This Is What a Villain Is Like

"The North Sea, adjacent to the Endless Sea, has always been bitterly cold and chaotic. Even the founding emperor of Great Xia thousands of years ago only managed to unify the coastal waters, never truly venturing deep into it."

"But several decades ago, Prime Minister Jiang Lintian appeared out of nowhere. He forcefully carved out a safe trade route in this chaotic land. Since then, Celestial Central Province and the various island races of the Outer Sea have had commercial dealings, stimulating the exchange of resources and development between the various Sea Races and the land-dwelling Human Race."

"To put it bluntly, the current prosperity of the major Sea Races and the various overseas Immortal Sects is largely thanks to that trade route. Prime Minister Jiang Lintian not only employs harsh methods, but his strategies and power are also far beyond those of ordinary people. Moreover, he has the backing of a contemporary Saint from the Taiyi Sect."

"Whether considering long-term development or the current situation, opposing the Prime Minister’s Mansion is not a wise choice."

"That is indeed true. Although our Dragon-man Race was severely weakened in the great war several decades ago, we have since gradually recovered and grown stronger under the support of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, even surpassing our former glory."

"Chieftain, you cannot put your own selfish interests before the clan’s important affairs and jeopardize our relationship with the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

Inside this grand hall, bright Dragon Balls hung high in the air, emitting a soft glow. One by one, the Elders of the Dragon-man Race spoke up, expressing their opinions.

The larger and more ancient a clan, the more convoluted and complex its internal factions become, rife with cliques and private interests. They are far less united than they appear to the outside world.

Regarding the contents of the Jade Talisman sent by the Prime Minister’s Mansion this time, the various Elders of the Dragon-man Race were almost unanimous in their opinion: resistance was unwise and would only serve to offend the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The Dragon-man Race had many young Celestial Prides in this generation, aside from the chieftain’s children, Ao Yin and Ao Xu.

Within the lineages of the various Elders, there were also many powerful young talents, but none were nearly as dazzling or brilliant as the two siblings.

And now, the Prime Minister’s Mansion had specifically requested by name that the Dragon-man Race send Ao Yin to become a follower of Jiang Lan. This did not actually conflict with the interests of the various Elders.

As the Princess, Ao Yin’s bloodline had reverted to its ancestral purity, making it exceptionally refined. Her talent was immense, and she was the Celestial Pride most likely in the last thousand years of the Dragon-man Race to touch the Saint Realm. Her status in the clan was extraordinary.

With her looming over the many young Celestial Prides of the current generation, any available resources would be poured into her first.

This also caused the young Celestial Prides backed by the various Elders to secretly harbor resentment.

Of course, from a long-term perspective, if Ao Yin could become a Saint in the future, it would naturally be an unprecedented boon for the Dragon-man Race.

But the question was, would the Prime Minister’s Mansion really allow a power it couldn’t control to emerge from one of its subordinate races?

In ancient times, when the Dukes’ states paid tribute to a suzerain nation, they would send their most talented young Disciples as hostages every few decades in exchange for stability.

Now that the Dragon-man Race had produced such a peerless Celestial Pride, it was absolutely impossible that the Prime Minister’s Mansion wouldn’t have some designs on her.

’Whether this is the will of the Prime Minister’s Mansion or not, this matter is not something I can control...’

’Deep within this Jade Talisman is a trace of a Saint’s aura. If this isn’t the will of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, but that of the Saint from the Taiyi Sect, then this matter warrants much deeper consideration.’

The chieftain of the Dragon-man Race was named Ao Guang. At this moment, his brow was also tightly furrowed.

Ao Xu also understood the Dragon-man Race’s current predicament, so his fists were clenched tightly, a deep sense of powerlessness washing over him.

’Decades ago, the Sea Races that obstructed the Prime Minister’s Mansion were all turned to dust. Those who submit prosper, those who resist perish. Even now, Ao Xu’s mother, Yun’Er, is still in the hands of that Li Qingshu, a hostage for our clan’s submission to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. In just ten more years, Li Qingshu has promised to release her and reunite our family of four.’

’At a time like this, I’m afraid we can only wrong Ao Yin.’ He sighed, feeling utterly powerless. There was no other choice.

To put it nicely, it was called being a "follower." To put it bluntly, she was to be a servant.

"Father..."

"I can take my sister’s place. I’ve followed Jiang Lan for a while, so I have experience with this. You know my sister’s personality. She’s proud and arrogant, believes herself to be invincible and peerless. How could she ever submit to serving another as master?" Ao Xu said.

Ao Guang’s brow furrowed, a conflicted expression on his face.

"Father, there is no need to be troubled. I am already aware of this matter."

Just then, a cold, proud voice came from outside the hall. A tall, graceful figure strode in. She wore silver armor, over which was draped a crimson cloak the color of blood. Her face was as beautiful as a painting, her features as delicate as porcelain, and her skin was whiter than snow. A waterfall of silver hair was tied back in a ponytail.

But her expression was cold, radiating an air of looking down on the world, of absolute self-supremacy.

It was none other than the Dragon-man Race’s Princess, Ao Yin.

"Sister..."

Ao Xu seemed somewhat intimidated by this woman.

Ao Yin glanced at him and said coolly, "From this day forward, you must not slack in your cultivation. The great responsibility of restoring our clan’s glory now falls upon you."

Ao Xu opened his mouth, already understanding his sister’s meaning. A wave of bitterness and helplessness washed over his heart.

Ao Guang also looked helpless.

Seeing Ao Yin enter, the clan’s Elders all began to speak. "Ao Yin, you must already know the contents of the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s Jade Talisman. Whether for the future of the clan or for your mother’s sake, we can only let you suffer this injustice."

Ao Yin said coolly, "There is no need for the Elders to say more. I am already aware of the matter. The Peacock Race also received a Jade Talisman. Kong Xuan is a good friend of mine, and she has already told me about it."

"Furthermore, the Golden Crow Race, the Demon Ape Race, and the Sea God Race have all received one as well."