I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Everyone loves to hear beautiful words. It seems like the king was born late.

Listening to Gu Changge’s words, Xi Yao’s expression remained calm, as did the old stone beside her, who appeared indifferent. Despite the widespread circulation of the events from 6,000 years ago, many malicious rumours still lingered in various quarters.

However, who could claim to know the actual truth beyond the genuine power circles of the demon world? It was natural for numerous rumors from the outside world to discredit Xi Yao to some extent.

They all had heard what Gu Changge had just voiced.

“I’m curious, Young Master Changge, what are your thoughts on these rumors?”

Empress Xi Yao’s eyes sparkled with clarity, possessing a divine radiance as she gazed at Gu Changge. Although he only embodied a Dharma Dao body, he exuded the aura of one accustomed to high authority, overseeing everything—a queen who ruled the demon world, feared and unquestioned.

If she had scrutinized an ordinary young prodigy in such a manner, they would likely have been overcome with panic.

“The younger generation believes these rumors to be baseless, and that’s my stance,” Gu Changge replied calmly, maintaining a serene smile as he locked eyes with her, seemingly unworried about offering further explanation.

“Young Master Changge, what do you mean by that?” Xi Yao was momentarily taken aback. She puzzled over his words and then carefully reconsidered them. Baseless rumors?

If spoken by an ordinary young talent, she might have dismissed it as flattery, not to be taken seriously. But coming from Gu Changge, it held a different weight—it seemed somewhat inscrutable. Had he discerned something? Or had he perceived her intentions?

Xi Yao was intrigued by Gu Changge. If anyone else had made such statements, she might have grown impatient and swiftly dealt with them. But she felt compelled to inquire further from him.

Could he have seen through something? Or perhaps he grasped her underlying goodwill?

At this moment, even the Great Elder and Lao Shi regarded Gu Changge with surprise upon hearing this. Xi Yao’s reputation in the upper realms was unfavourable and almost considered common knowledge.

Particularly among the younger generation, the chaos in the demon world was widely known. The prevailing narrative depicted Queen Xi Yao as a tyrant whose rule was marked by cruelty and oppression, leading to widespread suffering among the demon race. The uprising of various demon factions, including figures like the King of Peace and Chaos, who was hailed as the Queen’s nemesis, was a frequent topic of discussion.

As the gaze of the three individuals converged, Gu Changge maintained his serene smile and calmly continued speaking, directly addressing Xi Yao. He noticed a slight change in her expression but pressed on with his point.

“Previously, the younger generation held the belief that Queen Xi Yao was a despot who perpetrated various atrocities, plunging the demon world into turmoil,” Gu Changge remarked, his tone measured.

He then fixed his gaze on Xi Yao, noting her reaction. With another gentle smile, he added, “However, upon careful consideration, one thing remains constant across all realms and epochs…”

“It remains constant?” Xi Yao repeated the words cautiously, her heart trembling slightly. Could it be that Gu Changge’s perspective aligned with her past sentiments?

Gu Changge nodded affirmatively. “Indeed, one thing remains constant.”

“That is, for change to occur, a price must be paid—a price that cannot be circumvented.”

“Six thousand years ago, as the six emperors of the demon world vied for supremacy, wars and upheaval ensued, leaving the common folk struggling for survival. It was not uncommon for desperate individuals to resort to extreme measures, even selling their own kin for sustenance.”

“If memory serves correctly, within the territories governed by the emperors, there existed disparity and hardship among the demon clans. Cannibalism and other grim practices were prevalent as survival tactics. In such an environment, achieving longevity was feasible, but progress remained elusive.”

“The major demon emperors remained entrenched in their ways, focused solely on personal cultivation and status, neglecting the welfare of their subjects. Under this stagnation, the demon world faced inevitable decline, with its fortunes waning.”

“However, after six millennia of turmoil, the demon world stands on the brink of extinction. Yet, through the realization of unity, peace now reigns, and the demon clans have embraced cultural and humanitarian advancements. What is the catalyst for these changes? It is the vision and leadership of Empress Xi Yao from the outset.”

“Amidst the world’s ignorance, only faults are magnified, while merits are overlooked. From the perspective of the younger generation, such a portrayal is unjust to the QueenQueen.”

Gu Changge’s delivery remained composed and unwavering, presenting his views as irrefutable truths.

“Everyone is ignorant? My master said that from the beginning…” Upon hearing this, Lao Shi was left stunned and speechless for a considerable duration. Gu Changge’s words reverberated within his mind, prompting a profound introspection.

Despite Lao Shi’s elevated cultivation level and extensive lifespan, he found himself perplexed by Xi Yao’s actions throughout the tumultuous history of the demon world.

Despite his numerous contemplations, he had failed to decipher her motives. Even when Xi Yao visited him regularly, she never divulged the rationale behind her decisions, leaving Lao Shi bewildered.

Today, Gu Changge’s candid remarks unexpectedly unveiled the impasse in Lao Shi’s cultivation journey, leading him to seek solace in the wisdom of his master. It was akin to seeing verdant hills emerge from behind dissipating clouds and mist.

“So, that’s the reason…” Lao Shi murmured, grappling with a surge of complex emotions. He couldn’t help but feel astonished at his blindness, realizing that no one besides Gu Changge would perceive the situation in such a manner.

“This fellow’s perspective always diverges from the norm, but his interpretation likely mirrors Xi Yao’s sentiments…” The elder also sighed his expression a blend of complexity and understanding.

Observing Xi Yao’s deeply resonant and stunned countenance, the elder discerned that Gu Changge’s words had effectively articulated Xi Yao’s innermost thoughts.

