Pulling Together a Villain Reformation Strategy

Chapter 95 Part 1 – Truth

Du Li turned around, gaze sweeping across Jiang Xunyi’s face. He stretched out his hand and gently pushed away the sword that had no killing intent. With a shake of his head, he said with a sigh, “My brother… …”

As if profound thunder from the heavens had struck down from the sky, his ears roared and his whole body went numb. Jiang Xunyi felt like his heart was hitting his sternum, as if his chest was about to burst open. Without even realizing it, his sword had clattered to the ground. It almost felt like his blood was boiling, and yet he still shivered uncontrollably. It was only with great effort that he could squeeze out the words, “Brother…Jiang Yuan? You?! Du Li…has always been you?”

Du Li, or Jiang Yuan, laughed, but there was no trace of a smile on his face. Instead, his eyes turned red, and he walked forward briskly to hug Jiang Xunyi and called out, “Xun Xun.”

Even if the man had always been shrouded by doubt, his oddly familiar attitude easily raising suspicion, the thought was just too unbelievable. The idea had came up in his mind before, but he did not dare to believe it. However, Jiang Yuan’s expression and manner of speaking had just now clearly proved everything. Right up to the hug, Jiang Xunyi still felt like it was only just a dream. He raised his hand blankly to return the hug, then muttered, “Brother, why are you here…”

Jiang Yuan whispered, “I’ve come to take you home.”

At this, Jiang Xunyi trembled, pausing for a moment before he suddenly raised his hand and pushed him away.

Jiang Yuan had always known that his younger brother was smart, and he was already not very confident in how things would go. Seeing that his response now wasn’t right, he had no choice but to act as if nothing had happened and ask in a puzzled way, “Xun Xun?”

Jiang Xunyi looked down wordlessly. After a while, it seemed that he had made a resolution, and he slowly said, “Brother, how did you come? Why didn’t you tell me that it was you before?”

Assuming that Jiang Xunyi was just doubting his identity, he let out a breath in relief, explaining, “I wasn’t able to say anything earlier because right after arriving, I ran into an opponent who sealed my spirit under the ground of this temple. Without my full soul, I couldn’t get rid of the seal, so I had no choice but to wait for this moment. Until the temple collapsed today, I had no chance to tell you this.”

Jiang Xunyi thought for a moment, and then responded, “So was it you who released the information about the ghost temple? Your goal was to attract everyone’s attention in order to destroy this place.”

Seeing the other party nod, Jiang Xunyi finally understood that the shadow he saw just now was Du Li’s spirit. Because of this, it was no wonder that his face was exactly the same as Jiang Yuan. However…

“You had just arrived, so why would anyone oppose you? This is clearly that old He Deng’s temple, but why did he seal you? Brother, now that things have gotten to this point, just say anything you have to.”

Jiang Yuan shook his head helplessly, the words “I really can’t do anything with you” written on his face. He rubbed Jiang Xunyi’s hair as he said, “You’re still so stubborn. Okay, I’ll tell you – this book-transmigration project was originally a scientific research project.”

Jiang Xunyi’s heart thudded in his chest. “Scientific research project?”

Jiang Yuan nodded. “You should know that although our father is in politics, he has always been obsessed with scientific research. He happened to be assigned to manage the distribution of personnel and funds for a confidential experiment. The mission was to create a book world that has a conscious independent of the author. They developed a system chip and a shuttle to send people to the world of the book. As tasks are completed, the world’s level would be researched… However, unexpectedly, the world really did gain consciousness, taking control of the system chip. In order to ensure that it does not collapse, this system will assign you tasks to protect the protagonist and the plot to maintain the energy of this world.”

So the system that controlled him was the consciousness of this world, and the purpose of the missions was to adhere to the plot by allowing Yun Xie to reach the peak of humanity. If he failed, the plot would be destroyed and there would naturally be consequences.

This was similar to what Jiang Xunyi had guessed, but he didn’t expect this to be a national-level scientific research project.

