Chapter 7: The Price of a Scoundrel and a Father’s Scheme

“Do you have any idea how grave a mistake you’ve made?”

At this moment, Lan Wu Xi, the designated villain, knelt on the ground, his head bowed, utterly unable to utter a single word.

“W-what did I do?” Lan Wu Xi stammered weakly.

Lan Wu Xi’s father in this world, Lan Baotian, was a man who exuded an aura of profound scholarship and refined elegance, his eyes peering from behind a pair of black-rimmed spectacles.

“It was just that scoundrel from the Lin family, wasn’t it? Is there really a need for such a furious outburst?”

Lan Wu Xi’s casual retort, delivered with a dismissive pout, instantly caused his father, Lan Baotian, to tremble with rage, the disciplinary ruler in his hand shaking violently before he brought it down sharply on his son’s head.

“Just that young master of the Lin family, you say? How could you even utter such words? Do you realize the Lin family is one of the most influential powers in our region? Striking their young master is tantamount to pushing our own family straight into ruin!”

Lan Baotian wore an expression of profound disappointment, akin to a blacksmith despairing over flawed iron. Several times, he raised the disciplinary ruler, intending to impart a stern lesson through a family reprimand. Yet, Lan Wu Xi was a cultivator; such force was nothing more than a tickle to him. In the end, his father would simply exhaust himself, while his son remained utterly unfazed.

“Enough, dear,” Tao Anqi interjected, “Xi’er already knows he made a mistake. Besides, it was that young master of the Lin family who provoked Fei’er first. Xi’er simply couldn’t stand by. Are we to say that if Fei’er suffers an injustice, our Xi’er shouldn’t be allowed to seek redress?”

While Lan Wu Xi’s father consistently embodied the image of a stern parent before his children, his mother, Tao Anqi, perfectly personified the role of the benevolent mother.

“Ah, Qiqi, you always indulge him,” Lan Baotian sighed. “Look how spoiled he’s become. This little rascal just turned seventeen, and I’d hoped he’d finally show some maturity. But just look at this—he’s stirred up such a monumental mess. What are we to do now?”

“Perhaps… we should take Xi’er to apologize to the Lin family?”

“If apologies were sufficient, then the Judgment Hall wouldn’t even exist.”

Given the immense disparity in power between cultivators and ordinary people, each nation had enacted specific laws to regulate cultivators and prevent them from abusing their formidable strength. To that end, Judgment Halls had been established in every region, serving specifically to mediate disputes or address conflicts involving cultivators.

In Lan Wu Xi’s words from his previous life, these were essentially government offices established to manage cultivators.

Fortunately, the root cause of this incident still lay with the Lin and Yun families. At worst, Lan Wu Xi would be charged with intentional assault. However, as a 玄轮-level cultivator and a core disciple of the Mystic Phoenix Sect, with the potential to advance to an inner disciple in the future, the Lin family would generally exercise caution and refrain from direct action against him, unless they were absolutely determined to forge an unresolvable enmity.

“Alas,” Lan Baotian sighed, “I’m not concerned about Xi’er’s strength. My primary fear is that we might become a burden, a liability, to him. Should we inadvertently hinder his progress, that would be truly troublesome.”

Lan Baotian let out another sigh. Their family was nothing like the powerful aristocratic Lin or Yun families; at best, they were merely prosperous merchants. To believe they could withstand the Lin family’s wrath, whether through financial power or martial strength, would be utter hubris.

Moreover, the Lin family head was a formidable expert who had reached the Heavenly Void realm long ago, and the family boasted at least dozens of 玄轮-level powerhouses. Even with Lan Wu Xi’s considerable strength, he was ultimately but a tiny ant before such a colossal family, utterly incapable of stirring even a ripple.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t consider that… I might have been too emotional at the time.”

Lan Wu Xi lowered his head, a pang of guilt seizing him. Whenever matters concerning Lin Yufei arose, he found himself losing all reason. Though he appeared as a favored son of heaven to outsiders, he knew that until he truly matured, every action he took required careful deliberation.

“Never mind. Let this be a lesson. Since the Lin family hasn’t sent anyone over yet, they likely haven’t truly unleashed their fury upon our household. That, at least, is a stroke of fortune.”

Lan Baotian subtly adjusted his spectacles, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“Can I get up now?”

Lan Wu Xi exclaimed with relief, finally free from kneeling; his legs had gone completely numb from being in that position for so long.

“No! You’ll kneel here for the entire day, unless…”

“Unless what?”

Hearing a glimmer of possibility for compromise, Lan Wu Xi eagerly pressed.

“Promise me first, then I’ll let you rise.”

