It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists
Chapter 515: Can You Do That Thing Again? You Know, That Thing.

That Thing.

Night in the Forbidden Zone was always like this: seemingly calm and still on the surface, but powerful demonic creatures roamed beneath the dark.

Near the bonfire, the ten-member team discreetly observed the young man from the corner of their eyes.

He seemed to have come to the Forbidden Zone unprepared, simply taking out a golden talisman from his storage ring and placing it beside him, then closing his eyes to meditate and cultivate.

For some reason, Princess Yongning felt this young man was familiar. Although she couldn’t see his face clearly, she had an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

Zhu Cheng, the protector, glanced at the young man by the bonfire and said, “He should be a disciple sent by some Ancient Family for training. Judging from his generous gift earlier, he must have some status within his clan.”

A young man named Ding Hou beside him asked softly, “Should we keep an eye on him?”

He noticed that this young man was extremely focused during his meditation. Normally, this would be a good thing, but in a place like the Forbidden Zone, being so focused on meditation and cultivation might not be wise… After all, without paying attention to the surroundings, one wouldn’t even know when they were ambushed by demonic creatures.

This was enough to prove that this young man was probably some rich kid who had never experienced any hardship.

Zhu Cheng shook his head, “Just keep a casual watch. I don’t think anything will happen tonight.”

Ding Hou still couldn’t help but look over a few more times, “His skin is even fairer than ours, he probably rarely leaves his family. Yet he came to such a dangerous place as the Forbidden Zone right after leaving his family. It feels a bit suspicious.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the others around the bonfire also couldn’t help but look at the young man in the distance a few more times.

As Ding Hou said, such a fair and delicate young man was rare, practically unseen even in the imperial palace.

Compared to this elegant young master, even they, the children of nobles in the imperial palace, seemed to pale in comparison.

Lin Keyu sat by the bonfire, hugging her knees, staring at him silently, as if her gaze was involuntarily drawn, unwilling to look away.

However, a hazy black mist always shrouded his figure, making it impossible to see his true appearance. Under the flickering light of the bonfire in the night, he seemed even more mysterious.

“Brother, what do you think he looks like?” a young girl in the team tugged gently at a man’s sleeve and whispered.

“Why do you care so much? Could he be more handsome than the son of Duke Qing, whom Father arranged for you before? You didn’t even like him, so forget about this one,” the young man said earnestly. “Besides, even if he’s a descendant of an Ancient Family, being sent to a place like the Forbidden Zone, his status within the clan can’t be that high.”

“I was just curious, I’m not really interested in him,” the young girl pouted disdainfully.

But her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the young man.

At the same time, a female cultivator, a guest elder of the Great Qian Dynasty, also looked over silently. She had always thought that men were all the same, no matter how handsome, but she couldn’t take her eyes off this young man.

The male cultivators present felt something was off. A young man who just arrived had somehow attracted the attention of several women?

“The black mist around him should be some rare secret technique. And it seems he doesn’t travel much, he seems to be carrying quite a few treasures…” Ding Hou suddenly whispered.

As the cold night wind blew, making the bonfire flicker, Zhu Cheng suddenly warned in a low voice, “No matter whether he’s from an Ancient Family or not, don’t target him, and don’t be greedy. In a place like the Forbidden Zone, remember there’s always someone stronger out there.”

There was one more thing Zhu Cheng didn’t say.

He couldn’t quite tell this young man’s realm.

At first, seeing how young he was, he thought the other party was simply concealing his realm with a secret technique.

But now, seeing him focus so quickly on meditation and cultivation, he suddenly couldn’t see through him.

After all, in such a dangerous place as the Forbidden Zone, being completely focused on meditation and cultivation meant one was either a fool or incredibly confident in their own strength.

Perhaps it wasn’t because of a secret technique, but because this young man’s realm was higher than his, making him unable to discern it.

Although this possibility was low, their mission this time was crucial, and they couldn’t take any risks.

Ding Hou nodded slightly, “Don’t worry, I know. Our mission this time is to find the elixir of immortality and safely escort Princess Yongning back to the imperial palace.”

