The male supporting character was actually myself.

He exuded a murderous aura, like that of someone from a battlefield, and coupled with the fact that he casually revealed his most precious secret, she was genuinely frightened for a moment.

Even if one is killed, although the soul can enter reincarnation immediately and be reborn within ten minutes, but...

Newborn babies have no room to resist, and not even a chance to make peace!

The thought of being relentlessly hunted made Zhang Xiyue's breathing quicken.

"Who exactly are you?" Her tone was still a bit cold, but it was clear that she had already admitted defeat in this confrontation, and even her gaze towards the other party was somewhat timid.

Jiang Chen picked up a hot towel from the table and wiped his hands, gesturing, "Let's eat first. It might not be to your liking, but having something to eat is much better than going hungry."

Zhang Xiyue carefully picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of meat, and chewed it, not daring to show any disgust on her face.

In the past, anyone who dared to threaten her like that would have already gone on a killing spree!

How dare a lowly human dare to lord over a demon? I won't be satisfied until I tear them apart and devour them alive.

But now the other party clearly holds the initiative, so she decided to wait and see.

If I could figure out Xiao Jiangchen's true intentions and make him my lackey, that would be a shortcut to quickly regaining my strength...

The two ate their meal slowly, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Now you have two choices." Jiang Chen put down his chopsticks, picked up a towel to wipe his mouth, his face still calm and composed. "First, cooperate with me. I can help you regain your strength, and you will have to fulfill your obligations."

Secondly, I'll send you on your way after this meal. Anyway, you'll be born again soon, so I can gamble that I won't find you. Otherwise..."

He left her with some room for imagination before he finished speaking.

Anyway, killing the protagonist is out of the question, and given Zhang Xiyue's character, she definitely wouldn't choose the second path.

The most likely scenario is that they will feign compliance and then retaliate once they regain their strength.

Sure enough, a fawning smile appeared on Zhang Xiyue's innocent face as she said sweetly, "If the commander can offer us enough benefits, then of course it would be better to cooperate."

You are an exceptional and powerful commander among humankind;

I possess an immortal soul and powerful magic; together, we are an unstoppable force!

Ha, I've done it before, I'm a man.

Which man's soul, once devoured, didn't still retain a lingering consciousness that yearned for power, profit, and the possession of a beautiful woman?

They are all just vulgar desires of ordinary people, either wanting to become king or wanting to have more beauties. I heard that Xiao Jiangchen has eighteen concubines, so he must be a lustful ghost.

"Besides..." Thinking that she had the other person under control, she pulled open her floral cotton-padded jacket a little and put on a seductive smile that only an adult would have. "Don't look at her now that she is petite like a doll. She is actually not growing up because she is not getting enough food."

When I grow up, I will definitely be a stunning beauty!

"General Xiao, you're handsome, dashing, young, and vigorous; wouldn't you mind having another concubine?"

Sensing danger, the fluffy ball immediately perked up. "What the hell? You think you can be my host's wife with that awful appearance? You're not worthy!"

It jumped up and did a Tai Chi-like movement, blocking its host's way.

The dazzling protagonist's halo rushed towards him, but was cleaved in two by the little white cat's claws, the golden light flowing around to both sides, allowing Jiang Chen to escape unscathed.

[Mission: Prove your loyalty to Zhang Xiyue and convince her of your unwavering love for her. Reward: One-time use C-grade item x1]

The sudden task startled Jiang Chen slightly;

Even the little white cat, who was resisting the protagonist's halo, was stunned for a moment, then jumped up and down and cursed: "Main system, can you have some humanity? This little kid is as thin as a reed and is at most three years old. Even if you had a conscience, you would never fall in love with him!"

So they'll stop at nothing to help the female lead rise to power?

You're really something! Watch me just retaliate with a report, accusing the scriptwriting team of colluding with a certain department to guide the narrative in a negative direction!

Jiang Chen: ∑('△｀)？ !

This dog system actually wants me to pledge my loyalty?

And this is supposed to be true love that never changes?

Even an overflowing fatherly love shouldn't come out of nowhere.

Okay, you want me to pledge my loyalty? Well then, I guess I'll just have to do it reluctantly.

Chapter Four: Let Them Roll Up

"Beauty?" A hint of disdain flashed across Jiang Chen's face as he mocked, "Don't you think that for a great demon like you, merely indulging in beauty is an insult?"

Zhang Xiyue's eyes sharpened. "What do you want?"

"Of course I want you." The words, which should have carried a hint of ambiguity, came out of his mouth like a gleaming blade, full of threat. "I love your supreme magic and immortal soul, and I would pay any price for it."

Including...being your enemy.

If you refuse to cooperate, you will have to endure my countless killings throughout my lifetime! Anyway, the world is at peace and there is no war, so I, Commander Xiao, have plenty of time to play the reincarnation game with you.

Guess how many kinds of torture I will use on you in your reincarnation?

The other man's handsome face had a sinister expression. Zhang Xiyue couldn't help but shudder at the thought of a helpless infant being tortured to death. "You...you're a devil!"

Jiang Chen stood up, slowly paced around, and played with the ring on his hand, asking, "Do you believe that I am absolutely loyal to you, and that my true love will last until death?"

"Of course I believe you." She decided to back down for the time being.

Humans, after all, don't have mind-reading abilities, so how can they distinguish between friend and foe?

As long as I temporarily show weakness to gain his trust, and then I've had my fill of meat and blood...

"No, you don't believe me at all." The shiny black military boots suddenly stopped, and Jiang Chen reached out and grabbed her slender neck, leaning down and chuckling, "You think I don't have mind-reading abilities and don't know what you're up to?"

Zhang Xiyue, I advise you to behave yourself.

