After Ten Years as a Villain, I Returned 3

Chapter 3

“Now, do as I say,” Gu Chi instructed Wen Linyu. “If you can’t manage your expressions, turn around.”

“Take him away. Standard procedure.”

Wen Linyu followed each instruction, not looking at anyone. This time, he spoke his lines fluently, finally accomplishing something correctly. He couldn’t help but smile.

Hearing his words and the soft laughter, those behind him exchanged knowing glances. It was the same unpredictable, and perhaps even more twisted, boss. At least before, he wouldn’t toy with the emotions of the dying.

But now…

Everyone watched with pity as the traitor’s face drained of color, the elation in his eyes replaced by despair. Giving him a sliver of hope, then plunging him into hell. Cruel, so cruel.

With the matter settled, everyone left the room. It was dinner time, but since Gu Chi wasn’t an ordinary person and didn’t require food, the butler hadn’t made any arrangements without instructions.

This, too, was unusual for Wen Linyu, but his body felt no hunger, so not eating seemed fine.

It was still early, and back in his room, he wasn’t sure what to do.

Gu Chi watched him open the computer, seemingly intending to continue studying the course material. He found it both foolish and strangely endearing: “Shouldn’t you find out what the original owner of this body usually does at this time?”

Wen Linyu hesitated: “That’s someone else’s privacy, I…”

Gu Chi laughed: “Someone else? Have you forgotten who you are now? You’re supposed to be playing him. How can you act the part without understanding him?”

Such a rigid mind, unable to adapt. He hadn’t encountered anyone more “by-the-book” than Wen Linyu in centuries.

The teacher’s words left Wen Linyu speechless. Indeed, how could he portray Gu Chi without understanding him? Relying solely on the system’s scant information and guesswork?

Gu Chi made the decision: “Cultivate. Your performance today was pathetic. You were almost taken out by a mere Golden Core cultivator.”

Wen Linyu could only repeat: “I don’t know how…” Shame washed over him as he spoke. He was truly useless, knowing nothing.

Gu Chi scoffed: “Then learn. Do you plan to forever use ignorance as an excuse for incompetence?”

Wen Linyu pressed his lips together, lowering his head further.

Gu Chi narrowed his eyes, watching as Wen Linyu, after a moment of silence, opened the computer again. He sneered.

Boring. He thought he had found something interesting, but it turned out to be a pure waste of time, a spineless coward who only knew how to avoid challenges. Just as Gu Chi raised his hand in disgust, ready to get rid of this eyesore, a gentle female voice came from the computer.

“Cultivation for Beginners, Lesson One: Students, let’s first understand what spiritual energy is…”

It was a highly popular online introductory cultivation course, receiving rave reviews.

Gu Chi’s expression softened. He reached out and pinched the trembling yellow chick, which had narrowly avoided being obliterated along with Wen Linyu. 998 didn’t dare move, fluffing its feathers to the maximum, hoping to appease the Demon Lord and save its life.

Wen Linyu felt the teacher in the video was right. If he didn’t know, he would learn. Unlike his own world, he now had the opportunity. His habitual “I don’t know how” wouldn’t benefit him in his current situation.

Unaware of how close he had come to being erased, he listened attentively to the online lesson.

There were numerous introductory cultivation courses online, as well as all sorts of bizarre live streams. Since he knew nothing, he would start with the basics.

This body was truly exceptional. After studying all night, Wen Linyu felt no fatigue, only increasing energy. He envied it greatly.

Glancing at the time, it was already 6 am. Wen Linyu meditated briefly to clear his mind, then energetically prepared himself. He had several classes today. Even if he couldn’t understand them yet, he would record everything. When he reached that stage of learning, he would know what to do.

Gu Chi, a highly cultivated individual, had long since achieved a pure, unblemished body, but Wen Linyu was still accustomed to washing up every morning and evening. However, in the bathroom, he still couldn’t bring himself to look in the mirror.

Gu Chi noticed this small action, curious: “Why don’t you look in the mirror? Is he that ugly?”

Wen Linyu shook his head: “No, he’s not ugly. It’s just, just…”

The Demon Lord Gu Chi was not only not ugly, but extremely handsome. He had a face like a game character model, sharp features and a strong jawline.

“Just what?” Gu Chi asked.

Wen Linyu mumbled: “Too fierce, I’m afraid to look.”

“…” Gu Chi was amused. He was fierce? “Look! You must look. You’re playing a villain, how can you be afraid of your own reflection?”

“Teacher, I…” Wen Linyu couldn’t argue. He had to admit the teacher was right, but, “I’m scared.”

