C3 I Don't Want to be the Villain!

Listening to the house manager's skepticism and observing the servant's frantic demeanor, Chu Hen took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. At this critical moment, he knew he could not afford to lose his composure.

The Middle Continent was a place of mysterious powers, where many individuals wielded the strength to command the weather and the clouds. Whether pursuing cultivation within a sect or practicing martial arts in the secular world, practitioners adhered to a gradual and orderly progression to grow stronger. Those rare individuals with exceptional talent, capable of outmatching ten others, were quickly recruited by various sects, leaving little chance for them to remain hidden in the ordinary world.

The situation was complex, and time was of the essence. Chu Hen had little time to reflect, relying only on the memories of his predecessor to gather information.

"This despicable Ah Pan has truly squandered the young master's investment in him. His death is well-deserved."

Manager Chu suddenly stood tall, exuding a fierce energy that radiated from within. His demeanor and presence were now starkly different from his earlier obsequiousness, clearly the result of dedicated training in Qi Refining.

"Young Master, Chen Sheng has had the audacity to defy us. I will apprehend him and feed him to the dogs," he offered, his face softening as his plump figure bowed once more, the intimidating aura dissipating, replaced again by a sycophantic grin.

"No need to hurry," Chu Hen said, gesturing dismissively as he strolled back to the dining table and took his seat.

The former master would have likely ordered Chen Sheng's capture in a fit of rage by now. However, times had changed. As Chu Hen of the 21st century, he was not accustomed to such rash violence.

Besides, he hadn't been the one to commit the deed, and the details of Chen Sheng's situation were still murky. Sending people out hastily could lead to disaster.

Yes, the first step was to clarify Chen Sheng's circumstances.

"Chen Sheng? The impoverished scholar who has repeatedly failed his exams?"

"Yes, Young Master. That poor scholar is the son of Old Man Chen from Chen Family Village. The Chen family has amassed some wealth over the years and had arranged a betrothal for him. Since his father's death last year, he has sold off ten acres of their paddy fields and mortgaged three acres of dry land to the Chu Family, which he is now unable to redeem. He even attempted martial arts training, but his lack of talent meant he failed the village selection. Consequently, he turned to academia, yet he has continued to fail and has squandered the last of his resources."

How could a top henchman not take the young master's affairs to heart?

Chu Hen was lost in deep thought. "Lacking martial arts talent, not excelling in literature, and having lost his only farmland..."

"Failing even the most basic village selection test, he's a lost cause among the inept. Abandon martial arts for literature? With just those few acres of farmland? Dreaming of a comeback? Please, every successful candidate in the Smoile Empire's Imperial Examinations comes from a distinguished family."

"Poor aptitude, family background... laughable!"

On the Central Plains, everyone revered martial arts and practiced Qi cultivation, all in pursuit of immortality. Despite the rarity of those achieving eternal life, it did nothing to dampen people's enthusiasm. It's as if everyone is born on the same starting line.

Yet at that starting line, some are lying down, some standing, some on horseback, and others in palanquins.

Talent is one thing, but family background is quite another.

Take myself, for instance. In terms of talent, I'm average, somewhere between lying down and standing up. But thanks to the Chu family's wealth and the numerous tonics I've consumed, not to mention my sister's guidance, I've gained an edge. Even with my modest abilities, I'm years ahead of ordinary folks with similar talent.

By comparison, Chen Sheng is undoubtedly a loser in life, without a sliver of hope for redemption. Or is he?

A sudden realization struck Chu Hen. Chen Sheng's abrupt surge in strength and his killing of a family servant must mean he's stumbled upon some extraordinary luck.

Whether he's found a secret martial arts tome at the bottom of a cliff, lucked out with a miraculous elixir, or is aided by some transmigratory advantage, it's irrelevant now.

What matters is that I've forcibly taken his betrothed and sent men to enslave him, driving him to desperation and making him my sworn enemy.

If this young man is indeed the protagonist of a transmigration story as I suspect, he's a force to be reckoned with. I might just be the first stumbling block on his path. And soon, the Chu estate, my sister, the sect elders, and all the associated powers might just become sparring partners on his journey to greatness.

Chen Sheng, having spent years studying the sacred texts, was hoped to be capable of mastering his emotions and exercising restraint for a bit longer. In doing so, Chu Hen could defuse the tension with ease, turning major issues into minor ones, and trivial matters into nothing at all.

Yet, could events truly unfold as he envisioned? Chu Hen massaged his slightly throbbing head in frustration.

"What seems to be the problem, Young Master?"

Butler Chu approached just in time, his voice laced with concern.

"Summon the servants back to the estate immediately..."

"Alert the guards to secure the gates... No one is to enter without my express permission."

"You... come with me..."

Casting aside his jumbled thoughts, Chu Hen issued a series of commands.

...

In the Chu Mansion's underground wine cellar, a handful of emerald night pearls cast a ghostly glow, illuminating the dark, pristine mahogany corridor lined with rows of orderly oak barrels.