As he spoke, he walked to the elegant eldest princess and said respectfully, “Your Highness, could I examine the Aurora Crystal that young man just gave you?”

Seemingly worried that Princess Yongning would misunderstand, he added, “Just to ensure Your Highness’s safety.”

Yongning smiled and nodded, her voice pleasant, “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

Ding Hou took the jade box and turned the Aurora Crystal within over in his hands.

The Aurora Crystal was a translucent prism, with countless golden threads seemingly intertwined within, sparkling brightly in the night.

After examining it for a long time, Ding Hou placed the Aurora Crystal back in the jade box and said, “No problem, this is indeed an Aurora Crystal, and there are no tricks or traps.”

“Giving away such a rare treasure upon first meeting, this young man is truly generous,” he couldn’t help but sigh again.

“Eh? Miss Lin, do you know him? Why did you take the initiative to talk to him?”

Just then, someone hesitated and couldn’t help but ask.

After all, this Holy Maiden from Xuanyin Temple rarely interacted with others along the way. In everyone’s impression, she was quite a shy and proud girl, but they didn’t expect her to take the initiative to talk to a young man venturing alone in the Forbidden Zone.

Princess Yongning looked at this scene and said calmly, “Don’t discuss things you shouldn’t.”

Lin Keyu walked slowly towards Mu Zhian, took out a jade bottle from her storage ring, and handed it to him, “Even if you follow the rules in the Forbidden Zone, you’ll still be slightly affected by the curses. Take this pill when you’re feeling unwell, it will purify the curses on your body.”

Mu Zhian slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the young girl, and said with a smile, “I won’t be staying in the Forbidden Zone for long, you should keep this pill, Miss.”

Lin Keyu looked at the young man from up close. Although he deliberately lowered his voice, she immediately recognized him and said, “Then forget it if you don’t need it. May I know how to address you, Young Master?”

Mu Zhian said, “Niu Shi (牛矢 – literally ‘cow dung’).”

Lin Keyu couldn’t help but giggle, glancing at the young man, and transmitted her voice with a chuckle, “Young Master Mu, how long are you going to keep up this act?”

Niu Shi… Did he just take apart his name (Mu Zhian – 牧知安) and use it as an alias?

---

Mu Zhian (牧知安) → Niu Shi (牛矢)

• 牧 (Mù) means “to herd” or “shepherd,” but the character contains 牛 (niú – cow) as its radical (component).

• 知安 (Zhī-ān) is split phonetically/playfully:

  • 矢 (shǐ) means “arrow,” but it’s homophonous with 屎 (shǐ – feces/dung) in colloquial contexts.

  • Thus, Niu Shi (牛矢) literally reads as “cow arrow,” but implies “cow dung” (牛屎) due to the sound association.

The young girl stared at him intently from beginning to end, her already frail appearance, paired with her gentle eyes, making one’s heart ache with pity.

“Why are you in the Forbidden Zone?” Mu Zhian transmitted his voice, asking helplessly.

He had clearly concealed his aura and even his face with Southern Wilderness secret techniques, yet Lin Keyu still recognized him immediately.

His acting skills should be at the level of a Best Actor, how could this girl be so perceptive…? Mu Zhian thought to himself.

“When the Holy Maiden of Xuanyin Temple comes of age, she receives a mission. Only after completing the mission can she officially inherit the position of Holy Maiden,” Lin Keyu transmitted her voice.

“And my mission this time is in the Forbidden Zone.”

A look of realization appeared on Mu Zhian’s face, and he asked via voice transmission, “Then have you completed your mission?”

Lin Keyu nodded with a smile: “Yes, I originally wanted to leave, but I ran into the Great Qian Dynasty’s team on the way. I met Princess Yongning a few times during the Ascension Tournament, so I’m traveling with them.”

“I see…” Mu Zhian looked thoughtful.

“Why is Young Master Mu deliberately concealing your identity? Are you hiding from me?” A hint of unease appeared in Lin Keyu’s soft voice as she peered at Mu Zhian’s expression.

But because of the black mist, she couldn’t see his face clearly.

“My concealing my identity has nothing to do with you, Miss Lin,” Mu Zhian shook his head and transmitted his voice, “I just want to see what the Great Qian Dynasty is up to.”

