This Is What a Villain Is Like

Emperor Xia had ruled securely for years by posing as a man, a clear violation of the Royal Family’s rules.

"Emperor Xia’s move might seem like a gesture of goodwill, but she’s actually trying to muddy the waters. She wants to use the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s influence to make her enemies fight each other. Even though she’s broken through to the Eighth Realm, she still lacks the support to stand on her own in the imperial court..."

Jiang Lintian sipped his tea, shaking his head slightly.

"But this approach has its pros and cons," Jiang Lan said. "Her Dao Heart is pure. If she faces no further obstacles, she’ll soar to new heights. She might even become a legendary empress for the ages."

Jiang Lintian nodded in approval. "Great Xia’s National Fortune growing more prosperous is a good thing for me as well. While the Tribulation Bridge Realm is considered a Dao Realm, it’s still a far cry from Feather Transformation. If Great Xia can unify the Nine Provinces, nothing could be better."

Jiang Lan was well aware of the unique nature of the cultivation technique his father practiced. It was for this very reason that his father had assisted the late emperor in conquering the land and establishing the dynasty.

The Destiny Dynasty Technique itself, much like the National Fortune and Dragon Fortune, was intrinsically tied to the prosperity and decline of the ruling dynasty.

But this method also offered an immense advantage: the cultivator had an entire dynasty backing them.

As long as Great Xia did not fall, the cultivator could enjoy a boundless lifespan, shattering the limits imposed by cultivation realms.

"Emperor Xia revealing her identity as a woman is a good thing for you too, Lan’Er."

"From the looks of it, Emperor Xia is no longer so wary or hostile toward you. After the Southern Hunting exercise, she sent people to deliver all these gifts. Isn’t that a sign that she cares?" Jiang Lintian gave a suggestive smile.

Jiang Lan’s gaze swept over the Spirit Grass and Elixir Pills before he used his power to draw the drop of Nether Spring Earthcore Marrow into his palm.

"Emperor Xia is indeed a commendable emperor..."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He swallowed it in one gulp, a smile playing on his lips. "And in the future, I’m sure she’ll make a good wife, too."

Jiang Lintian smiled, then rose and patted his son’s shoulder, understanding his meaning completely.

He hadn’t deliberately asked Jiang Lan what had happened in the Qianyuan Cave Realm. With his level of insight and cultivation, he could naturally tell that his son was keeping secrets.

But who in this world didn’t have secrets?

Even he was no exception.

Now that Emperor Xia had chosen to reveal her identity, it was time to set his own plans in motion.

After Jiang Lintian left, Jiang Lan’s consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness. The Dragon-Suppressing Seal, as translucent as if carved from Immortal Jade, bobbed within. It pulsed with a dense Dragon Energy, its surface faintly depicting the tapestry of mortal life.

He tried to draw out a wisp of the Dragon Energy, but was immediately met with a violent backlash.

The consciousness within it refused to acknowledge him, giving off the distinct impression that it would shatter and explode if he dared to make contact.

’I’ll hold onto the Dragon-Suppressing Seal for you for now,’ Jiang Lan thought. ’If you behave, maybe I’ll consider returning you to your master...’

Jiang Lan shook his head. He had intended to use the Dragon-Suppressing Seal to draw upon Great Xia’s National Fortune and nourish his Destiny Dao Fruit, but, unsurprisingly, he failed.

’It seems I’ll have to go through Emperor Xia to obtain the Dragon Fortune after all.’

「Meanwhile, in the eastern outer city of the Imperial Capital.」

Within a quiet courtyard steeped in ancient charm, enclosed by red walls and green-tiled roofs, water trickled musically past ornamental rockeries and waterside pavilions. The grounds were filled with lush greenery, and winding paths led to secluded corners.

Inside a meditation chamber, Jiang Ruxian, clad in a simple white dress, suddenly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were cold and indifferent, as if she had cast aside all worldly emotions. Only when she gazed out the window did they seem to hold a flicker of life.

"If you think breaking through to the Eighth Realm means you can come and seek revenge against me..."

"...then you are welcome to try," Jiang Ruxian said calmly.

"I’m not that foolish. After breaking through to the Tribulation Bridge Realm, I can sense the immense gap between our strengths even more clearly."

"Just how did you cultivate to this level?"

A cold, majestic voice echoed in the courtyard as a tall, slender figure clad in a Red-Black Emperor’s Robe appeared without a sound.

In another meditation chamber, a lady of the Liu Clan who was cultivating remained completely oblivious to the disturbance outside.

Jiang Ruxian lifted her gaze to look at the newcomer, and in the next instant, her own figure appeared in the courtyard.

Emperor Xia stood beneath the massive banyan tree in the center of the yard, her hands clasped behind her back. She turned to look at Jiang Ruxian and said, "I mean you no harm."

"You wouldn’t dare," Jiang Ruxian replied coolly, her tone flat and blunt.

Emperor Xia was not angered by this. She chuckled. "Aren’t you curious as to why I’ve suddenly sought you out?"

"You want my help to get through your current predicament," Jiang Ruxian stated, her tone still impassive.

Although she had never left the courtyard, nothing that had happened in the Imperial Capital over the past few days had escaped her notice.

Whether it was the Blood Immortal Sect wreaking havoc or the appearance of the Barbarian God’s phantom, she was aware of it all. She simply wasn’t interested and had no desire to meddle.

In this world, nothing could stir the slightest ripple in her heart—nothing, that is, except matters concerning Jiang Lan.

"It’s so refreshing to speak with an intelligent person."

"Then I’ll be frank. I lack support in the imperial court, and my position is precarious. Even though I’ve reached the Eighth Realm, I’m about to face censure from the Imperial Clan Court and Dragon Guard Mountain."

"I want to ask for your help. At the critical moment, I need you to intimidate them into submission."

Emperor Xia’s bright eyes locked onto Jiang Ruxian, making no attempt to conceal her intentions.

This was a strategy she had devised after long deliberation. Both the Imperial Clan Court and Dragon Guard Mountain were internal matters of the Royal Family; the court ministers had no authority to interfere.

At a time like this, no one would dare overstep their bounds.

If she wanted those stubborn, rigid old men to shut their mouths, the only way was to show them she had overwhelming power on her side.

Only overwhelming power could force them all into silence.

And as it happened, right here in the Imperial Capital, there was Jiang Ruxian—a mysterious figure of unfathomable power.

Hearing this, Jiang Ruxian simply gave her a look one might give an idiot and didn’t deign to reply.

’Why should I help Emperor Xia? The Imperial Clan Court and Dragon Guard Mountain are both internal affairs of the Royal Family.’

She had absolutely no interest in such matters.

"Don’t be so quick to refuse."

"If you wish to reconcile with Jiang Lan, perhaps I can help you."

Emperor Xia was not the least bit surprised by Jiang Ruxian’s reaction. Her voice now brimmed with confidence.

At these words, Jiang Ruxian’s cold eyes seemed to narrow slightly. For the first time, she truly sized up the emperor before her.