What Do You Mean I’m Supposed to Be the Villain, But Everyone’s Chasing After Me? - Chapter 27:

Chapter 27: Ye Yan Showing Off, Slapping Faces!

Treasure Pavilion of Many Treasures Peak. 

The night was serene, the breeze gentle, the moon bright, and the stars sparse. Tonight’s treasure-appreciation banquet had invited the most outstanding disciples of each peak.

Ye Yan had originally qualified as well, but due to recent events, his eligibility was revoked. He thought he would miss the chance to see the millennium Blood Ganoderma, but unexpectedly, early this morning he received an invitation from the Treasure Pavilion—and not just one, but three invitations in succession.

Dressed in resplendent golden robes, Ye Yan appeared before the Treasure Pavilion, holding the three invitations in his hand. 

Many passing disciples looked at him with envy. Holding three invitations meant either his identity and status were extraordinary, highly valued by the Treasure Pavilion, or his popularity was immense, earning him the favor of at least two elite True Disciples. 

Either way, it was something that made those who boasted of talent yet achieved nothing feel jealousy and resentment, though they could never reach his level.

“I know him, that’s Ye Yan, the seventh True Disciple of Jade Peak. He entered less than two years ago and already earned Fairy Qingjue’s favor, becoming a True Disciple. He’s even close to Princess Xiao, and their relationship is said to be strong!” a disciple whispered sourly, though not daring to raise his voice for fear of angering Ye Yan.

“You mean Princess Xiao of the Scarlet Feather Empire?”

“Who else? It’s said the Scarlet Feather Empire still has a Quasi-Emperor alive, and their foundation is stronger than even our Radiant Jade Sword Sect. If Ye Yan can cling to such a great tree, his future will be limitless!”

Some muttered quietly, their gazes toward Ye Yan filled with mixed emotions.

Noticing the eyes of envy and jealousy, the corner of Ye Yan’s lips curved into his signature smile.

“But I heard that Ye Yan and Princess Xiao have already turned against each other? Didn’t Princess Xiao personally send him to the Punishment Hall for punishment not long ago?” someone questioned.

“Just rumors!” Ye Yan immediately denied, righteously declaring, “My bond with Second Senior Sister is deep. How could it break over something so trivial?”

“But words are cheap, facts speak louder. If your relationship with Princess Xiao is so deep, why isn’t she by your side now? Why are you here alone?” another disciple asked mockingly, clearly doubting Ye Yan’s pretense.

The surrounding disciples gathered closer, whispering among themselves. Ye Yan only kept smiling. He loved this feeling—being doubted, underestimated, then turning everything around to slap faces hard. This was the stance befitting his extraordinary destiny. A group of blind fools—how could they see the true dragon?

Soon, voices rose accusing him of posturing, until—

“I, Hu Hansan, dare say all three of your invitations are fake. You don’t have Princess Xiao’s invitation at all! Do you dare bet with me? Loser runs naked around the entire Many Treasures Peak!”

The speaker was Hu Hansan, the third True Disciple of Trial Peak, and one of Ye Yan’s old rivals. Perfect—someone seeking death had arrived, and it was time for a face-slapping reversal. Ye Yan’s smile widened.

“Fine, I’ll bet!” Without hesitation, he pulled out one invitation and held it up. “Everyone, take a look!”

He showed it briefly to the crowd before pulling it back, then turned to Hu Hansan with a bright smile. “Well? Do you still dare bet with me?”

Hu Hansan stared, then suddenly laughed loudly. “Didn’t I already say it? Your invitations are fake, just blank scraps of paper!”

Others laughed along with him.

But Ye Yan laughed too. “I hope you can still laugh in a moment. Hu Hansan, didn’t you say my invitation was worthless? Look closer—what does it say?”

With a calm smile, he slowly unfolded the invitation.

On the exquisite paper, the words “Princess Xiao Hongyan” stood bold and elegant, each stroke radiating nobility.

Ye Yan raised it high for all to see, then slowly turned to Hu Hansan, his voice steady and commanding, “See clearly? Still dare say it’s fake?”

Though his tone was calm, it carried a pressure that made Hu Hansan’s face pale and his forehead bead with sweat.

His throat bobbed as he forced out hoarse words, “N-no… impossible! Princess Xiao would never send an invitation to trash like you!”

But the disciples nearby whispered as they examined it.

“This… the handwriting matches our invitations exactly. It looks real…”

“Not just looks real! Didn’t you see? It even bears the title ‘Princess’ and the Pavilion Master’s seal. It’s genuine!”

Hearing this, Hu Hansan’s face grew paler and paler.

Ye Yan felt immense satisfaction. The humiliation he’d suffered these past days was washed away in this instant.

“So, who else dares say this invitation is fake?” His words hung in the air, silencing the crowd.

The night wind rustled the treetops, but no one spoke. Hu Hansan’s pupils shrank, his face turning from white to ashen blue. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened, his whole body trembling in frustration and disbelief.

“This is impossible…” he croaked.

“Nothing is impossible!” Ye Yan chuckled, his eyes flashing with disdain. He folded the invitation and tucked it away with elegance, as though everything was under his control. He too had doubted it at first, but once he saw it clearly, he realized Princess Xiao truly had invited him.

She had always acted with a little temper. It was his fault for being too close to Murong Daidai and the others, so she’d sided with Li Changju before. But those were just ways to grab his attention. See? Knowing how much he wanted the Blood Ganoderma, she still sent him the invitation.

Ye Yan’s every move was poised and refined, as if the world itself revolved around him. Showing off and slapping faces—this was true ecstasy.

“Brother Hu, time to take off your clothes,” Ye Yan said casually, though his words struck Hu Hansan like a whip.

Hu Hansan’s face flushed bright red, veins bulging on his forehead. His lips trembled, but he couldn’t utter a word.

“What’s wrong? The third True Disciple of Trial Peak can’t even honor a simple bet?” Ye Yan’s mocking tone cut deep.

Hu Hansan shuddered, fists clenched harder, but the ruthless glint in his eyes was soon drowned in helplessness.

“I say, that invitation in your hand is fake!” Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.

Hu Hansan’s head snapped up, his eyes lighting with desperate hope as though he’d found a lifeline.