Yama Reborn-Chapter 400 - 397 [It’s the Villain]

Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety-Seven [He’s the Villain]

So, is it about harvesting?

Although the thought sent a shock through Chen Nuo’s heart, he quickly dismissed the idea.

If... it was Lu Xixi who was to be harvested by a certain Seed...

Then, those who came to capture her wouldn’t be those minor ability users from CYLX.

Why didn’t the Seed who chose Lu Xixi come in person?

If a Seed had come—though Chen Nuo had never fought that particular Seed—compared to Seed’s strength during the tropical rainforest period, how could Little Candy, just by hopping up and down, possibly help Lu Xixi and her daughter escape?

Even in the Relic World of the Brazilian tropical rainforest, Seed could take on three at once!

He beat three Controllers half to death. If it weren’t for Chen Nuo’s teleportation ability, they would probably have been annihilated inside.

This newly emerged Seed... forget being as powerful as Seed; even if they possessed half of Seed’s strength...

No, even with only one-tenth, dealing with someone like Little Candy wouldn’t require lifting a finger. A mere glare could shatter Little Candy’s Consciousness Space.

Escape?

With what would they escape? With their heads?

Steam bubbled from the pot, its fragrance enticing.

Bai Jing, holding a wooden spoon, stirred the pot a few times. She then scooped a little of the soup to taste it. Satisfied, she nodded and turned off the stove.

"Fish broth. I made it with tomatoes and onions. I think it tastes quite good," Bai Jing said, turning around and smiling at the person behind her.

Sunlight streamed into the dining room from the window, casting its glow on both of them.

Bai Jing’s previously excessively aged face had now miraculously regained its youth.

If before Bai Jing had looked like a woman in her fifties or sixties, even beginning to show age spots on her face, now, Bai Jing appeared to be no more than about forty years old.

Though there were still noticeable wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, the skin on her cheeks was slightly slack, and the collagen in her face was quickly dissipating, her complexion looked much, much better than before.

Especially the hair on her head, which had become denser than before, with just a few remaining white streaks at the temples.

Walking into the dining room and looking at the person sitting at the dining table, Bai Jing’s face no longer held the cold expression of "Elder Bai Jing." Instead, her squinted eyes revealed an unabashed tenderness.

Gently removing her apron, Bai Jing pulled out a chair and sat opposite this person.

"What are you looking at?"

"Reading the news."

The person in front put the newspaper down, finally revealing his face.

A square face, distinct features, and on the exposed skin of his neck, the tree-like traces of electric shocks!

This person was unmistakably the Electric General!

Bai Jing looked at the Electric General, her face showing tenderness, her eyes radiating an affection that was altogether not the demeanor one should have towards one’s "adopted son."

She even reached out gently, grasped the Electric General’s hand, raised it to her own face, and whispered, "Look at me. Do I look a little younger today?"

"Mhm..."

"Today, while looking in the mirror, I noticed there were a few fewer spots on my face."

"Mhm."

The Electric General casually folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. His gaze focused on Bai Jing’s face as he let her hold his hand against her cheek. Then he smiled slightly. "Yes, you’re right. You do look a little younger."

"I estimate it will take a little more time to return to a younger state," whispered Bai Jing.

"Mhm, no worries, we can wait." The Electric General smiled and then casually pointed to the newspaper beside him. "It seems like that youngster from your organization has been making quite a fuss lately."

The headline in the news was a sports story: a mysterious financial group had offered to buy a major European football club, setting a price that was simply too good to refuse. The article detailed how UEFA was strongly opposed and had decided to block this action. This was because, in the past year, this mysterious financial group had already purchased three major club teams. If they were allowed to continue like this, the Champions League, this grand battle among powerhouses, would become their internal annual meeting...

Bai Jing was indifferent, shaking her head. "I have stopped caring about these things."

After pausing, she whispered, "I’ve retired, after all."

The Electric General thought for a moment. "The Elders’ Council of your organization must have been completely subdued by your Boss’s recent display of power. Those who didn’t obey are probably all dead by now. Given the situation, have you considered making a comeback?"

A comeback? Bai Jing frowned and pondered.

"The Antarctica affair was something you pushed through single-handedly. Frankly, even without mentioning any accolades, your loyalty must have been noted by that big octopus. Now that there’s internal unrest, they’ve propped up that young fellow as a tool to display strength. I think he’d want to call you back too. When it comes to rewarding meritorious service, you should get your share."

Bai Jing thought about it but shook her head. "I no longer care."

She gazed at the Electric General with deepening eyes and whispered, "You know, ever since you woke up... I’ve stopped caring about all these things I used to care about so much! Your loyalty to the Boss was always for a reward—whether it was him granting me Life Force or helping to awaken you... There’s no such thing as loyalty without reason in this world. Now, you have woken up, and I no longer need any loyalty rewards. Rather than slaving away for the Boss, cleaning up the mess in the Elders’ Council, I’d rather spend leisurely days here with you."

