Chapter 31-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation
Chapter 31
Ye Zheng continued to read.
[#2: Just because the ensemble is well-developed doesn't mean this is an ensemble manga. Percy is the absolute protagonist of this manga!]
[#3: Ye Zheng wasn't explicitly stated to be the female lead, and it's normal for a new character like Zhao Mei to have more buildup in a few chapters, right? I don't get why you're so sensitive.]
[#4: The ID above is called 'The Great Sale of ZhaoLu,' and you're still pretending to be objective? Go simp for your BG couple; our male lead stands alone in his beauty.]
[#5: I thought the new chapter would show Percy using his second ability to go all out, but after a flood, the Demonic Domain was gone. Zhao Mei appeared while everyone was shocked. Even Percy became a foil for Zhao Mei's mysterious strength. Does that make sense?]
[#6: Protagonist fans are hilarious. This manga was promoted as a shonen ensemble. Is a side character not allowed to have a few more scenes?]
[#7: No fighting, please! Everyone is a teammate helping each other. Don't bring fan-culture drama into the world of manga...]
[#8: What the person above said is right, but Percy is the undisputed all-around ACE, the top in popularity, with milky skin, and the main visual...]
[#9: I'm so done. This sissy character has so much screen time. I'm sick of it. The creator has no bottom line, fujoshi baiting to please female readers. This manga is going to be ruined.]
[#10: Ah, not all female readers like that. I also prefer more masculine characters.]
[#11: Ah, 9L sounds like a macho little man; don't go on the internet. This is the Internet!](The pun plays on "Internet" sounding like "阴特奈" (yīn tè nài) in Chinese, where "阴" (yīn) contrasts with "阳" (yáng), implying a feminine space versus masculine energy.)
...
"Hahaha... I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't be laughing."
Ye Zheng couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She found it amusing that everyone was arguing so intensely over this.
She thought her presence was already minimal. The fighting scenes centered around Percy, and the secret of the black shadows was revealed by him. As Zhao Mei, she didn't have many on-screen moments, and at the end, she simply reunited with the protagonist team.
Ye Zheng cleared her throat and clicked on another hot post.
[#1: We Zhao Mei fans aren't looking for trouble, but we're not afraid of it either. Don't act like we're dead...]
[#2: Is publicly dissing another character allowed on the forum? @Admin]
[#3: How did we Zhao Mei fans become subhuman? Zhao Mei didn't even have much screen time in the new chapter, did he? The flood and the Demonic Domain's solution are just everyone's guesses about what he might have done.]
[#4: Zhao Mei's full-face shot was only at the end. How is that stealing the show? I even thought the screen time was too short.]
[#5: Sorry, my Babe-Mei is just so dazzling. One panel is all it takes to effortlessly defeat the others!]
[#6: Ugh, it's so hard for us PerMei couple fans. It's like having to choose between the front and back of your hand.]
[#7: Biased shippers, please get out.]
[#8: I used to ship PerMei, but the bullying from the PerSy and Percy mom fans is unbearable. Zhao Mei and Lucy are much more real than PerMei...]
[#9: You have good taste. Zhao Mei and Lucy are both great kids, and I always feel like in the manga, Zhao Mei doesn't like being too close to Percy; he's clearly more affectionate with Lucy.]
[#10: I have no issues with Percy, but Percy's fans are really too much. I was just neutral about Zhao Mei, but now I've grown to pity him.]
[#11: The Ye Zheng fans on the other side also empathize. We little girls did nothing wrong and are being chased and attacked.]
[#12: Ye Zheng fans, what a rare species... If the guess that Zhao Mei is a Ye family member is true, we're in the same boat.]
[#13: I quickly sketched a picture of Babe-Mei. Everyone, don't be sad. Come get some fan art! (Image attached)]
...
Ye Zheng looked at the drawing by a Zhao Mei fan. Although the drawing skills were not as good as the manga creator's, the expression was captured very well. She didn't feel much identification with her fake identity as Zhao Mei, but this drawing still made her feel a hint of warmth in her heart.
It was a strange feeling. Even if this love was built on a lie that crossed dimensions, Ye Zheng felt the real weight of this affection.
She scrolled down the hot post, reaching the last floor. Soon, a new reply appeared.
[#568: It's so hard being a fan of two people. I can't even do my homework. After thinking all night, I've become a staunch solo fan of Zhao Mei. Don't you dare bully Zhao Mei!]
The finger that was scrolling paused on the screen. Ye Zheng replied to the child with the ID "Reborn in Senior Year, I'm Becoming a Great Xenomorph."
[#569: Get some rest. Don't be sad over meaningless arguments, and remember to finish your homework early.]
Not long after Ye Zheng sent the message, the other person quickly replied to her.
[#570: You're such a gentle fellow fan, sis www. I'll do my best!]
