Release the Heroine, Let Me Handle This

Chapter 91: The Villain's Proper Tactics

"Why are you back, sir?" the innkeeper asked, surprised to see Ling Jue and Ye Wenxin return to the inn.

"Just feeling a bit tired today," Ling Jue replied, still in the guise of a handsome gentleman, drawing the attention of everyone around as soon as they entered.

The admiration from women and the curiosity from men made Ling Jue's striking face a focal point wherever she went. Though Ye Wenxin was charming, her thirteen-year-old appearance drew less attention unless someone had a preference for younger girls. To avoid unwanted attention, Ye Wenxin had started referring to Ling Jue as her "brother," hoping to avoid being targeted by Ling Jue's admirers before they even reached the Alchemist Association.

As they spoke, Ye Wenxin surveyed the room and noticed a woman in the distance excitedly comparing Ling Jue to a portrait, then gesturing wildly.

"It's just identical!" the woman exclaimed, eager to approach Ling Jue with her rather unflattering portrait in hand.

"How is that similar? It's so ugly," Ye Wenxin couldn't help but mutter. Ling Jue, overhearing, asked Ye Wenxin what was happening.

"What's going on?"

"Do you know there's a market for portraits of you?" Ye Wenxin whispered.

Ling Jue blinked in confusion, shaking her head, seemingly unaware of being turned into a subject of public art.

"I'll tell you secretly, they're selling your portraits for ten thousand spirit stones each. Imagine how much we could make if we held a meet-and-greet in your name," Ye Wenxin teased, comparing the ugly portrait to the strikingly handsome Ling Jue beside her, considering her as a money-making opportunity greater than any alchemy endeavor.

"Meet-and-greet? What does that mean?" Ling Jue asked, puzzled. Before Ye Wenxin could explain, the woman had bounded over.

"Are you Ling Jue, the famous Ling Gongzi?" the woman asked, her appearance quite pleasant, donned in luxurious silk, suggesting she was a wealthy lady.

Ling Jue smiled politely, "Yes, I am Ling Jue. And you are?"

The woman turned even more excited, quickly performing a respectful salute. "I am Luo Miaoyi, an alchemist," she said, her face flushed, unable to tear her eyes away from Ling Jue.

Ling Jue, unfazed by the admiration, continued courteously, "Is there something I can help you with, Miss Luo?"

Luo Miaoyi shook her head vigorously. "No, nothing at all. I just heard that someone here was going to the city to take the Alchemist Association's exam, just like me. I didn't expect to meet you."

Her voice trembled, and Ye Wenxin recalled the innkeeper mentioning it earlier. She hadn't expected it to be Luo Miaoyi.

Though her personality seemed pleasant enough, Ye Wenxin felt the timing of Luo Miaoyi's appearance was too coincidental.

"So, the person you were waiting for is us. This is my sister, Ye Wenxin. I'm taking her to the exam," Ling Jue introduced Ye Wenxin, though he didn't mention her taking the advanced alchemist exam for safety reasons.

"Oh, you're also taking the beginner alchemist exam? What a coincidence," Luo Miaoyi turned her attention to Ye Wenxin, her voice loud enough for nearby patrons to hear.