This Is What a Villain Is Like

"Young Master, should we bring Miss Xiao along with us?"

Ying nodded and glanced at Xiao Yingyue, worried she might be in league with that Lin Fan.

Although he couldn’t sense any cultivation fluctuations from Xiao Yingyue, what if she possessed some kind of Exotic Treasure that concealed her aura?

"With my current strength, going with you would probably just cause unnecessary trouble."

"With so many Knights and guards here to protect Young Master Jiang, are you really worried that a weak woman like me would bring him harm?"

Xiao Yingyue seemed to know what Ying was worried about and spoke bluntly, her expression open and composed.

She did not want to run into Lin Fan. If he found out that she was the one who had led these people to him, he would definitely not let her off the hook.

And Lin Fan had many tricks up his sleeve. If he was determined to attack her, she could very well be in danger.

Jiang Lan glanced at Xiao Yingyue, faintly guessing what she was thinking. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He dismounted from his Exotic Beast and said with a casual smile, "If Miss Xiao wishes to stay behind, that’s fine. Your cultivation hasn’t recovered yet, so coming along would indeed be a hindrance. If that Lin Fan is dead set on killing you, things could easily go wrong."

Xiao Yingyue was slightly taken aback, not expecting Jiang Lan to voice her thoughts so directly.

’But judging by the current situation, it’s obviously safer to stay by Jiang Lan’s side.’

’It’s a shame my cultivation is gone, or I wouldn’t have to be so cautious.’

"Then, Young Master, please be careful."

Ying nodded, left a dozen or so guards and Knights behind, and led the rest to continue the pursuit.

Soon, night fell. The roars of Demon Beasts rose and fell throughout the mountains.

The chirping of insects, the cries of birds, the slithering of snakes and crawling of ants—all the rustling sounds were exceptionally clear.

By the bonfire, Jiang Lan found a flat piece of ground, had someone lay down a clean blanket, and then sat down cross-legged.

Xiao Yingyue gave him a slightly surprised look, not expecting him to be so particular about cleanliness.

’Cultivators rarely care about such things.’

’But as the Prime Minister’s only son, Jiang Lan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has been pampered his whole life. He’s rarely had to live in the wilderness like this, so it’s normal for him to be a little fastidious.’

She, on the other hand, had traveled to every corner of the Nine Provinces Land to taste every herb for her work compiling the *Hundred Herbs Scripture Collection*.

She had visited not only mountain ranges like this but also far more dangerous and forbidden lands.

Xiao Yingyue casually found a bluestone and sat cross-legged upon it.

She appeared to be meditating, but she was actually wondering how she could get information about the Rouge Rest Grass from Lin Fan.

’Once Lin Fan falls into the hands of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, I can forget about getting what I want from him.’

’How can I bring this up in a way that will make Jiang Lan agree to my request?’

’But if I do ask, won’t that mean my earlier story about being coerced by Lin Fan was just a lie to fool them?’

Xiao Yingyue mentally reviewed the rumors she had heard about the Son of the Prime Minister, beginning to formulate a plan.

Jiang Lan, however, didn’t pay any mind to the change in Xiao Yingyue’s expression.

Sensing that the quiet, elegant presence beside him had vanished, he shook his head inwardly.

’Li Mengning is gone without a word. She probably ran off to pick Spirit Fruits somewhere.’

The bonfire crackled. The stars and moon were dim, and a miasma filled the deep mountains.

A group of guards and Knights patrolled nearby, setting up posts every five steps. They were extremely vigilant, not letting their guard down for a moment.

"Young Master Jiang, I once heard from my master that you suffer from a strange illness, one that even she had no cure for..."

Just then, Xiao Yingyue’s voice suddenly broke the silence.

Jiang Lan glanced at her, seemingly a little surprised. He gave a noncommittal smile and said, "Oh? Miss Xiao Yue’s master even knows about this? Her status in Medicine King Valley must be quite high."

"My master is the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley. Many years ago, she was invited to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to treat you, Young Master Jiang. I have studied by her side since I was a child, so I also heard her mention this matter."

