Chapter 243: The spider had learned to capture only the pests (End of Arc)

Qiyun Tower, a renowned red-light establishment in Zhuzhou City, thrived in nightly songs and dances without pause.

Yet, during the daytime, it became exceptionally quiet, with even the sound of maids walking along the corridors almost inaudible.

This place was where the demon-spider Silk Nest had been born, and it later became his lair for many years.

From the moment he awakened his abilities at the age of twelve, he instinctively knew how to wield them.

He had moved from that damp, dark basement into the highest pavilion of Qiyun Tower.

Those who once trampled on him now crawled at his feet.

As his web extended over Zhuzhou City and beyond, his spies and puppets infiltrated every region. Those families, and even the Exorcism Bureau, whether willingly or reluctantly, had to grovel before him, a demon.

He never understood the sentiments of familial love, the bonds of friendship, or the affection of lovers.

A spider only weaves its web relentlessly, lying in wait for prey to come.

To him, the world was nothing more than a vast hunting ground.

On the loft of Qiyun Tower, a pale, slender figure leaned against silk brocade spun from spider threads. His enchanting face revealed a pair of pitch-black eyes that slowly opened.

Beyond a screen nearby, a shadow of someone groveling outside could be seen.

The shadow spoke endlessly, “Lord Silk Nest, those despicable individuals who always opposed you are finally dead…”

When was this?

Yu Yin scanned the familiar high pavilion of Qiyun Tower, searching his memories for this scene.

This was after Mu Yi and his group had tried to kill him but were ultimately defeated by his forces and completely annihilated.

Yu Yin lowered his head to look at his own hands. His skin was pale, and while his body appeared that of an adult, it remained as fragile as it had been when he was twelve.

The tightly shut door suddenly opened without a sound. He rose to his feet, circled past the screen, and emerged. The man behind the screen, unprepared for his appearance, recoiled in fear and dropped to his knees.

It was daytime outside, yet there was no sun. The sky was overcast, and a foul-smelling wind from the river of murky waters blew in this direction.

There was also a stench of blood wafting from the base of the tower.

The blood came from Mu Yi’s corpse. He had been a young man of striking looks and upright demeanor, but no matter how handsome one was, a dead body appeared ghastly. Especially his—covered in numerous wounds.

Two people stood guard over the body, conversing.

One said, “I heard he was an exorcist from the Exorcism Bureau. So young, and now he’s dead. What a waste.”

The other replied, “What did he expect? He dared to oppose the lord. There’s even a woman’s corpse inside—his companion, they say. Supposedly, she was a young lady from the Ban family.”

Yu Yin blinked, and more scenes from his puppets’ eyes began to unfold before him.

The streets of Zhuzhou were lifeless and gray, as somber as the leaden sky.

The lofty entrance of the Exorcism Bureau exuded an air of arrogance. A haughty steward shoved away villagers who had come seeking help against evil spirits.

Passersby were unperturbed, not sparing the scene a second glance.

The Zhuzhou Divine Academy, nestled in the mountains, looked unfamiliar in every way. Not a single familiar face remained.

The small courtyard where he and Yu Guang had once lived together was overgrown with wild grass, abandoned. The large tree, long untended, had grown so massive its crown now completely enveloped the courtyard and the house within.

The names of Ming Yu and Wu Jin were carved into the memorial forest at the back of the academy, alongside those of the deceased.

The Zhen family still reigned as one of Zhuzhou’s most prominent households. Their lavish estate was bustling with servants, and men and women reveled in indulgence, drinking and feasting.

Ban Ying had been dead for years.

So had Pei Wenjue. Both had died young.

In the demon Silk Nest’s memories, there had never been any interaction with these two people. Now, the city bore no trace of their existence.

Outside the gates of Zhuzhou City, the land remained desolate, with only two or three crude tea stalls. There was no sign of a new Exorcism Bureau.

“Where is Yu Guang?”

This thought became increasingly vivid in Yu Yin’s mind, growing so urgent that it consumed all his focus.

Where was Yu Guang?

Yu Guang was not here.

