I, the Reborn Villain, After Nine Lifetimes of Simping Over the Empress, Crushed the System and Escaped - Chapter 8:

Chapter 8: No Rush, Let’s Play With Him

After Su Yunying left, Shen Zhao casually tossed the Lone Goose Spear to the side, propped his chin on his hand, and asked, “Alright, you two came rushing back—what’s the matter? Just tell me the important part!”

Feng Xiunian immediately recounted in detail everything that had happened on the street with Xia Tounan.

After listening, Shen Zhao almost burst into laughter. He naturally knew Xia Tounan. Just like his name suggested, he was truly laughable—arrogant yet naïve, a brainless fool full of blind confidence. Shen Zhao had seen him in past lives when he represented the Heavenly Dominion Empire in negotiations with the higher-ups of the Ziyuan Empire.

“So it’s only him, just a branch member of the Xia family. Even if he were a direct descendant, I still wouldn’t care. But a branch member? He’s not even worth my attention. Yet he dares make our alliance lose face in Qingyang City? He’s clearly looking for trouble. We must deal with him.”

Hearing Shen Zhao’s confident tone, Feng Xiunian and He Yishou immediately felt at ease.

Feng Xiunian clenched his fist, “Alright, since Brother Shen says so, I’ll go take care of him right now!”

“Not so fast!” Shen Zhao stopped him. “Since he wants to play, let’s play with him properly. Isn’t Xia Tounan so confident? Then let’s make him even more confident.”

Seeing the sly grin on Shen Zhao’s face, He Yishou felt his scalp go numb. Trembling, he asked, “Brother Shen, what are you planning?”

Shen Zhao crooked a finger, motioning for them to come closer. When they leaned in, he whispered his plan.

Once he finished, both men narrowed their eyes, straightened their posture, and exchanged a look.

After a long pause, He Yishou sighed, “Brother Shen, when it comes to being shameless, you really take the crown.”

Feng Xiunian added with emotion, “This is nothing short of striking at the heart.”

Shen Zhao only shrugged, “The martial world is treacherous. Where is there any so-called fairness and honor? Tell me, who among those in the underworld plays fair? Even that so-called sect competition—was it ever truly fair? A 9th grade Qi Condensation Realm against a Body Tempering Realm, is that fair?”

The two men looked at each other and nodded. Shen Zhao was absolutely right.

…

By lantern-light in the evening, Xia Tounan walked out of the City Lord’s mansion with a dejected look. His sour expression was enough to tell anyone that his proposal had failed.

Lu Xuanji had refused to even let him through the door, driving him out immediately. Even Lu Zhantian said since his daughter wasn’t willing, she could not be forced.

Thinking of how he could not marry the woman he longed for, Xia Tounan felt bitter. He decided to head to a tavern to drown his sorrows.

Yet as soon as he sat down, a young scholar-like man sat across from him and exclaimed, “Ah, could it be that you are Young Master Xia Tounan of the Xia family from the Ziyuan Empire’s capital?”

Xia Tounan looked up and asked, “Do I know you?”

The scholar bowed, “Forgive my rudeness. I once had the honor of catching a glimpse of Young Master Xia in the Ziyuan Imperial Capital. Your elegance has remained etched in my memory ever since. To meet you here today is a blessing beyond measure.”

Hearing such flattery, Xia Tounan’s mood lifted instantly. He smiled awkwardly, “Really? You flatter me too much. I may indeed be elegant, but surely not as exaggerated as you make it sound.”

The scholar said earnestly, “Every word I speak comes from the heart. Young Master Xia’s talent in both literature and martial arts is truly a model for us all.”

Xia Tounan was elated, slowly losing himself in the scholar’s praise. He tossed his hair about and muttered “You exaggerate,” though his expression betrayed his delight.

After some small talk, the scholar asked seriously, “Just now I noticed Young Master Xia seemed troubled. Might you be willing to share? Perhaps I can be of help.”

Xia Tounan sighed, “What else could it be? Today I proposed to the Lu family… forget it.” He then poured out every detail of how he was rejected, venting all the frustration bottled up inside him.

When he finished, the scholar said, “With your talents, Young Master Xia, you will certainly find a worthy wife. Why cling to Miss Lu alone?”

