I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 282

Chapter 282: It’s natural to do a full set of dramas, Jiang Chuchu. Are you in love?

At the mountain’s peak, jagged rocks protruded, ancient trees flourished, and the moonlight cast a bleak, cold glow. The mountain wind blew, adding to the serene atmosphere. Su Qingge stood in astonishment as Gu Changge appeared before her. His words left her head buzzing, rendering her speechless.

At that moment, Su Qingge was prepared to confess everything. She was the true inheritor of demonic arts, destined to sow chaos in the world. Gu Changge was fated to oppose her as the brightest young talent, destined to confront and possibly kill her. Yet, when Gu Changge spoke, it was not to instill fear but to offer reassurance.

Su Qingge couldn’t comprehend it. She had always sensed Gu Changge’s aloof demeanor, convinced he harbored no affection for her. Trembling, she found herself at a loss for words. Gu Changge’s actions further perplexed her as he stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of her.

“Is there some misunderstanding here, Elder Mo? You’ve apprehended the wrong person,” Gu Changge said calmly, addressing the puzzled Mo Lao.

“Master…” Su Qingge’s voice quivered as she watched Gu Changge’s protective gesture, her eyes welling with tears. She hadn’t anticipated his unwavering support, his willingness to confront the Elder of the True Immortal Academy on her behalf. His actions touched her deeply, leaving her unable to regain her composure.

In logic, Gu Changge’s arrival and interaction with the injured young genius would undoubtedly raise suspicion regarding her whereabouts. After all, she hadn’t been cultivating in her cave, so what had she been doing outside? Gu Changge’s astuteness was undeniable; it seemed there was little he couldn’t perceive. Su Qingge couldn’t help but ponder Gu Changge’s tone and expression, marvelling at the depth of trust he exhibited toward her. Perhaps in his eyes, she was simply a harmless maid, plucked from the lower world to serve him.

“Young Master Changge, what does this mean?” After recovering from his initial surprise, Mo Lao quickly grasped the implications of Gu Changge’s actions and posed the question in a hushed tone.

As an experienced elder, Mo Lao swiftly understood the situation before him. The woman standing before him was Gu Changge’s protege, and the demonic power inheritor he had been hunting was none other than her. Yet, Gu Changge’s unwavering defense of her caught Mo Lao off guard, leaving him amazed by the unexpected turn of events.

Mo Lao couldn’t help but reflect on the irony of the situation. Even a figure as illustrious as Gu Changge could find himself in the dark, deceived by appearances. It was a reminder of the age-old adage: heroes were often trapped by beauty.

Now, Mo Lao’s primary concern was how to defuse the situation. After all, Gu Changge had shown no signs of doubt regarding this matter. With that in mind, Mo Lao contemplated navigating the delicate circumstances.

Gu Changge’s expression remained composed, yet his words showed an unmistakable firmness. “Elder Mo, what does this mean? Are you suggesting Qingge is the inheritor of demonic arts, and that’s why you brought her here?”

His gaze pierced Mo Lao, flashing with runes and divine light, disregarding the Elder’s status entirely. Gu Changge’s demeanor was resolute and unwavering, demanding answers with unyielding determination.

Mo Lao, taken aback by Gu Changge’s directness, faltered momentarily, evidently caught off guard by the confrontation.

Afterward, he couldn’t help but shake his head, sighing and offering a rueful smile. “Young Master Changge, you’ve misunderstood. Even if I were foolish, I’d still know that there’s only one inheritor of demonic arts: Emperor Ying’s son, Ying Shuang. How could it be anyone else?”

“It’s just that I noticed this young lady wandering alone outside in the dead of night, and it raised my concern. Hence, I came to caution her and advise her to return to her cave.”

“If this young lady is under your care, Young Master Changge, then all the better. Perhaps she saw you vanish in the night and came out to find you.”

As he concluded, Mo Lao couldn’t contain his laughter, his expression tinged with ambiguity.

