I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 181

Chapter 181: Yin Mei chooses to go head-on with Yue Mingkong. Her big eyes are confused.

The anger has been vented, but I still don’t feel relieved. When I think about how that bastard Gu Changge manipulated this older man, I feel like I was used like a gun by him, with no room for refusal.

That’s what makes me even angrier!

How could such an unworthy grandson come and make this old ancestor angry? What good will it do him?

Looking at Gu Xian’er’s smile, although Gu Nanshan’s face remained impassive, his heart was filled with grievance.

The Great Elder on the side couldn’t help but shake his head, losing his smile. And seeing the expression on Gu Nanshan’s face made him feel a little pleased.

As for sympathy? That was out of the question, and it was unnecessary. He looked like this the first time he was angry with Gu Changge. Gu Changge was so slippery that no one could gain an advantage against him.

This kind of cunning only showed up in a junior like Gu Changge, which made him sigh in amazement. He couldn’t have achieved such a level even after living for so long. The web of deceit was so intricate that there was no discernible way to break it.

“Well, the Ancient Immortal Continent’s adventure should be almost over. Then, Xian’er, you will return to the family with this old ancestor first. It’s time to explain many things.”

Soon, Gu Nanshan said with a solemn expression. As the ancestor of Gu Xian’er’s lineage, he naturally had to find a way to restore their past glory and bring justice to the name of their lineage. Before that, justice needed to be served for Gu Xian’er.

“Old ancestor, is this matter true?” Hearing this, Gu Xian’er also froze. She didn’t doubt the truth of Gu Nanshan’s words, but she felt this was unrealistic. First of all, would the rest of the Gu family agree? After all, this kind of matter involved the reputation of the Ancient Immortal Gu family.

Today, Gu Changge was even the young master of the Ancient Immortal Gu family, the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace heir. He held all kinds of honorable and prestigious titles. How could they be easily tarnished?

In order to safeguard the overall situation, the majority of the Gu family’s elders obviously wouldn’t show bias in this matter towards her. Otherwise, why would she have been drifting away from the family for so many years?

Although Gu Nanshan was an ancestor with powerful cultivation, his authority within the Gu family was weaker than the family heads’. After all, behind each lineage, there were several old ancestors. If every decision relied on the ancestors, there would be no need for the family head to make any decisions.

Moreover, the most crucial point was: how would Gu Changge react to this? Was his character such that he would harm others in such a detrimental manner? Even if there were difficulties and secrets, he was unlikely to divulge them readily. Gu Xian’er had already considered these aspects. So when Gu Nanshan broached the subject, she subtly shook her head, deeming it impossible.

Her current strength had not yet reached the point where the Gu family would take notice, let alone compare her to Gu Changge. Though the Gu family upheld strong family values, decisions and actions, including those of Gu Nanshan, were made with the family’s long-term interests in mind.

“Xian’er, don’t worry. With the ancestors here, I will be able to get justice for you regarding what happened back then,” Gu Nanshan reassured, his face freezing as he hadn’t expected Gu Xian’er’s reaction to be so composed. This lack of confidence was evident.

He knew that with Gu Xian’er’s current strength, it was still difficult for the entire family to pay attention to her— at most, they would suppress Gu Changge and prevent him from secretly harming her. But that didn’t seem to be effective. Given Gu Changge’s actions today, it appeared he had no intention of harming Gu Xian’er, leaving Gu Nanshan perplexed why he had deceived him.

“Really? Since the ancestor says so, I will believe it,” Gu Xian’er said seriously. In her bright, beautiful eyes, a subtle expression seemed to convey, ‘You’re quite the tricky old man.’

Gu Nanshan felt a tinge of embarrassment for a moment. He harbored affection for his granddaughter and carried a deep sense of guilt, yearning to compensate for her hardships.

“Gu Changge has his struggles, Xianer. You have to believe that the family has never harbored ill intent towards you,” Gu Nanshan reiterated.

“What struggles does Gu Changge face?” Gu Xian’er inquired earnestly.

Gu Nanshan fell into silence. He, too, wished to understand Gu Changge’s troubles and longed to ask him directly. However, he had not anticipated that Gu Xian’er wouldn’t doubt the situation. Instead, he felt genuinely puzzled and asked with sincerity.

