This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 133: Chapter 87: Once the Fissure in Trust Widens, This Is the Taste

The long street rumbled and shook as dust and smoke billowed. One after another, Barbaric Beasts with fearsome scales, breathing out clouds and mist, stampeded over. The procession was vast and mighty, its momentum staggering.

"How about you let us accompany you on this journey, Saintess Zhu Yun?"

Jiang Lan sat enthroned upon one of the beasts, a faint smile on his face as he looked toward Ling Zhuyun.

Behind him followed many Knights, along with Li Daoyi, Luo Ying, and numerous other powerful figures of the younger generation.

Each of them had brought a large retinue, all of whom exuded powerful auras and seemed to be wreathed in a divine glow.

This was a terrifying force that could not be ignored. Any single one of these young prodigies was a renowned Celestial Pride within the Great Xia, possessing extraordinary talent and strength.

Now, however, they looked for all the world like a pack of lackeys from the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The crowd of pedestrians and cultivators watching the drama unfold from the sides of the street quickly backed away, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

The few young figures who had just been fanning the flames paled. Cursing under their breath, they felt ashamed to even be counted among the same generation as these so-called Celestial Prides and quickly departed.

"Jiang Lan..."

Qi Heng, the True Inheritor of the Human King Hall, hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to suddenly appear and interfere, deliberately spoiling his plans.

His expression stiffened and turned ugly, but wary of the other man’s power, he reined himself in. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and drop the matter.

Setting aside the question of whether he even dared to publicly offend the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the forces gathered behind Jiang Lan alone were far beyond his ability to challenge.

Li Daoyi was the True Inheritor of the Taiyi Sect, a man of exceptional strength and profound Dao Practice. Qi Heng had lost to him years ago.

And now, Li Daoyi was working for Jiang Lan...

Ye Ming’s expression darkened. ’Compared to Jiang Lan, this True Inheritor of the Human King Hall would be much easier to handle,’ he thought.

He didn’t say anything, however, and his expression quickly returned to normal.

’If Jiang Lan insists on coming with us, I’ll have to be extremely careful. After all, Purple Mist Mountain isn’t like Anyang City.’

’When the time comes, if Jiang Lan discovers my true identity, he’ll never let me go.’

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Ye Ming gently rubbed the back of his hand. ’With Old Ghost’s help, maybe I won’t have to fear Jiang Lan then.’

"Young Master Jiang..."

Ling Zhuyun, whose white dress was like snow, looked holy and transcendent. Her skin was like jade, and the expression on her beautiful face, hidden behind a light veil, shifted slightly, as if in surprise.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to suddenly appear with his men. In a way, he had gotten her out of a difficult situation.

Compared to Jiang Lan, however, she would have much rather traveled with Qi Heng.

At least Qi Heng wasn’t as utterly unrestrained and unscrupulous as Jiang Lan.

"What’s wrong?"

"Could it be that Saintess Zhu Yun is unwilling? At the tea-brewing ceremony, you all promised me you wouldn’t compete for the Purple Mist True Monarch’s inheritance."

"Going back on your word now? Rushing off in such a hurry... are you afraid you’ll miss something?" Jiang Lan asked with a faint smile, riding his Barbaric Beast up to Ling Zhuyun.

Ling Zhuyun had no memory of promising Jiang Lan any such thing.

However, her expression remained serene as she replied, "You misunderstand, Young Master Jiang. It is our honor to travel with you. With countless experts under your command, our chances of obtaining the inheritance will surely be much greater."

The female disciples of the Jasper Pool Sect behind her, however, did not look nearly as composed. The expressions on the faces of Zhao Dieyi, Chen Ning, and the others were particularly strained.

The other female disciples had been left with deep psychological scars from the incident at the Drunken Immortal Residence. Now, they kept their heads bowed, not daring to spare him a single glance.

Chu Chan, who was also in the procession, rode a snow-white Exotic Beast over to Chen Ning and the others to greet them.

After all, even though she now served Jiang Lan, her status as a disciple of the Jasper Pool Sect remained unchanged. Technically, she should have been traveling with Chen Ning’s group.

Chen Ning’s heart was filled with icy hatred, but given the circumstances, she put on a friendly, intimate expression and began chatting with Chu Chan. No one would have ever guessed there was a life-or-death feud between them.

’The Beiming Chen Family already has people waiting outside Anyang City. They’ll be accompanying me on this trip.’

’Once we get to Purple Mist Mountain, I’ll have plenty of ways to deal with Chu Chan.’

Qi Heng, the True Inheritor of the Human King Hall, could only snort in silent fury. He didn’t dare do anything to Jiang Lan, so he directed his anger toward Ye Ming instead. Seeing Ye Ming’s calm, composed, and confident demeanor only infuriated him further.

He had pursued Ling Zhuyun for many years but had never once received so much as a kind look from her.

Yet today in Anyang City, he had to watch as this unfamiliar young man appeared by her side.

He had even heard rumors that this same man had been by Ling Zhuyun’s side during the tea-brewing ceremony, claiming to be her friend.

An elder in his clan, one skilled in the arts of divination, had stated bluntly that Ling Zhuyun was blessed with great destiny.

If he could win her favor and aid, his chances of one day becoming the Hall Master of the Human King Hall would increase dramatically.

"I, of course, have no objection to Young Master Jiang traveling with us."

"But this stranger I’ve never seen before... what is his identity, that he has earned such favor from Saintess Zhu Yun?"

Qi Heng pressed his attack, demanding with a cold snort as his gaze locked onto Ye Ming. He knew the man possessed an Exotic Treasure that concealed his aura, preventing him from probing his cultivation level.

"Indeed. At the tea-brewing ceremony, Saintess Zhu Yun never properly introduced this gentleman. We don’t yet know what trials and dangers await us on the way to Purple Mist Mountain."

"To let a complete stranger tag along... frankly, I’m a bit concerned..."

"Does this gentleman possess some special talent?" Jiang Lan added, his tone leisurely.