Upon hearing this explanation, Gu Changge’s demeanor softened, and he nodded in understanding. “Ah, I see. I misunderstood your intentions, Elder Mo.”

“No harm done, no harm done,” Mo Lao quickly reassured, flashing a smile. “Since this young lady is under your wing, Young Master Changge, it’s highly unlikely she has any connections to the inheritor of demonic arts.”

“On that account, I still have full faith,” he added with a genial smile.

Glancing at Su Qingge again, Mo Lao offered her a smile and a word of caution. “Young lady, be more cautious in the future. Wandering around at night, you’re liable to cross paths with the inheritor of demonic arts. Just tonight, another disciple fell victim to a brutal murder…”

Su Qingge nodded in understanding. “I’ll remember that, Elder. Thank you for your concern.”

Though uncertain of Mo Lao’s sudden assistance, Su Qingge couldn’t shake the realization that her identity as the inheritor of demonic arts was now known to him. It was akin to handing him leverage over her.

Therefore, it seemed prudent to heed the other party’s words and discern their true intentions later.

“Since that’s settled, I’ll take my leave. I’ll check if the disciple who was brutally murdered left any clues…”

With those words, Mo Lao didn’t linger much longer. His form transformed into divine light, vanishing from the mountaintop and heading toward the cave of the disciple Su Qingge had recently subdued.

It appeared he intended to conduct an investigation. Should Su Qingge inadvertently leave behind any evidence, he could assist in resolving the matter without arousing suspicion among others.

After witnessing Su Qingge’s actions firsthand tonight, Mo Lao was convinced of her identity. Even someone as astute as Gu Changge had been kept in the dark by her, underscoring the depth of Su Qingge’s cunning and guile, sending shivers down his spine.

Yet, it was consistent with the role of the inheritor of demonic arts as he had always perceived it.

Conversely, in both character and methods, Ying Shuang seemed inconsistent with the role of the inheritor of demonic arts, appearing more like an unwitting scapegoat.

“What transpired tonight was truly unforeseen…” Mo Lao sighed inwardly, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.

On the mountaintop, the moonlight persisted, casting its ethereal glow across the landscape while colorful clouds drifted, and wisps of white mist enveloped the surroundings, deepening the sense of seclusion.

Observing Mo Lao’s departure, Gu Changge’s countenance remained composed, his silence laden with unspoken thoughts.

Unnerved by the scrutiny in Gu Changge’s gaze, Su Qingge tentatively uttered, “Master…” to reach out, but he subtly evaded her touch.

Gu Changge continued his silent assessment, his demeanor projecting a chilling aura that sent shivers down Su Qingge’s spine.

Fearing the consequences of his scrutiny, Su Qingge realized that Gu Changge expected a satisfactory explanation from her, or else today’s events might not remain concealed.

This realization weighed heavily on Su Qingge, for she understood that any misstep might damage Gu Changge’s trust in her irreparably.

The prospect of Gu Changge’s perpetual suspicion distressed her even more than the exposure of her identity as the inheritor of demonic arts.

She longed to divulge her secret rather than endure Gu Changge’s continued aloofness.

“I apologize, Master. I shouldn’t have concealed anything from you…” Su Qingge hesitated, carefully selecting her words as she voiced her unease.

Gu Changge’s response was measured. “Now I understand your rationale. But had I not intervened earlier, do you believe Elder Mo would have been so lenient?”

His tone remained stoic, revealing little emotion.

Su Qingge dared not meet Gu Changge’s gaze, and her guilt was evident in her delicate features, which bore the pallor of suet and jade.

“I acknowledge my mistake, Master. In truth, I ventured out of the cave tonight to search for something,” she confessed, her voice tinged with remorse.

“I had previously auctioned off a mysterious jar without disclosing its connection to the Seven Heavenly Palms of the Upper Realm. It allows one to sense the whereabouts of the other palms within a certain range,” she elaborated, revealing her ulterior motive for venturing out.

Her explanation, while truthful about her search for the Heavenly Palm Artifact, omitted her identity as the inheritor of demonic arts.