Outside the manga, Li Yixin was scrolling through the forum, anxious and unable to stop, until she received this message of comfort. Her heart softened, and she thought that Zhao Mei's fans were as gentle as Zhao Mei himself.
Alas, this is what the holidays are like. A small matter can stir up a huge storm. Once school starts and the elementary school kids go back, it will all calm down, Li Yixin comforted herself. She just had to get through this storm.
Ye Zheng sent a message to Percy to take a few days off. He quickly replied and told her to get some rest.
She checked the original manga plot. Her role would still be on the sidelines, so it would be better to use her action points to give Zhao Mei a vacation. She, as Ye Zheng, still had to check in with Sykes.
The Pope had told her to assist Sykes in winning the competition, but he hadn't given any specific instructions. Plus, with the matter of the dragon bone, the mysteries surrounding Sykes were no less than those of the protagonist.
[You offended Sykes so badly last time. Will he still let you join his team, considering his personality?] The System asked doubtfully.
"Don't worry. Whether I can join the team isn't up to him alone." Ye Zheng looked completely calm, without a hint of worry.
The System, however, was not optimistic at all. Sykes wasn't easy to fool. If he was in a bad mood, he would just use his [Destruction] on people. The System had seen Ye Zheng's strength and had to admit she was quite strong, but she was still no match for Sykes. After all, Sykes was the high-status villain that the creator had put a lot of effort into.
He not only had great strength but also a complete personal story arc that was closely related to the main plot. After his seemingly glorious but tragic past was revealed later, his popularity surpassed Percy's, and he took the number one spot on the entire manga platform.
The manga creator was willing to kill off the female lead Ye Zheng but didn't dare to let Sykes, the super-popular villain, die. This showed how well-liked he was by the readers.
Hearing the System's description of Sykes, Ye Zheng frowned slightly. Sykes had a tragic past? As far as she knew, the people he casually disposed of were all quite tragic, and most people wouldn't harm others because of their own tragedy.
Ye Zheng wasn't moved at all by Sykes's so-called hidden tragic past. She was just curious if this past was hiding a royal secret.
The girl had removed her disguise. Her soft black hair was loose, and she smiled sweetly, her black eyes curved. "So Sykes has a pitiful hidden story. It seems the Curia sent me to assist him, perhaps hoping I can guide and redeem him."
"As the Saintess, I have to do my best."
The System watched Ye Zheng utter the somewhat clichéd word "redeem" in a gentle and unhurried tone. It felt a little cold, like watching a white snake slowly flick its tongue.
[Sykes is basically the second male lead of this manga. If you want to steal his spotlight, you'll have to use a lot of action points, but don't have any other more dangerous thoughts. That's not just a matter of action points anymore...]
It wasn't a big deal for a few minor plot points of a supporting character to be lost, but if their trajectories changed significantly or they were erased, it would be a huge problem!
The System wasn't worried about this. The manga rules would step in to maintain the plot. Even if Ye Zheng were to try to kill him, the rules would stop her.
Its only concern was Ye Zheng's stubbornness. Compared to the super-popular villain Sykes, she was just an optional female lead. If their existences clashed, the manga rules would prioritize erasing her.
[So, please take it easy.] The System advised, still worried.
Ye Zheng let out a laugh. "I'm always very careful with my actions."
She changed into her Saintess's long white dress and tidied up her clothes in front of the mirror. Her ankle-length hair was braided and hung behind her. She looked flawless and ethereal. No one would be able to find a single flaw in the Saintess.
Ye Zheng opened the door. A tall knight was already waiting outside. She gave a smile to Wen De, who bowed in return.
"Let's go to where Sykes's team is stationed. It's time to fulfill my duty as the Saintess."
When Ye Zheng arrived at the Royal Academy team's base, she realized that there was such a magnificent residence in the lower district. The sprawling private buildings dominated the prime real estate of the East District, and the luxurious decorations made it look like a palace.
Wen De lowered his head and softly explained to the Saintess, "This was the former lord's residence. He bankrupted the nearby business district to build this estate."
"The current lord gave this place to the Crown Prince to show his hospitality. The Prime Minister's son, who is with the Crown Prince, heard what happened here and compensated the victims of that time in the Crown Prince's name. Now the lower district praises the Crown Prince."
Ye Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly. The Crown Prince's team was on a completely different level from the Cloud-Soaring Squad.
Just the Prime Minister's son, Yu Tianming, had more tricks up his sleeve than the entire Cloud-Soaring Squad combined.
Seeing that Ye Zheng was about to enter the villa, Wen De showed a hint of worry. "Forgive me for being presumptuous, but please allow me to greet the Crown Prince first on your behalf."
"Don't worry, Wen De. He won't truly harm me for now. Besides, Teacher Qin Lu is here this time."
