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

After some thought, Lin Yang considered a possibility: Chu Qingcheng, like him, might have been reborn with her memories intact.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

In their past life, the source of darkness had impersonated him, committing countless atrocities that enraged both heaven and humanity. Chu Qingcheng and others had wanted to tear him to pieces.

How could she possibly harbor any feelings for him after being reborn with those memories?

Unless, after his death, someone had come forward to clear his name.

"But what does that have to do with me? In this life, all I want is to protect Qingyao."

Lin Yang shook his head and stopped speculating. Whether someone had vindicated him or Chu Qingcheng had been reborn with her memories, it no longer mattered.

The past was behind him, and a broken heart could never be mended.

In this life, he simply wanted to spend time with his family and quietly watch his sister grow up.

"How dare you kneel before His Majesty without showing proper respect?"

At that moment, a shrill voice, reminiscent of a rooster's crow, pierced the air.

Lin Yang glanced casually and recognized the speaker: Gao Wan, the chief eunuch serving the emperor.

In their past life, the tragic downfall of the Lin family had been largely due to Gao Wan's machinations.

Even the assassination attempt on Lin Yang by a master from an enemy nation had been connected to this despicable eunuch.

Lin Yang had yet to settle the score with him, and now Gao Wan was causing trouble again?

"Well, since you're eager to die, I'll grant your wish," Lin Yang murmured calmly.

Without so much as a glance at Gao Wan or the emperor, he turned and patted the large yellow cow beside him.

As his longtime companion, Da Huangniu understood immediately. With a mighty roar, the cow delivered a perfect backward kick, striking Gao Wan squarely in his grotesque face.

"Ah—!"

A scream akin to a pig being slaughtered echoed through the air as Gao Wan was sent flying a hundred meters away.

"Boom!"

He crashed into the city wall with a resounding thud, losing half his life on impact.

What surprised Lin Yang, however, was that despite such a blow, the eunuch hadn't even fainted.

"My apologies," Lin Yang said with mock sincerity. "My cow is overly hospitable. When it sees one of its own, it can't help but greet them. Unfortunately, it doesn't understand proper etiquette, so its way of saying hello might seem a bit... unconventional."

"Surely a man of such high moral standing as Eunuch Gao wouldn't stoop to arguing with a cow, would he?"

Before Gao Wan could utter a word of protest, Lin Yang spoke first, his expression earnest.

"Pfft—"

As soon as Lin Yang finished speaking, Gao Wan, overwhelmed with rage, spat out a mouthful of blood.

A cow being hospitable? Treating him as one of its own and greeting him so warmly? This was utter nonsense!

He had hoped the wise and powerful Emperor Chu Tianhen would intervene on his behalf. But when the emperor finally spoke, Gao Wan was left dumbfounded.

"Gao Wan, as the chief eunuch by my side, how dare you engage in a public altercation with a cow? This is utterly disgraceful."

"Guards, take him away and give him fifty lashes."

"As for the damage to the city wall—twenty bricks and tiles—deduct one year's salary from his pay as a warning to others."

With a stern expression, the emperor issued his orders to the guards.

"Pfft—"

Gao Wan's face turned ashen. He spat out another mouthful of blood before being dragged away by the guards like a lifeless dog.

He had thought this would be his chance to humble Lin Yang and curb his arrogance.

Instead, he had become the fool, not only failing to diminish Lin Yang's prestige but also suffering humiliation, a beating, and the loss of a year's salary. His heart bled with resentment.

Meanwhile, Emperor Chu Tianhen's gaze toward Lin Yang grew even more appreciative.

As the emperor, he often knew far more than others. For instance, he was well aware of who had leaked the information leading to Lin Yang's assassination attempt.

Yet, he had chosen not to act, feigning ignorance.

To him, value was everything. He sided with Lin Yang now because Lin Yang's worth far exceeded that of Eunuch Gao.

Lin Yang, of course, understood this perfectly. It was precisely why he was so eager to resign from his position as Major General.

Such a ruthless and ungrateful emperor wasn't worthy of his loyalty—not even if the Emperor of Heaven himself demanded it.

In this life, he sought only freedom, to be his own master, and to protect his sister's growth. That was the path he had chosen.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Though he understood the emperor's motives, Lin Yang maintained a calm and polite demeanor.

"My dear minister, you are too kind. You are the pillar of the Yongyao Dynasty. Anyone who speaks against you is challenging the royal family itself."

"Today, before all, I grant you a special privilege: henceforth, you need not kneel before me when we meet."

With a smile, Emperor Chu Tianhen patted Lin Yang on the shoulder and presented him with a golden token.

"With this token, you may enter the palace without reporting, and no one may stop you."

Lin Yang remained silent, neither accepting the token nor showing any reaction. He simply gazed at Chu Tianhen with calm indifference.

On the surface, the emperor appeared to be honoring him, elevating him to greater heights of power. But beneath the surface?

Undoubtedly, Chu Tianhen sought to stir jealousy and discord among the Marquis of Zhennan, the Grand Tutor, the King's Uncle, and others.

In the end, the emperor would sit back and watch the tigers fight, reaping the benefits.

While Lin Yang had no intention of sparing the Marquis of Zhennan and his allies, he refused to be used as a pawn.

As time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The once-bustling street fell silent, as if an invisible weight pressed down on everyone's hearts, making even breathing feel laborious.

"Brother Lin Yang, can we go buy some candied haws?"

At that moment, the little girl in his arms looked up at him, her voice soft and filled with anticipation.

Instantly, Lin Yang's heart melted.

"Of course, but we should visit Grandpa first," he replied, gently patting her head.

Then, turning to Emperor Chu Tianhen, he said, "Your Majesty, I accept your privilege. As for the token..."

Before Lin Yang could decline, the elderly Lin Wushuang stepped forward with a smile and accepted the token on his behalf.

"I'll take this token for the young one. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. The Lin family will never forget this favor."

Chu Tianhen's expression softened. It didn't matter who held the token, as long as it remained within the Lin family.

"Three days from now, I will host a banquet in the palace to celebrate Lin Yang's achievements. I hope the Qing family will also attend."

"Your Majesty need not worry. I will bring my grandson without fail," Lin Wushuang assured him.

With that, the emperor and his entourage departed, leaving the Lin family to their reunion.

"Grandpa, Yao'er missed you so much..."

As soon as the emperor was gone, the little girl, Lin Qingyao, leaped from Lin Yang's arms and ran toward the gray-haired Lin Wushuang.

"My precious granddaughter, Grandpa missed you too," the old man replied, his stern demeanor melting into a warm smile.

Though Lin Qingyao had been found in the mountains when Lin Yang was seven, the entire Lin family had embraced her as one of their own.

Lin Yang, in particular, doted on her, treating her better than a sister and even willing to lay down his life for her.

This was why the ten-year-old girl clung to him so closely, even accompanying him to war. Their bond was beyond words.

"Then can Yao'er go buy candied haws with Brother Lin Yang? Grandpa won't say no, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Of course, my dear. Today, you can do whatever you wish," the old man replied, his tone unusually indulgent.

Turning to Lin Yang, he added, "Take her for a stroll around Tianqi City. We'll talk later."

As Lin Yang led the little girl and the big yellow cow into the city, they soon encountered a familiar face—a glamorous and enchanting woman...