Pulling Together a Villain Reformation Strategy
Chapter 38

Yun Xie stumbled over from the kick, but actually started to smile. He jumped up from the ground and pointed a finger at Jiang Xunyi, before rolling up his sleeves2and rushing over to begin wrestling with Jiang Xunyi.

Neither of the two used spiritual power, but rather exchanged blows without any rules or standards to speak of. They did not have a shred of proper appearances at this moment, instead resembling two scuffling children. Jiang Xunyi ended up pressed down on the ground open to Yun Xies beating, when he heard the footsteps of someone walking towards them. He hurriedly used one hand to obstruct the evilly grinning Yun Xies attempted stranglehold. Upon looking up, he saw it was Feng Qiu coming over once again.

He nimbly flipped Yun Xie onto the ground, and then got up and patted his clothes, calling out with elegant grace: Qiu-shijie.

Yun Xie: . Oof3.

Feng Qiu was about to open her mouth to speak, when she saw Yun Xie getting slammed onto the ground. She quickly rushed over to help him up: Ah-Xie, are you alright?

Jiang Xunyi: .. Oof3.

Yun Xie smoothly blocked her hand. Shooting Jiang Xunyi a glance, he deliberately gave a slight smile, and generously said: Its nothing, at most just a few bruises. Theyll be fine once I go back and massage them,Shijiedoes not need to worry.

Jiang Xunyis eyes silently asked him: Is there any limit to your shamelessness?

Yun Xie did not change expression, his smile as refreshing as the spring breeze.

The two of them were used to horsing around since childhood, actually growing closer with every fight. However, from Feng Qius perspective, their silent eye contact4seemed akin to some surging undercurrent. She therefore bowed her head slightly and picked up the cloak draped on her arm: I came to return these clothes. Ah-Xie, these are yours, right?

Jiang Xunyi watched Yun Xie take them back with a smile, and itched to give him another couple good kicksthat cloak was indeed Yun Xies, sure, but he was clearly the one who gave it to Feng Qiu!

Upon sending the cloak, Feng Qiu left. Yun Xie stood in place, following her with his eyes. Jiang Xunyi took a step forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. He still felt something strange about the situation: I always have this feeling that today Qiu-Shijieis acting odd, as if there is something she wishes to speak with us about. Do you have that feeling too? When you followed her, what did you two talk about?

Yun Xie agreed: I was thinking so too. She didnt say muchthe moment I asked her, she cried, so I came back.

Jiang Xunyi glared at him: Be honest, do you actually like Qiu-Shijie? Literally no one would believe it5based on the way you talk.

Yun Xie absent-mindedly gazed out into the foggy distance: It doesnt seem as if I like her? Then let me ask you if I liked a person, how do you think I would treat him6?

Jiang Xunyis brows furrowed, and he actually considered the matter seriously for a while. In the end, he only let out a sigh: Its hard to imagine. My primary problem is that I cannot even contemplate which type of woman would be able to stand you.

Hearing this, Yun Xies originally reserved face became a little more vivid. He laughed and said: Ah-Xun, by those words are you actually saying that there is no woman worthy of me?

Jiang Xunyi turned right around: Okay, loving to dream big is a good thing. Keep it up, Im going back to sleep first.

Behind his back, the smile on Yun Xies face gradually disappeared. Without saying a word, he watched Jiang Xunyis silhouette fade into the distance. His clothes rippled in the night wind, delineating the outline of his slender figure to add a touch of lonesome frailty.

After bathing, Jiang Xunyi lay down on the bed, feeling as if all the bones in his body were falling apart to the point where they creaked when he moved. He was probably truly too exhaustedthe moment his head touched the pillow, he shut his eyes out of dizziness.

He didnt know how long he slept, as he was continuously disturbed by dreams of numerous bygone events. In the midst of one dream, he suddenly heard some kind of vague rustling sound right by his bed. Given his longstanding training, Jiang Xunyi woke up in an instant, his mind already clear. He vigilantly opened his eyes a tiny fraction while his body still lay motionless, intending to see who exactly this visitor was.

Unable to see the scene outside of his bed, he couldnt see the scene outside the bed. He could only hear the persons light and graceful footsteps. It seemed to be a woman, a woman with excellent footwork ability7. But when the footsteps were around one step away from the bed, they fell silent, as if that person was standing still and sizing him up.

