I, the Villain! The Final Showdown of Turning the Heroine

Chapter 5: From Now On, We Are Strangers:

In later generations, the Demon Emperor was reevaluated, with many calling him the Holy Emperor because of his actions.

He even established laws that placed the lives of ordinary people on the same level as those of martial artists.

The reason most of his subordinates betrayed him was that these reforms infringed on their interests.

The sects and noble families labeled him the Demon Emperor because his reforms threatened their core privileges.

Yet, those reforms were the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, destiny was with Lin Fan, and in the end, the Demon Emperor perished, his path erased.

Zhong Yuhong was left speechless by Wang Muchen’s sharp words. Flustered and angry, she retorted, “You’re just trying to win people over.”

“If you think so, then fine. I didn’t come here to convince you,” Wang Muchen replied with a light chuckle.

He knew Zhong Yuhong wouldn’t admit it, but deep down, she agreed with his actions.

Historically, when Zhong Yuhong assisted the second-generation protagonist, the governance plans she proposed were nearly identical to the Demon Emperor’s reforms. However, they were never implemented.

This was one reason she ultimately left the second-generation protagonist.

By the third generation, Tang Mengyao, Zhong Yuhong, and Yan Shiyun—the three heroines—rose to power and implemented these reforms, laying the foundation for modern martial civilization.

Thinking about this history, Wang Muchen couldn’t help but recall a phrase from later generations:

“Protagonists come and go, but the heroines remain constant.”

The three heroines followed the first-generation protagonist, then the second, and eventually took power themselves in the third. By the fourth generation, they trained five new protagonists.

Later, the “Five Emperors” died in battle, but the heroines lived on. They only disappeared before the internet era, and no one knew whether they had died or simply vanished.

In history, they and the “Five Emperors” were collectively known as the Three Empresses and Five Sovereigns.

“Hmph, you speak so nobly. Then why not surrender to Lin Fan and let him unify the world?” Zhong Yuhong said, growing more furious when Wang Muchen didn’t refute her.

Wang Muchen’s words seemed to negate all their efforts.

If Wang Muchen was right, then they were wrong.

How could she not be angry?

What made her even angrier was the faint, nagging feeling that Wang Muchen might indeed be right.

“You’re correct. That’s why, a month from now, I will lead the Heavenly Saint Sect’s forces into your trap and then end my life, handing the world over to Lin Fan,” Wang Muchen said calmly.

Zhong Yuhong froze, completely caught off guard.

She had only said it in anger, never expecting Wang Muchen to agree.

Had the world gone mad?

Wang Muchen held the absolute advantage, yet he was talking about surrendering?

But as the shock wore off, she realized Wang Muchen was mocking her.

Fuming, she said, “Do you really think I’ll believe you?”

Wang Muchen smiled faintly, his expression laced with devilish charm. “I have no need to deceive you. With eight regions under my control, once I purge the traitors, my territory will become an unshakable stronghold.”

“Your eleven regions may be larger, but their disunity will lead to inevitable defeat at my hands.”

“I simply cannot bear to see more bloodshed.”

“This world has been ravaged by war for far too long, and too much blood has been spilled. It’s time to end this chaos.”

Of course, Wang Muchen was bluffing. Zhong Yuhong didn’t know about the concept of destiny. Even if he eliminated all the traitors, destiny remained with Lin Fan. Sooner or later, new betrayals or unforeseen incidents would arise.

Victory was impossible for him as long as Lin Fan hadn’t unified the world.

But then again, Wang Muchen had no intention of winning.

Zhong Yuhong fell silent. What Wang Muchen said was true. Although the eleven regions had formed an alliance, their internal divisions made unity impossible. They could never stand against the unified voice of the Demon Sect.

Their trap had already been discovered by Wang Muchen.

The longer they delayed, the stronger the Demon Sect would become. With its widespread martial training, geniuses would continue to emerge, and their chances of success would diminish over time.

The Demon Sect didn’t need schemes—simple direct confrontation would suffice.

“Are you serious?” Zhong Yuhong asked, her eyes locked onto Wang Muchen’s.

She didn’t believe there could be someone so selfless in this world.

People were inherently selfish. Sacrificing oneself for the common people? It was easy to shout such slogans, but who would truly act on them?

Even Lin Fan couldn’t do it.

She doubted Wang Muchen could, either.

“Of course,” Wang Muchen shrugged. “But I’m not as noble as you think. I wouldn’t die for the common people.”

“I’ve cultivated a technique that allows me to fake my death for five years. During this time, I’ll have no means of self-defense.”

“That’s why I came to you—to seek your promise. If I lead the Heavenly Saint Sect into your ambush and end my life, you must guard my body for five years.”

“If you cannot promise this, then we will meet on the battlefield.”

“This matter, I trust only you.”

Wang Muchen’s gaze bore into Zhong Yuhong’s eyes.

Their gazes locked, and Zhong Yuhong found herself recalling their past together.

She began to believe him.

Even if Wang Muchen was lying, it didn’t matter. Whatever schemes he had would be rendered useless once he fell into the trap.

She was confident in this.

As for him reviving in five years, that was even less of a concern. By then, Lin Fan would have unified the world and advanced his martial prowess to the legendary Free and Unfettered Realm. What could Wang Muchen do then?

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Yuhong said, “I swear, if you fulfill everything you just said, I will stay by your side and protect you until you return. As long as you commit no evil, I will protect you for life.”

“If I break this vow, may I fall into eternal damnation and die a miserable death.”

As soon as she finished, Zhong Yuhong felt a tinge of regret.

Why did I say I’d protect him for life?

Protecting him for life meant staying by his side forever—wasn’t that essentially like being his wife?

Then she thought, if Wang Muchen truly handed the world over to Lin Fan and prevented endless suffering, marrying him wouldn’t be so unacceptable.

…

Done.

Zhong Yuhong’s promise was trustworthy.

Wang Muchen gave her a devilish smile. “No need for a lifetime.”

“After I revive, I’ll lose all my martial strength, severing ties with the past.”

“From then on, I’ll live for no one—not my master, not the common people, and not for you. Only for myself.”

“Afterward, we’ll be strangers.”

With that, Wang Muchen turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation.

Zhong Yuhong watched his departing figure, her heart feeling as though something vital had been ripped away, leaving a hollow void.

Memories of their time together surfaced, and her heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

…

“Oh, right. Here’s a martial technique I created. I hope you’ll reach the Divine Power Realm within a month.”

Wang Muchen retrieved a book from his spatial pouch and tossed it to Zhong Yuhong.

He had written this technique on his way here.

It was the same one Zhong Yuhong would cultivate in the future, far superior to the signature techniques of Misty Palace.

Zhong Yuhong caught the book, and the emptiness in her heart seemed to be filled.

So, he still cares about me after all.