I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 301

Chapter 301: The honest man’s hat must be worn firmly; Qing Xiaoyi got kidnapped

Is he gone?

In the pavilion, sensing Chu Hao’s presence receding, Gu Changge smiled serenely, then gestured with his hand, “Stop, there’s no need.”

“You may return.”

He said lightly to the stunned Tang Wan.

“Miss Wan, leave this sort of maid’s work to me.” Ji Qingxuan was also astute and hastened to step forward, smiling.

Observing Gu Changge’s demeanor, she understood that Gu Changge truly had no interest in Tang Wan.

Tang Wan glanced nervously at Gu Changge, feeling somewhat flustered.

How dull.

However, Gu Changge merely shook his head, showing no inclination to explain.

At this moment, his mind was inundated with prompts from the system.

The process of harvesting destiny value and luck points was gratifying.

Yet, he was well aware that Chu Hao was far from pleased and even contemplated an attack.

Right from the start, when Tang Wan arrived in the ancient Vermilion Bird country, Gu Changge surmised she would sway Chu Hao.

Given Chu Hao’s disposition, he was sure to harbor suspicions, which would inevitably lead to action.

Hence, Gu Changge merely aimed to assist him and enable him to grasp Tang Wan’s good intentions.

Naturally, Gu Changge fanned the flames for a while.

Not only to clarify to Chu Hao that Tang Wan hadn’t betrayed him but also to convince Tang Wan that she had no involvement with Chu Hao.

This was not a challenging feat.

As for moments ago, he seized the opportunity to unsettle Chu Hao’s mindset. After all, as the child of luck, he was just marginally luckier than the average person.

He possessed all the flaws he ought to.

However, Gu Changge was somewhat surprised by Chu Hao’s tolerance, which also provided him an opportunity to test Chu Hao’s limits.

Tang Wan’s impact on his luck value exceeded that of the ancient Vermilion Bird country standing behind him.

As long as he refrained from further egregious actions toward Tang Wan, Chu Hao could endure it.

“How admirable, he’s as green-faced as expected.”

Gu Changge couldn’t help but laugh suddenly.

Don’t worry. I will keep today’s events private from Chu Hao. I’m not that tasteless.

Gu Changge then motioned for Tang Wan to depart.

As for how Chu Hao would confront Tang Wan next, that wasn’t occupying his thoughts, and he did not need to concern himself with it.

After all, Chu Hao was the son of luck. Even if he witnessed everything firsthand, would he honestly confess to Tang Wan?

Chu Hao had to feign ignorance. He had to maintain the facade of an upright man.

“Zi Yang Heavenly King has been stirring up trouble for far too long; it’s time to strike back.”

With the issue on this front settled, for the moment, Gu Changge began contemplating the matter of Zi Yang Heavenly King.

As the junior brother of senior brother Qin Wuya, who returned from the Nine Heavens, he held some degree of utility.

Furthermore, from the outset, Gu Changge had devised a plan to handle Zi Yang Heavenly King, which involved him reaping another leek.

Moreover, Su Qingge recently surfaced in the ancient country of Xuanwu, causing considerable trouble for Zi Yang Heavenly King.

Additionally, there were reports from observers indicating that Zi Yang Heavenly King had detected clues hinting at the presence of the inheritor of demonic arts and had been tracing them through the territory of the ancient Xuanwu country.

This presented an ideal opportunity for Gu Changge to take action.

Su Qingge hadn’t disappointed him in the least.

Gu Changge contemplated whether to treat her better the next time he encountered her.

The proximity between Qinglong and Xuanwu is quite short. It just so happens that Zi Yang is absent from the ancient country of Xuanwu.

With that, Gu Changge departed once more.

However, this time, his departure was more clandestine than before. Initially, he led a sizable entourage to the site where the calamity of absolute heavenly extinction had occurred, then ventured into the depths alone.

Naturally, he must have utilized the void along the way and opted to double back.

In doing so, nearly all prodigies became aware that he was leading a group to eradicate the Heavenly Extinction creatures.

Even though no one dared to question him, Gu Changge preferred to maintain a flawless and seamless facade in all his arrangements.

….

Simultaneously, the ancient country of Xuanwu, not far from the ancient Vermilion Bird country, was far from tranquil.

