The Villain Saint is my secondary account

"But I'm quite curious, what kind of family would put this thing up for sale?" Li Cheng asked, puzzled.

“It might be Viscount Polk himself.” Ye Xiao smiled. “We use a VIP invitation system for the great nobles… and for the numerous wealthy merchants or minor nobles who are too difficult to screen one by one, we use this channel to send out low-level invitations.”

"Oh, I think I understand now." Li Cheng seemed to have a realization.

As the two were talking, the carriage had already passed through the vast garden and arrived at the foot of a brightly lit Western-style mansion.

Led by a maid at the entrance of the mansion, Li Cheng and Ye Xiao straightened their tailcoats and followed the other nobles into the gate.

The front hall of the inner mansion is very spacious, with gilded walls and floor tiles. In the center is a double door leading to the inner hall, and on each side of the door is a staircase with carved railings leading to the second floor.

There were guards standing at both ends of the staircase. Ye Xiao noticed that the nobles who entered one after another were all heading towards the door leading to the inner hall, so he curiously walked towards the staircase with Li Cheng.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. May we see the invitation?"

Do the guards at the stairwell also need invitations?

Li Cheng handed the invitation to the other party, who glanced at it briefly and then pointed to the door leading to the inner hall, saying, "The entrance to the banquet is here, gentlemen."

These words were tantamount to a veiled refusal to let Li Cheng and Ye Xiao go up the stairs.

The two exchanged a glance, then nodded slightly to the servant in thanks before walking toward the wide and exquisite double doors.

“He didn’t completely refuse us entry… he just checked the invitation first before barring us,” Ye Xiao whispered to Li Cheng. “Upstairs is probably a place only the most powerful nobles can access…”

Because he was in the suburbs outside the city, Ye Xiao couldn't send a private message to Li Cheng through the community system, so he could only say this in a low voice.

"Wow, Brother Ye, you're awesome!" Li Cheng secretly gave a thumbs up.

Upon entering the inner hall, a light and melodious tune immediately fills the air.

A row of crystal chandeliers on the towering ceiling casts a dazzling light, while men and women in elegant attire walk hand in hand, their steps light and graceful on the polished, colorful tiles.

“Oh.” Li Cheng raised an eyebrow. “A ball…”

"Why do I get the feeling you're a little disappointed...?"

"I thought it was the kind of place where nobody wears much clothing..."

"Ahem, hey!" Ye Xiao quickly interrupted the guy's bizarre remarks by pretending to cough.

There were other nobles coming and going around them, and if this guy were to utter any outrageous remarks, the two of them would probably be kicked out.

Ye Xiao put his arm around Li Cheng's shoulder and led him to a small corner. "Nobles, after all, still need to maintain some face... That kind of thing is probably more personal."

"But buddy, look closely upstairs."

Following Ye Xiao's gaze, Li Cheng noticed that the interior decoration of this hall was slightly different from that of ordinary Western-style mansions. The entire hall was nearly five stories high, but the upper parts were mostly covered with thick red curtains, like the curtains in a theater.

The red curtains swayed slightly, and one could vaguely see figures flashing by through the gaps.

"...Audience boxes?" Li Cheng suddenly realized.

"It should be called the buyer's private room," Ye Xiao said with a nonchalant smile.

"Got it, so this place we're standing here should be called a shelf." Li Cheng always understood things very quickly in situations like this.

Now, looking into the hall again, he noticed that some of the nobles dancing were dressed more conservatively, with exquisite masks that completely covered their faces.

Sometimes, these masked dancers would lead their partners to a doorway in the corner of the dance floor, and then leave the hall under the guidance of attendants.

I had just guessed that the people upstairs were high-ranking nobles who had been invited.

Judging from the current scene, those wearing masks are probably hiding their identities to choose partners. Once they find someone they like, they will lead them upstairs through the side porch.

Sometimes, a servant would come over and whisper to a nobleman in the hall, then lead them to the porch. It was possible that a nobleman had taken a liking to someone upstairs and specifically asked the servant to bring them up.

Such hidden rules, out of consideration for the dignity of the nobility, would naturally not be publicly stated in any place. Ye Xiao and Li Cheng used false identities of low status to infiltrate, and therefore could only speculate on the operating principles of this manor gathering through observation.

“That’s a bit of a problem. If we just stand here like idiots, who’s going to call on us?” Li Cheng said, somewhat troubled. “Those who aren’t chosen can only wander around all alone down there. This is too damn cruel, this impart.”

"Weren't you on the street dance team in high school? Why don't you go up and dance some hip hop? It'll definitely attract a lot of attention, and maybe some rich girls will like that style."

