I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: You don’t understand the good intentions of your brother. Will you swear by your dao heart not to hurt her?

Gu Xian’er was puzzled.

Why is Gu Changge here instead of staying at his Supreme Peak?

He had stirred up a hornet’s nest in the Ancient Immortal Continent, yet now he seemed to have left the mess behind as if he didn’t care.

“Gu Changge, why are you here?” The Great Elder reacted swiftly, stepping out from the void and flinging his oversized sleeves as he asked. He had never favored Gu Changge, and this sentiment remained unchanged.

While he appreciated some aspects of Gu Changge, he needed help to agree with his methods. Their cultivation philosophies diverged utterly. Gu Nanshan’s expression wasn’t particularly welcoming either, but he had to maintain a facade of appreciation for Gu Changge due to Gu Xian’er’s presence. This only added to his inner frustration and discouragement.

“Of course, I was waiting for the return of the Great Elder and the old ancestor, and I wanted to ensure Xian’er hadn’t been slacking during this time,” Gu Changge replied with a smile. His slender, handsome figure stood gracefully, his robes billowing as he spoke with a blend of dignity and ease.

“It’s been some time since I last saw Xian’er; her cultivation has improved significantly. I’m quite pleased,” he added, glancing at Gu Xian’er, who had subtly shifted to the back.

His charming smile might have been deceiving to an outsider, but Gu Xian’er saw through it. She remained composed, inwardly rolling her eyes at his apparent kindness. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Gu Changge harbored ulterior motives and quietly plotted something.

Gu Xian’er vividly recalled when she had visited Gu Changge with good intentions, only to face his injury.

Not only did he fail to appreciate her, but he also ruthlessly humiliated her, setting her up to be involved in the attack on the feathered clan. Gu Xian’er harbored resentment over this incident and eagerly awaited the opportunity to repay Gu Changge with interest.

“What, are you still brooding over that incident?” Gu Changge interjected, his tone seemingly benevolent. “It was for your benefit. Without such experiences, your prospects would be limited. When I was your age, I had already braved the boundless sea alone…”

He paused, noticing Gu Xian’er’s expression and understanding her thoughts. With a smile that appeared kind and genuine, he continued, shaking his head slightly as he spoke. His words carried a sincere and brotherly concern for Gu Xian’er.

Gu Nanshan, as the old ancestor, was taken aback this time. He had always believed Gu Changge and Gu Xian’er to be bitter enemies, so seeing them seemingly on good terms now was bewildering.

Has Gu Changge somehow resolved the issue?

This realization left him momentarily dazed, a mix of sadness and relief washing over him. Perhaps his anger towards Gu Changge and the urge to reprimand him had subsided. This junior had some skill; things were not as dire as he had assumed.

“Gu Changge, don’t pretend…” Gu Xian’er started to retort, her anger evident in her voice. But Gu Changge remained silent, infuriating Gu Xian’er further.

It seemed like Gu Changge was intentionally provoking her, deliberately stoking her anger. Gu Xian’er gritted her teeth with hatred, unable to contain her frustration. She glared at Gu Changge, her beautiful crystal-clear eyes emanating a chilling aura, as sharp as an ice blade ready to strike.

Moments ago, she had been wearing a pleasant smile, enjoying the rewards of her journey to the Ancient Immortal Continent. But instantly, her expression turned as cold and unyielding as an iceberg that wouldn’t thaw for a thousand years.

“You don’t understand your brother’s good intentions,” Gu Changge remarked, shaking his head with a hint of regret and disappointment.

“Old ancestor, can you suppress Gu Changge’s cultivation? I want to challenge him to a fair duel and shut that mouth of his!” Gu Xian’er’s voice dripped with coldness as she spoke, her frustration palpable.

“Have you become spoiled, thinking the ancestor will always have your back?” Gu Changge chuckled lightly, his tone casual, which only fueled Gu Xian’er’s hatred. Memories of being bested by Gu Changge in the past flooded her mind.

“Xian’er, perhaps you’ve misunderstood Changge’s intentions…” Gu Nanshan intervened, coughing slightly. The tension between Gu Xian’er and Gu Changge had somewhat eased, relieving the old ancestor. While he preferred not to see Gu Changge again, he couldn’t allow the two to engage in a fight at this moment.

Even the ancestor couldn’t gauge Gu Changge’s true strength. Who knew how many tricks Gu Changge had up his sleeve? If Gu Xian’er were to confront him now, she would surely be disadvantaged, given her abilities.

“Ancestor, aren’t you from my lineage? Why do you always favor Gu Changge?” Gu Xian’er’s frustration bubbled to the surface, unable to maintain her usual indifference in Gu Changge’s presence.

“Young girl, it’s for your good,” Gu Nanshan replied helplessly.

Gu Changge maintained his smile, lifting his glass to his lips. He understood now, as he had anticipated, that even if Gu Nanshan harbored resentment towards him, he would be unwise to act on it. Gu Nanshan wasn’t foolish; revealing the truth to Gu Xian’er now could jeopardize the delicate situation. Instead, to preserve the current peace, Gu Nanshan might have to extend some support to Gu Changge, as he is doing now.