Without a response from Gu Nanshan, Gu Xian’er didn’t press further. In her view, this matter undoubtedly involved a profound secret—so significant that even the ancestors refrained from divulging it easily. She resolved to solve everything on her own.

“Gu Changge, one day, I will uncover your secrets…” Gu Xian’er clenched her fist, making a silent vow.

Following that, the trio didn’t linger. The primary objective of the Great Elder and Gu Nanshan in coming here was to safeguard Gu Xian’er, fearing any potential mishaps. With the training concluded, various Dao heritages poured in, rendering it difficult for any younger generation to remain.

Shortly after, the Great Elder waved his sleeves, causing the void before them to blur, revealing a passage. He led the two away from the Ancient Immortal Continent, returning to the Daotian Immortal Palace.

As a figure on par with the Gu family’s ancestors, Gu Nanshan had traveled a great distance. Now that the matter was resolved, he could relax and enjoy himself.

However, their expressions turned stiff when the trio departed from the Ancient Immortal Continent and arrived at the mountain peak where the Great Elder typically cultivated.

A young man dressed in white, with a serene expression, jet-black hair, and a black hairband, stood waiting there with a warm smile and an aloof demeanor.

Meanwhile, in a magnificent ancient city located 80,000 miles away from the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace, a grand chariot hovered high in the sky, surrounded by several formidable figures.

Within the chariot, a charming voice spoke softly, emanating from a woman adorned in a red dress with nine fluffy, snow-white fox tails held by two attendants. It was Yin Mei.

She wore a peculiar and alluring smile, hinting at an inexplicable and enigmatic meaning.

Outside the chariot, the driver—a robust man in the heavenly god realm—wore a solemn expression.

“Miss, this group of people is formidable!”

“It’s fine. I believe Princess Mingkong is reasonable and won’t cause trouble for a weak woman like me,” Yin Mei’s voice carried a subtle smile, indicating her lack of concern.

In the surrounding void, terrifying fluctuations akin to a vast ocean surged. Many influential individuals appeared from all directions, encircling the chariot. Their spiritual senses swept across the area with immense power.

Boom!

The world quaked, sending ripples through the void. Onlookers preparing to witness the spectacle groaned as their blood churned with fear. They retreated hastily, avoiding any further proximity.

These individuals were too formidable. The mere thought of facing them sent shivers down their spines.

“You’ve overstepped; you shouldn’t have gotten so close to him,” stated an aloof and refined woman as she stepped into the void. Her voice carried a calm and indifferent tone.

With each step she took, dazzling lotuses of the Great Dao emerged in the void, blooming individually. These lotuses appeared as silver light, transforming into immortal inscriptions imprinted on the void, radiating a terrifying aura. It was Yue Mingkong, having departed from the Ancient Immortal Continent.

Her body exuded immortal brilliance, her face blurred, yet her eyes deep and serene. Her wide sleeves fluttered, and her expression remained unwavering. Her eyes resembled gems, exuding peerless elegance. The words she spoke bore the indifference and dignity befitting a supreme goddess.

Yin Mei wasn’t surprised by Yue Mingkong’s appearance in the chariot. When she encountered Yue Mingkong in the Baiheng Mountains, she knew her relationship with Gu Changge would draw attention.

In Yin Mei’s perspective, such matters were likely inconsequential to Gu Changge. He probably didn’t care at all. After all, Yin Mei was merely a pawn in his game, and her place in his heart couldn’t compare to that of Yue Mingkong’s.

Yue Mingkong’s astuteness made it impossible for her not to have noticed this. Therefore, Yin Mei had long anticipated Yue Mingkong to seek her out.

She had expected Yue Mingkong to act slowly. Having just left the Ancient Immortal Continent, Yue Mingkong had already come to intercept her. This decisive approach aligned with the rumors surrounding her.

Yin Mei understood that this future empress was possessive toward Gu Changge and wouldn’t tolerate other women approaching him. This was further evidence of her feelings.

Upon hearing Yue Mingkong’s words, Yin Mei couldn’t help but smile. “Princess Mingkong, you’re quite assertive. But don’t you think the master would be displeased if he were to learn of this?”

