I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-352

After confirming Jiang Chen and Niu Tian’s whereabouts, Gu Changge temporary put their matter aside since he wasn’t exactly bothered by those two. After all, they were hardly a hindrance right now. Those two were still merely mortal men, even with tremendous luck, it would still take them a long time to become somewhat significant to Gu Changge’s eyes. Thus, Gu Changge decided to leave them alone to grow for the time being as they might even surprise him on their next encounter.

Followingly, Gu Changge shifted his concentration onto another matter. Intending to fuse Sky King Zhi Yang’s Foreseeing Eye and the Purple Chaos Qi Seed, he attempted to refine them himself, but he kept noticing something was missing. Even by putting the Chaos Dao Bone into the mix, there weren’t any notable changes. Hence, Gu Changge ordered his men to deliver the materials to the Heavenly Arms Domain to have someone else refine them for him.

Although the Immortal Gu Family was unquestionably competent, refinement wasn’t precisely their forte.

On the other hand, Heavenly Arms Domain was a special place in the Upper Realm, possessing natural terrains untouched by mankind, it harboured more than three thousand innate arrays since ancient times, making it a suitable place for cultivators to refine their weapons.

As a matter of fact, many popular weapons and Sacred Grade artifacts were forged in Heavenly Arms Domain. Even True Daoists, who achieved the Great Dao, who plan to forge Dao Artifacts would venture to the Million Fire Domain, which was within Heavenly Arms Domain. There, Enlightened Flames, Sacred Flames, and Nirvana Flames were abundant, and there were even sightings of traces of Immortal Flames.

Given Gu Changge’s identity, he didn’t need to spend a lot of money and many Elders would still volunteer to take on his commission in order to earn a favour from him, so he wasn’t quite bothered by it. Heavenly Arms Domain was infinitely vast and most of the Sects there were those that specialised in refining artifacts.

Now that Gu Changge sent his materials, the Foreseeing Eye, Purple Chaos Qi Seed, and Chaos Dao Bonem away, even if Purple Mansion were to succeed in rescuing Sky King Zhi Yang, they would only come to realise that Sky King Zhi Yang was now no different from a useless person, and everything they did was all for nothing.

[Once the secret treasure is refined, I may be able to peek into the fragments of this timeline’s future. By then, I no longer have to decipher from what Mingkong is doing nor what she says. That being said, she’s a little foolish though. Nonetheless, after investigating for so long, she might have actually noticed something.] Gu Changge had plans for the long term.

Although Yue Mingkong was a regressor, many things that happened on her previous timeline had now gone off-trail—the death of the Mortal One, the occurrence of the Eternal Overcast, the birth of the Successor of the Demon World, the establishment of the Immortal Academy, the chaos in the Demon-Burying Abyss—all these incidents went through drastic changes compared to what Yue Mingkong had experienced.

Therefore, even if Gu Changge were to consult her on the other matters, she probably couldn’t provide a reliable answer, so eventually, he would still have to investigate himself.

After all, the greater the variables were, the less Yue Mingkong’s advantages as a regressor would become. Besides, in Gu Changge’s opinion, rather than being a regressor, it was more like she gained memories of the future, but those memories were that of the normal, intact timeline. As such, she would not be able to figure out why there were so many variables.

Followingly, Gu Changge summoned his servants and delegated some tasks to them. Thereupon, all he had to do now was to wait for the cultivators from Purple Mansion to come rescue Sky King Zhi Yang, so he could take all the time he wanted.

Right now, as Sky King Zhi Yang’s fate was completely in his hands, he wouldn’t have to fret even if any formidable expert in the Nirvana Realm were to show up. If Purple Mansion was smart enough, they would understand that going toe-to-toe against him wouldn’t be of any use. Rather, they would be better off sneaking around and asking around for Sky King Zhi Yang’s whereabouts like Chu Hao was doing. And once they had all bases covered, their chance of rescuing Sky King Zhi Yang would indubitably increase.

On the other hand, judging by Chu Hao’s recent actions, Gu Changge felt as though the former was at the brink of hopelessness, and he was fascinated by the process. The process of a Fortuitous One, who constantly opposes him, slowly walking towards dejection and hopelessness. Moreover, he already figured out what Chu Hao’s next move was, and that led to him coming up with a way to dwindle Chu Hao’s Fortuity.

“Qingge, have you received any news from your sister lately?” All of a sudden, Gu Changge turned to Ji Qingxuan, who was preparing tea beside him, with an uncanny look and asked, thinking that he could plant a seed of ambition within Ji Qingxuan to deal with the Hidden Ji Family.

“Hmm? I haven’t. Young Master, why bring that up so suddenly?” Hearing that, Ji Qingxuan was taken aback as her heart skipped a bit, but after a moment, she returned with a question as bafflement and perplexion surged on her face.