“Regardless of deeds or merits, all people in the world are ignorant…” Xi Yao fell silent for a prolonged moment before suddenly offering a warm smile to Gu Changge, her eyes reflecting a newfound appreciation. The atmosphere seemed to brighten, and her smile, unlike the polite gesture from earlier, now radiated genuine sincerity.

“By saying this, Young Master Changge, are you rebuking those individuals for their ignorance on my behalf?” Her smile conveyed a hint of intimacy as she continued, “After all these years, I never imagined you would be the first to comprehend my perspective. I never anticipated finding someone who shared my thoughts.”

At that moment, she felt like she had encountered a kindred spirit in the young Gu Changge. For over 6,000 years, he stood as the first to grasp the depth of her endeavors, a realization that deeply touched Xi Yao, feeling almost surreal, akin to a dream.

Encountering Gu Changge today, I felt fated. Even her closest female confidante struggled to comprehend her actions and strategies. While the world labeled her as cruel, few considered the sacrifices she made for the demon world’s peace and prosperity.

Gu Changge’s candid explanation and his condemnation of those ignorant critics stirred Xi Yao’s emotions, making it difficult for her heart to remain calm.

Maintaining his unchanged smile, Gu Changge continued, “Perhaps it’s because the Queen holds such a high position that few dare to speak against her, let alone pass judgment for future generations.”

“A judgment from future generations?” Xi Yao’s curiosity was piqued once more as she gazed at Gu Changge. “Oh? If I allowed Young Master Changge to speak, how would you feel?”

As the words left her lips, Xi Yao felt a pang of regret. After all, opinions on such matters vary significantly from person to person. Why had she chosen to inquire of Gu Changge instead of consulting her master or others?

Since this marked their first encounter, Xi Yao couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been overly forward. As a queen of her stature, she realized she had perhaps dwelled too much on idle chatter, inadvertently compromising her dignity. Yet, inexplicably, she cared about Gu Changge’s impression of her.

In truth, Xi Yao Lao Shi and the Great Elder were curious about Gu Changge’s opinion of the QueenQueen. Judging from his previous remarks, Gu Changge seemed to grasp Xi Yao’s intentions.

“Oh? Allow the junior to offer commentary?” Gu Changge appeared somewhat surprised, yet he didn’t decline, his expression pensive. His gaze lowered momentarily before he began to speak, enunciating each word deliberately.

“In the eyes of the younger generation, the queen’s actions could be likened to that of an eternal emperor, particularly within the demon world.”

“Eternal Emperor?” At that moment, Xi Yao, Lao Shi, and the Great Elder were left dumbfounded, utterly astonished by the magnitude of Gu Changge’s assessment.

Such a title carried immense weight. They understood that Gu Changge’s statement wasn’t merely a casual remark but held profound significance. This ancient saying closely paralleled Gu Changge’s sentiment, highly lauding Xi Yao’s achievements.

“Eternal Emperor?” Queen Xi Yao repeated the words, her mind reeling from the impact. Those four words detonated like bombs within her consciousness, echoing with resounding reverberations. They left her momentarily stunned, a deep resonance thrumming through her being.

However, Empress Xi Yao was no ordinary individual. With over 6,000 years of cultivation, her mental fortitude had reached an exceptional level. Thus, her expression swiftly returned to a calm demeanor.

“The four-word appraisal from Young Master Changge is indeed exceedingly lofty,” she remarked, though her words carried a hint of amusement, and she wore a contented smile. While she voiced humility, inwardly, she felt uplifted by the sincere acknowledgment.

Previously, she had encountered countless individuals showering her with flattery, and she had grown weary of such insincere praise. She understood that most of it stemmed from fear rather than genuine admiration, unlike Gu Changge, who effortlessly and candidly expressed his thoughts.

Gu Changge smiled but offered no further explanation. Despite being a junior in Xi Yao’s presence, he exuded an air of familiarity rather than deference. There was no trepidation or reverence; it was akin to conversing with an acquaintance.

Xi Yao paid no heed to Gu Changge’s demeanor. Accustomed to hearing effusive praise and admiration, she found a refreshing sense of ease in Gu Changge’s candidness. It was akin to confiding in a trusted confidant, a sensation she cherished deeply.

“Eternal Emperor? I hadn’t anticipated being regarded so highly by Young Master Changge. It’s truly unexpected,” Queen Xi Yao remarked with a smile, her eyes gleaming with surprise and appreciation.

With a calm demeanor, Gu Changge remarked, “In truth, the younger generation had always been intrigued by a mysterious figure like yourself, QueenQueen. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance today.”

Such words could easily be brushed off with a few casual remarks. Naturally, Gu Changge saw no reason to decline. After all, everyone, regardless of status, appreciated kind words.

By bestowing upon her an enigmatic identity and engaging in a refined conversation peppered with casual compliments, Gu Changge aimed to stir Xi Yao’s emotions. Even as a queen of her generation, she couldn’t remain impervious to such tactics. Moreover, considering Xi Yao’s exceptional luck, Gu Changge couldn’t help but ponder whether she might be blessed with an extraordinary destiny, perhaps even dubbed the ‘Daughter of Fortune’ due to her favorable circumstances. The intriguing plot surrounding the poisoning of her betrothed warranted closer observation.

“Isn’t it too late?” Empress Xi Yao momentarily paused, struck by the indescribable emotion evident on Gu Changge’s face. After all, Gu Changge was merely a junior, with Xi Yao boasting over 6,000 years of life experience. While age held little significance in the cultivation realm, Xi Yao couldn’t help but feel a twinge of melancholy.

Finally, encountering someone who understood her, only to find it was someone much younger, made her acutely aware of the passage of time. It momentarily made her feel as though she had outlived her relevance.

However, that fleeting sense of inadequacy soon dissipated.