“By the way, Miss Lin, do you know why Princess Yongning is here?”

Lin Keyu thought for a moment and replied, “According to them, the Crown Prince framed other factions, wanting to eliminate any future threats and smoothly ascend the throne after the Great Qian Emperor’s death.”

“As for Princess Yongning… she couldn’t bear to see these court officials die, so she came with them. I tested her yesterday. Princess Yongning seems like an ordinary person to outsiders, but Spiritual Energy flows within her body. She’s at least at Core Formation Realm.”

Mu Zhian pondered for a while, then suddenly chuckled softly.

Thanks to Lin Keyu, some of the questions that had been bothering him became clearer.

“Young Master Mu, what are you laughing about?” Lin Keyu asked.

Mu Zhian shook his head, took out a Nourishing Spirit Pill from his storage ring and swallowed it, sat down beside a large rock, and said softly, “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Lin Keyu looked at Mu Zhian, somewhat puzzled.

She was about to speak when a whooshing sound suddenly came from the distance, accompanied by a surge of immense Spiritual Energy.

The Spiritual Energy was incredibly astonishing, making their hearts palpitate even from such a distance.

“There are cultivators coming this way, everyone be careful!” Zhu Cheng reacted and shouted loudly.

As soon as his voice fell, several black-robed cultivators in the distance transformed into streaks of light, surrounding the group by the bonfire.

Zhu Cheng’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately warned everyone, “They’re from the Forbidden Zone, don’t provoke them, let’s see what they’re planning.”

Hearing this, everyone suppressed their urge to flee.

Lin Keyu said in a low voice, “Stay close to me, Young Master Mu, they won’t harm you.”

Mu Zhian subconsciously glanced at Lin Keyu and hummed softly in agreement.

There were nearly thirty Forbidden Zone guards who appeared before them. Among them, Mu Zhian sensed more than six at Nascent Soul Realm, while the other cultivators held pitch-black chains, emitting a bone-chilling coldness.

Mu Zhian could sense that the chains seemed to have the effect of sealing Spiritual Energy.

This should be the ‘Forbidden Army’ Lingxuan mentioned before… Mu Zhian recalled what Ye Lingxuan had told him about the Forbidden Zone.

‘Forbidden Army’, this name was also quite famous among outside cultivators, as this army had killed countless and was one of the Forbidden Zone’s most powerful forces.

From the past until now, many cultivators had ventured into the Forbidden Zone to ‘strike gold’, and the Forbidden Zone usually ignored most of them.

But those who violated the Forbidden Zone’s rules… might be hunted down by the ‘Forbidden Army’.

The Forbidden Army’s visit late at night this time was probably not a good sign.

Zhu Cheng looked at the Vice-Commander of the Forbidden Army, cupped his hands, and said calmly, “May I know the reason for your visit tonight, Commander?”

The Vice-Commander said coldly, “We received news not long ago that someone violated the ‘rules’ in the southern part of the Forbidden Zone, so we were ordered to investigate.”

Zhu Cheng was stunned, “Is there some misunderstanding? We’ve been following the Forbidden Zone’s rules along the way with Her Highness, we haven’t violated any… Besides, if we really violated the rules, we would have been killed by the Forbidden Zone long ago, and you wouldn’t be here, right?”

The Vice-Commander didn’t look at Zhu Cheng again, but walked directly to Princess Yongning, raised his hand and made a grabbing motion. The jade box was instantly sucked into his hand.

After glancing at the item inside, the Vice-Commander sneered, “These people are all suspicious, take them away!”

“We’re from the Great Qian Dynasty! You have to tell us what crime we committed!” Ding Hou, held by two cultivators, looked up and glared at the Vice-Commander, his eyes filled with anger.

The Vice-Commander raised the Aurora Crystal in his hand and snorted coldly, “These Aurora Crystals are naturally formed, and they are divided into two types. One is untainted by curses, and the other, although appearing like an Aurora Crystal on the surface, is actually a Curse Stone.”

“Taking this Curse Stone out of the Forbidden Zone might endanger the lives of tens of thousands of beings in the Eastern Continent. I suspect you’re spies sent by the Demon Realm to cause chaos in the Eastern Continent. We’re taking you back for interrogation, understand?”