Lan Baotian turned his back to Lan Wu Xi, deliberately obscuring his expression.

“Alright, alright, Father, I promise. Can I get up now?”

Unable to endure it any longer, Lan Wu Xi could only agree, reasoning that at worst, it would be a minor punishment like having his allowance docked or being forbidden from going out. Surely, it wouldn’t be something as outlandish as forcing him into an arranged marriage?

“Ahem, since you’ve agreed, hurry back to your room and get ready. The people coming to collect you will be here any moment.”

Lan Baotian, witnessing his son’s capitulation, turned back and adjusted his spectacles once more, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

In his estimation, he had already won the greater part of this psychological battle against Lan Wu Xi.

“Get ready for what? Don’t tell me it’s actually an arranged marriage!”

Lan Wu Xi was utterly bewildered. What was happening? He felt as though his unreliable father had laid a trap for him. Guests were coming, but what did that have to do with him? Could his father’s ominous words truly have come true?

“An arranged marriage? No, no, no, what kind of father do you take me for? Am I the type to make decisions without consulting my children’s wishes?”

Lan Baotian waggled his index finger, speaking mysteriously, then glanced at his wife and gave a subtle nod. Understanding his intent, Tao Anqi gently guided a still-bewildered Lan Wu Xi away.

“I say, is it truly appropriate for a father to ‘sell’ his son in such a manner?”

Just then, a voice drifted from the darkened corner.

“That boy will thank me someday. After all, he cannot fall at this juncture, and only an esteemed elder like yourself can truly safeguard his well-being.”

“Heh, you appear honest, yet countless individuals have been deceived by your refined demeanor, spun around your finger.”

“Elder Huang, you flatter me,” Lan Baotian replied. “This humble one possesses no such grand abilities as you suggest. After all, without your consent, even my own desires would be utterly impossible to achieve.”

“Hmph! You are indeed audacious, to scheme and draw even our Huang family into your machinations. Truly worthy of the Desert Swordsman, Lan Baotian, whose renown once echoed far and wide.”

“Those are tales of the past. Since I met Qiqi, I’ve retired from the martial world for many years, vowing never to reveal my identity again. Thus, I must trouble Elder Huang to exert considerable effort this time.”

“However, this matter isn’t solely up to me. Ultimately, it depends on my daughter’s wishes. If she doesn’t agree, I cannot involve myself too deeply.”

“Rest assured, I have quite a bit of confidence in my boy’s charm. He inherited my bloodline, after all.”

“Is that so? Then I shall await with anticipation.”

As the words faded, an elderly man, well past sixty yet possessing eyes sharp as a hawk’s, emerged from the corner. The vigor radiating from him was no less than that of a robust young man in his prime. Each step he took was as steady and powerful as a thousand-catty boulder, his imposing aura, reminiscent of Mount Tai, utterly impossible to conceal. He was undoubtedly a master of the Heavenly Void level or higher. It was astounding that Lan Wu Xi’s father knew such a person, and from their conversation, it was clear they were orchestrating a monumental scheme that would profoundly impact Lan Wu Xi’s entire life.

“I mean… is it really necessary to dress so formally? It’s not like I’m going to an arranged marriage…”

“Hmm~ not bad. You have some of your father’s looks. My Xi’er has truly grown up.”

Tao Anqi, after thoroughly scrutinizing Lan Wu Xi, nodded with satisfaction, a tender smile gracing her face. Gently stroking Lan Wu Xi’s hair, she seemed transported back to a bygone era, when her husband had been as handsome as Lan Wu Xi, and she herself, in her prime, had been the dream lover of countless talented scholars and beauties. Oh, those were truly the days…

“Mother, Mother!”

Seeing his mother lost in some beautiful, inescapable dream, Lan Wu Xi couldn’t help but call out to rouse her. This only made his mother’s face flush crimson, and she quickly ushered Lan Wu Xi into the carriage that had long been prepared. Finally, after giving the coachman endless instructions, she reluctantly waved goodbye to her son. This journey, she knew, would last at least several weeks, and it would undoubtedly be an excellent trial for Lan Wu Xi. As a mother, she absolutely had to support him.

“Speaking of which, where exactly am I going? Why hasn’t anyone told me?”

Lan Wu Xi, inexplicably bundled into the carriage, remained bewildered. Where was he headed? What awaited him there?

“Never mind. I might as well cultivate for now.”

Rather than overthinking, it was better to clear his mind and focus on cultivation. Although he could advance his cultivation without active effort, the battle with the protagonist, Yun Jingping, had instilled a deep sense of dread, forming a heart demon within Lan Wu Xi. The stronger the protagonist became, the more he feared. And the higher his parents’ expectations and love, the heavier the responsibility he bore.