“I couldn’t care less,” Yue Mingkong replied lightly. She knew Gu Changge well enough to understand Yin Mei wouldn’t sway him. At most, he was merely using her.

But before anything else, she needed to clarify things with Yin Mei and prevent unnecessary misunderstandings. Additionally, she hoped that Gu Changge would be upset with her; it would at least signify that she still held some significance in his heart. Yue Mingkong worried that Gu Changge might not even care about the matter—neither blaming nor questioning.

“It seems Princess Mingkong disagreed with my master. A clash?” Yin Mei remarked with a hint of amusement, detecting a trace of sadness in Yue Mingkong’s words. She had a natural talent for discerning these subtle emotions, allowing her to portray her reactions seamlessly.

At that moment, Yin Mei noticed the concealed emotions within Yue Mingkong, and her heart stirred. It seemed plausible that Gu Changge hadn’t been accompanied by Yue Mingkong when he left the Ancient Immortal Continent, indicating a possible conflict between them in the Baiheng Mountain Range. The root of the issue is likely Yue Mingkong.

Initially, Yin Mei harbored envy towards Yue Mingkong, as she was the woman treated favorably by Gu Changge—the first and foremost in his eyes. But now she glimpsed a faint ray of hope. She didn’t want to continue being a mere pawn in Gu Changge’s game; she longed for him to see her truly.

“How do you know?” Yue Mingkong’s eyes flashed with a dreadful divine light, manifesting into a series of bright moon seals imbued with terrifying divine power.

“It’s simply apparent to me,” Yin Mei replied with a smile. At this moment, her attitude toward Yue Mingkong had shifted. What if her power and strength paled in comparison to Yue Mingkong’s? She now played a crucial role for Gu Changge and was irreplaceable.

At this juncture, as long as Yue Mingkong wasn’t foolish, she wouldn’t dare to kill Yin Mei. Likewise, Yue Mingkong feared the possibility of incurring Gu Changge’s disdain.

This presented an opportunity Yin Mei could exploit.

“Aren’t you afraid this palace will end you?” Yue Mingkong’s tone turned cold. As someone reborn, she held no regard for Yin Mei. Her appearance served merely as a warning.

“Not at all. If you were to kill me, the master might not hold you accountable. However, consider this, Princess Mingkong—from this moment onward, you may never find your way into the master’s heart again. Have you thought about the consequences?” Yin Mei countered with a smile, facing Yue Mingkong head-on from across the carriage.

“Are you threatening me?” Yue Mingkong’s eyes exuded extreme indifference, her aura surging as if capable of toppling mountains and rivers with a mere flick of her hand. The audacity of a mere fox spirit daring to provoke and threaten her caught Yue Mingkong off guard.

Moreover, Yin Mei’s words struck at the heart of Yue Mingkong’s fears.

“No, I’m simply elucidating the situation for Princess Mingkong,” Yin Mei shook her head. “Of course, if you refrain from killing me, Princess Mingkong, you must tread cautiously in the future. There are many ways I can assist the master that you cannot.”

“Let’s see who captures the master’s heart first,” Yin Mei continued, undeterred by Yue Mingkong’s cold demeanor and lethal aura. Her strategy was present. Having pinpointed Yue Mingkong’s vulnerability, Yin Mei aimed to exploit it fully.

To her, these words pricked at Yue Mingkong’s core.

“Ridiculous,” Yue Mingkong scoffed, though Yin Mei noted with a hint of surprise that Yue Mingkong didn’t respond angrily. Instead, there was a trace of mockery in her eyes.

“Are you vying for Gu Changge’s affection as well?” Yue Mingkong’s voice remained calm but dripped with contemptuous mockery, not deeming Yin Mei’s words worthy of serious consideration.

Yue Mingkong had never fretted over the possibility of Gu Changge being swayed by other women. It was simply the jealousy and discomfort she experienced at seeing him surrounded by females other than herself, despite knowing that those interactions were merely acts orchestrated by Gu Changge, not genuine gestures.

In Yue Mingkong’s eyes, no one understood Gu Changge better than she did. She perceived Yin Mei’s confidence as not naive ignorance or wishful thinking, so she didn’t bother to dignify Yin Mei’s outburst with a response.

