I Am the Fated Villain

“I don’t care; anyway, when the time comes, you must say more kind words about my sister in front of your Uncle Gu.”

“Otherwise, I can’t forgive you.”

“Understood. You’re such a barbaric girl; no one will marry you when you grow up.”

“Hmph, you don’t have to worry…”

The bickering voices of the two children, Chen Arya and Wang Xiaoniu, interrupted the woman in white from her thoughts and brought her back to her senses. She regained her composure and looked at the children in front of her.

Almost all the children were giving advice about Chen Arya’s sister, displaying surprising understanding of marriage dynamics despite their youth. The woman in the white robe smiled a little, shaking her head and laughing.

However, this scene also triggered many thoughts for the woman. In any case, the past was unchangeable, and dwelling on it wouldn’t alter a thing. Instead of endless fantasies and expectations, it was better to face reality.

The beautiful dream she once had was shattered long ago, its edges even tinged with pain. Why fear facing it?

Wang Erniu’s house, located at the entrance of the village and not far from the private school, was only a few miles away. After teaching all the children, the woman in white left the small academy.

Hiding in the void, she followed behind Wang Xiaoniu, Chen Arya, and the other children, intending to catch a glimpse of this person surnamed Gu.

The children, innocent and carefree, continued making light of Chen Arya with the morning’s events on their way home.

“Arya, when you grow up, do you want to find a good-looking man to marry like your sister?” a few girls of the same age asked with a smile.

“That’s natural.” Chen Arya rolled her eyes wide, showing a confident smile. “When I grow up, I will definitely look better than my sister, and I will find a husband who is even better-looking than Xiao Niu’s Uncle Gu.”

“You’re so barbaric; people will look down on you,” Wang Xiaoniu pouted.

But as soon as he said this, he received Chen Arya’s little fist, and the two began playfully fighting again, running toward the village.

The rest of the companions chased after him, carefree and happy. The woman in white looked at this scene with some envy. This was pure emotion without any impurities. Maybe the two children can’t feel it now, but when they grow up a little bit, they will understand. Today’s slapstick and play were such rare pure emotions of childhood sweethearts.

But at this moment, in front of Wang Xiaoniu’s house, the scene was quite lively. Many villagers gathered around as if watching the excitement. Many good people were still joking and making fun of the visitors.

A woman in a light green dress with a pretty face and a fair complexion, shyly stood behind her parents and elders, her jade hands tightly grasping the hem of her skirt. She had applied a thin layer of powder and a bit of makeup, radiating a bright and moving beauty against the scenic backdrop.

This was Chen Ya’s older sister, Chen Ya, the renowned beauty of Green Mountain Village who owned a tofu shop at the entrance of the village. Not only was she beautiful and skillful, but also kind-hearted, and the tofu she made was delicious. Many villagers fondly called her the “Tofu Goddess.”

In front of Chen Ya stood her parents and a matchmaker, chatting about family affairs and other matters. The surrounding villagers, with occasional smiles, interrupted to offer their assistance. It was evident that Chen Ya’s parents, along with the matchmaker, had brought her to the door for a significant reason.

The man surnamed Gu, whom they wished to meet, had gone to the market with Wang Erniu today to sell melons and fruits from their farm and had yet to return.

Many young men, upon hearing the news, felt envious. To them, Chen Ya was like a goddess, and on ordinary days, she politely rejected all marriage proposals. Who would have thought that her family would be so bold as to bring a matchmaker to their doorstep?

“It’s a pity that I don’t have the looks of others. It’s normal for Xiao Ya to look down on me.”

“Since ancient times, a beautiful woman should be matched with a handsome man; that’s what it should be.”

But they also knew their appearance, possessing self-awareness, likening themselves to crooked melons. It was only natural for Chen Ya to hold them in low regard.

The Chen family in Green Mountain Village could be considered somewhat affluent. Therefore, when Chen Ya’s parents and others approached, they didn’t even consider asking for a bride price. They came in person, hoping to persuade Wang Xiaoniu’s mother and seek her support.

From their perspective, Gu Changge had been taken in by the Wang family, and the three members of the Wang family were the ones who interacted with him the most. Living here without relatives, he might already consider the Wang family as his own.

Both of Chen Ya’s parents exuded an intellectual air, coming from a scholarly background. Their speech was polite and decent, leaving Wang Xiaoniu’s mother feeling somewhat helpless, unable to refuse outright. How could they decide such matters for Gu Changge?

“Sister, father, mother…”

At this moment, Chen Arya and the energetic Wang Xiaoniu returned, approaching the scene. Chen Ya greeted her younger sister with a smile, playfully pinching her nose.

“Sister, you don’t know how to be reserved. People don’t know; they might think you can’t get married.”

“Nevertheless, I asked Xiao Niu to speak highly of you.”

“How are you going to thank me?”

Chen Arya immediately began claiming credit upon arrival, a mischievous smile on her face. Chen Ya extended her finger, poking her brow in mock annoyance.

“Stop talking; no one will think you’re silent.”

“Mother…”

Wang Xiaoniu also greeted his mother. “Xiao Niu, it’s good that you came back. The old Daoist you mentioned before is now waiting for you at home.”

Seeing him return, Wang Xiaoniu’s mother couldn’t help but smile. She hurriedly pulled him aside and shared that this morning, an old Taoist and a distinguished middle-aged man had appeared at their home unexpectedly.

“Excuse me, is this Wang Xiaoniu’s house?” A woman asked by name, peering cautiously at the unfamiliar surroundings.

Wang Xiaoniu’s mother, an ordinary peasant woman, had never encountered such a formal inquiry and found herself utterly shocked. However, recalling what Wang Xiaoniu had mentioned earlier, she composed herself and responded truthfully.

