[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin":3,"chapter-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-354":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The First Iron Rice Bowl of Great Jin",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},152040,261,"Chapter 354: Am I the Villain?","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-354",354,"\u003Cp>Xiuzheng Ward, South Luo Lane, the Hua family home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Creak~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in. Due to a long period of being unattended and uninhabited, the Hua courtyard showed signs of decay, with weeds overgrown everywhere and cobwebs covering the eaves, corners, and other places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the courtyard where she was born become so desolate, a complex and unspeakable emotion surged in Hua Changxi's heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After making a round in the Hua courtyard, Hua Changxi discovered that the simple defensive formation she had set up earlier had been destroyed. With a wave of her hand, hundreds of Fire Essence Jade and Soul Crystals flew out together, and in an instant, the Hua courtyard was enveloped in the Twelve Cycles Defensive Formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Twelve Cycles Defensive Formation is a fifth-grade formation that she learned from Yan Zhenzhen. Since setting up this formation required the coordination of divine sense and spiritual power, and due to her previous limited strength, she had never been able to deploy it over the Hua courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This formation can withstand attacks from cultivators at the Spirit Platform realm and below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after the formation was set up, a cultivator tried to charge into the Hua courtyard but was sent flying back by the Twelve Cycles Defensive Formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi heard the commotion. Her gaze sharpened, and she quickly walked out, just in time to see two Qi Sea realm cultivators helping a Core Formation cultivator to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These three were sent by the Duke of Liang's mansion to monitor the Hua courtyard. As soon as any unusual activity occurred in the Hua courtyard, they were to immediately report it to the Duke of Liang's mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Core Formation cultivator Yin Xiu was the eldest illegitimate son of the fifth branch of the Duke of Liang's mansion. Being assigned to guard the Hua courtyard, he felt very unwilling in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the Duke of Liang's mansion still had some prestige, and no one deliberately came to cause trouble at the Hua courtyard. Over the past three years, he and the two collateral clansmen did not have a difficult time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, the sun rose from the west—someone had actually broken into the Hua courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Yin Xiu had been unable to break through the bottleneck of the early Core Formation stage for a long time, he had been nursing a fire in his heart. As soon as he received news that someone had broken into the Hua courtyard, he rushed over in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that the Hua courtyard now had an extra defensive formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrown back by the formation, Yin Xiu even felt his dantian tremble. His original fury instantly cooled, and cold sweat seeped from his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, having come from the Duke's mansion, even an illegitimate son had some knowledge. With just one contact, he could tell that the defensive formation was no simple thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw the ice-cold Hua Changxi walking out of the Hua courtyard, his heart sank even further into the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he did not know Hua Changxi and had never met her, he still guessed her identity in the first moment: Hua! Chang! Xi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spiritual pressure surged over like monstrous waves; the two Qi Sea realm cultivators immediately fell flat. Yin Xiu, at least remembering that he came from the Duke of Liang's mansion and could not disgrace its face, still tried to grit his teeth and hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, under an absolute difference in cultivation level, all efforts were useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After holding on for a few seconds, Yin Xiu also fell prostrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi knew that these three were just following orders, and she did not want to bully the weak to show off her power. After intimidating them for a while, she withdrew her spiritual pressure and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth... Ninth Lady?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Hua Changxi turned around, she saw many neighbors standing at their doorways looking at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who spoke was the aunt next door to the Hua courtyard, who had watched Hua Changxi grow up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi walked toward her, but as soon as she took a step, she saw that aunt fearfully step back a few paces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned, stopped walking, and looked at the neighbors. To her shock, she discovered that the vast majority of them had fear in their eyes when looking at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were afraid of her!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This discovery made Hua Changxi's heart shake violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was this happening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the gaze of some neighbors, Hua Changxi's eyes fell on Yin Xiu and his two companions, who were still lying on the ground gasping for breath. She had a vague realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she did not understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it the Duke of Liang's mansion that was using its power to bully the Hua family and sent people to watch the Hua courtyard? Even though she had intimidated those three with spiritual pressure, that was legitimate retaliation. Why were the neighbors afraid of her? It made it seem as if she was the villain instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi wanted to ask for clarification, but the words came to her lips and then she swallowed them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, these people were just neighbors; to put it bluntly, they were merely a group of irrelevant people. Why should she care about them and let it affect her actions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without lingering any longer, Hua Changxi strode away from South Luo Lane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Hua Changxi's figure could no longer be seen did Yin Xiu and his two companions dare to help each other up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quick, send a message to the heir apparent, saying Hua Changxi has appeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Nanluo Alley, Hua Changxi went straight to the Dingyuan Earl Manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she stepped onto the street where the manor was located, she spotted a Nascent Soul cultivator sitting cross-legged in a private room of a tea house opposite the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was truly angered by the Liangguo Duke Manor's brazenness. With a wave of her hand, she used spiritual power to roll up that Nascent Soul cultivator and bring him over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yunzhou didn't realize he had been attacked until he was forcibly brought before Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, who are you...