I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 215

Chapter 215: The assassination list prepared by Mingkong? A secret push

With the token from the Human Ancestor Hall, things became even simpler for Gu Changge. Yan Ji, pretending to be Jiang Chuchu, the descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall, could now travel the world and, in the process, promote Gu Changge’s various achievements against the inheritors of demonic arts. At this juncture, there were no fools bold enough to question anything. Meanwhile, Wang Ziji, another descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall, never harbored any doubts about Gu Changge’s identity.

At that moment, with the endorsement of these two descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall, Gu Changge could expect steady development for some time. What did it signify when the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall spoke? It signified authority! As the oldest Dao heritage to combat the inheritors of demonic arts, no other faction possessed as much knowledge about them as the Human Ancestor Hall.

As long as Yan Ji didn’t encounter an old acquaintance or teacher familiar with Jiang Chuchu, it would be impossible for her to arouse suspicion. Jiang Chuchu was ensnared in the inner world by Gu Changge, rendering her irrelevant for the time being. Unless she suddenly unleashed some forbidden power, breaking free from the confines of the inner world was out of her reach.

Hence, for a brief period, Gu Changge had no need to concern himself with her and could focus on the reincarnation of the human ancestor. “I have Emperor Ying Shuang to serve as a scapegoat for me. It won’t be easy for him to dispel suspicions during this time. He probably retreated back to Heavenly Emperor Mountain after his appearance,” Gu Changge mused. “Although he’s more vigilant than other beneficiaries of fortune, what good is such vigilance in front of me? Even a turtle’s shell must be shattered for you.”

Amidst the palace, Gu Changge couldn’t contain his laughter. A jade slip materialized before him, detailing the names of the emperors along with a plethora of information about princes of ancient emperors, heirs of true immortals, ancient prodigies, and even numerous young emperors who had ascended to the throne in various eras.

Now that Gu Changge was highly esteemed, his identity had undergone a seismic shift. Even as a retainer with a foreign surname, many Gu family members paid close attention to him and dared not disdain him. And he knew very well who had facilitated all of this.

“How’s Qiu Han been faring lately?” Gu Changge inquired casually, standing with his hands behind his back. He had left Lin Qiuhan in the care of the Purple Immortal Pill Sect for quite some time, and it seemed fitting to pay her a visit.

“Qiu Han has been thriving in the Purple Immortal Pill Sect. She’s being groomed as a future sect master, and her alchemy skills currently surpass those of her peers in the sect,” Old Ming reported with a hint of relief evident on his face. “She also misses you greatly, young master.”

Hearing this, Old Ming couldn’t help but feel excited and pleased. Gu Changge’s inquiry indicated that he hadn’t forgotten about Lin Qiuhan. Given Gu Changge’s status, countless heavenly maidens would eagerly vie for his attention. Lin Qiuhan, originating from the lower realm, lacked the illustrious background of these potential suitors. It would be natural for Gu Changge to overlook her.

But Gu Changge’s interest in her now showed that Old Ming’s hopes for Lin Qiuhan’s recognition by Gu Changge weren’t unfounded.

“Oh, Qiu Han hasn’t disappointed me,” Gu Changge remarked with a slight smile. It wasn’t surprising, considering her remarkable luck. Since arriving in the upper realm, she had begun to exhibit her prowess in alchemy.

“I’ll make time to visit the Purple Immortal Pill Sect soon to see her,” Gu Changge added. It was time for Lin Qiuhan to fulfill her role. After all, Gu Changge had entrusted her to the Purple Immortal Pill Sect for her development, and it was only fair that she reciprocated by leveraging her training for his benefit.

“Thank you, Young Master. If Qiu Han hears that you’re planning to visit her, she’ll undoubtedly be pleasantly surprised,” Old Ming exclaimed excitedly.

…

“What? Where are my parents and grandfather?” On the other end, through Gu Changge’s deliberate arrangement, a piece of news reached Gu Xian’er’s ears after numerous twists and turns. In a palace, she looked at the clan member before her who had brought the news. Emotions of joy, excitement, and relief surged uncontrollably across her face, impossible to conceal. This was the second most joyous moment she had experienced recently.

The first, undoubtedly, was finally uncovering what Gu Changge had been concealing all this time. Since the incident at the Nirvana Pool, Gu Xian’er hadn’t seen Gu Changge again, left to wonder about his whereabouts. She had pieced together the truth that day when she witnessed him struggling against his demonic nature, unable to contain it.

Why had he extracted her Dao bone back then? Wasn’t it because he was being controlled by the demon? Yet, now, he seemed willing to sacrifice anything to avoid causing her harm. Gu Changge’s words, “Don’t touch her,” still reverberated in her mind, a protective roar that stirred her heart.

Understanding the sacrifices Gu Changge had made over the years, Gu Xian’er found herself moved and deeply touched. Perhaps his deliberate avoidance of her now was simply a matter of preserving his facade. With this realization, Gu Xian’er paid little heed to Gu Changge’s actions.

