I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 206

Chapter 206: The so-called last value of the emperor’s son, hang in there until I come to save you

After everything had been arranged, Gu Changge found herself pondering over the matter of Yin Mei and the unfortunate individual associated with her. Curiosity piqued, she decided to seek out the real identity of this person.

In that moment, she stowed away the two puppets and dispelled all the concealment formations within the hall.

Buzz!

Gu Changge took a step, her form swiftly vanishing into the void. Her destination: the palace complex where the Nine Tailed Heavenly Fox Clan now resided.

Before long, she materialized in the midst of a magnificent palace. Yin Mei, deep in cultivation with her eyes shut, sensed the fluctuations in the void and abruptly opened them. A ripple spread, and a portal appeared accompanied by a familiar aura. Gu Changge stepped out from amidst it all.

“Master,” Yin Mei exclaimed, surprise evident in her expression. Gu Changge’s sudden visit in the dead of night caused a faint blush to tinge her cheeks.

Gu Changge nodded, her expression betraying little change from her demeanor in front of others. Despite this, Yin Mei dared not show disrespect or speak with the resentment she displayed during their daytime encounters.

“It seems you haven’t been slacking off; your diligence in cultivation is commendable,” Gu Changge remarked with a smile, finding a place to sit casually.

“Master, coming here at this hour… Is it about Chu Fan?” Yin Mei quickly surmised that the visit likely wasn’t about her.

Gu Changge smiled, “Can’t I come just to see you?” With that, she drew Yin Mei into her embrace. Yin Mei’s delicate form yielded easily, her nine snow-white fox tails swaying gently, casting a peculiar allure.

“Master…” Yin Mei couldn’t help but feel delighted and content, despite knowing Gu Changge’s casual tone.

“Chu Fan, is that the name of the servant?” Gu Changge inquired with interest.

“Chu Fan, that name does seem rather protagonist standard, doesn’t it? Either Fan or Ye, it’s like something out of a cheesy street story,” remarked Gu Changge with a hint of amusement.

Yin Mei nodded, smiling as she sensed Gu Changge segueing into business. “Yes, I found him dying of hunger in the street in the past and took pity on him, so I adopted him,” she explained, providing Gu Changge with Chu Fan’s background as requested. She had kept an eye on Chu Fan’s movements as instructed after they left the birthday banquet hall, anticipating Gu Changge’s inquiry.

“Ah, I see. So, he has a life-saving benefactor. How interesting,” mused Gu Changge, narrowing his eyes. It was becoming clearer how Chu Fan, this supposed son of luck, was now opposing him, with Yin Mei being the key.

Gu Changge realized that lately, the sons of luck seemed to have connections with those around them. For example, Long Teng of the Dragon template and Ye Ling of… Gu Changge paused in thought, then continued, “the current mortal who’s risen to power, Chu Fan.”

“Does this mean that in the future, when seeking out the sons of luck, we should keep an eye on those around us?” Gu Changge frowned slightly, though he preferred taking initiative in such matters. However, he also understood that the appearance of these sons of luck in the lower realms coincided with the convergence of luck points across countless worlds, intersecting with his trajectory as well.

“Master, has something changed with Chu Fan?” Yin Mei couldn’t resist asking, her curiosity getting the better of her despite knowing she shouldn’t pry too much. After all, Gu Changge had hinted that it might be related to her.

“The current Chu Fan is not the same as before,” Gu Changge replied with a light smile, instructing Yin Mei to bring Chu Fan to them.

Speaking of which, the current Chu Fan and Gu Changge were still on the same page, both facing conflicts with the new Son of Luck. However, Chu Fan wasn’t deemed worthy of Gu Changge’s attention. His only value lay in informing Gu Changge about the origin of the character taken from him.

As Gu Changge pondered, Chu Fan, laden with confusion, incomprehension, nervousness, apprehension, and anticipation, was brought before them by Yin Mei.

“Master, Chu Fan is here,” Yin Mei announced respectfully, ensuring the hall’s privacy by closing off the back entrance to prevent any sound from escaping and alerting others.

Suddenly, the entire hall fell silent.

“I don’t know… Young Lord Changge, what is the reason for summoning me at this late hour?” Chu Fan stood there, his voice trembling, as if he might lose his footing at any moment. His sincere fear and anxiety vividly demonstrated his humility and caution as a lesser individual. His expression seemed flawless, such that any outsider present wouldn’t detect the slightest flaw.

Chu Fan’s mastery over his expressions was indeed impressive, portraying a character of simplicity. Yet, only he knew that his expression was genuine. Upon hearing Yin Mei’s unexpected visit and her message about Gu Changge summoning him, he was taken aback. It all happened so suddenly that he had no time to react. He stood there frozen, feeling as if a thunderstorm had struck him from above, rendering him completely dumbfounded.

