That Dropped Chinese Novel’s Useless Me Says No to the System

Chapter 136 Dawn on the Edge of Nowhere

It was nearly dawn.

After scrambling over the mountain half the night, my legs felt like wet noodles.

We had just shaken off a squad of the Eighth Prince’s shadow guards, only to be battered half to death by the wind while climbing vines up a cliff face. By now I could barely stay upright. We finally managed to squeeze ourselves behind a slab of rock jutting from the cliff wall—just enough shelter to keep the worst of the wind off.

The cliff was steep, and the wind howled through the pass, whipping so hard it made my skull buzz. We huddled behind the rock like two plucked quails, knees drawn to our chests, shivering.

All thanks to the Eighth Prince’s men chasing us like rabid dogs.

My pack had originally been neatly arranged—food, silver, spare clothes, everything. But when Mu Cangli snapped “Move,” I nearly left my soul behind, let alone my luggage. I didn’t dare go back for it.

So here we were: escaped, yes, but empty-handed.

Fortunately, Mu Cangli was sharper than I was. After rummaging around in his clothes for a while, he produced a piece of gray, suspicious-looking cloth.

“This is my emergency supply.”

I squinted at the cloth. To me it looked exactly like a sweat rag he had washed halfway and forgotten to hang.

“Emergency?” I asked, doubtful.

Mu Cangli looked a bit embarrassed and cleared his throat. “It’s woven from heavenly silkworm thread. Warm in winter, cool in summer. Just… hard to wash.”

“You mean,” I said, fighting the urge to laugh, “this pickled rag is actually a luxury item?”

He reddened and said nothing.

I thought, if heavenly silkworms had spirits, one of them would be crawling out of its cocoon right now to confront him for misuse.

But the wind was sharp and icy. We had no room for dignity. The scrap of cloth was small, but wrapped around the two of us, it blocked just enough chill.

Sleep tugged at my eyelids. I was about to drift off when Mu Cangli murmured, “They shouldn’t catch up now.”

“Who knows,” I mumbled. “If they really show up, we can just jump off the cliff. Saves time. Same result.”

He didn’t reply, only gave a quiet “mm.”

That “mm” was unexpectedly low.

Half-asleep, I wondered: this boy looks young and easygoing, but his head is full of schemes—who trained him? And can Lian and Hua really find us? Otherwise I, my brother, and Lian will all die under that cursed poison. And that damned system—couldn’t even grant me the antidote to Yueyuehong. Some “male lead” I am.

I clenched my fists. One day I would break free of the system. My life would be my own—not heaven’s.

That thought kept me awake a little longer.

Mu Cangli tugged the cloth again, as if worried I’d freeze. My heart skipped; I immediately turned away and pretended to sleep.

The mountain wind whistled. Half awake, half dreaming, we leaned against the cliff together.

I didn’t know how long had passed when something cold brushed my face.

The wind was cold. The light was cold.

“Isn’t it still dark?” I muttered. “How long did we sleep?”

A low voice above me answered, “Most of the day. The sun’s already high.”

…Wait. That voice sounded familiar.

My eyelids twitched. I snapped them open.

“Your Highness?!”

My shout jolted Mu Cangli awake. His blade was out almost instantly.

Standing before us was the Eighth Prince—who had been planting flowers in the outskirts just days ago—now perched atop a… well, technically it was a mountain mule.

The mule’s coat shone; a tiny tassel bell dangled from its head, jingling delicately with each step. Behind him, more than a dozen gold-armored guards flanked us in an airtight ring.

No wonder it felt cold overhead. They were blocking the sun.

Or rather—what chilled me was the Eighth Prince’s face.

He looked dark enough to wring water out of.

I tried a cautious smile. “Your Highness… what brings you here?”

The prince half-lidded his eyes, voice lazy. “I should be asking you that. What exactly are you two doing here?”

My mind raced. Mu Cangli’s hand tightened on his hilt, knuckles white.

I forced a laugh. “We… came to watch the sunrise.”

“Sunrise?” he echoed.

“Yes. They say the northern ridge’s sunrise is better seen than heard of.” I pointed upward at the blinding disc of sun. “And indeed… it is quite… round.”

“Round?” he said coolly. “I’d say you’re rounding your lies.”

