Chapter 20: Villains Wouldn’t Be This Brainless, Right?

“Rest assured, I won’t mention what happened between us in front of Ruoyao.” Ming Aiyi’s eyes flickered, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

“It would be terrible if it affected Young Master Yan’s image in Ruoyao’s heart. Although he didn’t have much of an image to begin with, don’t you think so?”

She tilted her head and playfully winked her bright eyes at Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan’s expression was calm, and he responded in a flat tone, “An image, good or bad, is not important. I just hope Ruoyao won’t misunderstand.”

“It’s good that Miss Ming understands this.”

He didn’t explain further, following Ming Aiyi’s lead.

However, he failed to notice that a hint of displeasure and disappointment quietly flashed in Ming Aiyi’s eyes at that moment.

The night sky, like a piece of black silk, slowly enveloped Qingyang City.

“Young Master Yan is quite punctual. Then let’s set off.”

After playing in the courtyard of his home all afternoon, Zhao Yan had already changed into neat black clothes.

He arrived at the academy entrance precisely at the agreed-upon time.

Upon seeing him, Ming Aiyi, ignoring Zhao Yan’s objections, reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the steward’s four-wheeled carriage, and they dashed off in one direction.

This horse was tall and majestic, its hooves a blur as it ran, clearly not an ordinary horse but likely a Spiritual Beast.

When Zhao Yan saw this Spiritual Beast, he initially found it a bit strange.

If this world had Spirit Communication Devices, why were there no cars or high-speed trains?

After a moment’s thought, he understood: Teleportation Arrays were hundreds of times faster than high-speed trains.

Some high-level Spiritual Beasts known for their speed were more practical than cars.

With this thought, Zhao Yan felt at ease.

“Miss, is this the friend you wanted to bring?”

The steward, driving the carriage, glanced at Zhao Yan and asked.

“That’s right.” Ming Aiyi gave a sweet smile.

“This young brother looks dignified and has an extraordinary bearing. He must be a Young Talent.”

The steward sized up Zhao Yan carefully, his eyes full of admiration as he praised him sincerely.

“Not at all, thank you for the compliment,” Zhao Yan replied humbly.

In just over ten minutes, the carriage stopped steadily.

After getting off the carriage, Zhao Yan looked up and saw a luxuriously decorated restaurant.

The vermilion red main gate clearly displayed three large characters: Qingci Tower.

Zhao Yan’s heart stirred; this was the place where Li Wuchen’s father had wanted to treat him to a meal before.

It seemed that the distinguished clans and high-ranking officials of Qingyang Prefecture all favored this place.

“Alright, don’t just stand there. Everyone is waiting on the top floor.”

Before Zhao Yan could carefully observe his surroundings, a soft touch, like cotton, enveloped his entire arm.

He was a bit surprised, and as his eyes shifted, he found his arm pressed between Ming Aiyi’s full and soft embrace.

“Ming Aiyi, what is this?”

Zhao Yan suddenly felt a bit uneasy. The soft touch seemed to tighten slightly, causing the young man to blink.

Until he saw the girl’s slightly worried gaze, Zhao Yan’s eyes flickered, as if he had guessed something.

“Don’t just stand there foolishly, come with me.”

Ming Aiyi ignored him and, in this ambiguous posture, pulled Zhao Yan towards the top floor of Qingci Tower.

In just a moment, the two arrived at the top floor.

Ming Aiyi extended her other hand and gently pushed open the grand door to the top floor hall.

Inside the hall, classical music echoed melodiously, as if telling ancient stories.

Every table was filled with all sorts of delicacies cooked with ferocious beast meat or spiritual dishes, emitting an alluring fragrance.

The crowd was engaged in conversation, the atmosphere lively and harmonious.

But the moment Ming Aiyi, with Zhao Yan in her embrace, pushed open the door, the previously noisy hall seemed to have its mute button pressed, falling silent instantly.

All eyes turned to them in unison.

“You can let go now.”

Zhao Yan, sensing everyone’s gaze, tried to pull his arm out of Ming Aiyi’s embrace.

His fingers inadvertently brushed against that softness, causing a slight fluctuation in his expression.

But since the girl hadn’t said anything, he didn’t really mind.

“Aiyi, is this the friend you mentioned?”

From a prominent seat in the hall, a kind-faced Old Granny smiled and asked.

“Yes, Grandma, he’s the person that Listening to Summer Pavilion reported on more than ten days ago.”

