I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 298

Chapter 298: Anticipating the situation of two leeks at each other’s throats, maybe he will bear with it and let it pass

Demonic bottle.

The moment she laid eyes on that pitch-black bottle, Yin Mei’s expression couldn’t help but change slightly.

She recognized it instantly.

Even after all this time, she still vividly recalled the horror associated with that bottle, her heart racing with palpitations.

If it hadn’t been for that encounter in the ruins, stumbling upon Gu Changge practicing forbidden demonic arts, she wouldn’t have forged such a deep connection with him.

As time went on and she gradually opened up to him, Gu Changge managed to alleviate the effects of the demonic bottle.

Yet, that involuntary fear lingered deep within her soul, nearly indelible.

What made the demonic bottle truly terrifying was its undefendable nature; the slightest lapse in concentration could lead to entrapment.

And the level of mental control it exerted was insurmountable.

Even for seasoned experts who delved into the deepest recesses of the soul, detecting its influence was impossible, let alone removing it.

The only outcome was a shattered soul, the annihilation of both body and spirit.

“It seems the master plans to directly control Tang Wan, but Tang Wan is fiercely independent by nature. It won’t be easy to break her spirit…”

“Is the master considering eliminating Tang Wan here? Or does he have other intentions?”

Various thoughts raced through Yin Mei’s mind, curious about Gu Changge’s ultimate plan.

Buzz!!!

The Demonic bottle spewed forth a ghastly glow, murky and black, as if tendrils of Dao were cascading and intertwining.

“What do you want, Gu Changge? The families backing me all know I’m here for the banquet tonight. If anything happens to me, do you think Yin Mei won’t be under suspicion?”

Observing this eerie spectacle, Tang Wan couldn’t help but shout, even as fear and unease gripped her heart, causing her soul to tremble.

The bone-chilling coldness seemed to permeate her entire being, amplified countless times by her innate ability to foresee calamity.

Yet, she forced herself to maintain composure, recognizing that panicking now would only render her more vulnerable.

“Look at how frightened you are, as if I’m some sort of monster.”

Gu Changge’s smile was casual, yet the black light in his palm intensified, resembling a vortex of darkness capable of engulfing the world, instilling fear in everything it touched.

“This is merely a small bottle; why do you treat it as if it were a formidable foe? But I relish the struggle born from your despair…”

“The more you resist, the swifter your demise will be when I crush you beneath my heel.”

Despite his seemingly light-hearted laughter, his words drained the color from Tang Wan’s face and sent shivers down her spine.

She wasn’t certain if she could muster her strongest abilities to breach Gu Changge’s domain and send out a distress signal.

The one thing she was certain of was that Gu Changge’s true nature, concealed beneath his usual gentle facade, was absolutely terrifying.

From manipulating her brother to manipulating her, it all seemed, in her opinion, nearly flawless and seamless, devoid of any discernible flaw. What made it even more chilling was that Gu Changge seemed to anticipate her every thought.

How frightening was this man? Even the Heavenly Maiden of the Nine Tailed Heavenly Fox Clan acknowledged him as master.

What exactly transpired before all this? Yet, no one seemed to have any knowledge of such events.

What other secrets did Gu Changge hold within him?

“Gu Changge, what is it you truly desire? There’s no animosity between us.”

“We’ve never crossed paths before now. Is there some misunderstanding? If there is, it can be resolved. I swear on my dao heart that I won’t breathe a word of today’s events.”

“I’ll promise you anything you ask, as long as it’s within my power,” Tang Wan attempted to calm herself, intending to employ her usual methods to placate Gu Changge.

After all, despite Gu Changge’s extraordinary abilities, he was still just a young man. She had spent centuries navigating the intricacies of the Wan Dao Business Alliance, confident in her ability to manipulate hearts of all kinds.

At this moment, as long as Gu Changge’s objectives were met, he shouldn’t resort to the most drastic measures… such as killing her.

“Technically, we have no grievances or enemies, yet aren’t you covertly aiding Chu Hao, attempting to undermine me?”

“As for what you possess, do you think I’m in need of it? It seems you and Chu Hao share a certain resemblance; both so self-righteous.” Gu Changge’s smile held a hint of disdain and disbelief.

It was evident that Tang Wan was the one conspiring with Chu Hao against him, but now, as she spoke, it twisted into a narrative where they had no animosity towards each other.

“Tsk.”

“You…” Tang Wan was taken aback, not anticipating Gu Changge’s accusation, labeling her as self-righteous. Her expression turned sour almost instantly, her teeth nearly gritted. “Then what is your true intention?”

“Relinquish your resistance and allow me to implant a slave seal… Of course, you have the option to refuse, but your brother may not survive the day. You can gamble on it and see if I follow through on my threat.” Gu Changge’s smile remained light.

The demonic bottle in his grasp continued to emit a pulsating black light, as though it could ensnare all beings in eternal darkness.

“Gu Changge, if you harm my brother, the Tang family won’t stand idly by.”

“And do you truly believe my brother holds significant sway over me?”