Aurora Crystal… ?

Ding Hou subconsciously looked at Mu Zhian, “You were the one who gave this Aurora Crystal to Her Highness! You… you framed us?!”

Instantly, everyone’s gaze fell on Mu Zhian, their eyes filled with surprise, anger, or disbelief.

“If the Aurora Crystal I gave was really a Curse Stone, I would have sensed it,” Mu Zhian replied calmly.

Although his Innate Spiritual Body was a pseudo-constitution, how could it not be able to distinguish between a Curse Stone and an Aurora Crystal?

The Vice-Commander glanced at Mu Zhian, then his gaze fell on Lin Keyu, his tone softening slightly, “You are the Holy Maiden of Xuanyin Temple, right? This matter has nothing to do with you. We will personally escort you out of the Forbidden Zone later.”

Lin Keyu looked at Mu Zhian and said, “He’s my friend, and also a cultivator from the Eastern Continent, he has no connection to the Demon Realm.”

The Vice-Commander glanced at Mu Zhian discreetly, then at Ding Hou, and said with a smile, “Xuanyin Temple is an ally of the Forbidden Zone, so we trust the Holy Maiden, but as for the Holy Maiden’s friend… Please forgive our rudeness, we will investigate this matter thoroughly and clear his name.”

“Take them away!”

The Vice-Commander waved his hand, and the Forbidden Zone guards behind him stepped forward, placing shackles on everyone’s hands.

Mu Zhian extended his hands, letting them be shackled, but deliberately slowed his pace, glanced at Ding Hou, who was at the back of the group, and another cultivator beside him, and transmitted his voice, “You’re the one behind this, aren’t you?”

Ding Hou frowned, “You framed us, and now you want to shift the blame to me?”

“The Aurora Crystal I gave Princess Yongning was found in the Forbidden Zone. If it really had a curse, I would have sensed it. You must have switched it, right? If I weren’t here on this trip, you would have found another way to give the Curse Stone to Princess Yongning, correct?”

Ding Hou was silent for a long time, a smug smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He transmitted his voice, “You’re right. I secretly switched the Aurora Crystal you gave.”

“But you can only blame your bad luck for following the Princess. So, just take this secret to your grave.”

Even if the other party knew, so what? So many people saw Mu Zhian give the Aurora Crystal to Princess Yongning, he couldn’t argue his way out of it.

He had been thinking about how to place the Curse Stone in the Princess’s storage ring without being noticed, and this young man’s appearance solved his problem.

Therefore, it could only be said that the other party was simply unlucky.

“Let me guess who instructed you to do this.”

Mu Zhian thought for a moment and asked, “Are you from the Crown Prince’s faction? But why target a princess? Could it be that the Crown Prince is worried that his position will be threatened by the eldest princess?”

Ding Hou didn’t speak, a cold glint flashing through his eyes.

“You’re even willing to throw your life away for the Crown Prince’s mission? Captured by the Forbidden Zone, you probably won’t be leaving anytime soon,” Mu Zhian continued.

Ding Hou said faintly, “That’s none of your concern.”

“Compared to me, you should worry about yourself.”

“Thanks to you, I was still wondering how to give the Curse Stone to Her Highness without being suspected, and you came along and helped me,” Ding Hou revealed a smile.

Mu Zhian looked at him calmly, no longer speaking.

…

The Forbidden Zone was divided into eighteen areas, each governed by a different ‘Forbidden Army’.

At this moment, Ye Xiuyuan, Commander of the Forbidden Army in Area 3, was looking down at a document when he suddenly heard a spy’s voice from outside: “Sir, as planned, we have captured Princess Yongning and the others.”

“However, the Holy Maiden of Xuanyin Temple was also with them. I’ve temporarily settled her in Area 3.”

Ye Xiuyuan nodded with satisfaction, “You’ve done well, you may leave. I’ll handle the rest.”

He took out a storage pouch from his storage ring and tossed it to the spy: “Take this and reward the brothers involved in this operation. Consider it an extra bonus.”

The spy respectfully took the storage pouch, replied with a “Yes, sir”, and left.

