Villain: Memories Revealed, the Heroine Reborn to Atone for Her Sins

"Qingyao..."

Seeing Lin Qingyao on the verge of collapsing, Lin Yang quickly stepped forward and caught the young girl in his arms.

"You're still so foolish. So timid, yet you'd risk your life for me without hesitation."

As he held his pale, unconscious sister, a sharp pang of guilt pierced Lin Yang's heart. In his previous life, he had lived with a clear conscience toward everyone—except this little girl. Though they shared no blood ties, she had been utterly devoted to him. During his rise to power, she had repeatedly risked her life to save him, even offering him the Supreme Bone she had awakened, a treasure of immense value.

Yet, despite her unwavering loyalty, this poor girl had suffered a tragic fate because of him. Her Supreme Bone had been brutally extracted, leading to her miserable death.

"In this life, I have no desire for power or cultivation. My only purpose is to protect you, even if it means going against my own will."

Gently brushing his sister's cheek, Lin Yang's eyes gleamed with an unshakable resolve. He had died for love in his past life, and now, reborn, his sole mission was to ensure Lin Qingyao's safety and growth.

Once his sister was strong enough to face any enemy in the world, he would wander freely, living the simple life of an ordinary man. As for the beloved wife from his previous life, he would bury those memories deep within his heart, never to revisit them.

In this life, he possessed the Devil's Divinity, a power that made cultivation breakthroughs as effortless as drinking water. Even without the favor of any heroine, he could rise to unparalleled heights.

"Major General! Miss Qingyao!"

"Yang'er! Qingyao!"

Suddenly, shouts echoed from the distant mountains. Lin Yang remembered his current identity: the God of War who had led the Divine Guard Army to conquer the capitals of three dynasties. However, on his return to the military camp, he had been ambushed by enemy masters, leading to his untimely death and subsequent rebirth.

With a wave of his hand, Lin Yang summoned the God-Killing Spear, which transformed into a black mark on the back of his right hand. The large yellow ox, though not entirely obedient, trotted over to his side.

"Second Uncle, we're here!" Lin Yang called out toward the distant figures.

Soon, hundreds of soldiers clad in black armor, their eyes sharp and movements precise, came into view. Leading them was a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man with an imposing presence—Lin Batian, Lin Yang's second uncle and the current head of the Lin family of the Yongyao Dynasty.

Upon hearing that Lin Yang and Lin Qingyao had gone missing, Lin Batian had mobilized over 100,000 Divine Guards, searching tirelessly for an entire day and night. Now, seeing Lin Yang bloodied and Lin Qingyao unconscious, he rushed forward, his face etched with worry.

"Who did this to you? Tell me, and I'll wipe out their entire family!" Lin Batian growled, handing Lin Yang a healing elixir while gripping his shoulders tightly.

Lin Yang, the Lin family's sole heir, was like a son to him. Seeing him injured filled Lin Batian with rage.

"Uncle, I'm fine, but if you keep shaking me like this, I might not survive," Lin Yang replied with a wry smile, touched by his uncle's concern.

"You little rascal, still daring to tease your second uncle? Asking for a beating, are you?" Lin Batian glared at him, though the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. Seeing Lin Yang in good spirits reassured him.

"How is Yao'er?" Lin Batian asked, finally remembering Lin Qingyao.

"It's a long story. Let's get Qingyao to safety first, and I'll explain on the way."

"Agreed."

Soon, the Divine Guards brought a carriage. Lin Yang carefully placed his sister inside, instructing two maids to tend to her. Then, leading the yellow ox, he walked alongside Lin Batian, recounting the details of the ambush.

It turned out that a spy within the Yongyao Dynasty had leaked his return route to enemy forces, enabling the assassination attempt. As a reborn individual, Lin Yang knew the identity of the traitor but chose not to reveal it yet. He would settle the score once they returned to the imperial capital.

"Don't worry, Yang'er. Your second uncle will get to the bottom of this. No matter who it is, they'll pay dearly," Lin Batian vowed, his voice thick with anger.

Lin Yang was like a son to him, and the thought of someone nearly costing Lin Yang his life filled him with a deep, soul-shaking fury.

"There's no rush. Let's head back first, or the old man might come looking for us himself," Lin Yang urged.

"You're right. When the old man heard you were missing, he nearly invoked the Late King's Decree, demanding the royal family deploy all troops to find you," Lin Batian said, his tone tinged with awe.

"The Late King's Decree? Grandpa truly spares no effort," Lin Yang murmured, deeply moved.

The Late King's Decree was a symbol of the Lin family's unparalleled status. Centuries ago, the Lin ancestors had helped found the Yongyao Dynasty alongside the royal family. In gratitude, the Late King had bestowed upon the Lin family a token of supreme privilege: the ability to demand one unconditional favor from the royal family, no matter how extreme. Even if the Lin family demanded the emperor's abdication, it would have to be honored.

That the old man was willing to use this decree to find Lin Yang spoke volumes about his affection for his grandson.

"By the way," Lin Batian added, clapping Lin Yang on the shoulder, "His Majesty announced three days ago that he would betroth the Eldest Princess to you. The young God of War marrying a genius princess—it's a match made in heaven!"

Lin Batian chuckled, clearly pleased for his nephew. To him, it was a perfect union, a cause for celebration.

"Second Uncle, I refuse this marriage," Lin Yang said after a moment of silence, his tone firm.

His encounter with the Eldest Princess, Chu Qingcheng, had been a mistake in his past life. Scarred by love, he had no desire to entangle himself in such matters again. In this life, he wished only to protect his sister and live as a carefree wanderer. Fame, power, and wealth meant nothing to him.

He was content to be a "salted fish"—a simple, unambitious soul.

Besides, Chu Qingcheng likely held no high opinion of him. Why stir up trouble?

"Stop joking. Everyone in the Yongyao Dynasty knows how much you admire the princess. Now that the emperor has granted this marriage, you should be overjoyed," Lin Batian retorted, rolling his eyes.

Lin Yang shook his head. "I'm serious. I won't agree to this marriage, and I no longer wish to serve as a major general of the Yongyao Dynasty."