Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 226 - 157 Lin Jiangxian

Chapter 226: Chapter 157 Lin Jiangxian

Nodded vigorously.

His eyes were full of vigilance, with Spiritual Energy attached to the somewhat tattered longsword.

It was a standard three-foot Qingfeng sword, but the girl was too frail, making her sword-holding pose somewhat comical.

The Spiritual Energy was weak, it seemed she had just reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

Her speed in deploying it was not fast; whether it was due to poor talent or a failure in properly refining her body during the foundational stages, this was the consequence of severe meridian blockage.

"Miss, I mean no offense. Being new to this auspicious place and unfamiliar with the area, I wanted to go back to my lodging for some rest but couldn’t find the way; by mistake, I stumbled upon this place, please forgive me."

He bowed slightly with an apologetic gesture.

Paired with someone’s sincere expression, it was quite persuasive; if someone else heard this, even if they didn’t believe it, they wouldn’t make things too difficult, at most a few warnings and that would be it.

This young girl looked isolated and helpless, seeking help everywhere, but Jiang maintained the attitude of "respecting others’ fates and setting aside the compulsion to help."

People like this were definitely not rare; could it be that seeing someone alone necessitated a helping hand?

Unrealistic.

He himself was only at the Low Grade Foundation Establishment realm, though relying on Magic Treasure Techniques he could compete with those slightly stronger than himself, it didn’t mean he could win. Even if he did win, it wouldn’t be easy. If he carried a burden, he feared his older sister from his sect might really have to shamelessly bail him out.

But...

"Who would believe your statement, are you treating me like a child to deceive?"

Although her arms trembled with fear, she still tried to maintain a cold face. Now, she resembled a scared little animal, continuously waving her pathetic little claws to defend herself.

She took a step back, her back already touching the worn-out gate, but the girl still maintained a fierce expression on her face.

"Ever since you came out from that tea house, you’ve been following me."

"You live in the inn on Northern Town Changan Lane, and in the past three days, you haven’t taken a wrong turn once. How could you forget where you live today?"

"You’ve been following me for an hour, what exactly is your purpose? I warn you, this is the territory of the Purple Cloud Immortal Palace, if you dare cause trouble here, don’t blame them for being rude."

Dumbfounded.

He didn’t expect that he couldn’t even deceive a teenage girl; has it been too long since I last coaxed children?

Jiang Feng fell into self-doubt, obviously not taking the girl’s threats to heart. After all, just at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, letting this little girl stab him a couple of times probably wouldn’t hurt him.

But how did this young girl know where I live?

"Did you track me?"

"Of course not, I never do such things..."

"Then how did you know I live in Northern Town Changan Lane?"

"Just saw you a few times occasionally; three days ago at mao hour and midnight, the second day’s Chen hour and Shen hour, and today’s Si hour, you appeared only in the northern city."

Her fierce appearance seemed laughable to others, but after hearing her words, Jiang Feng’s gentle smile slowly solidified.

She was precise.

Of course, he didn’t only come out five times in three days; overall, there were about ten times, but why did the young girl only mention these five time slots?

Because these were the times she happened to see him appear on North Town Street while she was asking for help.

"Northern Changan Street has over twenty tea houses, and at that time there were at least hundreds of people moving about on the street; how could she remember me!?"

Staring into the girl’s dark eyes, he seemed to want to see right through her.

This made the girl even more frightened, even placing her left hand behind her back, seeming to hide something, and faint tears and grievances began to appear in her eyes.

She didn’t understand why she offended this man or even why he was picking on her when she didn’t even know him.

With a calm expression, Jiang Feng wasn’t intentionally pressuring her, but was contemplating the incidents of the past three days, filtering everything through, he was certain no one had followed him during these days.

Even Wu Mingsheng of the Nascent Soul Stage would be alert when tracking himself, unless this little girl has a higher realm than that grandson.

He stepped back a few paces without showing any hostility, and although the expression of the little girl visibly relaxed, in that moment he suddenly asked.

"Where are the three people who had tea with me today staying?"

"That lady probably lives on North Laughing Street in the city; I haven’t seen her elsewhere since she went there the night before last. The other two uncles are staying in the Eastern Guesthouse; they came out to stroll in the brothel after dinner... What, why do you ask this, could it be you have dishonorable intentions towards that lady!"

Alarmed and frightened.

She quickly shut her mouth, still cautiously wary as she watched him. She truly hadn’t expected this handsome young man to have such a peculiar taste, showing interest in a woman no longer young!

Considering her age, she could indeed call people in their thirties aunt or uncle, as her deceased parents were also only around thirty.

Silent.

Previously, hearing the absurd declarations of the young girl, he would have had some retorts, but this time Jiang Feng just stared at the girl in front of him, without any smile.

He carefully scrutinized her from head to toe without missing any detail, those direct penetrating gazes making the girl feel uncomfortable all over, even subconsciously moving her left hand held behind her back to the front of her chest.

As if she had no secrets in front of him.

Her heartbeat did not slow down, mainly because Jiang Feng’s cultivation was far superior to hers, leaving her completely unsure what the man in front of her intended to do. After a long while, the young man finally moved his piercing gaze away from her.

His face once again adorned with a smile full of kindness, as if nothing had just happened.

"Miss, I must trouble you to answer one more question for me, and once said, I will leave and never trouble you again, is that okay?"

"What... what do you want to ask."

Looking timidly at the man, despite his odd appearance, she felt he was not a person to break his word.

Thus, she nodded slightly.

"How many cultivators are there in total in Mountain Foot East Town?"

Jiang Feng asked bluntly, and upon hearing this question, the girl’s suspended heart felt relieved. She feared most that Jiang Feng would inquire about other people’s residences and whereabouts.

Because that could potentially bring trouble to others; inquiring merely about the number of people in town seemed okay, probably as preparation for entering the mountains for an assessment.

After a few seconds of hesitation, the girl spoke,

"At least nine hundred seventy-three... nine hundred seventy-four people."

He chuckled lightly.

Jiang Feng knew the girl’s hesitation wasn’t about recalling the number.

This so-called "at least" was subtle; rather than saying at least, it might be said... these were all the cultivators she had met in town.

The hesitation for a few seconds was probably whether to include herself or not.

"Thank you."

He politely bowed his hands.

This time Jiang Feng chose not to linger but left gracefully as he was very satisfied with the answer given.

He walked directly to the corner at the exit of the alley, but suddenly as if something occurred to Jiang Feng, he asked.

"May I ask, how should I address the young lady?"

No answer.

Her expression still wary, looking a bit nervous.

"Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked."

He showed a sorry smile, just about to leave, but then a very soft three-word name came from behind him.

"...Lin Jiangxian."

"Hmm?"

He immediately turned around, but alas, the door had already tightly closed.