Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 39 The Vinegar Jar Explodes

Chapter 39: Chapter 39 The Vinegar Jar Explodes

[Attention: Extremely important main plot-related storyline]

In Qingshui County, at the home of Jiang Feng.

A sneaky figure peeked out from the house, looking around cautiously. The setting sun cast its final glow, making it the best time to blend into the crowd and the least likely to be noticed.

Dead yellow leaves littered the doorway and under the surrounding walls, seemingly tossed to the corners at random. Yet, in reality, they each told a tale. Jiang Feng always acted carefully and prudently, and his confidence hadn’t swelled just because he eliminated the Family Head of the Xue household and his servants.

He was keenly aware that last time, his victory over Wang Qi was more due to careful planning and a bit of luck. Had Wang Qi not acted as Jiang Feng anticipated, or had the firearm been more powerful and exploded, the outcome could have been disastrous.

"No one is following me."

"It’s barely the calm before the storm, I guess."

He breathed a slight sigh of relief, but there was no smile on his face, only worry, as he slowly made his way through the crowd towards Firework Alley.

There is a saying: "Ignorance is bliss." Knowing too much can sometimes be burdensome. For the past seventeen years, he had lived in a cocoon of information, only recently stepping out.

He also understood why his parents and the Yan Family had crafted such a dream for him. Someone with even a slightly weaker psychological fortitude would probably be close to madness by now.

In short, those targeting him were not limited to the Xue Family. Xue Wuwei was of the more straightforward sort, driven to madness only by lust for women. However, those targeting Jiang Feng were not only from the Xue Family but also included people from nearby in the State City and even...

Cultivators.

"Yu Rou’s family really is in demand," he muttered as he reminisced memories extracted from Wang Qi. "There must be over a dozen families from the vicinity that have approached Uncle Yan seeking marriage alliances, some of whom are even Foundation Establishment masters."

"This is really... an unwarranted disaster for me."

He felt like crying but had no tears.

These people were not after him per se but after the estate of Mr. Yan—a prize they were competing for in the simplest and most effective way.

By eliminating Jiang Feng.

Cultivators have strict hierarchical levels, and the difference between cultivators at different realms is vast. Those who are called "Immortals" have reached a certain degree of prowess, a status of legend.

At least, in the small Qingshui County, an Immortal is a character of legend. According to the memories scavenged from Wang Qi, it seems there are only two known realms: Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment. Beyond these, he knew nothing, but he was sure that "Immortals" were far beyond these two realms, influential figures indeed.

The Immortal Sect into which Wang Qi was once initiated boasted a member who had reached such a realm, thereby possessing the capital to establish a martial arts sect. Surprisingly, Yan Yurou’s grandfather turned out to be such an Immortal as well.

"Do you think Mr. Yan’s mind is really waterlogged?"

On the way to Firework Alley—no, that’s not the only time. Aside from studying cultivation and object manipulation at home, Jiang Feng had been pondering this question continuously over the past days.

It wasn’t so much an insult to question the old Family Head’s sanity. Yan Yurou had once taken him to secretly offer incense to her grandfather during the Yan Family’s ancestral rites. Instead, it was just hard for him to understand.

Marriage is all about matching social status. He was far from being on par with the Yan Family in every aspect, wasn’t he? Why would the Yan Family arrange such an inexplicable marriage?

According to Yu Rou, Jiang Feng’s parents didn’t seem to be very familiar with Uncle Yan, having met him only a handful of times with little overlapping. The only connection was between his parents and Mr. Yan himself.

But why would his ordinary parents have a deep connection with an Immortal?

And yet, such a character chose to come to a small county town like this and took root here, and even... died?

Aren’t Immortals supposed to live forever? Although she chopped me up in my dreams for three months because I made a snarky comment about Liu Tangxi’s age, this incident, indirectly, shows how great the lifespan advantage of an Immortal is, and their appearance remains unchanged by the ravages of time.

Peeling off layer after layer, connecting all the clues I could find, I vaguely feel like I’m grasping something, an inspiration that flickers and vanishes in an instant.

"Could it be that this marriage is just a facade? A means to achieve some ulterior motive?"

Suddenly, a bold idea crossed my mind.

I shook my head immediately, casting such impractical thoughts out of my mind; I’m not deliberately vilifying Mr. Yan, it’s just that given my nature, whenever I encounter something inexplicable, I instinctively consider "human nature."

Both Yan Yurou and Uncle Yan have helped me tremendously over the past decade or so. Yu Rou has been following me and growing up since we were young, and Uncle Yan has always been looking after me.

But what role do I play in the eyes of Immortal Yan, whom I have never met?

My pace quickened, as I’m not yet in a position to think about these things. The most pressing matter now is to improve my own abilities. I can’t claim to be very powerful, but at least I need to be able to protect myself in this chaotic situation.

The plan to hunt down Wang Qi last time cannot be repeated; now, I must devote myself fully to cultivation, and for that, I must...

"Ah, it’s been a long time, Young Master Jiang."

Suddenly, my footsteps halt!

Someone has unknowingly arrived at their destination.

The sky is growing dim; it’s the time of sunset. Many gentlemen who planned to spend the night have already started strolling around Firework Alley. Some are even flirting with the ladies in the street, getting handsy, which makes the watchers’ blood heat up.

A dignified matron slowly approaches.

Her hands are clasped in front of her abdomen, her back is straight, and even her long dress appears taut on her. Her three thousand strands of black hair, starting from her shoulders, are tied into a braid that falls behind her head, gently swaying with her steps, enticing one to grasp the end of the braid and play with it in their palm.

She carries a tempting fragrance, with her neck and the upper part of her chest revealing snow-white skin and several drops of water, clearly indicating that she has just taken a bath before coming to entertain the guests.

Seeing Jiang Feng standing there like an idiot, the beautiful woman couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle, her eyes containing a hint of teasing.

"Seems like Young Master Jiang has received a bit of a cold shoulder at home these past few days. Did Lady Yan give you a hard time?"

"Compared with your household, the Ethereal Violet Pavilion must feel much more relaxing, right?"

"Are you here to spend the night, or just to listen to music?"

Although the words might sound a bit provocative, judging by Su Yi’s relaxed expression, she is just teasing a little.

Snapping back to reality, the young man answers earnestly, "Yu Rou would naturally not make things difficult for me; she’s not one to hold petty grudges."

Before Su Yi can speak, he continues.

"So, Sister Su Yi, do you know what would be appropriate to bring for an apology visit?"

"It’s that kind of thing... the kind of thing young ladies like. She hasn’t paid any attention to me for days now..."

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