During the day, he had sensed Gu Changge’s possible awareness of his abnormality. Though he tried to convince himself otherwise, he couldn’t shake the feeling. Now, being told in the dead of night that Gu Changge wished to see him, Chu Fan felt a cold sweat break out on his back, his scalp tingling, and his legs weakening.

Why did Gu Changge want to see him without apparent reason? What was the purpose behind this summoning? Chu Fan felt the urge to escape, but he knew his current cultivation and abilities were no match for the ancient immortal Gu family, not to mention Yin Mei standing before him, who could easily subdue him. He was trapped, unable to flee.

In the end, Chu Fan had no choice but to muster his courage and heed Gu Changge’s summons to the palace. But what was this he heard now? Yin Mei addressed Gu Changge as “master”? That wasn’t how she referred to him in the main hall earlier. It seemed Gu Changge harbored more secrets than Chu Fan had imagined.

After sifting through numerous rumors, Chu Fan’s spine grew colder as he caught wind of some truths regarding the inheritor of demonic arts. This revelation terrified him even further. As a mere stable hand, his former identity paled in comparison to Gu Changge’s stature.

All of Chu Fan’s emotions were laid bare as Gu Changge calmly sipped his tea, a slight smile gracing his lips. Then, he spoke, “I wonder what the name of our Dao brother is?”

At those words, Chu Fan’s pupils dilated suddenly, his expression undergoing a drastic change. In that moment, his entire facade crumbled, all his secrets laid bare before Gu Changge. Though it was a secret to him, he yearned to have it exposed. Gu Changge’s direct approach left no room for ambiguity, instantly unraveling Chu Fan’s history and leaving him with a bitter expression.

He still couldn’t fathom how he had ended up in this predicament, or how Gu Changge had seen through it all. Yet, amidst his confusion, Chu Fan found a glimmer of hope that Gu Changge might offer assistance. After all, with Gu Changge’s status and influence in the Ancient Royal family, his words carried significant weight.

“Brother Gu truly possesses keen insight. How did you discern this?” Chu Fan forced a bitter smile, summoning his willpower to remain composed. However, in the presence of Gu Changge, especially under such disadvantageous circumstances, merely speaking without trembling was an accomplishment in itself.

With the demeanor of someone accustomed to holding a position of authority, Gu Changge naturally exuded a commanding presence as he spoke.

“It truly appears to be a transformation,” remarked Yin Mei, visibly taken aback. The sudden change in her little servant into an entirely different person was beyond belief.

Gu Changge’s smile remained unchanged as he continued, “It doesn’t matter how it appears. Aren’t you going to introduce yourself, Dao brother? I believe you wouldn’t want to remain in this state indefinitely.”

Being displaced from one’s own body must be profoundly distressing. Who would willingly accept going from a significant figure to a dispensable character?

“Brother Gu, is there any way you can help me?” Chu Fan’s voice rose suddenly, his excitement and surprise palpable. It was difficult for him to maintain composure. If Gu Changge could truly assist him in reclaiming his original identity, he would comply with any request.

“Brother, you haven’t answered my earlier question,” Gu Changge reminded him, his gaze steady. Chu Fan felt a chill run down his spine, realizing now wasn’t the opportune moment to seek Gu Changge’s assistance. Gu Changge wouldn’t readily extend help; it wasn’t his nature. In this world, few would undertake actions without an ulterior motive, unless they were truly malevolent individuals who refused to reciprocate kindness. Obviously, Gu Changge didn’t fit into that category, and Chu Fan was fully aware of it.

Understanding that he needed to demonstrate his value to Gu Changge and reveal his true identity, Chu Fan began to speak candidly, disclosing his origins without reservation. He wasn’t naive; he knew he had nothing to offer except his memories. Thus, he had no bargaining power before Gu Changge, and it was clear from the outset that only Gu Changge could determine his fate.

“Brother Gu, my name is Ying Shuang. In reality, I am the son of Emperor Ying. Since ancient times, I have been in seclusion until this era. I have heard much about Brother Gu from external sources… I hold great admiration for you and eagerly wish to follow you until death. I am willing to exert my utmost for Brother Gu,” Chu Fan, now identifying as Ying Shuang, declared earnestly.

Yin Mei’s eyes widened in disbelief and shock at these words. She never fathomed that the son of Emperor Ying, who once ruled over the ancient clans, would appear in such a humble guise. The revelation, once known, would undoubtedly stir up a tempest. It seemed unfathomable, even to her own eyes, and her mind buzzed with disbelief.

“This person turns out to be the Emperor…” Yin Mei, hailing from the nine-tailed Tianhu clan, a lineage of the ancient royal family, was well-versed in the affairs of the emperor’s son. She understood his talent destined for an era. Yet, he had been sealed away by his father, with the intention for him to break free in later generations, competing with many supreme geniuses, and ultimately reclaiming his rightful place.

