At the Beginning, the Villain Manipulates the Female Sword Immortal - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: A Nightmare

Ye Wudu had a nightmare.

In the dream, Murong Wanyin regained her memories. With a cold expression, she severed his limbs and turned him into a human stick.

Then she thrust a sword into her own abdomen, dug out the not-yet-fully-formed embryo, and smashed it onto the ground… flesh and blood splattering everywhere.

Ye Wudu jolted awake, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He looked around. Murong Wanyin was nowhere to be seen.

At this hour, she was probably out setting up her stall to earn money.

Ever since she had followed the original owner, she had been living an ordinary life, working to support both of them.

“Absolutely do not reveal your cultivation, and do not use a sword. Our enemies are incredibly powerful. Once exposed, we will die without a doubt.”

“Stay obediently by my side. When we grow stronger in the future, we’ll find a way to take revenge.”

“You are not allowed to even glance at other men. With your tragic background and cold personality, who else would want you besides me?”

“Look at how handsome I am. Do you know how many women admire me? Yet I chose you. That is the blessing you cultivated in your past life.”

…

The original owner had subjected Murong Wanyin to daily manipulation, repeating certain lines over and over.

Ye Wudu couldn’t help but marvel. How could someone speak such shameless nonsense with a straight face?

There was even a time when he tried to strip off her clothes and, after being rejected, pointed at her and called her ugly.

Ye Wudu swore to the heavens… Murong Wanyin was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The female celebrities from his previous life wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying her shoes.

That kind of manipulation might have worked on other women, but Murong Wanyin had always felt a quiet resistance in her heart. She had never been completely brainwashed.

Otherwise, her favorability wouldn’t have remained at just 5.

Even with memory loss, she was still a female Sword Immortal. Her temperament was bound to differ from ordinary women.

Ye Wudu got out of bed and looked at the messy room. He decided to tidy it up first.

Since the original owner’s approach didn’t work, he would have to change strategies.

While cleaning, Ye Wudu noticed a sword in the corner, covered in dust.

He wiped the scabbard clean and realized it was an exquisitely beautiful sword.

The sheath was pure white, and upon closer inspection, it seemed to glow faintly with a gentle, moonlight-like luster, as though carved from a single piece of ten-thousand-year cold jade.

He tried to draw the sword… only to find he couldn’t even lift it, let alone unsheathe it.

Fine.

The sword of a female Sword Immortal… a useless person like me isn’t worthy of touching it.

After finishing the cleaning, Ye Wudu decided to go out and buy some vegetables. His cooking skills were actually quite good.

In the past, Murong Wanyin had been responsible for earning money, then returning home to wash clothes, cook meals, and take care of the original owner.

The original owner only concerned himself with idling around and keeping an eye on her. Everything else, he ignored.

Once, Murong Wanyin had asked him why he never tried to earn money to help with the household.

The original owner had replied, “It’s because I love you that I keep watching you and do nothing else. Do you think anyone else in this world would look at you the way I do?”

His answer had been both deafening and self-righteous, leaving Murong Wanyin unable to refute it.

He had lived off a woman like this for nine years… and felt completely justified in doing so.

The only thing he had restrained himself in was not pursuing other women during these nine years.

To obtain Murong Wanyin, he had indeed committed to maintaining his façade of deep affection while manipulating her.

Yet after nine years, he still hadn’t succeeded. And as the time for her memory recovery drew closer, it was understandable that he had begun to lose control.

…

North Desolation City.

This was the most remote small city within Starfall Province. Even cultivators were rarely seen here.

On Locust Tree Street, many vendors were hawking their goods.

There were flatbreads, steamed buns, and other pastries. There were also candied hawthorns and malt candies.

Among them, the most eye-catching was a stall selling nougat.

Even though Murong Wanyin simply sat there quietly without calling out to customers, she attracted every gaze.

She felt completely out of place with her surroundings, like a figure from a painting placed in the wrong layer.

Without saying a single word, customers still came from time to time.

Each person would silently place down 20 copper coins, and Murong Wanyin would hand them a portion of nougat.

100 copper coins could be exchanged for 1 tael of silver.

