I Am the Fated Villain - Chapter 398
Chapter 398: Are you scolding her or complimenting her, the time is finally ripe
Hearing Gu Changge’s words, Empress Xi Yao sensed his disbelief. Yet, instead of brushing it off, she explained earnestly, “For this banquet, I prepared meticulously for over 20 years. I even journeyed to the True Immortal Academy to procure a long-lost brewing method from an ancient being.”
“Moreover, I ventured into the frigid depths of the demon world to gather countless ice lotuses, each aged over 8 million years. My aim was to temper the potency of the imperial wine, fearing it might overwhelm them and lead to dire consequences…”
She had never divulged these details to anyone, not even her most trusted female confidante. No one knew the extent of her preparations for the Banquet of Geniuses over the years. But in the presence of Gu Changge, she revealed everything unabashedly, confident he would understand her intentions.
“Is that so? Then, Changge, you must savor this imperial wine. Knowing that Her Majesty the Queen poured her heart into this Banquet of Geniuses, they would undoubtedly be even more appreciative.”
A slight raise of Gu Changge’s eyebrows accompanied his smile. He hadn’t anticipated Empress Xi Yao’s profound dedication to this banquet, let alone her hands-on involvement.
“I don’t require their gratitude,” Empress Xi Yao remarked. Hearing this, she gestured towards the myriad of geniuses below, chuckling softly. “They represent the future hope of the demon world. It’s a small effort on my part.”
Yet, a hint of pride lingered in her tone. After all, as she surveyed the endless expanse of her magnificent domain, she knew it was her realm. These countless creatures of the monster world were her subjects. For her, the toil endured over more than 6,000 years was justified.
“Her Majesty’s dedication truly impresses me,” Gu Changge replied, a smile gracing his lips. His gaze then shifted to Jun Fan, who sat in deep meditation, oblivious to their conversation as he refined the Budhi Dao fruit. Turning back to Empress Xi Yao, he continued casually, “But, Your Majesty, do you deem it worthy?”
Empress Xi Yao’s brow furrowed slightly as she pondered Gu Changge’s question. “They will serve me faithfully in the future and breathe new life into the demon world. I consider it far from worthless,” she replied bluntly, without hesitation.
Gu Changge let out a snort, his smile retaining its lightness as he inquired, “Is that so? Your Majesty believes they will all serve you, and you place such trust in them?”
“They are all geniuses chosen by my subordinates, hence my natural trust in them,” Empress Xi Yao replied, casting a peculiar glance at Gu Changge. She couldn’t fathom why he posed such a question today. Was he harboring suspicions about the geniuses present? Empress Xi Yao found it unlikely. Any genius with ulterior motives would have drawn her attention long before now.
“Indeed?” Gu Changge nodded, withholding judgment.
In that moment, he grasped a glimpse into Empress Xi Yao’s mindset. It was akin to a veil lifted in the darkness. Previously, he had speculated whether she possessed means to forestall any unforeseen events at the Banquet of Geniuses. However, from her response, he surmised he had overestimated her.
His attempt to gauge Jun Bufan’s reaction had gone unnoticed by Empress Xi Yao, further solidifying his understanding of her limitations.
In Empress Xi Yao’s eyes, she might only react when Jun Bufan’s blade was at her throat. She likely assumed that even if Jun Bufan survived, he wouldn’t dare confront her at this juncture. While she was a capable demon queen, she lacked the qualities of an astute emperor.
From Gu Changge’s perspective, how could she, as a supposed emperor, place such blind trust in others, even her closest confidants? He surmised that if he didn’t intervene in the demon world affairs this time, Empress Xi Yao would undoubtedly suffer significant losses at the Banquet of Geniuses. It was highly probable that she would face severe setbacks.
Following the typical pattern, the current regime in the demon world would be overturned. Empress Xi Yao would be captured, with Jun Bufan, once poisoned by her, resurfacing to accuse her of crimes. He would then assume control of the demon world, becoming its new ruler.
Even if there was a chance to alter this course of events…
The turmoil finally subsided, and it was anticipated that Empress Xi Yao would invest significant efforts in uncovering the mastermind behind the scenes, Jun Bufan. Yet, despite his presence right before her, she chose to overlook him, harboring optimism and admiration for his talent. Gu Changge found it incredulous, a stroke of luck seemingly at play.
“So, this is the expected plot and trajectory. It’s no wonder if nothing transpires…” Gu Changge shook his head in mild disbelief.
Then, squinting slightly, he directed a smile at Empress Xi Yao. “But I fear the denizens of the demon world will never fathom that their perpetually cold-blooded and ruthless Empress possesses such a tender and endearing side.”
“Young Master Changge… What exactly do you imply?” Empress Xi Yao was taken aback by his words. Upon processing them, she struggled to maintain her usual regal demeanor.
