This Is What a Villain Is Like

Feeling the waves of fortune surging into his Mud Ball Palace, Jiang Lan was slightly surprised, but his expression remained impassive.

’It seems this Chu Yun is even more naive and easier to fool than I imagined.’

’But that Cyan Bull by his side is an old-timer who followed the Purple Mist True Monarch. Its judgment is sharp, so trying to trick it won’t be so simple.’

’A Child of Fortune is never one to lie low. He definitely won’t be content to stay put in a place like Anyang City.’

’But with his sister by my side, he probably won’t harbor any hostile thoughts.’

’After all, from anyone’s perspective, I dote on his sister and show her every possible consideration...’

As Jiang Lan thought of this, a plan for how to proceed had already formed in his mind.

In the pavilion, gentle music played and graceful songs filled the air. The banquet began as rows of beautiful maids brought out various Spirit Wines.

After Chu Yun took his seat, he was a little reserved at first. But at his sister’s prompting, he gradually relaxed and began to enjoy the fine food and wine before him.

However, watching his sister and Jiang Lan’s intimate gestures still left a somewhat bitter taste in his mouth.

But as things stood, he could only accept his fate.

Having become the successor to the Purple Mist True Monarch, he certainly couldn’t remain tucked away in his family’s ancestral home in Anyang City.

Once his sister’s situation was settled and he saw that her future was stable and carefree, he would leave with Cyan Ox Dahuang to make his own way in the world.

The public emergence of the inheritance from the Purple Mist True Monarch’s Cave Mansion had nothing to do with him. In his view, that so-called fated inheritance was far less useful than the teachings of Cyan Ox Dahuang.

Chu Yun had a faint premonition that in this vast world, a time would surely come for him to venture out and achieve great things. As for his sister... he just wanted her to be safe and happy.

Jiang Lan had been watching Chu Yun’s expression the whole time. Seeing him alternate between looking vexed and relieved, the strange glint in Jiang Lan’s eyes intensified. ’Who would have thought this kid cared so much for his sister.’

’If that’s the case, things are even simpler. With Chu Chan by my side, Chu Yun will always be concerned about her, no matter what he does in the future.’

’And since Chu Chan listens to my every word and is completely obedient, it’s as if Chu Yun is destined to be my useful tool. There’s no escaping it.’

"Chan’Er, your brother is so thin and still so young. This is a crucial time for him to build his body, his qi, and blood. It’s better for him to drink less wine. These medicinal dishes were all carefully prepared by a Spirit Chef. Eating more will do him good. It will even be of great benefit for his future Body Casting and Foundation Refining."

Jiang Lan smiled and put down his wine cup, addressing Chu Chan at his side.

Chu Chan was stunned. She hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to be so concerned about her brother. The touched expression on her face deepened, and her eyes shimmered as if about to overflow. "Chan’Er understands," she said. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master."

With that, she turned to the somewhat dazed Chu Yun and took the initiative to place some of the meat—glowing with a rosy light and rich in qi and blood—onto his plate. She said softly, "Yun, this meat is from the most choice parts of powerful Barbaric Beasts and Demon Beasts. Their ferocious nature has been refined away. You’ve probably never eaten anything like this before. Don’t be a stranger, eat up. You might not get another chance..."

Even Disciples from Major Sects wouldn’t be able to enjoy such precious medicinal dishes so lavishly with every meal.

Since becoming Jiang Lan’s woman, she had eaten these medicinal dishes often, so she was no longer as shocked and amazed as she had been before.

Although Chu Yun felt awkward, he saw the faint smile on Jiang Lan’s lips, so he stood up, bowed politely, and said, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Jiang. Chu Yun will not stand on ceremony."

He assumed Jiang Lan had noticed his reservation and had deliberately said that to his sister to encourage him not to be a stranger.

This made Chu Yun feel conflicted. Although he sensed a certain condescension from Jiang Lan, he also understood that it was a gesture of goodwill.

For a young master from the Prime Minister’s Mansion to say such a thing personally... was likely the height of courtesy he could expect.

"There’s no need for that. Since Chan’Er is my woman, I naturally won’t mistreat her brother."

"If you run into any trouble in the future, feel free to tell me," Jiang Lan said with a slight smile and a nod.

Inside his Mud Ball Palace, fortune roiled once again. It seemed that even Chu Chan was genuinely moved this time.

Winning people over was, at times, just that simple.

The banquet continued until 7:00 PM.

Night fell. Xihe had just risen, its bright, clear moonlight casting a hazy glow that flowed down like fine, crushed silver scattered across the ground.

For the first time in his life, Chu Yun ate and drank to his heart’s content. He felt his entire body brimming with dense vital essence and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and he urgently needed to find a place to sit cross-legged to refine it through cultivation.

Jiang Lan had already arranged for a courtyard to be prepared for him. Not wanting to disturb Jiang Lan and his sister, Chu Yun tactfully withdrew, led by a serving maid.

But not long after returning to his courtyard, he saw Cyan Ox Dahuang in a corner, watching him silently. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

This gave Chu Yun a jolt, nearly scaring him out of his wits. Only when he saw who it was did he let out a sigh of relief.

"You kid, looks like you ate some good stuff. With your body brimming with this much vital essence, you can break through the first three levels of the Rock Skill, saving yourself a good half a year of arduous cultivation. Once you’ve fully refined it all, you could probably break through to the seventh level in one go..."

"TSK TSK TSK. See? I was right, wasn’t I? If you relied on yourself, even if you hunted and ate day and night, it would’ve taken you half a year at best just to break through the third level of the Rock Skill."