Jiang Yuan was not finished explaining. “He Deng was one of the first experimenters. He has been here much longer than you and had been assimilated by the consciousness of this world long ago. He had just started going out of control when I first arrived, but he was also a man of rare talent. He used the shielded temple to stay conscious, and he later on helped you, but now that the temple had collapsed… I’m afraid he can no longer be regarded as the original He Deng. “

The initial surprise gradually faded from Jiang Xunyi’s face, and he quietly said, “So he first sealed you, then tried to stopped me from coming to see you. There is such strong hostility towards you. In other words, what were you planning to do to spoil the plot?”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “Of course I have some means to take you back. I have planned for this day for a long time, and now everything is ready. All we need is an Eastern wind[1]. Wait a little longer, then brother can take you home.”

Jiang Xunyi’s lips quirked in a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You still didn’t answer why I came here and how you got here.”

Without batting an eyelid, Jiang Yuan replied, “You were in poor health and couldn’t walk around. Dad originally wanted to use this technology to let you experience a new environment and soothe your mood. Unexpectedly, there was a mistake. Our parents are both extremely anxious, so I came to pick you up. However, the time in the world of the book passes much faster than in the real world, so you had to stay here for so long. It’s all my fault. “

Jiang Xunyi replied, “That’s not true.”

As he spoke, his expression was flat and his tone determined, shocking Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Xunyi continued dully, “Dad participated in this project. There was probably an agreement from the beginning stipulating every participant to send one of their own children to be an experimental subject to preserve secrecy or make sure there were enough people participating in the research. Between the two of us, you are healthy and successful, and I am just a waste who lies in bed sickly all day long, and I even need help walking. As for who should be sent in, it goes without saying. Since this world has self-awareness, I am afraid that the idea that going home once the mission is complete is only an empty promise. It’s likely that after all of their value has been used up, they are either lost in this world like He Deng or crushed into dust – in fact, you are probably trying to save me behind their backs, right?” He pursed his lips. “Thank you, brother.”

He finally understood Qi Shijiu’s dying words: the knowledge that he was just a test subject sent by his relatives and that all his hard work was pointless must’ve caused him so much pain.

He Deng must have hoped that Jiang Xunyi would collapse and lose any resistance, thus not endangering the plot of this world, by showing him the fragments of the conversation with his parents.

Therefore, if Jiang Yuan wanted to break through the shackles of the world consciousness and take him home, it was bound to affect the protagonist Yun Xie.

“The images on the Marrow-Washing Jade, Chen Li dying without a heart, deliberately asking us to solve the Tengge City case, and inducing Yun Xie to kill the female enchantress who should have received a soul-calming ceremony instead…Brother, were these all part of your plan?”

Visit readlightnovel.me for extra chapters.

 Even though Jiang Yuan had always known that his younger brother was very clever, he was still shocked at the way he exposed so many things in one breath, and he stayed speechless for a long while.

However, what disturbed him most was Jiang Xunyi’s overly flat expression. As a child abandoned by his parents, it was impossible for him to be without resentment and pain. Therefore the calmer he was, the more disturbing it was.

However, he had worked so hard to get this far already, so he was not willing to give up. He could only face Jiang Xunyi and reveal everything, hoping that his brother can cooperate with him. “Everything you say is true. Yun Xie is the protagonist of this world, but do you know why Xuanli’s soul entered his body in the first place? It’s because he’s cruel and indifferent, and he was originally the most qualified person in this world to be the head of all demons. Because of this, he is repeatedly affected by demonic energy. As long as his hands gets more bloody, he is likely to embark on this path…”

Jiang Xunyi’s hands behind him clenched in his sleeves. After a while, he spoke.

Jiang Xunyi’s voice was a little hoarse from not talking earlier, and Jiang Yuan couldn’t hear him clearly, so he couldn’t help but ask, “What?”

Jiang Xunyi slowly repeated. “As for the Solar Envy Sect’s Yingxue Cangshi[1], it seems to also be a part of your tricks.”

“Yes, it is indeed the real Yingxue Cangshi, but I had thrown it into the Prison Demon Valley, refining it for forty-nine days with the evil spirits of thousands of ghosts. I have been planning for a long time. Even without any Du family troubles, I would’ve still tried to send the Yingxue Cangshi into Yunxie’s hands.”

Jiang Xun closed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but his words were swallowed back, the pain of choking filling his chest.

