The improved female villains regained their memories.

"It's not finished yet."

"Then I want one too."

Yang Pingsheng hesitated before offering it, but the latter quickly snatched it and held it in his arms.

"Thank you, Grand Tutor!"

She stepped back, as if afraid that Yang Pingsheng would change his mind, and thanked him loudly.

Her clear eyes shone brightly, her arched eyebrows were raised, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fair and flawless skin had a faint rosy glow, making her smile the most precious thing in the world.

Yang Pingsheng looked at her and patted her head.

Late at night, with the full moon high in the sky and lights shining in every home, Yang Pingsheng walked alone into the town.

There were few people tonight. Following the system's instructions, he turned several corners and eventually disappeared from sight, leaving only a few lanterns lit sporadically.

"You seem to be wavering again." At this moment, the system's voice suddenly rang out.

The female villain of World Three—you can't see a trace of evil in her. The girl is mischievous and wild, but in other words, that's exactly the innocence and naivety that someone her age should have. She has neither Wen Shihan's ruthlessness nor Luo Benmo's innate evil.

At the same age, Wen Shihan was focused on climbing the social ladder, Luo Benmo became the king of villains, but Xu Anlu only wanted to practice boxing and play.

Is she considered a female villain?

What is there about her that should be feared?

Yang Pingsheng didn't speak; he remained silent.

He knew that there was another soul inside Xu Anlu's body, and that was the source of evil, the fundamental definition given to her by the Heavenly Dao.

He hasn't yet come into contact with that soul, so he can't easily draw any conclusions.

"I did not waver."

After a long pause, he answered.

The system suddenly felt a little lost. It didn't know what it was lost about, but it just felt lost. This strange feeling didn't bother it for long. It quickly shook it off and said, "Keep going. There's a shop not far ahead. Stay there for the night."

"it is good."

Under the dim light, Yang Pingsheng readily agreed and walked there.

This is just an ordinary guesthouse, nothing special. Perhaps because it's located in a remote area, there aren't many people there.

Yang Pingsheng pushed open the door and walked to the counter. The candles on the counter flickered, and the shopkeeper, who was working on an abacus, slowly looked up when he sensed someone entering.

He shuddered when he saw who it was.

"Grand Tutor, what brings you here?"

He quickly waved his hand: "Quickly, prepare a seat for the Grand Tutor."

Immediately, someone appeared out of nowhere and helped Yang Pingsheng to sit down. Candles were lit one by one, illuminating the originally dim inn brightly, and fragrant tea was placed on the table, right next to Yang Pingsheng.

He remained silent, accepting everything with equanimity. But when he looked up, he noticed a red figure flitting past the window.

Someone is following him.

That person is outside now, eavesdropping on what's happening here.

Chapter Sixty-Two: His and Her Bond

She's most likely a female villain.

That makes sense. The system never lets him do anything unnecessary, so it's not surprising that he managed to attract the female villain.

"This is a force you've cultivated in Yong'an City," the system's voice rang out. "It's responsible for gathering information about the court and the public on a regular basis, and in crucial moments, it can also eliminate one or two not-so-big figures."

Only then did the system begin to explain to Yang Pingsheng his power in the Great Yan Dynasty and his influence in the court and among the people.

"Your two disciples, Xiaohua and Xiaozhu, both have backgrounds in the immortal realm. They are secret agents that the immortal sects plan to infiltrate the Great Yan Dynasty. You initially worked for the Great Yan Emperor, but later, unable to resist the temptation of cultivating immortality, you betrayed the Emperor and made a deal with the immortal sects."

"It could be said that you were partly responsible for the death of the Great Yan Emperor."

"The immortal sect behind the Great Yan Dynasty is the [Wentian Sect]. Several emperors have had anti-immortal thoughts, which has long been a source of discontent for the sect. However, they need representatives from the mortal realm, and since the emperors are disobedient, they need to choose someone who is obedient."

"The immortal sects are not monolithic; they have split into two factions. One faction, represented by the sect leader, has chosen to support Gu Zi'ang, who is the male protagonist. The other faction, represented by the vice sect leader, has chosen to support you."

"In other words, you not only have to help them nurture the two chess pieces, Xiaohua and Xiaozhu, but also do some things that the immortals can't do by coming down here."

The traitor was myself.

However, Yang Pingsheng didn't react much and just nodded silently.

He had no interest in the dynasty, the country, or the conflict between immortals and royalty; he only wanted to finish his mission as soon as possible and leave quietly in ten years.

The system was satisfied with Yang Pingsheng's attitude, so it continued, "Scan through the recent intelligence to get an understanding of the current situation of the Great Yan Dynasty, and then have them prepare some weapons and send them to you."

