The Abusive Novel System Pleads with Me to Resign

Shen Ying glanced at Ye Qingchen's unchanging white robes and thought to herself how the old fogies of the Xuanji Sect were wasting such a treasure.

Here was a peerlessly handsome man, yet no one had ever dared to try dressing him in red.

Her mind wandered, imagining Ye Qingchen in red gauze—no, red robes.

But Ye Qingchen seemed uninterested in continuing the topic and suddenly asked, "Did you come here from Ji Liantan's side?"

Shen Ying nodded. "Yes!"

Ye Qingchen's gaze lingered on her before he finally said, "No wonder you're reeking of an unpleasant odor."

Shen Ying, however, showed no embarrassment. Instead, she laughed. "Impossible. Usually, I'm the one marking others with my scent."

"Right now, Senior Brother must smell just as pleasant as I do."

Ye Qingchen was taken aback. The way Shen Ying spoke wasn't the empty bravado of someone feeling weak—she genuinely believed herself to be the one who marked others, even though Ji Liantan was her senior brother, the Young Master of the demonic path, far above her in both status and cultivation.

Yet there was something innate in her, something radiating from her very soul, that far outweighed any temporary disadvantage in status or power.

For the first time, Ye Qingchen felt a deep envy toward Shen Ying.

He lowered his eyes and murmured, "I used to think you reckless, but now I envy your confidence and unshakable conviction in the Great Dao."

This was something he could never achieve.

The more he thought about it, the more displeased he grew toward Ji Liantan.

He then asked, "What brings you here today?"

Shen Ying replied, "Oh, nothing major. I just wanted to borrow that drop of the Old Ancestor's true blood from you."

Ye Qingchen's lips twitched. No matter how prepared he thought he was, Shen Ying always managed to surprise him.

"Junior Sister, unless I'm mistaken, just yesterday Ji Liantan and I were at an impasse over this matter. Even my father's priceless treasures couldn't sway the outcome."

"It's not that I particularly value this, but Ji Liantan's insufferable arrogance—expecting everyone to yield to him—displeases me greatly. Surely you don't think I'd just hand it over to fulfill his wishes?"

Shen Ying said, "Senior Brother Ye, it's not like I won't return it."

"My senior brother is just being stubborn right now. Once he gets his hands on it, he'll probably forget about it in a couple of days."

"I'll return it to you within three days at most. How about that?"

Ye Qingchen let out a light laugh, tinged with bitterness. "You really do spoil him."

"But what if I refuse to indulge him, even as a deception?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "If Senior Brother Ye refuses, I naturally won't force the matter. There are other ways to resolve this, but I'd need your cooperation."

Ye Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "What other way?"

Shen Ying explained, "Senior Brother has never actually seen the Old Ancestor's true blood. While it's rare, it's not like the Demon Sovereign's treasury lacks similar treasures left behind by past generations."

"We could ask the Master to open the treasury and take out a drop to temporarily fool my senior brother and placate him."

"All you'd need to do is play along and not expose the truth."

Hearing this, Ye Qingchen felt both stifled and speechless.

He had never held the Old Ancestor's true blood in high regard—its only use was to spite Ji Liantan.

Now, if he agreed, he'd have to watch Ji Liantan gloat in triumph. If he refused, he'd come across as petty.

Either way, it all circled back to spoiling Ji Liantan. The more he thought about it, the harder it became to suppress his anger.

But unlike Ji Liantan, Ye Qingchen didn't express rage outwardly. His ability to mask his emotions was second nature.

Yet the things he repressed festered like poison in his heart.

Suddenly, Ye Qingchen smiled faintly. "Why go to such lengths? If Junior Sister and my father are willing to go this far, wouldn't I seem childish if I refused to relent?"

With ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‍that, he opened his palm, revealing a crimson crystal emitting the Old Ancestor's aura.

Since the Old Ancestor was in her possession, no one could confirm its authenticity better than Shen Ying.

She grinned. "As expected, Senior Brother Ye is magnanimous and wise, unlike my senior brother with his terrible temper."

Just as she reached for it, Ye Qingchen withdrew his hand slightly and looked at her. "But no matter how many flaws he has, he's still the one you favor in your heart."

Shen Ying knew the real negotiation was about to begin and met his gaze seriously.

Ye Qingchen stared at her face before suddenly leaning in and kissing her.

Though inexperienced, he displayed a fervor and initiative completely unlike his usual self.

It felt like an eternity before he finally pulled away.

Then, he placed the true blood in Shen Ying's hand. "Remember, I'm compromising only to spare you trouble. This has nothing to do with Ji Liantan."

When Shen Ying left Ye Qingchen's quarters, she touched her lips, sensing a faint ripple of blood essence energy. She couldn't help but smile.

These two brothers were so easy to read. Without her needing to do much, a few words were enough to steer them as she pleased.

Without delay, Shen Ying went straight to the Demon Sovereign and recounted the events with a favorable spin.

Naturally, the Demon Sovereign was overjoyed and praised her repeatedly.

As if just remembering, Shen Ying took out the jade pendant sealing the Old Ancestor from her storage pouch and handed it to him. "Master, I almost forgot—this contains the Old Ancestor's soul."

"If the Old Ancestor could escape the underworld and attempt a resurrection through possession, others might be capable of the same."

"Though most past Demon Sovereigns were proud individuals, it's best to be cautious. Master can search the Old Ancestor's soul for clues, but I still have use for him, so please return him to me afterward."

In the past, Shen Ying wouldn't have dared make such a bold request, but the Demon Sovereign was in high spirits and agreed readily.

He took the pendant, promising to preserve the Old Ancestor's soul as much as possible before returning it.

Shen Ying was satisfied. The Old Ancestor was her insurance for future plans—she couldn't afford to lose him.

Leaving the Demon Sovereign's palace, Shen Ying headed straight for Ji Liantan's quarters.

Ji Liantan was still reeling from how smoothly things had gone.

His thoughts were a tangled mess, the situation between him, his junior sister, and Ye Qingchen feeling like an unsolvable knot.

The moment he saw Shen Ying return, he blurted, "Good, you're back. I was just thinking—your decision might be—"

Before he could finish, his expression darkened. He yanked her closer, scrutinizing her closely.

Then, his fury erupted. "What's with the aura on you? Why do you reek of that bastard Ye Qingchen?"

Without missing a beat, Shen Ying replied, "You two really are brothers. Even your words are the same."

Ji Liantan should have been pleased. In the past, hearing Ye Qingchen say such things would have thrilled him, fueling his resentment and frustration.

But now, he felt his rationality crumbling.

Shen Ying then opened her palm, revealing the crimson crystal.

"Here, Senior Brother. Mission accomplished."

Ji Liantan stared at the drop of true blood as if he could burn a hole through it with his gaze.

Just like that? Over some worthless piece of junk, it ended so quickly?

Ji Liantan clung to a last sliver of hope: "H-how did you make him hand it over?"

Shen Ying replied, "Senior Brother, don't ask. What's the point in dragging this out?"

Boom—

Suddenly, the entire Hehuan Sect trembled violently.