I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 214 - Can Even The Infernal Lord Not Escape Fate?

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The noonday sun drifted through the sky with the winter chill, as a few lone birds occasionally flew by overhead.

Xu Zimo rode the Darksky Tiger along the main road, passing by countless travelers.

Some rode Sageships, others rode spirit beasts. Without exception, they were all heading to the Baili Imperial Clan to offer their congratulations.

“Master, do you know of the River of Fate?” Paimon’s voice echoed beside him, audible, yet unseen.

“I’ve personally witnessed the River of Fate’s evolution,” Xu Zimo replied with a nod.

“All beings are bound by the River of Fate,” Paimon said slowly. “Legend has it that only by opening all twelve Meridian Gates can one transcend both self and the heavens, truly breaking free from fate.”

“What are you trying to say?” Xu Zimo asked.

Paimon was silent for a moment before he finally said, “Your fate, too, is bound within the River of Fate, Master.”

Xu Zimo froze. He had almost forgotten one thing.

He had observed the fate evolutions of countless others within the River of Fate, but not once had he seen anything about his own.

“No one can foresee their own destiny,” Paimon explained. “You may see the destinies of others, but not your own. However, there are some truly powerful beings who can physically reach the River of Fate itself.”

Xu Zimo fell into thought, then said, “If that’s true, then in front of such beings, do secrets even exist? Can they just view anyone’s destiny at will?”

“No,” Paimon shook his head. “Having the ability to reach the River of Fate and being able to view someone else’s fate are two different things. Even if those godlike beings reach the River, they must pay a heavy price to view someone else’s fate. To observe even a single being’s destiny comes at a cost unimaginable. So how could they possibly peer into the destinies of all living beings?”

Only now did Xu Zimo realize just how rare and powerful the Primordial Chaos Bead in his possession truly was, allowing him to freely witness the evolutions of fate.

Even those legendary great figures, if they reached the River of Fate, could not do what he could. And for them, observing just one individual’s destiny might demand an immense sacrifice.

“What are you really trying to say?” Xu Zimo asked, frowning.

“Perhaps someone has already paid that price to peer into your fate,” Paimon said slowly. “After all, your resurrection is no longer a secret.”

Xu Zimo’s eyes narrowed. He remembered something.

He had previously sent Little Gui to follow Jiang Mochou. But in the end, Jiang was taken away by an old man.

Before leaving, that old man had sent Xu Zimo a message:

“Fate cannot be changed. Some destinies will come to pass, no matter what.”

…

“Who would want to know my fate?” Xu Zimo asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Your enemies from the past,” Paimon quickly replied.

“If they know I’ve returned to life, why haven’t they come to kill me yet?” Xu Zimo asked in confusion.

“The laws of this world restrain them. Until you inherit the Infernal Lord’s legacy, they cannot directly interfere with or alter your destiny. They can only change the destinies of those around you to influence the course of your life,” Paimon explained. “Just like those waiting for you in the Primordial Demon Cave. They also know you’ve been resurrected, but they too cannot act directly against you.”

“Then why are you allowed to come to me directly?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I’m different,” Paimon replied. “Even if you hadn’t resurrected in this life, I would still have emerged. This is my mission.”

Xu Zimo frowned slightly.

The feeling that someone was peering into his fate made him deeply uneasy. It would interfere with many things he planned to do.

But fortunately, he had already come up with a way to resolve it.

After seven straight days of non-stop travel, Xu Zimo finally arrived outside Baili City by dusk.

The Saintess Ceremony of the Baili Imperial Clan was scheduled for the next day.

The massive city loomed over the land, its grandeur crashing down like tidal waves, shaking the hearts of all who approached.

Xu Zimo, atop the Darksky Tiger, slowly entered the city. It was lit brightly with lanterns and festive decorations.

Though it was night, the city was even livelier than during the day.

All the inns and taverns were packed. Xu Zimo inquired at several inns but couldn’t find a single room available.

Of course, with his cultivation level, he no longer needed sleep.

Eventually, he found a three-story pavilion that still had open seating. The place only served food, no lodging rooms available.

Xu Zimo ascended slowly. The first and second floors were already full; only the third floor had a few vacant seats.

He picked one and sat down casually, ordering some wine and food while listening to the conversations around him.

“I heard the Baili Imperial Clan’s Saintess is named Baili Xiao. No one really knows what she looks like.”

“She used to live outside the clan for a long time and only recently returned. It’s no surprise we haven’t seen her before.”

Someone nearby sighed and said, “I wish one day my parents would tell me I’m not their real son, and that my real father is the head of an Imperial Lineage.

Why does stuff like this never happen to me?”

“Step aside. I drank too much. Let me wake him up with a golden stream.”

Laughter erupted around them, and someone added, “Don’t think Baili Xiao is just some lucky girl.

To establish herself so quickly within an Imperial Clan and be chosen as Saintess, her talent must be extraordinary.”

“I heard she used to be a disciple of a major sect in the far west,” someone said.

A burly man in a black robe nearby laughed as he downed several cups of wine. “Let me tell you guys, I’ve been to the far west recently. I know more than you do.”

“Brother Zhang, tell us! What’s the story?” the group urged, turning toward the man with curiosity.

“They say Baili Xiao offended a sect in the far west and was almost killed on the spot. It was only thanks to the Baili Imperial Clan’s patriarch, Baili Chengfeng, who rushed over and paid a huge price, that she was saved.”

“Brother Zhang, you’re not making this up, are you?” someone laughed. “Who in the Eastern Continent would dare disrespect the Baili Imperial Clan enough to force Patriarch Chengfeng to pay a steep price?”

“True Martial Sacred Ground,” the man replied flatly.

At those words, the entire room, previously filled with cheerful laughter, instantly fell silent.

This sect, home to four emperors, loomed like a mountain above all others, suffocating everyone under its weight.

Even though it only ruled the far western regions, its reputation sent tremors through the very heart of the Eastern Continent.