Do You Like Me That Much? Miss Villainess

In fact, because she had just entered seventh rank, was unfamiliar with spells, and lacked proficiency, Mu Qinglan was still far from being the strongest at seventh rank.

Although system point allocation could make her instantly master various essentials like a master craftsman.

But how to use them and how to apply them still required her own contemplation.

In gaming terms,

Her skills were maxed out, but how to combo, how to chain attacks, how to maximize damage—that still depended on her.

These all required gradual practice.

Until then, Ah Qi would have to fight for her.

Just as Mu Qinglan was thinking this, she suddenly heard two eerie suona horn sounds from the horizon.

Clearly two human faction ceremony participants had been mixed among them.

After a while, the black tide slowly receded, revealing an eerily empty street.

Beyond the long street, the few spies who had fortunately escaped with their lives had weak legs, nearly scared out of their wits, thinking: "Is this what a demon clan saintess is like? No wonder the court is so wary of the demon clan."

Mu Qinglan smiled slightly, knowing more people were watching her.

So she didn't deliberately perform.

Instead, she displayed the mindset and expression of a qualified saintess with a calm attitude.

After recalling Ah Qi, she closed her eyes to rest, instructing Xiao Zi to take her back to the mansion, ignoring those who had slipped through the net.

In the shadows, city guards began to move, engaging in combat with these fleeing spies in the alleys. While the council of elders forbade others from helping the saintess, cleaning up the aftermath was still permissible.

Zhu Yan pinched her face.

It hurt a bit—didn't seem like she was dreaming.

She looked at the silent street, involuntarily recalling the spectacular scene from moments ago.

She accepted that Sister Mu could resist eighth rank with ninth-rank strength, but so many seventh ranks? She wasn't stupid—she could naturally see that Mu Qinglan obviously wasn't ninth rank.

Even Zhu Yan felt that Mu Qinglan's current strength might not be inferior to her former master!

But this was still greatly overestimating her.

Mu Qinglan and Ah Qi working together, no matter how powerful, were only in the category of top sixth rank, not yet reaching fifth rank.

But even so, this was quite terrifying.

This was still the Human Gate!

You fish-bombing, me fish-bombing—the fish pond instantly became a high-level match.

'When I get back... no, I'll ask tonight. If she's unwilling to say, then forget it.'

Zhu Yan glanced around to confirm no one had discovered her, then withdrew her gaze, put her hood back on, and silently slipped away.

In the distance, the City Lord looked at the reinforcement she had sent for, then at the obviously failed assault ahead, her mouth ultimately twitching.

"What are you looking at? With this strength, if she can't become saintess, heaven and earth would be unjust!"

The inspector complained inwardly while maintaining a righteous appearance and asking:

"Do you have a recording orb?"

An official nodded, lightly touching her brow with her fingertip, pulling out a pale blue light point and injecting it into a stone orb.

She was from the Star Crow clan, skilled in memory magic.

Taking the stone orb, the inspector infused it with spiritual power, reliving the scene within. Her eyes flickered with slight excitement.

Really very strong.

Even if that final outburst was her trump card, her strength far exceeded ordinary saintesses.

After brief silence around them, the inspector estimated Mu Qinglan's strength and finally made her decision.

"Spare no effort to clear out all human spies in the city. Absolutely do not allow humans to learn in the short term that we have such a powerful saintess!" She put away the stone orb and ordered.

Several officials savored her statement, guessing that the saintess position might no longer be in question.

But this result.

They were quite convinced too.

The City Lord recalled the scene from the previous saintess election, feeling somewhat wistful:

"The last saintess was predetermined. As for the one before that, it was probably forty years ago. Back then I paid attention daily to whose house the saintess position would fall to. I never expected to witness it personally today."

The inspector said leisurely:

"I was a candidate saintess last time."

The City Lord was stunned and smiled awkwardly—she really didn't know about this.

"Then please look at this junior's information." She handed Mu Qinglan's activities from recent days to the inspector.

The inspector glanced over, her gaze stirring:

"She really said she would lead our clan to defeat the humans? And so passionately?"

"She strongly identifies with the clan."

"What a raw gem... needs proper polishing..."

The inspector liked her even more.

After the saintess's figure disappeared from view, she stopped chatting and ordered:

"In that case, I'll go persuade the council of elders to select the saintess early. You stay here—I'll come back in two days."

