I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 374

Chapter 374 The son of the demon emperor who integrated with the rogues of the chaotic star field and gradually became a climate

Time flew, and days passed in the blink of an eye. There was a lot of uproar in the upper realm due to Gu Changge’s dispatch of an army to search for the Thirteen Thieves, causing widespread unease. Cultivators and creatures discussed this matter in almost every ancient city daily.

The Thirteen Great Thieves were infamous for their evil deeds, including burning, killing, looting, and various other atrocities. Due to the chaotic terrain of the star field they inhabited, hunting them down was extremely difficult. After attacking passing caravans, they would rob the supplies and flee, leaving the passing forces and caravans in misery.

Additionally, the Chaotic Star Territory bordered heaven and served as the sole route for the Divine Weapon Realm, renowned for its refining, to transport goods. This area was considered a strategic choke point. For millions of years, the Thirteen Great Thieves had plundered numerous resources from the caravans of the Divine Weapon Realm. Now, after being annihilated by Gu Changge, the resources obtained from them made many Dao forces envious.

It was widely known that to destroy the Thirteen Thieves, the army Gu Changge dispatched was powerful enough to obliterate ordinary forces. He also incurred significant losses, with as many as a hundred ancient warships destroyed in the war. This is why, in the eyes of many, Gu Changge dispatched numerous forces to search for the Thirteen Thieves.

This incident also sounded the alarm for many Daoists and cultivators, who could no longer regard Gu Changge as merely a young genius. He had gradually spread his wings and begun to reveal his sharpness and influence in the upper realm. Destroying the Purple Mansion was just the beginning.

Now, anyone who offended Gu Changge had to consider the terrifying consequences they would face. Following the annihilation of the Thirteen Thieves in the Chaotic Star Field, Gu Changge instructed the various clans of the Ancient Immortal Continent to secretly dispatch their strongest members to track down the more scattered rogues near the Chaotic Star Field.

After all, not taking advantage of such a valuable resource would be foolish. Gu Changge was certainly not known for his benevolence. After dealing with the Thirteen Thieves, he planned to support a new force to occupy the Chaotic Star Field. Over the years, the Thirteen Thieves had amassed great wealth, and now Gu Changge intended to capitalize on it.

No matter which Dao force it was, it would find the area appealing. Although they dared not express this openly, they were poised to act covertly. Now that Gu Changge had secretly consolidated this new force, the rest of the Dao Lineages wouldn’t dare to voice any objections.

There is a significant difference between rogues backed by a powerful force and those without such support. The Chaotic Star Field was vast, located at a distance and bordering multiple continents, with countless caravans and cultivators passing through daily. Not to mention the many teleportation formations and ancient altars occupied in the middle, any cultivator passing through this place would have to pay an additional fee.

Over time, this area naturally appeared as fertile ground—a veritable cornucopia—in the eyes of many sects. Gu Changge recognized the advantageous terrain here, and it wasn’t difficult for him to control the Chaotic Star Field. Previously, aside from the Thirteen Thieves, there were hundreds of rogues, both large and small, within a million-mile radius. Although scattered, their numbers were significant.

Even for the Thirteen Thieves, integrating these rogues was a challenge. This group of rogues was savage and fierce, having survived numerous life-and-death battles, their strength far surpassing that of cultivators in the same realm. With the Thirteen Thieves eliminated, these rogues, both big and small, nurtured ambitions to grow and dominate the surrounding area.

However, their ambitions were short-lived, as they were quickly suppressed by the large army sent by Gu Changge.

Gu Changge gave the rogues a very simple condition: either surrender or die. With the fate of the Thirteen Thieves as a lesson, these scattered rogues naturally did not dare to resist. Gradually, many rogues in the Chaotic Star Region converged from scattered groups into a unified force.

Although this new group was not yet as formidable as the Thirteen Thieves at their peak, their overall strength was significantly greater due to Gu Changge’s backing. Despite many Daoists and cultivators in the Chaotic Star Field knowing who was behind this new power, they dared not speak out. They could only hope that under Gu Changge’s control, this group of rogues would show some restraint and not be as ruthless as the previous Thirteen Thieves.

To ensure proper management, Gu Changge arranged for Ji Qingxuan to oversee the region temporarily.