The Electric General gave a steady smile. "How many times has he looked for you?"

Bai Jing hesitated for a moment. "...Three times."

After a pause, Bai Jing sighed. "The most recent time was a few days ago when you went to the European continent. Someone from the Company came to see me. You know him—the fence-sitter from the Elders’ Council, who has now become the Boss’s top loyal hound again. He came to see me once, telling me that if I wished, I could return at any time. The position they offered me was the highest Chancellor of the Elders’ Council."

The Electric General laughed. "The highest Chancellor? Does your Boss think he’s a president or an emperor? What a boring game..."

"I don’t know. The position is newly created. That fence-sitter told me this position is equivalent to the chief elder in the Elders’ Council, with the power to veto any decision made by the Council."

The Electric General laughed even more heartily. "Second only to one, but above tens of thousands, eh? Interesting... So, did they tell you if this Chancellor would have more power than the currently favored young fellow?"

Bai Jing was dismissive. "That young fellow is just a tool the Boss picked. He’ll be discarded after he’s served his purpose. Moreover, that young fellow has pledged loyalty to me before. If I were willing to be this Chancellor, he absolutely wouldn’t dare show any disrespect in my presence—I still have some leverage over him. He once... belonged to your Noah’s Ark."

The Electric General fell silent for a moment, then mused, "So, what are you saying?"

"I refused," Bai Jing sighed. "In fact, I think I understand now. The Boss’s muscle-flexing game should be nearing its end.

"Nolan... or the young fellow you mentioned, his usefulness is probably almost over. This past year, the Boss has killed four disobedient elders. His methods were decisive and ruthless, leaving no loose ends. He acts to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, leaving no hidden dangers. Any elder judged to have loyalty problems was executed, along with their core subordinates and immediate family. Not one was spared.

"I’ve only seen such bloody methods once, when I was young. After this, the Company should be stable for several decades. At this stage, after such brutal, decisive action, that little tool is no longer of much use.

"I suspect the Boss wants me to return as Chancellor of the Elders’ Council because he hopes that I, a veteran of the organization whom he considers loyal and reliable, will step forward and help restore the Company’s normal operations."

At this point, Bai Jing looked at the Electric General and suddenly frowned. "What are you thinking?"

"I’m thinking that you actually could accept it."

"No!" Bai Jing’s expression changed. "I’ve already told you, since you woke up, I have no other obsessions. I just want to live the most peaceful days with you. And... you promised me! I will not return to the Company. And you will *never* contact anyone from Noah’s Ark again! We will cut off all these troubles completely and live detached from this world! You promised me... Corot!!!!!"

Corot!

Bai Jing, addressing the Electric General, had surprisingly called out such a name.

If Chen Nuo were here at this moment and heard this name and address, he would be extremely shocked.

"Alright." The Electric General... Corot... smiled and nodded. "Actually, I was just curious."

Bai Jing looked at him deeply and slowly said, "Then there’s one more thing. This trip you made to Europe—what exactly were you doing there? I heard from your subordinates that you sent people to hunt down that young girl, the Star Sky Empress?"

"It’s nothing, just a bit of curiosity. I wanted to see what she really looked like."

Bai Jing immediately became alert. She squinted at the Electric General for a moment, then said coldly, "Curious? What about her piques your curiosity?"

"She’s likely the foremost individual of the younger generation. Isn’t that enough to make me curious?" The Electric General laughed.

"Yes, she is indeed very strong, and her talent is top-tier." Bai Jing said this, then suddenly frowned. "No, that’s not right! I remember you not being this curious in the past."

The Electric General sighed. "Then what do you suppose it is?"

"The previous owner of this body you inhabit, he once liked her! You... you wouldn’t be having any ulterior motives, would you?"

"You’re overthinking it." The Electric General laughed. Then, looking at Bai Jing’s expression, he hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Alright, I’ll tell you the truth. Many years ago, I met her once. Now, I just want to see what this young one has become after all this time. That’s all."

Bai Jing nodded, but then suddenly realized something was off!

She looked at the Electric General with a puzzled face. "You’ve met her?"

"Yeah, many years ago."

"That’s not right!" Bai Jing immediately pointed out. "You’ve been asleep for over thirty years, Corot! And this Star Sky Empress—I investigated her background when I was an elder in the Company—she should only be in her twenties. How could you have possibly met her!!"

The Electric General’s expression remained unchanged, but he gently shook his head. "In her twenties, you say... Ha! Who told you... Her age is much older than you think."

"You better not be lying to me, Corot!"

"Corot! It’s time for lunch."

Fox tapped on the cage with a stick, then placed a bowl of food in the feeding tray beneath it.

"Stewed beans for lunch! It’s really tasty, make sure you finish it all!"

