Could it be that I am the cruel villain?-Chapter 786 - 450: Fall Guy

"I'm not, I'm not, it's all acting! There's no way I could fall for such a purpose-driven woman. I swear on my impeccable character, if I have any improper thoughts, I'll ascend and become immortal on the spot!"

"...Hmm?"

How could there be someone so shameless in this world, taking everything without asking and still dreaming hopelessly? Even Miss Cen wondered if there was something wrong with her ears.

"No woman in the world can compare to you in any measure. You are the only rightful one. Just now was a mere act to lure the enemy deep, fake affection, my true feelings are only for you."

"Graceful as the startled swan, nimble as a roaming dragon, radiant like autumn chrysanthemums, lush like spring pines, resembling clouds veiled the moon, fluttering like wind stirring the snow... This is a custom-made poem for you."

Nods approvingly.

She knew it was all just sweet talk from a man to woo a girl, but she couldn't resist someone with such extraordinary literary talent. Especially when the last lines were delivered, her eyes immediately lit up and her back straightened up. Although Miss Cen didn't particularly enjoy reading, she understood a thing or two about poetry appreciation.

The words Jiang Feng just uttered were unparalleled, unmatched by anyone in the world today!

"Fluttering like wind stirring the snow... and after?"

"Ahem, the situation is dire, it's not the time for flowers and the moon, with all this smoke and corruption really spoiling the mood. After this trip, I'll specially make a poem for you, how does that sound?"

Cold sweat dripping.

Truth be told, he had underestimated the impact of the Ode to the River Goddess.

This ode, no matter the time, place or era, is considered by every scholar and poet to be the top-tier verse in the world today. Even extracting a part of it is enough to leave people enraptured, and Cen Yueyue, although a quite free-minded person, couldn't help but have her focus shift from the lurking dangers upon hearing a line in such a dim setting.

"Indeed, well then, since you're sincere, I won't pursue the matter of you flirting with that fox spirit... no, I mean that snake spirit."

"Phew~ Thank you, Miss Cen, for sparing my life."

Finally, a sigh of relief.

No choice, it's been years since he read the literary works. He can recite a couple of lines but reproducing the entire piece will take some time.

Without further probing into the earlier incident, Cen Yueyue kept a serious expression.

"What happened to you just now?"

"Spiritual energy disturbance, thunder element surge. They don't know you, unaware of the spiritual energy operating within you, but after several months of dual cultivation with you, how could I not recognize signs of deviation?"

"Had you not been swift to refine the Blood Ganoderma, you might have been harmed by the surging energy. Judging by your expression, it's not the first time this has happened. Why didn't you ever mention it?"

Opened his mouth.

Displaying a guilty smile.

"Hmph, still laughing!"

Glancing with a glare, though usually quite possessive, Cen Yueyue was very reliable when it came to issues related to cultivation.

"Based on my experience, it ought to be due to external influence. Your basic skills and Purple Cloud Divine Technique are solid. Given Liu Xianzi's character, unless you have full control, there's no way she would allow you to touch other cultivation techniques freely."

"Just now, a few threads of spiritual energy leaked during your refinement of the Blood Ganoderma, extremely volatile. If I'm right, it's likely there's an issue with your Thunder Technique. Judging by your expression, you might not even know where the problem lies, which is a major taboo in cultivation. If someone were to exploit this during a confrontation, you might lose your life instantly."

"Many in the world today cultivate thunder techniques, but I've never seen anyone self-taught to your caliber. I suspected from the start who taught you this skill, as before you went to the Purple Cloud Palace to learn, this kind of ability must have come from fortuitous encounters with seniors in the Cultivation World."

"A long-laid trap, what's hidden reveals at critical moments, it's hard not to suspect this isn't someone's plot. There's someone following us, no, following you."

"Right?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Only upon meeting Cen Yueyue's glowing eyes could one glimpse the intelligence contained within.

As expected, birds of a feather flock together. With Jiang Feng's personality, it's impossible he would fancy a foolish woman, no matter how beautiful she might be, unless their minds or personalities matched, he would choose to let go actively.

Usually, Yue Yue gives off a naive and adorable vibe because she's following Jiang Feng, with a capable man to strategize for her. She doesn't need to think, just focus on being the muscle. But once she sensed Jiang Feng facing unsolvable issues, this strong-willed lady immediately steps forward to take charge.

"Yes."

"Approximately when did they start trailing us? When did the anomalies appear? With your current cultivation, can you suppress it? What's the origin of your Thunder Technique?"

A flurry of questions, each one directly hitting the point. None of the usual "pitiful and tedious man's pride," instead very straightforward and honest. In such a high-pressure environment, not relying on others could lead to a grim demise.

"Ever since we entered Dongyue, we've been under close observation. Three days ago, upon our arrival in Dongxing, someone started tailing us, but I couldn't discern their identity, given that Dongyue's attention on us is quite normal."

"Yesterday during cultivation, anomalies appeared, but the response wasn't intense. In retrospect, probably due to being far from the person. The most intense reaction was just now during the fight with Kui Ying. That's when I first realized I couldn't control the Red Sun Infinite Heaven Thunder."

"That distance should be close, including the agitation just now while refining the Blood Ganoderma, suggesting they aren't far from us."

"With my current cultivation, as long as I don't use any Thunder Techniques, it should be barely suppressible. My Thunder Technique went out of control because the same cultivation technique was sensed and interfered with by them; my self-developed Thunder Technique and most spells I've learned are based on this technique."

"That person's cultivation is not low, strong in power. Half my abilities lie in Thunder Techniques and the other half in this sword. Without Thunder Techniques, I fear I can't fend off."

"As for the origin of my Thunder Technique..." At this moment, Jiang Feng hesitated slightly. "It's the Divine Thunder Valley's exclusive skill, only direct disciples are eligible to study the Scarlet Sun Infinite Heavenly Thunder Art, including some sections of the main text and spell fragments. The specific name of the technique I don't remember, but it's likely left with flaws, similar to the Purple Cloud Divine Technique."

Stunned.

Watching Jiang Feng's innocent demeanor, Cen Yueyue couldn't help but twitch her mouth, her white fingers trembled as she pointed at the man, yet she was at a loss for words.

Managed to squeeze out a few words after a while.

"Divine Thunder Valley is one of the major families in the Central Plains, on par with your sect. Although in the last century it's not as glorious as before, it's still a colossal entity comparable to the Joyful Union Sect. How, how, how did you get their cultivation technique? Of all things, their ancestral treasure?"

Teeth almost grinding to pieces.

She just knew this brat wouldn't settle down, always causing trouble wherever he went, and the bigger, the better!

"Uh... robbery and murder."

Just before his words were finished, he caught sight of Cen Yueyue's gritted teeth expression, hurriedly changing his tune.

"It wasn't me who killed, it was that crazy Yu Ying who did it. After killing, she fished out their divine soul and found some interesting things, then copied it into the Jade Scrolls. Later, when I visited, I found this and cultivated from it... wait."

Seeing Cen Yueyue's about-to-murder expression, Jiang Feng finally realized.

"Could they have discovered someone using the Divine Thunder Valley's secrets, and mistaken me for the murderer?"

"You're so smart, Young Master Jiang..."