I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 239 - First Day In Greensky Town

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Just as they were chatting, a shout rang out from outside.

“Dad, is my Hundred-Steel Sword finished yet?”

Xu Zimo turned his head and saw a young woman walk into the shop. She had short hair that barely touched her ears, was dressed in a slightly worn white robe, and carried herself with an energetic, unrestrained air. Her eyebrows were sharp like blades, and her eyes glistened with intensity.

She wasn’t a stunning beauty, but her looks were above average. Though she wore no makeup, she had a quiet, understated charm, and gave off a carefree, tomboyish vibe.

As soon as she entered and saw Xu Zimo and Tianshi, she gave them a quick once-over and smiled.

“New around here?”

“We just arrived today,” Tianshi replied with a grin.

“This is my daughter, Lin Qing,” the man beside them added. “Ah, I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I’m Lin Bao, town chief of Greensky Town.”

Xu Zimo and Tianshi quickly introduced themselves in return.

“Dad, these two still don’t have any work assigned, right?” Lin Qing interjected. “Why not have them help you out here at the smithy? You’ve been doing everything alone, and you’re also responsible for making tools for half the town. It’s way too much.”

“No need,” Lin Bao shook his head. “The town needs help in all areas. I can manage for a while longer.”

“Farming tools are fine, but we’re seriously short on weapons,” Lin Qing argued. “Those monsters out there can bite through our tools like they’re nothing. The townsfolk haven’t said much because they don’t want to overburden you. But if you let these two help out, you’d lighten your load, and we’d be better prepared.”

Lin Bao paused, clearly thinking it over. He then looked at Xu Zimo and Tianshi.

“We’re happy to help,” Tianshi said with a smile. “As long as you're willing to teach us, we’re willing to learn.”

“Good,” Lin Bao finally relented with a smile. “No need to be formal. Just call me Uncle Lin from now on.”

“Uncle Lin,” the two chimed in respectfully.

“Lin Qing, take them to find a place to stay,” Lin Bao added. “Let them rest today. Tomorrow, they’ll start learning the craft.”

“Come with me,” Lin Qing nodded to the two of them.

…

The three walked down the moderately busy main street. The town’s architecture was simple and straightforward. The homes were lined up in neat rows, with no courtyards, gardens, or ponds, just one small room per household.

“From now on, you two are under my wing,” Lin Qing said smugly. “Since you're my dad's apprentices, technically, I’m your senior sister.”

“Don't mess around, little sister,” Xu Zimo waved his hand. “You're younger than both of us.”

“Age doesn’t matter,” Lin Qing protested. “Seniority is about status, not age!”

“Tianshi, the sun's really bright today, don’t you think?” Xu Zimo said airily, glancing at the sky.

“Sure is, Brother Xu. And this breeze feels rather rowdy too,” Tianshi nodded solemnly.

The two ignored Lin Qing completely, chatting among themselves while she huffed in frustration.

“I’m talking to you two! Did you not hear me?!”

Neither responded, and they both strolled on, shaking their heads in mock seriousness. By the time Lin Qing had led them to their new quarters, she was fuming and stormed off without a word.

…

Watching her leave, Tianshi muttered, “How could a mighty future Grand Emperor like me be the junior brother of some sassy little girl? What would that do to my imperial dignity?”

“Sassy little girl?” Xu Zimo chuckled. “If you go by the timeline, she’s probably a few eras older than us.”

“....Doesn’t matter,” Tianshi shook his head. “Did you notice anything strange while walking around earlier?”

“Not really,” Xu Zimo replied. “Everyone here seems pretty weak. The strongest person is probably the town chief, maybe at the True Meridian Realm. Most others are in the Meridian Forging or Spirit Meridian realms, or even just the Mortal Realm.”

“Don’t underestimate the Legendary Era,” Tianshi warned. “Some of the monsters here could rival Grand Emperors. We’re better off keeping our heads down until the timeline stabilizes and we return to our era. No unnecessary trouble.”

Xu Zimo nodded in agreement.

That afternoon, the two explored the area. Within a hundred miles of Greensky Town, there were no other settlements.

The townsfolk said there was a large tribe far away, but the journey was perilous, filled with deadly beasts, and no one dared attempt it.

…

At dusk, Lin Qing brought dinner to their quarters.

Xu Zimo looked at the food, just simple coarse grains. It was clear the people here lived under harsh conditions.

“Just so you know,” Lin Qing said proudly, “I made these meals for my junior brothers. If you eat them, you admit you’re my juniors.”

Xu Zimo and Tianshi exchanged glances. She was clearly still a kid at heart. Given her age and finally having someone to "outrank," it made sense she'd be excited.

“Then we won’t eat,” Xu Zimo said with a grin as he and Tianshi both turned and flopped onto their beds.

“H-hey! What are you doing?” Lin Qing exclaimed, flustered. “I was just joking! Don’t starve yourselves!”

Tianshi chuckled and pulled a small blue disk from his storage ring, handing it to Lin Qing.

“Here, a little gift from me,” he said. “Call it a meeting present.”

“What’s this?” Lin Qing asked curiously, turning it over in her hands.

“A formation disc,” Tianshi explained. “If you’re ever in danger, infuse it with spiritforce. It’ll protect you for a while.”

“Wow, cool!” Lin Qing lit up as she examined it.

Formation discs were an invention from the Desolate Era. Before that, people had to manually inscribe formation seals, a slow, complicated process. Formation masters were also often defenseless in combat.

“Thanks, Senior Brother Tianshi,” Lin Qing said sincerely. “Right now, I—”

She suddenly turned to Xu Zimo.

“Brother Xu, don’t you feel a little awkward right now?”

“Your mood swings are terrifying,” Xu Zimo blinked, speechless.

“Don’t blame him,” Tianshi chimed in. “He’s just broke. Can’t really expect a present.”

“That reverse psychology is painfully obvious… but I’ll bite,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

He channeled his spiritforce, and with a wave of his hand, a creature appeared beside him, the Nightmare Beast.

“So cute!” Lin Qing squealed, scooping it up into her arms. “Thanks, Big Bro Xu!”