Numerous young prodigies found themselves in peril, hesitant to venture out alone.

The inheritor of demonic arts had emerged, claiming the lives of several geniuses with their poisonous hands. Their methods of death mirrored one another, all victims having their origins devoured, leaving no trace behind.

These occurrences served as undeniable evidence that the inheritors of demonic arts had infiltrated their ranks.

Many young prodigies who had aligned themselves with the Sixth Crown Prince and Zi Yang Heavenly King now regretted their decisions. The power of the inheritor of demonic arts required no further explanation.

This was a ruthless individual capable of evading capture by Gu Changge himself; even Zi Yang Heavenly King might not be a match for the inheritor of demonic arts.

Meanwhile, within a serene mansion, immortal energy permeated the air, spiritual energy-dense, and the spirit pool on the verge of liquefaction.

Nearby, in a medicinal field, various celestial flowers and sacred herbs flourished under the interwoven rays of sunlight, casting a dazzling display.

Numerous auspicious beasts foraged in the field, occasionally casting glances at the gray-clothed young man seated cross-legged on a nearby bluestone, displaying a sense of intimacy.

Formerly known as Jun Yao, now the Six Crown King.

Upon revealing his true identity, he appeared remarkably ordinary, lacking the dazzling brilliance characteristic of his peers. Among the sixth generation of cultivators, he stood out as a peerless genius.

Yet, very few knew his true name, let alone witnessed his true visage.

His contemporaries had long vanished, either in seclusion or fallen in previous battles.

Even those who survived that era were now elders of prominent families, unlikely to intervene.

He was a relic of ancient times, out of sync with the present era. In pursuit of strength, he had proclaimed himself several times, seeking out the mightiest adversaries.

In this life, he once again harbored the will to confront Gu Changge.

My brother claimed you were set up. I find that hard to believe.

The Six Crown King smiled faintly, accompanied by a young man who exuded a heroic aura.

Tall and with hair seemingly aflame, the young man’s eyes shimmered with golden runes as if he were the son of the Sun.

It was Ying Shuang who had infiltrated Zi Yang Heavenly King’s ranks in disguise.

Originally intending to seek out Zi Yang Heavenly King and join forces to confront Gu Changge, Ying Shuang’s plans were thwarted and cut short by the secret murders of numerous young geniuses in the ancient Xuanwu country by the inheritors of demonic arts, who devoured their origins.

Ying Shuang couldn’t fathom how Gu Changge had manipulated events to cast blame on him, especially since Gu Changge was supposedly in the ancient Vermilion Bird country.

How could he have managed to commit these murders in the ancient Xuanwu country? Yet, accidents continued to occur among young geniuses.

During this period, many hunted for the inheritor of demonic arts, but Ying Shuang remained unperturbed, knowing he wasn’t the true inheritor.

However, being exposed by the Six Crown King today and having his identity recognized left Ying Shuang uneasy, compelling him to reluctantly follow the Six Crown Prince to his mansion.

“And how am I supposed to trust you?”

Ying Shuang’s voice was deep, the golden runes in his eyes flashing. Despite being an impostor, he exuded the majesty of Prince Ying.

“You claim the real inheritor of demonic arts is actually Gu Changge?”

“What proof do you have?”

“As far as I’m aware, Gu Changge is presently in the ancient Vermilion Bird country. Though it’s not far from the ancient Xuanwu country, do you truly believe he could have evaded capture and come here to commit murder?”

The Six Crown King spoke casually, his demeanor ordinary, yet his words exuded confidence and calmness, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

“I don’t know how he pulled it off, but Gu Changge was definitely the one who framed me,” Ying Shuang declared in a deep voice, never wavering in his conviction from start to finish.

Apart from Gu Changge, he couldn’t conceive of anyone who would treat him in such a manner.

On the battlefield of heavenly extinction, Gu Changge orchestrated a performance with several eminent cultivators of the Great Sacred Realm, cementing Ying Shuang with this dark reputation that he could never shake off.

“There’s no evidence to support your claim. From my perspective, you’re the prime suspect,” remarked the Six Crown King with a faint smile, radiating unwavering confidence.

However, fear not, I won’t expose you. As the inheritor of demonic arts, don’t disappoint me.

