I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-391

“I see. Gu Changge cannot be underestimated as every force in the outside world feels great hatred towards us. If he hadn’t made us the scapegoat, we wouldn’t have this many problems now. The most important thing now is to clear up what has happened. I am confused about something, though. Didn’t just four Sect Masters fight against him? Why did eight died? Why are there another four more dead?”

After hearing the report, the Godly Illusion Emperor frowned deeply and began to think of a solution. There was no point in announcing that the clan had nothing to do with it right now, as it would only lead to the others being more incited, thinking that they were running away from responsibility. Thus, there were more risks than benefits to that approach.

The tomb had been left to them by the Clan’s Prime Ancestors, so they would be the prime suspect if something happened to other forces in there. Besides, with Gu Changge’s testimony, the blame was now on them and they could never get rid of it. All they could do was grit their teeth and bear with it.

Jiang Luoshen froze at that, feeling puzzled at first. After some thought, the whole thing became more suspicious. She had witnessed only four Sect Masters dying at Gu Changge’s hand. How did the other four die? She shivered after thinking of one reason.

“Father, do you think it’s Gu Changge who killed four more in order to incite hatred between us and their Sects? According to the current information, Gu Changge had been the last to leave the tomb. He wouldn’t need that much time even if it was collapsing. He must have done something in the time between taking the Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal and leaving the tomb. So, it might be him who has killed the other four Sect Masters.” Her voice shook slightly.

“Why did he do that? Did he do it just to frame us? How evil!” The Godly Illusion Emperor felt this was the most possible explanation and looked increasingly enraged. He hadn’t expected the Godly Illusion Clan would be framed by someone one day and the only way to resolve it was to smile and yield to Gu Changge, recognising their misfortune. There would be more problems if he firmly stood against Gu Changge.

“Father, I think he has other motives in killing these four Sect Masters. Framing us was just a bonus. I just don’t know what it is.” She frowned as she thought of another possibility. In her opinion, Gu Changge never did anything for no reason. He didn’t have to go to such lengths to frame the Godly Illusion Clan.

“No matter the reason, it’s undeniable that these eight Sect Masters have died at his hand. Luoshen, you must capture the monk and that youth who escaped back then. They cannot end up with Gu Changge. They are the key to resolving the whole issue. I may have to trouble you, or our Clan will face an even greater threat,” the Godly Illusion Emperor ordered with a dark expression. That was the only solution he could think of, pushing the blame on these two. Besides, the tomb’s collapse and re-awakening of the arrays had nothing to do with Jiang Luoshen. Meanwhile, these two had escaped at the most vital moment, making them look extremely suspicious. It was a good opportunity to place the blame on them instead.

“I understand, Father.” Jiang Luoshen gritted her teeth briefly, retreating with a pale face.

She began to send members of her Clan to capture Jiang Chen and Monk Pu Du to resolve the impending threat. She understood what her father was saying – propagating rumours was a better solution than putting them to rest. Any further explanations would invite more suspicion. If they admitted they had some responsibility while painting themselves as the victim, the result would be different. The only condition was not allowing Gu Changge to get involved.

Soon, news spread from the Godly Illusions Clan which shocked everyone. The Clan had borne heavy losses and not the enormous gains as assumed by the other Sects. Only one out of ten of the members they had sent out had returned and they hadn’t possessed any relics from their Prime Ancestor. They didn’t have anything to do with the tomb’s collapse, the re-awakening of the arrays, and the deaths of the Sect Masters. Instead, it had been caused by a mysterious man and a monk.

The whole thing had started because Jiang Luoshen had been cheated by them. They had reassured her that they could break the various arrays within the tomb, which was why she had brought them to the Godly Illusion Tomb. They had suddenly stolen the Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal just when Jiang Luoshen and Gu Changge had been fighting for it. After that, they activated the arrays and caused the tomb to collapse. The destructive force erupted in an instant, resulting in such a devastating result.

To prove the truth of their words, the Godly Illusion Clan mentioned that the mysterious man was actually a Successor of the Divine Source Master. His abilities were mysterious and could change the order of nature as well as alter arrays and restrictions. Thus, the Clan’s Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal had ended up with them, and it wasn’t known where they were.