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish the question, Yin Yunzhou guessed that the woman in red before him was Hua Changxi. He was both surprised by her sudden appearance and terrified by her fearsome strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, yet he had neither detected her arrival beforehand nor had any means of defending against her attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his fear, Yin Yunzhou quickly said, \"In the capital, cultivators are forbidden to fight. Are you violating the rules jointly established by the imperial family and the five sacred lands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if in response to his words, a squad of brocade-clad guards with swords hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading guard was also a Nascent Soul cultivator. Upon arriving, he stared sharply at Hua Changxi and Yin Yunzhou: \"We sensed a fluctuation of spiritual power. Were you two fighting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yunzhou was about to say that Hua Changxi had attacked him, but just as the words reached his lips, he felt a sharp pain in his mind. Looking up, he met Hua Changxi's half-smiling gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Yin Yunzhou denied it did Hua Changxi speak: \"This fellow cultivator has performed meritorious deeds. Seeing him so diligently staying motionless in that tea house, I really couldn't resist wanting to chat with him. That's all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nascent Soul guard from the Brocade Guard had come with a mission. He directly addressed Yin Yunzhou: \"Fellow cultivator, don't be afraid. With us here, if someone truly attacked you, we will certainly seek justice for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yin Yunzhou could respond, Hua Changxi's laughter rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi laughed as she looked at the Brocade Guard Nascent Soul cultivator, whose intentions were clearly impure. Her face showed undisguised mockery, and her eyes were full of contempt: \"Talking big... is liable to make you bite your tongue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Brocade Guard Nascent Soul cultivator felt a chill of alarm—he clearly sensed a flash of killing intent from Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to kill him, and she could kill him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Brocade Guard Nascent Soul cultivator was at a loss for what to do, Hua Changxi spoke to Yin Yunzhou: \"Trouble you to lead the way. Let's go to the Liangguo Duke Manor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Liangguo Duke sent people to watch the Hua family's courtyard and sent you to block the Dingyuan Earl Manor's gate. Such a grand display, yet I don't even know what he looks like—that's truly remiss of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yunzhou was taken aback. Go to the Liangguo Duke Manor? He had thought Hua Changxi would first visit the Dingyuan Earl Manor to see the Hua family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was merely a collateral branch of the Liangguo Duke's household. If he truly led Hua Changxi there, he feared he would face dire consequences if anything went wrong later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that with the Brocade Guard present, Hua Changxi probably wouldn't dare actually attack, Yin Yunzhou stood still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi knew that whether it was the three people in Nanluo Alley or the Nascent Soul cultivator before her, they were all just enforcers sent by the Liangguo Duke Manor. Even if she disposed of these thugs, others would be dispatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To solve the problem completely, she had to go to the source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Yin Yunzhou wasn't moving, Hua Changxi threatened coldly, \"What's the matter? Can your feet not walk anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yin Yunzhou's heart leaped. Why didn't the Hua family dare to step outside the Dingyuan Earl Manor? Because they feared the Liangguo Duke Manor would send people to intercept and kill them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hua Changxi could use the same tactic against the Liangguo Duke Manor—she could intercept and kill their people too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling Hua Changxi's terrifying strength and not daring to offend her to the extreme, Yin Yunzhou gave an awkward smile. \"Our duke has been wanting to see you too.\" With that, he took the lead and walked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Brocade Guards saw that Yin Yunzhou was indeed leading the way for Hua Changxi, they exchanged bewildered glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pah! A Nascent Soul cultivator, yet such a coward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hua Changxi and Yin Yunzhou left the street where the Dingyuan Earl Manor was located, the Brocade Guard Nascent Soul cultivator's waist suddenly vibrated. After a moment, he said to his subordinates, \"Let's go, follow them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Brocade Guard subordinates was reluctant: \"Captain, are we supposed to escort them to the Liangguo Duke Manor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Brocade Guard Nascent Soul cultivator: \"Shut up. Escort them? We're clearly supervising them all the way for the safety of the people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the Brocade Guards: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helplessly, this squad of Brocade Guards had no choice but to follow. Just as they caught up, they saw a monk blocking the path of Hua Changxi and Yin Yunzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Changxi, it's been three years. How have you been?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Jingliao's warm smile and couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth. \"I've been well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingliao nodded with a smile. \"That's good.\" As he spoke, he glanced at Yin Yunzhou, then at the group of brocade-clad guards who had caught up. \"If you don't mind, I'd like to walk with you for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him. \"...Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they continued toward the Liang State Duke Manor, Dingyuan Earl led the heir and Hua Minghe, among others, quickly out the Earl Manor's main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't they say Jiu Niang has returned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is she?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1954,"2026-05-29T04:10:48.594Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","d6307ee4c17f5f542ed9427f5209c699591e1de4b643c8cb38b5e404b73b799d","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-355","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-353",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]