With a flicker of brilliance, Su Qingge presented the seemingly inconspicuous jade pot, its ancient markings hinting at its profound significance.

“Seven Heavenly Palms?” Gu Changge echoed, a hint of amusement in his tone, though Su Qingge perceived it as veiled mockery.

“You never mentioned it to me before,” he noted, his surprise evident.

Gu Changge was aware of the legends surrounding the seven heavenly palms but had never actively pursued them, relying instead on patience to await their inevitable convergence.

Su Qingge’s possession of a palm jar caught him off guard.

“I apologize, Master. I should not have kept this from you,” Su Qingge expressed her remorse.

However, Gu Changge dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand, his demeanor light.

“It’s fine. I won’t press you for answers. Everyone has their secrets, and I have reached my limit of patience,” he asserted, signaling his willingness to let the matter rest.

“Su Qingge, take care of yourself,” he concluded before departing, his departure swift and decisive.

Su Qingge rushed towards his chest as soon as he turned around, tears brimming in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Master. Qingge won’t hide anything from you anymore,” she uttered, her voice trembling with fear of losing his care.

With a tight embrace, she clung to Gu Changge as if afraid he would turn away and abandon her forever.

She was truly terrified, yet revealing her identity as the inheritor of demonic arts was out of the question. It would drive them apart irreversibly. So, she hoped to keep this secret from Gu Changge for eternity.

Hearing her words, Gu Changge fell silent, sighing softly as he wiped away her tears.

“I hope so,” he responded, his tone tinged with complexity.

At that moment, Su Qingge couldn’t discern Gu Changge’s thoughts, leaving her apprehensive.

The two figures descended from the mountain in silence. Gu Changge didn’t offer any further words. Everything that transpired that night was well within his expectations.

Neither Su Qingge nor Mo Lao knew Gu Changge’s true intentions. To him, they were mere pawns in his game.

As Su Qingge once said, in Gu Changge’s eyes, she was nothing more than a lowly maid by his side—teased when he pleased, ignored otherwise.

Her status as the inheritor of demonic arts held no significance to him. Yet, her beauty and intellect were undeniable assets, captivating attention no matter the circumstance.

Various thoughts flitted through Gu Changge’s mind as he contemplated whether to deal with Ying Shuang swiftly.

For now, Su Qingge had contacted the organization of the inheritors of demonic arts, and Mo Lao would likely reach out to her clandestinely. Gu Changge planned to monitor Su Qingge’s movements to gather information on the organization.

Apart from Mo Lao, no one knew Ying Shuang’s true identity. Mo Lao likely assumed that Ying Shuang was merely a tool manipulated by Su Qingge. Even if Ying Shuang disappeared suddenly, it wouldn’t raise much suspicion, with Mo Lao possibly attributing it to Su Qingge’s actions.

With a detailed plan in mind, Gu Changge moved forward. “Before this, Ying Shuang had another purpose, but it can be utilized again. Additionally, I’ve arranged for Zi Yang Heavenly King. He’s been pestering Gu Xian’er lately, so it’s time to teach him a lesson.”

…

News of another young genius being assassinated spread rapidly, causing increased panic and anxiety. No one anticipated that, within a few days, another disciple would fall victim to the inheritor of demonic arts. The incident occurring under the noses of Gu Changge and Elder Mo heightened the fear among disciples, especially the quasi-candidate disciples.

The arrogance of the inheritor of demonic arts was evident, showing no regard for the territory of True Immortal Academy. The average young genius felt even more powerless. Even the elders felt helpless. The atmosphere at True Immortal Academy grew heavy and tense, and all the disciples became more cautious.

“The inheritor of demonic arts is too audacious, poisoning two geniuses in succession…”

“Chuchu, this is the perfect opportunity for you to track him down. Your talent can trace back to the origin, right? If you can find some clues, perhaps you can uncover the hidden identity of the inheritor of demonic arts.”

