I am in the Sword Prison, Come and rescue me

Under the soft night breeze, Xiao Yu stood alone at the entrance of Guest Reception Peak, his entire being swept into a whirlwind of confusion.

He remembered… wasn’t systems something exclusive to protagonists?

Why was it appearing on him?

Ding…

System binding complete.

Greetings, Host. This is the Protagonist Support System. Its purpose: to assist the protagonist in growing stronger, advancing the plot, kicking aside cannon-fodder villains, punching behind-the-scenes bosses, achieving a HE (happy ending), and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of existence…

“Ah… sorry to interrupt, but I think you might’ve bound the wrong person. The one you’re looking for should be out there.”

Hearing the voice inside his head claiming to be the “Protagonist Support System,” Xiao Yu finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

If not for being the protagonist’s stand-in, he’d just be some random background extra—after all, he didn’t even exist in the original novel.

How could he have a system? And judging by the name, this system was meant for the *main character*, not substitutes like him.

At this, the system paused briefly before replying with firm certainty:

Host, please don’t speak nonsense. Before binding, this system conducted a full scan. You are the only protagonist here. There’s no way this could be a mistake.

“I really think you should double-check. You definitely messed up.”

Impossible. This system does not make mistakes.

“Still, better check again.”

Impossible!

“Just take another look…”

……

Apparently growing impatient—or perhaps slightly convinced by Xiao Yu’s words—the system fell silent for a moment.

Then, Xiao Yu felt an invisible gaze sweep over his body from head to toe.

…………

This time, the system remained quiet for an unusually long time—so long that Xiao Yu almost thought it had malfunctioned.

Y-You… are you the Heavenly Devil?!

“Hmm.” Xiao Yu nodded.

Upon seeing this, the system once again fell into silence.

Seeing the reaction, Xiao Yu understood immediately. He waved his hand lightly.

“You see, you got the wrong guy. I’m just a background extra. No systems belong to me. You should unbind and go find the real host…”

However, before he could finish—

A voice rang in his mind:

This system says you are the protagonist. Therefore, you ARE the protagonist!

“Th-This…”

Even though the tone was still mechanical, Xiao Yu could sense a hint of frustration hidden within it.

Wait… was it actually getting upset?

The situation escalated faster than expected.

After another long pause—

“System-jun?”

……

“System-san?”

……

“Tongzi?”

This system is currently upgrading. Please do not disturb. Please do not disturb. Please do not disturb.

That was it. After half-shouting, the so-called system finally responded—but it sounded more like it was in denial, hiding from reality, spiraling into self-isolation!

Looks like it wouldn’t respond anytime soon.

Sorry, looks like I resemble the protagonist too much.

Sighing deeply, Xiao Yu muttered under his breath. One problem hadn’t settled yet when another came crashing down—Xia Nianmo already gave him a headache. Now a system?

Was someone trying to pour oil on the fire?!

Still…
Only detected me? That doesn’t add up. Could it be… did something happen to the real protagonist outside?

As he rubbed his forehead in frustration, a flying sword zipped toward him from afar, hovering midair before him.

Slender as a willow leaf cut in half—
Oh? It was Liu Shicheng’s soul-bound sword sending a message.

What happened that was urgent enough to use a soul-bound sword?

Xiao Yu sent his spiritual sense into the blade and quickly read the message:

TEN THOUSAND EMERGENCY!!!

Currently trapped in Sword Prison.

Come save me ASAP!

Xiao Yu: Eh?

****

Despite its loose management style, Heaven & Earth One Sect was still a well-established sect—with disciplinary facilities for punishing unruly disciples.

Among them, the most notorious was the Sword Prison under Demon Subduing Peak.

The prison brimmed with sharp sword qi, constantly drifting through the air. One careless move and your skin would bear fresh cuts. Legend had it that once, a Transcendent sword cultivator dueled a martial artist at the Zenith right here.

After a single slash, wild sword intent scattered across the battlefield, lingering endlessly, creating this unique place.

