I Truly Am The Villian

The vibrant colors of the garden cannot be contained; no longer a derogatory phrase.

Upon entering, all kinds of peonies greet the eye, clustered together, blooming together, occupying both sides of the Drunken Beauty Garden.

Besides the central pathway, there are only peonies here.

The countless peonies dazzle the eyes.

And within this Peony Garden, it is quite peaceful, with only a few people strolling around.

"The Drunken Beauty is strict on its visitors, ordinary people cannot enter," Shu Long laughed.

"I only got in because my father is the Commandery Princess."

Led by Shu Long, the two continued forward, finally seeing structures beyond the peonies.

Here stood rows of grand halls, built leaning against each other, constructed with green and emerald bamboo.

At the entrance of the halls were rows of weapon racks, holding hundreds of swords of varying quality.

"Each sword here represents a Sword Dance Maiden; once you choose a sword, a corresponding person will come," Shu Long explained.

"Seeing how familiar you are, do you come often?" Wu Zhaodi commented.

"Naturally...," Shu Long replied instinctively, but then realized something.

Quickly denying, he said, "Not frequently, just occasionally with friends once or twice."

"What's the use of choosing swords when you can't see the person," Wu Zhaodi complained.

"It's called observing the sword to see the person; each sword here has different sword intent and stance, unique in style," Shu Long laughed.

"That's what makes it interesting."

Xu Zimei walked a few steps, his gaze sweeping over the swords.

Some swords were as cold as ice, piercingly sharp, while others were passionate like fire, some shy like bauhinia, pure like clear water.

"Shu brother often comes here, so you decide," Xu Zimei said.

Shu Long did not stand on ceremony, lightly tapping three swords with his right hand.

The three swords instantly transformed into streaks of light, floating into the hall.

The door of the leftmost hall slowly opened, and the three entered one by one.

Upon entering, Xu Zimei realized the hall's area exceeded his imagination, at least tens of thousands of square meters.

Inside the hall, it was divided into dozens of rooms, and as Xu Zimei walked the corridor, he noticed many rooms already occupied.

The three entered the left room.

The room was very simple, with only three mats and a wooden table, on which were placed three seemingly freshly brewed cups of tea.

Opposite hung a white cloth.

Just as the three walked in, before Xu Zimei spoke, a deadly melody of strings echoed.

Immediately, three graceful figures appeared vaguely behind the white cloth.

Those figures were like swords, different sword intents swayed with the dance steps, paired with the melody, intoxicatingly.

This sword dance was no ordinary dance, it seemed to capture everyone's spirit, making the eyes unable to leave the figures behind the white cloth.

Xu Zimei felt his blade intent within him move with the other's dance.

Faster and faster, the sword dance grew swifter, leaving afterimages that scattered into thousands.

Beside him, Shu Long exclaimed lightly, unexpectedly breaking through at this moment.

"Such a peculiar dance," Xu Zimei praised.

As the tune concluded, the sword dance stopped, and the figures behind the white cloth vanished, leaving only longing.

The three graceful figures replayed repeatedly in memory.

"The strength of this sword dance lies not only in its beauty, but can aid the viewer in breaking through cultivation levels," Shu Long said softly.

"However, I heard my father say, the sword dance is also an attack move, a dance falls, alarming ghost gods."

"The hardest part of cultivation is enlightenment.

Understanding oneself, understanding the world," Xu Zimei said.

"This sword dance seems to integrate the strengths of a hundred masters, allowing all who see it to gain something.

Not mentioning anything else, this alone is remarkable."

"As long as you're not disappointed," Shu Long smiled.

The room's door automatically opened, and the three walked out, Wu Zhaodi curiously asking, "Why don't they show their faces during the performance?"

"Showing face would lose the meaning; cultivation's understanding must be pure," Xu Zimei explained.

Just as the three walked out, a hearty laugh echoed from the neighboring room, and someone emerged from within.

"Second brother," the youth who came out bore some resemblance to Shu Long.

His gaze swept over Xu Zimei and Wu Zhaodi, asking, "Your friends? Why so unfamiliar, never seen before."

"Do I need to report every friend I make to you," Shu Long retorted coldly.

The youth didn't force the issue, laughed, "Tonight, the Elder from Sanluan Sect is here, father is hosting a banquet, don't be late."

"No need for your reminder," Shu Long replied indifferently.

The youth shrugged, left without a care.

Watching the youth's departing figure, Wu Zhaodi asked, "Is he your elder brother?"

"I never acknowledge it," Shu Long said.

"Be cautious."

"Cautious of what?" Wu Zhaodi asked, puzzled.

"The man is quite hypocritical; he investigates friends around me, either recruits or destroys them," Shu Long explained.

"Seems like there's significant hatred between you brothers," Xu Zimei inquired.

"Forget it, no need to say more," Shu Long shook his head, smiling.

"Tonight, there's a banquet at home, I can take you there."

"Is that convenient?" Wu Zhaodi asked.

"No problem, anyway my father never cares about me," Shu Long shook his head.

The three left the Peony Garden Drunken Beauty, following Shu Long towards Shu Mansion.

But just as the three departed, in the deepest room of the Peony Garden.

A regal woman stood at the window, gazing straight ahead.

"Garden Owner," a maid opened the door gently, walked in.

"What's the matter?" the regal woman asked.

"Two unfamiliar faces came to our Peony Garden," the maid said.

"Brought by the Shu Family's second young master, a man and a woman.

The woman seems to have Divine Vein cultivation, the man can't be discerned."

"That's interesting, amidst this critical time, the fish and dragon are mixed," the regal woman chuckled.

"Should we monitor?" the maid asked.

"No need, prepare for me; tonight I will attend Shu Family's banquet," the regal woman said.

"Yes," the maid nodded and withdrew.

......

Arriving at the Shu Family, the Shu Mansion wasn't vast, but very majestic.

Like a downsized city.

The mansion's wall identical to Shuyang County's.

Seeing Shu Long return, the two guards at the door quickly greeted him.

The sky began to darken, yet inside the Shu Mansion, lanterns glowed red, festively adorned, very beautiful.

They arrived at the guest hall of Shu Mansion.