“Miss, the news should be accurate. Several cultivators have observed the whereabouts of the Patriarch and your family members, indicating they are in a lower realm…” The clansman delivering the news responded with a determined expression.

“And who provided this information?” Gu Xian’er inquired, feeling both puzzled and curious.

“This is unclear because the news has undergone many twists and turns, making it impossible to ascertain the exact source,” the person replied respectfully.

Gu Xian’er was slightly taken aback. After a moment of consideration, she nodded, casting a glance in the direction of Gu Changge’s residence. “Very well, I’ll depart today to search for my parents and the others.”

Had she just returned to the Ancient Immortal Gu family, yet already received news about her parents’ whereabouts? Was it truly a coincidence, or had luck favored her?

Gu Xian’er wasn’t naive. Over the years, someone must have been discreetly aiding her in this investigation. And who could that person be? Gu Xian’er quickly surmised the likely suspect.

“Gu Changge is as proud as ever. He clearly cares about me, yet maintains an indifferent facade, hmph…” With this realization, Gu Xian’er led a contingent of her lineage’s formidable warriors and set off to reunite with her parents.

…

“Holy Maiden,” Yan Ji stood outside the Ancient Immortal Gu family’s territory, veiled with a mist shrouding her features. From an external perspective, she bore no discernible difference from her previous guise as Jiang Chuchu. Even if Wang Ziji, her companion in cultivation, were present, it would be challenging for him to detect any anomaly.

The Heavenly Lord of Reincarnation, in his youth, had earned a reputation for his clandestine activities. Consequently, he had delved into secretive techniques, including altering his facial appearance and concealing his origins.

Perhaps even the Heavenly Lord of Reincarnation himself never imagined that one day his secretive technique would be employed by Gu Changge in such a manner.

In the void, an elderly woman garbed in gray attire materialized, her Great Sacred Realm cultivation evident. With respect, she addressed Yan Ji, unaware of any anomaly in her appearance.

Yan Ji nodded indifferently, adhering to Gu Changge’s directives. Having departed from the Ancient Immortal Gu family, she had journeyed here assuming the guise of a descendant of the Ancient Immortal Hall, her destination the territory inhabited by the ancient clans.

“Holy Maiden, have you made any headway in your investigation?” the gray-clothed elder inquired curiously. Previously, Jiang Chuchu had insisted on visiting the Ancient Immortal Gu family to confront Gu Changge, a seemingly unnecessary action. Now, with the Emperor being the primary suspect as the inheritor of demonic power, shouldn’t the focus shift to investigating Emperor Ying Shuan?

Yan Ji’s expression betrayed a hint of contrition as she replied, “I allowed myself to become misguided. Young Master Changge holds the well-being of the world in his heart and has made numerous sacrifices in the fight against the inheritor of demonic arts. I should not have doubted him.”

The elder was taken aback by this admission, relieved that the Holy Maiden seemed to be coming to her senses. It wasn’t too late to abandon her misguided fixation.

“Holy Maiden, should we proceed to Heavenly Emperor Mountain now? The situation there may be precarious, akin to entering the Tiger’s Den,” the gray-clad elder expressed concern.

Yan Ji shook her head, dismissing the elder’s worries. “The inheritor of demonic power is of paramount importance, and Heavenly Emperor Mountain wouldn’t dare risk the consequences of antagonizing the entire world. There’s no need to worry.”

Despite her reassurances, a fleeting sense of unease flickered across Yan Ji’s expression. When she first returned to the upper realm with Gu Changge, she had been oblivious to his identity as the inheritor of demonic arts. Only recently had she come to comprehend the truth.

Was she following more than just a hero? This was simply an unparalleled devil who manipulated the world like a chessboard, strategizing for the common people’s benefit. And she had no objection to that. After all, she followed Gu Changge, not his identity. Despite the life-and-death secrets surrounding him, Gu Changge had never harmed her. Instead, he placed a great deal of trust in her, entrusting her with numerous important tasks. From the grace of their initial encounter to the transformative gift of a new body, Yan Ji found herself indebted to him in countless ways.

“Indeed, let’s proceed to Emperor Mountain now, Holy Maiden. Are we continuing the search for the reincarnation of the Human Ancestor?” the gray-clad elder inquired solemnly, shifting their focus to another pressing matter that had long been a concern for Jiang Chuchu.

“The reincarnation of the Human Ancestor will reveal itself in due time. We need not interfere excessively; allowing events to unfold naturally may even facilitate the Human Ancestor’s emergence,” Yan Ji recalled Gu Changge’s guidance, shaking her head slightly as she explained. Even if she chose not to actively pursue the Human Ancestor’s reincarnation, others within the Human Ancestor Hall would inevitably undertake the task. While discovering the reincarnation held great honor, the rewards remained uncertain.