There was no bargaining, and no one spoke.

Everyone already knew she wouldn’t talk to men… because her husband didn’t allow it.

Even men who didn’t like nougat would occasionally come just to catch a glimpse of her from up close.

If they knew that the face they were seeing for 20 copper coins belonged to a female Sword Immortal, they would probably wake up laughing from their dreams.

“Xiao Wan, why is it so strange today? Your husband hasn’t come to check on you?”

The one who spoke was a middle-aged woman at the neighboring tofu pudding stall. She was a chatterbox and often tried to strike up conversations with Murong Wanyin.

Even though Murong Wanyin rarely responded, she never grew tired of talking.

The woman’s name was Zhang Douhua, perfectly matching her trade.

Murong Wanyin, who had been lost in thought, paused slightly before shaking her head. “I don’t know.”

Zhang Douhua lowered her voice. “Xiao Wan, from my experience, when a man suddenly changes, it usually means he has someone new. You’d better be careful. Your man may be petty, but he’s still somewhat…”

Seeing Murong Wanyin show little reaction, she continued earnestly, “I know you’re beautiful and confident, but trust me… men are all scum. Even if they have a fairy at home, they’ll still go out and sleep with stray dogs…”

Zhang Douhua continued her “lessons,” speaking animatedly.

But Murong Wanyin remained mostly indifferent. She simply thought Ye Wudu had overslept.

After all, he had lost quite a bit of blood yesterday from his suicide attempt. It was normal for him to sleep longer today.

She said nothing, quietly listening as Zhang Douhua talked endlessly.

“Don’t think I’m exaggerating. Back in the day, my looks were almost… well, about half as good as yours. But what did it matter? That useless man at home doesn’t even bother anymore…”

Once Zhang Douhua started talking, she couldn’t stop.

She leaned closer and whispered, “Your husband… in that regard… how is he?”

Murong Wanyin looked slightly puzzled. “Which regard?”

Zhang Douhua smiled brightly. “That husband-and-wife kind of thing. Don’t act innocent in front of your big sister.”

Murong Wanyin shook her head. “I don’t know.”

She spoke truthfully without further explanation.

Zhang Douhua’s eyes widened in shock. “You two… don’t tell me you haven’t…?”

Murong Wanyin silently nodded.

Immediately, Zhang Douhua’s expression shifted from shock to sympathy.

Such a good girl… and she ended up with a man who couldn’t perform. How pitiful.

No wonder that brat watched Xiao Wan so closely every day. Turns out he was incapable himself and afraid she’d be taken by someone else.

Besides, he looked skinny as a stick, his skin even paler than a woman’s. Just looking at him, he didn’t seem capable.

Although her own husband liked visiting brothels, he was still decent when it came to doing his duties.

In comparison, Zhang Douhua suddenly felt her own man wasn’t that terrible after all…

By the afternoon, Ye Wudu still hadn’t appeared.

Murong Wanyin decided to head back early. She was worried he might have died at home.

They lived in a small two-bedroom courtyard, with a monthly rent of 7 taels of silver.

Ye Wudu had named it Tingwan Courtyard.

When she returned, she didn’t see Ye Wudu, nor any corpse.

What surprised her was that the entire courtyard had been cleaned spotless.

Even the sword he had never allowed her to touch had been wiped until it was free of dust.

“Has he… lost his mind?”

Just as Murong Wanyin was puzzled, Ye Wudu returned carrying vegetables.

He smiled casually and asked, “Back so early?”

Murong Wanyin stepped forward and took the vegetables from his hands. “I’ll cook. Wait for the meal.”

In her mind, the fact that Ye Wudu had gone out to buy vegetables was already astonishing enough. She naturally didn’t think he intended to cook himself.

Ye Wudu took the vegetables back and said, “I’ll cook this time. You’ve worked hard at the stall. Go sit and rest.”

Murong Wanyin froze in confusion.

Watching Ye Wudu walk toward the kitchen, the doubts in her heart surged even more.

After all, in nine years… he had never once stepped into the kitchen.

“Something’s wrong… he’s really gone mad…”