After a period of observation, Gu Changge had already assessed Ji Qingxuan’s ability and ambition. The newly integrated bandit group served as a perfect testing ground for her skills. While he valued having a few ornamental figures, Gu Changge preferred capable individuals, especially women who could be of practical assistance to him.

Initially, Ji Qingxuan didn’t expect Gu Changge to trust her with such a significant responsibility. She was nervous and uneasy for a while, but her overwhelming ambition and excitement soon took over. She swore to herself that she would never let Gu Changge down. This was her chance to prove her abilities, an opportunity given by Gu Changge that she was determined to seize.

Seeing Ji Qingxuan leave the True Immortal Academy with his token and head to the Chaotic Star Field, Gu Changge turned his attention back to his own matters. He silently picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and then picked up the communication talisman. The message detailed Xiao Ruoyin’s progress in cultivation, with Yan Ji reporting everything meticulously.

What Gu Changge was most concerned about was whether Xiao Ruoyin had recovered the memory of the High Priest of Destiny. However, it seemed that her memory recovery would take a considerable amount of time. As for the state of her cultivation, Gu Changge was indifferent.

“Master, there is news about the remnants of the Thirteen Thieves you wanted to apprehend,” a follower outside the hall reported suddenly.

Gu Changge’s thoughts returned, and he asked lightly, “Oh, what news?”

“The mysterious military advisor behind the Thirteen Thieves seems to be related to the chaos in the demon world six thousand years ago,” the follower replied respectfully. “According to the information obtained, this advisor is connected to the demon emperor Xuan Yang, who was pursued by Queen Xi Yao and fled the demon world. They would never have thought that he infiltrated the Chaotic Star Field and became the military advisor to the Thirteen Thieves.”

“Is there such a connection with the demon world? Could this be a matter of cause and effect involving me?” Gu Changge was somewhat surprised by this news. He then waved his hand, “I see. You can go back now. If there is any trace of him, send someone to arrest him as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Master,” the follower responded before leaving.

Gu Changge thought for a moment, then picked up a pen to write a letter. He felt that this matter might be related to the son of the demon emperor from the demon world.

According to what he had learned, there were six demon emperors in the demon world, with the Xuan Yang Demon Emperor and the You Yue Demon Emperor having the closest relationship.

The son of the Xuan Yang Demon Emperor, named Jun Bufan, was childhood sweethearts with Empress Xi Yao, who now ruled the demon world, and they had a marriage contract. However, this contract was abolished 6,000 years ago, leading to chaos in the demon world. The Xuan Yang Demon Emperor’s family perished in the turmoil, and the five demon emperors vanished.

Although the You Yue Demon Emperor, Empress Xi Yao’s mother, was rarely seen today and was said to be in retreat, there were rumors suggesting she might be under house arrest by Empress Xi Yao or had been killed long ago.

After the chaos 6,000 years ago, Queen Xi Yao’s reputation suffered significantly, and it was not unusual for people to speculate about her ruthlessness. Many demons who opposed her, including her fiancé, perished at her hands, their deaths countless. Her methods were notoriously cruel, and her name alone could reportedly stop children from crying at night.

Gu Changge recalled the luck event triggered when he first entered the True Immortal Academy some time ago—an event concerning the return of the son of the demon emperor.

At the time, Gu Changge had mentioned the matter to Empress Xi Yao, but it hadn’t garnered much attention from him due to other pressing concerns.

“Now it seems that the son of the demon emperor has gained significance? Indeed, the fortunate often intersect. This presents a favorable opportunity for me as well,” Gu Changge mused, recollecting the blind middle-aged man and forming a conjecture. “If this is the case, then it’s likely this individual will seek refuge in the demon world…”

Squinting his eyes, Gu Changge summoned his followers once more, instructing them to keep a close watch on teleportation formations leading to ancient cities in the demon world. With this matter arranged, he began to draft a letter, intending to gauge Queen Xi Yao’s stance.

Despite their seemingly cordial interaction during their meeting at the True Academy, Gu Changge knew well that gaining Queen Xi Yao’s trust was no simple feat. At most, it was a superficial admiration upon their first encounter. Moreover, he was uncertain of Queen Xi Yao’s feelings towards her poisoned fiancé.

Therefore, it was imperative for him to discern Queen Xi Yao’s disposition before proceeding with his plan. If she still harbored resentment towards Jun Bufan, Gu Changge had no qualms about assisting in his downfall.