Given Gu Changge’s intellect, she believes he already knew that she wasn’t actually her sister, Su Qingge, but he never bothered to expose her, so she could only bear and act it through until now. Nonetheless, Gu Changge’s unexpected question honestly left her confused.

[Is Young Master Gu going to confront me about everything?] Thinking that, Ji Qingxuan strangely grew nervous as she subconsciously stopped her tea-making motion.

Even though Gu Changge wasn’t investigating whether she was working with her sister to deceive him, revelation of the matter would mean that she would be sent back to Supreme Cave Heaven and continue to be a puppet of her family. And at some point in the future, she would be turned into a tool for marriage, and be married off into some unknown family, only to live through hell for the rest of her life, as opposed to how she was enjoying her freedom and position now.

Although she was merely Gu Changge’s maid, that position alone was not to be disrespected by anyone else. In fact, many individuals, in order to please Gu Changge, even gave her presents in secret, hoping that she could praise and commend them to him. Naturally, she told him about the matter, but he simply responded with a smile, obviously unaffected by such trivialities.

Regardless, Ji Qingxuan genuinely loved and was very satisfied with her current life, not daring to imagine what the coercions her family would impose on her if she were to leave Gu Changge’s side.

For the past twenty years, she had lived her life warily on thin ice, cultivating every second in hope that she could surpass the young prodigies of her family and earning the respect of her family. Alas, she was still unable to escape her fate of becoming a tool for marriage. Although Wang Xiao was dead, it was only a matter of time until someone else like him showed up, and such was her very destiny.

“Nothing really. I just happened to remember the stories you told me about your past and got curious. It’s been a long time. Don’t you want to visit your family?” Gu Changge asked with a subtle smile as he pulled Ji Qingxuan into his embrace.

Upon those words, Ji Qingxuan certainly felt relieved as liveliness and joy instantly surged on her elegant, snowy, flawless face. Frankly, she was rather moved. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master. I never expect you to remember all that.”

Gu Changge then chuckled. “Oh, is ‘Young Master’ a forgetful person in your eyes?”

Hastily, Ji Qingxuan shook her head. “No, no! In my eyes, you’re the best person in the world.”

“Oh really?” Gu Changge laughed as he lowered his head, rubbing his nose against her delicate, impeccable neck and sniffling the flowery aroma on her. “Don’t you miss your mother?”

Upon those words, nostalgia surged in her charming eyes and she sounded somewhat disaffected.

“It’s been almost twenty years since my mother was taken away by those in the Upper Realm. I’d be lying if I claimed not to miss her. But I am aware that I’m just some illegitimate daughter born out of discrimination, and I’ll never be able to see her. To the Hidden Ji Family, bloodline and reputation are everything. Back then, my mother’s escape from marriage humiliated the Ji Family in front of many forces, and if it weren’t for my uncle’s plea, she would have been beaten to death right then. So, how would they ever let me, the disgrace of the Ji Family, see my mother?”

“Your sister told you all that?” Gu Changge leisurely asked.

“Yes, she told me about it when I last met her. My sister lived through hell all these years. If only she could meet you at an earlier point in her life…” As Ji Qingxuan was speaking, her eyes grew dimmer as if something triggered her emotions.

“Meet me at an earlier point in her life?” Gu Changge smiled as he noticed the flaw in her story, but he didn’t care to expose her.

“Mm.” Failing to notice the flaw in her own words, Ji Qingxuan gloomily nodded.

“Then, have you ever thought of, some day, overthrowing the Hidden Ji Family or… taking full control of your family?” Gu Changge smilingly asked.

“What?” Ji Qingxuan intuitively widened her eyes, wondering if she misheard Gu Changge as she couldn’t believe what she just heard.

[Overthrowing the Hidden Ji Family? Taking full control of my family?] Ji Qingxuan understood that given Gu Changge’s capabilities, him voicing such an idea must mean that he had the means to achieve it. And hearing that, she could feel her heart uncontrollably palpitating as she forced herself to calm down.

“Young Master, what do you mean by that…” Ji Qingxuan stuttered.

“Literally what I said.” Gu Changge replied with a smile, “Since you look exactly like your sister, by then, all you have to do is follow my instructions and no one will notice what’s truly going on.”

“Taking control of the Ji Family…” Ji Qingxuan could feel her ambition fiercely growing out of her control. Despite her urges to agree with Gu Changge, she was worried that that might be one of his tests for her. Hence, she grew silent.

Seeing that, Gu Changge didn’t feel the need to push her since her approval was only eventual. Her Talents were acceptable, yet she was mistreated, and despite her tremendous effort, she could never gain the respect of her family. Therefore, all she had for the Hidden Ji Family was resentment. Not even the slightest gratitude.

