I Really Am A Villain

By the time dawn broke the next day, Xu Zimo finally opened his eyes from meditation. His consciousness returned to the hillside.

Stretching lazily, he looked out at the distance. From here, he could see the entire view of Ocean-Faring Fishing Village.

Ocean-Faring was the largest sea in the Dragon God Imperium. It stretched across more than half of the empire’s territory, and the fishing village sat on a small protruding piece of land that jutted into the sea.

It wasn’t large. The village stood along the water, and its people were diligent. At the first hint of dawn, they were already out to sea fishing, selling their catches later in Sun-Sword County for money and goods.

Xu Zimo noticed that almost everyone here was mortal; there were very few cultivators.

His gaze fell toward the coastline, where he saw the only person he knew in this place, Wu Zhaodi.

She was cultivating there, facing the endless ocean. Water droplets floated around her body, crystal-clear and glimmering. Within each droplet, it seemed as if a tiny transparent world was sealed.

The sea before her began to churn as she moved her hands. The waves swelled and crashed with immense power.

With a gesture, the entire sea seemed to explode, water spraying thousands of meters into the air.

Her cultivation realm should be around the God Meridian Realm, and there was an ethereal, immortal aura in her eyes.

After a long exhale, she turned her head, only to see Xu Zimo walking toward her with a smile.

“You’re following me,” Wu Zhaodi said sharply.

“I’m just out for a walk. Don’t overthink it,” Xu Zimo replied, chuckling.

Wu Zhaodi gave him a wary look. “So, did you sleep well last night?”

“Quite well,” he said, facing the ocean. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this relaxed. The sea air clears the mind.”

“You don’t look like a good person,” Wu Zhaodi said again.

“You don’t look like one either,” Xu Zimo laughed. “And I never said I was.”

“A God Meridian cultivator hiding among mortals in a fishing village, strange, isn’t it?”

“What’s it to you?” Wu Zhaodi huffed, about to leave when a distant shout interrupted them.

Several riders appeared on the horizon, mounted on beasts. As they came closer, Xu Zimo could make out the leader, a young man astride a Green Cloud Step Bear. He wore a long robe of blue silk, his looks refined, almost delicate, the kind of face one might call a “pretty boy.”

He held a white folding fan painted with a landscape. The people behind him looked like attendants or servants.

“Zhaodi!” the young man called out loudly.

Wu Zhaodi’s face darkened instantly. She turned away, pretending not to see him. It was clear she didn’t want to deal with him.

“What’s this? Your suitor’s come looking for you?” Xu Zimo teased.

“You enjoy watching me squirm, don’t you?” Wu Zhaodi shot him a glare. Then she added coldly, “Don’t blame me for what happens next.”

To Xu Zimo’s surprise, she walked right up to him, grabbed his arm, and suddenly smiled sweetly, the same face that had just been so cold.

The young man in blue arrived, full of excitement, but froze when he saw the scene before him. Xu Zimo could practically hear the sound of the man’s heart breaking.

It didn’t take much to understand, Wu Zhaodi was using him as a shield.

“Master Shu, what brings you here?” Wu Zhaodi asked, pretending only now to notice him. She let go of Xu Zimo’s arm as she spoke.

“I went to your house and you weren’t there,” the young man, Shu, said stiffly. “I thought maybe you’d be by the sea.”

“Oh? Then what’s the matter?” she asked casually.

“This gentleman looks unfamiliar,” Young Master Shu said, ignoring her question and eyeing Xu Zimo with faint hostility. “I don’t recall seeing him before.”

“I’m Zhaodi’s brother,” Xu Zimo said smoothly. “Name’s Wu Zhaokai. You can call me brother-in-law.”

Wu Zhaodi had planned to act bashful, but his words left her momentarily stunned. Then she shot him a murderous look.

“Oh, brother-in-law!” Young Master Shu’s hostility vanished instantly. He hurried forward and clasped Xu Zimo’s hand warmly.

“He’s not-” Wu Zhaodi began to protest, but Xu Zimo cut her off.

“Sister, that cultivation technique you were using just now was impressive. What’s it called?”

Wu Zhaodi understood the threat hidden in his words. She was hiding her identity as a cultivator here; if that secret got out, her peace would vanish overnight.

“Brother-in-law, you must be new to Sun-Sword County,” Young Master Shu said eagerly. “You probably don’t know the area well. Allow me to play host and show you around.”

“And you are?” Xu Zimo asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah, my apologies,” the young man said with a polite smile. “I’m Shu Long, son of the Sun-Sword County Governor.”

“Promising,” Xu Zimo said, patting his shoulder approvingly.

“Just living off my father’s reputation,” Shu Long said modestly. “Sun-Sword County is the foremost of the sixteen million counties in the Dragon God Imperium. Let me show you around!”

“You go if you want, I’m not coming,” Wu Zhaodi said flatly.

“Zhaodi, brother-in-law came all this way. We should at least keep him company,” Shu Long urged.

“Call me Miss Wu,” she shot back. “We’re not that familiar.” Then she turned on her heel and walked off, clearly done with both of them.

“She’s been spoiled since childhood,” Xu Zimo said mildly. “Don’t mind her.”

“I’m used to it,” Shu Long said with a smile. “I rather like her straightforwardness.”

As they followed behind Wu Zhaodi, the two men chatted easily.

From Shu Long, Xu Zimo learned much about the Godfiend Abyss Heaven.

Since the Ancient Demons had abandoned this world, many major forces had risen.

“Tell me, Young Master Shu,” Xu Zimo asked, “have you ever seen a demon?”

“Well,” Shu Long said, glancing around before lowering his voice. “When I was young, I once visited Dragon God City, the capital. Of course, I’ve seen demons. Rumor has it, our empire’s current Grand Chancellor is one of them.”

“I thought demons kept to themselves. How would one become a government official?” Xu Zimo asked.

“That’s what commoners believe,” Shu Long said, shaking his head. “In truth, the demons have influence in nearly every great power.”

Xu Zimo nodded. That made sense. There was no way the Ancient Demon Race would completely abandon control of this world.

As they talked, they arrived at Wu Zhaodi’s home, a newly built wooden house, modest in size but neatly kept.