This Is What a Villain Is Like

Chapter 203: Chapter 99: Why Is Lin Fan Already Dead? He Has Returned to Take Revenge on All the Enemies From His Past Life

Much like the Changlong Business Alliance, the Prime Minister’s Mansion controlled nearly sixty percent of the entire Great Xia’s economic lifelines. But after the Celestial Secret Pavilion emerged, it seemed no secret or piece of information could remain hidden.

Many speculated that the Celestial Secret Pavilion’s existence was meant to undermine and replace the Great Xia’s Observatory.

The Observatory was responsible for monitoring the realm, collecting all manner of intelligence and secrets, and overseeing the activities of the Immortal Sects in every region.

However, the Observatory answered only to the Royal Family, and its intelligence was never disseminated to the public.

The Celestial Secret Pavilion’s existence essentially meant taking the Observatory’s internal intelligence, making it public, and keeping it under its own control.

Although this move threatened to undermine the very foundation of the Observatory, the Celestial Secret Pavilion had caused a massive sensation in the short time since its establishment. Even many Immortal Sects benefited from it, leaving the Great Xia’s Royal Family powerless to intervene.

Over time, the Celestial Secret Pavilion became the most mysterious power in the Great Xia of today.

From the great Immortal Sects to the common street peddlers, anyone could go there to inquire about the information they sought.

And the monthly publication of its various ranking lists had become an event of utmost concern for the numerous Immortal Sect Lineages and Noble Families and Clans.

’It’s good that Lan’Er has resolved his inner conflict. But I’m afraid that from now on, the Royal Family won’t remain as idle as they have been. While this is a positive development, it may also bring him danger...’

’The situation in Great Xia is still uncertain. Though I feel confident, I must wait a little longer.’

’However, once Lan’Er has a cultivation base, the Royal Family will certainly not remain passive.’

’Although the Observatory doesn’t meddle in struggles for the throne, there’s no guarantee its people won’t favor the Royal Family. A while ago, agents from the Dark Flower Pavilion made secret contact with the Observatory, intending to investigate Lan’Er...’

Jiang Lintian set down his Jade Chopsticks, his brows knitting slightly. His expression suddenly grew profound, and within his eyes, a universe of stars seemed to flare into existence and then die out.

Hearing this, Master Ji also set down his Jade Chopsticks and spoke. "Is the Prime Minister concerned for the Young Master’s safety? With so many masters by his side, surely the Royal Family, even if they are restless, wouldn’t be foolish enough to make a move against him."

Jiang Lintian shook his head. "The Royal Family themselves wouldn’t dare. But there’s no telling if some interested party might use them as a borrowed knife to kill, hoping to stir chaos in Great Xia."

"Those Holy Dao Lineages from Beiyuan Province have long intended to vie for control of the Celestial Central Province. The former Emperor of Great Xia drove them out, but with Great Xia’s Dragon Fortune dimming and an ominous star flickering in the heavens, it will inevitably give Beiyuan Province ideas..."

"The Royal Family schemes for petty gains, burning the forest for farmland and draining the pond for fish. They only care about immediate profit, completely oblivious to the fact that without the Prime Minister guarding Great Xia, how could Beiyuan Province, the Southern Wilderness Province, and Xiling Province... possibly remain so docile?" Master Ji said with a respectful smile.

Jiang Lintian sighed faintly. "If I could keep those major provinces in check, I would have long since changed the name of Great Xia to Jiang. The current Emperor Xia is simply too weak. Does she truly believe she can protect the Great Xia empire by herself?"

"The members of the Royal Family all act for themselves, scheming and backstabbing, concerned only with carving out their own benefits. Why would they care if Great Xia is rotting from the inside out?"

"If not for the fact that my Cultivation Technique requires me to bear the National Fortune, cultivate the Human Dao, and employ the Destiny Dynasty Technique to forge the foundation for Feather Transformation, I would have abandoned this whole mess long ago. To live as carefree as my wife... now that would be true freedom."

Hearing Jiang Lintian’s complaint, Master Ji couldn’t help but smile. "You are a man of great talent, Prime Minister. Everyone says you have treacherous, wolfish ambitions and that you bring chaos to the court, but who among them knows that you are the only one who truly has Great Xia’s best interests at heart?"

At this praise, Jiang Lintian couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

’Me, having Great Xia’s interests at heart? It’s merely that Great Xia is useful to me, nothing more.’

"Actually, I do have one idea, but it depends on whether you and your wife are willing, Prime Minister..." Master Ji suddenly rose, clasping his hands in a formal gesture of respect.

"What idea?" Jiang Lintian asked, slightly surprised.

"Few people know that the current Emperor Xia is, in fact, a woman. Since you are troubled by how to keep the major provinces in check, Prime Minister, why not simply make Emperor Xia one of the Jiang Family?" Master Ji proposed.

Hearing this, Jiang Lintian’s eyes narrowed as an idea seemed to strike him.

"Easier said than done. It all depends on whether Lan’Er is willing to make that sacrifice. Still, knowing Xia Junxi’s personality, she would rather die defending her empire than submit to the Prime Minister’s Mansion..." He laughed.

Master Ji smiled but said nothing.

Jiang Lintian chuckled. "In a few months, Xia Junxi will be at the border of the Southern Wilderness Province to conduct the customary Southern Hunting. Disciples from all the major Immortal Sects will be in attendance. I had originally planned to teach her a lesson there, but what you’ve said, Master Ji, has given me a change of heart."

"But we can discuss this matter with Lan’Er in detail after he returns. Once his cultivation breaks through to the Third Realm, I’ll have a few more surprises ready for him."

...

「Anyang City.」

Within a private courtyard, Jiang Lan had no idea that far away in Jingyang City, Jiang Lintian was already plotting a "surprise" for him.

A few ancient pines soared into the clouds. As the wind gusted through their branches, the soughing of the pines sounded like the roar of the sea.

Before an ancient, gnarled tree that resembled a Qiu Dragon stood a pavilion.

He held a page from an Ancient Scroll, spread flat on the stone table before him.

At his side, Chu Chan was grinding ink for him, watching as he held a brush and made various marks and notations on the Ancient Scroll.

"Great Xia has a total of one hundred and eight prefectures, each of varying size. Generally, apart from the Prefect, who possesses the strength of the Sixth Realm, only the patriarchs of some ancient Noble Families and Clans can match that power..."

"The Celestial Central Province lies at the very heart of the Nine Provinces Land, situated at a confluence of Dragon Veins. It is a land of exceptional people and spiritual power, rich in Spiritual Essence and natural beauty."

"The Great Xia Empire, in turn, occupies the most strategic territory within the Celestial Central Province. The various Immortal Sect Lineages are arrayed around it like stars orbiting the moon, scattered throughout the surrounding mountain ranges. Though they have not sworn allegiance to Great Xia, they must still abide by its laws when operating within its borders and dare not transgress..."