I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 209 - Saintess Baili Xiao

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“I offer this pearl for my freedom, what do you say?” said Primordial Leopard.

As the black head finished speaking, the red head added, “Of course! That featherbag already gave you three of his life-saving feathers, we can't be stingy either. If you’re willing, I can temper your body with my Stellar Violet Flame.”

“Think about it. With our help, you could instantly rise above the rest, surpassing even the most gifted geniuses,” the heads said in unison.

“Should I accept?” Tan Jiulin hesitated, then asked the Evil God List within her.

“From my perspective, yes, you should,” the voice from the ranking replied. “But I am only your guide. Every decision you make must come from you. Not from hesitation, not from others’ opinions. You must learn to be independent, to endure and experience this twisted world. Only then can you grow.”

Tan Jiulin exhaled deeply. She looked at the Primordial Leopard and the Double-Bright Bird, then finally nodded.

“I accept,” she said.

……

Across a vast river, a massive ship raced across the water like an arrow loosed from a bow.

The sky was crystal clear, bright blue like it had been painted by the gods.

When the ship reached the center of the river, it slowed.

Xu Zimo stood in the cabin, gazing at the endless water with deep eyes.

“Young man, where are you from?” an elderly man nearby asked with a smile. “My wife and I are from Martial Magnificence Mountain.”

At this point, aside from the Yuan Imperial Clan’s own crew, there were only four groups of actual passengers onboard.

Xu Zimo and Little Gui were one group. The elderly couple was another.

The third was a solitary young woman.

And the fourth group consisted of black-clad individuals, fully armored and silent.

The young woman and the black-clad group hadn’t stepped out of the cabin once since boarding.

“Martial Magnificence Mountain, that’s a fine place,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “I’m from Primordial Ancient City.”

“I’m Wu Qianjun,” the elder said with a kind grin. “May I know your name?”

“The head of Martial Magnificence Mountain?” Xu Zimo raised a brow with interest. “I’m Xu Zimo.”

Martial Magnificence Mountain was a renowned landmark in the Eastern Continent, home to Martial Magnificence Temple, famous for its unique practices.

They did not worship Buddha but instead enshrined a grotesque demonic statue.

There were 36 Blessed Caverns scattered across the mountain, each with its own legend.

Every spring, the mountain opened to visitors.

Their method of accepting disciples was bizarre, each candidate had to draw their inner demon before the temple's idol. No one knew what criteria they used to judge.

……

“Is Young Master Xu going to attend the Saintess Ceremony of the Baili Imperial Clan?” the elder asked.

“No, just sightseeing,” Xu Zimo smiled. “Who is the Saintess?”

The moment “Saintess” was mentioned, the first person Xu Zimo thought of was Baili Xiao.

“I heard she’s the recently recovered daughter of the clan leader Baili Chengfeng,” Wu Qianjun replied. “Her name is Baili Xiao.”

“The Holy Son and Saintess positions of the Baili Imperial Clan are fiercely contested. Surprisingly, Baili Xiao earned the elders’ overwhelming support not long after returning, now she’s favored to be the Saintess.”

Xu Zimo chuckled. “The script feels… off.”

He didn’t believe that Baili Xiao, based solely on her own abilities, could rise so fast in a powerful Imperial Lineage like the Baili Imperial Clan.

“There’s only one explanation,” he muttered, gazing at the river. “Someone’s residual soul has awakened early.”

In his past life, Chu Yang had stormed the True Martial Sacred Ground alone.

Challenging an Imperial Lineage backed by four Grand Emperors took guts, but not just guts.

Beyond the Sky Shroud War God being held off by the Lord of Samsara, the key was that the generals of Grand Empress Hongtian’s line sided with Chu Yang.

The Sacred Lord had to personally step in. Xu Qingshan’s hair turned white overnight, and he vanished into seclusion.

Back then, Xu Zimo didn’t understand it.

He was hiding, focused only on revenge. But he quietly collected news on Chu Yang and Baili Xiao.

Later, he understood.

The reason Baili Xiao received Grand Empress Hongtian’s inheritance was because it had all been arranged long ago.

“Lin Yuqing… first war general of Grand Empress Hongtian. Now known as Soaring Goose Ancestor, one of the four surviving ancestors of True Martial Sacred Ground.”

Xu Zimo’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

“Baili Xiao… don’t die yet. We still have unfinished business.”

……

As Xu Zimo and Wu Qianjun continued chatting, the cabin door suddenly swung open.

A woman in armor-like clothing stepped out.

Though her attire resembled battle armor, it was soft to the touch, more like fabric than metal.

She had short hair, a delicate oval face, and sharp eyes that radiated lethal energy. She looked composed and deadly, crisp, clean, and efficient.

When she appeared, Little Gui’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He stared, completely captivated.

“What’s wrong? Like what you see?” Xu Zimo asked with a grin.

“She’s exactly my type,” Little Gui nodded fervently.

“Then go chase her. And if that fails, force it, I'm with you,” Xu Zimo clapped him on the shoulder.

Inspired, Little Gui fixed his clothes and boldly approached the woman.

……

The wind lifted the girl’s hair as she stared calmly into the distance.

“Miss, I’m Zhang Guilin. May I know your name?” Little Gui asked with a smile.

“Yao Shengnan,” she replied, glancing briefly at Xu Zimo.

“Strong name for a strong woman. Who says men are better than women?” Little Gui praised.

Yao Shengnan gave a small nod but said nothing more. The silence was awkward.

“Where are you headed, miss?” Little Gui asked again after a moment.

This time she didn’t answer immediately. She stayed quiet for a long while, then finally turned her head and said:

“I have an enemy in an Imperial Lineage. If you’re willing to help me take revenge… I’ll give you anything you want.”