“At this point, I might as well tell you everything – Immortal Master Ti Ming died because he was wounded by the Marrow-Washing Jade during the suppression of Xuan Li. The problematic roots had long since been established, and it had nothing to do with Yun Xie. I had created the phantom image on the jade because I expected you to cut Yun Xie off after seeing it, but unexpectedly, you still believed him like this… Xun Xun, I remember…”

Jiang Yuan hesitated for a while before he finished his words. “I never knew that you like men.”

When he found out about Yun Xie and Jiang Xunyi’s relationship at the Du house, he was so angry, he wanted to stab Yun Xie to death with a sword on the spot. In Jiang Yuan’s mind, it is unbelievable that his cold-tempered younger brother would get entangled with a man. He must have been swindled and corrupted by others. 

In reality, that was almost true.

Jiang Xunyi said coldly and indifferently, “I have never liked men before, but I also have never liked women.”

He didn’t seem to want to talk more about this issue, nor did he show much indignation at Jiang Yuan’s scheming against Yun Xie. Jiang Yuan, who was worried Jiang Xunyi’s feelings for Yun Xie ran too deep, breathed a sigh of relief. If it did, that would hinder the next plan. However, from what he could see now, his brother was probably only with Yun Xie because of momentary loneliness.

Jiang Xunyi calmly continued. “But what is the point of leading Yun Xie into the demonic path? Brother, you definitely should know that people like Yunxie will be successful no matter what path he chooses. As long as he is safe and sound there will be no impact on the world.”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “How could someone as smart as you not see my intentions yet? Yun Xie can’t die because he is still the protagonist, and if something happened, this world will collapse, and you and I will also be in danger. But Xun Xun, have you ever thought about what role you play now?”

Jiang Xunyi was taken aback, “I’m currently still a protagonist.” A few words flashed through his mind, and the mist that had always been shadowing the truth suddenly cleared. His whole face suddenly lost blood, and he forcibly suppressed his almost uncontrollable mood before he asked calmly, “You want to change Yun Xie’s role. Do you want me to replace Yun Xie and become the protagonist of this world?”

[1]Missing an eastern wind – 只欠东风, to be missing one last crucial part

[2]Yingxue Cangshi is mentioned in chapter 75 and it’s the Solar Envy sect’s treasure

Chapter 95 Part 1 – Truth

Du Li turned around, gaze sweeping across Jiang Xunyi’s face. He stretched out his hand and gently pushed away the sword that had no killing intent. With a shake of his head, he said with a sigh, “My brother… …”

As if profound thunder from the heavens had struck down from the sky, his ears roared and his whole body went numb. Jiang Xunyi felt like his heart was hitting his sternum, as if his chest was about to burst open. Without even realizing it, his sword had clattered to the ground. It almost felt like his blood was boiling, and yet he still shivered uncontrollably. It was only with great effort that he could squeeze out the words, “Brother…Jiang Yuan? You?! Du Li…has always been you?”

Du Li, or Jiang Yuan, laughed, but there was no trace of a smile on his face. Instead, his eyes turned red, and he walked forward briskly to hug Jiang Xunyi and called out, “Xun Xun.”

Even if the man had always been shrouded by doubt, his oddly familiar attitude easily raising suspicion, the thought was just too unbelievable. The idea had came up in his mind before, but he did not dare to believe it. However, Jiang Yuan’s expression and manner of speaking had just now clearly proved everything. Right up to the hug, Jiang Xunyi still felt like it was only just a dream. He raised his hand blankly to return the hug, then muttered, “Brother, why are you here…”

Jiang Yuan whispered, “I’ve come to take you home.”

At this, Jiang Xunyi trembled, pausing for a moment before he suddenly raised his hand and pushed him away.

Jiang Yuan had always known that his younger brother was smart, and he was already not very confident in how things would go. Seeing that his response now wasn’t right, he had no choice but to act as if nothing had happened and ask in a puzzled way, “Xun Xun?”

Jiang Xunyi looked down wordlessly. After a while, it seemed that he had made a resolution, and he slowly said, “Brother, how did you come? Why didn’t you tell me that it was you before?”

Assuming that Jiang Xunyi was just doubting his identity, he let out a breath in relief, explaining, “I wasn’t able to say anything earlier because right after arriving, I ran into an opponent who sealed my spirit under the ground of this temple. Without my full soul, I couldn’t get rid of the seal, so I had no choice but to wait for this moment. Until the temple collapsed today, I had no chance to tell you this.”

