This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 127: Chapter 85: How Can It Be Called Overwhelming Power If Not Used to Deliberately Intimidate Ling Zhuyun?

Fairy Miaoyin smiled. "It seems the inheritance left by the Purple Mist True Monarch truly contains something of use to Young Master Jiang. In that case, I shall grant you this favor, Young Master Jiang, and not interfere in this matter."

Her words took many by surprise.

Then again, the Divine Maiden Palace had always been mysterious and unpredictable. How could an outsider possibly fathom their true intentions?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan began to suspect this woman was just here to cause trouble for him. Outwardly, however, his expression remained unchanged. He gave a slight nod and smiled. "If that’s the case, then I owe Miss Miaoyin a favor."

"A favor from you, Young Master Jiang? Don’t go back on your word and forget it now," Fairy Miaoyin replied with a smile.

’Opportunities belong to the worthy. Does he really think he can scare everyone off and make them hand over the inheritance, just by relying on the power of the Prime Minister’s Mansion?’

Xia Jie’s eyes narrowed as he faintly guessed Jiang Lan’s intentions. He then let out a disdainful sneer.

Forget everyone else; even he was now tempted to compete for this inheritance.

After Fairy Miaoyin stated her position, the rest of the younger generation fell into a tacit silence. No one responded. They neither declared their intention to compete nor to withdraw.

Ye Ming had been silently sipping his tea. He relaxed after learning of Jiang Lan’s intentions.

’But is there really something in the Purple Mist True Monarch’s inheritance that’s so important to Jiang Lan?’

’I’ll have to ask the Old Ghost about it when I get back. Still, any inheritance the Old Ghost remembers can’t be anything simple.’

’So, naturally, I have to compete for it too.’

"And who might be the gentleman beside Saintess Ling Zhuyun? I don’t believe I’ve seen him before."

But just as Ye Ming was lost in thought, Jiang Lan’s voice suddenly rang out from the main seat. His gaze followed, seeming to size Ye Ming up.

Hearing this, all the other members of the younger generation turned to look as well.

In fact, many had already been curious about the identity of the unfamiliar man beside Ling Zhuyun. To be accompanying her, he had to be a friend at the very least; he couldn’t possibly be a mere follower.

Besides, as the Quasi-Saintess of the Jasper Pool Sect, Ling Zhuyun had no male followers.

Ye Ming was slightly startled. He hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to suddenly single him out and question his identity at a time like this.

Ling Zhuyun was also a little surprised, but her expression remained composed as she replied, "Young Master Jiang..."

"I am Ye Ling. Greetings, Young Master Jiang."

But just as she was about to explain, Ye Ming suddenly cut in. "I am merely a Loose Cultivator from the remote Great Yan Kingdom. I happen to be acquainted with Saintess Zhu Yun for certain reasons, and when I heard about this tea gathering, I asked her to bring me along to broaden my horizons and, well, to snag a cup of tea."

"I hope you don’t mind, Young Master Jiang."

Ye Ling?

The other young elites all wracked their brains, but none had any recollection of that name. He was either a complete nobody or using an alias.

As for the Great Yan Kingdom, it was just some remote, minor kingdom. People of their status wouldn’t bother remembering it.

Ling Zhuyun held back what she was about to say. Since Ye Ming had explained himself, there was no need for her to add anything more.

Jiang Lan said with great interest, "From the Great Yan Kingdom? You’ve come a long way. But why does your face seem so familiar, as if I’ve seen you somewhere before?"

"I just have a common face. There are plenty of people in any crowd who look like me. Perhaps Young Master Jiang is mistaken."

Ye Ming froze for a second before a chill shot through him. He quickly forced a smile and explained.

"No, that’s not it."

But Jiang Lan shook his head, then rose to his feet. He stared at Ye Ming and said, "The man who tried to assassinate me at the Drunken Immortal Residence that day... he had your face."

The moment he spoke, a dead silence fell over the Star-Picking Platform. You could have heard a pin drop.

Then, Li Daoyi, Luo Ying, and many other young elites reacted, rising to their feet in unison. They stared at Ye Ming, their eyes filled with hostility and killing intent.

Mr. Chu, who stood behind Jiang Lan, narrowed his eyes slightly and also glanced over. A vast, terrifying pressure instantly crashed down.

A chill shot down Ye Ming’s spine and his expression changed. He was instantly paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.

’I don’t know how Jiang Lan saw through my disguise,’ he thought. ’My current face is completely different from the one I used at the Drunken Immortal Residence that day. There isn’t the slightest resemblance.’

’Jiang Lan must be saying this because he’s certain no one else saw the assassin’s face that day. He can say whatever he wants; it’s not like anyone knows what the real assassin looked like.’

A deathly, oppressive silence descended upon the Star-Picking Platform.

The many young elites stared at Ye Ming in shocked disbelief.

Beneath her light veil, Ling Zhuyun’s expression shifted slightly. She was one of the very few people present who knew the truth of what had happened that day. She knew that Ye Ming was, in fact, the assassin who had tried to kill Jiang Lan.

But knowing Ye Ming’s caution, he would never have shown his true face. His current appearance was also a disguise.

It was impossible for Jiang Lan to know that Ye Ming was the assassin. His accusation was, most likely, just an attempt to slander him.

"You must be joking, Young Master Jiang. Ye is an upright and honorable man. How could he possibly assassinate someone? Besides, on the day in question, he was with me the entire time. We hadn’t even arrived in Anyang City yet, so how could he have possibly attacked you..."

"Furthermore, as a Loose Cultivator, Ye has made his share of enemies. He always travels in disguise, so his current appearance is not his true face..." Ling Zhuyun said calmly.