Jiang Xunyis breaths were even and natural, his skill7at faking sleep attaining new peaks of perfection8. His falsely closed eyes spied the dim and hazy outline of a person slowly bending closer to him. He was just secretly sneering in his heart, when suddenly a warm and slippery hand came down to rest on the exposed back of his hand, and immediately afterwards the characteristic soft flesh of a woman actually leaned on his own body.

Out of all the possibilities, he absolutely could never have imagined this!

Jiang Xunyi felt his scalp tingle. Without even thinking, he abruptly sat up and lifted his hand to push the person away. Upon opening his eyes, what entered his vision was a half-naked woman leaning on his bed with one knee on the sheets. And the absolutely most horrifying realization to Jiang Xunyi, was that the woman was actually hisShigu9Wanderer Zihui!

Jiang Xunyi moved to sit on the side of the bed, utterly aghast: You you.

Upon receiving this particularly bad scare, he simply had no idea what would be best to say in this situation. He shut his eyes, trying his best to suppress his emotions, before coldly speaking: What are you doing here? Given how you just casually strolled into my bedroom, if I decided to strike pre-emptively, you would already be dead.

Although Wanderer Zihui was one generation older than him, there was not that large of an age gap between them, and she still maintained the outer appearance of a young woman. Jiang Xunyi had never had a close relationship with her in the first place. Now at this time where he had no idea what this woman was up to, he did not bother speaking with the slightest bit of respect.

Wanderer Zihuis usually chilly and severe face actually turned bashful and coy. She stretched her arm out intending to hold Jiang Xunyis hand, but when he dodged away she could only grasp his sleeve. She did not grow angry, and gently said: Dont you remember that time I once called you a deceitful and wicked bastard, and even took advantage ofShixiongbeing away from the mountain to punish you with lashes from the discipline whip and make you kneel on shards of glass.

. Jiang Xunyi said: So you came bringing a bramble to ask for a flogging10? Then wheres the bramble? He sneered and pulled his sleeve out of her grip: If that is the case, you dont have to say anything, I dont give a damn about that.

As Wanderer Zihui looked at him, her eyes gradually reddened. She suddenly rushed forward to hug Jiang Xunyis waist, one of her hands clutching his wrist in a death grip: Then do you know why I am doing this? Because I could never have imagined that there is such a man in the world as beautiful yet as cold and detached as you! Why?! Why is it that I am clearly the one with higher status and position, but you are not the slightest bit willing to even give me a glance! Why arent you willing to get close to me and curry favor with me like other disciples? Why is it that you look at me so differently, as if I am just a meaningless scrap of waste paper!!

Jiang Xunyi tried to pull her off himself, but unfortunately she was grabbing him too tightly and also wearing too little clothing. Wherever he pushed, he was touching naked skin, to the point where he had no safe place to act. He could only indifferently give his evaluation: That last metaphor isnt bad. So, what exactly are you here to do?

Zihui freed one of her hands, with which she ripped off her last remaining clothing. Her fully naked body11was as glossy as congealed fat12. With soft fragrance and feminine charm, she pounced into Jiang Xunyis arms: Tonight, I came here just to be together with you. I beg you, look at me properly, even if its just one look, even if its just for tonight

Jiang Xunyis expression was cold and harsh, his handsome face appearing like carved white jaded, without the slightest hint of being emotionally moved. What he didnt expect was that in the next moment, Zihui began to sob as she whispered: I really could not bear to part I really couldnt bear it. If you allow me to fulfill my wish this once, I will tell you a secret.

In this single instant, numerous thoughts flashed through Jiang Xunyis mind. Even though he had some general awareness of the major events in Yun Xies life, he could not see his own past and future clearly. Just today, the system had released a task for him that he definitely would not complete. Now within just a few hours, Zihui was saying these kinds of things what exactly was going on? Was she referring to his final fate of having his reputation ruined and getting killed by Yun Xie? But according to reason, at this time he had not touched a single hair of Feng Qiu, so Zihui naturally could not know anything about that future. So what would this the so-called secret be?

While he was caught in this daze, his hands slightly loosened their pushing, so Zihui took advantage of his lapse to lean closer. Her full red lips touched Jiang Xunyis neck, and Jiang Xunyis entire body froze. He had always had a penchant for cleanliness, so upon coming into contact with someone like this, his thoughts were not disturbed nor his passion stirred, but he was instead rather disgusted. He had originally vaguely considered the possibility of selling some charm to trick some truths out of her, but now he found he really couldnt do it.