Gu Changge’s thoughts mirrored Yin Mei’s, albeit with more profound considerations. The fact that the individual practicing in the emperor’s hall turned out to be a servant saved by Yin Mei aligned perfectly with the patterns of seizing powerhouses known from his previous life. It seemed nearly impossible for him to surpass the ancient emperor in a single leap.

“It’s also intriguing. After this young servant suddenly ascends to the position of emperor, he may harbor thoughts about Yin Mei of the nine-tailed Heavenly Fox clan that he dared not entertain before. In this way, I am inevitably drawn into the situation,” Gu Changge mused. “It’s still a clichéd drama, but ants are ants after all. It’s quite laughable to aspire to become a true dragon merely by changing one’s identity. Even if the original owner stands before me, he’s just a mere bug incapable of rising.”

Having understood the intricacies of the matter, Gu Changge’s expression turned indifferent. In his view, Chu Fan, or rather Ying Shuang, held little value beyond his memories. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invested so much time in probing. In this moment, Chu Fan himself sensed that something was amiss, his expression shifting dramatically.

“Not good…” he muttered, a desperate desire to retreat evident in his demeanor.

Buzz!!

But Gu Changge’s palm descended swiftly, causing the void to collapse abruptly. A large, pitch-black palm print materialized, enveloping everything and seizing Chu Fan instantly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Gu Changge asked dispassionately.

“Gu Changge, please spare me! I swear to obey your every command, no matter what…” Chu Fan’s face paled in desperation. Though he had uncovered Gu Changge’s secret, he posed no threat to him!

“Puff!” However, Gu Changge didn’t allow him to finish his plea. With a swift motion, his palm struck, and Chu Fan’s body exploded in a gruesome spectacle.

Amidst the blood-soaked air, a dark-colored treasure bottle emerged, floating up and down before settling in place. Chu Fan’s soul was refined and absorbed by Gu Changge, who delved into his numerous memories.

Among the divine soul fragments were inheritances and accumulations from Chu Fan’s life as the emperor’s son, including treasure scriptures, law perception techniques, and more. For Gu Changge, it was a boon, particularly Chu Fan’s original memories, which intrigued him greatly.

After devouring these memories and soul fragments, Gu Changge could effortlessly create another puppet emperor completely under his control. He lacked the means to revert Chu Fan to his former self. Chu Fan, merely a lowly servant who stumbled upon his secret, served no purpose.

As for the servant who had assumed the role of emperor, Gu Changge dismissed him with little concern.

And in his estimation, this opportune occurrence presented a chance to divert suspicion away from him.

“If anyone inquires about this little servant, claim that he went mad and vanished,” Gu Changge instructed Yin Mei before departing the hall.

“Yes, master,” Yin Mei acknowledged, immediately setting to work cleansing the lingering aura in the hall. She was well-versed in handling such matters.

Gu Changge believed the current emperor would fervently search for the missing servant, fearing repercussions if the matter remained unresolved. By disposing of the servant discreetly, Gu Changge inadvertently extended a favor to the emperor, mindful of the potential consequences had the servant been frightened into hiding.

“The numerous inheritances of Emperor Ying require his blood for activation, but some divine artifacts from Emperor Mountain remain unaffected,” Gu Changge reflected as he returned to his palace.

After combining the Divine Soul Fragments of the emperor, Gu Changge refined a mysterious rune pulsating with radiant brilliance, incorporating remnants of the Emperor Mountain’s aura. Satisfied with the result, Gu Changge anticipated the ensuing suspicions and murmurs among the populace.

“It won’t take long; it’s still not too late,” Gu Changge observed the moonlit sky outside his window, deeming it the opportune moment. Setting his sights on the palace where the Ancient Immortal Wang Family resided, Gu Changge quickly pinpointed Wang Ziji’s location within the complex.

Buzz!! With a swift gesture, Gu Changge summoned the Great Sacred Realm puppet into the void, imbuing it with a strange light and a palpable absence of life fluctuations.

“Go,” Gu Changge commanded, passing a palm-sized rune to the puppet.

“Yes, Master!” In an instant, the puppet vanished into the void, its formidable aura shrouded in black mist as it swiftly descended upon Wang Ziji’s palace.

“Wang Ziji, I trust you won’t disappoint me. Hold on until I arrive,” Gu Changge mused, his interest piqued as he observed the unfolding events.

The rune provided to the puppet was an area-sealing rune from the system store, ensuring nearby areas remained sealed off, preventing the spread of any war-like auras. Gu Changge calculated the timing meticulously, confident in Wang Ziji’s ability to withstand the puppet’s assault until his arrival.