I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 74 - Clash

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Watching the endless swordforce crisscrossing in front of him, sword intent slicing through the silent sky with an unstoppable force, Xu Ren felt his heart nearly stop. A suffocating dread, as if death itself was pressing down on him, surrounded him completely.

“I concede!” he screamed, veins bulging, as the ocean of sword energy loomed above like a sky-shattering wave. It was as if the heavens themselves were collapsing, and those words were the last ounce of strength he could muster before collapsing to the ground.

The sword energy halted, just two centimeters from the tip of his nose.

But even so, due to the sheer overwhelming force of it, several strands still slashed across Xu Ren’s body.

With a pained cry, he was blasted backward. His originally white robes instantly stained scarlet mid-air, and he crashed to the ground, unmoving amid a cloud of dust, his fate uncertain.

…

On the platform, Yan Buhui gave a faint smile, then finally collapsed, unable to hold on any longer.

The crowd surrounding the arena erupted into chaos. Some stared blankly, murmuring, “That… newcomer… won!”

It was unbelievable. He had been completely outmatched, so how had he turned the tables?

Yan Buhui lay unconscious on the dueling platform, but no one dared to go near him.

There were many who wanted to step in and help, hoping to gain favor with someone who clearly had great potential, but Shao Xingyu had made it clear: anyone who sided with Yan Buhui would be his enemy.

So after a few reluctant sighs, the outer court disciples slowly drifted away.

…

Xu Zimo approached with Little Gui and checked Yan Buhui’s condition.

The injuries were severe, but not fatal, at least not yet. If left untreated, however, things could become critical.

“You two had better not meddle in things you shouldn’t,” came a calm voice from the other side of the platform.

It was Huang Tianxie, dressed in flowing white robes, strolling over slowly.

“Scram,” Little Gui snapped without even looking, frowning. He wasn’t worried, with Xu Zimo backing him, he had nothing to fear.

“I’m a friend of Shao Xingyu, grandson of the First Grand Elder of your sect,” Huang Tianxie said coldly, locking eyes with Little Gui. “You’ll pay for those words.”

“Shao Xingyu? He’s nothing but an insect,” Xu Zimo said with a smirk, lifting his head lazily. “This is the True Martial Sacred Ground, not your little backwater in Northwest City. You’d better tuck your tail between your legs, or I won’t mind turning you into that.”

He gestured at the unconscious Xu Ren, lying broken and bloodied nearby.

“You…” Huang Tianxie’s expression darkened. His gaze narrowed.

He wasn’t stupid, if Shao Xingyu’s name didn’t intimidate the other party, then this man’s background clearly wasn’t weak either.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“You’re not worthy to know it,” Xu Zimo replied coolly. He gave a look to the outer court elder nearby, then turned and left with Little Gui.

The elder understood immediately and rushed forward to carry the injured Yan Buhui away for treatment.

Huang Tianxie stared after Xu Zimo’s retreating figure, expression shifting back and forth, before finally letting out a cold snort.

…

The next day at noon, Shao Xingyu personally came to South Goose Mountain to find Xu Zimo.

Shao Xingyu was two years older than Xu Zimo and had begun cultivating earlier. It was said that he had originally been born with Sovereign-Grade Aptitude, but the First Grand Elder had spent considerable effort to elevate it to Emperor-Grade.

Among the younger generation of the True Martial Sacred Ground, he was considered a standout.

Perhaps because the Grand Elder and Xu Qingshan (Xu Zimo’s father) didn’t get along, Xu Zimo and Shao Xingyu had clashed often in their youth, frequent fistfights and rivalry.

…

At the South Goose Mountain courtyard, Xu Zimo lounged on a recliner, basking in the sun, completely at ease.

Shao Xingyu stood nearby in a purple robe, eyes narrowed. “What happened with Yan Buhui has nothing to do with you.”

“I don’t need you to tell me how to handle my affairs,” Xu Zimo replied indifferently.

“Even if you interfere, it’s pointless. I still have the authority to expel an outer court disciple from the court,” Shao Xingyu said firmly.

“Don’t forget, the one steering this court still bears the surname Xu,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Helping outsiders target your own sect’s disciples… Impressive. Real impressive. Make a big deal out of this or not, it’s still big enough. Wonder how it would go if I brought it up to the elders?”

“You think I’d handle it personally?” Shao Xingyu replied flatly.

“Then you’d better be careful,” Xu Zimo said, pointing to his own eyes. “Because I’m watching.”

“You’re really going to go this far for an outer court disciple you don’t even know?” Shao Xingyu paused, then asked again.

“Piss off. Don’t think you’re hot shit,” Xu Zimo sneered. “You’re nothing more than a leaping grasshopper. If I wanted, I could squash you into green bug paste anytime.”

Shao Xingyu’s face contorted with emotion. Then, forcing a smile through his anger, he said, “Fine. We’ll see.”

As he stormed off, Xu Zimo yawned and closed his eyes.

Some people just weren’t worth his attention. Not out of arrogance, just difference in perspective.

He had lived a previous life and seen far more than this narrow world.

…

Later, Xu Zimo called over Little Gui. “Go to Imperial Gate City and bring back Vastsky. When Huang Tianxie returns to Northwest City, have him ambushed on the road.”

“You want him dead?” Little Gui asked, surprised.

“No,” Xu Zimo shook his head. “The Huang Clan of Northwest City may not rival our True Martial Sacred Ground, but they’re not weak. As the second young master, he’ll definitely be well-protected. Killing him with just one expert at the Paragon Meridian Realm won’t be enough. I just want to give him a little reminder, this world is dangerous.”

Little Gui nodded. Sometimes he didn’t fully understand Xu Zimo’s thinking, but he didn’t question it. That very day, he left the court.

…

Over the following days, Xu Zimo returned to his usual routine. During the day, he went to the Thunder-Summoning Pool to temper his saber, and at night, he absorbed lunar essence.

Occasionally, he would also meditate and further refine his cultivation techniques.

The day of their trip to the Sacred Spring Sect was drawing closer.

One day, while resting in the courtyard, maid Chunxiao came to report that someone from Graceful Willow Mountain was here to see him.

Graceful Willow Mountain was where the Sixth Grand Elder resided, and Xu Zimo instantly thought of Bai Lixiao.

When the visitor entered, Xu Zimo saw that it was indeed the twin sisters, Xue Qianxue and Xue Mengmeng.