“If you doubt your brother, why not go outside and see what the Sea King Palace is up to?” Gu Changge suggested a hint of complexity in his eyes as he spoke.

“The Sea King Palace…” Gu Xian’er was taken aback, memories flooding her mind. Amidst the blur, one image stood out: a dark scene filled with boundless murderous intent, with Gu Changge swooping down from the sky to shield her from an attack. Then, she realized she had personally delivered the fatal blow to the Seventh Princess of the Sea King’s Palace in the Ancient Immortal Continent. While Gu Changge had subdued the Seventh Princess, her hand struck the final blow. She bore the responsibility.

Realization dawned on her. If the Sea King Palace sought revenge, it would come for her. Gu Changge, knowing this, had refrained from taking any lives himself, placing the burden squarely on her shoulders before departing.

“You’re correct. The Sea King Palace will undoubtedly seek retribution against me,” Gu Xian’er acknowledged, aware that her current status wouldn’t deter the Sea King Palace from pursuing justice.

However, if Gu Changge had slain the Seventh Princess from the start, the dynamics would have shifted, and the Sea King Palace wouldn’t have dared to retaliate against him so quickly. So why did Gu Changge handle the situation as he did? What was his motive?

“The Sea King Palace may have already launched their attack by now. Xian’er, you must not disregard your brother’s intentions,” Gu Changge interjected.

Could his words hold truth? Gu Xian’er pondered silently, puzzled by the situation. On one hand, Gu Changge seemed to orchestrate another scheme to pit her against the Sea King Palace. But why, then, had he intervened to save her when her life was in danger? And why had he allowed her to deal the fatal blow to the Seventh Princess while he remained passive?

In Gu Xian’er’s estimation, there were two possibilities. One was that Gu Changge wanted her to provoke the Sea King Palace without directly implicating himself. Yet, considering Gu Changge’s audacious nature, was there any force he wouldn’t dare to confront?

The other possibility was that Gu Changge’s actions manifested his arrogance. Despite his concern for her safety, he maintained a façade of superiority. Perhaps, as Gu Changge claimed, it was all part of a deliberate training regimen for her.

Shaking her head, Gu Xian’er dismissed these thoughts. Why would Gu Changge invest in her strength only to potentially face her wrath in the future? It seemed illogical and not in line with his character.

Had Gu Changge’s intentions indeed been this convoluted all along? Gu Xian’er found herself lost in contemplation. If so, it seemed incredibly foolish and out of character for him.

With his objective accomplished, Gu Changge smiled faintly before turning to the Great Elder. “I wish to discuss something with you upon your return.”

The Great Elder frowned, inquiring, “What is it that you were waiting for me to return to discuss?”

“It pertains to recent events,” Gu Changge replied with a smile, unperturbed by the growing gravity in the Great Elder’s expression. “If I recall correctly, you once pledged to protect the Ancient Immortal tribes. However, with the opening of this channel, numerous foreign Dao heritages have infiltrated, disrupting the peace and stability of the Ancient Immortal Continent.”

The Great Elder’s countenance darkened as he listened. “Don’t assume I’m unaware you’re behind all of this. Cease your pretense of righteousness before me,” he interjected coldly.

Gu Changge responded with a calm smile. “It’s futile to dwell on that now. With the emergence of the Immortal Gate, the balance of power has shifted dramatically. Are you truly willing to let these external forces ravage our land, potentially leading to the destruction of the Ancient Immortal clans?”

His words were subtle, hinting at an unspoken understanding: “You know my intentions, yet you’re powerless to stop me.”

The Great Elder’s expression remained grim. “I disagree. My Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace will not meddle in power struggles. This has been our longstanding principle, and we shall not deviate from it.”

Gu Changge’s intentions were clear to the Great Elder: he aimed to exploit the chaos to assert dominance over the Ancient Immortal Continent and unite the clans under his banner. Though Gu Changge cloaked his intentions in diplomacy, the Great Elder, with his millennia of wisdom, saw through the facade.

Gu Changge, now the presumed heir of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace, sought to leverage the palace’s reputation to subjugate the Ancient Immortal clans, much like he had done with the Feathered clan.

The Great Elder, seasoned by countless years of experience, swiftly grasped Gu Changge’s true motives.

Gu Changge greeted the Great Elder’s words with a smile. “Great Elder, there’s no need to rush to reject my request. After all, you still owe me a favor, haven’t you forgotten?”

He made his intentions clear. “Xian’er is also a member of my Gu family. If the Great Elder truly wishes her well, it’s worth considering my proposal. I don’t intend to use that favor to coerce you.”

His words hung in the air, leaving no room for misunderstanding. The assembled individuals were not naive; Gu Nanshan couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at Gu Changge’s audacity. He was the first to speak to the Great Elder in such a manner.

Gu Xian’er felt discomfort as Gu Changge dragged her into the conversation. “What are you scheming now, Gu Changge?” she demanded, her tone icy.

