I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 38 - Imperial Gate City

In his previous life, Xu Zimo had heard of a remarkable woman named Situ Yunqing, but he had never met her himself, only heard her mentioned in idle conversation.

Looking back, Xu Zimo's past life was dramatic in its own right. Early on, he had been the crown prince of the True Martial Sacred Ground, a figure everyone flattered and fawned over.

But after being knocked into the Nether Dragon Ravine by Chu Yang, and his father’s hair turning gray overnight and retreating into the mountains, everything changed.

Without the support of the sect, Xu Zimo's lofty status plummeted. People he’d once ignored suddenly became unreachable.

Back then, he had wanted to build his own power base, but managing everything alone was too much.

He also needed to think carefully about how this force should operate.

If the organization stayed in the shadows, the everyday costs for so many people couldn’t always fall on him alone.

Xu Zimo imagined making his faction public, running it in the form of a restaurant-cum-inn. That way, the organization could support itself, and such a venue would also serve as one of the best channels for gathering intelligence.

People often chatted about major recent events while eating and drinking.

He didn’t need the group to uncover top-secret information, just timely updates from remote areas.

If the Situ Yunqing in front of him was the same woman he’d heard about in his past life, then she was more than capable of managing such an operation.

Xu Zimo began thinking about how to lure her in, willingly and wholeheartedly.

…

“Up ahead is Imperial Gate City. Let’s rest there for the night,” Xu Zimo suggested.

Everyone nodded. Then Xu Zimo suddenly hopped onto the carriage and entered the cabin. Everyone around him was momentarily stunned.

Little Gui immediately reacted and said to Situ Yunqing, “What are you staring at? Go in and keep our senior brother company.”

Situ Yunqing glanced at the others, then silently entered the carriage.

Her maid looked like she wanted to object, but after catching a glare from Lin Ruhu, she backed off immediately.

The carriage slowly moved forward. Inside, a faint fragrance lingered. Xu Zimo rested his head on Situ Yunqing’s lap and closed his eyes for a nap.

In the distance, Imperial Gate City loomed, like a giant steel beast lying silently on the land.

Situ Yunqing gazed quietly at the sleeping Xu Zimo. His long eyelashes fluttered now and then.

Xu Zimo wasn’t the type with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes that made hearts race at first glance.

But the more one looked at him, the more appealing he became. When he smiled, there was a hint of roguish charm, like a lovable bad boy.

Situ Yunqing bit her lip gently, then reached out with her finger and poked his cheek. For some reason, she suddenly smiled to herself.

“Do you want to get more... ‘in-depth’ with me?” Xu Zimo suddenly opened his eyes and asked casually.

Situ Yunqing was startled. Her face turned crimson, and she looked down without speaking.

“You might as well not go back to that Situ Clan,” Xu Zimo said casually. “I just happen to need a bed-warming maid.”

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, young master, but I’m not that lucky,” Situ Yunqing composed herself and replied calmly.

“No need to turn me down so fast,” Xu Zimo chuckled. “You really think the Situ Clan will welcome you?”

“What do you mean by that?” Situ Yunqing asked, frowning.

“You don’t actually believe that robbery was just some random coincidence, do you?” Xu Zimo asked with a strange smile.

Situ Yunqing’s expression changed. She was smart, and quickly thought of the worst-case scenario.

Power struggles in major families were always brutal. If the Situ Clan acknowledged her as an illegitimate daughter, she’d legally be entitled to a share of the clan’s wealth.

She might even become a contender for the Clan Head position someday.

No one wants a new competitor to appear out of nowhere, so many in the Situ Clan probably wouldn’t be happy about her return.

…

“If you don’t believe me, let’s make a bet,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“What are we betting on?” Situ Yunqing asked curiously.

“When we enter Imperial Gate City, someone will definitely cause trouble for us,” Xu Zimo said. “Because I’ve ruined their plans. In fact, we’re probably being watched right now.”

“I’m not betting,” Situ Yunqing shook her head. She already agreed with his reasoning.

“Boring,” Xu Zimo yawned, stretched, and then leaned his head deeper into her lap and went back to sleep.

As they neared the city, more people began appearing along the roads. The carriage moved slowly through the city gates.

The central avenue, paved with blue granite, was bustling with activity. Pedestrians came and went in waves. Street vendors shouted over sizzling food stands, and the air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of snacks.

“My father sent someone to pick me up. I should go,” Situ Yunqing said softly, waking Xu Zimo.

Ahead of the carriage stood a group of soldiers in green leather armor. Their leader was a red-faced elderly man.

“Miss Yunqing, my name is Tian. I’m a guard who serves the master. He sent me to receive you,” the old man said kindly.

“Thank you, Uncle Tian,” Situ Yunqing nodded.

When Xu Zimo stepped down from the carriage, Tian narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “Is this a friend of Miss Yunqing?”

“Don’t mind me. Just passing through,” Xu Zimo waved him off and said to Lin Ruhu and Little Gui, “Let’s go find an inn.”

Situ Yunqing had originally wanted to invite Xu Zimo to stay at the Situ residence, but after thinking it over, she changed her mind.

After all, she didn’t even know what kind of reception awaited her there.

…

“Riverfront Restaurant,” Xu Zimo said, looking at the sign. “This one will do.”

The three of them walked inside. Little Gui slapped a silver pouch onto the table with a loud clunk and yelled, “Innkeeper! Got any rooms left?”

The innkeeper, wearing a hat and a curled mustache, quickly came over with a smile. “Plenty of rooms! What kind would you gentlemen prefer?”

“I want three rooms facing the street, ones with ventilation from north to south and views of the sunrise and sunset,” Little Gui said, raising three fingers.

“Certainly! And will you be dining in your rooms, or downstairs?” the innkeeper asked politely.

“We’ll eat downstairs,” Xu Zimo said mysteriously. “Just in case we start a fight, it’d be easier to clean up the blood.”

The innkeeper looked confused but said nothing and went to prepare the food.

As the three sat down and began drinking a pot of wine, three men suddenly stepped out from the crowd.

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