Chapter 40: So I’m Supposed to Be the Villain (1)

[A/N: Added the character designs of Ji Siyu and Chen Chuan. Hype them up a bit :D]

Tianfeng City was a bustling and majestic metropolis, filled with heavy traffic and the clamor of voices, brimming with the lively atmosphere of the secular world.

Chen Chuan and the other two found an elegant inn and settled in for a while.

As soon as they sat down in the guest room, Chen Chuan couldn’t help but speak up again.

"Senior Sister, we’ve arrived in Tianfeng City. What exactly do you want me to do to cooperate with you?"

Ye Linger didn’t keep him in suspense this time. She first poured herself a cup of tea and took a large gulp, gulping it down.

Then she put her hands on her hips, striking a pose as if she were about to do something big, and said with puffed cheeks:

"Fine, fine, I’ll tell you! We’re here this time to break off my engagement with the Lu Family!"

"Break off the engagement?" Chen Chuan’s brow twitched at the words.

This plot was simply too classic.

In his previous life, he had read many web novels and was intimately familiar with this kind of "don’t bully a youth for being poor" opening trope.

Almost without thinking, he blurted out:

"Senior Sister, is the young master of the Lu Family a Cultivation waste that you look down on, so you specifically ran here to dissolve the marriage contract?"

He had already automatically filled in the subsequent plot in his mind: the waste young master is humiliated, gains a fortuitous encounter, and goes on a face-slapping counterattack all the way.

Unexpectedly, Ye Linger shook her head like a rattle and glared at Chen Chuan with a look as if she were looking at an idiot.

"Wooden head! What are you thinking? Who told you Lu Yun was a waste?"

"Huh? He’s not?" Chen Chuan was taken aback.

"Of course not!" Ye Linger’s tone carried a hint of complexity that even she hadn’t noticed.

"That Lu Yun was already at the First Level of the Mountain Sea Realm at the age of sixteen. Possessing an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root, he is a Genius rarely seen in Tianfeng City in a hundred years."

"Now that two years have passed, with his talent, his cultivation is likely even more profound."

Now Chen Chuan was completely puzzled.

He scratched his head, even more confused:

"Since he’s a Genius and his Family background matches yours, why do you still want to break off the engagement? This doesn’t make sense?"

"Because I don’t want to!" Ye Linger snorted, her chin slightly raised, her face written with rebellion and persistence.

"I hate these arranged marriages between families for the sake of interest."

"I haven’t even met that Lu Yun once, and there’s no emotional Foundation. Why should my future happiness be bound to a stranger?"

"My, Ye Linger’s, Dao Companion will naturally be someone I find myself."

She paused, her eyes sparkling with a longing for free love, and continued:

"So, I definitely have to break off this marriage this time."

Chen Chuan finally understood; this girl was here in pursuit of free love.

He then asked: "Then what role do I play by accompanying you? I can’t just be here to watch the fun, right?"

Upon hearing this, a cunning smile instantly blossomed on Ye Linger’s face, like a little fox that had stolen a chicken.

She leaned closer to Chen Chuan, patted his shoulder, and said: "Smart! Your task is to play the role of my Dao Companion."

"What? Dao Companion?" Chen Chuan almost choked on his own saliva, his eyes bulging. "Senior Sister, you’re not joking, are you?"

"Who’s joking with you!" Ye Linger said righteously.

"When the time comes, just stay by my side and perform well."

"Take that Prodigy talent of your Chaos Divine Body and that majestic air of sweeping everything away at the Outer Sect competition, and let just a little bit of it slip out ’unintentionally.’"

"Let that Lu Yun and the people of the Lu Family see what kind of stunningly brilliant figure the Dao Companion I found is! Let him feel ashamed of his own inferiority and back off in the face of difficulties!"

Chen Chuan’s mouth twitched as he listened.

Fine!

It turned out he wasn’t here to help out; he was here to be a villainous tool.

Isn’t this the typical Genius third party used to stimulate the protagonist in a Xuanhuan engagement-breaking story?

He felt as if he could already see the word "Villain" floating above his head.

"Senior Sister, isn’t this... a bit much?" Chen Chuan tried to struggle a bit. "He’s still a Genius after all. Won’t it be too hurtful if we go to his door and slap his face like this?"

"What’s too much?" Ye Linger curled her small mouth.

"I’m pursuing my own happiness; it’s only natural and right."

"Besides, you don’t even have to fight; I’m just borrowing your reputation."

"Don’t worry, once it’s done, I won’t forget to reward you."

Elder Murong Xuan, who was on the side, also spoke slowly, his tone peaceful yet carrying an air that brooked no doubt:

"Linger is now a Disciple that our Primordial Holy Land is focusing on cultivating; her future is limitless."

"Indeed, she should not be bound by a mundane marriage contract, lest it delay her Cultivation. Chen Chuan, just cooperate with her."

Hearing this, the last trace of doubt in Chen Chuan’s heart dissipated.

He understood that Elder Murong and Ye Linger were going to use the influence of the Primordial Holy Land to pressure the Lu Family of Tianfeng City.

A Holy Land Elder personally present, plus a Dao Companion with a rising reputation and a Chaos Divine Body.

Under this double pressure, as long as the Lu Family wasn’t stupid to the core, they would know how to choose.

"Alright, I understand."

Chen Chuan nodded helplessly.

He secretly complained in his heart: This plot is really too much.

...

The next day, the three of them arrived outside the Lu Family manor.

As a major Family in Tianfeng City, the Lu Family’s manor occupied a vast area, with vermilion gates and high walls, exuding an extraordinary Aura.

The servants at the gate, hearing that guests from the Primordial Holy Land had arrived, did not dare to be the least bit negligent and quickly ran inside to report.

Before long, a middle-aged man with a steady bearing and a majestic face led a group of Lu Family high-level members out in a hurry to welcome them.

This person was the current Patriarch Lu, Lu Zhan.

"I did not know that distinguished guests from the Primordial Holy Land were visiting. Lu Zhan has failed to welcome you from afar; I hope you will forgive me!"

Lu Zhan cupped his hands in greeting, his attitude very respectful.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Elder Murong Xuan and Chen Chuan, carrying both scrutiny and awe.

When he looked at Ye Linger, his eyes held a bit more of the warmth and complexity of an Elder looking at a Junior:

"Niece Linger, it has been a long time since we last met. You have grown even more beautiful."

Although Ye Linger had the intention of breaking off the engagement in her heart, she still did a full job of surface politeness, returning the greeting obediently. "Hello, Uncle Lu."

After welcoming the three into the spacious and magnificent reception hall, seating them as guests and hosts, and serving fragrant tea.

Lu Zhan exchanged glances with several Lu Family high-level members, and finally, it was Lu Zhan who spoke.

He asked tentatively: "Elder Murong, Niece Linger, I wonder what brings the three of you here today?"

Elder Murong Xuan took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and said indifferently:

"Patriarch Lu, we have indeed come this time to discuss a matter with the Lu Family."

"This matter concerns your son, Lu Yun. May I ask Nephew Lu Yun to come out for a meeting?"