Yu Yin had no idea where he had come from or why he had suddenly disappeared.

He had returned to a time and world where Yu Guang did not exist.

“Where is Yu Guang?”

“Did Yu Guang ever exist?”

“Brother…”

A rough hand wiped firmly across his forehead, and Yu Yin woke up.

The person he had searched for in countless places, unable to find, was now lying beside him, propped up lazily. Marks from the previous night’s bite still lingered on his chest.

“You’re drenched in sweat. What were you dreaming about to get so worked up? You were so anxious, I thought you were about to start talking in your sleep.”

Yu Guang’s warm, broad hand wiped his forehead again.

On the table, two tall wedding candles were still burning faintly, but the first light of dawn was already breaking outside.

Yu Yin couldn’t see the sunrise, but the golden radiance emanating from Yu Guang dispelled the gloom of his dream like the first light of morning.

He hugged his elder brother tightly, pressing close against him. The vibrant energy radiating from Yu Guang’s warm skin brought him back to life, grounding him in the world of the living.

Yu Guang, who had been about to get out of bed but was held back by Yu Yin’s clinging affection, glanced at the sky outside before helping him sit up.

“Well, since you’re awake, it’s perfect timing. Come on, let’s go for a morning run with me.”

On the second day of their wedding, just as dawn broke, Yu Yin was pulled out of bed, washed up, and out the door.

Today, his elder brother was as energetic as ever.

That day, Yu Guang unusually chose not to run outside the city but instead jogged along the widest street within Zhuzhou City.

The well-paved roads of the city extended in all directions, and the widest one led straight to the former Zhen family estate, now called Zhuzhou Park.

At such an early hour, the streets were nearly empty. Yu Guang jogged with Yu Yin down the street, and the few early-rising vendors they passed smiled and greeted Yu Guang warmly.

They passed the old Exorcism Bureau, which had been repurposed into a bustling night market, morning market, and small goods bazaar. The area was already lively, with breakfast stalls set up and steaming hot food filling the air with tantalizing aromas.

When they reached the market, Yu Guang gave Yu Yin a gentle push on the back, nudging him into the misty white steam of the morning market.

The two of them sat at a table to eat wontons. Yu Yin had two bowls, while Yu Guang polished off four.

They rarely ate at small roadside stalls like this, as they usually had breakfast at the Exorcism Bureau with others, sharing whatever meal had been prepared by the assigned cook for the day.

The elderly couple selling wontons adamantly refused to accept payment, but Yu Guang left the money with the empty bowls and nudged Yu Yin onward, leading him out of the bustling market in the old Exorcism Bureau.

The gloomy streets and shunned Exorcism Bureau from his dream were now replaced by the noisy, lively scene of this food-filled morning market, brimming with life and warmth.

Their jog took them into the former Zhen family estate.

Once a grand mansion teeming with servants, it was now Zhuzhou Park, steadily filling with people even at this early hour.

For years now, the residents of Zhuzhou City had grown accustomed to visiting this park for leisure.

Vendors dotted the park, selling an assortment of goods—fresh vegetables, fruits, poultry, breakfast foods, sewing supplies, books, and paintings. The variety was dazzling, offering a little of everything.

“Are you full from earlier?” Yu Guang asked after they reached the park.

Yu Yin, who had been holding tightly to his brother’s wrist the entire way, gave a half-hearted nod.

Yu Guang, perhaps pretending not to notice, bought him a large bag of freshly baked, fragrant, and soft jujube cakes.

As they passed several houses, a group of children inside could be heard reciting their lessons in unison.

Many of the buildings within Zhuzhou Park had been repurposed by Yu Guang—some turned into orphanages and nursing homes, others into schools and study halls. In short, the place was now bustling with activity.

When they reached the garden that the Zhen family had once spent a fortune building, they came to the large lake. Many people were fishing along its banks, while others played chess or practiced swordsmanship.

To their left, a group of elderly men engaged in fishing, chess, and swordplay shrank back at the sight of Yu Guang, lowering their heads as if hoping he wouldn’t notice them—or at least pretending not to notice him.