The notion of being called innocent and cute was entirely foreign to her, causing a discomfort she couldn’t shake. Her heart fluttered inexplicably, and she found it challenging to uphold her customary majesty as Queen.
She couldn’t recall a single instance where such words had been associated with her. In the eyes of the demon world populace, she was renowned for her cruelty, ruthlessness, and unwavering resolve.
This unexpected twist left her unsettled, her carefully cultivated image now seemingly unraveling before her eyes.
In her relentless pursuit to eradicate the remnants of the five emperors, Empress Xi Yao spared no expense, dispatching large armies to battle across the demon world. Many prominent clans fell under her relentless campaign, leaving countless casualties in her wake, directly or indirectly caused by her actions. How could she possibly be considered innocent and cute?
Subconsciously, she entertained the notion that Gu Changge might be mocking her for even entertaining such a naive thought. However, to her surprise, Gu Changge remained composed, offering a calm smile.
“Of course, I wasn’t scolding Your Majesty,” he clarified. “It’s just that witnessing this other side of Your Majesty, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast… It left quite an impression on me.”
“My other side?” Empress Xi Yao locked eyes with him, unable to withstand Gu Changge’s direct gaze. Eventually, she averted her gaze, focusing instead on the young geniuses gathered below.
Gu Changge chuckled softly, opting not to argue further.
Of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate to label her as foolish in such a moment. To put it delicately, she possessed a natural purity. It needed to be embellished further—naturally pure and lovely. Regardless of Empress Xi Yao’s demeanor, she remained an untouched woman, though this premise required overlooking her age.
Given his stature, it was effortless for him to charm her with flattering words.
In the aftermath of ingesting the Bodhi Dao Fruit, nearly all the young geniuses were engrossed in refining and absorbing its essence. Their bodies emanated a divine glow, and the air crackled with immortal energy, seizing this rare moment of enlightenment. All eyes were fixed on them.
The process didn’t drag on for long; soon, dusk descended, casting a golden hue over the sacred mountain. Envy and jealousy burned in the eyes of the countless creatures of the monster world gathered around the mountain. They could sense the aura of the geniuses growing stronger with each passing moment.
As twilight painted the sky in hues of orange, the entire mountain was bathed in a solemn and magnificent pale gold, a testament to the profound events unfolding upon its slopes.
“Breakthrough…”
“I’ve also broken through, just as expected with the Bodhi Dao Fruit!” exclaimed many geniuses as they began to rouse from their state of epiphany, their eyes wide with joy.
Colorful clouds danced, and golden rays intertwined, radiating a potent aura. Various hues sprayed from their pores, a testament to the profound transformation taking place within them.
Their first instinct was to sense the surge in their own strength, and they were astounded by the results. With expressions of profound gratitude, they rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to Empress Xi Yao.
They had long heard of the preciousness of the Bodhi Dao Fruit, but never did they imagine they would have the opportunity to refine and absorb one. Today, at the Banquet of Geniuses, they were granted countless opportunities, leaving them genuinely thankful to Empress Xi Yao.
“The cultivation base has indeed ascended to a higher realm, and this Bodhi Dao Fruit is truly remarkable,” Jun Fan remarked upon awakening from his epiphany, his demeanor composed like the rest of the geniuses as he expressed his gratitude to Empress Xi Yao.
Despite his intentions to later assassinate Empress Xi Yao, he wasn’t foolish enough to overlook such a valuable opportunity. However, Jun Fan couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps it was all just his own delusion.
Gu Changge continued to peer into Jun Fan’s eyes, creating an unsettling sensation as if all his secrets lay bare before him. It felt like a game of cat-and-mouse, and Jun Fan couldn’t help but frown inwardly, maintaining a calm exterior as he averted his gaze.
“Has Gu Changge discovered something? Perhaps he noticed my momentary lapse,” Jun Fan speculated, growing increasingly vigilant. With everything in place, he awaited the opportune moment to strike, knowing that once the meat feast and fruit feast concluded, followed by the wine feast, it would be his cue to act.
“Come forth, serve wine for the geniuses,” Empress Xi Yao commanded once more, rising to her feet and gesturing for the female officials behind her to begin serving.
A buzz rippled through the nearby mountains as countless creatures of the monster world fell silent upon hearing the command, followed by an eruption of excitement akin to a tsunami.
All eyes were fixed on the scene unfolding before them, brimming with curiosity and anticipation. After all, the previous two banquets had been extraordinary, and the finale promised to be even more so. The Banquet of Geniuses always captivated the attention of the entire demon world, with tales abound of cultivators achieving breakthroughs merely by catching a whiff of the wine.
The anticipation and curiosity for the final banquet heightened among the attendees, eager to discover what Empress Xi Yao had in store.
