Jiang Yunnuan shook out her numb fist and took a few steps back to what she considered a safer distance. She watched him with a cold smile, her voice affected and vicious, practically begging to be slapped.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. It's just... I have a phobia of shameless people. When I see someone who's utterly shameless, it triggers an episode."
"I only got physical just now because of my condition. You're not going to be mad, are you?"
'That bastard. He's exactly who I meant to hit!'
'He loathed the original owner of this body, yet he still wanted her to get him Jun Yao's inner core. Trying to have his cake and eat it too... Utterly shameless. He deserved that beating!'
[DING. Detected an increase in the male lead's disgust value. Side Quest 1 is complete. Reward is being distributed. Please check for it, Host.]
The notification tone announcing the mission's completion suddenly sounded in her mind, and Jiang Yunnuan froze.
When she checked the missions earlier, she had indeed seen one about acquiring disgust value, but she hadn't paid it much attention. She never thought it would be completed so easily. 'This is so sudden!'
"Jiang Yunnuan, you should be glad you're a woman. Otherwise, I'd make sure you died a horrible death today!"
Just as Jiang Yunnuan was about to check her reward, Ling Ze's icy voice cut through the air.
He glared at her, eyes narrowed in rage and fists clenched tight. He looked utterly frustrated, like someone who was dying to throw a few punches but was forced to hold back.
'Oh? So he can actually hold it in?'
Jiang Yunnuan was a bit surprised. Then, she belatedly remembered the Protection Law for women—what could only be described as an interstellar unequal treaty. Her mood instantly lifted, and a slow smile spread across her lips.
'This world is pretty great!'
"Oh, are you finished?"
She responded with a contemptuous arch of her eyebrow, her expression filled with disdain and blatant provocation. Ling Ze was so angry he nearly coughed up blood, the veins on his forehead throbbing violently.
'No, I have to hold back. I absolutely must hold back!'
Women were fragile, rare, and precious. To ensure the propagation of the species, the Empire had enacted the Protection Law for women long ago.
The Protection Law clearly stipulated that a woman could treat a man however she pleased based on her mood. However, if a man dared to harm a woman and it was reported and confirmed, he would be forcibly stripped of his clan status and have his inner core dug out.
Without an inner core, one's Cultivation would be completely lost. The consequences were terrifying.
'Although Jiang Yunnuan is ugly and useless, she is, at the end of the day, a woman. She enjoys all the privileges that come with it. I can't completely ruin my future because of her.'
Ling Ze gritted his teeth, constantly reassuring himself. After a moment, he finally calmed down and looked at her, speaking in a commanding tone.
"Hand over the inner core. Consider it compensation for that punch. And in the future, when you see me, have the decency to stay far away. Don't come fawning all over me and making me sick like you used to."
'This ugly hag swore to me before that she would definitely get Jun Yao's inner core and give it to me. She must have succeeded by now.'
'As long as I get Jun Yao's inner core and absorb it, my power is sure to break through. Then, Wanwan will definitely see me in a new light.'
At the thought of Jiang Wanwan, a flash of tenderness flickered in Ling Ze's eyes.
As for Jiang Yunnuan, his shamelessness was so astounding it made her laugh.
'Back when the original owner was fawning all over him, he took advantage of it and instigated her to dig out Jun Yao's inner core. That was bad enough. But now, even after I've treated him like this, he still has the gall to demand it. The audacity!'
"No inner core, but I've got plenty of shoe sole for you!"
The moment the words left her mouth, she decisively kicked off both her shoes, grabbed one, and hurled it straight at his face.
'Ugh, I have to take my shoes off every time I want to hit someone. So undignified. It's so annoying not having any Weapons. If only I had the Weapons from my past life.'
"You're... you're insane! Completely insane..."
As the sharp, thin heel flew precisely toward his face, Ling Ze instantly forgot all about the inner core. Shocked, he quickly threw his arms up to shield his handsome face and dodged.
'Wanwan's favorite thing is my face!'
'I absolutely can't let my face get hurt! Otherwise, what will I have to compete with those other annoying guys?'
"That's right, I am insane! So you'd better be careful I don't hurt you badly. If I do, you can just chalk it up to bad luck!"
Jiang Yunnuan sneered, chasing after him barefoot with her shoe in hand, and quickly ran him out the main gate.
'Why did this ugly hag suddenly go crazy for no reason?'
'Could it be that when she went after Jun Yao, she accidentally got her head bashed in?'
'Yes, that must be it!'
'She probably didn't get Jun Yao's inner core at all. Otherwise, she would have offered it to me with both hands ages ago. Why else would she be acting so nuts?'
'It seems my plan to absorb Jun Yao's inner core is going to fail. Sigh, what a pity. A real pity!'
Ling Ze looked regretful, then turned to Jiang Yunnuan with a harsh threat.
"Crazy woman, I will never forgive you for what you've done today! From now on, don't even think I'll ever spare you a glance again!"
Without waiting for her to react, he strode away.
Hearing this, Jiang Yunnuan scoffed and shouted at his retreating back.
"Who wants your attention anyway? You bastard, go get your head checked! There's something wrong with your brain!"
Ling Ze: "..."
Although he was already far away, a Beastman's hearing is exceptional, so every single word reached his ears. He was instantly infuriated.
'Who the hell is the one with brain damage?'
'Forget it. She's just a lunatic with brain damage, and a legally protected one at that. What's the point of arguing with a creature like that? It'll only piss me off.'
「Meanwhile.」
Once she saw he was far enough away, Jiang Yunnuan finally dropped her aggressive glare and padded back barefoot to find her other shoe.
'My feet are so dirty.' She sat on the steps, turned on a nearby faucet, and stuck her feet under the stream while humming a little tune. Suddenly, she remembered something very important.
'The system said the mission was complete, but I haven't had a chance to see the reward yet.'
At this thought, Jiang Yunnuan's consciousness immediately entered the system panel. She saw a "completed" notification in the status bar and tapped on it, revealing several lines of detailed information.
Side Quest 1: Acquire Disgust Value from the Male Lead Group. This task is not limited to a specific individual; any male lead is acceptable.
Completion Status: Ling Ze's disgust value +3%. Current disgust value: 99%. Mission complete. Friendly Reminder: Upon reaching 100% disgust value, the Host will receive a random grand prize package.
Staring at the words "random grand prize package," Jiang Yunnuan was dumbfounded.
'What?'
'The current disgust value is 99%, and there's a random grand prize package for reaching 100%?'
'That's only 1% away!'
'I missed out on a grand prize package because of that measly 1%?'
Jiang Yunnuan was heartbroken and filled with regret. If she had known, she definitely wouldn't have chased that guy off so easily.
'I should have grabbed him, gotten handsy, insulted him viciously, and finished it off with a brutal beating. That little combo would have guaranteed his disgust value for me would've skyrocketed, probably hitting 1000% in an instant.'
'Is it too late to go chase him down?'
'Ah, forget it. I'll just check the reward first.' Torn between the reward and chasing the man, Jiang Yunnuan hesitated for only a second before decisively choosing the reward.
'So, what exactly is the reward?'