You’re still too feeble, not yet my equal. I hope to see you grow into a worthy opponent someday.

With a wave of his hand, layers of dazzling runes filled the air like a cascade of light, and Ying Shuang’s figure vanished in an instant, reappearing outside the mansion.

“So formidable.”

Ying Shuang’s expression shifted dramatically, filled with fear.

This was another formidable adversary!

This strength far surpassed even Zi Yang Heavenly King!

His spirits dampened. After being exposed by others, he was forced to maintain the facade of being the inheritor of demonic arts without even having the chance to argue.

Leaving the mansion, Ying Shuang roamed the streets of the Xuanwu Imperial Capital with a troubled expression.

He noticed that Old Mo, who had been attentive recently, now paid him little mind, rendering his reappearance almost futile.

“I’ve heard that Zi Yang is searching for the trace of the inheritor of demonic arts and has already departed.”

“If it truly is Gu Changge, Zi Yang might be in grave peril.”

His expression grew more serious.

Consequently, the path to confronting Gu Changge seemed longer with one less ally on his side.

Suddenly, Ying Shuang’s expression shifted as he spotted a familiar figure entering the attic door ahead.

His eyes widened in disbelief. How could he encounter her here?

“Is this what they call destiny?”

Ying Shuang’s heart raced.

He recalled his days as a stable boy. If it hadn’t been for the young lady’s compassion, he might have perished on the streets long ago.

Comparing his past days of hardship with the present, he found the former more bearable.

Ying Shuang had thought he’d never see her again in this lifetime, yet here she was in the Xuanwu Imperial Capital.

“It must be fate!”

“Unfortunately, I’m just a lowly nobody now, and to her, I’m just a stranger she’s never laid eyes on.”

“Ms. Yin Mei was once rescued by Gu Changge. It seems she still doesn’t know Gu Changge’s true identity. I need to find the right moment to remind her.”

Ying Shuang pondered inwardly, clenching his fists.

During the incident in the Ancient Immortal Continent, Yin Mei encountered the inheritor of demonic arts. In Ying Shuang’s view, it was undoubtedly linked to Gu Changge.

Gu Changge even garnered praise and admiration from it, winning Yin Mei’s admiration.

If I approach her rashly, Miss Yin Mei will surely become suspicious.

I need to find a suitable approach.

Ying Shuang mulled over his options and ultimately decided on the simplest and most direct method.

After all, during his time as a stable boy, he had observed Yin Mei’s preferences and temperament, knowing what she liked.

By relying on these insights, he believed he could forge a connection with Yin Mei once more.

With this in mind, Ying Shuang made his way towards the pavilion ahead, intending to ascertain Yin Mei’s reason for coming to the ancient country of Xuanwu first.

“Miss, there’s a young genius trailing behind you,” the maid cautioned.

Hearing this, Yin Mei smiled and waved her hand. “Don’t worry, let him follow. Let’s see what his intentions are.”

Yet, she couldn’t shake off thoughts of Gu Changge’s directive.

“This must be that Prince Ying, the unfortunate scapegoat…”

Yin Mei’s smile held a tinge of pity, though, to outsiders, it appeared perfectly ordinary.

She continued her selection process with the maid beside her.

In Qinglong Ancient City, darkness blanketed the sky.

Inside a stone chamber, Gu Xian’er furrowed her brow at a character carved into the bone book she held. Strange runes adorned its pages, resembling tiny golden suns, emitting a brilliant glow.

Annoyed, she muttered to herself, “Will this Buddha’s Indestructible Body turn people into those bronze figurines with golden light, as if someone poured them with molten gold…”

The thought of ending up like that left her uneasy.

With her immortal image, she would transform into a golden bronze figure in an instant, perhaps unrecognizable to even Gu Changge.

Gu Xian’er sighed, ultimately deciding against cultivating the technique.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to discard the bone book. Instead, she resolved to find a secluded spot to peruse it, avoiding attracting undue attention from fellow cultivators.

After all, this was a supreme-level body-refining method.

She couldn’t fathom how she had stumbled upon such an opportunity during this trial.

On the other hand, Qing Xiaoyi’s acquisition of the Green Moon Dao skill intrigued Gu Xian’er. She pondered how to integrate it with the body-refining method in her possession.