"In her search for a cure, my master consulted all sorts of medical scriptures and classics, but unfortunately, she came up empty-handed and was unable to resolve your affliction, Young Master Jiang."

Xiao Yingyue explained, her voice tinged with regret.

In fact, she only knew about this because the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley had personally come to ask for her advice.

And the treatment strategy she had provided at the time was nearly identical to the Valley Master’s.

The first was to consume Heart’s Blood for treatment. The second was to keep the body’s essence, qi, and kidney blood in a state of deficiency.

Judging from his current condition, Jiang Lan must have chosen the second method.

’Unfortunately, that can only alleviate the symptoms, not provide a complete cure.’

"Miss Xiao, what are you trying to tell me by bringing this up?"

Jiang Lan was thoroughly intrigued but feigned a look of mild surprise as he asked.

’For Xiao Yingyue to suddenly mention all this, she must be asking for something.’

’Given her cautious and meticulous nature, she probably wants something from Lin Fan, or there’s a secret she wants to know.’

"If Young Master Jiang is unwilling to use the first method of treatment, I actually have an alternative."

"A few years ago, I happened upon a tattered Medical Scripture at a street stall. In it was an Elixir Recipe for something called the Swallowing Clouds Red Sun Pill..."

Xiao Yingyue seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking slowly.

The main ingredients for refining the Swallowing Clouds Red Sun Pill are the Essence Blood of various Great Demon Beasts. With the power and resources of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, they wouldn’t be difficult to obtain.

Although its healing effects aren’t as pronounced as directly consuming a cultivator’s Heart’s Blood, it is still useful. It can extend the interval between the onsets of Jiang Lan’s Heart-devouring Syndrome.

"Is there something you want, Miss Xiao, for suddenly telling me all this? Feel free to speak your mind." Jiang Lan smiled slightly as he looked at her and asked.

Xiao Yingyue hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to be so approachable.

According to the rumors, the Prime Minister’s only son was arrogant, domineering, and bullied others by flaunting his power.

But from her interactions with him today, he gave off an impression of being gentle like jade—modest and exceptional.

Just as Xiao Yingyue was carefully choosing her words, a rumbling sound suddenly came from not far away.

Accompanied by the roar of a Demon Beast, a massive rhinoceros, as large as a small mountain and covered in scales, came charging over.

On its head, a single, spiral-shaped horn radiated a sharp golden light, spewing terrifying beams of divine radiance that could shatter mountains and split rocks.

Everywhere it passed, the mountains trembled and trees snapped. It was a path of utter destruction.

SKREEE!

And from another direction, a streak of crimson light shot across the dark sky.

It was a strange bird covered in crimson Feathers, its eyes cold and violent. Its wings, when spread, looked as if they were sculpted from blood, and its ferocious might was staggering.

The eagle and the rhinoceros soon began a fierce battle in this area. The commotion was immense, causing the surrounding mountains to shake.

Cliffs collapsed and shattered, and countless trees were broken. Any ordinary cultivator who stepped into the area would likely be instantly crushed into a bloody mist by the shockwaves.

However, their fight didn’t last long. As if enraged by the presence of the Human Race nearby, they turned and charged toward the area where Jiang Lan and the others were.

Jiang Lan’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’How interesting,’ he thought. ’The fish really served themselves up on a platter.’

’My long wait wasn’t in vain.’

"Great Demon Beasts at the Fifth Realm, the Soul Palace Realm!"

"Protect the Young Master!"

The guards and Knights were all shaken. Shouting, they charged forward to intercept the two charging Demon Beasts.

"A Black Armor Rhinoceros and a Blood Celestial Eagle, both at the Fifth Realm..."

Xiao Yingyue was taken aback, not understanding why two Great Demon Beasts would suddenly appear and attack this place.

In these primordial mountains, the number of Great Demon Beasts was already low, and their territories were far apart. It was impossible for them to fight each other for no reason.

’This is bad.’

She reacted almost instantly, about to get up and retreat.

From the darkness in the distance, a bone-chillingly cold voice suddenly rang out,

"Thank you, Miss, for helping me lead those enemies away. You’ve given me the chance to personally execute this despicable villain."

"I am endlessly grateful for your help."