“What you’re doing now, you should realize it can’t go unnoticed. Even with the Ancient Immortal Gu family backing you, you can’t act so recklessly…” Tang Wan’s tone was cold, as if she had anticipated Gu Changge’s attempt to leverage her brother’s safety against her. Yet, she remained unusually composed.

However, Gu Changge displayed no surprise, still wearing that faint smile. “No, I merely provided an example. After all, there are other methods at my disposal.”

“I have no need to kill your brother, but I can manipulate him. I’ll let him return to the Tang family peacefully, play the role of the prodigal son returning, win over hearts, and eventually take control of the Tang family. Then, one day, amidst the celebration for his achievements, I’ll have him kill your parents, your grandfather, and all your relatives…”

“What do you think of this approach?”

“I find it rather intriguing.”

“Gu Changge… How could you sink to such despicable and shameless depths…”

At these words, Tang Wan’s expression changed dramatically, feeling a chilling coldness coursing from her spine to her skull, causing her to tremble involuntarily.

Was this not the speech of a young man? He spoke of such sinister and vile deeds with unabashed frankness, as though stating a simple truth.

She couldn’t help but entertain the thought for a moment, the scene painted by Gu Changge’s words sending shivers down her spine, her body overcome with fear.

By now, her concern for Tang Tian had diminished, but the safety of her family and parents mattered more than anything.

“I’m merely presenting a hypothetical scenario; whether it comes to fruition is not for me to decide,” Gu Changge replied nonchalantly. “Now, I’m offering you a choice, but my patience has its limits…”

“Will you sacrifice yourself to save your entire clan? Or will you choose death, dragging your entire clan down with you?”

“Gu Changge, I will stand against you,” Tang Wan declared angrily, feeling as though her inner deity loathed him to the core, almost consumed by the insanity of his words.

Boom!!!

A brilliant light emanated from her body, conjuring scenes akin to those found in books and paintings within the void space. The landscape, water, insects, and fish—every element of the earth—appeared to come alive before her eyes. The laws of the Sacred Realm converged upon these scenes, both dreadful and magnificent, as if intent on breaking through this space.

An ancient, pale gray pen was propelled by Tang Wan, radiating with dazzling light, seemingly poised to shatter everything. It resembled the revival of an ancient existence.

The word “Heavenly” gleamed like a star in the void, exuding a consciousness on the brink of awakening, dazzling in its brilliance!

In this moment, the power she wielded surged to a quasi-supreme level, though by Tang Wan’s cultivation standards, she remained within the confines of the sacred realm.

“Do you truly believe you can break free?” Gu Changge maintained a faint smile, seemingly indifferent.

With a sudden motion, he descended with a palm strike towards the front, causing the nearby space to collapse instantly, distorting even the laws that governed it.

This formidable force seemed to annihilate and tear apart the intricate scenes Tang Wan had manifested. The Heavenly Pen let out a mournful cry, some of its lines even wearing away and falling to the ground.

It was a display of overwhelming power!

The momentum of this palm strike was yet to peak, its force still descending towards the ground.

With a puff, Tang Wan looked incredulous, unable to evade the strike. She stifled a grunt and was sent flying backward, blood spewing from her mouth.

The force of the dreadful palm strike threatened to crush her flesh, saved only by Gu Changge’s reluctance to kill her. Had he desired her death, her entire body would have likely exploded upon impact.

As the palm descended, Gu Changge phased out of space, his consciousness spreading in all directions. Rather than weakening, it grew more solid and impenetrable.

“Still refusing to face reality?” Gu Changge’s voice remained devoid of emotion as he delivered another devastating blow. Tang Wan coughed up more blood, her bones shattered, struggling to remain standing.

“Gu Changge, kill me. I’ll never agree to your demands.” Despite her desperation, Tang Wan remained steadfast. She would rather die than allow Gu Changge to brand her with a slave mark, a tool he would undoubtedly use to manipulate her into dealing with Chu Hao.

“Do you truly believe I won’t harm the Tang family?” Gu Changge smiled. “Consider this: if you perish here, the Tang family will seek vengeance against the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox Clan, leading to the demise of your relatives.”

“All it takes is one word from me to make your supposed friends in the Tang family too fearful to aid you. Do you still believe revenge is possible?”

Tang Wan gritted her teeth, her face draining of color. In the next moment, her eyes widened in horror as she witnessed Gu Changge effortlessly seize Tang Tian, who had slipped into unconsciousness at some point.

“It appears your brother could prove useful,” Gu Changge remarked casually, his palm moving towards Tang Tian’s eyebrows effortlessly passing through.

The soul within was ensnared by him, poised to be crushed at his whim.

“You mentioned if I apply a bit of pressure, he could end up a fool or simply perish?” Gu Changge inquired with a smile.

At the sight of his smile, Tang Wan shivered, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions—sadness, despair, hatred, and pain—culminating in an unwavering resolve.

“Release my brother, and I’ll agree to your terms. However, you must also swear by your heart to grant me a condition,” she demanded, her teeth gritted. “Otherwise, even if I have to take my family down with me, I won’t concede to you.”

Gu Changge interrupted her with a smile, “No problem. I simply need to spare Chu Hao, correct? Consider it done.”