"No, that's too abstract, Brother Xiong."

After discussing it, the two decided that they could only try it out separately on the field.

After all, if they stand together, no one will point them out; people might even think they're a gay couple.

Ye Xiao took a wine glass from the table next to her, poured some juice, and leaned against the wall, her gaze wandering through the crowd.

He wasn't the kind of socially adept womanizer, but that didn't stop him from seeing the ins and outs through his keen observation.

After all, his real goal wasn't to find a rich woman, but to trace the origin of the Slaanesh statue.

Li Cheng, on the other hand, said he had no other choice, but once he entered the crowd, he acted as if he were back home, casually picked up someone, flirted with them, and pulled them into his arms in one smooth motion.

Before long, the guy was holding one in each hand, both of them had excellent figures, and more importantly, they were both wearing masks.

This indicates that the two individuals were high-ranking nobles who came from upstairs.

Even Ye Xiao had to secretly admire Li Cheng's awesomeness.

This way, Ye Xiao can relax for a while. His good brother may look simple-minded, but he's quite good at gathering information.

Next, all we have to do is wait for him to receive the information.

Thinking this, Ye Xiao leaned against the shadow of the wall behind the stone pillar and took a leisurely sip of juice.

"You're quite interesting, coming to a party like this but staying in a corner the whole time?"

Just then, a seductive voice came from beside my ear.

Chapter 87 Playing along

Ye Xiao turned her head slightly and saw a tall girl with long, light pink hair leaning lazily against the shadow of the wall, her hands supporting her chest, her figure appearing voluptuous even under the tight-fitting shirt.

Her delicate, fair face unexpectedly exuded a mature air, but what was most striking were her deep purple eyes, slightly lowered as if she were sizing up Ye Xiao, yet also seemed to be sending flirtatious glances.

"Oh... hello." Ye Xiao replied weakly, then turned her gaze back to the crowd.

A few seconds of silence followed.

Until the other person couldn't help but speak up, "Hey you, don't you have any reaction to seeing a pretty girl? What are you even here for?"

"Just as you said, someone as pretty as you should have been chosen by the big shots upstairs long ago, or at the very least, signed as a dance partner to hug and cuddle downstairs," Ye Xiaoyun said casually. "But the fact that you can sit here and talk to me so leisurely can only mean that you didn't come in as a 'commodity'."

“What a tasteless man,” the girl waved her hand. “Couldn’t you just say that my taste and style are a cut above the rest?”

"That's not entirely wrong," Ye Xiao shrugged.

"It's not that I can't, but you just won't say, right?" The girl couldn't help but laugh at Ye Xiao's annoyance. "Hmph, if you make me unhappy, I can make you suffer."

"Then please spare me." Ye Xiao helplessly and tremblingly raised her wine glass to the other person, "A toast to you... as my apology."

Of course, his trembling was purely due to shaking hands and had nothing to do with personal feelings.

"It's all grape juice inside, is this your way of apologizing?" The girl curled her lips. "Alright, actually I just wanted to ask, what brings our princess, who was appointed a knight, to my manor?"

"Hmm? I've never heard of Viscount Polk being a woman?" Ye Xiao was slightly surprised.

"It's just an identity anyway." The girl gave an ambiguous smile. "Since you are both the princess's knight and the saintess's subordinate, I'm quite interested in this relationship between you."

"You know quite a lot." Ye Xiao nodded, but showed no panic at all because his identity had been exposed.

"Perhaps only that poor princess was completely fooled by you."

“You can’t say that… The Holy Maiden and we had a slight disagreement about the imperial selection… We simply chose a different path that we wanted to take,” Ye Xiao said softly.

"You still have disagreements? Even after what happened in Stormport?" The girl twirled a strand of hair near her earlobe with her fingers, revealing her fair and slender neck.

“Ideas don’t waver because of experiences.” Ye Xiao raised an eyebrow. “After all, we are from two different worlds, so it’s normal for us to have different paths.”

"Hmph, fine, I'll assume that's a decent answer, and not just a womanizer's excuse."

"You've got it all wrong." Ye Xiao, with dark circles under his eyes, feigned a sorrowful look. "Sigh, the days of fighting alongside the Holy Maiden are truly unforgettable... It's a pity that we've become adversaries now."

"Alright, alright, stop pretending and you'll be done with it."

"Really... I thought you'd enjoy this kind of fun." Ye Xiao shrugged.

"What do I care about your romantic escapades with the Holy Maiden?" the girl said, somewhat speechless.