Either way, her current identity was perfect for the job. Once the Entanglement Immortal Might was entrusted to her, she would know what to do.

In a flash, numerous days had passed. The spectacular Celestial Ancient Army was approaching the sky of the Vermilion Bird Empire. Above the billowing grey clouds, ancient battleships were flying, as if each of them was a floating continent.

After receiving Gu Changge’s order, Hei Yanyu sent an enormous army of million to strictly surround the vicinity of Vermilion Bird Empire. Their spine-chilling murderous intent engulfed every direction of the empire by millions of kilometres.

Upon such intensity, even wandering cultivators, sensing the bloody scent of war that was to come, didn’t dare to get near as their souls were already shivering.

*Boom!* As the sky trembled, thousands of blinding beams shot through it. Countless rifts opened. At that moment, vast and aggressive, the army of Purple Mansion arose in the distant sky, as if they were about to engage anytime.

Meanwhile, the Vermilion Bird Empire, which was already on the brink of destruction, resembled a leaf on the raging waves, as if it could be obliterated and disintegrated anytime. The cultivators were witnessing everything in awe and could feel goosebumps all over their skin, thinking that a terrorising attack was about to break out above the Vermilion Bird Empire.

As the two armies faced each other, their aura gushed into the air. It was as just their breathing alone could destroy the sky.

…

In the meantime, while the Vermilion Bird Empire was facing its demise, in the depths of the extravagant mountains, two individuals were in a hurry to a distant land, as they were leaving the territory of the Vermilion Bird Empire. Although they were far away from the daunting aura in the distant sky, the shockwave still reached them, causing their hearts to quiver and almost bringing them down to their knees.

Jiang Chen’s face was somewhat blanched. He could still see Gu Changge, whom he deeply abhorred, on the ancient battleship that he left previously. Back on the ancient battleship, Jiang Chen didn’t have the chance to experience Gu Changge’s terrifying aura, but now that he could perceive everything clearly, he couldn’t help but feel horrified.

At that moment, the army of million rode on clouds and mists while the grand, ancient battleships let out thundering sounds as it emitted limitless heavenly lights that covered the sun and cast borderless shadows. Such occurrences, which would only happen in tales or legends, was now actually happened before his eyes.

Other than that, the army of million didn’t comprise ordinary soldiers. All of them were powerful beings, similar to the ones that pursued them, and they could easily destroy mountains and rivers with just a puff of air. What was even more shocking was that the horrifying army of million was commanded by Gu Changge alone.

“Senior Black, is such a war a rarity in this world?” Having regained his composure, Jiang Chen inquired the elderly man in black robes. For now, he believed that Gu Changge wouldn’t send his men after him. Besides, he feels much safer with the elderly man in black robes by his side.

From the elder man in black robes’ explanation, Jiang Chen got to know his name and that he was a Sectless cultivator who had been looking for a befitting Successor.

Due to the uniqueness of the Everchanging Demonic Arts, the elderly man in black robes needed to look for someone who possessed impressive Talents but not a remarkable position, and it would be best if the individual wasn’t treated right by their family or Sects. In other words, he was looking for an elite cultivator that didn’t belong to any forces.

As such, Jiang Chen was found to be the most suitable candidate when the elderly man in black robes was looking for a worthy Successor at the nearby Sects.

“Such a war?” The elderly man in black robes revealed a belittling grin. “Do you think you get to see an Immortal War everyday? It might not even happen once in ten million years. If Purple Mansion hadn’t angered the world, they wouldn’t have ended up this way.”

“I see…” Jiang Chen heaved a sigh of relief. “This is so scary. It’s as if the world is coming to an end.”

For the past few days, the elderly man in black robes brought Jiang Chen to scour the entire mountain range, but they had only managed to detect traces of his deceased peers. Even so, Niu Tian was nowhere to be found. This caused Jiang Chen to feel extremely concerned. It was apparent that all his other peers died by the hands of those beings sent by Gu Changge, without any survivor. Meanwhile, though there were no trace of him, there was still no telling whether Niu Tian made it out alive.

[Niu Tian has always been blessed by the Heavens. He’ll be fine. If something happens to him, I’ll never forgive that bastard!] Jiang Chen’s eyes grew stone cold. With that, he left the area with the elderly man in black robes. As the commencement of the war in the sky would soon wipe out the entire region, the nearby Sects had already moved out early on.

Lately, by conversing with the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation, Jiang Chen could sense that the elderly man in black robes was no man of honour. After experiencing the annihilation by Gu Changge’s men, he understood not to judge a person by their appearance, and although he trusted the elderly man in black robes, he didn’t put complete faith in him.

