This Is What a Villain Is Like

As Ye Ming listened, his heart grew heavier, and he felt powerless and unwilling to accept his fate.

The Old Ghost, however, seemed entirely unsurprised. He looked at Ye Ming with a chuckle and said, "But you needn’t lose heart. An Innate Saint might be powerful, but they aren’t invincible. History is not without fallen Innate Saints. What’s more, above the aptitude of an Innate Saint is that of a Banished Immortal. And in you, I see a glimmer of what it takes to be the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth..."

"The Protagonist of Heaven and Earth?"

Ye Ming perked up. It was the first time the Old Ghost had ever mentioned such things.

"The young woman in white who appeared in Qianyuan Prefecture that day likely has the aptitude of a Banished Immortal."

"It’s a fated constitution rarely seen in ten thousand years. In the future, she is destined to become an unrivaled supreme Giant who will sweep through her generation. Of course, neither an Innate Saint nor one with the aptitude of a Banished Immortal is guaranteed to become the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth..."

"The Protagonist of Heaven and Earth is a strange thing—inexplicable and mysterious. They might not be born powerful or special, perhaps even far weaker than an ordinary person. But they possess a resilience like a weed, allowing them to grit their teeth through countless tribulations, growing ever stronger, until they are unstoppable and surpass all others," the Old Ghost explained.

Ye Ming was lost in thought for a moment, then a stunning light bloomed in his eyes.

"Does that mean I could be the Protagonist of Heaven and Earth you’re talking about?" he asked.

The Old Ghost chuckled. "How could I possibly know everything? I just think you shouldn’t lose hope. Think about the path you’ve walked. Haven’t you faced countless trials and tribulations? You’ve even defeated enemies who were far stronger than you in the end."

"At first, your aptitude was so poor you couldn’t even cultivate. But now, you have the strength to rival a young Celestial Pride. That is a kind of fortune so profound that even gods and ghosts cannot predict it. Right now, Jiang Lan is your greatest tribulation. If you can overcome this ordeal, you will undoubtedly soar to the heavens..."

At these words, Ye Ming’s dejection vanished, replaced by a vibrant energy. His spirits were restored.

’He’s right. The Old Ghost is right. All those enemies who were once so much stronger than me, all those hopeless situations I faced... didn’t I overcome them all in the end?’

’I still have a long road ahead of me. In the end, Jiang Lan will be nothing more than a stepping stone.’

Seeing Ye Ming’s fighting spirit finally rekindled, the Old Ghost nodded in approval.

’I was honestly worried he wouldn’t be able to bounce back from this. Right now, Ye Ming and I are inseparable. If I want to break free and reconstruct my physical body someday, I’ll have to rely on him.’

"For now, put aside any thoughts of revenge. The fact that Jiang Lan plans to use you as a scapegoat means you’re safe."

"Once the security patrols in the Imperial Capital loosen up, I’ll take you to find an old acquaintance—to be precise, a Disciple I once gave some pointers to."

"His story is a bit like yours. He rose from weakness, was disdained by his family, and even had his Dantian shattered after practicing the wrong Cultivation Technique. His fiancée even came to his home to publicly break off their engagement and humiliate him..." the Old Ghost said.

Hearing this, Ye Ming felt a flicker of anticipation. ’A Disciple acknowledged by the Old Ghost must be an extraordinary person.’

...

While Emperor Xia ascended the throne as the new empress, she faced a barrage of impeachments from court ministers, the Imperial Family, and the elders of the Imperial Clan Court. At the same time, she began a sweeping overhaul of the political landscape.

Jiang Lan, for his part, was not idle either and began to set his own plans in motion.

The moon was just rising over their usual spot at Lishui Studio.

Song Youwei was already there waiting for him. Her dark hair was swept up in an elegant coiffure, and she wore a white gossamer skirt. A sash of aquamarine Soft Smoke Luo was tied at her waist into a knot resembling a begonia blossom. A single jade hairpin was canted in her bun. She sat with her legs tucked to one side, the drape of her skirt accentuating their long, shapely lines. Her skin was as fair as snow, glowing with a pearlescent sheen.

Beneath silk socks as thin as mist, her feet were like flawless jade. The arches were delicate and fair, her toenails playfully painted a vibrant red.

"You’re certainly bold, still hiding in the Imperial Capital at a time like this. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be uprooted one day?" Jiang Lan sat down across from her. His gaze fell naturally upon the sight before him, and he admired her with unabashed composure.

As she poured his tea, a smile played on Song Youwei’s lips. "I trust that Young Master Jiang wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing if he saw me being taken away by the Observatory," she said nonchalantly.

"Fair point. But aren’t you just causing trouble for me?" Jiang Lan picked up his cup and took a sip.

’He realized that ever since he’d complimented her feet, she seemed to find all sorts of ways, both subtle and overt, to display her charms in front of him.’

’It just went to show that praise was an infallible weapon when it came to women.’

’Even a Celestial Pride like Song Youwei was no exception.’

’So, Jiang Lan decided to enjoy the view openly.’

Song Youwei noticed his gaze. The smile on her pursed red lips deepened, and she sat up a little straighter, presenting herself just as openly.

"So, what did you want to see me about?" Jiang Lan asked, getting straight to the point.

’Song Youwei rarely sought him out on her own. It was usually him contacting her with instructions.’

’He actually had something he needed her for as well, but he’d been holding off. With the Observatory cracking down on the remnants of the Blood Immortal Sect in the Imperial Capital...’

’...if she wasn’t careful and her tracks were discovered, she would be walking right into the line of fire. So, he had decided to let it be for now.’

"My, Young Master Jiang, you great men are so forgetful. Have you forgotten something?"

Song Youwei blinked, staring at him. Seeing that his puzzled expression wasn’t an act, her eyes curved into a smile. "Did you perhaps forget... to give me the antidote?"