Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 146 The True Perpetrator

The following day, Wang Jian paid a visit to Xie Zhiweiʼs mansion.

Having informed his family beforehand about the arrival of an expert who could heal Xie Hui, the entire family eagerly awaited Wang Jianʼs arrival.

Accompanying Wang Jian was an elderly man, instantly recognizable to the family as Wen Jie - an esteemed alchemist who had pledged his lifelong services to Bai Liqin.

His devotion to her was a result of her having saved his life and nurtured him into the alchemist he was today.

As they entered the mansion, Xie Chang, Xie Zhiweiʼs father, rushed to greet them.

”Thank you for coming, Your Highness, and bringing Master Wen Jie with you. We are indebted to you both,” he said with a deep bow.

Wang Jian smiled and replied, ”Itʼs our pleasure to help. Master Wen Jie is one of the most skilled alchemists in the land, and Iʼm sure he will be able to cure the grand elder Hui.”

Wen Jie nodded, his eyes glinting with determination. ”I will do my utmost to heal Grand Elder Hui,” he said.

”Based on my analysis of the blood sample, I have some theories on how to counteract the Dream Weaving Poison. Please lead me to his chambers.”

Xie Chang nodded and gestured for Wen Jie to follow him. As they walked through the halls, Xie Chang filled Wen Jie in on the state of his fatherʼs condition.

”He has been weakening by the day,” Xie Chang said. ”The maids have been administering the Spirit Empowering Elixir directly to his blood every hour, but it only strengthens his spirit for a short time.”

When they entered the room, Xie Hui lay on the bed, his breathing shallow and labored. Wen Jie approached the bed and examined Xie Hui closely.

”I need some privacy to administer the cure,” Wen Jie said, turning to Xie Chang.

Xie Chang hesitated for a moment but then nodded, understanding the need for secrecy in the alchemical arts.

”Please, do whatever it takes to save my father,” Xie Chang implored, extending a small velvet pouch to Wen Jie. ”Inside this spatial pouch, youʼll find the requested medicinal herbs and even more. I beg of you, donʼt let him perish.”

Wen Jie accepted the pouch, feeling its weight and nodding solemnly. ”I will do everything within my power,” he promised, before Xie Chang bowed and left the room.

Once Xie Chang had left, and Wen Jie looked troubled as he gazed at Wang Jian.

”Are you certain this is the right method to treat Xie Hui?” Wen Jie inquired, his tone concerned.

Wang Jian had already informed him about the plan to use the Soul Eater Venom to treat Xie Huiʼs condition, but Wen Jie was apprehensive due to the high risk involved.

”While it is possible to treat the Soul Eater Venom using the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed, the combination with this unknown poison could be fatal,” Wen Jie explained.

Wang Jian remained confident. ”I understand your concern, but it will work,” he assured Wen Jie.

Wen Jie was still hesitant, unaware of the demonic and holy attributes within the Dream Weaving Poison that would prevent it from being too lethal when combined with the Soul Eater Venom.

Wang Jian was aware of this, but due to the lack of time, he could not explain it to Wen Jie.

As Wang Jian injected the Soul Eater Venom into Xie Huiʼs body, Wen Jie prepared to use the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed to counteract the venomʼs effects. He carefully held the herbs, ready to release their vital essence at a momentʼs notice.

As the venom began to take hold of Xie Huiʼs body, a dark aura began to spread across his skin, and he began to sweat profusely.

Wen Jie watched nervously, hoping that they would be able to save him.

Wang Jian used his Spiritual Sensitivity ability to closely observe the battle between the two opposing forces within Xie Huiʼs body.

The battle raged on for nearly half an hour, with the Soul Eater Venom slowly gaining the upper hand and winning eventually. The Soul Eater Venom was now extremely weak and planned to devour Xie Huiʼs spirit.

Just as the venom was about to consume Xie Huiʼs spirit, Wang Jian shouted, ”Now!”

Wen Jie sprang into action, his hands bursting into crimson flames that heated the Frost Lotus and Nirvana Seed.

The herbs released their vital essence, and Wen Jie expertly manipulated it to envelop Xie Huiʼs entire body, counteracting the venomʼs effects.

The room was silent as they waited for the treatment to take effect. After a few tense minutes, Xie Huiʼs body began to calm down, and the dark aura dissipated.

He opened his eyes, and Wen Jie breathed a sigh of relief. ”We did it,” he said with a small smile.

Wen Jie couldnʼt help but stare at Wang Jian with admiration. ”You truly are amazing, Your Highness. You were able to create an antidote for the Poison Kingʼs unknown poison,” he said, impressed.

”Itʼs called the Dream Weaving Poison. I will explain it to you in detail later, Wen Jie,” Wang Jian responded calmly.

As they left the chambers, Xie Zhiwei and his family were waiting for them in the hall.

