Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

In the end, Lan Rou’Er was the one who paid for the meal.

Apparently, after the girl ran home, she had hidden in her room for a good cry. In the middle of her tears, she suddenly remembered the bill hadn’t been settled and rushed back to pay it.

This move, at least, won back quite a few points in Jiang Mu’s book.

’She might be a bit of a naive ditz, but at least she’s honest and good-natured at heart.’

By the time they finished eating, the sky had already grown dark.

Seeing that it wasn’t safe for a young woman like Lan Rou’Er to go home alone, Jiang Mu had Zhang Daxie return to the Government Office first while he personally escorted her.

’She’s the little physician’s best friend, after all. If anything were to happen to her on the way, that girl Chu Lingzhu would absolutely lose it.’

The sky was overcast tonight, with neither stars nor moon in sight.

The streets were pitch-black, save for the faint, yellowed halos of light cast by lanterns hanging from the eaves of a few scattered homes.

Lan Rou’Er was only wearing a thin dress, and she now stood with her arms wrapped around herself, her slender frame looking all the more pitiably delicate.

"I’m sorry..."

Lan Rou’Er trailed behind Jiang Mu with her head lowered, her voice soft and apologetic.

Jiang Mu slowed his pace and said coolly,

"I got angry at you earlier because you didn’t seem to value other people’s lives. But on second thought, you’re just simple and naive, not malicious."

Lan Rou’Er pursed her lips, looking wronged. With tears still clinging to her eyelashes, she wanted to argue that she wasn’t simple, but she didn’t dare speak up. Her meek, bullied expression was actually rather endearing.

Jiang Mu glanced at her, and his tone softened slightly.

"I understand wanting to avenge your family. But your enemies are in an incredibly dangerous place. To be honest, few people would dare risk their lives for the amount of money you’re offering."

"But, for Lingzhu’s sake, I’ll keep this in mind. If my Cultivation Level increases in the future and I’m strong enough to brave that place, I’ll go and slay those monsters for you."

"Thank you..."

The girl lifted her head. Her bright eyes, exceptionally clear in the darkness, were filled with gratitude.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

The two soon arrived at the small alley behind Han Mansion.

Lan Rou’Er stopped, her face flushed. She nervously fidgeted with the silk handkerchief in her hands before mustering up her courage to speak.

"Lord Jiang... um... It’s gotten late, and you’ve gone to so much trouble. If you wouldn’t mind, why not come into the mansion for a cup of hot tea before you go?"

’Go in?’

"No, thank you. Some other time."

Jiang Mu refused decisively and turned to leave.

"Lord Jiang!"

Lan Rou’Er suddenly broke into a trot to catch up with him.

She took an exquisite, embroidered sachet—still warm from her body—from her robes and, without another word, pressed it into Jiang Mu’s hand.

"My lord, I... I’ll work hard to save money! From now on, all the money I earn will be for you!"

Before Jiang Mu could respond, she had already turned and fled through the courtyard gate.

The hem of her skirt billowed with her hurried steps, a splash of youthful energy rippling through the night like a cresting wave.

Jiang Mu looked down at the sachet in his hand. It was filled with quite a few pieces of silver.

He weighed it in his palm, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Great. Now I’m being kept by a little rich girl."

’No sense in turning down money that falls into your lap.’

He tucked the sachet into his robes and walked out of the alley.

He had only taken a few steps before he came face-to-face with a familiar figure.

Jiang Mu recognized him as Patriarch Han of the Han family, Han Chenghu.

The man’s steps were unsteady and his body swayed, as if he’d had too much to drink. As he drew closer, the strong stench of alcohol hit Jiang Mu full in the face.

"Lord Jiang?"

Han Chenghu squinted his drunken eyes and froze for a moment when he recognized the other man.

"Patriarch Han, returning so late? Were you at a banquet?" Jiang Mu asked.

A flicker of unease crossed Han Chenghu’s face before he forced a smile. "Y-Yes, a few old friends invited me out. I had a few too many cups. And Lord Jiang is...?"

"Just taking a walk. Routine patrol."

Jiang Mu replied perfunctorily.

"Oh, I see. Thank you for your hard work."

Han Chenghu smiled, a hint of unease in his expression. He cupped his hands in a salute. "Well then, I won’t keep Lord Jiang from his duties."

"Mm."

Jiang Mu nodded.

In the instant they brushed past each other, Jiang Mu’s nostrils flared slightly, and a chill went down his spine.

Aside from the alcohol, the man carried the scent of a woman’s perfume. And beneath those two strong odors, there seemed to be... a hidden trace of blood.

"Lord Jiang!"

Having taken a few steps, Han Chenghu suddenly stopped and turned back to call out to him.

Jiang Mu turned back.

Even in the darkness, thanks to his Earth Inspection Star Divine Ability, he could clearly see the expression on Han Chenghu’s face.

The man’s lips quivered, his face a mask of conflict. He looked as if he wanted to say something but was holding back, wary of something.

"Husband~~"

Just then, a soft, seductive voice called out.

Han Chenghu’s body went rigid. He slowly turned around.

Under the eaves, the voluptuous Madam Han stood, a striking figure. In the lantern light, her dress was as vibrant as a peony.

Madam Han glided forward gracefully.

She gave Jiang Mu a graceful curtsy, her smile gentle and poised.

"I just heard from Rou’Er that Lord Jiang personally escorted her home. I thank you on her behalf. The night is late and the roads are dark; we are grateful for your trouble."

Jiang Mu returned the salute. "You’re too kind, Madam. It was my duty."

Madam Han gently took her husband’s arm, her tone playfully chiding. "Drinking so much again? Come, let’s get you inside to rest."

"Mm, alright..."

Han Chenghu kept his head hung low, like a child who had done something wrong, allowing his wife to lead him inside. He didn’t dare to spare Jiang Mu another glance.

Jiang Mu watched the couple’s retreating figures.

Just as they were about to step through the main gate, Madam Han’s free hand suddenly reached behind her back.

The woman glanced back over her shoulder.

Her eyes were utterly bewitching.

’Hussy!’

Jiang Mu cursed inwardly, then turned and left.

...

「Back in the bedroom.」

Madam Han released her husband, walked to a table, and poured him a cup of hot tea.

"Th-Thank you."

Han Chenghu took the cup with both hands, still not daring to look at her. He kept his head bowed and reported in a low voice,