As Empress Xi Yao concluded her instructions, a procession of beautiful women emerged behind her, their dresses billowing gently as they carried earthen pots in their hands. Despite their simplicity and gentleness, the sealed surface of the pots exuded a potent aroma of wine.
With graceful movements, they approached the assembled geniuses and began pouring the wine without fuss or ceremony. The pale golden liquid cascaded from the earthen jars, possessing an ethereal quality that seemed to imbue it with spirituality as it filled the white jade wine bowls before each genius.
“What kind of wine is this…” murmured the geniuses, their eyes widening at the mere scent of the wine. Their faces flushed, their steps faltered, and some even teetered on the brink of losing their balance.
The wine’s astonishing medicinal properties permeated the air, its majestic energy seeming to surge within, threatening to overwhelm even the stoutest of internal organs.
Buzz!!!
The void quivered, erupting in a riot of colors that intertwined and flowed in a mesmerizing display. It was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying, with many witnessing various visions emerging from their wine bowls.
The sun and moon waxed and waned, mountains and rivers surged, stars danced in the heavens, and thunder and lightning reduced mountains to ashes.
“Is this… immortal wine? Wasn’t it said that the brewing method was lost?” exclaimed one astonished voice.
“Ah! It’s demon wine! According to ancient tales, only demons are deemed worthy to partake of such a brew…”
“Where did Her Majesty the Queen acquire the recipe for its brewing?” questioned another incredulous voice.
Amidst the tumult of shocked voices, numerous prominent figures in the demon world recognized the nature of the imperial wine. Their eyes widened in disbelief, their hearts shaken to the core.
As far as they knew, the method of brewing immortal wine had long been lost to the annals of time. Yet, in ancient texts, there were still records of this elixir. Its mystical properties were indescribable, rumored to even hold the power of rejuvenation.
Of course, Empress Xi Yao could never truly brew the authentic Immortal wine. The rarity of the necessary materials made it nearly impossible to recreate. At best, she could achieve a fraction, perhaps 1/10,000, of its original potency. Even so, this bowl of Demon Immortal Wine incited envy and jealousy to a maddening degree in everyone present.
“The extravagance of this Banquet of Geniuses is beyond imagination,” remarked the Demon Master, Peace King, and others in shock. Even they were unaware of the specific wine Empress Xi Yao had prepared.
“After this banquet, you will die,” Jun Fan thought to himself, his internal sneer reflecting his lack of surprise. He was the first to drain the golden wine from his bowl, then calmly waited.
Empress Xi Yao had meticulously prepared for this event over a long period. But Jun Fan, too, had made extensive preparations for this Banquet of Geniuses. Empress Xi Yao remained oblivious to the fact that the winemaker she had hired had been covertly replaced by Jun Fan. To ensure his plan’s success, Jun Fan even went as far as to control several ministers responsible for the imperial wine, securing their loyalty by holding their lives and those of their families in his hands.
Boom!!
Following Jun Fan’s lead, the rest of the young geniuses followed suit and began drinking the wine.
“It truly is the long-lost Immortal Wine…” Song Youwei felt a tremor of awe in her heart. Before taking a sip, she habitually glanced upward.
“Young Master Changge, would you like to try it?” Empress Xi Yao personally poured wine for Gu Changge, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she relished the shocked expressions around her.
Gu Changge sniffed the wine with interest and remarked, “The Demon Immortal Wine certainly lives up to its reputation. Just the aroma alone is enough to relax one’s pores. Her Majesty must have invested considerable effort in brewing this wine, correct?”
“It appears to be worth it now,” Empress Xi Yao replied, her smile widening with satisfaction.
Behind her, a female officer stepped forward to test the wine for any poisons, ensuring all precautions were taken.
Jun Fan, sitting cross-legged below, observed Empress Xi Yao drink her bowl of wine, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“The time has finally come!” he thought.
However, he refrained from crushing the jade talisman in his arms, knowing the poison would take some time to activate. This was a mixed poison; when consumed alone, it had no effect, thus avoiding detection. But combined with the pill powder that Qingzhu had secretly placed in Empress Xi Yao’s meal earlier, it would yield an unimaginable and potent effect.
The strong aroma of wine filled the air, vibrant and intoxicating. Many geniuses appeared slightly drunk, focused on refining the medicinal effects of the wine.
“This wine tastes truly exquisite,” Gu Changge remarked, gently swirling the bronze wine glass in his hand before taking a sip, his tone one of genuine admiration.
“Xi Yao toasts Young Master Changge with this cup. Thank you, Young Master Changge, for traveling hundreds of millions of miles to visit the demon world and share your knowledge with me.”
Perhaps due to the wine, a faint blush appeared on Xi Yao’s fair, delicate face. Nonetheless, the corners of her mouth remained slightly upturned as she raised her glass to Gu Changge.
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