"Remember to tell her."

The City Lord nodded slightly—as it should be.

The inspector left the way she came, her mouth turning up.

With this genius saintess, wouldn't human territory be in their demon clan's pocket?

Thinking of the beautiful future scene.

She chuckled softly.

○

Inside the saintess mansion, only after closing the main door did Xiao Zi's stiff cheeks slowly relax.

She looked at the person before her in disbelief:

"You're... this powerful?"

Mu Qinglan smiled faintly with an expert's demeanor: "You just didn't know. While you were wasting time, I was secretly working hard. Naturally there's a gap now."

Xiao Zi felt she was talking nonsense.

She stopped asking and went to make tea. The shocks Mu Qinglan had given her these past few days were too many.

So many that she felt she almost didn't recognize this saintess she had served for several months.

Shortly after, she brought hot tea.

Then left without pause to handle other matters.

But just then, she heard a melancholy sigh from behind, the voice plaintive, as if truly lamenting something sad.

Xiao Zi felt somewhat nervous.

The saintess wasn't injured this time, was she?

That made sense—easily sending even seventh ranks flying, how could there be no cost?

Moreover, the saintess had exerted herself so much for her safety. If not for her, retreat would have been effortless for the saintess.

Her heart slightly panicked, wondering where she had put the medicine box.

Then she finally heard that sentence clearly.

Xiao Zi instantly went numb.

"I'm so weak..."

She knew it.

The Tibetan fox huffed out the door.

○

The saintess mansion located in the west of the city was ordinary—passersby wouldn't think it special at a glance.

But as its owner gained fame, this ordinary mansion was now becoming extraordinary.

The most direct change was...

The entrance was piled with various invitations and gifts.

Mu Qinglan glanced at the maids carrying gifts, pursing her lips. If only these things could be brought out of the Human Gate—otherwise, the more precious these gifts were, the more her heart ached.

Out of sight, out of mind.

She had the maids store everything in the side room and close the door.

As for those invitations, she didn't plan to attend any.

At this point, she would at most visit the city lord's mansion once to inquire whether her recent performances were worthy of being called saintess, and to learn about the council of elders' will.

She vaguely remembered that the demon clan was currently dominated by the war faction.

So when performing these past few days, she had specifically disguised herself as an iron-blooded demon clan member, just short of promising to immediately fight humans upon becoming saintess.

One could say she was the demon clan's failed art student.

Thinking this, she didn't go out again, quietly waiting.

That evening, the door was gently pushed open.

"Miss Zhu Yan has come." Mu Qinglan recognized the footsteps.

Zhu Yan silently looked at her.

Wondering if the powerful magician expert from daytime and this delicate, young girl at night could be the same person. The contrast was truly striking.

"Sister Mu, about this afternoon..."

She spoke haltingly.

Mu Qinglan waved her hand without much explanation: "We'll talk after leaving the Human Gate."

Zhu Yan nodded and mentioned another matter: "The Crown Prince asked me about your existence today. I didn't reveal anything. Are there things you want me to mislead him about? He should still trust me now. Even after returning to reality and discovering something's wrong, he'll have suspicions."

"No need."

Mu Qinglan was indifferent.

She really couldn't muster much interest in that Crown Prince. She knew what she needed to know—the rest was just sending him to die step by step.

She was too lazy to have any connection with him.

Thinking of something, she added: "Only we three remain in the Human Gate now. If you want to do something, go ahead tonight."

"Will sister accompany me?"

Zhu Yan obediently took her hand, her voice soft.

Mu Qinglan shook her head inwardly—such a grown person. But when she saw the gray-haired girl's slightly confused eyes, she realized.

This was wanting to bid farewell to her past, wasn't it?

Asking her to witness it?

Quite ceremonial.

"Alright," Mu Qinglan nodded, adding: "But I won't show myself. Just listening is fine—I don't want to expose my identity yet."

"Mm."

Getting an affirmative answer, Zhu Yan breathed a small sigh of relief and said gratefully:

"As long as Sister Mu is willing."

See, she thinks of me in everything! Afraid I might be unhappy somewhere.

So cute...

Mu Qinglan smiled and hugged her, extremely satisfied.