Jiang Xunyi thought for a moment, and then responded, “So was it you who released the information about the ghost temple? Your goal was to attract everyone’s attention in order to destroy this place.”

Seeing the other party nod, Jiang Xunyi finally understood that the shadow he saw just now was Du Li’s spirit. Because of this, it was no wonder that his face was exactly the same as Jiang Yuan. However…

“You had just arrived, so why would anyone oppose you? This is clearly that old He Deng’s temple, but why did he seal you? Brother, now that things have gotten to this point, just say anything you have to.”

Jiang Yuan shook his head helplessly, the words “I really can’t do anything with you” written on his face. He rubbed Jiang Xunyi’s hair as he said, “You’re still so stubborn. Okay, I’ll tell you – this book-transmigration project was originally a scientific research project.”

Jiang Xunyi’s heart thudded in his chest. “Scientific research project?”

Jiang Yuan nodded. “You should know that although our father is in politics, he has always been obsessed with scientific research. He happened to be assigned to manage the distribution of personnel and funds for a confidential experiment. The mission was to create a book world that has a conscious independent of the author. They developed a system chip and a shuttle to send people to the world of the book. As tasks are completed, the world’s level would be researched… However, unexpectedly, the world really did gain consciousness, taking control of the system chip. In order to ensure that it does not collapse, this system will assign you tasks to protect the protagonist and the plot to maintain the energy of this world.”

So the system that controlled him was the consciousness of this world, and the purpose of the missions was to adhere to the plot by allowing Yun Xie to reach the peak of humanity. If he failed, the plot would be destroyed and there would naturally be consequences.

This was similar to what Jiang Xunyi had guessed, but he didn’t expect this to be a national-level scientific research project.

Jiang Yuan was not finished explaining. “He Deng was one of the first experimenters. He has been here much longer than you and had been assimilated by the consciousness of this world long ago. He had just started going out of control when I first arrived, but he was also a man of rare talent. He used the shielded temple to stay conscious, and he later on helped you, but now that the temple had collapsed… I’m afraid he can no longer be regarded as the original He Deng. “

The initial surprise gradually faded from Jiang Xunyi’s face, and he quietly said, “So he first sealed you, then tried to stopped me from coming to see you. There is such strong hostility towards you. In other words, what were you planning to do to spoil the plot?”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “Of course I have some means to take you back. I have planned for this day for a long time, and now everything is ready. All we need is an Eastern wind[1]. Wait a little longer, then brother can take you home.”

Jiang Xunyi’s lips quirked in a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You still didn’t answer why I came here and how you got here.”

Without batting an eyelid, Jiang Yuan replied, “You were in poor health and couldn’t walk around. Dad originally wanted to use this technology to let you experience a new environment and soothe your mood. Unexpectedly, there was a mistake. Our parents are both extremely anxious, so I came to pick you up. However, the time in the world of the book passes much faster than in the real world, so you had to stay here for so long. It’s all my fault. “

Jiang Xunyi replied, “That’s not true.”

As he spoke, his expression was flat and his tone determined, shocking Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Xunyi continued dully, “Dad participated in this project. There was probably an agreement from the beginning stipulating every participant to send one of their own children to be an experimental subject to preserve secrecy or make sure there were enough people participating in the research. Between the two of us, you are healthy and successful, and I am just a waste who lies in bed sickly all day long, and I even need help walking. As for who should be sent in, it goes without saying. Since this world has self-awareness, I am afraid that the idea that going home once the mission is complete is only an empty promise. It’s likely that after all of their value has been used up, they are either lost in this world like He Deng or crushed into dust – in fact, you are probably trying to save me behind their backs, right?” He pursed his lips. “Thank you, brother.”

He finally understood Qi Shijiu’s dying words: the knowledge that he was just a test subject sent by his relatives and that all his hard work was pointless must’ve caused him so much pain.

He Deng must have hoped that Jiang Xunyi would collapse and lose any resistance, thus not endangering the plot of this world, by showing him the fragments of the conversation with his parents.

Therefore, if Jiang Yuan wanted to break through the shackles of the world consciousness and take him home, it was bound to affect the protagonist Yun Xie.