Xiao Yu’s Great Bamboo Sword Peak was a result of that strike. However, since it was far from the point of impact, the peak bore no residual sword intent.

But here, in the very spot where the sword immortal unleashed his power, the dense sword intent never dissipated. Thus, the sect built the Sword Prison atop it.

Due to the oppressive sword intent, it suppressed ordinary cultivators. Yet for sword cultivators with a soul-bound blade, studying the lingering intent could become a rare opportunity—a mix of fortune and misfortune.

Inside Sword Prison, Demon Subduing Peak.

After stating his business to the guards, Xiao Yu was granted entry.

As for why Liu Shicheng ended up locked in Sword Prison…

Xiao Yu recalled the male-on-male chaos at Divine Mechanism Peak before he left—and he already had a rough idea.

Meant for reflection and punishment, Sword Prison was naturally dark, cramped, and filled with cold energy.

Yet now, it was glowing golden—blindingly radiant.

If not for spotting Liu Shicheng inside the first second after entering, Xiao Yu would’ve thought he walked into the wrong place.

The cause of this phenomenon was obvious.

“We’ll be more careful next time.”

Fan Hai lowered his head, solemnly promising.

Before Tie Yanran, dozens of muscular men knelt. Fan Hai, at their forefront, bowed respectfully.

In perfect unison, the group of bulky men chorused:

“We’re sorry. We won’t do it again!”

Meanwhile, Liu Shicheng—completely naked—trembled like a cornered quail, squeezed between towering figures. His pale flesh stood out like a Shiba Inu caught among wolves.

Arms crossed, Tie Yanran leaned against a black iron bar, his sharp eyes glinting beneath the grotesque mask:

“You guys from Divine Mechanism Peak just never learn. Last time, the golden glow hid things well enough. But today, broad daylight, running around naked in public—it’s indecent! Causing great discomfort to neighboring Hundred Flowers Peak…”

As he lectured, a pitiful cry rose from the golden glow:

“Injustice! Senior Brother Tie, I was forced! You’ve got the wrong man!”

Liu Shicheng’s face twisted in misery. He somehow found a torn cloth to cover himself, desperately clinging to what little dignity he had left.

Tie Yanran’s gaze shifted toward him, then quickly turned away.

“What injustice? You were caught red-handed—naked, in plain sight. What defense do you have? And worse—you didn’t even try to cover up when I arrived. Truly shameless.”

“It’s not that! I wanted to wear clothes too, but that bastard Xiao Yu took mine! I couldn’t put anything on!” Liu Shicheng groaned, bitterness flooding his face.

He had originally brought Xiao Yu to Divine Mechanism Peak to watch how those eccentric martial artists would mess with him. Never did he expect to get dragged into this mess himself.

And on top of that—
Who tipped off the Discipline Hall? If he ever found out, he’d personally stab the culprit until they bled *literally everything out* with his notoriously sharp sword.

Clutching his fists, Liu Shicheng cursed inwardly.

Ugh! What a total humiliation!

Once word reached his old man, he was utterly ruined.

Fuming, he glanced sideways—and caught sight of Xiao Yu lurking near the entrance, peeking in.

“Xiao Yu?!! Finally! Senior Brother Tie, look! It was *him* who stole my clothes!”

Instantly, Liu Shicheng pointed furiously at Xiao Yu in the shadows.

“Hmm? Xiao Yu…”

Tie Yanran turned his head, locking onto Xiao Yu standing quietly at the door.

Now that Liu Shicheng had called him out, Xiao Yu couldn’t pretend to be a bystander anymore. He stepped forward and greeted Tie Yanran:

“Cough cough… meeting again, Brother Tie. I came to bring these guys some clothes.”

Funny how fate worked!

Just met earlier, now bumping into each other again—this time at Sword Prison.

Thinking this, Xiao Yu pulled several sets of clothing from his spatial ring—bought along the way—and tossed them to Fan Hai and the others.

Golden light flickered inside the prison. Beneath the terrifying mask, a pair of delicate eyes fixed steadily on Xiao Yu.