Chapter 143: Emperor Jiuyin

When Jiang Niannian woke up, she was sitting dazedly on a pearwood chair, glancing around in confusion.

The faint fragrance of pearwood filled the air, and fragmented sunlight filtered through the intricately carved windows.

Wisps of white smoke curled up from an incense burner, creating an antique and ethereal atmosphere.

She felt a strange weight pressing on her head, making her neck ache slightly.

Reaching up, she touched an exquisitely crafted jade phoenix-and-dragon coronet.

Opposite her sat a middle-aged man with long black hair reaching his waist.

He held a horsetail whisk and wore a flowing white robe that shimmered with light.

His expression was solemn as he stared at her, seemingly waiting for her response.

She remembered that last night she had been reading an outrageously melodramatic novel and got so angry that she cried.

Then, unable to catch her breath, she fainted.

But now, something felt… off.

Could it be that she had transmigrated?

The man across from her frowned slightly when she remained silent for a long time, his tone carrying a hint of severity.

“Niannian, are you unwilling?”

Jiang Niannian was stunned.

Unwilling about what?

She lowered her head and caught sight of the red wedding dress she was wearing…

Based on her decade-long experience as a seasoned bookworm… Could it be that she had transmigrated into the tragic yet beautiful elder sister of a white lotus villainess, destined to marry in her place?

Then, with the aid of a system and golden fingers, she would exact revenge, slap scums in the face, win over a handsome man, and ascend to the peak of life!

This script—I know it well!

With that thought, Jiang Niannian steadied herself, exhaled calmly, and curled her lips into a devilish smile, silently calling out in her mind: System, come out!

No response.

Jiang Niannian, unwilling to give up, shouted frantically: Don’t hide! I know you’re there! Get out here!

Still no response.

The smile on her face stiffened.

Why isn’t this going as I expected?

Where’s my system?!

Without a beginner’s guide, how was she supposed to play this game?

She trusted it so much, yet it left her to lose this badly—damn it!

The man stood up and said, “Disciple, in the blink of an eye, you have been in Shuiyuntian for ten years. I have always known you to be an obedient and well-behaved child.”

Wow, starting with the emotional card right off the bat.

“Oh, you flatter me,” Jiang Niannian waved her hand dismissively.

The man studied her for a moment before sighing.

“You are the weakest in Shuiyuntian. Your spiritual roots are ordinary, your cultivation is mediocre, your intelligence is lacking, and you were born with bad luck. I don’t know what great karma you accumulated in your past life, but that demon has taken a fancy to you and wants to marry you as his bride!”

So this was a cultivation novel? Jiang Niannian ignored the insults embedded in his words, listening intently to gather more information.

However, the man’s previously gentle tone suddenly turned sharp, his eyes flashing with cold intent.

“This is the perfect chance to assassinate him! Emperor Jiuyin is ruthless and lawless. He controls life and death in the mortal realm, existing outside the Six Realms and beyond their jurisdiction. He has wreaked havoc for too long—it’s time to eliminate him for the sake of the people.”

Emperor Jiuyin?

That title sounded badass.

Wait a minute…Emperor Jiuyin…

A shock ran through Jiang Niannian’s heart—why did that name sound so familiar?

But something about this situation didn’t sit right with her.

How did Emperor Jiuyin picked out a small shrimp like her from a crowd of people? Why was he specifically naming her as his bride?!

Jiang Niannian’s heart turned cold.

She glanced at the elegant man before her—he must be Liu Xunfeng, the Sect Master of Shuiyuntian.

Clearing her throat, she tried one last struggle.

“Master, after reflecting deeply last night, I realize that I have never done anything to betray our sect. How could you bear to send your disciple alone into the underworld to die?”

Liu Xunfeng flicked his sleeve and scolded, “How can you be so cowardly? Do you know how many people would kill for the honor of this mission? Now, I am entrusting you with the responsibility of saving the world—success or failure hinges on this moment! You should feel honored! I, Liu Xunfeng, will not tolerate a selfish disciple like you!”

“But—”

“Enough!”

Liu Xunfeng sat down, pressing his fingers to his forehead as he spoke coldly, “I’ve already added Bone-Corrosing Heart-Piercing Powder to the water you just drank. First, that demon is adept at manipulating minds—I fear he might use you against us and leak Shuiyuntian’s secrets. This poison will take your life instantly if needed, ensuring we can cut our losses. Second, I anticipated your cowardice and reluctance to sacrifice yourself… Don’t blame me for being ruthless—this is all for the greater good, for the people…”

Jiang Niannian scoffed inwardly.

This man kept preaching about “righteous duty,” yet he embodied hypocrisy to the fullest.

“This mission is incredibly dangerous, but for the sake of Shuiyuntian and the mortal world, you must find a way to kill that demon. Here is a storage pouch containing top-grade pills—take them, just in case.”

Jiang Niannian knew there was no point in arguing further.

She couldn’t escape anyway.

Since it was free loot, she might as well take it.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the storage pouch, peeked inside, and then tucked it into her robes with satisfaction.

“Ah, I feel bad taking this…”

She clearly saw Liu Xunfeng’s lips twitch.

For the next hour, Liu Xunfeng painstakingly lectured her on ‘A Thousand Ways to Kill a Demon’.

Jiang Niannian’s takeaway: listening to him talk was as useful as listening to nothing.

If those methods actually worked, they wouldn’t need me to be the sacrificial lamb.

“You don’t need to worry too much. Aside from us at Shuiyuntian, the sect leaders of the other eight sects have also sent their best disciples to assist you.”

After saying that, Liu Xunfeng activated a ‘Thousand-Mile Stride’ formation, teleporting Jiang Niannian to the boundary between the mortal realm and the underworld—Nether Abyss.

There, dozens of people were already waiting for her.

The terrain was eerie, filled with dense forests and perpetual twilight.

Thick miasma choked the air.

The so-called “attendants” and “sedan bearers” were all Nascent Soul cultivators in disguise.

Given how much manpower was mobilized, this Emperor Jiuyin must be extremely difficult to kill.