“I, Gu Changge, swear upon my Dao Heart today. Should I breach this oath, my Dao Heart will crumble, consumed by flames, and annihilated by heaven and earth. How’s that?”

Tang Wan was stunned by Gu Changge’s swift oath, unable to believe it. She wanted to convey that matters weren’t as simple as he presumed, but she couldn’t find a single flaw.

“The oath of the Dao Heart is the most sacred vow for cultivators. None would risk their spiritual path. Even if the immortal Dao existed, it couldn’t be transgressed. Gu Changge is no exception,” she thought, finding solace in this realization.

But her heart remained heavy with sorrow and anguish.

“Brother Hao, forgive me… I’m compelled to this course,” Tang Wan whispered, reluctantly yielding.

Gu Changge smiled with a cryptic meaning and waved his hand casually.

Buzz!!

In an instant, the demonic bottle transformed into a beam of black light, vanishing without a trace. Tang Wan didn’t detect the slightest ripple, leaving her heart pounding with unease. Such a method of imprinting a slave was unheard of.

In a daze, she glimpsed an ancient, incomprehensible deity seated within her sea of consciousness, surrounded by swirling gray mist. Merely gazing upon it threatened to drive one to madness, lost in its depths.

“What sorcery is this?” Fear crept into her heart. Confronting Gu Changge, she felt a reverence akin to that of a deity, obedient to his every word.

“Greetings, master,” she uttered, her expression gradually regaining its composure, though turmoil raged within her.

The swiftness of this transformation left Tang Wan incredulous. Her actions betrayed her true thoughts, a reality she hadn’t anticipated. She never imagined herself addressing Gu Changge as master, yet the words slipped from her lips involuntarily.

“Fortunate child, this surprise is for you,” Gu Changge remarked playfully, before dismissing Tang Wan from his attention.

With a wave of his hand, the misty space before them shattered like glass, and they found themselves outside.

In the courtyard, the tea remained warm, still steaming. Tang Wan’s expression was a tumultuous mix of emotions, her body drenched in blood, her injuries severe. Even though Gu Changge hadn’t intended to kill her, the force of his palm had been more than enough for her to endure.

“Master, what shall we do with Tang Tian?” Yin Mei inquired.

“Return him to the Tang family. We are, after all, reasonable people,” Gu Changge chuckled.

Tang Wan dared not utter another word.

Later, Gu Changge turned to Tang Wan with a sincere smile. “Don’t fret. I harbor no ill intentions. However, I must make preparations in case Chu Hao attempts to provoke me again.”

“As long as he behaves and refrains from provoking me, he’ll remain the so-called Prince of the Vermillion Bird Kingdom, safe and sound. He remains unaware of our conflict. Isn’t that a cause for happiness?”

Tang Wan was taken aback by his words. Upon reflection, they seemed quite reasonable. If Chu Hao refrained from instigating Gu Changge further, their conflict need not escalate to a life-or-death situation.

Recalling Chu Hao’s humiliation at Gu Changge’s hands, she considered that perhaps persuading him to let the incident pass would be the wisest course of action. If he persisted in antagonizing Gu Changge, he would inevitably meet his end.

Chu Hao stood no chance against Gu Changge. Tang Wan had already witnessed firsthand the horror of his methods.

Yet, she couldn’t shake the uncertainty. Did Gu Changge truly harbor no further designs against Chu Hao? Or was it merely due to their altercation in the ancient Vermillion Bird Kingdom?

“Alright, it’s time for me to depart. The calamity of Heavenly Extinction awaits my attention,” Gu Changge announced. He proceeded to impart some instructions to Yin Mei before taking his leave, leaving the remainder of the arrangements in her capable hands. With a sense of relief, he departed.

During Gu Changge’s absence from the ancient Vermillion Bird Country, suspicions inevitably arose over time. However, today’s events unfolded smoothly, providing Gu Changge with an unexpected delight.

He noticed a striking resemblance between Tang Wan’s face and that of Dao Companion Qin Wuya, the senior brother of the Nine Heavens Returning Luck Template he had encountered previously. In the system prompt, only four individuals from the Endless Dao Sect had revealed themselves: Zi Yang Heavenly King’s previous incarnation, Gu Xian’er’s previous incarnation, and Qin Wuya’s master and Dao companion. Gu Changge distinctly recalled this detail.

While he couldn’t ascertain whether Tang Wan was the reincarnation of that senior brother, he remained uncertain about his Dao Companion. Tang Wan possessed considerable luck, yet compared to the genuine Daughter of Luck, she fell short. Nonetheless, her resemblance proved convenient for Gu Changge’s schemes, explaining why he had invested so much time in her.

With Tang Wan’s tenacious character, he might have failed to utilize the demonic bottle had she not relinquished her spirit. Although it added a layer of complexity, the potential benefits outweighed the inconvenience.

Gu Changge anticipated the forthcoming developments. “Two Children of Luck at odds? No, it’s more like two leeks vying for dominance, and I’m eager to witness the harvest. It promises to be quite the spectacle.”

Rather than utilizing the teleportation formation, he hastened through the virtual space. With his current speed, traversing a million miles in this vicinity took no time at all.