○

Night wind blew through the separate courtyard, dead branches making mournful wails.

In the courtyard, the Crown Prince poured himself tea, his heart somewhat settled.

He felt he was stable.

At least passing this Human Gate assessment was no problem.

Calculating: two died at the start, probably eliminated; two died today—they contributed quite a bit but had reached their limit.

Now only three examinees remained, and one was his subordinate.

Two against one.

Really no reason they could lose.

Moreover, this subordinate was very loyal with considerable strength, quite capable. He had planned to promote and reward her after leaving the Human Gate, but thinking it over, he decided to wait.

After all, this was what she should do anyway.

Analyzing thus, the Crown Prince was delighted to discover that although he hadn't acted once from beginning to end, he had inexplicably gained the advantage.

Didn't this show his strategy was amazing?

His heart slightly pleased, he opened the courtyard door and summoned the gray-robed person waiting outside.

The gray-robed person remained very restrained.

Moreover, he noticed that when approaching him, the gray robe's hem would involuntarily tremble slightly.

The Crown Prince was even more pleased. Whether it was excessive admiration making her excited, or his dignity making subordinates tremble, he felt this was good.

Just like this Human Gate journey.

All good things.

The gray-robed person first respectfully bowed before saying: "I've investigated the dead—it was yesterday's rash assassin."

The Crown Prince sneered: "Rash fool."

"As for that saintess's strength..." the gray-robed person considered, "should be around sixth rank, just don't know if it was a trump card with huge cost."

"Don't mind her—nothing to do with us." The Crown Prince said decisively.

Though he always looked down on demon clans, they were temporarily allies—no need to investigate too much.

"What about those four ninth-rank saintesses?"

The gray-robed person glanced at him: "They haven't left their doors these days. Which does Your Highness want to target?"

"South of the city." He thought closer was more convenient.

"How does Your Highness plan to act?"

"You arrange it. Just remember to leave her alive for me to kill." He said matter-of-factly.

This was how they had agreed outside—the Crown Prince didn't find it shameful.

"Understood."

The gray-robed person's reaction was identical to outside.

The Crown Prince found it boring—death warriors had no interest, but at least they were loyal. He couldn't help but think of that genius assassin from Skyreach Tower.

If not for worrying her innate destiny trait might harm him, he would have promoted her.

Who knew she'd be so useless!

Not even making a splash before dying with her incompetent master! This was worthy of being called innate destiny trait?

The Crown Prince was slightly angry and said casually:

"Don't mess up. I misjudged someone before—also one of your predecessors. Really depressed me for a while."

The gray-robed person trembled slightly: "Dare I ask who that was..."

"You wouldn't know," the Crown Prince waved dismissively, irritated: "A genius from Skyreach Tower. Dead over a month now."

The courtyard fell into long silence.

The Crown Prince sipped his tea.

Looking at the night outside, he sighed: "Just a failure, not worth mentioning. Just pity I cultivated her for quite a while, even helped settle her family affairs, but never saw her accomplish anything significant for me. Looking back now, not worth it."

The delicate fist under her sleeve slightly clenched. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel·fiɾe·net

The gray-robed person remained respectful: "Dare I ask, settling family affairs means?"

The Crown Prince glanced at her. He was originally too lazy to discuss such things with a lowly death warrior—how dare she interrupt? He instinctively wanted to scold her.

But remembering her respectfulness these days, he changed his mind.

He'd tell her.

The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair, breathing leisurely, but his words made one unconsciously feel cold:

"Her family couldn't eat, so I granted them food. But they were unwilling, so I had no choice but to make them shut up..."

Hmph!

His expression was displeased:

"Mud-legs are just mud-legs—the whole family are things that can't be helped!"

The Crown Prince spoke casually, warning his subordinate that disloyalty would end like them.

The gray-robed person seemed scared into trembling all over.

He was quite pleased.

And couldn't help but look down a bit, thinking indeed just mud-legs.

For such lowly mud-legs, wanting loyalty required showing authority.

However, just then, the gray-robed person who had been silent for long suddenly stopped trembling and made actions completely unrelated to loyalty.

She slowly raised her head and pulled back her hood.

Her pale blue starlike eyes held no emotion.

Then these eyes without any emotional fluctuation met the Crown Prince's gaze and asked in confusion:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what... are you so pleased about?"