Xie Zhiwei practically leapt to pull Wang Jian in a tight embrace while whispering his thanks repeatedly.

Xie Chang was also delighted and hugged his wife as they all cheered happily.

”Thank you, Lord Wen. Itʼs all because of your skill that we could resolve this deadly venom of the Poison King,” Xie Chang soon came to thank Wen Jie.

Wen Jie accepted the gratitude with a complicated smile. ”It was my duty to help a friend of His Highness,” he said humbly.

Xie Chang turned towards Wang Jian with a wide smile on his face as he saw his son hugging the prince.

However, the smile soon turned into hesitation before a resolute expression appeared on his face.

”Your Highness,” he began, his voice serious. ”I must ask for your help once again.”

”Thatʼs not a problem,” Wang Jian spoke. He further added, ”Take good care of Grand Elder. I will return after a couple of days. I want to discuss something with you.”

”That would be absolutely fine, Your Highness. The doors to the Xie Family are forever open to you from now on,” Xie Chang declared passionately.

After hearing those words, Wang Jian left the mansion in a good mood. He was heading towards his motherʼs palace.

Wen Jie was dismissed, and the mother-son duo were alone in Bai Liqinʼs chambers now.

”Judging by that smile, it went well,” Bai Liqin commented with a grin.

Wang Jian nodded, ”Yes. It wonʼt be long before they contact me again and officially join my faction. Xie Zhiweiʼs family will be an extremely valuable support.”

He then asked, ”What about that group?”

”No. They received payment from an anonymous individual in a tavern in the Bihai Town. They will never know that the one who paid them to attack Xie Hui was us,” Bai Liqin uttered.

Wang Jian nodded with a wicked smirk on his face, ”Good.”

He took his leave from his motherʼs palace soon enough.

As anticipated, Xie Zhiweiʼs family contacted Wang Jian soon after Xie Huiʼs recovery. Xie Chang paid a visit to Wang Jianʼs palace to discuss a matter of great importance.

”Greetings, Your Highness. I am here to discuss a serious matter with you,” Xie Chang said upon arrival.

Wang Jian, already aware of the topic at hand, welcomed Xie Chang and invited him to the living room. After they both took a seat, a maid was called in to bring tea and snacks for the guests.

Xie Chang then spoke with a solemn expression, ”Your Highness, the Xie Family would like to officially join your faction.”

Wang Jian calmly responded, ”As I stated earlier, Lord Chang, I would have saved Grand Elder Huiʼs life simply because he is my friendʼs grandfather. I do not want you to feel compelled by this incident and make a hasty decision.”

Xie Chang, with conviction in his voice, replied, ”No, Your Highness. This is not a hasty decision. I have given it much thought, and it is the right decision for the Xie Family. I have even discussed it with my father, and he has given his approval.”

He then explained, ”I am sure you wonʼt deny that this attack occurred because of Zhiweiʼs association with you.”

Wang Jian nodded hesitantly, ”Yes, I had my suspicions as well. My eldest brother, second sister, or third brother might be responsible. Only they have the resources and intelligence to orchestrate such an attack.”

Xie Chang agreed, ”I came to the same conclusion, Your Highness. I was initially hesitant about joining your faction, but after this incident, it has become clear that the other members of the Alchemy Society have already chosen their factions. They used those factions to pressurize and humiliate us! If not for your assistance, the Xie Family might have lost everything.”

He continued with a resolute tone, ”Thus, it became clear to me that the choice has already been made. Since the enemy factions are already targeting us, we canʼt just sit back and take their attacks. We need to fight back. And I believe that officially joining your faction would be the way. You are bound to fight against those factions anyway.”

Wang Jian nodded thoughtfully and replied, ”I understand your concerns, Lord Chang. I accept the Xie Familyʼs request to join my faction. I have two conditions for this alliance.”

”What are they?” Xie Chang inquired.

”Firstly, I require 10% of the pellets assigned to the Xie Family every month. Secondly, I want the alchemists from your family to prepare pills for me for free, provided I provide the necessary resources,” Wang Jian stated composedly.

Xie Chang visibly relaxed after hearing the terms and nodded in agreement.

”Thatʼs not an issue, Your Highness. The Xie Family pledges to fulfill these conditions. Furthermore, I assure you that no alchemist from the Xie Family, including my father Xie Hui, would ever refuse to concoct pills for you,” Xie Chang pledged earnestly.

He then requested, ”However, I do have a favor to ask. Would you kindly arrange for some experts to safeguard my family? The Xie Family would gladly pay for their services.”

”I have the ideal organization in mind - the Ivory Fang Legion. They are powerful, reliable, and upright. Iʼll contact them and request their assistance in protecting your family,” Wang Jian responded assuredly.

”Thank you, Your Highness. We eagerly await their arrival,” Xie Chang expressed with a grin.