While I still have patience, try your best to please me in order to save your life. Otherwise…

He whispered in your ear, "I don't mind handing your soul over to Daoist Lingquan after I've vented my torment. I believe he'll be happy to seal your sinful soul away forever, which is much easier than severely injuring your soul in Huai Shu Gou."

Zhang Xiyue: (((;???;)))

Huai Tree Gully?

She couldn't help but shudder when she recalled that battle.

Could it be the Taoist Lingquan...? She dismissed the thought as soon as it crossed her mind. Given his temperament, he would never spread such a thing, much less inform a warlord.

But if he didn't reveal the information, how did Xiao Jiangchen find out?

Can ordinary people truly possess the ability to see into one's own mind?

Do you trust me?

As the other person increased the pressure on her hand, Zhang Xiyue felt it becoming increasingly difficult to breathe. She nodded with difficulty and squeezed out two words from her throat, "Believe."

The fluffy dumpling had never seen a mission conducted using "torture and forced confessions," and whispered a reminder: "Host, don't break her neck."

The task still hadn't been completed, and a hint of impatience flashed across Jiang Chen's face. "I warned you not to try anything funny. I'll ask you one more question, so think carefully before you answer, or else..."

He tightened his grip even more. "Do you believe I am absolutely loyal to you, that my love will last until death?"

Zhang Xiyue's face turned pale.

The other person seems to be playing a terrifying truth-or-dare game.

Absolute loyalty? Unwavering true love?

It's incredibly ironic to utter those two words in this situation!

You have to believe, you absolutely must believe, otherwise he'll strangle me, and then I'll be reborn even weaker...

Fear of death made Zhang Xiyue close her eyes and begin to brainwash herself.

How can I ensure Xiao Jiangchen's absolute loyalty to me?

What does he want?

In an instant, she went through all those vulgar thoughts of mortals in her mind, and a light suddenly flashed in her mind—that's right, he just said it very clearly, the magic and soul of the one he loves are immortal!

That's right, it must be like that.

Having witnessed countless battles and the rise of powerful generals, how could his life's pursuits be so vulgar as money, women, and decadent pleasures?

He wanted to possess supreme power and ascend to the throne;

He wanted his soul to be immortal and to enjoy eternal bliss and peace!

Absolute loyalty is to power and authority; unwavering love is for the immortality of the soul…

"You..." At this thought, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she looked at the other person's handsome and resolute face with horror. A terrible thought flashed through her mind in an instant - Xiao Jiangchen wanted supreme power and immortality.

No wonder he attacked himself and knew so much about the Spirit Spring. Greedy humans actually wanted to obtain my method of making their souls immortal and even wanted to seize the Spirit Spring's immortal body!

Even he himself wouldn't dare to entertain such a thought, yet Xiao Jiangchen, a mere mortal, actually...

"Shh!" Jiang Chen lightly touched his lips with his left index finger, his eyes full of cunning, and whispered, "Don't think so much useless stuff. Now it's your turn to answer the question. You know what kind of answer I want."

Do you believe that I am absolutely loyal to you and that my love for you will never change?

Whether from shock, fear, or lack of oxygen, Zhang Xiyue trembled slightly, closed her eyes tightly, and forced herself to re-brainwash herself. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and said with unwavering determination, "I believe!"

"Ding ding ding ding~ Congratulations, host, for completing the mission!" The little white cat, carrying a small flower basket, scattered flower petals with its tiny paws. "Congratulations, host, for unlocking a new way to complete missions!"

It jumped onto its host's shoulder, poked its head out, and peeked inside. "Tsk tsk, I've already submitted the screenshots and the task report. They actually forced the host to engage in pedophilia. This evil trend must be rectified!"

With her fair, slender, and slightly bony right hand released his grip, Jiang Chen flexed her wrist, smiled, and nodded in satisfaction. "Your reaction time was a bit slow, but that's understandable for a first-time collaboration. Next time, I hope you won't test my patience again."

Feeling as if she had survived a disaster, Zhang Xiyue nodded hurriedly.

She dared not let out any thoughts of arrogance, looking down on the world, cursing the tiger that had fallen into the plains and was bullied by dogs, or the saying that fortunes change every thirty years. She had a vague feeling that Xiao Jiangchen must have some kind of extraordinary ability, otherwise how could he dare to have such great ambitions!

Before you have a clear understanding of the other party's background, you must not act rashly.

The little white cat glanced at it; there was no indication that the script was being updated.

In other words, it doesn't matter who has the upper hand between the human and the demon right now. As long as the best male supporting character follows the mission step by step and raises the female lead until she's grown up, the situation will naturally turn around, and the male supporting character will become the female lead's devoted follower and eventually sacrifice his life.

"Lieutenant Guo, this young lady Zhang Xiyue is suffering from a serious illness and needs treatment. Go and find two reliable and trustworthy people to accompany her, in case she bites people when she has an attack."

Jiang Chen opened the door to the private room and instructed the adjutant guarding outside, "Send someone back to the mansion to prepare a quiet courtyard. She will stay at the Marshal's mansion during her treatment."

"Yes! I'll send someone to do it right away." Deputy Guo accepted the order and left. Soon, two burly and strong soldiers and the robust old woman who had helped the female lead wash up came over and stood guard beside Zhang Xiyue, who was short and had a youthful face.

He made all the arrangements before going downstairs to check if the refugees had finished eating.

"General!" The old village chief, dressed in a clean dark blue cotton robe and with his beard neatly combed, immediately knelt down and bowed deeply upon seeing General Xiao come downstairs. "Thank you so much for saving our lives, General! We, the villagers of Forty Mile Slope, are overwhelmed with gratitude!"