Gu Chi snorted: “Scared or not, look. Keep looking until you’re completely used to this face.”

Thus, Wen Linyu was forced to face himself in the mirror for a full minute. Yes, a minute was his limit. Gu Chi’s appearance was too different from his own. Looking at the person in the mirror felt like Gu Chi was looking back at him.

He rarely made eye contact for so long. A minute was enough to make him tremble uncontrollably, the blood draining from his face.

Gu Chi frowned. This little weakling had quite a few issues.

998 weakly interjected: “Looks like some kind of PTSD, a psychological problem.”

Seeing the Demon Lord fall silent, 998 breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was just displeasure, not the level of disgust that warranted their obliteration.

Wen Linyu emerged from the bathroom, calming himself. Hearing no reprimand from his teacher, he relaxed. The butler didn’t prepare breakfast directly, but inquired about Wen Linyu’s preferences. After some hesitation, Wen Linyu declined.

Gu Chi observed all of this. When Wen Linyu got into the car, he asked: “You were an ordinary person before, without the ability to abstain from food. Don’t you want to eat?”

Wen Linyu blushed slightly: “I do.”

Gu Chi: “Then why didn’t you say so?”

Wen Linyu murmured: “It’s too much trouble…”

Gu Chi couldn’t understand: “You’d rather suffer yourself than trouble others? It’s his duty. Why do you consider it troublesome? You prioritize everyone else, where do you place yourself?”

Wen Linyu opened his mouth, unable to speak.

“Truly foolish, without even a sense of self.” Gu Chi said with disdain, “You’re not even as good as a puppet.”

Was he being scolded? Wen Linyu’s first reaction wasn’t anger, but guilt. Had he failed again? The teacher remained silent for the rest of the ride to school. Was he disappointed?

Uneasy, Wen Linyu once again faced the hundred steps leading to the teaching building, choosing to climb them.

Gu Chi, seeing his drooping posture, frowned: “While climbing the stairs, you can practice the basic cultivation technique you learned last night.”

His voice seemed to revitalize even Wen Linyu’s hair, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he obediently replied: “Okay, Teacher.”

Gu Chi paused, a strange, unfamiliar sense of accomplishment washing over him. Not bad, somewhat interesting.

His mood improved, and he resumed the conversation: “Yesterday, you didn’t take the cloud escalator because you didn’t want to spend his money?”

Wen Linyu practiced the cultivation technique as he climbed, replying: “Yes. I…”

He wanted to say he was afraid of troubling Gu Chi, but that would likely earn him another scolding.

Even unspoken, Gu Chi understood, scoffing: “You think not spending his money isn’t troubling him? You’re occupying his body, shouldn’t you strive to do everything to the best of his ability? That’s what truly avoids trouble.”

“Not spending money? Heh, what childish thinking. You think frugality is a good thing for him? No, others will only think the mighty Demon Lord is so poor he can’t even afford the cloud escalator or a meal.”

Wen Linyu was stunned. Indeed, he was acting according to his own mindset, not Gu Chi’s. His attempts to avoid causing trouble weren’t based on Gu Chi’s perspective at all.

Wen Linyu felt like he was close to grasping something, something that had been holding him back.

Upon entering the classroom, he saw Xin Ge and the others, who had arrived even earlier. They trembled at the sight of him.

Still, they dared to greet him, repeatedly assuring him that they wouldn’t breathe a word about yesterday’s incident.

And deeply repenting for their arrogant behavior that morning.

Wen Linyu, uncomfortable, simply replied: “It’s okay.”

Xin Ge’s smile at his gentle words was more strained than a sob. Truly twisted, so ferocious yet pretending to be soft. But they dared not complain, bowing and scraping before scurrying to the front row.

They wouldn’t dare sit in the back again for the rest of their lives!

“Hmph,” Gu Chi snorted, asking, “Why do you think they followed you yesterday?”

“…” The answer immediately surfaced in Wen Linyu’s mind. “Because I’m easy to bully.”

“Correct. You’re easy to bully. So anyone can step on you. Need I say more?”

“No, you don’t.” A bucket of cold water had been poured over Wen Linyu, waking him up.

He finally realized that escaping one world for another wouldn’t guarantee his survival, nor could he expect to encounter only good people.

He was still himself, still weak and incompetent. Even as Gu Chi, a powerful figure in this world, he was still a target.

He couldn’t change, couldn’t escape his cage. Even in a different world, he would still live as he had before.

Understanding this, Wen Linyu’s eyes reddened. He said earnestly: “Teacher, thank you. I understand what I need to do!”

This was the first person to teach him self-preservation, the first willing to guide him. He was truly grateful.