I Really Am A Villain Chapter 1443 - The Philanthropist

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Staring at the map of the Departure Fire God Realm before him, Xu Zimo realized that although the map wasn’t particularly detailed, it still contained plenty of useful information. For example, at the border between regions, he discovered that there was actually another city between Stone Flame City and the Departure Fire God Realm, a small city called Ocean Sage City.

Though small, Ocean Sage City was said to be densely populated with hundreds of millions of people. Many of the residents who had once fled from Stone Flame City had moved there. In fact, Ocean Sage City was even stronger than Stone Flame City when it came to resisting the Water Beasts. If the beasts wanted to invade, the first line of defense wasn’t Stone Flame City at all, it was Ocean Sage City.

However, Ocean Sage City wasn’t under the jurisdiction of the Chaos Fire God Realm. It was said to have once belonged to the Departure Fire God Realm, and after the Departure Fire God Realm’s fall, Ocean Sage City alone managed to survive.

The city’s lord was considered something of a formidable figure. Though not especially powerful in cultivation, his ability to lead was remarkable. In just a few short years, Ocean Sage City had grown into a major stronghold. It was said that the city walls were triple-layered, three rings of stone and flame protecting the heart of the city.

Even though Stone Flame City was impressive in its own right, compared to Ocean Sage City it was like comparing a novice to a master.

Shangguan Xian studied the map beside him and asked, “Are we going to Ocean Sage City?”

“Yes,” Xu Zimo nodded. “Wherever the Water Beasts are, that’s where I want to go. Ideally, I’d like to find the one pulling their strings.”

“The one behind them?” Shangguan Xian blinked in surprise. She had never been to the inner world and knew nothing of the blue people.

Xu Zimo figured that since she was now following him, there was no harm in telling her. “These Water Beasts aren’t truly living beings,” he said. “They were created.”

“Created? You’re joking, right?” Shangguan Xian said, shocked. “Are you telling me the destruction of the Departure Fire God Realm was part of someone’s conspiracy?”

“I’m not entirely sure myself,” Xu Zimo replied with a faint smile. “That’s why I’m chasing the truth.”

“And what’s your goal in all this?” she pressed. “After you uncover the truth, then what? Don’t tell me you’re doing this to help our Fire God Race.”

Shangguan Xian was of the Fire God Race, while Xu Zimo was human. In the Inferno Crucible Heaven, the Fire God Race ruled supreme, and humans lived harshly under their dominance. From her perspective, it made no sense that a human would risk so much for the Fire God Race’s sake.

“What? Can’t a guy have a kind heart?” Xu Zimo grinned. “Maybe I just want to save the Inferno Crucible Heaven kind and innocent people. Ever think of that?”

“Kind heart? You...?” Shangguan Xian scoffed. “If someone like you has a heart of gold, then there’s no such thing as a bad person in this world.”

“The High Heaven is are far more cruel than I’ll ever be,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

“Then tell me,” Shangguan Xian said, growing serious, “what is your true purpose?”

“Have you ever heard of the Nine Ancient Gods?” Xu Zimo asked.

“The Nine Ancient Gods?” Shangguan Xian frowned, thinking for a moment before shaking her head.

The Ancient Gods belonged to an age so distant that few cared to study it. To most people, they were nothing more than legends, vague, ancient myths with no proof behind them.

“What do the Ancient Gods have to do with the Water Beasts? You think they’re behind all this?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Xu Zimo shrugged. “Like I said, I’m still searching for the truth. If you really want answers, keep walking with me, you’ll find them in time.”

“Alright,” she said at last. “Then I’ll follow you.”

By now, the sky had darkened. Xu Zimo and Shangguan Xian decided not to travel any further for the night, who knew what dangers lurked beyond? They found an inn nearby to rest until morning.

Meanwhile, in the City Lord’s Mansion of Stone Flame City, Huo Yunzi’s arrival had caused quite a stir. Practically everyone of importance in the city, from generals to ministers, had assembled.

The city’s general, Wang Yuehai, was a loud and brash man. Before he even stepped into the hall, his booming voice could already be heard.

“I heard Brother Blade Tyrant was killed! So who’s taking his place?” he shouted as he strode in.

When his eyes fell upon Huo Yunzi seated on the main dais, his expression hardened, his tone turning aggressive. “And who are you supposed to be? The Chaos Fire God Realm sent you here as the new city lord?”

“You can call me Huo Yunzi,” the man said pleasantly, still smiling. He didn’t seem bothered at all by Wang Yuehai’s hostility. His face remained calm, his manner approachable, kind, even.

“What right do you have to be our city lord?” Wang Yuehai barked. “Do you even know how much blood we shed to defend this city? You think you can just walk in here and take charge?!”

Wang Yuehai’s voice boomed through the hall, full of anger and resentment. He and Blade Tyrant had been sworn brothers, comrades who had fought and bled together. In his mind, once Blade Tyrant was promoted to the Chaos Fire God Realm, the position of city lord would naturally fall to him.

But now, his brother was dead, and the new lord wasn’t him, it was some outsider. The injustice burned in his chest, and he was determined to make this newcomer stumble right from the start.

“If you’re not satisfied, you can file a complaint with the Chaos Fire God Realm,” Huo Yunzi said lightly. “Honestly, I didn’t want this post either. This is the middle of nowhere. I’d much rather be back in the Chaos Fire God Realm.” He smiled faintly. “If you’ve got the power to get me reassigned, I’d even thank you for it.”

Wang Yuehai opened his mouth but had no words. He didn’t have the authority to question the Chaos Fire God Realm’s orders, he was just a fat fish in a tiny pond, nothing more.

“Then tell me,” Wang Yuehai said, shifting the subject, “what really happened to my brother? The decree from the Chaos Fire God Realm just said he was dead, but how? What’s the truth? We have a right to know.”

“That’s not a secret,” Huo Yunzi replied evenly. “Blade Tyrant offended someone, and was killed.”

“Killed? The city lord of the Chaos Fire God Realm was killed just like that? And the Chaos Fire God Realm does nothing?” Wang Yuehai shouted.

“The Chaos Fire God Realm investigated,” Huo Yunzi said calmly. “Turns out, Blade Tyrant was colluding with the Water Beasts. For someone like that, dying quietly was the best outcome.”

“Ridiculous!” Wang Yuehai roared. “If my brother had sided with the beasts, do you really think Stone Flame City would’ve stood this long? The city would’ve fallen ages ago, the gates of the Chaos Fire God Realm flung wide open!”

“You’ve been questioning me all this time,” Huo Yunzi said mildly, “but you still haven’t introduced yourself.”

“Then listen well,” Wang Yuehai declared proudly. “I am the Grand General who defends this city. Every soldier here follows my command. We’ve lived and died together, our bond runs deeper than blood.”

Huo Yunzi understood what the man was implying, he was trying to exert pressure. A single misstep in handling this situation could trigger a mutiny, and if Stone Flame City were to fall, the Chaos Fire God Realm would certainly hold him accountable.

“General Wang,” Huo Yunzi said with a wave of his hand, smiling faintly, “I understand your intentions.”