Then, he immediately instructed, “Make the preparations, I’m personally interrogating these people who intend to cause chaos in the Eastern Continent tonight.”

“Tonight?” a subordinate beside him hesitated.

“We’ve been paid, we have to get this done efficiently,” Ye Xiuyuan said faintly.

Thirty million spirit stones, this was the reward from the Great Qian Dynasty.

To a behemoth like the Forbidden Zone, thirty million spirit stones wasn’t much, but to a small commander of the Forbidden Army, it was an irresistible sum.

Therefore, upon receiving the deal, Ye Xiuyuan readily accepted.

After all, with the Forbidden Zone’s power, even if the Great Qian Dynasty found out about this afterward, they couldn’t possibly come seeking retribution.

These thirty million spirit stones were practically a free gift.

After making the necessary preparations, Ye Xiuyuan immediately left with his men, heading towards the prison in Area 3.

Just then, two bright and captivating figures flashed past his eyes.

“Madam Ye Siyu (叶思语 – likely Ye Lingxuan’s mother or a similar figure), Holy Maiden.”

Ye Xiuyuan immediately reacted, stopped, and cupped his hands in greeting.

Ye Siyu held Ye Lingxuan’s arm, her beautiful peach blossom eyes sizing up this large man, and said with a smile, “Commander, are you going out so late?”

Ye Xiuyuan replied respectfully, “Yes, Madam. We captured a few cultivators near the Forbidden Zone today who intended to use Curse Stones to cause chaos in the Eastern Continent. This subordinate is planning to personally interrogate them.”

“The last time someone tried to use Curse Stones was two hundred years ago, right? There are still people who aren’t afraid of death, coming to the Forbidden Zone for such things?”

Ye Siyu blinked her beautiful eyes and said, “How about I go with you, Commander? I want to see who’s so bold.”

“This…”

Ye Xiuyuan hesitated, then lowered his head, “Yes, Madam, I’ll lead the way.”

Everyone in the Forbidden Zone knew Ye Siyu was clever and witty. If he refused her, she might go there herself… which would cause more variables.

Ye Siyu looked at Ye Lingxuan and asked, “Do you want to come with me? Just for a change of scenery.”

It had to be said, up close, this Forbidden Zone Holy Maiden’s beauty was truly breathtaking, and her complex and magnificent purple dress added a touch of classical beauty.

That pure and classical young girl from the past was now gradually blossoming into a stunning beauty.

“You go ahead, the recent inheritance ceremony has been quite tiring, I want to go back and rest,” Ye Lingxuan said faintly.

She paused, then continued, “And I’m not interested in villains who want to cause chaos in the Eastern Continent.”

Ye Siyu pouted, “How boring, then I’ll go by myself.”

She turned and walked towards Prison 3 with light steps.

Ye Xiuyuan came back to his senses, respectfully bowed to Ye Lingxuan, then lowered his head and led the way.

After the two left, Ye Lingxuan raised her right hand. A golden chain quietly extended from her sleeve, along her snow-white wrist.

She was about to sit on the mount created by the Desolate Time Lock and leave, but as if recalling something, she suddenly asked, “Let me see what Mu Zhian is doing now.”

The Desolate Time Lock immediately transformed into a picture scroll floating in mid-air.

Actually, Ye Lingxuan didn’t like spying on other people’s private lives… And with the Forbidden Zone’s inheritance ceremony approaching, even if she saw the scene, it wouldn’t be of much use. After all, she could only look but not touch, which would only make her feel more lonely.

Especially the thought of her beloved Brother Mu being intimate with another woman… It would make her feel jealous and helpless.

I wonder which vixen Brother Mu is with this time…

Ye Lingxuan sighed softly and casually glanced at the picture scroll displayed by the Desolate Time Lock.

The scroll showed a dim scene. Ye Lingxuan narrowed her eyes, staring for a long time, a hint of doubt appearing in her heart.

This is… a prison?

Was Brother Mu locked up in the little black room by Yao Meng or someone else?

Just then, Ye Lingxuan’s train of thought suddenly stopped, and she stared at the prison displayed in the scroll doubtfully.

This place… why does it look so familiar?