No, it needed to be replaced.

In this trial, despite their small group of three, progress had surprisingly been smooth. They even stumbled upon an ancient cultivator’s cave at the site of the calamity.

Within it lay exactly three opportunities, one for each person, no more and no less.

At the time, Gu Xian’er had no clue that the jade slip in her possession would pertain to physical exercises; otherwise, she would have rejected it outright, even at the cost of her life.

“Gu Changge promised he’d come to assist, but not a soul caught sight of him.”

“As expected,” Gu Xian’er muttered softly, her thoughts drifting to Gu Changge.

Despite her words, she acknowledged they didn’t require Gu Changge’s aid in this trial.

Nevertheless, it felt somewhat absurd.

Given the terrain of the ancient Qinglong country, several other ancient countries lay before them, affording significant protection.

Yet, was Gu Changge truly indifferent?

In truth, she still longed to see Gu Changge and found herself somewhat bored here.

Boom!

However, at that moment, a terrifying fluctuation reverberated from outside the stone chamber, akin to a massive wave crashing against it.

Even through the layer of formations, Gu Xian’er keenly sensed the disturbance.

“What’s happening?”

“In that direction? Could something have befallen Qing Xiaoyi and Qing Feng?”

Without further deliberation, Gu Xian’er swiftly dashed from the stone room toward the source of the disturbance.

In the sky above, she barely glimpsed a shadowy figure preparing to depart through a spatial portal, cradling an unconscious girl in their arms.

It was Qing Xiaoyi.

“Stop!”

“Release her!”

Witnessing the scene, Gu Xian’er comprehended the situation instantly and issued a stern command.

Simultaneously, she drew a jade sword from her possession and slashed it towards the sky. Visions materialized, sacred runes glowing brightly against the night sky.

Yet, the indistinct figure casually retaliated, effortlessly crushing the terrifying force, shattering the runes, and sending the jade sword hurtling backward to the ground.

Sacred realm?

Gu Xian’er furrowed her brow, retrieving another divine weapon, a quasi-sacred war spear.

Its radiance illuminated the heavens as she thrust it forward, causing the void to collapse, fissures spreading in its wake, showcasing its formidable might.

However, the figure appeared impatient, fingers converging into a sword-like gesture aimed directly at her quasi-sacred weapon.

With a snap, the war spear fractured, splintering into hundreds of fragments that rained down from the sky like a meteor shower, radiant and dazzling.

Yet, it seemed to deliberately avoid Gu Xian’er, sparing her from harm, leaving her momentarily perplexed. However, such doubts quickly dissipated as she focused on the task at hand.

“Release her!”

Gu Xian’er soared into the sky, her delicate fist containing unparalleled power as she struck out toward the blurred figure, intent on rescuing Qing Xiaoyi.

Yet, the opponent’s method remained simple—a casual wave of their sleeve blurred the void before them, opening a portal through which they vanished in an instant.

Gu Xian’er’s powerful blow missed its mark, leaving her feeling frustrated.

“Despicable.”

“Qing Xiaoyi has been abducted.”

On this matter, we must alert the elders of True Immortal Academy. Qing Xiaoyi is a concern for them.

With this in mind, Gu Xian’er retrieved a jade talisman to contact True Immortal Academy, unconcerned about potential repercussions for her perceived failure in protection. Nonetheless, she couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt.

If only she had been stronger or more decisive, if only she had utilized the remaining divine weapons, perhaps she could have saved Qing Xiaoyi.

Could it be that the kidnapper seeks her immortal body?

Gu Xian’er pondered, her thoughts drifting to Qing Xiaoyi’s brother, Qing Feng.

However, she believed Qing Feng would have been more devastated by such an event.

Soon, Gu Xian’er appeared in the courtyard shared by Qing Xiaoyi and Qing Feng.

There, she witnessed Qing Feng on the brink of death, blood staining the surroundings, his vitality seemingly extinguished.

“I arrived too late,” Gu Xian’er lamented, feeling a pang of guilt.

Yet, her expression shifted as she noticed a faint trace of life in Qing Feng, prompting surprise.

“Huh? No, there’s still a glimmer of life. How is he still alive?”