This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 169: Chapter 93: Who Would Joke About Their Reputation? What Do You Take Me For?

"Qi Heng, you’re accusing her of colluding with the Blood Immortal Sect based on nothing but flimsy speculation. You know better than anyone what your true motives are for pinning this massive charge on her."

"Outside the Secret Realm, I was separated from my men and attacked by members of the Blood Immortal Sect. It was Saintess Zhu Yun who saved me in the nick of time. I don’t know if that Ye fellow is from the Blood Immortal Sect, but I know she can’t be."

"If you dare to make a move against Saintess Zhu Yun, then just try and see if you can walk out of this hall today. If the Blood Immortal Sect can’t take you down, then I’ll do it myself."

"Anyone else who dares to make a move can try as well. We’ll see if you can walk out of here alive..."

Jiang Lan suddenly spoke, his tone casual yet domineering. He then signaled with his eyes.

Behind him, the many young Celestial Prides like Li Daoyi, Luo Ying, and Ao Xu, as well as a group of Knights, all stepped forward, surrounding Qi Heng and his people.

Hearing this, the expressions of everyone else in the hall instantly changed.

Those who believed Qi Heng’s claims were furious, finding Jiang Lan’s arrogance and aggression utterly detestable.

But many others felt that Jiang Lan had a point, believing Ling Zhuyun would never do such a thing.

Perhaps there was some hidden, unspoken reason for all this.

"Jiang Lan, you..."

Qi Heng’s expression was also incredibly foul, and his voice trembled with rage.

’He had just kindly reminded Jiang Lan, but the guy really was living up to his reputation as a notorious, useless heir. To be so blinded by infatuation even in a situation like this, insisting on protecting Ling Zhuyun.’

Yet, he was genuinely intimidated by the forces around Jiang Lan and didn’t dare to make a reckless move.

"Jiang Lan..."

Ling Zhuyun also hadn’t expected Jiang Lan to stand up for her at a time like this, saying such things and willing to offend everyone present for her sake.

’Wasn’t he the one who wanted me to deal with Ye Ming the most?’

"The person who frames you knows better than anyone how innocent you are. Choosing to stay silent is the same as admitting it. Did you really expect that Ye fellow to come and clear your name?"

"Or were you planning to prove your innocence through death?"

Jiang Lan looked at her and said calmly.

Ling Zhuyun stared at him in a daze, an indescribable emotion welling up in her misty eyes.

"Jiang Lan, don’t disregard the bigger picture! This isn’t the time for you to be a hero. If Ling Zhuyun doesn’t explain herself, do you really think you can protect her?"

"Even the Jasper Pool Sect won’t let her off! Are you trying to make an enemy of every Immortal Sect Lineage in the entire Nine Provinces?"

Qi Heng gritted his teeth and demanded coldly.

"What big words. In that case, I’ll just keep all of you here today. After all, when everyone’s dead, there’s no one left to bear witness."

"I am protecting her today. What are you going to do about it?"

Jiang Lan gave him an indifferent look. His tone was light, but it carried a clear message: ’If you dare say another word, I will have my men kill you.’

"You..."

A chill instantly ran down Qi Heng’s spine. His expression was exceptionally foul, and his fists clenched so tightly they audibly cracked, but he didn’t dare to say another word.

He was genuinely afraid that this reckless madman, who feared nothing, would actually go through with it.

The expressions of Zhu Huang, Xia Jie, and the others also flickered with uncertainty.

Ling Zhuyun stared blankly at Jiang Lan, the mist in her eyes shimmering.

Her initial bewilderment and panic began to subside, as if she had found a pillar of support.

"I met Ye Ling a long time ago. I did not know he was a member of the Blood Immortal Sect. I can swear on my Dao Heart on this point."

"I have never colluded with the Blood Immortal Sect or harmed any of my fellow disciples. If there is a single false word in my statement, may I be struck by the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, my True Soul annihilated, and forever barred from the cycle of reincarnation."

"As for why I helped Ye Ling conceal his identity, it was because of a... debt of gratitude. That debt has now been repaid. If he is truly connected to the Blood Immortal Sect as you all claim, I will certainly not spare him. I will kill him with my own hands and give you all the explanation you deserve."

A moment later, she took a deep breath and spoke, her expression having already returned to a state of calm.

Seeing this, Qi Heng could only give a cold snort and drop the matter. Since Ling Zhuyun had made such an oath, there was nothing more he could do to press the issue.

Besides, Jiang Lan was right there, backing her up.

The situation had not developed as he’d hoped. He just felt a surge of annoyance and jealousy seeing Ling Zhuyun still trust that Ye Ming so completely, unwilling even now to accept his connection to the Blood Immortal Sect.

’The facts were right there in front of her, yet Ling Zhuyun was still being so stubborn. What on earth was she thinking?’

After hearing Ling Zhuyun’s oath, the expressions of the crowd in the hall shifted once more.

They no longer suspected her. After all, not just anyone dared to swear on their Dao Heart, as it concerned one’s entire future cultivation journey.

For a favored daughter of the heavens like Ling Zhuyun to make such a vow, it had to be true, nine times out of ten.

Her earlier silence was probably due to some unspeakable difficulty, likely related to that "debt of gratitude" she mentioned.

Of course, they couldn’t rule out the possibility that this Ye Ling was truly innocent and had no connection to the Blood Immortal Sect.

However, Qi Heng was a True Disciple of the Human King Hall; he wouldn’t make baseless accusations. Even young Celestial Prides of extraordinary backgrounds like Zhu Huang and Xia Jie had offered to testify.

Who would joke with their own reputation?

So, the most likely possibility was that Ling Zhuyun had been deceived by that Ye Ling and was still unable to believe or accept the truth?

Jiang Lan’s expression was calm, but his consciousness was focused within his Mud Ball Palace, sensing a great influx of fortune.

The Mysterious Ancient Vine had sprouted many new, vibrant, and tender leaves, and even the color of his Destiny Dao Fruit had deepened considerably.