When Wen De heard the name Qin Lu, he immediately felt relieved and pushed the door open for Ye Zheng.
If there was anyone in the Holy Sei Empire who wasn't afraid of the Crown Prince's authority, besides the Emperor and the Pope, it was Duke Qin Lu, the younger sister of the former Empress.
The relationship between Duke Qin Lu and the Crown Prince was very subtle. The former Empress's parents had died early, so Qin Lu should have been the Crown Prince's closest maternal relative. However, the Empress's death stood between them, making their familial relationship very awkward.
The former Empress was much older than Duke Qin Lu, and it was said they had a very deep sisterly bond.
"Little Ye Zheng! You finally decided to come over. It's so annoying to be with these smelly little boys all day." A casually dressed young woman hugged the girl and fiercely ruffled her hair.
"My neatly styled hair is definitely ruined," Ye Zheng thought helplessly. "It's going to take a long time to fix it later, but for Qin Lu to help her join the team smoothly, she could only let her do as she pleased."
The boy with glasses behind Qin Lu showed an awkward expression when he heard the description "smelly." When his eyes met Ye Zheng's, he gave a friendly nod.
"I wanted you to come, but I was also afraid they would bully you. Oh, my poor little Ye Zheng, why were you assigned to a team like this?"
Ye Zheng's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. When they met at the library last time, Teacher Qin didn't seem to cherish her that much and immediately gave her a beating.
With others present, Ye Zheng lowered her gaze, her eyelashes fluttering, looking like a pitiful little thing forced to come by the Sei Curia and the Royal Family.
"Teacher, there's no need to worry. I'll do my best." Ye Zheng patted Qin Lu's shoulder, signaling that was enough.
She looked up, her gaze falling on Yu Tianming not far away. The boy with glasses understood her signal and chimed in, "Don't worry, Teacher Qin. We all admire Saintess. Her addition makes the Royal team complete."
"Alright then. You all better protect little Ye Zheng."
"Take her to see your teammates. I'm not going to see that annoying guy." Qin Lu's tone was casual. She was probably the only person in the entire empire who dared to openly and indirectly insult the Crown Prince as an "annoying guy."
Yu Tianming listened and gave a wry smile. He turned to invite Ye Zheng to follow him to meet the Crown Prince.
Ye Zheng gracefully followed behind him. As they walked down the quiet corridor, Yu Tianming meticulously introduced her to the Royal team's situation, gesturing with his hands as he spoke, looking very warm and friendly.
Ye Zheng's eyes caught sight of the missing thumb on his hand as he gestured. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Was that injury caused by His Royal Highness? Perhaps I can heal it."
Yu Tianming's speaking stopped at the girl's gentle and caring words.
Yu Tianming slowly turned around. The bright sunlight from the stained glass window shone on him, casting a warm glow on his handsome features.
He looked at Ye Zheng, who was standing in the shadows. The soft shadows made the pure white girl look even more fragile and innocent. A pair of pure black eyes watched him with curiosity and concern.
"Thank you for your kindness, Saintess. My father looked for many healing ability users to heal this wound... but as you know, the damage caused by the Crown Prince's [Destruction] is extremely difficult to heal." Yu Tianming lowered his head, his gaze caressing his incomplete hand.
"Later, my father found an S-rank ability user who might have been able to heal it, but I refused the treatment."
"This is a lesson the Crown Prince taught me. I should remember it so that I can better assist the monarch as the Empire's Prime Minister in the future." Yu Tianming looked up, giving Ye Zheng a relieved smile.
"What a touching display of loyalty between monarch and subject. It seems I was being presumptuous."
"No, no. Our Royal team will need the Saintess's healing in the future."
A relaxed atmosphere flowed between the two again. Yu Tianming turned and continued to lead Ye Zheng forward, but the smile had vanished from his face.
He disliked anyone mentioning his disability. Smart people always avoided this topic.
But it was better for Ye Zheng to be stupid. There was enough intelligence with him on the team. That way, the situation would always be under control.
And Ye Zheng's identity was special. Perhaps he could even use her to secure a relationship with the Curia for the Yu family...
Ye Zheng quietly followed behind the handsome young man, watching his silent back with great interest.
He wasn't pretending well enough. If he truly didn't care, why would he suddenly become so quiet?
When he lost his thumb, Yu Tianming was only about 13 or 14 years old. To be able to endure to such an extent for the sake of profit at that age was, in a way, more dangerous than Sykes.
However, a person who was so accustomed to being guided by profit was often the easiest to manipulate.
Perhaps he would be a useful pawn.
"We're here, Miss Ye. Please come in."
Yu Tianming stopped at the door and opened it for Ye Zheng. The two looked at each other and both showed a satisfied smile.
Author's note:
The true Ye Zheng and the scheming villain team make their grand appearance!
But don't worry, our Ye Zheng will be the villain among villains!
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