“Our primary objective remains identifying the inheritor of demonic arts,” Yan Ji reiterated, her gaze settling on Emperor Ying Shuang, who currently bore the blame for Gu Changge’s actions. Her intent was to firmly implicate Emperor Ying Shuang and shift the focus away from Gu Changge.

“Understood,” the gray-clothed elder affirmed, harboring no suspicions. Soon, the duo transformed into divine lights, ascending into the sky as they made their way toward Heavenly Emperor Mountain.

….

At the same time, within the confines of Heavenly Emperor Mountain, Ying Shuang’s countenance was marked by gloom and resentment as he paced back and forth within the palace. His fists clenched tightly, his expression a mix of fury and unwillingness.

“Detestable! Gu Changge has framed me like this! I must seek vengeance for this injustice!” he seethed, his voice laced with bitterness. Yet beneath his outward display of defiance lurked deep-seated fear, panic, and anxiety.

As Gu Changge had anticipated, mere days after Ying Shuang’s emergence, he attempted to assert his authority, only to find himself besieged by cultivators and creatures alike, stirring chaos wherever he ventured. Donning the hat of the inheritor of demonic arts, he found no welcome reception; instead, he incited only animosity. Were it not for the formidable backing of Heavenly Emperor Mountain, countless cultivators and prestigious sects would have already moved against him.

The mounting evidence suggested an undeniable connection between the emperor and the inheritor of demonic arts. Despite Heavenly Emperor Mountain’s attempts to explain away the situation, their efforts proved futile. In the chaos that ensued, Ying Shuang inadvertently slew numerous attackers, further tarnishing his reputation and fueling his rage.

Though Ying Shuang had never inherited the memories of his original body, he was acutely aware of his innocence in regard to the alleged demonic arts. His body bore no trace of such corruption. Yet Gu Changge and the descendants of the Human Ancestor Hall had twisted the facts, launching a despicable smear campaign against him.

However, with limited recourse and lacking the strategic acumen of his original body, Ying Shuang found himself at an impasse. Forced to retreat prematurely, he dispatched agents to investigate the whereabouts of the servant who had served as his previous vessel, only to discover the individual had vanished, their last known location being the Ancient Immortal Gu family.

A shiver ran down Ying Shuang’s spine at this revelation, sending a chill of foreboding coursing through him.

It was likely that besides him, no one would spare a thought for such an insignificant servant. The disappearance of this lowly servant wouldn’t stir any waves; after all, he had no relatives or friends to care for him.

“Suddenly vanished… Yin Mei might be saddened, and no one will tend to her horses anymore. This Gu Changge has made Yin Mei unhappy, he deserves punishment!” Ying Shuang seethed, attributing all blame to Gu Changge. He assumed that no one besides Yin Mei would be affected by his disappearance. To Ying Shuang, Yin Mei had been a beacon of light during his darkest moments, providing him with much-needed assistance. If she didn’t care for him, why would she have helped him so earnestly?

Naturally, Ying Shuang placed all grievances squarely on Gu Changge’s shoulders. Perhaps Gu Changge had unearthed something sinister, prompting his sudden attack on a mere servant. The thought sent chills down Ying Shuang’s spine, as it seemed Gu Changge now held the upper hand. His former body was likely usurped by the previous emperor, and Gu Changge possessed the means to extract the truth from the emperor’s own lips.

Terrified, Ying Shuang resolved to retreat to Heavenly Emperor Mountain to lay low for a while. After all, he had transitioned from an inconspicuous servant to a figure of envy and scrutiny overnight. Yet, before he could relish his newfound status, he found himself branded as the accursed inheritor of demonic arts.

This unsettling turn of events left Ying Shuang feeling apprehensive, nearly on the brink of shouting out in frustration. It was evident that he lacked the capabilities to navigate such precarious circumstances in the outside world.

Ying Shuang’s sudden change of heart and subsequent return to Heavenly Emperor Mountain elicited scorn from many neutral clans within the Royal Sword clan. They viewed the emperor’s behavior as embarrassing and disgraceful to his lineage. Even high-ranking members and seasoned veterans of Emperor Mountain couldn’t conceal their dismay at the unfolding situation.

Ying Shuang’s sudden retreat to Emperor Mountain after initially appearing determined left many puzzled and bewildered. This departure from his usual demeanor led them to speculate that he might have encountered setbacks in his cultivation. However, they didn’t delve too deeply into the matter.

Given Ying Shuang’s status as the heir of Emperor Ying, his soul was fortified by the imprint of his imperial lineage, rendering it nearly impervious to external influence. If anyone dared to attempt a takeover, it would undoubtedly attract attention and scrutiny.

Despite the loss of Ying Shuang’s prestige within Heavenly Emperor Mountain, Gu Changge inexplicably garnered an influx of luck and destiny points. This outcome, though unexpected, was not entirely unforeseen by Gu Changge. After all, the current Ying Shuang was merely masquerading as a figure of importance; at his core, he remained nothing more than a humble stable hand.

In light of these developments, Ying Shuang’s reaction of fear and retreat seemed almost fitting, given the circumstances.