This Is What a Villain Is Like

"I’ve made you worry, Master."

Su Qinghan said guiltily, but a wave of warmth spread through her.

Although she had only known her master for a short time, the woman treated her exceptionally well.

She cared for her in every way, guided her meticulously, bestowed upon her Cultivation Techniques and Elixir Pills, and even corrected her Swordsmanship. It was as if she was being treated as a true successor.

"I am already aware of what happened to you."

"This is not your fault."

"I am the one who has implicated you."

Yuqing Zhenren spoke softly. With a gentle flick of her robes, the two of them vanished, reappearing in a lush, tranquil bamboo forest.

"Master, what did you mean just now?"

Su Qinghan had long grown accustomed to Yuqing Zhenren’s miraculous abilities. What shocked her now were the words she had just spoken.

’What does she mean, she’s the one who implicated me?’

"Master, are you saying that Young Master Jiang tried to force me to be his concubine because of you?" Su Qinghan was very clever and quickly understood, asking hastily.

Yuqing Zhenren nodded slightly. "The Dao Cang Sword Sect has been in decline. It has been several decades since the Sect Leader entered death seclusion. During this time, his Soul Lamp has dimmed, flickering erratically. A spy within the Sect must have reported this to the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"The current Prime Minister is a man of savage ambition, plotting to usurp the throne. Of the Four Great Sword Sects within the Great Xia, only our Dao Cang Sword Sect is aligned with the loyalist faction. Although the Royal Family’s presence prevents him from acting openly, he has long wished to see the Dao Cang Sword Sect eradicated..."

"That wastrel son of his was likely acting on his father’s orders. By trying to force you to be his concubine, he’s attempting to force my hand and test my position."

"Is that what’s happening?"

Su Qinghan was stunned at first, but as she processed the words, her face paled slightly.

She never imagined that she, who had just been accepted into the Dao Cang Sword Sect and hadn’t even set foot in the Sect proper, would be dragged into such a terrifying vortex.

To her, both the Dao Cang Sword Sect and the Prime Minister’s Mansion were behemoths.

A single breath from either could crush her and her family to dust.

Of course, the fact that Yuqing Zhenren was saying all this proved her status in the Dao Cang Sword Sect was far from ordinary. She was not just a common Elder.

"Master, I..."

Su Qinghan’s red lips parted, but no words came out. Her mouth felt dry.

"I am the one who implicated you. I have always been devoted to the Great Dao, focused solely on my cultivation, and never meddled in worldly affairs."

"I only promised my own master that I would intervene if the Dao Cang Sword Sect faced a crisis of utter destruction. But this time, I broke my rule and unexpectedly took you as my disciple. In you, I saw a reflection of my younger self, and I couldn’t bear to see such a rough diamond go to waste."

"But who would have thought it would bring such a calamity upon you," Yuqing Zhenren sighed softly.

The moment she had seen Su Qinghan earlier, she knew that her Primordial Yin was gone. Although she was furious, there was nothing she could do.

How could Su Qinghan possibly remain unscathed after falling into the hands of that wastrel son?

’So that’s how it is.’ Su Qinghan realized belatedly, standing there in a daze.

No wonder Jiang Lan had told her not to dig too deep. The situation was far too complicated. If she had taken a single wrong step without knowing the truth, she could have died without a proper burial.

’Even worse, if I had remained a virgin after last night, I probably would have immediately drawn the attention of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. They would have suspected me of being a pawn planted by Yuqing Zhenren at Jiang Lan’s side.’

A chill ran down Su Qinghan’s spine as she thought of this. At the same time, a sense of relief and understanding bloomed within her. ’No wonder Jiang Lan said what he did last night... He was actually trying to save me, in his own way.’

"You still have your family to worry about. Otherwise, I would have taken you away from that wastrel son directly..."

"The current situation in the Great Xia is treacherous. Even if I don’t wish to get involved in worldly affairs, my hand is being forced." A hint of helplessness appeared in Yuqing Zhenren’s cool eyes.

Su Qinghan looked at her and said in a low voice, "Master, you must have come to find me for another reason as well, right?"

Yuqing Zhenren was very pleased with her astuteness. She nodded, and with a flick of her fair hand, a Jade Scroll appeared in her palm.

"For now, I cannot save you from this sea of suffering, but I will do my best to help you and give you the means to protect yourself."

"Within this Jade Scroll is a Cultivation Technique called the Pure Girl Star-Praying Skill. It was once the core technique of a faction known as the Su Nu Palace, which I acquired by chance."

"I had originally planned to teach you a different Cultivation Technique after you officially joined the Dao Cang Sword Sect. But now that you have lost your Primordial Yin, the other techniques are no longer suitable for you."

"This Pure Girl Star-Praying Skill allows you to borrow the power of the stars of All Heavens to temper yourself and cultivate. The process may be extremely painful, but I believe in your fortitude. You will be able to endure it."

"The various Secret Skills recorded within will also give you a way to save your life in a critical moment."

As she spoke, she handed the Jade Scroll to Su Qinghan. At the same time, she tapped a finger between Su Qinghan’s brows. Three streams of clear, shimmering light flowed out, forming the illusory figure of a woman before vanishing.

"I have left three imprints of my Divine Thought on you. At a critical moment, they can save your life."

Su Qinghan said gratefully, "Qinghan thanks you, Master."

"The calamity that befell you today was also brought upon you by me. You don’t have to be like this," Yuqing Zhenren said, shaking her head.

"That wastrel son’s strongest guard right now is a Sixth Realm expert. There is also a talented young girl of considerable strength hiding in the shadows. For now, you should be in no immediate danger."

"Within the Pure Girl Star-Praying Skill, there is a Secret Skill called the Nether Prayer Skill. It can silently seize control of a person’s mind. If you can, you should try to see if you can control that wastrel son."