I laughed weakly. “Your Highness has a way with words.”

Mu Cangli stayed tense. Last night we’d only survived by taking a hidden path when the prince’s men chased us. Now His Highness himself had climbed the mountain—I suspected he wasn’t just patrolling. He might have intended to “retrieve our bodies” on the way back.

Fear knotted my gut, but I kept my smile plastered on.

“The scenery here is lovely,” I said. “Morning mist, glorious sunrise, even the wind is… fragrant.”

The prince produced a silk kerchief and covered his nose. “Indeed. The wind has quite a strong scent.”

Your Highness, the scent from your mouth is stronger, I thought bitterly. But given we had fled in such a rush we hadn’t washed up, I didn’t dare speak.

Suddenly he lifted a hand. “Enough. Follow me.”

“Ah?” I blurted.

Mu Cangli asked, “Where?”

“To continue my patrol,” the prince replied calmly. “And to see who else has the nerve to trespass in a forbidden zone.”

He turned his mule. The little bell jingled smugly.

Mu Cangli and I exchanged a look, but we were outnumbered. We followed obediently.

It became… a peculiar journey.

The prince’s mule trotted ahead, hips swaying, the bell chiming as if mocking our pace. His Highness rode leisurely, speaking as he pleased.

“The imperial edict declared this mountain forbidden long ago. No civilians allowed. We patrol on strict orders, yet I still find two midnight wanderers halfway up the ridge.”

I laughed nervously. “Quite the coincidence—destiny, perhaps.”

“Destiny?” he repeated, amusement flickering. His gaze swept between me and Mu Cangli like he saw right through us. The curl of his lip was faint but sharp. “This isn’t even a proper path. How did you climb up? And more curious—why is someone carrying the Blood Lotus Sect’s sealed artifact to the capital running around the mountains instead, poisoned by Yueyuehong no less? What exactly are you plotting?”

My heart slammed so hard I heard it in my ears. Mu Cangli’s grip whitened further.

The prince then eyed me. “And you don’t look dressed for mountain climbing.”

I looked down. My trouser leg was torn; my shoes muddy.

“This—this is the rustic elegance of mountain life.”

The prince arched a brow. “If you were truly elegant, you wouldn’t use heavenly silkworm silk as a blanket.”

I froze.

When did he see that sweat rag?!

Mu Cangli’s ears flushed scarlet.

I laughed stiffly. “Your Highness—keen eyes as always… that was… to block the wind.”

“To block the wind?” he said, sounding amused. “It looked more like you were blocking something indecent.”

I nearly choked on my own spit.

“Your Highness, please—watch your words—”

“Why? I’m not blind. Two men alone in the mountains, clinging together for warmth—deep feelings, deep devotion. I won’t interfere.”

I wanted to bury myself alive. Mu Cangli said nothing, but the red on his ears deepened.

I suspected it wasn’t shyness. It was the kind of anger that preceded murder.

We continued like this—His Highness lecturing about mountain restrictions, military orders, then casually drifting into the topic of his peonies blooming soon. His mule clopped along while we jogged behind like attendants.

Then the path narrowed sharply. To one side was a sheer drop. The guards had to pass in single file. At that moment, the mule suddenly snorted, gave a panicked whinny, and kicked up its hooves as if spooked.

The prince lurched, nearly flipping off the saddle.

“Steady! STEADY, YOU BEAST!”

The mule ignored him completely and bolted ahead. The bell clanged wildly. His Highness wrapped his arms around its neck, shrieking, “Guards! GUARDS—STOP IT—!”

Man and mule bellowing together made a duet so tragic it was almost artistic.

Mu Cangli and I stared, speechless, as they vanished around the bend.

“…,” I said finally, “that mule might be guided by divine providence.”

Mu Cangli pressed his lips together, but his eyes gleamed with barely contained laughter.

The gold-armored guards rushed after him at once, their shouts overlapping in a chaotic din.

I was just starting to enjoy the spectacle when I suddenly heard the rustle of grass behind me.

With a sharp whoosh, two hands shot out from the bushes and yanked both Mu Cangli and me straight in!

I nearly cried out in shock—my mouth had just opened when a cold hand clamped over it.

“Quiet.”

—That voice was unmistakable.

My eyes went wide. “Lian?!”