….

In the demon world, a magnificent palace shrouded in clouds and mist loomed atop a mountain peak. A striking woman clad in a crimson gown sat at a table, diligently writing on a slip of paper before her. Her facial features were exquisitely beautiful, with deep, serene eyes, and a faint touch of red makeup adorned her forehead, lending her an air of mystique.

Beside her stood four tall, slender women, each holding a different writing tool—pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. Despite their differences, they were all equally stunning, with silky green attire accentuating their delicate features. Their expressions ranged from charming to cold, indifferent to serene.

“Your Majesty, this is a letter from the young master of the Gu family from the True Immortal Academy of the Upper Realm,” announced a female official as she entered the hall, presenting the letter with great respect.

Upon hearing this, the four attendants surrounding the woman in the red dress appeared slightly taken aback. One of them, with a demure demeanor, stepped forward, inspected the letter, and then presented it to the woman in the crimson attire.

“Gu Changge?” she murmured, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “What could he possibly want with me?” Setting aside the document she had been working on, she glanced at the letter with intrigue evident in her expression.

Simultaneously, the words Gu Changge had spoken to her earlier echoed in her mind: “Perhaps we could be called emperors across the ages.” A rare smile tugged at the corners of the woman’s lips as she delicately retrieved the envelope, unfolding it to read its contents.

The four female attendants observed this scene with astonishment. As Empress Xi Yao’s closest confidants, they were intimately familiar with her demeanor. She had always exuded an aura of indifference and majesty, rarely showing any warmth, especially not over matters concerning men.

The fact that she now smiled, albeit faintly, due to a man, was unprecedented. They were well aware of Gu Changge’s reputation as the most illustrious young prodigy in the upper realm, possessing immense power. His recent feat of dismantling a faction of the Supreme Dao Lineage had sent shockwaves through their realm, leaving them trembling with disbelief and awe.

Could such accomplishments truly be attributed to someone of the younger generation? Even the most prominent talents of the demon world paled in comparison to him, appearing insignificant in his shadow.

Furthermore, when had their queen encountered Gu Changge? And why were the two parties now exchanging letters? These questions buzzed in their minds as they watched their enigmatic queen’s rare display of emotion.

“You actually have time to care about how I’m doing now?” Xi Yao’s mouth curved into a deeper smile, signaling her good mood. The four female attendants around her keenly felt her emotions, leaving them somewhat stunned. When was the last time their queen had shown such an expression?

It had perhaps been when a minister, who had defied conventional opinions in court, had finally agreed with Empress Xi Yao’s reforms and understood her good intentions.

After carefully rereading the letter, Xi Yao lifted the pen beside her, her jade hand poised to write on the paper herself—an uncommon occurrence, as usually, she would delegate such tasks to the female officials beside her. This action surprised the attendants once more. How seriously was Empress Xi Yao taking this matter?

Their curiosity piqued, they longed to witness the legendary figure, Young Master Changge, with their own eyes. After swiftly completing the letter, Xi Yao examined it with satisfaction before handing it to the demure female official beside her, instructing, “Send this to Young Master Changge as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the official replied, taking the letter and promptly leaving the palace.

“During this period, keep a close watch on the teleportation formations leading to the upper realm from all corners of the world. The remnants that survived six thousand years ago may be attempting a resurgence,” Xi Yao commanded lightly.

“Your Majesty, are we expecting someone to return to the demon world?” the woman with the cold expression queried, her surprise evident.

Xi Yao glanced at her trusted female officials, her light tone belying the seriousness of her words. “Young Master Changge has recently eradicated the Thirteen Thieves in the Chaotic Star Region, among whom one of the remnants is Bai Kun, the demon master who stood by Xuan Yang Demon Emperor six thousand years ago.”

“Having offended Young Master Changge, Bai Kun will find no refuge in the upper realm now, so it’s likely he’ll seek sanctuary back in the demon realm.”

“Bai Kun? So it’s him?” The revelation elicited shock from several female officials. Only the woman who had questioned earlier displayed a slight change in complexion, a momentary flicker of nervousness before regaining composure.

Xi Yao continued to read Gu Changge’s letter, oblivious to her official’s reaction. “The remnants of the rebellion have resurfaced over the years, suggesting someone is clandestinely orchestrating their resurgence. But who could that be…” Furrowing her brow, she delved into contemplating the complexities of her response.