"Well... we're not that familiar with each other," Ye Xiao said helplessly. "Why don't you introduce yourself first, so I'll know how to make you laugh a little?"

"Tsk tsk, so blunt. Can't you learn from your friend who came with you and use some sweet talk?"

"I only ever know how to be honest." Ye Xiao took a sip of grape juice. Influenced by Ella's taste, he had started drinking this sweet beverage often. "As for whether or not to respond, that's their business."

"Playing hard to get?"

"This is called a childlike heart."

Ye Xiaoduan acted as if he had nothing to hide and was not afraid of being wronged.

"Hahaha, okay, I admit I'm starting to get a little interested after you hooked me up."

"Is it possible that it was just my honesty that moved you?"

"Pull you down."

"It seems you're not being honest enough." Ye Xiao waved his hand.

"Alright, then I'll just say it directly. I want to see what kind of charm this man possesses that makes both the Holy Maiden of Light and the First Princess so fond of him," the girl chuckled, then pulled an exquisite mask from her bosom with her two long, slender fingers.

"You might not believe me, but it's all a misunderstanding," Ye Xiao said helplessly.

"Then... is it possible for me to misunderstand as well?" The girl's voice changed slightly, though her tone seemed unchanged, it sounded more tender and charming.

"Look at me now... Are you serious?" Ye Xiao said, looking haggard. "At least let me give Her Highness a report."

"Hahaha, I won't bother you, my loyal knight. But since you're already here, how about a dance?"

"I don't really like being in the spotlight, but since this beautiful lady has taken the initiative to invite me, I have no choice but to reluctantly accept," Ye Xiao sighed. "But at least let me know my dance partner's name, right?"

"Hmph, you're still testing me at a time like this."

"Of course, and you're not some princess of some country or ethnicity or anything like that, are you? I'm starting to have a bit of awe for those kinds of people."

"Hahaha, of course not, don't worry, I'm just an ordinary noble lady." The girl narrowed her eyes slightly, then put on the exquisite mask, using the bright and innocent fake smile drawn on it with colored pencils to cover the captivating smile on her face. A sweet and delicate voice came from under the mask, "As for how you address me, you can call me Laxia."

"Then, Your Excellency Knight, would you have the honor of being your princess for a time?"

Sigh, I feel like I've accumulated more sins that don't belong to me.

Helpless, Ye Xiao looked at the outstretched hand, gloved in pure white, and finally gently took it in her hand.

When you hold that small hand in your palm, it does indeed feel soft and boneless.

Well, anyway, we were just putting on an act to gather information, so I hope the Holy Maiden will forgive me.

Why did I even think of this? How could I not forgive myself?

Ye Xiao was slightly puzzled by the strange thought that suddenly popped into her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. She took the girl who called herself Laxia's hand and walked out of the shadow cast by the light shining through the stone pillar, and into the crowd of people who were dancing gracefully.

The moment the girl was led to the crystal chandelier, for a fleeting instant, Ye Xiao felt as if all eyes in the room were focused on him.

He glanced around discreetly and noticed that the minor nobles, who shared his false identity, weren't looking at him. Their gazes came from those hidden behind colorful masks or curtains in the upstairs private rooms.

"Um, you're quite famous, aren't you?" Ye Xiao's lips twitched. "That's a bit dishonest."

He knew this girl was no ordinary person, and it was precisely because she was extraordinary that he wanted to find out more about her, hoping she might have some information about the statue.

But to attract the attention of all the hidden characters as soon as you appear is a bit excessive.

Before half the capital knows, the eldest princess's knight-maker has sneaked out of the city at night to attend a strange gathering.

However, the girl wearing a mask with a bright smile did not speak when faced with Ye Xiao's question; she simply tilted her head playfully.

Chapter Eighty-Eight: Half True, Half False

Ye Xiao's dancing ability, well, it's still a bit behind that of Li Cheng, the young master who once practiced "eighteen martial arts" in Hawaii on Earth.

Although Ella had received aristocratic dance training at home, those were all dance steps with girlish grace, which Ye Xiao could not perform.

However, with Laxia's hands-on guidance, he surprisingly danced quite well.

With light, graceful steps, the masked girl remained silent, seemingly immersed in the music, her fingers intertwined as she twirled in the dance floor, holding Ye Xiao's hand.

Ye Xiao didn't dare to make a sound, so he could only leave this moment to the dance and quietly appreciate the beautiful figure of the girl in front of him.

Only after the song ended did Laxia take Ye Xiao's arm and head towards the doorway in the corner of the inner hall.

All eyes were on Ye Xiao's back until the moment they stepped into the porch.