I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 317

Chapter 317: All day long, Jiang Chuchu is thinking of getting good things for free

Outside the crevice, Gu Changge’s figure emerged, with a flickering light seeming to hover beside him. With a single stride, he appeared next to Jiang Chuchu.

“Are you alright?”

Jiang Chuchu’s form darted forward as she inquired, her gaze dropping to assess Gu Changge before scanning him from head to toe.

She noted his steady and tranquil breathing, reassured that he didn’t appear injured, exhaling a sigh of relief. She vividly recalled the harrowing injury when the aura of celestial destruction the last time consumed Gu Changge.

“I’m fine,” Gu Changge waved his hand and grinned casually. “I didn’t expect you, Your Highness, the Holy Maiden, to concern yourself with me, the devil. It’s truly flattering.”

“You’re overthinking it; it’s my fault. If something were to happen to you, I’d be remorseful.”

Upon hearing this, the worry etched on Jiang Chuchu’s face froze momentarily before she cast a fleeting cold glance at Gu Changge and then offered an explanation.

“Alright, alright,” he said, “I know you care about me.”

Gu Changge smiled and reached out to encircle her slender waist.

Jiang Chuchu was about to protest, but suddenly, her body stiffened, her expression freezing. She stood there, resembling a statue, visibly uncomfortable with Gu Changge’s intimate gesture. Goosebumps rose on her delicate white skin.

She couldn’t quite grasp her current emotions. She unmistakably found Gu Changge immensely irritating, yet she found herself unable to rebuff him.

Furthermore, Gu Changge repeatedly bullied her, starting from their initial encounter when he subdued and confined her within his secluded domain. It marked the darkest and most desperate period for her. Subsequently, she bore witness to Gu Changge’s machinations, orchestrating the reincarnation of the human ancestor and his subsequent demise. This event left an indescribable impact on Jiang Chuchu after more than twenty years of cultivation.

Gu Changge was undeniably fearsome and terrifying, yet he spared her life despite her knowledge of many of his secrets. He even took the initiative to rescue her and resolved several instances of imminent celestial calamities on her behalf.

“Chuchu?”

At that moment, Gu Changge’s soft call interrupted Jiang Chuchu’s turmoil, jolting her back to awareness. She regarded him suspiciously with her cold, captivating eyes.

“Huh?” Jiang Chuchu gestured for him to continue.

“You didn’t say anything?” Gu Changge smiled.

Jiang Chuchu was momentarily stunned, then spoke softly, “Thank you.”

“Is that all?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, appearing somewhat dissatisfied with her response.

“Then what’s your impression of me?” Jiang Chuchu looked at him, encouraged by her recent defiance against Gu Changge after their last encounter.

“Seems like you’re angling for something for free, huh?” Gu Changge asked with interest.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuchu pondered the question seriously. It dawned on her that she might have been expecting something without putting in any effort. Gu Changge had travelled a long way and spent numerous days resolving the trouble she faced, yet all she offered was a simple thank you. She found it somewhat embarrassing to admit.

Nevertheless, she harbored no remorse toward the detestable Gu Changge. Jiang Chuchu mulled over her words, sensing a hint of sincerity, realizing she might need to lean on Gu Changge’s assistance again in the future.

With a calm tone, she replied, “I’m indifferent to that. This issue doesn’t concern you. If you hadn’t eliminated the human ancestor, we wouldn’t be facing so much trouble. However, I do appreciate your help, uh…”

But before she could finish her sentence, her mouth was gagged.

Jiang Chuchu’s beautiful eyes widened, and her jade fist collided with Gu Changge’s body, unleashing formidable waves akin to mountains and seas.

If ordinary cultivators were present at that moment, they might have all exploded, their bodies and spirits obliterated. Jiang Chuchu’s strength should not be underestimated. Even caught off guard, her subconscious power was still tremendously formidable.

However, despite Jiang Chuchu’s vigorous struggles, she couldn’t break free. Eventually, she huffed through her nose and ceased her futile attempts. After all, Gu Changge had subjected her to similar treatment more than once, and she had grown accustomed to it.

“Chuchu?” Gu Changge smiled and called out.

“Um?” Jiang Chuchu looked at him with her beautiful eyes, her demeanor surprisingly calm. Even if Gu Changge didn’t address her by her current nickname, it felt natural. Gu Changge had always been selective about women, and few captured his interest. Jiang Chuchu not only proved useful to him but also helped him obtain the origin of absolute heavenly extinction, leading him to fall for her.

At that moment, Gu Changge naturally didn’t withhold a bit of tenderness.

“Chuchu, do you want me to do something for you?”

But in the next instant, Gu Changge smiled and vanished in a flash, reappearing in another direction. Jiang Chuchu had already shut her eyes, her eyelashes quivering slightly. Unaware of Gu Changge’s sudden remark, she opened her eyes and realized the situation.

Suddenly, two crimson clouds appeared on her delicate, immortal-like face. Anger and annoyance surged within her, her eyes turning cold.

“Gu Changge… you’re truly despicable!” Jiang Chuchu’s voice dripped with cold fury.

“What? Disappointed, Chu Chu?” Gu Changge smiled, standing in the distant void. His white robes billowed, exuding an otherworldly aura as if he were about to tread the path of immortality and ascend beyond.

