Chapter 173-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation

 "Demon dragon spine?"

Ye Zheng stared at the letter and let out a light snort of laughter. No one knew where the real Dragon Bone was better than she did.

After Lucy and Sierra took the dragon-bodied humans into the grassland to hide for a while, they found an abandoned factory in the West District to resettle. Sierra utilized her ability as a leader of heretics to transform that place into a new stronghold, and many believers migrated to the West District with her.

The West District was an excellent development area for this group of disciples. It was remote, vast, and sparsely populated, with the Upper District having weak control over it. Following the Zhou Yun incident, the disappointment of the West District's commoners toward the Royal Family and the Sei Curia had deepened, making it the perfect opportunity for Sierra and her disciples to infiltrate.

Aside from this, the main reason Sierra couldn't leave the West District was—the Dragon Bone. For such a massive demon dragon spine, she had to personally guard this secret in the West District for the time being.

Under Ye Zheng's arrangement, the former Dean Nun Annabelle helped Sierra look after the dragon-bodied humans. Annabelle quietly recovered the restraints from the Hope Base, soothing and caring for the dragon-bodied humans so they wouldn't cause trouble.

However, Ye Zheng received news from Lucy that the relationship between Sierra and Annabelle was not harmonious. Recently, the tension had become increasingly sword-rattling, with Lucy trying her best to mediate between the two sides.

Annabelle studied the Dragon Bone, wanting to find a way to restore the dragon-bodied humans to normal. Sierra also sent people to study the Dragon Bone, but in order to use it to become more powerful. She also wanted to mobilize the dragon-bodied humans to plunder resources and expand her power, which was stopped by Annabelle.

Sierra's ability was treacherous; she occupied the Dragon Bone and had a group of crazy believers behind her. Annabelle was wise and experienced; she looked after the violent dragon-bodied humans and had an exceptionally powerful girl by her side. The two sides were temporarily in a delicate state of checks and balances.

But Ye Zheng had a premonition that this balance might soon be broken by Sierra, because she was crazy enough.

And Sierra's madness was extremely infectious, a trait more terrifying than her ability.

This was the risk one had to bear when cooperating with Sierra.

So she had to master the authority of the Pope as soon as possible and deploy her own forces in the West District. She couldn't let Sierra continue her madness unchecked.

Ye Zheng sighed with a slight headache. Sierra was thorny, Wen Jian was lingering on his last breath, and the Emperor was laying out schemes. None of them were worry-free.

The letter stated that in three days, the Royal Academy in the Upper District would hold a commendation ceremony. The custody of the Dragon Bone would be personally awarded to the champion team, and the Empire would publicly display the true appearance of the Dragon Bone for the first time.

At that time, what they exhibited could only be a fake, but a fake was better than the real thing. The real Dragon Bone would only attract the descent of the Demonic Domain. She heard that Sierra had to take people to deal with Demonic Domains every other day, and her temper had become even more irritable.

Ye Zheng put the letter away properly. This commendation ceremony had little to do with her on the surface, but she had to go and see the situation.

The Emperor wanted to display a Dragon Bone that wasn't even in his hands; there must be a conspiracy involved.

Three days later.

Today was the commendation ceremony for the Ability Competition. According to custom, it was held at the Royal Academy, allowing all residents of the Upper District to watch and celebrate together. People from other districts could only enter by invitation.

On the spacious and tidy campus sidewalks, people in luxurious clothes came and went, talking and laughing with each other, looking strange compared to the fresh campus atmosphere.

This was Percy's second time coming to the Royal Academy.

The first time was during the preparation period for the third stage of the Ability Competition. The Crown Prince announced the new member of the Royal Team—Saintess Ye Zheng—at the Royal Academy banquet. That was the first time he saw Ye Zheng.

She stood beside Sykes in a white dress, almost fulfilling his most beautiful imagination of a Saintess. At that time, he could never have imagined that Ye Zheng would bring subversive changes to his world.

"Wow, are girls in the Upper District also cutting their hair short now?"

