I am the villain in the book

South of Yongding City, within a secluded courtyard's underground chamber.

Just as Wei Changtian and Chu Xianping were completely falling out at the foot of Dragon Head Mountain, Yang Liushi was expressionlessly watching Lu Yuanjin, whose acupoints had been sealed, surrounded by corpses in gruesome states.

She hadn't personally killed anyone, but simply sat quietly on a chair, awaiting instructions from Wei Changtian's side.

Meanwhile, ten thousand miles away outside Fengyuan City, two hundred thousand of the three hundred thousand surrendered troops of the Great Hui had already set off westward, heading straight for the Great Hui.

These two hundred thousand soldiers were all people of the Great Qian, and a crucial force in Gongsun Yan's claim to the throne.

Wei Changtian, through Xu Suisui, had promised them that once Gongsun Yan sat on the dragon throne, they would be allowed to return to the Great Qian, which was why these people were so cooperative.

Fengyuan was not too far from Yongding, and a forced march would take about ten days.

And by then, as long as Gongsun Yan didn't die, his ascension to the throne would be a certainty.

"Young Master, don't forget that Gongsun Yan is now in my hands."

In the city gate tower, Chu Xianping looked at the confident Wei Changtian and slowly said:

"I can kill him right now."

"Kill him then."

Casually nodding, Wei Changtian smiled indifferently: "Brother Chu, you don't think I really care whether Gongsun Yan lives or dies, do you?"

"There are plenty of people who want to be emperor, if he dies, I'll just replace him with another one."

"Kill him if you want, don't be polite."

"..."

His pupils slightly contracted, facing Wei Changtian's "jovial" demeanor, Chu Xianping suddenly didn't know how to respond.

After all, although he had spent a long time with Wei Changtian, this was the first time he had encountered this kind of "enemy."

However, this silence only lasted for a moment, and Chu Xianping quickly took a deep breath and continued:

"Yes, there are indeed many people who want to be emperor."

"But not everyone is as suitable as Gongsun Yan."

"Young Master, I know that Lu Yuanjin should still be alive, why don't you and I temporarily spare the lives of Lu Yuanjin and Gongsun Yan..."

"Wait a minute."

Before Chu Xianping could finish speaking, Wei Changtian suddenly interrupted: "Killing or not killing Gongsun Yan is your business, but Lu Yuanjin definitely has to die."

"...Young Master, why do you insist on this?"

Chu Xianping lowered his head and said softly: "If you kill Lu Yuanjin, I will definitely kill Gongsun Yan, and then you and I will have to find another candidate."

"It would be better to let the two of them decide the outcome."

"Decide the outcome?"

A hint of mockery appeared on the corner of Wei Changtian's mouth: "Brother Chu, I think I already have victory in my grasp."

"But I also think that I haven't lost yet."

Raising his head to look directly at Wei Changtian, Chu Xianping's tone was calm: "Young Master, no matter what, the outcome is still undecided, isn't it?"

"..."

His brow slightly furrowed, looking at Chu Xianping's calm eyes, Wei Changtian finally understood that the former must still have a backup plan.

It made sense, after all, he was once a figure who had deceived countless people, so how could he easily admit defeat?

So... really let Lu Yuanjin go?

Wei Changtian wasn't unable to accept "exchanging hostages", anyway, Lu Yuanjin had Thousand Mile Misty Waves on him, and it wouldn't be difficult to catch him a second time.

It's just that this would inevitably waste too much time.

And this would undoubtedly give the Great Qian more breathing room, thereby increasing the difficulty of destroying the Great Qian in the future.

So...

"Brother Chu, do you think that the hearts of the people of the Great Hui are now on your side?"

Suddenly, Wei Changtian asked a seemingly unrelated question without any warning.

However, Chu Xianping was slightly stunned, and then nodded meaningfully.

"Yes."

"Young Master, the people are the foundation of a nation."

"Whether it is Gongsun Yan or anyone else, as long as this person is not surnamed Lu, he is destined to not be able to sit firmly on this dragon throne."

"Now the entire population of the Great Hui regards you and Gongsun Yan as mortal enemies, even if they are temporarily silent out of fear, there will always be a day when they explode."

"And by then, you will undoubtedly lose."

"..."

Sure enough, using the "imperial bloodline" to win over the "hearts of the people" was Chu Xianping's confidence.

This was a conspiracy, so Chu Xianping didn't hide it.

And Wei Changtian didn't panic at all after getting the answer, but instead smiled disdainfully.

"Brother Chu, you think too highly of the common people."

"Coincidentally, I still have to go and destroy the Great Qian, and I don't have time to waste too long with you here."

"Why don't we make a bet, and use this to determine the outcome, how about it?"

"Make a bet?"

Chu Xianping's expression changed slightly: "Please explain more clearly, Young Master."

"Well, it's actually very simple."

Wei Changtian said with a smile: "In a while, I will let Liu Shi release Lu Yuanjin, and I don't want Gongsun Yan either."

"But you can't kill him for the time being, but have to wait until ten days later."

"And, you have to behead him publicly in the execution ground..."

Under Chu Xianping's questioning gaze, Wei Changtian paused and continued to speak.

"At that time, as long as you can kill him, I won't say a word and will leave the Great Hui immediately."

"And if you can't kill him, you have to do the same."

"What do you think, do you accept this bet?"

"..."

I'll release Lu Yuanjin, and you don't have to return Gongsun Yan to me.

Ten days later, you issue an official notice and execute Gongsun Yan at the vegetable market, as long as you can kill him, I will admit defeat.

Hearing Wei Changtian's bet, which could simply be called a "giveaway", ordinary people might think that there was something wrong with his brain.

But Chu Xianping only froze for a moment before understanding his true intention.

What Wei Changtian was betting with him was not anything else, but precisely the "hearts of the people."

Chu Xianping had clearly heard Wei Changtian's shout outside just now: "Your Highness, if you die, I will make the entire Yongding City be buried with you."

And this also meant that if he really wanted to execute Gongsun Yan in public, the people of the Great Hui would have to make a choice between "righteousness" and "survival"...

Although Wei Changtian didn't say it very clearly, conversations between smart people never need to be said too much.

Therefore, Chu Xianping fell into a long silence.

Just as Wei Changtian was sure, if he really accepted this bet, he would definitely not do anything tricky or go back on his word.

And similarly, Chu Xianping could also be sure that even if he killed Gongsun Yan, Wei Changtian would definitely not really massacre the city.

In the end, what they were betting on was just the choice of ordinary people between "national righteousness" and "personal interests."

The two people's familiarity with each other's personalities made this bet completely tenable, and at the same time, both were very confident in their own judgment.

So...

"Okay!"

"Young Master! Let's make this bet to determine the outcome!"