He was a villain, yet also the pillar of his family, and a coward who had long hesitated to express his love.

[Drip. System notification: Host has not perfectly fulfilled the role of a villain. Your ‘Super Villain’ honorary title has been revoked. Please strive diligently to become the ultimate villain!]

“Strive diligently? The day I become the ultimate villain will be the day the protagonist slays me! I’d rather forgo that ridiculous, father-pitting title. Keep that thing as far away from me as possible! You can kill me, but I don’t want it!”

[Drip. System notification: Unlocking the ‘Super Villain’ title can help the Host advance one minor realm. If the Host successfully unlocks it, this system will elevate the Host to the peak of the Profound Void realm.]

“What?! Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

Lan Wu Xi felt like dying. If he had known the mission rewards were so bountiful, he would have risked his life for it. According to the system’s timeline, he wouldn’t reach the peak of the Profound Void realm until the core disciple assembly at age eighteen. If he could reach it now, he might just avoid the fate of having his cultivation crippled by the protagonist’s palm strike.

[Drip. System states: You didn’t ask me~]

“…System, you’re definitely a woman. Absolutely a woman. Otherwise, how could you be so mischievous? I, Lan Wu Xi, must have accumulated eight lifetimes of bad luck to encounter you.”

[Drip. System notification: I have no gender. If you insist on describing me using human biological terms, I would be a combination of male and female.]

“A combination of male and female?… Never mind, I didn’t ask.”

Thus, Lan Wu Xi spent the journey exchanging sarcastic remarks with the system. Their destination was the imperial capital of the Cloud, a place Lan Wu Xi had never visited before. This was the most bustling area of the Cloud, prompting Lan Wu Xi to glance around, his doubts deepening. What kind of event required him to come here? Even banquets were usually held within families. Could his father actually know people in the capital?

“Heh, on second thought, that’s impossible…”

A fleeting image of his refined father crossed his mind, and Lan Wu Xi chuckled self-deprecatingly. His father merely had some business acumen; knowing people in the capital wasn’t as simple as having money. After all, if one had power, would they lack money? But money couldn’t buy power.

“As expected of the imperial capital, it’s truly a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”

Lan Wu Xi released his spiritual energy to sense the surrounding crowd, surprised to find that cultivators comprised a staggering forty percent of the population. Such a concentration could only be found in the capital.

Those above the eighth stage of Qi Condensation were countless with a mere sweep of his senses, and there were at least a hundred Profound Void-level cultivators. It truly was a major city; even the Lin family might not be able to contend with such strength.

Furthermore, Lan Wu Xi subtly perceived several extremely powerful individuals hidden within the capital, their strength at least at the Golden Core level or above. Experts of such caliber would be treated as honored guests or elders even in great families like the Yun or Lin families.

“Alas, I hope I’m just overthinking.”

Lan Wu Xi closed his eyes, stabilizing his emotions. He took several deep breaths before opening his eyes again, feeling his spiritual sea regain its usual calm. He had no desire to cause another colossal mess by getting emotional, as he had last time. This was the imperial capital, after all; if he stirred up major trouble, even powerful families would struggle to protect themselves.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived!”

The carriage came to a halt, the coachman’s voice signaling their arrival at the destination. Lan Wu Xi took a few deep breaths, pulled back the curtain, and prepared to alight, only to be utterly stunned by the magnificent and imposing royal city before him.

“Holy hell! Wasn’t it just supposed to be a small banquet? How is it such a colossal structure?!”

Well, Lan Wu Xi’s premonitions had all come true. He had very likely been sold by his father, and to a place where a single misstep could lead to his utter annihilation.

The grand palace before Lan Wu Xi was none other than the royal city of the Cloud. Simply approaching it, one could feel the solemnity unique to royalty. Fortunately, Lan Wu Xi had mentally prepared himself, preventing him from making a public spectacle.

“Excuse me, are you Young Master Lan Wu Xi?”

As he marveled at the kingdom’s majestic aura, a man with delicate features, seemingly long awaiting him, stepped forward and bowed his head to ask.

“Yes, I am.”

Though Lan Wu Xi still didn’t fully grasp the situation, he had come this far and could only grit his teeth and proceed. He had already shed his earlier dismissiveness; in this place, he had to remain vigilant at all times. He absolutely couldn’t afford any mishaps.

[Drip. System notification: To enable the protagonist to become a qualified villain, this system has specially issued the following tasks to the protagonist. First task: Publicly provoke the Prince of Cloud and defeat him in front of everyone, utterly destroying his reputation!]

“???”

“System, you’re trying to screw me over!”