Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 57: The Yan Family... Perhaps Isn’t So Clean After All

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Yan Family... Perhaps Isn’t So Clean After All

Elixir.

For ordinary people, these are treasures that exist only in legends.

In most stories heard since childhood, the Immortal Pill is always one of the shortcuts to immortality; just by swallowing one, you could transform and ascend to become an Immortal, who many revere.

And at this moment, that priceless Body Tempering Pill has been poured out of the Jade Bottle, lying quietly in the palm of his hand.

A refreshing fragrance rushes into the brain, reinvigorating the youth’s body that was somewhat fatigued from overusing Spiritual Energy.

With a passionate look in his eyes, to say that his heart is calm would be a lie, although initially, the reason he wanted to embark on the Immortal Road was just for self-protection, to preserve his life amidst the power struggles of the major families.

But now.

He wants to know more about who made him die.

It seems on the surface that someone covets the Yan Family’s assets, aiming to open a breach through the only daughter of the Yan Family, kill him, and then propose marriage to the Yan Mansion, allowing Miss Yan to seek a new match, and smoothly marry Yu Rou, thus, leaving the Yan Family without a male heir, placing all future hopes on this son-in-law.

All seem reasonable... right?

"Are these rich and powerful families all acting like fools?"

He glanced at the middle-aged man who was tightly embracing his wife’s grave marker and shook his head.

People become wiser with age, and old spirits grow more cunning; the ancients were only old, not stupid. Like this worldly family, nearly costing him his life multiple times despite their best efforts, if not for accidentally receiving an immortal fate, his grave’s grass would probably be two meters tall now.

Like a few months ago during the imperial examination, it was Xue Wuwei who bribed a Yan Mansion coachman and tampered with a decent horse. As expected, to ensure his safe journey to the State City for the examination, Yu Rou specially picked out a good horse from her home.

In the end, it led to tragedy; the horse suddenly panicked and bolted off a cliff, nearly smashing him to pieces.

Then there’s Xue Wuwei’s father, who, with a mortal status, desperately found an immortal opportunity for his son, even attracting experts from all over East Continent for revenge, even Li Ying at the ninth level of Body Refining became a pawn in his hand, losing his life because of a bait thrown out.

He really can’t imagine how such fools managed to achieve their current social status and wealth.

"With Uncle Yan and Yu Rou’s intelligence, once something happens to me, they would suspect these families first; any marriage proposals at such a time would only increase their suspicion, even having the opposite effect."

"Anyway, I am the prospective son-in-law of the Yan Family, personally recognized by Mr. Yan; killing me under the watchful eyes of the Yan Family... is this slapping their face?"

"Even if the Yan Family doesn’t like me, finds me displeasing, and thinks marrying Yu Rou to me is beneath her, marry their daughter to the murderer of her fiancé?"

"Am I crazy or are they all crazy?"

He sauntered towards the foot of the mountain.

Now, of course, he needs to go home and refine the Body Tempering Pill, because how could he possibly find a secluded place in the wilderness for Cultivation, and besides, being targeted with a bounty, whether human or ghost, everyone is eyeing his head, looking to turn it in to Xue Ming for the reward.

No, that’s not right, it should be murder for loot now.

Heading towards Firework Alley, his home location had long been betrayed by Xue Ming to those assassins and was no longer safe, so the Ethereal Violet Pavilion has practically become Mr. Jiang’s half-home.

Apart from having Cultivators stationed there, it’s also because he needs to consult with them on how to use the Elixir.

Eat it raw or barbecue it? Boil in water or deep fry? Swallow whole or slice it?

Moreover, he didn’t know if this object was real or fake, and whether anyone had tampered with it. Having someone watching over it would certainly put his mind at ease.

Walking on the silent mountain path, only the young man’s murmurs under the moonlight remained.

"Assuming, the Yan Family is truly foolish enough to accept the murderer of their prospective son-in-law as their new son-in-law."

"Then who can guarantee that their risky act of murder isn’t actually setting up someone else to benefit?"

"People with ulterior motives are not limited to a single family. Take Xue Wuwei for example, if he really killed me, how would the Xue Family propose marriage if they are not accepted? What if they are rejected as murderers at the door, how should they respond?"

"And then marry into another family without suspicion, happily ever after, wouldn’t the family that made the move themselves become the laughingstock? Unless..."

Rubbing his aching brow, Jiang Feng actually had this idea a long time ago, but the speculation was too bold, making him deny it at first.

But now, after absorbing Xue Ming’s soul, many things have started to seem rational, forcing him to doubt.

"The attitude of the Yan Family is acquiescence."

He sighed.

Despite his reluctance to believe it, this was the only possibility that explained why other families could act recklessly. From the sneaky actions three years ago to now being brazen about it.

They tested the limits step by step until they realized that the Yan Family would not do anything else because of him, so they went from being cautious to reckless, and finally brazen.

Because Xue Ming had a memory of interacting with a mysterious man named Zhang Nian, who also mentioned his name, unfortunately, Xue Ming was not the party concerned and did not know what Uncle Yan and Mr. Yan had discussed with his cousin.

Why is there such a discrepancy between Mr. Yan’s and his cousin’s attitudes towards me?

Zhang Nian, as Yu Rou’s elder, precisely her second uncle, what exactly is his purpose in mingling with Xue Ming and helping him search for the killer?

Since he’s at the Foundation Establishment Realm, why doesn’t he take matters into his own hands? Which faction does he belong to?

He had seen Zhang Nian on Yan Yurou’s birthday banquet three years ago, but at that time he did not know who the other party was. He could make Uncle Yan personally pour wine and pay respects, but now it seems...

This strange plot had already planted its seeds three years ago.

"And finally, there’s Mr. Yan."

"Although I don’t know his exact realm, he’s at least starting from Nascent Soul. Could a person with such skill be foolish?"

"Arranging a marriage for his granddaughter and choosing me, this alone is hard to understand. I’m neither a relative nor an exceptional person, why would they betroth their granddaughter to me?"

With all these doubts, what role does Yu Rou’s grandfather actually play in this farce?

With his lifetime of experiences, shouldn’t he know that without the protection of the Yan Family, it’s like pushing oneself into a pit of fire... wait!

He broke out in a cold sweat!

Because he just now remembered that he had spent a full thirteen years inside the cocoon of information woven by his parents and the Yan Family.

Over these years, nobody knew of the marriage arrangement, and even in Qingshui County, he could count on his fingers the number of people who knew him.

Until!

The birthday banquet three years ago for Yan Yurou.

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