You Kidnapped the Wrong Person

Xiao Yu was feeling miserable right now. After retiring and returning to Demon Gathering Island, he had finally started living a peaceful, leisurely life.

All he needed to do was raise his apprentice and trim the bamboo groves on the peak. Financial issues still lingered, but the spirit stones from selling photo albums were enough to get him through for a while.

In his spare time, whenever he felt like it, he’d head to one of the island’s famous taverns to enjoy some music and relaxation—provided someone else paid, of course. Those high-end places were way beyond his budget. He usually mooched off Cold Sect Leader and his gang of shady friends.

It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was stress-free—no need to worry about sudden death or plot twists, no fear of villains suddenly gaining intelligence, summoning their ancient Transcendence境 elders, skipping straight to wiping out his entire bloodline in an instant.

No more being dragged into random events, no more dealing with troublesome female leads and cleaning up after their messes.

But this peace shattered the moment Xia Nianmo arrived—like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples across everything.

Never in a million years did Xiao Yu expect a heroine to be swept onto Demon Gathering Island.

And worse—it was the one heroine he considered the biggest headache.

There was no exception.

Xia Nianmo, the Holy Maiden of the Mermaid Clan and a Golden Core cultivator, specialized in water-based techniques and healing.

In the original novel, she was portrayed as gentle, serene, and strategically brilliant—a poised and elegant lady.

But here? She was like a genetic mutation—whether she hit her head or got smushed by an elevator door, something clearly went wrong.

Now she was clumsy, helpless, and completely inept. Whenever trouble arose, she’d just stare at Xiao Yu with those pitiful puppy eyes—she had become nothing more than a mascot.

According to the story, the two should’ve supported each other through countless trials and tribulations, eventually falling in love along the way.

In reality, however, when they faced the three sacred mermaid trials that hadn’t been passed in centuries, Xiao Yu had practically carried her the whole way—gritting his teeth, strategizing, fighting tooth and nail.

She did little more than cheer him on. A decorative accessory, really. Occasionally offering a lap pillow to soothe his exhausted soul.

If Dao himself hadn’t confirmed again and again that she was the real deal, Xiao Yu would’ve suspected she was another stand-in.

So, after making sure Xia Nianmo successfully became the Holy Maiden—as written in the plot—

Xiao Yu didn’t even bother saying goodbye before fleeing.

Unmanageable. Absolutely unmanageable. If she weren’t a heroine, he wouldn’t have wanted to see her ever again.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Now not only had he seen her—he was stuck with her. The kind of clingy that couldn’t be shaken off.

At this very moment, Xia Nianmo—the little burden—was cheerfully tagging along beside Xiao Yu, walking down the path as he gave her a tour of Demon Gathering Island.

“Hehe… landing in such a strange place scared me half to death! But since Ye Gongzi is here too, I feel much better.”

As she spoke, she patted her chest in relief, flashing a bright smile. Her dimpled cheeks appeared utterly adorable—carefree and innocent.

Xiao Yu: “… … …”

He already felt a migraine coming on. Looking at her now, he had no words left.

“By the way, Ye Gongzi, why did you leave without even saying goodbye? We barely made it through those three trials—we didn’t even get to celebrate!”

Walking side by side, Xia Nianmo finally voiced the question that had haunted her for so long—why had he disappeared without a trace?

“No… listen, Miss Holy Maiden. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not the Ye Feng you’re talking about. We just look somewhat alike.”

Xiao Yu stubbornly clung to denial, still clinging to the faint hope that Xia Nianmo might believe him—not Ye Feng. Even though all the things she mentioned were indeed *his* actions…

But shouldn’t she be looking for the *real* Ye Feng outside?

Why was she chasing after him—the poor substitute?

“I don’t understand. Why not, Ye Gongzi?”

“I’m Xiao Yu, not Ye Feng.”

“Oh, I know—you’re Ye Gongzi.”

“No! My name is Xiao Yu!”

“Okay then, Ye Gongzi.”

Hardened.

Xiao Yu’s fists clenched. He finally understood how Gong Wuyao had felt.

This girl was usually so simple-minded—how come she was so sharp now?

Eventually, like Gong Wuyao before him, he loosened his fists. Nothing could be done—just take it step by step.

“By the way, when did Ye Gongzi arrive at this Demon Gathering Island?” Xia Nianmo asked curiously, watching Xiao Yu lead her around the island like a seasoned guide.

“I’ve always lived here on Demon Gathering Island. What do you mean, ‘when did I arrive’?”

Xiao Yu kept playing dumb, trying to delude both her and himself.

“Ye Gongzi, did you lose your memory when you fell onto the island?” Xia Nianmo gasped slightly, then blushed and stammered:

“Actually, I’m your cultivation partner from outside. We…”

“Don’t make things up. I haven’t lost my memory.”

“Then why can’t you remember me?”

“……”

Yakamashii na!

Xiao Yu felt like Xia Nianmo was a cheerful little sparrow chirping nonstop in his ear.

Seeing Xiao Yu fall silent, Xia Nianmo didn’t mind. Her beautiful eyes twinkled as she moved on to the next question.

“Ye Gongzi, why does that Kung Fu Sect Leader call you Xiao Yu? Is Ye Feng your alias?”

“She’s Deputy Sect Leader Gong, not Kung Fu. When you speak to her, please use proper titles. Despite her small stature, she holds a grudge easily.”

Xiao Yu dodged the topic, skillfully redirecting the conversation.

“Is that so?”

Hearing that, Xia Nianmo lowered her gaze. Following her line of sight, Xiao Yu caught a glimpse of her long, smooth legs. Near the top of her snow-white thighs, soft flesh bulged gently—if she wore thigh cuffs, the charm of these legs would be fully unleashed.

