This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 137: Chapter 87: Once a Crack in Trust Widens, This Is the Taste

’In the original plot, the Dragon-man Race ended up betraying the Prime Minister’s Mansion.’

Jiang Lan had little memory of Ao Xu himself. However, he could vaguely recall a few plot points about Ao Xu’s sister—the one with the purest bloodline in the history of the Dragon-man Race, a bloodline so pure it was a throwback to their very ancestors.

Currently, the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s power was overwhelming. The Dragon-man Race, though ambitious, could only lie low and restrain themselves, not daring to harbor any dissent.

But as for what Ao Xu was truly thinking—whether it was his own intention or for some other reason...

Jiang Lan didn’t care.

The group of young Celestial Prides gathered here only called him Young Master and came to his aid because they revered the power of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and had accepted him as their leader.

Li Daoyi, a True Disciple of the Taiyi Sect, was a prime example. He had his heart set on the position of Sect Leader and needed the full backing of the Li Family, so he had to obey their commands.

The Taiyi Sect had three great family lineages, and the Sui Ji Li Family among them was the family behind Jiang Lan’s mother.

Although Li Daoyi’s surname was Li, he wasn’t a member of the Li Family by birth. The name was merely bestowed upon him.

It was just like the case with Li Mengning, who was always by Jiang Lan’s side.

The difference was that Li Mengning had been personally taught and raised by his mother since childhood. It wouldn’t be wrong to call her an adopted daughter.

Li Daoyi, on the other hand, had fought his way up from the Outer Sect step by step. He was only accepted into the Li Family and granted the surname Li during the True Inheritor succession ceremony.

Their statuses were completely incomparable.

"SPURT..."

Just then, a muffled groan sounded from ahead. One of the old men scouting and analyzing the path began to convulse. He then spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed.

"The toll on one’s Divine Sense is just too great..."

A companion beside him sighed softly, helping him up and feeding him a few Elixir Pills.

Seeing this, and receiving a nod from Jiang Lan, Chu Chan stepped forward. She took out a sandalwood box and offered several of the pills shimmering with a rosy glow within it.

"Seniors, you have all worked tirelessly to scout the path for the Young Master. These are Third-Turned Small Returning Pills. We hope you will accept them," she explained.

"Third-Turned Small Returning Pills?"

The old man, who had just fainted and was slowly coming to after taking the pills, heard this.

Though his eyes had been too heavy to open moments before, he now shoved his companion aside. A wide grin split his old face as he hastily accepted the pills. "I’m fine! I can continue scouting the path for Young Master Jiang..."

Everyone who witnessed this was shocked, and they all secretly marveled at his immense wealth.

He’d even brought out Third-Turned Small Returning Pills! Those were life-saving treasures capable of bringing the dead back to life.

Look at those old men. A moment ago they were dejected, but now they were beaming, the wrinkles on their old faces crinkling together from their wide smiles.

’He’s certainly generous,’ Ye Ming thought with a silent sigh.

He actually had a Small Returning Pill himself, though it was only second-turned, not third-turned. He had been saving it as a last resort.

"I also have some Elixir Pills for restoring Spiritual Sense and stamina..."

Ling Zhuyun spoke up and walked over herself. Holding a few bottles of Elixir Pills in her fair, slender hands, she offered them to the old men.

’She didn’t want to be indebted to Jiang Lan.’

Initially, she had been a bit displeased about Jiang Lan traveling with them. But on this journey, aside from occasionally teasing Chu Chan, she hadn’t seen him do anything untoward.

In fact, the Jasper Pool Sect had been the one to benefit from his presence.

"Saintess Zhu Yun, didn’t you say this friend of yours is an Array Master?"

"Why not let the seniors rest for a bit? If they continue their deductions, I’m afraid it will be too much for them at their age."

Jiang Lan, unconcerned with Ling Zhuyun’s subtle intentions, turned to Ye Ming and spoke with keen interest.

’He was creating an opportunity for Ye Ming. The goddess is right in front of him. If he doesn’t seize it now, he might not get another chance.’

Qi Heng, hearing this, readily agreed. A smile spread across his face as he said, "Young Master Jiang is right. We don’t know how long it will take to cross this area. If we let the seniors exhaust their minds now, we’ll be in trouble later."

Ling Zhuyun’s elegant brows furrowed slightly as she vaguely guessed at Jiang Lan and Qi Heng’s intentions.

’Do they still not believe in Ye Ming’s abilities?’

However, the current Array was extremely tricky. Even she wasn’t certain if Ye Ming was capable of breaking it and finding a way out.

When Ye Ming saw Ling Zhuyun look his way, he instantly understood her concern. He gave a slight nod, signaling his confidence.

A smile of admiration bloomed on Ling Zhuyun’s face beneath her veil.

"Young Master Jiang is right. The seniors have suffered a severe drain on their minds; it’s indeed not wise for them to continue their deductions."

"Leave the rest to me..." Ye Ming said, stepping forward. His expression was placid, and he exuded a calm, convincing aura.

The old men, who had been deliberating their next move, frowned at his words. They couldn’t understand where this young man’s confidence came from.

’We’ve been immersed in this field for so many years and still can’t guarantee a solution. This young brat isn’t old, but he sure talks big.’

One of them said with displeasure, "You’ve got a big mouth for someone so young. Be careful you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Young man, I advise you to know your limits and not be so arrogant."

Seeing this, the smile on Jiang Lan’s face only widened. ’Ah, there it is,’ he thought. ’The classic face-slapping scene is about to start.’

’If Ye Ming doesn’t get on with it and break the Array, these old geezers will waste half the day dithering around here and still not find the right path...’

He had already dug the pit for Ye Ming; all he had to do was wait for him to jump in.

Sure enough, just as Jiang Lan predicted, Ye Ming remained perfectly calm in the face of their contemptuous words, seemingly unfazed.

With a wave of his hand, a simple, ancient Stone Compass appeared in his palm.

"Heaven and Earth are positioned, Mountain and Marsh share their qi. Thunder and Wind stir against each other, Water and Fire do not contend..."