The smile on his face now, in Jiang Chuchu’s eyes, appeared nothing short of despicable, evoking intense hatred.

“Why do you always enjoy tormenting me?” Jiang Chuchu felt a plethora of grievances welling up inside her, yet her expression remained icy.

She had already yielded so much, yet Gu Changge continued to taunt and bully her. This pushed her, someone who usually shunned confrontation, to the brink of wanting to grind her teeth and curse at him. But she held herself back.

“When did I torment you again?” Gu Changge replied calmly. “It’s too late for me to love you.”

His shameless words stoked Jiang Chuchu’s anger further. What kind of man claimed to love his woman in such a manner?

“However, consider this the price for the reward I seek. Don’t expect to receive favors for free in the future. If you want my help, you’ll have to pay the price, understood?”

With that, Gu Changge spoke once more. As he did, he waved his sleeve, causing the void to blur, and a portal materialized. In the blink of an eye, he departed, vanishing without a trace.

Although he claimed to be retreating to recuperate, in reality, aside from Jiang Chuchu, no one knew of Gu Changge’s presence here. Nonetheless, as a precaution, he felt the need to leave first.

“I…” Jiang Chuchu was stunned by Gu Changge’s words, an overwhelming sense of resentment flooding her heart. What did he mean by not expecting to receive favors for free?

All of her people belonged to Gu Changge, so did that mean Gu Changge still intended to take advantage of her? Did it imply that in the future, she would be subjected to the same bullying from Gu Changge as she experienced today?

“He’s the one who obviously solved the scourge of heavenly extinction, yet now all the credit falls on me. He doesn’t want anything.”

As these thoughts raced through Jiang Chuchu’s mind, she gazed intently in the direction Gu Changge had departed. Ripples of uncertainty and unrest stirred within her, refusing to settle.

Before this moment, she had never entertained the idea of allowing Gu Changge to replace the human ancestor. Even if he had broached the subject himself, she would have outright rejected it without hesitation or doubt.

But now, once the notion had taken root, it blazed like an uncontrollable inferno, impossible to extinguish. After all, she was an ancestor. With Gu Changge’s current reputation, a simple declaration from her would suffice to make it appear true to the world.

….

“How’s Young Master Changge’s injury coming along?”

“I noticed Young Master Changge’s complexion has improved significantly compared to before.”

“It’s remarkable, really. Despite suffering such a severe injury, Young Master Changge managed to recover within just a few days. His vitality is truly extraordinary, surpassing even some ancient prodigies.”

“Yeah, if it were any of us, we’d likely have perished long ago from such a wound.”

In the magnificent palace of ancient Xuanwu country, bustling with activity, numerous individuals had gathered. Among them were many prodigies such as Yin Mei, Ying Yu, Gu Xian’er, Qing Feng, and others. Several elders from the True Immortal Academy had also hurried over upon hearing the news.

At that moment, it was the group of prodigies who were engaged in conversation, expressing admiration and awe.

In the center of the palace, Gu Changge greeted everyone with a smile, though his face appeared slightly pale. It was his first appearance in front of outsiders since his injury.

Before him lay a chessboard adorned with black and white pieces. As visitors came to see him, he spent the time playing chess with Ji Qingxuan.

Upon returning to this place, Gu Changge began preparations for his next move. Guiding the conflict between the two fortunate sons, Qin Wuya and Chu Hao, under the guise of secrecy was his next objective. Only he was privy to this plan.

In the eyes of everyone present, Gu Changge’s cultivation and aura seemed slightly improved compared to before. However, his wound had not yet fully healed. This injury posed a significant obstacle for him.

“Young Master Changge has sustained damage to his origin. It will require a bit more time for recovery…” The elder’s voice trailed off as he shook his head slightly, retracting his hand after checking on Gu Changge’s injury. Despite Gu Changge’s status, he had access to various divine materials and holy medicines, yet his injury still proved severe, underscoring its terrifying nature.

Upon hearing these words, various emotions stirred among the gathered individuals.

“The elders are perhaps overly concerned,” Gu Changge remarked with a slight smile. “This injury will heal in no more than half a month; it’s nothing major.”

“However, during this period, I wonder if the elders have any updates on Qing Xiaoyi? Or perhaps news regarding Heavenly King Zi Yang?”

With that, Gu Changge took the initiative to broach another topic, directing his inquiry.

The atmosphere in the palace shifted abruptly at his words. Even the smiling elders suddenly stiffened, rendered speechless. Many of the prodigies’ faces reflected a mixture of complex emotions.

Zi Yang Heavenly King!

During this period, if the inheritor of demonic arts was the most discussed figure, then Zi Yang Heavenly King undoubtedly ranked second in popularity.

In the eyes of many, Zi Yang Heavenly King was poised to repeat Prince Ying’s mistakes. Not only did he allegedly abduct Qing Xiaoyi, who possessed the immortal demonic body, but he also appeared to have ties to the inheritor of demonic arts.

Despite widespread rumors and speculations, Zi Yang Heavenly King remained elusive, fueling sensationalism across the realm. Yet, he had not made a public appearance, leaving many to interpret his absence as an act of covert evasion.