“Then, Senior Black, given my current strength, how long do you reckon it would take me to take my revenge?” Hearing that, Jiang Chen curiously asked as eagerness surged in his eyes.

From the words of the elderly man in black robes, he understood the terror of the Everchanging Demonic Arts, so he might have a chance of exacting revenge were he allowed some more time.

“Given your current strength?” Immediately, the elderly man in black robes let out a snicker and condescendingly remarked, “Let this old man warn you, it’s best to eliminate that idea from your head. Even in ten thousand years, you wouldn’t be able to do it. Your nemesis is from a totally different world.”

“Are our differences really that huge? Didn’t you say that the Everchanging Demonic Arts is powerful?” Jiang Chen tensed his brows.

Looking at Jiang Chen’s sceptical face, the elderly man in black robes blatantly mocked, “Do you understand what the Immortal Gu Family is? It’s the strongest force in the world. Judging by the strength of the Young Master of the Gu Family, he would succeed the position as the Head of the Immortal Gu Family in a few years. By then, not a single soul in the Upper Realm would dare to defy him. Understand? That is the nemesis you wish to face.”

Upon those words, the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation grew wordless in Jiang Chen’s mind, as the elderly man in black spoke only the truth. Given Jiang Chen’s current aptitude, he was in no position to exact revenge.

‘Not a single soul in the Upper Realm would dare to defy him.’ Those words were enough to leave Jiang Chen hopeless and restless. As such, he couldn’t help but wonder how he offended such a powerful figure right after he came to this world.

“However, Senior Black, have you heard of the phrase ‘never underestimate a young one?'” Swiftly, Jiang Chen composed himself and retained his persistence.

He understood that the elderly man in black robes’s unpleasant words were only to let him perceive the great disparity between him and Gu Changge for his own good. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen deeply believed in one principle: there was more than one way to solve a problem as nothing was fixed in this ever-changing world.

Besides, the Celestial Boat of Creation was in his hands, so how could he give up so readily?

“Huh? Well, I can’t wait to be surprised then,” the elderly man in black robes said with a grin, not hiding any of his sarcasm.

<Jiang Chen, do not be discouraged by this old man. Once we recreate the Celestial Boat of Creation, we’ll gain its powers and that bastard won’t even be half of what you are!> The Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation exclaimed.

[I’m not discouraged.] Hearing that, Jiang Chen was unusually calm; his eyes were full of confidence. [Yes. I have the Celestial Boat of Creation. It’s my greatest secret amd my ultimate trump card!]

Very soon, he departed from the region with the elderly man in black robes to another destination as the silhouette of the Vermilion Bird Empire faded away behind them.

[Just wait for me, Ruoyin. I promise I’ll save you!]

…

“It’s the end! There is no hope left! Purple Mansion is approaching and they are about to engage Gu Changge’s army! Hao’er, what should your father do? Are we to watch as Vermilion Bird Empire falls?”

In the palace, the Vermilion Bird Emperor was sitting on the floor, stunned. He was speaking with his dread-filled trembling voice. He was just informed today that rifts had opened up in the sky a million kilometres away. An army from Purple Mansion was intimidatingly approaching, seemingly about to commence a war with Gu Changge.

“I got it, Father! I’ll go to Wan’er and have her beg Gu Changge to stand down. I figure this is the only method left…” Obviously troubled, Chu Hao gritted his teeth.

Although Tang Wan was furious at him and was reluctant to see him, given the circumstances, that was the only solution they could opt for. At this point, if they were to do nothing, the war between Purple Mansion and Gu Changge would surely lead to the end of the entire Vermilion Bird Empire.

Lately, Chu Hao had been searching for Sky King Zhi Yang’s location of confinement. However, since Gu Changge had hid Sky King Zhi Yang in a completely unknown location, Chu Hao had scoured every underground prison, yet he couldn’t find any traces of Sky King Zhi Yang. Thus, he was even suspecting that Sky King Zhi Yang was actually kept on the ancient battleship floating high in the sky. This caused his plan to fall apart.

“Thank you, son…” In that instant, the face of the Vermilion Bird Emperor was paler than snow as he was in absolute despair. He was incredibly opposed to having the Vermilion Bird Empire fall under his reign, and his biggest regret was to keep Chu Hao in the empire when he should have sent him back to his Sect after dealing with the Eternal Overcast Crisis. That way, Chu Hao wouldn’t have offended Gu Changge for defending his Junior.

“Don’t mention it, Father. I’ll go to Wan’er right away. Uncle Master, I shall leave my father’s safety to you.” Having said that, Chu Hao promptly headed to the manor where Tang Wan usually resided.

As Bai Yang nodded, his gaze was complicated. With how things have escalated, the only thing he could do now was to bring Chu Hao and the Vermilion Bird Emperor out of the empire.