Ignoring her outburst, Gu Changge smiled as he settled into a stone chair. “This wine has gone cold, what a shame…” he lamented, wishing Yin Mei were still around to warm it.

The Great Elder stiffened, his eyes betraying a simmering anger. “Are you trying to threaten me?”

Gu Changge chuckled lightly. “Certainly not, Great Elder. You could easily misconstrue such a suggestion,” he replied, refusing to admit any ulterior motive.

The Great Elder snorted in response. Gu Changge’s mention of Gu Xian’er’s name and the remainder of the owed favor left him feeling trapped. It was a subtle threat: agree or face the consequences of invoking that favor.

“Gu Changge is truly ruthless, scheming as effortlessly as he breathes,” Gu Nanshan remarked to himself. He knew about the bet between the Great Elder and Gu Changge, where the elder had lost favor and unwittingly granted Gu Changge the heirship. Today’s events only confirmed his suspicions.

The Great Elder, a formidable powerhouse in his own right, was figuratively devoured by Gu Changge’s words, leaving him with no viable retort. At that moment, accepting being outmaneuvered by Gu Changge didn’t seem quite as unbearable as he initially thought.

However, Gu Changge still needed to be finished. With a light smile, he continued to press his point. “Great Elder, reconsider your stance. Xian’er’s current predicament is rather precarious. Even if you don’t consider her as your disciple, you must consider the reputation of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Palace. While you hesitate to unite the Ancient Immortal clans, I have no reservations.”

Gu Changge’s final purpose was laid bare, delivered with his trademark poise and charm.

“Gu Changge, you need not use me as leverage to threaten the master. It won’t work,” Gu Xian’er interjected, her tone frosty, her desire to confront and defeat Gu Changge palpable.

Her acute perception noticed the implied threat in Gu Changge’s words. To her, it felt like he was indirectly threatening the Great Elder by invoking her name.

Gu Xian’er believed she had deciphered Gu Changge’s intentions and didn’t believe he would genuinely harm her.

The Great Elder’s gaze grew intense, a deep resonance echoing in his voice as he spoke. The faint image of a universe in ruins flickered in his eyes, accompanied by ominous energy. He was indeed angered.

“Your ability to elegantly threaten others is quite remarkable, Gu Changge,” the Great Elder remarked, his tone laden with seriousness as he addressed the situation, his power emanating around him.

Gu Changge remained composed, calmly addressing the Great Elder. “Your anger is futile, Great Elder. After all, you still owe me a favor. If you intend to oppress the younger generation, I’m confident the old ancestor won’t stand idly by, will he?” His words carried a subtle yet undeniable implication, emphasized by a knowing glance toward Gu Nanshan.

Until he was confident, Gu Changge wouldn’t have dared to utter such bold statements.

Now that Gu Changge understood Gu Nanshan’s stance, little else concerned him.

“Your ambitions may be grand, but with your youth, how do you expect to unite all the clans in the Ancient Immortal?” the Great Elder questioned, a sense of resignation in his voice.

“It’s of no consequence,” Gu Changge replied with a light smile. “That’s not something you need to worry about, Great Elder.”

“I can agree, but you must swear on your dao heart that you will refrain from harming Xian’er in any way from this day forward. Additionally, it would help if you acknowledged Xian’er’s identity,” the Great Elder proposed after a prolonged silence, his inner struggle evident on his face.

It was clear this decision weighed heavily on him. While he had pledged to shelter the Ancient Immortal clans’ descendants, the current circumstances and Gu Changge’s pressure left him little choice.

However, before committing, he needed assurance from Gu Changge that Gu Xian’er would remain unharmed. She might well be his last disciple to be taken under his wing. Despite his generosity and integrity, the Great Elder recognized Gu Changge as Gu Xian’er’s most formidable foe. Yet, Gu Changge’s true intentions remained elusive.

“Master…” Gu Xian’er was momentarily stunned by the Great Elder’s compromise, her anger towards Gu Changge momentarily forgotten. She hadn’t expected him to yield to Gu Changge for her sake, which touched her deeply.

However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was unnecessary – Gu Changge likely had ulterior motives, merely toying with her emotions.

“Why is there always such deep animosity directed towards me?” Gu Changge shook his head slightly at the Great Elder’s words, a hint of helplessness in his expression.

In truth, the Great Elder’s sentiments resonated within Gu Changge’s heart. Throughout the interaction, Gu Changge harbored no intent to harm Gu Xian’er. The Great Elder and others’ wariness and protectiveness were perhaps excessive.

However, Gu Changge saw no need to justify himself. His demeanor and conduct, while occasionally ambiguous, were well within the bounds of normalcy.

“Gu Changge, do you agree to these terms?” the Great Elder pressed, his tone serious. If Gu Changge refused, the Great Elder couldn’t consent to his request either.

As the attention turned to Gu Changge, Gu Xian’er’s gaze fixed upon him, her clear eyes betraying hidden emotions. She, too, was curious about Gu Changge’s true intentions and treatment towards her.

For Gu Xian’er, the Great Elder’s words served as a test for Gu Changge, causing her to feel a sense of unease.