“Ah, of the three thousand rivers, I only take one ladle. But alas, my affection is met with indifference.”

The scholar sighed, “To think Young Master Xia is so deeply devoted… Miss Lu’s refusal is her loss. What a pity.”

“Devotion means nothing if she doesn’t value me. Imagine—me, Xia Tounan of a great family in the imperial capital, and I am not even worthy of her gaze.”

“Do not be disheartened. Miss Lu is known for her strong character, and her standards are indeed high. Only one who excels in both martial and scholarly pursuits could win her heart.”

Xia Tounan puffed out his chest, “When it comes to literature and martial arts, how could I lose to my peers? Why then won’t she give me a chance?”

The scholar leaned closer, “To win her heart is not impossible. It only depends on whether you have the courage.”

Xia Tounan’s eyes lit up, “Please tell me! For Miss Lu, I would walk through fire without flinching!”

The scholar said, “You may not know, but in the City Lord’s mansion, apart from Miss Lu, her brother Lu Chen is the most gifted in cultivation. Miss Lu once said that if anyone of her generation wants her respect, they must first defeat her brother. With your talents, why not challenge him? Regardless of victory or defeat, you would prove your sincerity to her.”

Then the scholar glanced around, leaned close to Xia Tounan’s ear, and whispered, “There is more. The truth is, Miss Lu dare not accept your affection because Lu Chen harbors improper desires toward her.”

Xia Tounan’s eyes widened in shock, “Impossible! They’re siblings—how could he commit such disgrace?”

The scholar shook his head, “Miss Lu is one of the greatest beauties in Qingyang City, even the entire Eastern Region. Beneath the surface, she is still a woman, and Lu Chen’s heart has always been crooked. His desire for his sister is hardly surprising. She suffers in silence.”

Xia Tounan slammed the table, “If that is true, then she is trapped in fire and water! I must save her! Thank you, brother, I shall repay you greatly in the future.” He tossed half a spirit crystal on the table and hurried out.

As soon as he left, He Yishou strolled out from the back hall and said to the scholar, “Well done. Go to the dojo and collect your reward.”

“Thank you, Elder He!” The scholar bowed and left quickly.

None of them noticed that Su Yunying, lying leisurely on a nearby rooftop, had witnessed everything. She smiled and said, “This looks interesting. I’m eager to see what happens next.” She took a bite from an apple, the crunch echoing in the night.

…

Early the next morning, Xia Tounan rushed back to the City Lord’s mansion and requested to see Lu Chen.

Lu Chen was confused but agreed to meet him. The two walked to an empty square where no one could overhear. Lu Chen asked, “Xia Tounan, what is this about? Did you seek me out just to say such things? Since my sister doesn’t want to be involved with you, stop disturbing her.”

Xia Tounan opened his fan arrogantly, “I hear you are one of the most outstanding of the Azure Cloud Sect’s younger generation. The female disciples adore you, and you are a favored talent of the sect’s future. Is it not so?”

Lu Chen frowned at Xia Tounan’s haughty attitude, irritation rising in his chest.

Xia Tounan continued, “But you’ve only reached this far because you’ve never met me. I am Xia Tounan, prodigy of the Xia family from the Ziyuan Empire’s capital. My identity is exalted. Marrying your sister would be her honor. You should persuade her—I am her true destined man, understand?”

Lu Chen’s face turned dark. He also enjoyed showing off, but always with subtlety, because that seemed cultured and refined. But this lunatic dared to flaunt himself so blatantly in front of him, even trampling on his pride? That was intolerable.

“So that’s it. You came here today just to pick a fight, didn’t you?”

“Hmph, once I defeat you, Xuanji will surely be mine. Prepare yourself, Lu Chen! Xuanji can only belong to me!”

“Enough nonsense. You want a fight? Fine, I’ll give you one. Come!” Lu Chen’s fury exploded, and he immediately assumed a battle stance.

Xia Tounan smirked, closed his fan, and cupped his hands mockingly, “Good! Lu Chen, today I’ll show you just how heaven-defying the Xia family’s heritage truly is!” He instantly summoned his spirit energy, gathering the force of the White Cloud Palm.