This Is What a Villain Is Like

Hearing this, Jiang Ruxian suddenly froze, her limbs turning cold.

"Actually, a while ago, I had a dream. Did you know?"

"I dreamed that I was killed by a live-in son-in-law named Lin Fan. Not only that, but even the Prime Minister’s Mansion was destroyed because of him."

"And after I died, you still wouldn’t let me go. Unable to find my body, you destroyed my cenotaph, unwilling to let even a single trace of my existence remain."

"Jiang Ruxian, did you really hate me that much?"

Looking at the silent, stunned Jiang Ruxian, Jiang Lan continued to speak with unnerving calm, as if discussing something that had nothing to do with him.

Jiang Ruxian stared at him blankly, her mouth agape. She didn’t know what to say, her heart flooded with an indescribable bitterness and regret.

Because that was, indeed, everything she had done in her past life.

’She had thought Jiang Lan’s rebirth occurred before his death in their past life, but she never imagined he would know what happened even after he died...’

’Perhaps he wasn’t reborn at all, but had simply learned of events from the original, predetermined timeline.’

"I thought it was just a dream, but I didn’t expect that after going to Yu Yi City, I would actually meet a live-in son-in-law of the Su Family named Lin Fan. He had a beautiful fiancée with incredible talent in the Sword Dao, named Su Qinghan..."

"It was exactly the same as in my dream, so I found a way to kill him."

"I suppose that dream must have been real..."

Jiang Lan continued speaking calmly.

But Jiang Ruxian no longer knew how to face him.

Just then, a strange sensation suddenly swept through Jiang Ruxian’s body. Her vast and boundless Magical Power seemed to disconnect from her senses in that instant.

Her Spirit Sea felt as if it had suddenly become empty and deathly still. All her world-destroying Magical Power had vanished without a trace.

Jiang Ruxian froze, then quickly realized what had happened.

A moment ago, a colorless, odorless substance had spread through the air, and she had inhaled it without even noticing.

"You’ve finally noticed, have you?"

Jiang Lan seemed to have noticed Jiang Ruxian’s reaction as well.

Jiang Ruxian stared at him in a daze.

"This is called Soft Soul Immortalization Powder, refined from Rouge Rest Grass. Inhaling just a tiny bit is enough to completely seal a powerful cultivator’s cultivation."

"Jiang Ruxian, though your strength is formidable, you won’t be able to break through its effects in a short amount of time..."

Jiang Lan took out a small, unstoppered white jade vial in front of her, speaking calmly as if offering an explanation.

Some time ago, he had contacted Xiao Yingyue of the Medicine King Valley, asking her to come to the Imperial Capital and inquiring about the refinement of Soft Soul Immortalization Powder.

Xiao Yingyue had no interest in things like the Southern Hunting, and didn’t plan to come. However, she had instructed her disciples to deliver several vials of the refined Soft Soul Immortalization Powder.

Jiang Lan had taken the antidote in advance, so he was naturally unaffected.

At such a close range, Jiang Ruxian wouldn’t have her guard up against him. Just a trace of the powder would take effect quickly. Still, given her cultivation level, it probably wouldn’t have a major effect—at most, it would only seal her power for a short while.

"Soft Soul Immortalization Powder..."

Jiang Ruxian looked at the white jade vial, her gaze dimming. She never thought Jiang Lan would resort to such a clandestine trick.

She had heard of this substance in her previous life. If she had been on guard, it would have been impossible for her to fall for it.

Besides, the effects of this Soft Soul Immortalization Powder on her were quite limited.

The reason for her sorrow was that Jiang Lan had prepared such a measure in advance just to deal with her...

’Is he planning to kill me now?’

Jiang Ruxian continued to stare dazedly at Jiang Lan, letting the torrential rain wash over her, drenching her completely.

Jiang Lan, however, paid no attention to her gaze.

A rusted and mottled Ancient Sword appeared in his hand. Its blade was chipped in places, and it was impossible to tell which era it was forged in. It exuded an ancient, desolate aura, but that couldn’t hide its sharpness.

Jiang Ruxian recognized the origin of this Ancient Sword. It was Lin Fan’s Lifebound Divine Sword from their past life, the Eternal Damnation Sword.

After Lin Fan died, she had shattered it with a single palm strike, its fragments scattering across the lands.

’Now, watching Jiang Lan’s actions, her heart grew strangely calm and relieved. If this would make him feel better, then what did it matter if she offered her neck to be slain?’

"Lan..."

Jiang Ruxian spoke again, wanting to tell him that if he wanted revenge, she would accept anything. But the words died on her lips as she felt she had no right to say such a thing.

Jiang Lan’s expression was exceptionally calm at this moment.

He looked at the Eternal Damnation Sword in his hand, feeling the beating in his heart, and showed no hesitation.

"The score between us should be settled tonight..."

The next moment, Jiang Ruxian’s pupils suddenly trembled violently.

A soft SHLICK echoed before her as a world of crimson light flooded her senses. A crystalline radiance, like a blood diamond, instantly blurred and obscured everything in sight.