“The images on the Marrow-Washing Jade, Chen Li dying without a heart, deliberately asking us to solve the Tengge City case, and inducing Yun Xie to kill the female enchantress who should have received a soul-calming ceremony instead…Brother, were these all part of your plan?”

Visit readlightnovel.me for extra chapters.

 Even though Jiang Yuan had always known that his younger brother was very clever, he was still shocked at the way he exposed so many things in one breath, and he stayed speechless for a long while.

However, what disturbed him most was Jiang Xunyi’s overly flat expression. As a child abandoned by his parents, it was impossible for him to be without resentment and pain. Therefore the calmer he was, the more disturbing it was.

However, he had worked so hard to get this far already, so he was not willing to give up. He could only face Jiang Xunyi and reveal everything, hoping that his brother can cooperate with him. “Everything you say is true. Yun Xie is the protagonist of this world, but do you know why Xuanli’s soul entered his body in the first place? It’s because he’s cruel and indifferent, and he was originally the most qualified person in this world to be the head of all demons. Because of this, he is repeatedly affected by demonic energy. As long as his hands gets more bloody, he is likely to embark on this path…”

Jiang Xunyi’s hands behind him clenched in his sleeves. After a while, he spoke.

Jiang Xunyi’s voice was a little hoarse from not talking earlier, and Jiang Yuan couldn’t hear him clearly, so he couldn’t help but ask, “What?”

Jiang Xunyi slowly repeated. “As for the Solar Envy Sect’s Yingxue Cangshi[1], it seems to also be a part of your tricks.”

“Yes, it is indeed the real Yingxue Cangshi, but I had thrown it into the Prison Demon Valley, refining it for forty-nine days with the evil spirits of thousands of ghosts. I have been planning for a long time. Even without any Du family troubles, I would’ve still tried to send the Yingxue Cangshi into Yunxie’s hands.”

Jiang Xun closed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but his words were swallowed back, the pain of choking filling his chest.

“At this point, I might as well tell you everything – Immortal Master Ti Ming died because he was wounded by the Marrow-Washing Jade during the suppression of Xuan Li. The problematic roots had long since been established, and it had nothing to do with Yun Xie. I had created the phantom image on the jade because I expected you to cut Yun Xie off after seeing it, but unexpectedly, you still believed him like this… Xun Xun, I remember…”

Jiang Yuan hesitated for a while before he finished his words. “I never knew that you like men.”

When he found out about Yun Xie and Jiang Xunyi’s relationship at the Du house, he was so angry, he wanted to stab Yun Xie to death with a sword on the spot. In Jiang Yuan’s mind, it is unbelievable that his cold-tempered younger brother would get entangled with a man. He must have been swindled and corrupted by others. 

In reality, that was almost true.

Jiang Xunyi said coldly and indifferently, “I have never liked men before, but I also have never liked women.”

He didn’t seem to want to talk more about this issue, nor did he show much indignation at Jiang Yuan’s scheming against Yun Xie. Jiang Yuan, who was worried Jiang Xunyi’s feelings for Yun Xie ran too deep, breathed a sigh of relief. If it did, that would hinder the next plan. However, from what he could see now, his brother was probably only with Yun Xie because of momentary loneliness.

Jiang Xunyi calmly continued. “But what is the point of leading Yun Xie into the demonic path? Brother, you definitely should know that people like Yunxie will be successful no matter what path he chooses. As long as he is safe and sound there will be no impact on the world.”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “How could someone as smart as you not see my intentions yet? Yun Xie can’t die because he is still the protagonist, and if something happened, this world will collapse, and you and I will also be in danger. But Xun Xun, have you ever thought about what role you play now?”

Jiang Xunyi was taken aback, “I’m currently still a protagonist.” A few words flashed through his mind, and the mist that had always been shadowing the truth suddenly cleared. His whole face suddenly lost blood, and he forcibly suppressed his almost uncontrollable mood before he asked calmly, “You want to change Yun Xie’s role. Do you want me to replace Yun Xie and become the protagonist of this world?”

[1]Missing an eastern wind – 只欠东风, to be missing one last crucial part

[2]Yingxue Cangshi is mentioned in chapter 75 and it’s the Solar Envy sect’s treasure