I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 246 - War God's Nine Transformations

“I know,” Tianshi quickly nodded.

“If one day you really do manage to create that item,” Xu Zimo said with a smile, “and I mean if, could you save one for me?”

Though he was smiling, the blood flowing from his face made him look utterly tragic.

“When that time comes, I’ll have my descendants come find you. You give it to them, let them rewrite fate on my behalf. I know it’s difficult. The chances are slim. But let’s just call this the final wish of a dying man.”

“Alright. I promise you,” Tianshi looked up at Lin Qing and said, “For your sake, and for Qing, I’ll do my best.”

“Words are just words. I’m afraid you’ll forget me someday,” Xu Zimo added. “Give me a keepsake. That way, it’ll be easier to find you.”

Tianshi thought for a moment and took out a jade pendant from his storage ring. “This jade pendant has been with me forever. It’s never left my side. If one day someone comes to you with this pendant, I’ll give them everything I’ve got to help them.”

Xu Zimo slowly took the pendant, hung it around his neck, and smiled. “I don’t have much time left. Though we haven’t known each other long, I’m truly glad I got to meet you all. After I die, bury me underground. Don’t let anyone disturb me. Let me leave quietly, just as I came.”

After saying that, he tilted his head, and the light in his eyes slowly faded. His eyes gently shut.

…

That day in Greensky Town was filled with grief.

Everyone knelt in silence before the burial mound, paying tribute to the hero of their town.

As they gradually dispersed, a heavy rain began to fall that night.

The townspeople gazed at the downpour and sighed, “Even the heavens weep for a fallen hero.”

Rain soaked the burial mound, turning the soil into wet, sticky mud.

Everything around fell into a solemn silence.

Then, a hand suddenly reached out from the grave.

Then another.

Both hands pushed aside the dirt, and a figure crawled out from beneath the earth.

Xu Zimo’s body was protected by a spirit shield, repelling the falling rain.

He reached for the jade pendant at his waist and muttered, “Just a backup plan… always leave yourself a way out.”

After confirming the direction, he restored the burial mound to its original state and sped north.

He had entered this world, and until the timeline restored, he couldn’t leave.

His goal had been met, and the time to return was approaching.

Before then, he wanted to visit the largest human tribe in the north. After all, it was a rare opportunity to personally walk in the Legendary Era.

He intended to experience it fully.

…

Along the way, Xu Zimo truly felt the cruelty of this era, survival above all, death around every corner.

Among the monsters he encountered, there were even Empyrean Meridian Realm and God Meridian Realm creatures.

Even he had to remain cautious.

He passed many towns, some newly built, others under siege by beasts.

He traveled like a wanderer, observing it all from the sidelines.

Through endless deserts and boundless jungles, he finally arrived at his destination on a plain at sunset.

The tribe’s buildings resembled tents, covered with felt.

Most of them were white, decorated with colorful patterns.

The structure was easy to assemble and disassemble, ideal for quick evacuations during danger.

Looking out over the camp, Xu Zimo saw rows upon rows of tents, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Inside, the tribe was bustling with people and activity, a thriving settlement.

At the entrance stood a stone stele, engraved with two characters: Nine & Li.

“The Nine Li Confederacy…” Xu Zimo murmured to himself.

He walked toward the tribe, but was stopped at the gate by two guards.

“Who are you?” they asked.

“I’m from a small town nearby,” Xu Zimo replied. “But it was destroyed recently by a monster attack. I came here hoping to find shelter in the Nine Li Confederacy.”

“All newcomers must verify their identity and choose which sub-tribe they wish to join,” one guard replied. “Follow me.”

Xu Zimo followed the guard into the city and smiled. “Mind giving me a rundown? I’m new here and don’t know how things work.”

The tribe was lively and full of stalls on both sides of the street.

Vendors sold a wide variety of goods.

As Xu Zimo observed, he noticed that everyone’s clothing had similar styles but different colors, nine colors in total.

Through chatting with the guard, Xu Zimo learned the truth.

Although Nine Li Confederacy was one unified tribe, it was actually composed of nine sub-tribes:

Quanli, Yuili, Fangli, Huangli, Baili, Chili, Xuanli, Fengli, and Yangli.

Everyone joining the Nine Li Confederacy had to choose one sub-tribe to affiliate with.

Each sub-tribe had its own distinct color for clothing.

Xu Zimo completed the registration process with the guard’s help and chose to join the Baili Sub-Tribe.

The tribe had little formal governance, it was relatively relaxed.

The only real rule was to follow tribe regulations and participate in battles when called.

Their communal dining area was a large open space.

Meals were free, so the place was always packed.

…

Xu Zimo picked a quiet corner, ordered some food, and listened to conversations around him.

Such public spots were always great for gathering information.

“Have you noticed how the Chili Sub-Tribe has been going crazy lately, grabbing people?” someone whispered.

“I heard it’s because the War God's Nine Transformations manual they were guarding got stolen,” someone replied. “If they can’t present it at this year’s tournament, they’ll be shamed as criminals by the entire Nine Li Confederacy.”

“What’s the War God's Nine Transformations?” a new arrival asked, confused.

“Do you know why this era is called the Legendary Era?” someone began to explain.

“They say real gods once existed in our time. And the founders of the Nine Li Confederacy Tribe, our ancestors, were nine such gods. The War God's Nine Transformations is the divine technique passed down from them.”

“If gods really existed, then why has this world fallen to monsters?” another person asked, curious.