This seemingly ordinary group of old men had once been influential figures in Zhuzhou, commanding respect and authority. However, after falling victim to Yu Guang’s meteoric rise and his relentless fists of justice, they had been stripped of their power and retired in disgrace. Now, they spent their days idly fishing, though never successfully.

On the opposite side of the lake, another group of seven or eight familiar faces stood out even more. They were members of the Tianchong Class, who had attended the wedding banquet just the day before.

Yesterday, in a burst of happiness, Yu Yin had gifted them a large amount of spider silk. Judging by their appearance, they hadn’t even gone home after the feast and had instead spent the entire night fishing here.

When they spotted Yu Guang and Yu Yin approaching, they all grinned sheepishly.

Yu Guang cast them a glance before moving on with Yu Yin, continuing their slow jog.

“They seem to have too much free time. It might be time to find them some work. Coincidentally, both Maozhou and Chazhou need people,” Yu Guang remarked.

Normally, Yu Yin found this group of people irritating, but after his dream of a city devoid of familiar faces, he viewed them with a bit more tolerance today.

However, upon hearing that his brother intended to send them off to work, he couldn’t help but snicker gleefully.

Yu Guang turned his head to look at him and suddenly stopped. He reached out, removed Yu Yin’s mask, and studied his face intently.

Yu Yin: “?”

“Youngest, smile for me.”

Not understanding his intent, Yu Yin instinctively forced a fake smile.

“No, not like that. I mean the kind of happy smile you had while cutting out the wedding decorations.”

Realizing what Yu Guang meant, Yu Yin hesitated—he couldn’t quite recall how he had smiled back then.

Seeing his older brother standing there with an encouraging expression, waiting patiently, Yu Yin awkwardly mustered a smile.

Yu Guang didn’t push him further and instead broke into a grin himself. “You know, I just realized—you’re actually quite good-looking, little brother.”

Yu Yin: “…”

You’re just realizing that now?

Wait, Yu Guang actually thought he was good-looking? Wasn’t this the man who had never cared about appearances?

Yu Yin felt a mix of emotions—slightly flattered but mostly confused. Just as he was lost in thought, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

Yu Guang patted him and said with a laugh, “That’s right, just like that. You should smile like this more often—it suits you.”

With that, he placed Yu Yin’s mask back on and resumed jogging, as if the conversation had already been filed away in his mind.

They completed a circuit around Zhuzhou Park, and by the time they left, the entire city had fully awakened.

Golden sunlight bathed the thriving, peaceful city, its warmth spilling generously onto Yu Yin as well.

“Feel more energized after the run? If you’ve got worries or challenges, don’t hold back. Just get more sunlight and keep running—it’s good for you.”

Yu Guang, ever generous, shared not only his advice but also the warmth and light he seemed to carry.

Yu Yin took off his mask to reveal half his face, deliberately flashing his brother a smile to let him see.

As was their routine, they headed to the Exorcism Bureau’s large courtyard.

Inside, a group of people—who had taken full advantage of Yu Guang’s wedding to drink and celebrate into a stupor—were just starting to wake up. They sprawled across the main hall, waiting for breakfast.

The festive red decorations from the wedding still hung all around the hall, inside and out, undisturbed.

“Big Brother, Yu Yin, you’re here so early. Why not get a little more rest?”

Ban Ying emerged from the backyard, her graceful younger sister, Ban Xi, following behind her.

Behind them trailed Shi Bai, Mu Yi, and Xiao Shi, each carrying breakfast in their hands.

“Good morning, Big Brother! Have you eaten yet?”

“I have, but I could eat a bit more,” Yu Guang replied, settling at the table and pulling out two pairs of chopsticks—one for himself and one for Yu Yin.

Meals with such a large group often turned into a scramble for food. Yu Yin, however, never had to compete. Yu Guang would always place food directly into his bowl, ensuring he got enough.

Ban Ying, who managed food and supplies like a pro, occasionally gave him special treatment as well.

