After Ten Years as a Villain, I Returned 25

Chapter 25

In an upscale apartment, the etiquette tutor who had been at the Wen villa was reporting to an elderly man.

“I visited Mrs. Wen at the hospital. She’s in a terrible state.” The disciple shuddered at the memory. Although his skills weren’t advanced, he could sense the woman’s agony. It was a fate worse than death.

He didn’t want to end up like that. Having narrowly escaped, he was planning to leave as soon as possible.

The elderly man, seemingly aware of his thoughts, flicked his dust whisk: “After all this time with me, you’re still so easily shaken?”

The disciple coughed, the dust and hairs irritating his throat. It’s just us here, why are you still putting on an act? He chuckled nervously: “Yes, Master, you’re right. But this time, I have a really bad feeling.”

“What if you’ve met your match this time? What if they come looking for us? Uh, I suddenly remembered I left the stove on. I should probably go…”

The elderly man nearly ripped out his beard: “You ungrateful wretch!” Jinxing his own master?

“Yes, Master,” the disciple sighed. He had participated in many of his master’s illicit activities. Escaping wasn’t that easy.

Just as he spoke, a knock echoed through the room.

The sound felt like a hammer blow to his heart. The elderly man, unconcerned, said: “Go see who it is. A customer must have arrived.”

The disciple opened the door with a sense of foreboding, and instantly regretted it.

I jinxed it!

I should have just left! Why did I even bother reporting back?! He plastered a strained smile on his face and invited the two men inside.

The elderly man stroked his beard, assuming a sage-like pose as the disciple led the newcomers in, his eyes closed in mock meditation.

He opened his eyes just as they approached, about to offer a benevolent smile, then froze.

He recognized one of them, or rather, he recognized his photo. He had seen many photos of Wen Linyu.

After all, the Wen couple were his long-term clients. He was the one who had helped them steal their son’s fortune.

He glanced at his cowering disciple, cursing his luck. The brat had actually jinxed them.

“You’re the one helping the Wen couple?” Wen Linyu studied the elderly man. His cultivation was quite advanced for this world, nearing Foundation Establishment.

But the demonic energy radiating from him was hard to conceal.

Gu Chi smirked. It had been a while since he encountered a demonic cultivator. Although only at Qi Refinement level, he would be a decent warm-up.

But first, he would defer to Wen Linyu. If his little apprentice wanted to handle this personally, he wouldn’t interfere.

The elderly man, oblivious to the danger, continued to stroke his beard, glancing at Wen Linyu.

How could an ordinary person pose a threat to him? So what if he held a grudge?

He had encountered this before. Ordinary people were always in awe of powers beyond their comprehension. Wen Linyu wouldn’t dare to harm him directly, only seeking to inflict misfortune on his parents.

And he, the intermediary, would simply profit from the situation again.

He waited for Wen Linyu to speak.

“You set up the formation for the Wens? You’re the one responsible for that basement room? And you orchestrated my abandonment as a child?”

The elderly man nodded, a smug look on his face: “Indeed. When your parents brought you to me, I immediately recognized your extraordinary fate. Unfortunately, their first thought was—”

He was still boasting about his skills when Wen Linyu, having received his confirmation, drew his black sword and, without hesitation, severed the tendons in his hands and feet, then crushed his sea of consciousness, obliterating his cultivation.

The elderly man collapsed in a pool of blood, the agonizing pain radiating through his body and soul, still unable to comprehend what had just happened.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!

Where did he get such power? My cultivation! Gone, all gone!

He couldn’t believe it. In a single instant, he had been defeated, effortlessly, like chopping vegetables.

He couldn’t understand. If Wen Linyu had possessed such power, his formations wouldn’t have worked!

Gu Chi was slightly disappointed he hadn’t gotten to participate, but also pleased with his apprentice’s ruthlessness towards his enemy.

It wasn’t over yet. Wen Linyu glanced at the cowering disciple, who immediately feigned death. He tossed him the elderly man’s phone: “Start a live stream confession. Confess everything you and your master have done.”

“Otherwise…”

The disciple didn’t need to hear the rest. He slapped himself. He should have just left yesterday!

Now, with his master’s crimes exposed, he wouldn’t escape punishment!

Wait, doesn’t confessing reduce your sentence? Turning state’s witness should help, right?

His eyes darted around, already planning his next move. The dying elderly man, understanding the nature of his disciple, felt a pang of regret and despair.

As the live stream began, his mouth moved involuntarily, his memories being forcibly replayed, every detail of his crimes revealed.

He felt dizzy and nauseous, as if even he couldn’t stomach his own wickedness.

But no one pitied him.

Wen Linyu glanced at the live stream, then called the police, reporting the master and disciple for running a cult and spreading superstitious beliefs.

He also intended to sue the elderly man for fraud, demanding the return of the money the Wen couple had paid him, money that had been bought with his stolen fortune.

The police arrived quickly, the elderly man still confessing his crimes, the live stream audience growing to tens of thousands.

They cheered as the police arrested him. Although short, the live stream served as a warning, making people wary of those who requested hair or blood samples under various pretexts.

Even if it wasn’t always malicious, it was still unsettling. What if they were truly being targeted? Better safe than sorry.

The incident sparked online discussions about various methods of harming others, raising awareness and serving as a reminder to be cautious.

Wen Linyu didn’t follow up on the case. He and Gu Chi returned home.

Wen Hongbo wasn’t back yet. Wen Cheng looked even worse than that morning, and Wen Xi, who had returned at some point, now resembled her brother, pale and gaunt, their life force seemingly drained.

Wen Linyu glanced at them, then looked away. Wen Xi’s expression was complex.

She didn’t quite believe Wen Linyu’s claims, but reality seemed to support his version of events. Filial piety was expected, but what if their parents’ love and care had been a lie all along? What if she had always been just a tool?

She was confused. She wanted to ask Wen Linyu, but they weren’t close. Asking Wen Cheng was pointless, as he was grappling with the same questions.

Wen Linyu didn’t care about their choices. Back home, he just wanted to relax on the sofa, playing video games with Gu Chi.

Gu Chi, unfamiliar with such games, was clumsy and impatient, cursing at the computer even when playing against bots. Wen Linyu couldn’t stop laughing.

His teacher was truly childish sometimes, his competitive spirit ridiculously strong.

Wen Hongbo still hadn’t returned the next day. In the evening, Wen Cheng, his face pale, informed Wen Linyu that Wen Hongbo had sold all his shares and assets and disappeared.

“He ran away?” Wen Linyu was slightly surprised, but it was a typical cowardly move.

Lin Wanshow’s condition had terrified Wen Hongbo. He had probably tried to contact the master, but to no avail. The master was now featured in news reports. Without his help, he didn’t dare face Wen Linyu.

His only option was to escape.

What a coward.

Wen Linyu had always despised cowardice, but now, facing danger, his own father had abandoned his family and fled with all their money. Truly irresponsible.

But he seemed to have forgotten one thing. The bond of blood. He had used it against Wen Linyu for so long. Now, Wen Linyu would use it to bring him back.