I Really Am A Villain

“Soon,” Xu Zimo said, glancing up at the dark, cloud-choked sky with a faint smile.

“Then when you go, will there be no one left to play with me?” The little girl looked up at him, her innocent eyes wide.

“There are so many people in the Chu Heavenly Clan,” Xu Zimo smiled. “Surely someone will play with you.”

“They don’t dare,” she said softly. “Father won’t let anyone come near me.”

“When did your illness begin?” Xu Zimo asked, watching her quietly.

“I’ve had it since I was little. But a few days ago, Father got me a special medicine. After I drank it, I started feeling much better,” she answered.

Xu Zimo nodded but said nothing more.

Above them, the cries of the northern foxes grew sharper and shriller. Billions filled the sky, blotting out the heavens.

“Good,” Xu Zimo murmured under his breath. “The more chaos, the better.”

At the gates of the Chu estate, Chu Feiyang’s expression tightened. Then, forcing a smile, he said, “Ancestor Yunfei, there must be some misunderstanding. The deaths of the two Northern Hills clansmen grieve us deeply, but they were not caused by us.”

“Misunderstanding?” Ji Yunfei said coolly. “Then bring out your daughter. We have ways to learn the truth.”

“My daughter has suffered from illness since childhood. It is well known she cannot see guests. Why force what is impossible?” Chu Feiyang replied evenly, his smile fading.

“Can’t see people, or don’t dare to show her?” Ji Yunfei snorted. “Enough talk. The deaths of the fox clan will not go unpunished!”

At his command, countless Northern Hills foxes dove down from the sky, attacking in unison.

They surrounded the entire Chu estate. Ji Yunfei’s voice rang out across the heavens: “The Northern Hills Fox Clan declares war only on the Chu Heavenly Clan. All others, stay clear, you will not be harmed!”

“Ancestor Yunfei, must you push things this far?” Chu Feiyang asked, his eyes narrowing.

“It was your family that caused this,” Ji Yunfei said coldly. “Why pretend otherwise?”

As the fox army surged forward, a series of explosions thundered from within the Chu estate.

“Who dares trespass in my Chu Heavenly Clan?” a furious voice roared.

Powerful auras erupted as several figures shot into the air, their presence shaking the heavens.

“It’s the Six Great Protectors of the Chu Heavenly Clan,” someone outside murmured.

“Patriarch Chu, we won’t get involved in this,” Jiang Mozi said with a chuckle, backing away from the gates.

The other sect leaders quickly followed suit.

To them, this was just one beast devouring another, a spectacle best watched from afar. Whoever interfered now would only end up bloodied.

Soon, the Northern Hills foxes clashed fiercely with the Chu Heavenly Clan’s forces. The entire estate became a battlefield, buildings crumbled, cries and explosions filled the air.

Amid the chaos, Chu Feiyang looked up at Ji Yunfei. “What do you really want? The Northern Hills Fox Clan doesn’t have the strength to destroy the Chu Heavenly Clan.”

“Let’s find out,” Ji Yunfei answered coldly.

Just then, a massive hand appeared out of thin air, descending from the heavens. It slammed directly down on Ji Yunfei’s position.

He couldn’t dodge, he was struck hard and sent crashing from the sky.

“In my Chu Heavenly Clan’s presence, don’t stand so high,” a deep male voice said calmly. “The fall will only hurt worse.”

Ji Yunfei staggered to his feet, his eyes searching the area.

From within the Chu estate walked a man with the stride of a dragon and the strength of a tiger, dressed in a bright crimson robe.

His silver hair was tied high on his head. Though his years showed, his spirit burned fiercely, his face glowing with vitality. Power pulsed from his body like a storm barely contained.

“He’s a Sovereign Lord,” someone whispered in awe.

The final stage before stepping into the Saint Sovereign stage, one step short of godhood itself.

“It’s Chu Feixiong,” another voice gasped. “The 160th patriarch of the Chu Heavenly Clan, and the one hailed as the greatest in its history.”

“Indeed. The Chu Heavenly Clan’s golden age was built by his hands.”

“Old Patriarch, it’s been a long time,” came a voice from above, carrying both familiarity and mockery.

Chu Feixiong’s gaze lifted sharply toward the sky.

There, an old man rode upon a celestial fox.

The fox’s fur was pure as snow, its twin wings glimmering with divine light, and its eyes shone a deep ocean blue. The man atop it wore flowing immortal robes. His white beard and hair streamed in the wind, his presence calm yet boundless.

His aura was both human and divine, impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.

“Ji Shang,” Chu Feixiong said evenly, locking eyes with him.

“You Chu Heavenly Clan people,” Ji Shang said from above with a cold smile, “the more time passes, the more disgraceful you become.”

“This matter was indeed a mistake of my Chu Heavenly Clan,” Chu Feixiong said after a pause. “Name your condition.”

“No condition,” Ji Yunfei interjected. “Only blood for blood.”

“Then there’s nothing more to discuss,” Chu Feixiong said calmly.

“War!”

That single word shook the heavens. Power erupted from his body, surging straight into the void. Flames roared to life around him. He rose into the sky, wielding a long sword engraved with fiery runes, and charged toward Ji Shang.

The celestial fox let out a long, piercing cry that tore through the heavens. Ji Shang spread his arms, releasing divine feathers that glowed with the power of both fire and ice.

When the two clashed, the entire sky spanning billions of miles locked down, half frozen in crystalline ice, half blazing in searing fire.

Everyone else was forced to retreat far from this terrible battlefield.

“I’m leaving now,” Xu Zimo said with a smile, standing up in the quiet courtyard.

“Big brother, are you really going?” the little girl asked quickly.

“Now that I know the truth, of course I must,” Xu Zimo said lightly. “The waters aren’t muddy enough yet. I’ll go stir them up a bit more.”

“When will you come back?” she asked again.

“I won’t,” he said, waving his hand.

Before leaving, he plucked a leaf from the Tree of Life and handed it to her. “It can’t cure your illness, but it will keep you safe for a hundred years.”

After leaving the courtyard, his divine sense spread across the entire Chu estate. Feeling something, his eyes turned toward the deepest part of the compound, and his figure vanished.

Thunder Serpent Valley, the Chu Heavenly Clan’s forbidden ground.

According to Chu Heavenly Clan records, a thunder serpent of the Grand Emperor realm resided there. And that serpent was merely the guardian beast.

If a Grand Emperor-level creature served only as protector, one could imagine how terrifying the being it guarded must be.

For generations, only the patriarch himself had the right to enter. No one else ever had.

When Xu Zimo reappeared, he stood at the edge of the Thunder Serpent Valley.

“My senses were right. It’s here,” he murmured, walking forward.

But as he approached, three bronze figures stepped in front of him, each holding a staff inscribed with sacred sigils.

“This is forbidden ground,” one intoned. “Turn back.”

“I wish to meet Madman Chu,” Xu Zimo said directly.