With no small amount of effort, he pushed Zihui away. With this motion, Zihuis sharp fingernails scratched a red line down Jiang Xunyis wrist.

His wrist lit up with a burning pain, but Jiang Xunyi did not pay any attention to this tiny injury. He looked at Zihuis beautiful body with the coldness of watching a dead animal: I do not wish to use unpleasant words towards a woman. Take your clothes and leave right now.

Given her usual overconfidence in her beauty, Zihui had not expected that even this would be rejected. She was both ashamed and furious, and bit out through clenched teeth: You truly have a heart of stone, actually daring actually daring. Hmph, you dont even want to listen to what I know?

Jiang Xunyi was too lazy to even talk. He turned his head away and impatiently waved his hand.

Zihuis face flushed completely red. Unable to endure any more of the invisible humiliation brought on by this irreverent attitude, she clutched her clothes, threw them over herself, and strode out.

Jiang Xunyi only turned his head back after she had left. He carefully examined the ground of the room, and found no abnormalities. Lost in thought, he had the vague feeling there were changing and treacherous dark tides behind the scenes, as if something was about to happen, but he was unable to replace even the slightest whiff of a clue. After sitting alone for a while, he leaned backwards and lay back down on the bed, but did not feel any trace of sleepiness.

This night was truly a time of troubles13as he restlessly tossed and turned in bed for a while, the system similarly showed no signs of slowing down: [Task released: Please immediately complete the plotline Rape Feng Qiu, without delay, without delay, without delay]

It actually knew the principle of Important things must be said three times14. Jiang Xunyis vexation gave him vigor, and he grew enraged: Do you have any humanity at all? Even Foxconn15doesnt exploit their employees this much! Right now I am Absolutely. Not. Interested! You heard that? Im not doing it! Not doing it! Not. Doing. It!!!!!!

With those last few words, he roared louder and louder. Thankfully he had always liked peace and quiet so there were no guards posted at his door, and no one was alarmed his voice. The system seemed to have been frightened by his fierce resistance and became completely silent.

Jiang Xunyi angrily turned over, furiously despising this bullying system that only picked on the weak16. In his irritation, he wrapped himself up with the blanket. After gaining the boundary of this quilt wrapping, his body probably felt physical safety, so this time he very quickly fell into a dreamless sleep.

Authors Comments: Young master Jiang, do you still remember that the cloak was draped over you by little Yun in the first place?

Footnotes:

1.The original Chinese title references how the word (which usually means color but in this context refers to lust and other licentious activities) is partially composed of the character [knife]. I just did some artistic translation.

2. lit. Rub ones fists and wipe ones palms

3.The original phrase is lit. A stuffy feeling in ones heart. This was too hard to translate directly so I tried to convey the feeling instead.

4. lit. Eyebrows come, eyes go isnt always flirtatious, but this phrase is often used to describe two lovers making goo-goo eyes at each other

5. lit. Even ghosts would not believe it

6.Important note: in Chinese, he/she/it are all pronounced the same way, so Jiang Xunyi would not be able to tell what gender Yun Xie is referring to.

7.You might know better as Kung Fu, but it often refers to martial skills in general. Here I chose to translate these separately based on the context.

8. lit. the stove fire glowing turquoise is a reference to Daoist alchemy concocting pills of immortality. The phrase basically means that this person is a master of their craft.

9. lit. Disciple-aunt, referring to a woman who is in the same generation as (and younger than) Jiang XunyisShifu

10. refers to someone offering a humble apology and asking to be punished. The original phrase conjures up the image of someone bringing up a thorny birch and requesting to be flogged with it.

11.Fun fact: is also used to refer to a slaughtered animals carcass lol

12.Fun fact #2: can be viewed in a positive light as in a woman having soft/smooth/glossy skin, but the literal words used do not conjure up a particularly nice image, so guess what I used lol

13. lit. an eventful autumn

14.Im pretty sure is a Chinese Internet meme/slang.

15. or Foxconn is a Taiwanese company infamous for overworking its employees. You may have heard of the Foxconn Suicides in 2010.

16. lit. Bully the weak/soft and fear the strong/tough