This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 160: Chapter 91: Even the Saintess Is Cornered, Causing an Uproar

Ling Zhuyun had been an avid reader of various scriptures since childhood, her knowledge extensive. This included a number of wondrous techniques from medical scriptures.

When she had first witnessed Jiang Lan’s strange episode, she found it hard to believe.

After all, Heart-devouring Syndrome was truly rare, and the number of recorded cases throughout history could be counted on one hand.

But upon seeing the horrifying agony of Jiang Lan’s affliction as it flared up, she was finally certain. It was, without a doubt, Heart-devouring Syndrome. For the first time, she was at a complete loss, with absolutely no idea how to ease his suffering.

After all, just witnessing one of its episodes was enough to make one’s blood run cold.

’If it were happening to me, I couldn’t possibly endure it in silence like Jiang Lan did.’

His fortitude earned her admiration, and she cast aside her former prejudices.

Of course, the most important point was that the cure she knew for the Heart-devouring Disease required the daily consumption of a cultivator’s Heart’s Blood; after several years, the disease would be completely eradicated.

And judging by Jiang Lan’s current condition, he had clearly been afflicted for far longer than just a few years.

That meant Jiang Lan had been enduring this agony the entire time.

’No wonder he was so calm and composed when facing assassins and mortal danger. How could any ordinary person possibly match the immense willpower and mindset forged through such an ordeal?’

What Ling Zhuyun admired most of all, however, was that with the power and influence of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, curing the Heart-devouring Disease should have been a simple matter.

Yet Jiang Lan had chosen to endure such prolonged torment instead.

’A man like that... even if he’s as terrible as the rumors say, he can’t possibly be a truly bad person.’

"You don’t have to help me obtain the Purple Mist True Monarch’s inheritance."

"I have my own way."

"However, if you truly wish to help me, you’d be better off helping me kill that Ye fellow."

Jiang Lan’s response to her was casual, his expression as calm as still water.

"I..." Ling Zhuyun faltered.

A small, unsurprised smile touched Jiang Lan’s lips as he looked at her. "In that case, Saintess Zhu Yun, you can spare me your pity and guilt."

"I’ve already made it perfectly clear. I’m helping you because our fates are intertwined. If you die, I die."

"So, you don’t need to feel any remorse."

At his calm words, the glistening red lips beneath Ling Zhuyun’s veil parted slightly. She wanted to speak, but found she had nothing to say.

Looking at Jiang Lan’s placid, unrippled expression, she felt an inexplicable, uncomfortable tightness in her chest—a feeling of pent-up emotion with no release.

In all her years of cultivation, she had never encountered a situation like this and had no idea how to handle it.

Back at the tea ceremony, Jiang Lan had known Ye Ming was an assassin, but to protect her dignity, he hadn’t exposed her lie in front of everyone.

And at the time, they had never even met.

Today, he had fought with his life on the line to protect her, buying her precious time and saving her life.

’If I hadn’t accidentally discovered the secret, years-long torment of his illness today, I’d probably still be full of prejudice, stubbornly suspecting him of having ulterior motives.’

This feeling—overwhelming guilt, but no idea how to atone for it—was deeply unsettling.

"Ye and I have a deep friendship, and he has helped me a great deal in the past. I can’t repay his kindness with betrayal and attack him." After some thought, Ling Zhuyun spoke softly, her eyes, which seemed to shimmer with unshed tears, fixed on Jiang Lan.

"I understand," Jiang Lan said. "That’s why I was just speaking offhandedly."

Seeing his expression, as placid and unchanging as still water, made the tightness in Ling Zhuyun’s chest grow even more unbearable.

’Just a short while ago, he was still in the mood to tease me.’

"Young Master Jiang, the enmity between you and Ye... it doesn’t have to be irreconcilable. I think I can help you bury the hatchet..." Ling Zhuyun began, trying to mediate their conflict.

Jiang Lan cut her off with a wave of his hand. "There’s no need," he said, his expression calm.

"I know you have a deep-seated prejudice against me, Saintess Zhu Yun, but must you humiliate me like this? At the Drunken Immortal Residence, that man tried to assassinate me in public. If I hadn’t had so many experts at my side, I would have died by his hand."

"Here in the Purple Mist Mountain Range, he captured me and abandoned me in this remote place to fend for myself, leaving me to be killed by mountain sprites and wild beasts. Out of consideration for your dignity, Saintess Zhu Yun, I didn’t mention his name before."

"Do you truly believe I don’t know who wants me dead?"

"Even if I didn’t, wouldn’t you know perfectly well?"

"And you’re telling me now that my hatred for a man who has tried to kill me time and time again isn’t irreconcilable?"

"Do you think I’m too benevolent, Saintess Zhu Yun? Or do you simply believe this is how things ought to be?"

His words were delivered calmly, his tone unhurried, as if he were simply stating a plain fact.

Yet they left Ling Zhuyun speechless. She fell silent, not knowing how to respond.

Jiang Lan’s final words, in particular, made her face turn pale.

’That’s right... By what right could I ask Jiang Lan to let go of his hatred? What gave me the qualification to say such a thing to him?’

’I suspected all along that Ye Ming wanted to kill Jiang Lan, but I pretended not to know, to protect our friendship.’

"I’m sorry..."

Ling Zhuyun stared blankly at Jiang Lan, her chest tight with emotion. After a long silence, her red lips finally parted to utter those two words.

Jiang Lan, however, looked at her in apparent surprise.