She walked slowly—one step at a time. Her bare feet touched the ground lightly, unused to walking on land. Each step looked awkward, like a toddler learning to walk.

“What’s going on with your legs?” Xiao Yu asked. This was the first time he’d seen Xia Nianmo like this. Back in the sea, she had always appeared in mermaid form.

Now, not only had her tail transformed into legs, but all her scales had vanished, making her appear entirely human.

Lifting her head, she arched her delicate eyebrows:
“Oh! You mean this? It’s a secret technique of our Mermaid Clan—we can temporarily transform into a human appearance for land travel.

The downside is we can’t talk. Once we open our mouths, the moisture inside us evaporates faster, causing dehydration. We’d constantly need to replenish fluids, or we’d end up sun-dried like fish jerky.”

As if recalling that horrifying image, she shivered slightly—her soft, fair chest quivering delicately.

Xiao Yu subtly stole a glance—and found himself momentarily stunned.

“But with the Thousand-Year Jade Water Pearl inside me, it’s fine. It continuously generates water energy, as if carrying the ocean within. So staying in human form on land isn’t a problem. What do you think… do I look good?”

Her voice lifted with excitement as she stepped forward gracefully. She stood in front of Xiao Yu, bending one leg while keeping the other straight, basking under the sunlight. Her skin glowed softly.

Admittedly, her legs were stunning—slim, smooth, perfectly shaped. A true goddess of silk stockings.

“Eh eh… oww! My butt!”

Unfortunately, Xia Nianmo hadn’t maintained her pose for long before losing balance and tumbling over.

She truly overestimated herself—barely learned to walk properly, yet she tried standing on one leg. How arrogant.

As for whether she looked good or not… Xiao Yu shook his head.

She looked fine, yes—but clueless.

What was the greatest charm of a mermaid?

Wasn’t it their unique tails and gem-like shimmering scales?

That was where their allure lay.

Now that Xia Nianmo had turned into a woman with two legs, it was like trading elegance for mediocrity.

Two-legged women were common. Tailed mermaids were rare.

Xiao Yu could only say it was “okay.”

He stepped forward and pulled Xia Nianmo up, who was rubbing her sore backside.

“For now, stay at Guest Reception Peak for a few days. There are rooms prepared there. Don’t wander off. Rest assured, I’ll find a way to get you off the island.”

Xiao Yu sighed inwardly. Xia Nianmo’s presence on Demon Gathering Island could severely disrupt the storyline.

Letting her stay here too long would cause chaos—especially if it lured the real protagonist here. That would spell disaster.

“Leave?”

Xia Nianmo looked at the man before her—black hair, brown eyes, the familiar expression of mild frustration on his face. She smiled sweetly, her pretty eyes curling into crescent moons.

“I’m okay with that! We’ll leave together.”

Her tone was firm, full of unwavering trust in Xiao Yu’s words, as if whatever he said would surely come true.

Under the sunlight, those cute little dimples flickered faintly, making Xiao Yu briefly lose focus for a few seconds.

With Ye Gongzi by her side, she never needed to worry or think hard.

Whatever he said, she’d follow obediently.

There was no need to doubt Xiao Yu’s strength. Just like during the Holy Maiden selection—so effortless, she didn’t even need to lift a finger.

Xia Nianmo gazed at Xiao Yu with warm, affectionate eyes—gentle yet deep, like the rolling waves of the ocean.

Even in unfamiliar surroundings and dangerous situations, everything would be fine as long as Ye Gongzi was here.

After all…

He was the Holy Maiden’s personal strategist.

Thinking this, a proud little version of herself struck a pose in her mind.

Also, she gave serious thought to what Sect Leader Gong had said earlier.

Only allowed entry, no exit?

Not a big deal.

Glancing at Xiao Yu beside her, she mused that staying here forever wouldn’t be bad either.

Especially since there were no other mermaids around. She could give birth to plenty of mer-babies and continue the clan.

Suddenly realizing what she was thinking, the mermaid girl flushed red and instinctively squeezed her legs together.

Xiao Yu: “… …”

What nonsense are you daydreaming about?!

Better hurry and help her get settled in. Time was short.

****

Demon Gathering Island was no small place—about half the size of a mainland province. By the time Xiao Yu finished giving Xia Nianmo a rough tour of the island, the afternoon had nearly passed.

Just visiting and recognizing the peaks had taken until dusk.

Still, they managed to finish. Throughout the trip, Xia Nianmo stayed quiet—only occasionally smiling to herself, lost in thoughts unknown.

Top-grade spirit stone received.

Sunset painted the sky as night approached.

After escorting Xia Nianmo back to Guest Reception Peak and collecting his payment, Xiao Yu emerged looking utterly drained.

Now came the urgent matter—figuring out how to get Xia Nianmo off the island.

But getting someone *out* of Demon Gathering Island…

Xiao Yu had no idea. His own ability to come and go freely was due to the Heavenly Devil’s influence—essentially exploiting a loophole in the Sea of Forbidden Tides.

Xia Nianmo wasn’t some heavenly devil. She was a native—and once she stepped into the Sea of Forbidden Tides, she’d be shredded into pieces by chaotic Daoic traces.

He considered knocking her out and hiding her in a spatial ring.

But that might not work either—he’d never tried it before.

Ultimately, why was Xia Nianmo even here?

It made no sense. Heroines were supposed to orbit around the protagonist, not end up with a replacement like him.

Xiao Yu couldn’t wrap his head around it—until, as if answering his confusion, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his ears:

Ding…

Detected divine-fated individual. Binding to the Protagonist Support System.

???

Protagonist Support System?!

Xiao Yu’s face twisted in constipation-level horror.

YOU’VE GOT TO BE F***ING KIDDING ME!!!