Yang Pingsheng was puzzled, but before he could ask, the system explained: "It's prepared for the female villain."

Understood.

"Give me the latest intelligence."

"Yes, Grand Tutor, please wait a moment."

Stacks of bamboo slips were presented, each bearing portraits and text depicting scenes from the lives of various officials in the court, accompanied by explanatory text.

"Grand Tutor, those people the Immortal said he wanted to kill are all here." The shopkeeper approached, bowing obsequiously, and said, "Do you think they are...?"

The system announced: "Rejected."

"Wait here." Yang Pingsheng slammed the slam shut and stood up. "No one is allowed to move without my order."

"Yes, Grand Tutor."

"Also, prepare some weapons, such as sticks, knives, swords, and guns, preferably ones suitable for children to practice with."

"Yes."

When I looked up, the figure had already disappeared.

The night in Yong'an City grew deeper, the air was cool, and the stars in the sky were half-hidden by thin clouds, like shy maidens, inspiring endless reverie.

That concludes tonight's plan; at least the part about entering the city is done. Yang Pingsheng bid farewell to the innkeeper in the cold wind and left Yong'an City.

The journey back was eerily quiet; the sounds of the wind and cicadas seemed to have vanished, leaving only the occasional mournful cry of a bird in the empty, cool air, a final struggle for survival. The emerald green was hidden in the darkness, the once vibrant spirits transformed into menacing monsters, bathed in the dead light of the moon.

Everything the system told him tonight left him feeling nothing, only a little disgusted. For some reason, Xu Anlu's innocent smile kept echoing in his mind, a smile that was slowly being eroded in a naked desolation.

Politics is a dirty game, and only the dirtiest people can win.

People like Xu Anlu are destined to be tormented to death.

Yang Pingsheng wondered what that other soul was like.

"system."

"Ok?"

Is she still following along?

"You left a long time ago, didn't you notice? If you hadn't noticed, would you have dared to call me directly?"

The ball of light overflowed from Yang Pingsheng's chest and flew in front of him, like a large swarm of fireflies, illuminating his path in the darkness.

"You seem rather downcast. Is it because of the background I told you tonight? Well, it is indeed a bit complicated. Don't overthink it. Just take it one step at a time. The politics of the Great Yan Dynasty have nothing to do with us."

As the system spoke, it slowed its floating speed a bit and stood shoulder to shoulder with Yang Pingsheng: "You don't need to be so conflicted, but I still want to give you another piece of advice: don't invest too much emotion."

Don't get too emotionally involved.

Yang Pingsheng sighed; how could he dare to invest too much emotion?

He had tried his best to control his emotions, but when Xu Anlu excitedly called out "Grand Tutor" and ran towards him, his heart couldn't help but flutter a few times.

Moreover, she said, "Grand Tutor, I like you."

Of course, that's not true liking.

Yang Pingsheng really wanted to explain to Xu Anlu, but he just couldn't bring himself to say it.

That's it.

Let's talk about it later.

As the mountain mist rose, a new day dawned amidst the light and fog. Yang Pingsheng, who had returned home late at night, changed his clothes and stood in the courtyard, instructing Xiaozhu and Xiaohua on their morning exercises.

Xu Anlu got up early and went out into the mountains to harm small animals again.

When Xiaohua and Xiaozhu finished their morning practice and were about to have breakfast, Xu Anlu returned.

"Grand Tutor".

She was soaked to the bone, her hair stuck to her forehead, and she was holding a rabbit in her arms.

Yang Pingsheng looked closely and recognized it as the one that had escaped yesterday.

Its hind leg seemed to be injured and bleeding. It was shivering in Xu Anlu's arms, whether from hunger or fear, it was hard to tell.

"It's injured, Grand Tutor." Xu Anlu looked at him pitifully. "Can I keep it and take care of it for a while?"

"can."

"Great!"

Xu Anlu happily hugged the rabbit and rushed into the house. Yang Pingsheng called out, "Eat breakfast first," but she didn't hear him.

As active as ever.

Today is the last lesson of Sun Tzu's Art of War. Yang Pingsheng coughed lightly, just about to begin, when the system's voice sounded:

"Let's stop here and talk about the etiquette of the Great Yan Dynasty."

The words he was trying to come up with were stuck in his throat. When he looked out the window, he saw that familiar figure and the ahoge (cowlick) again, and he immediately understood what the system meant.

Yang Pingsheng said, "Let's not talk about military strategy, let's talk about etiquette."

The little bamboo shoot, which was about to fall asleep, immediately perked up, and even the little flower was roused.

They looked at each other and could see joy in each other's eyes.

It's been over a month, and we're finally getting back to the main topic.

Xu Anyin stood outside the window, somewhat dazed.