Caleb glanced around, exclaiming in surprise, "I remember the last time we came to the Royal Academy banquet, I don't think I saw any girls with short hair."

Percy looked and his expression became somewhat dazed. Ye Zheng had not only subverted him; she raised her arm in a call, and countless people were subverted because of her.

Ever since the Saintess completed that miraculous sermon in the Divine Plaza, overnight, Ye Zheng's image changed from a smiling long-haired Saintess leaning on a sword to a sharp figure who cut her hair to show her resolve and pointed her sword at the sky. A short hair craze actually started among the women of the Lower District. From old ladies to little girls, the Saintess's hairstyle became popular.

For a long time, long hair was seen as a symbol of female charm and virtue. In more conservative families, a woman cutting her hair short would be seen by her family as improper and rebellious behavior.

Now, women who wanted to cut their hair short only needed to retort, "But Saintess Ye Zheng has this hairstyle," which was enough to leave gossipers speechless.

Many women who had never thought of cutting their hair short also changed their hairstyles because of the Saintess. This had become a trend sweeping across the Empire.

Percy continued walking inside. In the center of the Royal Academy was a flower-filled plaza. Many Royal Academy students were already waiting for the ceremony to begin. The students in deep red uniforms didn't look too good. The award ceremony was always held at the Royal Academy because the Royal Academy usually won. But today, the students had to watch the Emperor give an award to guys from the Middle District on their own turf.

The female students' expressions were relatively normal; many focused their attention on expecting the arrival of their senior, Ye Zheng. The male students generally looked terrible; the Royal Team actually lost to a woman from the Middle District. What a humiliating thing.

As the focus of this commendation ceremony, Wu Shu stayed alone in a deserted corner, her attention taut like a wildcat.

She watched coldly as singing and dancing began on the high platform of the celebration. Attendants shuttled around the open-air dining tables with fine wine and food. Elegant nobles held wine glasses and conversed. One big shot after another took their seats accompanied by the sound of gun salutes, attracting cheers and attention from the whole venue.

Ye Zheng also arrived. Her upper body was clad in the Royal Academy's deep red uniform, and her lower body was in simple black trousers, instead of the female student's skirt. Wu Shu guessed that perhaps uniform modification would become popular among the Royal Academy girls.

The surrounding students surrounded the renowned Saintess a step ahead of the adults. They were a bit reserved at first, but after Ye Zheng smiled and said a few words, they obviously relaxed, laughing and talking like ordinary friends.

How nice, Wu Shu sat on the steps, looking up at the blue sky, lost in thought for a moment.

"Wu Shu, Miss Wu Shu!"

The flustered attendant finally found the protagonist of this celebration in the corner and pulled her up without regard for etiquette. The award ceremony had already begun, and His Majesty the Emperor was in place. How could the champion be absent?

"Don't be nervous, we'll make it."

Wu Shu smiled.

The Ability Competition was team-based, and her teammates were already in position waiting for her. their gazes were a bit dodgy; they were afraid of her, quietly distancing themselves from her.

After the competition results came out, her leading the team to victory shocked many people, especially her academy. But within a few days, the incident of Percy saving people fermented. Someone spread the story of the match that day, and quite a few people began to feel injustice for the Cloud-Soaring Squad, praising Percy even more for being unmoved by honor or disgrace and remaining true to his original aspiration.

Wu Shu looked at her three teammates, raising an eyebrow and smiling. The three young men dared not look at her even more.

She had no camaraderie with these three teammates. Call her cold-blooded, but in her eyes, they were just useless trash carefully selected by the academy. They wanted to stay away from her, whose reputation was quite controversial, while simultaneously trying to mooch off the honor and fruits she brought.

"The Ability Competition is the Empire's grandest and most valued event. The children we are proud of are the future of the Empire. In them, I see..."

The whole venue was extremely quiet, with only the Emperor's deep, heavy voice echoing. Almost everyone was looking up at the dignified man wearing a sash on the high platform.

"The champion this time is truly unexpected. This is the first time the Ability Competition has welcomed a champion from the Middle District. The children of the Middle District have shown us strong potential..."

