This Is What a Villain Is Like

"Shouldn’t you know whether I’m spent or not?" Jiang Lan watched her with keen interest.

Hearing this, Su Qinghan seemed to recall something, and a faint blush crept onto her fair face.

"I just noticed you seem quite fond of Chu Chan. It was a little surprising is all..." she said, quickly changing the subject.

She hadn’t used a word like "love," because in her eyes, Jiang Lan’s fondness for Chu Chan was more like the affection one has for a beautiful, obedient object.

Much like a woman’s fondness for beautiful clothes.

"There’s nothing to be surprised about."

"Is it not human nature to appreciate fine wine and beautiful women? I am quite fond of you as well, Qinghan."

Jiang Lan just smiled casually. He certainly wasn’t going to explain anything to Su Qinghan.

"It seems you’re quite generous with your affection," Su Qinghan said quietly.

"That’s not being generous. I’d call it being passionate, yet faithful."

"..."

Su Qinghan knew Jiang Lan was just teasing her, so she didn’t press the issue and instead returned to her previous question.

She had assumed Jiang Lan was just passing through Anyang City and would leave after resting for a night or two.

But now, it seemed Jiang Lan had no intention of leaving and was planning to stay for some time.

Su Qinghan wasn’t in a particular hurry. She knew she had to follow Jiang Lan back to the Imperial Capital Jingyang City first before heading to the Dao Cang Sword Sect.

The journey was bound to take a considerable amount of time.

Now that Cyan Jade Zhenren had imparted all the necessary Cultivation Techniques to her, she felt it didn’t really matter whether she went to the Dao Cang Sword Sect or not, though she would probably have to explain herself to her master.

Su Qinghan had no desire to be caught in the vortex of conflict between the Dao Cang Sword Sect and the Prime Minister’s Mansion. One wrong move could lead to the utter annihilation of both herself and her family, the Su Mansion.

Her master had instructed her, if necessary, to use the Nether Prayer Skill—a Secret Skill from the Pure Girl Star-Praying Skill—on Jiang Lan to see if she could control him.

First of all, she had no desire to do such a thing. Regardless of the circumstances, Jiang Lan had helped her to some extent and even intended to protect her. She couldn’t bring herself to repay kindness with malice.

If the Prime Minister hadn’t ordered Jiang Lan to take her as a concubine, their paths likely never would have crossed.

Besides, Su Qinghan had witnessed Jiang Lan’s terrifying power firsthand. Even if she advanced her cultivation to the Fifth Realm, she would be no match for him. Successfully using the Nether Prayer Skill on him was even more out of the question.

That was why she had been so conflicted and lost recently, unsure of what to do.

’On one side is my benevolent master, and on the other... my husband? Yes, it shouldn’t be wrong to call him that. After all, on this trip to the Imperial Capital Jingyang City, I’ll become his legitimate concubine.’

"Anyang City is about to get very lively. I plan to stay and watch the excitement before leaving."

The sound of Jiang Lan’s voice broke Su Qinghan out of her thoughts.

She looked at him, slightly stunned and confused.

’Is something big about to happen in Anyang City?’

"The dwelling of the Purple Mist True Monarch—a Great Divine Ability User who once dominated an entire era—is about to appear."

"The news will spread far and wide soon enough. When it does, the various Immortal Sect Families will hear of it and mobilize, sending their younger generation to vie for this great opportunity. Anyang City will get very lively," Jiang Lan said in a leisurely tone.

’In any case, it was just him and Su Qinghan here. There was no harm in telling her in advance.’

’It was a good chance to show her how much he trusted her, sharing news of such a monumental opportunity.’

’Besides, he was going to order someone to spread the news later anyway to draw a crowd.’

’Su Qinghan would find out sooner or later regardless.’

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Su Qinghan was stunned. She subconsciously glanced around.

The private room was quiet, filled only with gently swirling mist and a faint, pleasant fragrance. Aside from her and Jiang Lan, there was no one else present.

She composed herself, not for a moment doubting that Jiang Lan would lie to her about such a matter.

’Purple Mist True Monarch?’

’She had never heard of such an existence, but anyone who could be called a True Monarch must have possessed power that was peerless between heaven and earth.’

’The dwelling he left behind would absolutely be an opportunity of immense fortune.’

’Jiang Lan really did trust her to tell her this kind of news in advance.’

"You can rest assured, Young Master. My lips are sealed," Su Qinghan promised, genuinely touched.

"Since you are my concubine, Qinghan, I naturally wouldn’t hide such things from you," Jiang Lan said with a casual smile, as though he were discussing a trivial matter.

Still, his own words left him with a strange feeling.

’Yuqing Zhenren wants to use Su Qinghan’s hand against him and the Prime Minister’s Mansion behind him, but has she ever considered the potential for a backlash?’

’Women were such emotional creatures. Once moved, they often wouldn’t care if you were their master or not.’

’How could a master ever be as important as her own man?’

...

By the time Chu Chan returned to Jiang Lan’s side, Su Qinghan had already gone back to the private room to continue her cultivation. In that respect, Jiang Lan found her quite similar to Li Mengning.

Both were the type to be hopelessly engrossed in cultivation, using every spare moment to practice without wasting a single second.

Li Mengning had been guided by his mother since she was a child and possessed exceptional talent. The technique she practiced, the Supreme Profound Secret Skill, was a peerless Cultivation Technique, and she wanted for no resources. Considering her own diligence on top of all that, it was only natural for her to possess such terrifying power at her age.

’In the original plot, if not for me dragging her down and getting myself killed, she might have actually managed to kill Lin Fan.’