. [1]

He stood on the other side, shouting loudly for them to come back, but no one turned around. They just disappeared before Xie Shuci’s eyes.

In his restless sleep, Xie Shuci whimpered.

A hand gently brushed his forehead, stroking it twice.

“Xie An…” Xie Shuci murmured softly, suddenly opening his eyes.

He took a couple of deep breaths, his gaze gradually focusing, finally seeing the familiar canopy above him and the familiar scent of sleeves at his nose.

Xie Shuci suddenly grabbed the hand on his forehead with great force, like grasping onto a piece of driftwood while drowning.

Once he calmed down, he turned his head to look at Xie An, who was sitting by the bedside and saw that he was unharmed. Xie Shuci let out a sigh of relief.

Was it really just a dream?

He saw Xie An voluntarily approaching the demon, and he saw Ah Dong being killed. Thankfully, it was only a dream.

“Awake?” Xie An moved his lips.

Xie Shuci pressed his hand against his lips. “Yes, I’m awake. Where’s Ah Dong? I want to see him.”

Xie An lowered his gaze, pausing for a moment. “He’s seriously injured.”

Xie Shuci’s heart sank, and he quickly got up from the bed.

So it wasn’t a dream? Ah Dong was injured by the demon?

Xie Shuci’s mind was in disarray. He said to Xie An, “I’ll be back soon. Wait for me here.”

Xie An raised his head, acknowledging his words.

After speaking, Xie Shuci hastily put on his shoes, pushed open the door, and hurried to Ah Dong’s room. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, Li Song opened it.

When Li Song saw him, his gaze flickered with unease, but he soon stepped aside to let him through.

“How’s Ah Dong? I have plenty of pills, see if there’s anything that can save him!” Xie Shuci walked into the room, and the pale-faced innkeeper was sitting on the bed. Standing behind him was the Daoist in the green robe. Both of their expressions were grave.

Upon hearing his words, the Daoist in the green robe shook his head slightly. “His injuries are too severe. Pills can only temporarily prolong his life.”

Xie Shuci’s eyes welled up with tears. He looked at Ah Dong lying motionless on the bed, and his footsteps became somewhat unsteady.

Li Song stepped forward to support his arm and said, “Xie Shuci, I have something to tell you.”

The Daoist in the green robe glanced at him, indicating that he should not say too much. Recalling what happened yesterday, Li Song’s gaze became complex. He nodded to the Daoist in the green robe and led Xie Shuci outside the corridor.

Seeing Xie Shuci’s pale complexion and the loss of radiance in his eyes, Li Song couldn’t bear it and whispered, “There’s still hope for Ah Dong.”

“Really?” Xie Shuci looked up and asked.

“Yes.” Li Song nodded. “Don’t worry for now. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

As soon as Xie Shuci heard that Ah Dong still had a chance, he immediately became more spirited. He asked, “What is it?”

Li Song asked, “How did you meet the blind person beside you?”

Xie Shuci said, “He was injured, and I brought him back.”

Upon hearing this, Li Song furrowed his brows. “Do you know who he is? What’s his name?”

Xie Shuci honestly shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Li Song angrily said, “You don’t even know who he is, yet you dare to keep him by your side? Are you bewitched by his looks?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. I have no intentions toward him. I am only interested in women,” Xie Shuci replied.

Contemplating Li Song’s words. He then asked with suspicion, “What’s wrong with Little Blind?”

“He knows Xiaoyao Sword Technique…” Li Song began, but he bit his tongue, forcibly stopping himself from continuing.

Recalling his master uncle’s admonition, he didn’t dare to say more.

The Xiaoyao Sword Technique was an exclusive sword technique of the Xiaoyao Sect, and only inner disciples were qualified to learn it. The blind person beside Xie Shuci must have had an extraordinary identity, not something their small Li family could afford to offend.

Last night, the blind person forced the demon into a desperate retreat within ten moves. Although the demon was already injured by Li Song’s master uncle, accomplishing this feat was still no simple matter.

At present, it seemed that the blind person didn’t harbor any ill intentions towards Xie Shuci, but there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t do something detrimental to Xie Shuci in the future. In Li Song’s view, even if the blind person lacked cultivation, relying solely on his sword technique, a hundred Xie Shucis wouldn’t be his match.

“Anyway, the blind person by your side is not ordinary. It would be best if you don’t get involved with him. I’ll bring Baiyi back to the sect in half an hour. That demon has been seriously injured and shouldn’t appear again in the coming days. Come with me back to the sect,” Li Song said.

Xie Shuci pointed to himself in surprise. “Me, go back with you?”

Li Song’s expression became somewhat unnatural. “Yes. I don’t have any intention of forming a Dao partnership with you, but since you were expelled from the sect because of me, I will convince my father to let you become an inner disciple. The Li family will protect you.”

Xie Shuci looked at him strangely. “And what about Little Blind?”

“Him? Since you have no relationship with him, it’s better to leave him here. I’m bringing Baiyi back to the sect to prepare for reinforcements. At that time, my father will send people to help. He won’t be in any danger,” Li Song replied.

Not forming a Dao partnership with Li Song but still receiving the protection of the Li family, Xie Shuci was somewhat tempted. However, leaving Xie An behind…

Xie Shuci pondered for a moment and didn’t immediately give an answer. Instead, he asked, “You haven’t told me yet how we can save Ah Dong.”

Li Song said, “The demon’s inner core can repair his body.”

“Are you going to give Ah Dong the inner core of that demon?” Xie Shuci asked.

Li Song paused for a moment, looking at Xie Shuci’s hopeful eyes, feeling somewhat uncomfortable inside. He then turned his head and said, “This inner core is very important to the Li family.”

“What about Ah Dong then?” Xie Shuci furrowed his brow tightly.

Li Song remained silent for a moment before saying, “The lives of the people here are not the responsibility of the Li family. My master uncle has already sent someone to inform the Xie family, and they will find a way to save Ah Dong.”

Xie Shuci knew that Ah Dong’s injury couldn’t be delayed. He was also aware that it was extremely rare for a demon to cultivate an inner core, and even if the Xie family were lucky enough to find one, they might not have the ability to extract the inner core.

Xie Shuci didn’t blame Li Song, nor did he expect them to give the inner core to Ah Dong. However, he wouldn’t easily give up either.

He had to save Ah Dong.

Whether people called him ignorant or overestimating himself, he was determined to save Ah Dong.

“Wait for me, I’ll go pack my things,” Xie Shuci said.

Li Song’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected Xie Shuci to agree to go with him. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

However, neither of them noticed the fleeting white figure at the corner of the corridor.

[1] Naihe bridge is the bridge in Chinese mythology, Souls of the deceased must cross this bridge after death to enter the afterlife.