In her interactions with Gu Changge, Xi Yao felt a sense of age-old wisdom, a sentiment akin to “I existed long before your birth, yet you have aged faster than me.” Therefore, she maintained transparency in their correspondence, divulging all encountered issues without reservation.

When she first encountered Gu Changge at the True Immortal Academy, Xi Yao paid close attention to his words. Upon returning to the demon world, she promptly issued orders to search for the remnants of the five emperors. Being cautious, Xi Yao instructed her forces to apprehend individuals with the same name and surname as her original fiancé across all corners of the demon realm.

She acknowledged that this method was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, but it was the only lead she could pursue at the moment. Xi Yao understood Jun Bufan’s character well and surmised that if he had survived, he would likely continue to use his original name.

As for why Xi Yao harbored suspicions that Jun Bufan might still be alive, it was perhaps due to the discovery of his empty tomb. The fact that his body had gone missing left her perplexed and without any leads.

Faced with this enigma, she hoped to find a solution from Gu Changge. Despite being junior to her, some of Gu Changge’s insights and perspectives had a way of clearing the fog and bringing clarity to her thoughts.

“Hehe, indeed,” Gu Changge murmured to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips as he pondered Queen Xi Yao’s letter. It seemed that the son of the demon emperor had indeed become a significant figure, compelling Gu Changge to consider a visit to the demon world.

“Mature leeks are hard to come by. How can one easily let them slip away?” he mused, his demeanor calm and contemplative as he stood within the confines of the True Immortal Academy. After perusing Queen Xi Yao’s missive, he found little surprise in its contents.

In truth, some of the questions she posed had been anticipated by Gu Changge beforehand. How could the son of the demon emperor resurface without repeating the mistakes of six thousand years ago? If Jun Bufan possessed even a modicum of intelligence, he would opt for a low-profile existence, avoiding Queen Xi Yao’s attention and minimizing his prominence.

Considering the vast expanse of the demon world, locating the son of a demon emperor would be akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Even Queen Xi Yao might harbor doubts about Jun Bufan’s survival. If she couldn’t locate him, why not compel him to reveal himself willingly?

With resolve, Gu Changge took up his pen and began to write. If Queen Xi Yao sought a solution from him, then a solution he would provide. In his estimation, Queen Xi Yao had yet to fully embrace the necessary ruthlessness.

He possessed myriad methods to coerce Jun Bufan into revealing himself. Recalling the past, Gu Changge remembered Jun Bufan’s sister, who had abstained from the turmoil of the demon world six thousand years ago. Her secluded existence presented an opportunity—an area untouched for millennia, a domain no one dared to approach.

….

Meanwhile, in an ancient city within the upper realm, a disguised young man busily arranged his stall along a secluded street. Weapon fragments, tainted with rust and earth, adorned the display, alongside unidentifiable ores with an ancient aura, as if freshly unearthed.

Amidst his tasks, the young man discreetly observed passing cultivators and prodigies, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Gu Changge…” he muttered under his breath, overhearing nearby discussions amongst cultivators. A flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes as he ruminated over his current circumstances.

This young man was none other than Jiang Chen. If not for Gu Changge’s intervention, he wouldn’t have found himself reduced to this state—scouring graves and plundering tombs, selling the treasures of the deceased for survival.

With luck, he might stumble upon a recently deceased tomb owner, absorbing the residual energy from their body. Yet, if fortune frowned upon him, he would encounter a corpse saturated with the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon—a far less desirable outcome.

Each time he ventured into a tomb, Jiang Chen had to tread cautiously, wary of attracting the attention of the deceased’s family. The absence of the black-robed old man, who had been his mentor, left him feeling uncertain. Jiang Chen had no clue about the old man’s whereabouts, compelling him to search for hidden tombs in the mountains while honing the techniques imparted by his mentor.

Despite the challenges, Jiang Chen achieved a modicum of success during this period; he successfully activated his spiritual sea. He also contemplated testing his luck by gambling in major cities, but the realization that he could not take his winnings with him dampened his enthusiasm, leading him to abandon the idea.

Recently, he caught wind of rumors about the imminent emergence of an ancient tomb of the gods. Intrigued by the prospect of potential riches, Jiang Chen resolved to test his luck there.