Little Fox looked at the pig shivering in the cage, her face full of anticipation. "Come on, eat up! Eat it all! It’s really tasty!"

Not far away, a sigh was heard.

Seed sat on the steps in front of the house, sighed, and then started laughing.

"What are you laughing at!" Fox turned her head, glaring fiercely at Seed.

"Firstly, this stewed beans dish is the result of your first attempt at cooking today. Your mother spat it all out after one bite. I was bribed with a piece of chocolate to barely swallow two mouthfuls. And yet, you’re trying to trick this poor pig by saying it’s delicious?"

Fox felt a bit guilty but still snorted with an air of defiance.

"...As for the second point: you’re talking to a pig. You’re even trying to lie to a pig. Do you think pigs understand human language? Do you think it will talk back to you?"

Fox’s pretty face instantly turned red. "I..."

"Right, if your pig really could talk, what would you do with it?"

Fox’s eyes widened. "What do you mean, what would I do?"

"Would you chat with it? Share your secrets with it, be friends with it, feed it delicious food... stuff like that?"

Fox looked at Seed with an absurd expression, watched him for several seconds, then suddenly exclaimed, "Are you stupid?!"

"I’m stupid?"

"Yes! If my pig could talk, do you think I’d care about what you’ve mentioned? If I had a pig that could talk, I’d be filthy rich!!!"

"An animal that can talk!"

Seed paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "You’re right."

"Alright, Corot, time to eat!" Fox turned back to the pig in the cage and urged it, gently tapping the cage with a stick in hand.

Then, the girl couldn’t help but turn back to Seed and complain, "The name Corot is so ugly! Why would you give such a name to this pig?"

"What’s the problem?"

"It sounds bad! I want to change its name." Fox said excitedly, smiling. "Like... Susanna, how about that? That sounds so nice!"

Seed sighed. "Not good."

"Why not?"

"Three reasons," Seed said with a smile. "First, I know Susanna is the name of the cheerleader you detest most at your school. Are you giving the pig this name because you think it’s cute, or is it for revenge? Second... Susanna is too feminine. Have you noticed that the pig we’re raising is male?"

Fox, her thoughts exposed, asked helplessly, "...And the third?"

"The name Corot is good because that’s the pig’s name. It’s the name he told me himself."

"You’re lying!" Fox shook her head. "Although you’re amazing, I don’t believe you can talk to pigs."

"There are many things I can do that you have no idea about," Seed said with a smile. He then gestured to a bird perching on a nearby tree branch, pretended to listen intently, then nodded and chuckled. "Now, I’ll tell you: your mother will be back soon, and she’ll be furious. She just visited your school, and your teacher told her about you skipping classes recently."

Fox was taken aback. "This... all this information is from that bird?!"

Seed looked at the little girl before him, laughed deliberately for a moment, then sighed. "You really are a bit silly."

...???

"Of course not. While you were changing earlier, your mother called. She told me to keep an eye on you and not let you go out, saying she’s going to give you a good talking-to when she gets back."

Fox let out a yelp, dashed into the room, and within a minute, ran out again with a coat in hand and quickly took off, leaving a message behind, "I’m going to hide at a classmate’s house! When my mother comes back, tell her I’ve gone to a study group!"

Watching Fox flee in a panic, Seed stood with a smile, watching the girl’s retreating figure.

Then, he slowly walked up to the pig’s cage and took away the bowl of stewed beans.

Standing up, arms folded, he looked at the pig inside and sighed. "Don’t thank me... You were once a powerful human, after all. It feels a bit wrong to torture you with such garbage. You agree, don’t you, Mr. Corot?"

The pig, crouched in the corner of the cage, looked up at Seed. Then, slowly, it uttered, "How... how exactly can I get you to let me leave?"

Seed’s eyes widened as he looked at Corot.

Then, he suddenly laughed. "What on earth makes you think I might let you leave? Mr. Corot, have you forgotten? Although we bear no grudges, I am a Seed! Isn’t Noah’s Ark’s whole purpose to eliminate Seeds and Mothers? I’m on your opposing side."

As he spoke, Seed continued with a laugh, "From your human standpoint... I am the villain."

[The last important meeting of 2021 is starting, and these days packed with meetings are almost over.

The final meeting is to attend the conference of literary and art delegates in Beijing, which occurs once every five years.

Yes, this meeting will last for four to five days and will be held in the Great Hall of the People—yes, *that* Great Hall. And there’ll be a chance to see the Big Leader—yes, *that* Big Leader.

So, it’s particularly strict. I’ve already done two nucleic acid tests, and there are two more to go.

Updates will resume gradually after that.

To everyone who has been waiting for updates recently, it’s been tough, and I truly appreciate your patience!

Here, BANG! BANG! BANG! I offer my sincerest apologies!]