“Here, Yu Yin, try this,” Ban Ying said, bringing over a small bowl of soup that smelled faintly bitter.

“I added some medicinal herbs, so it might taste a bit bitter. This was specially prepared for you—it’s good for your health.”

Still feeling guilty about having misunderstood Yu Guang and Yu Yin for so long, Ban Ying had gone out of her way to make amends. When Yu Guang had asked her for details about relationships between men, Ban Ying had even done some research on the topic.

Today’s soup was the result of her newfound knowledge—a tonic specifically made for Yu Yin’s health.

She had thought he wouldn’t even get out of bed this morning and had planned to deliver the soup to the courtyard instead. Seeing him up and about reassured her; Yu Guang clearly knew his limits and took good care of Yu Yin.

Yu Yin, however, pushed the bowl of soup toward Yu Guang without a word.

Ban Ying quickly slid it back to him, hinting, “This isn’t for Big Brother. It’s specifically for you. The herbs in it help relieve pain, clear heat, reduce dampness, and ease swelling…”

Yu Yin remained calm, pushing the bowl back toward Yu Guang.

Ban Ying insisted, “I already said, this is your tonic. Big Brother doesn’t need…”

Then, all of a sudden, she froze, realization dawning on her face.

Nearby, Yu Guang, who had silently watched their back-and-forth, casually downed the entire bowl of soup in one gulp. He commented, “A bit bitter. No need to make this again—it’s just a minor injury.”

Ban Ying: “…”

She exchanged a glance with Pei Wenjue, who was gnawing on a bun beside her. The look they shared was one of utter disbelief, as though their world had just crumbled.

After Yu Guang and Yu Yin stood up and left the table, Ban Ying let out an awkward laugh. “Maybe they didn’t hear me clearly, haha.”

Pei Wenjue, choking on his bun, craned his neck and managed to say, “Maybe Yu Yin thought it was too bitter and had Big Brother drink it for him… cough!”

Their strained attempts to act composed resembled the time when everyone realized Big Brother’s cooking was atrocious, yet no one dared to say it outright.

It was a peculiar day, and yet, it felt like just another ordinary one.

In the days that followed, many were much the same.

A month later, the Zhuzhou Exorcism Bureau dispatched several members to Maozhou and Chazhou.

A year later, the barriers between the three regions—Zhuzhou, Maozhou, and Chazhou—were gone. The areas became interconnected, with seamless communication and convenient travel.

In the newly established Exorcism Bureau of Maozhou, Yu Guang stood spiritedly before a map, pointing at it with determination. “Next, we’ll tackle this area—”

In the decades that followed, their footprints spread across the land.

The spider’s web once again stretched far and wide.

But this time, the spider had learned to capture only the pests.

<< _ >>

**TN

Arc ends here. Extra chapter later, also the last chapter of this book. Waa. (T⌓T)

Let me tell you something interesting.

I was lurking in the comments section of this book in the original website and found out something from the readers’ thread.

This book was supposed to be ‘Slice’ but the author changed it.

What is Slice? Slice is 1 soul split into 2 or more bodies/people.

I thought the Yu brothers shared 1 soul but… when I read Yu Mo’s arc and saw his Villain Title “Priest”, it dawned on me that the slice were actually the MCs and MLs. Wow.

Which made sense.

Yu Yan = Plague/Natural Disaster; ML = Virus Carrier | Yu Shi = Controller; ML = Illusion Maker and also amnesiac. Yu Shi lost his memories before he met Yu Guang. | Yu Le = Demon; ML = Demon Lord | Yu Mo = Priest; ML = Priest | Yu Guang = X Leader; Yu Yin = Demon Leader

But this is not canon now. The author changed it. I’m not into Slice so I’m happy. (´◡`)

So if you’re curious about the Yu brothers’ “crimes”, those were their supposed crimes in other worlds. Hahaha ╰(▔∀▔)╯

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4 thoughts on “This Villain Ch.243

  1. I also wondering how their codename smh mirroring ML. Slice also not my cup of tea, so im happy too author decide to make each of them different individual than 1 slice : D

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