The teammates behind her anxiously patted Wu Shu's shoulder, signaling her to quickly lead them onto the stage. Wu Shu shrugged and ascended the stairs leading to the high platform unhurriedly. Her three teammates wished they could push her up.

Wu Shu was never an arrogant or rude person. On the contrary, she knew very well how to navigate among various groups of people to seize benefits.

But today, she was indeed rude.

The Emperor was taller and more dignified than in static portraits. The golden eyes passed down through the Royal Family seemed to speak, looking at her sideways with kindness and tolerance, signaling her to hurry to his side and share the admiration of thousands and the overwhelming power and wealth.

As long as she accepted the custody of the Dragon Bone from the Emperor's hands, no matter what controversies existed about the competition process, she would be a hero carved into the history of the Middle District. She brought the protective Dragon Bone to her hometown!

Wu Shu looked away. She looked down at the stage. Those proud and noble faces were curious, disdainful, or appreciative, but at this moment, they could only look up at her. Undoubtedly, this was the peak moment of her life.

—But, where is the Dragon Bone? Why hasn't the Dragon Bone appeared yet?

"The Dragon Bone is the supreme treasure of the Empire. Its existence protects the Empire's future, and the young talents extend this future. The Royal Family presents this heavy gift to the competition champion, hoping..."

Wu Shu's pupils tightened, as if staring at the crowd, but also like staring at a future possibility flashing through the void.

"Wu Shu, you are the captain of this team. I now hand this key to you. From now on, your squad is responsible for guarding the Dragon Bone in the Middle District."

Something was wrong. She clearly saw Ye Zheng arrive just now, so why couldn't she see her shadow now? Wu Shu's pupils trembled slightly.

"Transporting the Dragon Bone is troublesome, and it is still on the way. Once the Dragon Bone arrives, I will ask you to open the cage for everyone and display the true face of the Dragon Bone."

The Emperor said with a smile. As soon as they heard "Dragon Bone," cheers erupted below the stage. Even among the old nobles of the Upper District, almost no one had seen the real Dragon Bone.

It wasn't until the Emperor handed the key, gleaming with cold silver light, to her eyes that Wu Shu came back to her senses.

Her gaze first fell on the key, then moved up all the way to the Emperor's face. There weren't many handsome middle-aged men like this, but compared to handsomeness, the dignified oppression made one's heart tremble more. The kindly golden eyes looked like they were smiling at first glance, but if one looked longer, one would discover they weren't a glowing sun at all, but an icy surface reflecting cold light.

—This reward isn't worth racking your brains for; it will even bring you trouble.

The words Ye Zheng warned her with during the match abruptly appeared in her mind.

Why would the Dragon Bone be trouble... unless it couldn't bring protection, and wasn't the real Dragon Bone either!

For such an important thing, the Royal Family couldn't possibly willingly hand it over to her, couldn't possibly hand it over to the Middle District!

From the beginning, the Dragon Bone was a gift internally designated for the Crown Prince. Perhaps when the Royal Family decided to use the Dragon Bone as the competition reward, they never considered any possibility other than the Crown Prince winning the championship.

But she, Wu Shu, had burst forth, making the ownership of the Dragon Bone awkward. Yet promised matters couldn't be changed, even if he was the Emperor.

Ye Zheng disappeared, which meant there might be other circumstances regarding this commendation ceremony and the Dragon Bone. But whatever the unforeseen event was, it couldn't be beneficial to her.

Whispering sounds arose below the stage. People looked at the stalemated scene on stage in surprise. A teammate anxiously tugged at Wu Shu's arm, about to reach past her to take the Emperor's key, when Wu Shu suddenly reached out and blocked him.

She suddenly took a step back and bowed to the Emperor. Upon rising, she resumed her usual bright and generous expression and said, "Apologies, Your Majesty. I have thought about it for a long time, and I feel we are still too young to bear such a heavy responsibility."

The three teammates turned pale with fright.

