#392 - Summary and Remarks

Coincidentally, Volume Four ends perfectly at Chapter 111, around 250,000 words.

In the outline, Volumes Three and Four were originally meant to be connected, meaning the combined content of these two volumes should have been under 300,000 words.

However, in the end, I exceeded that by nearly double the word count.

This is, of course, not padding (I don't admit it!), but rather because I tried my best to write the behavior motivations, internal logic, and plot progression, including those of the supporting characters, in more detail than originally planned.

Before the Buddha Lotus Temple chapter, I asked everyone if they wanted the stories of the supporting characters to be written in more detail, and the majority of the answers were positive, so I did so.

Actually, this is really no easier than just writing about Wei Changtian.

Returning to Volume Four.

My mood was quite complex while writing this volume, and this can be seen from the updates of the last dozen or so chapters, which were very irregular, with varying word counts per chapter.

In fact, the entire Volume Four tells one big story:

Ning Yongnian's shocking scheme surrounding Yuanzhou City, and Wei Changtian's resulting determination to rebel.

To make all of this seem as reasonable and natural as possible, I used almost an entire volume to set the stage.

I know that even so, most readers following along will probably still feel that the ending is very sudden when they see it.

After all, according to the usual trope, Wei Changtian would definitely take action at the critical moment to thwart Ning Yongnian's conspiracy and save the lives of three million people.

But he failed to do anything.

Including the previous "Slaying Yama", he also failed twice.

I understand that writing it this way may not be a wise choice in terms of performance.

But I still wrote it this way.

The main reasons are the following three.

First.

Now that this book has been written to this point, or rather, since Xiao Feng's death, the plot development is no longer the traditional "monster slaying, leveling up, map switching" repetitive cycle.

Since they possess abilities and advantages that are no weaker than Wei Changtian's, then they should not die so easily.

Only by using a lot of ink, and by portraying them more three-dimensionally through happy or sad plots, can these characters stand up.

Second.

It is true that Wei Changtian transmigrated, and it is true that he has a system.

However, I don't know if everyone has noticed, but from beginning to end, Wei Changtian has never obtained any treasure because of "luck", nor has he obtained any opportunity because of "luck".

Everything he obtained in the early stage was achieved through his foreknowledge of the original work and intercepting Xiao Feng.

In the later stage, it was obtained through a series of plans.

Because there is no luck bonus, he naturally cannot be "omnipotent".

When facing some situations, being powerless is simply being powerless.

Everyone can see that the coincidences that should have appeared on the "protagonist" even appear on Bai Youheng, Ning Yongnian, and other "villains".

This is not pleasing, but it is reasonable.

Third.

I want to give Wei Changtian's behavior a truly understandable motivation.

I have been reading web novels for at least a dozen years.

From 《Zhu Xian》, 《Rogue》, 《Very Pure》 these started to look, until now.

There are many well-written Xianxia and Xuanhuan web novels, but most of the works always make me think about a question.

I only see the protagonist constantly fighting monsters, killing people, seizing treasures, upgrading... but what is his reason for doing this?

Self-preservation?

But compared to rushing to those big forces to act tough and then being hunted down by the latter, shouldn't living a peaceful and secluded life be the best self-preservation?

Or is it the pursuit of longevity?

Then just hide and cultivate silently.

I know that writing it this way would not be a novel, but I still feel that the protagonist's motivation is not clear enough.

Up to now, only the explanation in Er Gen's 《Xian Ni》 has impressed me the most.

"Those who follow Heaven from ancient times are the darlings of Heaven and Earth, but behind this darling is the body of an ant! My path is not to follow Heaven, but to go against Heaven with the emotion in my heart, to cultivate against Immortals, seeking not only longevity, but more to get rid of the body of the ant behind it, this is to go against."

So many years have passed, and I have completely forgotten what story 《Xian Ni》 told, but I still remember the six words "Follow is ordinary, oppose is immortal".

Of course, my book is not about cultivating immortals, so there is no need to "go against Heaven".

However, I think this word "oppose" is the most fundamental motivation for all web novel protagonists.

Because what they want cannot be achieved, they must break through all obstacles in front of them and go against the trend.

You can oppose Heaven, you can oppose the monarch, oppose the king, oppose the Dao, anything is possible, but you must first meet three conditions.

First, the protagonist must have something that is convincing and worth pursuing.

Second, the protagonist must have a real enemy that he needs to "oppose", at least one that can be called an opponent.

Third, the protagonist's psychological transition from "not opposing" to "opposing".

Volume Four, strictly speaking, is writing these three conditions.

Regarding You Jia.

The character of You Jia was originally going to die in Volume Four in the outline.

Her background and experience destined this result.

Death is actually her best ending.

But perhaps because I gave too many hints before, readers kept saying that You Jia should not die during the writing process.

And this ultimately led to such an ending.

You Jia may not appear again in the future.

As for whether she is dead or not, everyone only needs to understand according to their expected result.

Well, the above is probably what I want to say about the plot.

I know that there are many things in this book that are not written well, and the update speed is also slow.

However, as I write more and more, I gradually understand where my advantages are compared to others.

If I were to say it shamelessly, it should be that I am better at creating emotions.

Whether it is sadness, joy, anger, or magnificence, I can easily enter these emotions during the writing process, and I can barely express it with my writing skills.

But I also understand where my shortcomings are.

Of course, I won't talk about the shortcomings.

In short, I am quite satisfied with this book so far, and regardless of whether it is for economic returns or writing enthusiasm, I have the motivation to continue writing it.

To write a complete story.

Finally, report the results.

The results of 《Villain》 on the Qidian main site have been steadily increasing, with a single chapter high order exceeding 6,000, and the average order is a bit crotch, but it is not too far from being a boutique.

In addition, it also performs well on the free end and channels, and the overall income is indeed something I did not expect before opening the book.

As a part-time job, it is already acceptable, so I am really very grateful for the support of every reader.

Finally, I don't ask for votes, I don't ask for rewards, I only ask if you can praise me????

"The author writes so well!"

"Written so great!"

"Awesome!"

Ahem, such as these.

Thank you everyone!!

ps: Take a break today, and start Volume Five tomorrow—

A sword travels ten thousand miles to touch the Dragon Gate!