Chu Hen had no time to appreciate the aged wines as he hastened to the cellar's end. There stood a polished, immaculate mahogany wall, its natural state preserved to protect the cellar's contents from foreign odors.

Chu Hen pressed his hand against a particular section and rhythmically applied pressure.

"Click... Click..."

The intricate mechanism sprang to life, the faint sound of gears turning filled the air, and a cleverly concealed door revealed itself to Chu Hen and Butler Chu.

Inside the secret chamber, one wall was adorned with various valuable paintings, while the other held several antique bookcases.

"Over here... Here? Huh? Where did it go?"

Chu Hen rifled through the bookcase, turning the once orderly collection into disarray. Butler Chu, watching from the side, widened his eyes, sensing that the young master was behaving unusually.

"Ah... there it is, that's the one."

Chu Hen exhaled deeply, relief washing over him as he finally found the red jade bracelet from his fragmented memories in a corner drawer. He quickly slipped it onto his right wrist, all the while murmuring softly to himself. Suddenly, the bracelet emitted a bright red glow and then subtly vanished from sight on his wrist.

Butler Chu, eyes bulging, swallowed hard, the sound barely audible. His face shifted from shock to a look of envy.

The enigmatic disappearance of the red jade bracelet revealed its extraordinary power. Such trinkets within the sect might not have much practical use, but without an elder sister in the sect, they would be nearly impossible to acquire, even with ample funds.

Chu Hen steadied himself and turned around.

"Take someone with you and find Chen Sheng. It's imperative that you locate him."

"At your command, Young Master. I'll see to it immediately. When I'm done, he'll rue the day he was born."

The butler's threatening gesture, coupled with his lackey's sinister chuckle and the grotesque creases on his face, would surely convince any onlooker that Chen Sheng's doom was imminent.

"Fool, I asked you to find him, not to kill him. Are you so dense that you can't understand simple instructions?"

"Once you find him, tell him that Yu'er is safe and sound at the mansion, not a hair harmed. This has all been a misunderstanding."

"Uh... Right, regarding the matter of those three acres of dry land, in light of his filial piety, we'll waive the ransom..."

Housekeeper Chu stared at Chu Hen, incredulous. Could this really be the same young master?

"... Uh... Also, the Chu Mansion will reserve a spot for the upcoming imperial examination later this year. Essentially, we can negotiate everything. Just make sure to keep him calm."

Chu Hen finished speaking and closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. Abruptly, he opened them again and addressed Housekeeper Chu with a stern voice,

"There's one more critical task. Send someone to the sect immediately to inform my sister that I've made a mess of things and need her assistance."

Chu Hen seemed to want to add more but realized he was at a loss for words. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he said, "Go, now."

Housekeeper Chu was bewildered. The once brazen young master had transformed into a completely different person overnight.

"Young Master, surely I can handle such a trivial issue. Must we really trouble the Eldest Miss?"

"Just follow my instructions."

Chu Hen had neither the desire nor the ability to explain to the portly man. The stakes were too high. Survival was the first order of business. Everything else would have to fall into place on its own.

Chu Hen waved his hand once more, prompting the housekeeper to wisely close his mouth and depart. The soft glow of the night pearl bathed Chu Hen and the disheveled bookshelf in the dark room in its ethereal light. With the butler gone, Chu Hen set about reorganizing his thoughts.

The predecessor had oppressed both men and women, leaving behind a mess that Chu Hen refused to shoulder the blame for. His first step was to pacify the victim while also preparing a contingency plan. If Chen Sheng could be appeased, a major issue could be minimized, and a minor one could be dissolved entirely. However, if the man insisted on a desperate struggle, Chu Hen wouldn't sit idly by and await his doom.

The estate's guard, the household servants, and his thrifty sister were all assets at his disposal. The thought of his formidable sister made Chu Hen anxious. Though he had nearly assimilated the predecessor's memories, he knew well that no two leaves in the world were identical.

How absurd it was that the previous, naive young master had caused such a calamity, leaving Chu Hen, fresh from another world, to deal with the fallout. There was no choice; the former's talents were mediocre, and his body had been neglected. To confront the situation with brute force would be futile, akin to a chick pecking at a rock. In matters of life and death, seeking assistance was not a sign of weakness.

Once the secret door was sealed, Chu Hen was alone with no need for pretense. He embarked on a frenzied quest for the mythical golden finger, driven by the knowledge that every transmigration tale from the twenty-first century boasted a protagonist with such an invincible advantage.

Where, then, was his golden finger?

With this in mind, Chu Hen closed his eyes, brought his hands together in prayer, and began to chant, "May the Bodhisattva and Buddha bestow their blessings, may the Old Lord Taishang heed my urgent plea—let my golden finger emerge..."

He continued his incantations, searching every inch of himself, even stripping down in the hope of discovering that elusive power. After much turmoil, Chu Hen slumped to the ground, utterly deflated. He had to accept the bitter truth—he possessed no golden finger.

"Oh heavens, almighty, without a golden touch, what sort of transmigrator does that make me?"

Chu Hen dressed silently and rose to his feet after a prolonged lament.

"Could it be that I'm actually a major villain?"