"Please take back the key. I am truly sorry to have wasted your kind intentions."

For a moment, the entire celebration fell silent, and then a noisy uproar broke out. The residents of the Upper District were extremely shocked. This girl from the Middle District refused not only honor; she selfishly refused a reward that could have brought protection to her hometown!

The Emperor's golden eyes narrowed. "Have you thought this through? There is no reward more precious than the Dragon Bone."

The three teammates hurriedly wanted to speak up, but the Emperor swept his gaze over them, and the three fell silent as if sensing something.

Wu Shu clenched her fists tightly, but a relaxed smile appeared on her face, even showing two rows of white teeth.

"The champion rewards for the previous session were treasures and precious utensils, as well as the position of Vice Captain of the Royal Knights' Guard."

"Then, I want the position of Vice Captain of an execution team in the Upper District's Magistrate's Bureau—that will be enough."

A girl from the Middle District who just came of age wanted to enter the Upper District's Magistrate's Bureau? This was a place where many minor nobles of the Upper District spent countless connections to stuff their sons into. Gasps immediately arose from below the stage.

The Emperor turned his head and swept his gaze across the audience below. The clamor immediately quieted down. After patrolling once, he looked at Wu Shu again.

"You are a smart and sensible child... Very well, I will give you this position, and I promise that after three years of service, you will be a Captain in the Magistrate's Bureau. I believe you have this ability."

Wu Shu stared closely at the Emperor's reaction, not missing the flash of ice in his expression.

The Emperor actually hoped she would accept the Dragon Bone? After realizing this, Wu Shu's teeth chattered faintly. This could only mean the hidden story behind the Dragon Bone was even deeper than she predicted.

"I am grateful to you, respected Your Majesty."

Wu Shu bowed deeply again. Her lowered expression was stiff and cold, but when she lifted her head, she resumed a grateful smile.

When she looked sideways toward the stage, her smile froze. Ye Zheng had appeared at some point.

Beside a dining table, Ye Zheng nodded quietly at Wu Shu on the stage, smiling as a signal.

Fortunately, Wu Shu was smart and publicly refused this grand gift of the Dragon Bone.

Just now, she received news that people were lying in ambush in the streets outside. Their target was very likely to snatch the Dragon Bone.

According to the promise, the Dragon Bone had to be given, but the Dragon Bone absolutely could not be given to anywhere outside the Upper District. As long as it was given to the Middle District and people realized the number of Demonic Domains didn't decrease, they would realize the problem with the Dragon Bone. The only way was to find a way to take it back before the Dragon Bone was exposed.

Whether it was staging it themselves or deliberately releasing news of the display to attract snatchers, anyway, the Emperor fulfilled his promise. As for the whereabouts of the Dragon Bone, the more confusing the better. Moreover, what the Emperor gave was definitely a fake, worthless to mention.

Thinking of this, Ye Zheng's expression suddenly stagnated. She suspected that the Emperor's deeper purpose was to use Wu Shu as a cover to give out the "Dragon Bone," and then create an incident to have the "Dragon Bone" stolen or snatched, so as to cover up the whereabouts of the real Dragon Bone.

In this way, it wouldn't be strange if the Dragon Bone, legendary for being stored in the Upper District, appeared in places like the Lower District. People wouldn't suspect that the Dragon Bone was in the Lower District to begin with!

Even if one day Sierra revealed the Dragon Bone in the West District, people would only think Sierra stole it...

Ye Zheng stared at Wu Shu, who continued to talk with the Emperor on stage, rejoicing in her heart that Wu Shu had broken this game.

She had already sent people to keep an eye on the group outside. After Wu Shu publicly refused the Dragon Bone, the Dragon Bone wouldn't have the chance to show its face and be snatched away either.

Ye Zheng looked again at the composed and dignified man on the stage. His golden eyes suddenly glanced over, looking carelessly in her direction.

Ye Zheng blinked her black eyes, picked up a wine glass filled with red wine from the dining table, eyes full of smiles, and raised a toast from afar—

What a coincidence, she won again.

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