I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 320

Chapter 320: It’s just the tip of the iceberg, in fact, you misunderstood

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxuan didn’t have time to wipe off the ink smeared on her face by Gu Changge. She hurriedly got up and went to make tea. She had asked Gu Changge beforehand if he wanted her to prepare something in advance. After all, he was inviting her to come over for tea. If he didn’t even have tea when she came, wouldn’t he seem to look down on them too much? But Gu Changge just waved his hand and said that he didn’t need it; drinking tea or something was not important. Ji Qingxuan didn’t care too much. She guessed that the Holy Maiden of the Purple Mansion might not be able to leave this palace today. Even if she could get out, they would probably have to pay a terrible price.

“Zi Yan greets Young Master Changge,” Liu Zi Yan said. Her expression was ugly at the beginning when she entered the palace, but she soon recovered her calmness and greeted Gu Changge. When she came here, she thought about Gu Changge’s many ways to make things difficult. But she didn’t expect him to be like this, even though the tea was freshly boiled, and there was no preparation at all. Such a contemptuous attitude made Liu Zi Yan very angry. But she still had to hold back and smile politely in return.

He was even too lazy to prepare something for the Banquet; this Gu Changge is really strong and arrogant, the same as the previous rumors. Liu Zi Yan thought so in her heart and calmed herself down. If there were a real conflict, she would definitely not be Gu Changge’s opponent. Even though Gu Changge was injured.

For the rest of the geniuses, even in Gu Changge’s current state, he remained an unmatched, terrifying presence.

“Greetings, Young Master Changge!” The many disciples of the Purple Mansion behind Liu Zi Yan echoed nervously and uneasily, greeting Gu Changge with profound fear. Though Gu Changge appeared harmless, he exuded an extraordinary aura far removed from that of an ordinary mortal. He was akin to a looming shadow, his presence evoking palpable pressure and heart palpitations that could only be felt in his immediate presence.

“Take the rest of the disciples to another palace to entertain them. I have something to discuss with Holy Maiden Zi Yan,” Gu Changge instructed casually, addressing Wang Zhong at the hall’s entrance. With a calm smile, he rose and began to descend.

“However… I truly didn’t anticipate Holy Maiden Zi Yang’s swift arrival. Qingge, I knew this girl was lazy; I even asked her to prepare the tea earlier, but she simply didn’t comply. Well, I suppose I’ll have to teach her a lesson in diligence,” Gu Changge remarked, shrugging off the blame with ease. “I hope Lady Zi Yan won’t take offense at my poor reception.”

When Ji Qingxuan, not far away, heard this, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. She knew all too well Ji Qingxuan’s propensity for laziness, and yet she appeared diligent at every turn. She couldn’t help but appreciate Gu Changge’s effortless deflection of blame.

“Young Master Changge is joking,” Liu Zi Yan responded, her voice steady despite the quickening of her heart. “This humble girl is honored to witness Young Master Changge’s true demeanor. To share tea with Young Master Changge is truly a blessing for Zi Yan, one that countless girls can only envy.”

As she spoke, Liu Zi Yan’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain composed, smiling gracefully. She couldn’t fathom that Gu Changge would be so audacious as to act recklessly towards her. Even if he harbored resentment towards Zi Yang Heavenly King, it was unthinkable for him to take it out on her. Any harm that befell her here would undoubtedly implicate Gu Changge; after all, many cultivators had witnessed her arrival at his side.

“Holy Maiden…” The disciples of the Purple Mansion exchanged worried glances, knowing that if anything happened to her, their response would be delayed, rendering their support futile.

“Are you suggesting you can’t trust Young Master Changge’s character?” Liu Zi Yan remarked lightly, the implication clear: if anything were to happen to her, Gu Changge would undoubtedly be implicated. As for his character, the rumors had never portrayed Gu Changge in a favorable light.

Upon hearing her words, the disciples of the Purple Mansion breathed a collective sigh of relief and requested Wang Zhong to escort them away. Though Gu Changge spoke of hospitality, none present were naive; they understood it was, in fact, a form of house arrest.

Now, the entire ancient Xuanwu country was under the control of Gu Changge, although the location chosen for the trial was the ancient vermillion bird country.

However, with Zi Yang Heavenly King’s disappearance, the Six-Crowned King maintained a low-key and mysterious demeanor, refraining from power struggles. Consequently, no one in the Ancient Xuanwu Kingdom dared to disobey Gu Changge’s commands, not even the disciples of Purple. Even if the elders of the True Immortal Academy were aware, they would look the other way rather than oppose him.

“It seems Holy Maiden Zi Yan has misunderstood Gu a bit, being so vigilant and suspicious of my good intentions,” Gu Changge remarked with a helpless smile, gesturing for Liu Zi Yan to take a seat.

Liu Zi Yan nodded and sat down, though she didn’t believe Gu Changge’s words. She wasn’t a child; she had her standards for judging right and wrong, let alone assessing someone’s character.