Seeing the young man had moved a few steps away from her, Ming Aiyi said, and then reached out to pull Zhao Yan’s arm again.

Upon seeing this, everyone involuntarily turned their gaze to a man of noble attire and handsome features.

That man’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

“Young Master, what are you doing in broad daylight? What kind of decorum is this?!”

This man in opulent clothing finally couldn’t hold back and reprimanded angrily.

“Miss Ming?”

Hearing someone speak, Zhao Yan felt there was some sense to it. He stomped his foot on the ground and quickly created distance between them.

“Miss Ming, can you tell me, what exactly is your relationship with him?”

The opulent man suppressed his anger and tried to make his tone sound gentler as he asked Ming Aiyi.

“It has nothing to do with you, right? Doesn’t Grandma like Young Talents? Young Master Yan has broken through seven realms.”

Ming Aiyi’s chin lifted slightly, “What’s wrong with me bringing him here?”

Hearing the words “broken through seven realms,” many people in the hall gasped, their eyes filled with shock.

“So this little brother is that Heavenly Pride. Truly a talented individual with limitless prospects.”

“It’s been a long time since our Qingyang Prefecture has had such a genius.”

…

Everyone present was an important figure in Qingyang Prefecture, and their praise was sincere.

After all, Qingyang Prefecture had been in decline for too long. If such a genius could rise, it would be extremely beneficial for the entire Qingyang Prefecture, and they would also benefit from it.

“This young brother breaking through seven realms is indeed a rare talent.”

The opulent man first offered a compliment, then changed the subject, a trace of malevolence flashing in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, “However, in our Changning Prefecture, this is nothing. After all, there are not a few people who have broken through several realms in Changning Prefecture.”

“May I propose a wager with this young brother?”

Changning Prefecture ranked among the top three in overall strength among the thirteen prefectures of Great Xia.

This opulent man hailed from a distinguished clan in Changning Prefecture, and his tone was inevitably tinged with arrogance.

“Young Master Ouyang, it is Old Madam Ming’s birthday after all. It would be better not to engage in a martial contest.

Why don’t you two gentlemen have a drink and reconcile with a smile? Would that be alright?”

A middle-aged man’s voice rang out.

Zhao Yan followed the sound and discovered that the speaker was none other than Li Quan, Li Wuchen’s father.

When Zhao Yan looked at him, he subtly made a gesture in response.

Zhao Yan had changed significantly, but Li Quan still recognized him.

“Have a drink? Who do you think you are?”

The opulent man’s voice remained gentle, but his words were like a sharp blade, causing Li Quan’s complexion to turn ashen.

“You dog-like creature. A family ranked in the teens in Qingyang Prefecture dares to meddle in my affairs?”

Hearing the opulent man’s words, Li Quan’s face turned incredibly ugly.

He hadn’t expected this man to humiliate him so publicly.

But he knew the status of this opulent man’s family in Changning Prefecture, someone he absolutely couldn’t afford to offend.

So Li Quan could only offer Zhao Yan a bitter smile, then lowered his head without a word, and retreated embarrassedly back into the crowd.

“I believe Old Madam Ming would also like to see what kind of ability this Heavenly Pride who broke through seven realms possesses.”

The opulent young man then addressed Ming Aiyi’s grandmother.

The kind old woman did not respond, merely watching everything quietly.

“Why would he gamble with you? Zhao Yan, let’s ignore him. Let’s go eat something delicious.”

Ming Aiyi grabbed Zhao Yan’s hand again, seemingly wanting to lead him away.

“You’re called Zhao Yan, right? If you’re still a man, then have a match with me.”

The opulent man’s face turned grim. “If you lose, don’t appear before Aiyi again. If you win, you can ask for anything.”

Hearing Ming Aiyi’s words, his anger intensified, and his expression grew even more gloomy.

“This.”

Sensing the opulent man’s anger in his eyes, Zhao Yan knew that perhaps this was the real favor the young girl wanted him to help with.

He looked at the handsome man before him, and Zhao Yan felt a bit perplexed.

This opulent young master was from a distinguished clan in Changning Prefecture and was handsome.

Although compared to himself, he was far inferior, he could still be considered a graceful and elegant figure.

Logically, he should have seen many beautiful women.

Ming Aiyi was undeniably beautiful and captivating, with a graceful figure and extraordinary charm among women.

But it shouldn’t have made him so impulsive, to the point of offending a Heavenly Pride of unknown depth?

This was too absurd!