In a cave nestled within a secluded forest, the air was thick with tension, the surroundings unusually bright. Wang Ziji stared at Jiang Chuchu, who was meditating and cultivating before her, with a frustrated expression, appearing quite bored.

“You suddenly have such a keen interest in the inheritor of demonic arts? Sounds like you’re just bored,” Wang Ziji remarked casually, eyeing Jiang Chuchu with skepticism.

In response, Jiang Chuchu opened her eyes calmly, her expression sincere and unwavering. Typically, Wang Ziji showed little concern for the inheritor of demonic arts, despite being a descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall. Her sudden change in attitude was likely due to sheer boredom, seeking something to occupy her time.

“What do you mean by calling me idle? The inheritor of demonic arts is brazenly wreaking havoc. As a descendant of the Human Ancestor Hall, it’s my duty to locate him and restore peace to the world. Isn’t that the right thing to do?” Jiang Chuchu retorted, her tone firm.

Wang Ziji countered, “Jiang Chuchu, when did you become so righteous?”

“Then you can go, anyway. I can’t find it.” Jiang Chuchu shook her head, her expression still calm and unwavering, “Even the supreme elders are helpless. What can I do?”

Moreover, even if there was a clue, what could she do? Challenge Gu Changge? Jiang Chuchu sighed in her heart. Her thoughts were highly complicated. While at True Immortal Academy, she secretly paid attention to Gu Changge.

She didn’t know if Gu Changge noticed it, or maybe he did, but he didn’t care or bother to pay attention to her.

What happened in the depths of the Heavenly Extinction Battlefield during this period came to her mind occasionally, and it was utterly lingering.

Jiang Chuchu’s mood was uneasy.

“If Gu Changge didn’t have her in his heart, then why would he show up to save her, and then go to relieve the calamity of Absolute Heavenly Extinction in the land of Absolute Heavenly Extinction. But then Gu Changge ignored her again, like a stranger, which made her feel very uncomfortable.”

“This is not your style.”

“In the past, you were zealous for justice. Whenever you heard about the inheritor of demonic arts, you were ready to draw your sword and fight. How come you’re so calm now?”

Hearing this, Wang Ziji grew suspicious and leaned closer to Jiang Chuchu.

Her penetrating gaze seemed to probe into Jiang Chuchu’s soul.

Jiang Chuchu responded calmly, “Why bother thinking about it if I can’t do anything?”

“You’ve changed a lot. You’re not the Jiang Chuchu I once knew. You’re not actively seeking the reincarnation of the Human Ancestor, you’re indifferent to the crisis of the Absolute Heavenly Extinction, and you’re indifferent to the inheritor of demonic arts. You’re just focused on cultivation or lost in thought.”

Wang Ziji’s voice was tinged with deep suspicion. “Jiang Chuchu, are you in love?”

Jiang Chuchu’s expression momentarily froze, her demeanor slightly unnatural, but she quickly regained her composure.

She asked indifferently, “What nonsense are you talking about? With our current strength, if we don’t cultivate, what will we do if we really encounter the inheritor of demonic arts in the future?”

“Just tell me, Jiang Chuchu, what happened between you and Gu Changge. It’s fine if you don’t admit it, and now want to change the subject…”

“Let me tell you, that guy Gu Changge is a devil. He doesn’t look like a good person, but he’s actually very bad. When the time comes, you will be wiped clean and nothing will be left, so don’t regret it.”

Wang Ziji appeared as if she had seen through all her tricks a long time ago and couldn’t help but try to persuade her.

“You…”

Hearing this, Jiang Chuchu’s face finally showed a hint of annoyance, feeling as though her inner thoughts were bare.

Buzz!!

The next moment, a glow was in her palm, the runes intertwined, and the terrifying aura was about to manifest into a divine sword.

Just as she was about to reprimand Wang Ziji, she suddenly heard a gentle and melodious voice from a man outside the cave.

“I wonder if Holy Maiden Ziji is here?”

This familiar voice stunned both Jiang Chuchu and Wang Ziji.