Glancing at the chessboard nearby, Liu Zi Yan asked curiously, “Does Young Master Changge also enjoy playing chess?” She had some experience with chess herself, though she wasn’t an expert. However, she had a keen eye and could discern the intricacies of the game. The contrast between black and white on the chessboard mirrored the complexities of life, revealing hidden truths and mysteries. In a moment of trance, she even saw the chessboard come alive, with the pieces rising into the sky like sea dragons, the wind carrying them high into the heavens, merging light and darkness into chaos, separating heaven and earth.

Every chess piece seemed to blur into living beings, embodying various Dao forces, ancient supremes, and supreme masters. “Take all beings and spirits as chess…” Liu Zi Yan’s voice trembled slightly in her heart. She found no words to describe her emotions other than likening them to stormy waves. Unfathomable. What Gu Changge had revealed was merely the tip of the iceberg. How much lay hidden beneath? Only Gu Changge knew.

Observing her expression, Gu Changge vaguely sensed what she had seen. However, he remained unconcerned, offering only a casual smile. “It’s not that I like it; I’m just passing the time out of boredom. After all, I’m seriously injured and confined to the palace.”

Liu Zi Yan gazed at him deeply, then sighed. “I wonder why Young Master Changge invited me here.” She had resolved not to offend him, not out of intuition but because the sight of the chessboard had filled her with bone-chilling fear. It hinted at a terrifying secret, one so deeply buried that it employed the heavens and earth as mere chess pieces. Even those enlightened dared not compare to Gu Changge’s audacity.

“I merely wished to invite Holy Maiden Zi Yan for tea. Why can’t you believe me?” Gu Changge’s helpless smile and calm, indifferent gaze were oddly reassuring.

“Master, the tea is ready!” Ji Qingxuan arrived with steaming tea brewed with the heart of an eight-million-year-old tree spring. Fragrant and rich, the tea leaves resembled ancient enlightenment, each imbued with divinity and flowing with the rhythm of the Dao, though each was unique, bearing a significant disparity.

Some tea leaves resembled ancient bells, emitting a faint sound when stirred, while others took on the form of cauldrons, swords, and ancient seals. Five-colored divine light danced around the tea water as if divine weapons had been summoned into the void. Axes, forks, swords, and whips—every kind of divine weapon seemed poised to materialize, accompanied by clanging noises and a surge of treasures.

“This tea is really unusual,” Liu Zi Yan remarked, feeling somewhat stunned. As a saint of Purple Mansion, she had witnessed many marvels, but this tea was unlike anything she had seen before. Not only was the tea itself precious, but the leaves were also unfamiliar rarities. Today, she had truly learned something new.

For a moment, she pondered Gu Changge’s intentions. Had he truly invited her for tea? Considering the arrogant demeanor of his attendants and followers, she couldn’t be certain. Comparing the two, Liu Zi Yan felt that Gu Changge’s entourage was likely accustomed to arrogance and dominance. After all, with their affiliation to Gu Changge, who would dare challenge them easily?

“This is an unnamed ancient tea that I planted and cultivated myself. I used the branches of the ancient tea tree to enlighten the Dao and then grafted the branches and leaves of other ancient teas. Finally, I came up with such a different thing…” Gu Changge smiled warmly and spoke elegantly as he took the initiative to introduce the tea to Liu Zi Yan.

Of course, these words were likely nonsense, as Gu Changge was more interested in drinking tea than in the laborious process of planting and cultivating ancient tea. This unknown ancient tea had likely been acquired from the system mall.

As for its purpose, it served as little more than an introduction.

“I see. I didn’t expect Young Master Changge to be so leisurely…”

“However, being able to think of this method to cultivate ancient tea is really admirable, Zi Yan.”

Liu Zi Yan’s eyes held a hint of strangeness; her words were sincere, not merely flattering. While she wasn’t particularly interested in cultivation, she had delved deeply into other hobbies like piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, and tea art. She was well-versed in ancient teas, enabling her to judge the authenticity of Gu Changge’s words.

She hadn’t anticipated Gu Changge’s profound insight into tea culture.

“It seems that Holy Maiden Zi Yan also understands tea.”

“Please,” Gu Changge smiled slightly, gesturing for Ji Qingxuan to fill the cups as he stated his intentions.

“Actually, there is another reason I invited Holy Maiden Zi Yan here,” Gu Changge stated.

At that moment, even without Gu Changge’s clarification, Liu Zi Yan understood his intentions.

She smiled wryly and replied, “I know that Young Master Changge is seeking traces of Heavenly King Zi Yang. However, even I cannot reach him.”

“I notified him of something over half a month ago, but I’ve received no response yet. If Heavenly King Zi Yang is indeed involved with the inheritor of demonic arts, I won’t show any mercy.”

“Oh? Is that what Holy Maiden Zi Yan believes?” Gu Changge responded.

“However, it seems you’ve misunderstood something,” he continued, surprising Liu Zi Yan and leaving her expression stiffened. Did Gu Changge not intend to inquire about Zi Yang Heavenly King’s whereabouts from her? Had she misunderstood his intentions?