This Is What a Villain Is Like

"To be honest, whether you’re willing or not, you can’t hold on to that Jade Pendant right now. But you don’t have to worry. The secret treasures my master left behind are much more than just that one Cave Mansion."

"Purple Mist Mountain was just a place for his secluded cultivation in his later years. As for the Secret Technique Scrolls he left there, I know all of them. Once your cultivation level is high enough, I’ll impart them to you one by one."

"The most important things are probably a few Magical Artifacts and Secret Treasures, but they wouldn’t be of much use to you right now."

"On the other hand, since your sister has made this choice, you, as her younger brother, must naturally help her secure her footing. The lives of a Loose Cultivator and one backed by a powerful faction are worlds apart. You may think it’s no big deal now, but in the future, even finding cultivation resources will be difficult for you. Ultimately, you’ll still have to rely on your sister..."

Although Cyan Ox Dahuang’s voice was boyish, its words now flowed slowly, like those of a wise, world-weary old man patiently instructing Chu Yun.

Chu Yun fell silent.

He hadn’t expected Dahuang to advise him this way, to tell him to hand over the Jade Pendant.

’Doesn’t this basically mean handing over the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion on a silver platter?’

"How utterly short-sighted."

"Your sister is far smarter and more far-sighted than you are. How many resources could our master’s Cave Mansion possibly have? Securing a foothold in the Prime Minister’s Mansion means that from now on, your sister will be able to do as she pleases throughout Great Xia."

"You foolish boy. Your sister is well aware of this, which is why she never intended to keep it for herself. This is, after all, a rare opportunity to prove her loyalty." Cyan Ox Dahuang looked at him with an expression of profound disappointment.

Having been scolded, Chu Yun gradually began to understand.

Cyan Ox Dahuang couldn’t be bothered to say anything more. It knew Chu Yun was dejected and crestfallen, feeling resentful for a multitude of reasons.

Only when he truly stepped into the Cultivation Realm and understood its hardships and tribulations would he comprehend his sister’s actions.

Back when its master, the Purple Mist True Monarch, was just a minor cultivator, he was utterly destitute, wasn’t he? In the end, he still needed the support of the Chu Family’s ancestors.

"I’ll do as you say and give the Jade Pendant to my sister," Chu Yun said. "But if I bring you back to Anyang City with me, won’t those powerful experts take notice?"

Cyan Ox Dahuang shook its head. "You don’t need to worry about that. No matter who probes me, they’ll just think I’m an ordinary water buffalo."

Hearing this, Chu Yun was finally able to relax. He immediately returned to his quarters and began packing his clothes.

Atop a massive green stone on the peak of Purple Mist Mountain, the Zixia Daoist sat cross-legged, facing the sun. Wisps of purple mist swirled and billowed around him.

With every breath he took, the mist flowed in and out of his nose and mouth, forming what looked like a brilliant purple sun—a dazzling and miraculous sight.

His gaze was calm and indifferent, and he could see everything happening outside Zixia Temple with perfect clarity.

However, Chu Chan’s caution surprised him slightly. She possessed a Secret Treasure that concealed the conversation between her and her brother.

Naturally, he couldn’t very well probe their conversation, lest he cause unexpected complications.

With the arrival of Chu Chan, Chen Ning, and the others, the Zixia Daoist began to contemplate other matters.

He hadn’t interfered much in the affairs of the siblings, Chu Chan and Chu Yun.

After years of failing to detect anything unusual about them, he had given up on that line of inquiry.

Now that the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion was about to be revealed, he, who had plotted for many years, could not allow any mistakes.

’The Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion is about to be revealed... Who spread this news? It’s completely ruined my plans.’

’I can’t believe that after just a short period of seclusion, such a major upheaval would occur...’

’Just who is fanning the flames behind the scenes?’

’And Chu Chan might be connected to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Otherwise, I would have definitely kept her here. The core of the Array is still short of many people.’

’But since the Prime Minister’s Mansion is involved, I must be more cautious, lest my entire plan goes up in smoke.’

The Zixia Daoist’s gaze remained indifferent.

For all these years, he hadn’t simply been living in seclusion and cultivating peacefully.

He had long since inscribed Arrays on every peak of Purple Mist Mountain, channeling the draconic power of the earth and drawing upon the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi of the Spirit Veins. The moment the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion was revealed, this entire area would become an inescapable deathtrap.

Once he had the Purple Mist True Monarch’s legacy in hand, he would flee, assume a new identity, and have no need to worry about the terrifying consequences.

...

When Chu Yun finished packing and walked out of Zixia Temple leading a Cyan Bull with a sleek, glossy coat, Chu Chan was stunned speechless for a long moment.

Thankfully, Chu Yun’s timely explanation brought her back to her senses.

’But this Cyan Bull looks so ordinary. Is it really necessary to bring it along?’

However, this was ultimately Chu Yun’s personal affair, so she didn’t press the issue. She simply assumed that he and the Cyan Bull had formed a bond and were loath to part. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

None of the many Daoists at Zixia Temple made any attempt to stop Chu Yun from leaving. After all, quite a few of them had persecuted him in the past. They had guilty consciences and feared he might one day seek revenge.

As for the Zixia Daoist, he never once made an appearance.

Chu Yun kept his hatred buried in his heart, waiting for the day he would have the chance to slay his enemy with his own hands. Because of this, he never once let his resentment show.

Soon, the White Jade Imperial Chariot departed, slowly making its way back down the bamboo-lined path.

Chu Chan had Chu Yun walk behind the chariot. To maintain the proper distance between men and women, she did not allow him to ride inside with her.

It wasn’t just that Chu Yun was a grown man now, no longer the little boy he once was. Her current relationship with Jiang Lan also required her to maintain a certain distance from all men—including her own brother.