“However, your words have illuminated a truth for me: prevention is better than confrontation… Everything must be addressed at its root rather than attempting to alter the present,” Yue Mingkong stated. She had gleaned the answers she sought. She wouldn’t abandon her true purpose nor engage in unnecessary actions at this juncture. Even as a regressor, she lacked the power to thwart Gu Changge. Why not pursue a different approach?

“What does Yue Mingkong imply?” Yin Mei inquired, furrowing her brow and addressing Yue Mingkong directly. She couldn’t comprehend why Yue Mingkong was so confident that she couldn’t win Gu Changge’s heart. She refused to believe it!

However, Yue Mingkong offered no response to Yin Mei’s question, instead departing with a graceful hand wave. The other formidable individuals followed suit, transforming into the divine light and soaring into the sky, leaving without further intervention.

“If you manage to accomplish it, perhaps it would be for the best,” Yue Mingkong’s voice echoed from afar.

Perplexed, Yin Mei remained momentarily stunned within the carriage.

…

On the shores of the Immeasurable Sea.

In the ancient city of East Li.

An ancient family resided, enduring for millions of years, from ancient times to the present day.

They had witnessed periods of prosperity, decline, retreat, and resurgence, once reigning as the overlords of the region. However, several years ago, they incurred the wrath of the Divine Sect of the absolute beginning, leading to a devastating assault by numerous powerful entities. The ancient family was swiftly obliterated, their former stronghold now reduced to a desolate ruin. The remnants of fire had left their mark, evident in the broken walls, barren grass, shattered corners, and scattered debris—starkly contrasting their former grandeur. Passing cultivators occasionally cast glances at the scene, their eyes filled with sorrow.

“Ah, remembering the Ancient Sun family’s former might… in the ancient city of the East, their authority was unquestioned. They could shake the earth with a mere stamp of their foot. Yet now, their traces are nowhere to be found,” lamented many elderly individuals.

“The Divine Sect of the absolute beginning wreaks havoc without restraint, truly terrifying! They extinguished such power in a single day!” another person sighed.

“But even the mightiest families can fall, especially when they provoke the wrong forces, offend the wrong individuals,” added someone else, their tone regretful.

“Hush, lower your voice. Some matters mustn’t be spoken of. Have you forgotten about the downfall of the feathered clan of the Immortal Continent recently?” cautioned another, prompting a shiver from those present. Recalling the recent news, they fell silent, fear flickering in their eyes.

Suddenly, a thunderous clamor erupted like a mighty wave crashing against the sky. This grand sound reverberated from afar, originating from the shores of the boundless sea. Cultivators throughout the ancient city were alerted by the loud noise as numerous figures soared through the air, turning their gazes toward the source.

Hissing sounds filled the air as everyone present was struck with shock, drawing in a collective breath of cold air. This was the shore of the limitless sea, territory belonging to the sea clan.

While occasional visitors from the sea clan with goods were not uncommon, today was different. Warships roared with an alarming intensity, their numbers blotting out the sky and emanating terrifying fluctuations from afar. A massive blue flag billowed in the wind: the Sea King Palace!

Witnessing this spectacle, astonishment swept through the crowd. The Sea King Palace had ventured from the limitless sea with a substantial force of sea clan members. Instantly, thoughts turned to recent events within the Immortal Continent. The Seventh Princess of the Sea King Palace had been slain by a young girl named Gu Xian’er. Could the Sea King Palace be seeking retribution and justice for this incident?

News of the Sea King Palace’s arrival swiftly spread, igniting a sensation that resonated throughout all the ancient cities in the heavens.

…

Meanwhile, the mountain breeze rustled gently in the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace atop a mountain shrouded in clouds and mist. The surroundings appeared ethereal and grand, akin to an earthly paradise.

“Ah, the Great Elder and the old ancestor have returned?” Gu Changge, seated alone at a stone table with a drink in hand, sensed the approaching presence and rose with a smile to greet them.

The void blurred, revealing a portal from which three figures emerged, each bearing a different expression, none enjoyable. Why was Gu Changge waiting here so early?

Gu Xian’er’s smile faltered, freezing on her face, which had previously been adorned with contentment. Her wide eyes now reflected a mixture of anger and confusion.