I am the villain in the book

In a past life, someone once said—loyalty is only because the stakes for betrayal aren't high enough.

Or, to put it more familiarly, "There are no eternal friends or enemies, only eternal interests."

Therefore, Wei Changtian never felt that anyone was 100% trustworthy.

After all, even Ning Wenyu, who had taken the puppet pill, betrayed him and ultimately exploded and died.

What about others?

Who can guarantee that everyone will not have problems?

People are complex.

People are also constantly changing.

Therefore, Wei Changtian never judged anyone based on the stereotypical impressions from "Supreme Martial Path".

Just because Chu Xianping didn't rebel in the original story doesn't mean he definitely won't rebel now.

As for whether he really has rebellious intentions now...

To be honest, Wei Changtian doesn't know yet.

Because he hasn't figured out why Chu Xianping is so eager for this war to continue.

In other words, what benefits can Chu Xianping actually gain from this?

He still hasn't found the answer to this question.

However, this does not hinder his next actions.

Actions targeted at Chu Xianping.

"Brother Chu, I never thought you and I would come to this point."

Looking at the almost extinguished candlelight, Wei Changtian sighed with some emotion.

What he said to Yang Liushi just now was true.

No matter what, he didn't want Chu Xianping to really stand against him one day.

It's just that "hope" and "reality" are always two different things.

Heaven can be measured, earth can be surveyed, but the human heart cannot be guarded against.

So he had to make plans early.

Alas...

Before having power, it always felt like the more the better.

But now that he has truly become a ruler, he realizes that every step has become like walking on thin ice.

Open attacks, hidden schemes, and mutual deception.

From the moment Wei Changtian began to suspect Chu Xianping, regardless of the final outcome, he knew that he had changed.

In fact, he didn't want to become cautious and have to think twice before doing anything.

But what could he do?

...

"Dong, dong, dong, dong."

"The fourth watch of Chou, the weather is cold and the ground is frozen, no clouds, no wind..."

Outside the window, the weak sound of the night watchman was almost inaudible.

Dressed in a straw raincoat, the night watchman carried a lantern in one hand and constantly struck the bamboo clapper in front of his chest with a wooden stick, passing through the alleys like a wandering ghost.

Jinzhou City was silent in the deep night, with only the stars in the night sky flickering on and off.

The moon is frosty in the tall buildings, the road is long and far.

The Wei family's only son, who was once "dressed in fine clothes, full of vigor, and arrogant," the mischievous man who dared to lead people to surround the Prime Minister's mansion on a rainy night and cut off the head of the Prime Minister of a country, was gone.

At this moment, as Wei Changtian listened to the night watchman's call outside the window and looked at the secret letters and intelligence piled on the table in front of him, he suddenly missed the days before he transmigrated.

He missed the youth whose life consisted only of studying and taking exams, the working stiff who was exhausted from making a living.

He even missed the entertainment-to-death era filled with meaningless short videos, countless celebrity scandals, and endless garbage dramas that people no longer needed to think about.

Unfortunately, all of this was gone forever.

Today, Wei Changtian believes that he has achieved what most transmigrators dream of achieving.

But he has also lost a lot because of it.

And among all the people and things that have been lost, what Wei Changtian misses most at this moment is his former self.

"Huff!"

With a gentle wave of his hand, the last candle in the room went out.

Walking out of the room, through the eaves of the inn, he entered another room lit with candlelight.

Looking at the woman sitting at the table with a worried expression, Wei Changtian smiled and casually asked:

"Worried about me?"

Wei Changtian took off his outer robe, walked to the table, and took a sip of tea: "The situation is not very clear now, so Chu Xianping may not really be rebelling."

"To take a step back, even if he really rebels, since I have noticed it early, how could I let him..."

"Young Master."

Looking at Wei Changtian, Yang Liushi suddenly interrupted in a low voice: "This servant is not worried about that."

"Hmm? Then what are you worried about?"

"This servant..."

Yang Liushi got up and walked to Wei Changtian's side. She seemed to have a lot to say, but after hesitating for a long time, she just looked up and softly asked:

"Young Master, are you tired?"

"..."

Wei Changtian paused in his movements, his expression clearly stunned.

Because it was obvious that the "tired" that Yang Liushi was referring to was not physical fatigue.

Wei Changtian didn't know how Yang Liushi could see through his current mood, but when he saw the latter's extremely distressed eyes, he suddenly felt that this scene was somewhat familiar.

"Son, are you tired from studying? You should combine work with rest. Mom heard that there are many clubs in college, you should..."

"Son, are you tired from work? It's good for young people to be busy, but you also have to pay attention to your health..."

"Son, why did your WeChat Moments say you worked overtime so late yesterday? Your dad told me to tell you to go for a run more often when you have time and stay up less late..."

"Son, tell Mom if you're short of money. Don't ruin your health for a little money..."

"Son, if you really feel tired, just go back to your hometown..."

"..."

The hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and Wei Changtian felt his eyes were a little wet for the first time since he transmigrated.

However, he quickly returned to normal, just smiled and waved his hand, and said the answer he had said countless times under Yang Liushi's gaze.

"Don't worry."

"I'm fine."

The next morning.

The rising sun had not yet fully risen, and the eastern sky was only dyed with a slight rosy glow.

The morning bells of the various temples rang one after another, mixed with the loud crowing of chickens, piercing through the morning mist and echoing in the sky above Jinzhou City.

Last night was the fourth time since Wei Changtian transmigrated that he did not enter the Dream Dao while sleeping.

And because of this, he got up a little later this morning.

"Hmm?"

Opening his eyes groggily, Wei Changtian looked at Yang Liushi, who was sitting in front of the bronze mirror combing her hair, and yawned and asked:

"Heh~ Why didn't you call me?"

"Giggle, isn't it because this servant feels sorry for you, Young Master, and wanted you to sleep a little longer."

Yang Liushi returned to her appearance during the day yesterday, and her tone was very light.

Wei Changtian knew that she was deliberately trying not to upset him, so he smiled, turned over, got out of bed, and put on his clothes.

"To be honest, it doesn't make much difference whether you comb your hair or not."

Walking behind Yang Liushi, he smiled and teased, and then asked: "Do you want me to help you?"

"Huh?"

Yang Liushi turned her head, her eyes somewhat surprised: "Young Master, are you going to help this servant comb her hair?"

"Nonsense."

Wei Changtian curled his lips: "Otherwise, what else could I be doing?"

"Hmph, you're just thin-skinned, Young Master."

Yang Liushi pretended to be dissatisfied and snorted softly: "It's clearly a good thing, but you have to act impatient..."

"Hmm? Didn't you say I was thick-skinned yesterday?"

"Can't I be thick sometimes and thin sometimes!"

"Okay, okay, I can't argue with you... Do you want me to help you or not?"

"Yes!"

Stomping her feet, she stuffed the wooden comb into Wei Changtian's hand. Yang Liushi's voice was loud, but her expression was clearly expectant.

And Wei Changtian didn't continue to bicker with her. He raised the comb and prepared to "start".

But just then...

"Knock knock knock!"

"Young Master!"

"Young Master Chu is requesting an audience!"