Although the old Daoist appeared amiable, the middle-aged man accompanying him made Wang Xiaoniu’s mother uneasy and fearful. Initially, she planned to go to the private school to find her son, but the old Daoist insisted on waiting at their home throughout the morning.

“What?” Wang Xiaoniu’s eyes widened in surprise, unable to conceal the astonishment on his face. He half-expected the old Daoist to forget or perhaps deceive him, but here they were, actually appearing at his home.

In that moment, everything else faded away. Nothing seemed as crucial as embarking on his own journey of immortal cultivation.

“Very good…” Wang Xiaoniu beamed with joy and pride, unable to contain his excitement as he boasted to Chen Arya, “Arya, Brother Erniu, I’ll become an immortal starting today. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, just let me know, and I’ll protect you.”

Wang Xiaoniu’s mother didn’t bring up this matter during casual conversation with Chen Ya’s family. All the villagers were left in awe upon hearing this unexpected announcement.

This guy, Wang Xiaoniu, was going to become an immortal? The news left everyone questioning if they heard correctly.

Chen Arya, equally surprised, couldn’t help but doubt, “Xiao Niu, you didn’t lie to me, did you?” They had grown up hearing tales of immortals, revered and all-powerful beings, yet the cultivation path required rare opportunities and talents.

Wang Xiaoniu eagerly shared his encounter with a benevolent old Daoist and a sword during cattle grazing, leaving the villagers even more dumbfounded. The stroke of luck was nearly unbelievable.

Meanwhile, in Wang Xiaoniu’s house, the old Daoist with a gentle countenance, clad in a worn feather coat, sat calmly on a bench, displaying a serene and relaxed demeanor.

“The kid seems to be back…” He listened to the commotion outside, offered a faint smile, and, taking a gourd from his waist, leisurely sipped wine with his head held high.

Beside the old Daoist stood a middle-aged man. However, the attire and demeanor of this middle-aged man sharply contrasted with the disheveled appearance of the old Daoist. Adorned in a golden robe made of Yin-Yang silk and wearing a golden crown, the middle-aged man exuded an imposing presence. The robe, adorned with order patterns, billowed around him, and with every blink, strands of golden light flickered, emanating a majestic and unruffled aura. Clearly, this middle-aged man was a formidable cultivator with a potent cultivation base. Even though he restrained his aura, its intensity was awe-inspiring.

“Ancestor, are you truly certain that the fellow outside is a promising seedling? In my opinion, he appears utterly useless, not even comparable to the disciples in the sect…” The middle-aged man, while respecting the old Daoist, couldn’t help expressing his doubts.

In such a remote mountain village, could one genuinely encounter a seedling praised by both ancestors and elders? This notion seemed somewhat unbelievable to him. Despite using various means to assess Wang Xiaoniu, he couldn’t sense any remarkable qualities. Even the talent for swordsmanship, supposedly linked to the sword bone, seemed negligible.

The middle-aged man held the belief that Wang Xiaoniu’s possession of a sword bone was merely a stroke of luck and nothing more. Beyond that, he perceived no noteworthy qualities in the child. In the current vast world, possessing a sword bone alone held little significance, especially if the individual lacked the capability to practice.

“Don’t you trust the discernment of this old man? This little guy has a bright future ahead. Don’t underestimate him based on his current appearance. Don’t judge the young based on their poverty,” retorted the old Daoist, shaking his head with a smile. He didn’t feel the need to elaborate further.

Exuding a strong alcoholic scent, with unkempt and sloppy attire, the old Daoist could easily be mistaken for a beggar elsewhere. Nevertheless, the middle-aged man ceased questioning, still harboring some bewilderment.

Fully aware of the old Daoist’s identity, he harbored no doubt about the old man’s words.

“Go out and observe this lad,” the old Daoist commanded, patting the dust off his buttocks and heading outside with a grin. The middle-aged man followed closely behind.

The villagers, still reeling from Wang Xiaoniu’s revelation, remained silent for a long while. Some even forgot their original purpose of visiting the Chen family. With the appearance of the old Daoist and the middle-aged man, any lingering doubts among the villagers vanished, replaced by a mix of respect and fear. Immortals, after all, were beings from a different realm—entities capable of living for eons and wielding unimaginable power. The oppressive aura emanating from the middle-aged man left the villagers in awe, acknowledging the vast gap between their worlds.

Their souls seemed to quiver, almost as if compelled to kneel in reverence toward him. However, the villagers maintained great respect for the disheveled old Daoist, a sentiment that only intensified their envy toward Wang Xiaoniu. It was evident that the old Daoist’s background was even more astonishing and terrifying.

“I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the immortal,” some villagers, overwhelmed by fear, couldn’t help but kneel down, offering salutations. Chen Ya, Chen Arya, and the others, gripped by trepidation, dared not utter a word. The revelation of immortals in the Wang family was beyond their expectations.

“Little guy, do you remember the old man?” The old Daoist, unperturbed by the villagers’ reactions, smiled kindly at Wang Xiaoniu.

Wang Xiaoniu, not overly frightened, nodded eagerly and replied, “I remember. This is the jade pendant you gave me, and I’ve kept it safe all this time.” He then retrieved the exquisite sword-patterned jade pendant and handed it to the old man.

Observing the jade pendant, the middle-aged man’s pupils constricted in shock. He hadn’t anticipated that the ancestor had bestowed such a precious gift. However, after a swift glance at the ancestor and the void not far away, he quickly refocused.

The middle-aged man, detecting an anomaly, frowned and snorted coldly, “Who is spying here, hiding and not daring to reveal themselves?”