As the news spread, there was an instant uproar. The different Sects trying to seek justice from the Clan were stunned and didn’t know how to react as it was too shocking. The legendary Successor of the Divine Source Master had appeared, but then activated the array within the tomb, killing everyone within. Even the Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal had been stolen by them.

The truth of the explanation didn’t matter as it caused immediate shock waves. The identity of that mysterious youth was soon exposed by the Clan. His name was Jiang Chen. This resulted in great shock as well. Although many doubted the truthfulness of the claim, more chose to believe it. Unless the Clan was truly foolish, it would never kill the eight Sect Masters, which would attract too much hatred onto them. It was also clear they had suffered losses from this. Many connected this claim to what Gu Changge had said and felt that the Clan wasn’t lying.

Jiang Chen’s name spread around and a lot of people started looking for him. Both the Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal and the Successor of the Divine Source Master were highly coveted. Even some independent cultivators started searching for them, and began putting out feelers to look for the youth in question. Meanwhile, Jiang Chen and Monk Pu Du had immediately found a hiding place after escaping the Godly Illusion Tomb. They didn’t expect that the Clan would resort to this and were alarmed by it.

“Not only did they cut connections with us but framed us by claiming that we stole the Prime Ancestor’s Divinity Crystal after all that we have done!” Jiang Chen’s teeth almost shattered from how hard he was gritting them and his eyes were red with anger. He had assumed he would be safe after fleeing the Godly Illusion Tomb, not expecting an even greater danger awaited for them. Now, everyone believes that he owned a precious treasure, but he didn’t have it. Likewise, he himself didn’t know the teachings of a Divine Source Master. Worst, everyone thought he had trapped and killed the eight Sect Masters, so now, those Sects would never let him off easy.

“Amitabha. Kind Sir Jiang, From now, the two of us share the same fate like locusts on the same rope.” Monk Pu Du sighed slowly, more tolerable about the whole thing.

“Jiang Luoshen is so despicable. She said she would let us go unharmed but then broke her promise, and now, she’s framing us. How disgusting is she? I opened a path for her and resolved many of the arrays, giving her enough time to flee at the end. Yet, this is how she treats me. When I get stronger, I will never let her off easy.” Jiang Chen’s intense hatred was now targeted at someone other than Gu Changge.

In his opinion, the tomb wouldn’t have collapsed if the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation hadn’t activated the arrays within the Godly Illusion Tomb, delaying Gu Changge’s plans. Otherwise, would she have escaped alive? But now, she was repaying his kindness with evil intentions.

“I do have somewhere we can go. I’m just unsure if you are willing to come with me.” Monk Pu Du sighed, hands making a praying gesture. Naturally, Jiang Chen did not hesitate. His black-robed senior was nowhere to be seen and the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation was hibernating, so he could only depend on the reliable-looking monk.

“Oh yes. Master Pu Du, I don’t know anything about you.” Jiang Chen was curious about that.

“I studied under Buddhist Mountain and cultivated in the Floating Buddhist Temple. However, I was expelled for not obeying the rules. I can’t remember how long it has been since.” Monk Pu Du smiled, a seemingly ancient air exuding from him. He looked like an enlightened monk of high standing. Jiang Chen was amazed, feeling that the monk was mysterious and possessed a high cultivation level.

…

After returning to the Immortal Academy, the first thing Gu Changge did was to refine the Godly Illusion Divinity Crystal and the various Sources he had acquired from the Godly Illusion Tomb. After several days, his cultivation level was now closer to the Sacred Emperor Realm. He did pay attention to the rumours in the outside world, and the fact that the Godly Illusion Clan would choose to push the blame onto Jiang Chen and the mysterious monk, which did not surprise him. People were extremely selfish after all and the Clan, being one of the oldest clans in the Upper Realm, would never want to incite public anger because of this. Protecting one’s interests always came naturally to those that were intelligent.

However, the Clan seemed to have forgotten something. Just one word from him would put all their plans and efforts to waste, leading to more hatred towards them. Their actions showed some submission towards him though, where they seemed to be swallowing down their dissatisfaction. Jiang Luoshen knew the Godly Illusion Divinity Crystal was in his possession and the Sect Masters had died at his hand. Yet, she hadn’t mentioned anything about it and chose to frame someone else. This felt like a gesture of goodwill towards him, so he had no reason to continue pressuring them.

[Nothing has come from Empress Yao Xi’s side. I should resolve the issue regarding Bai Lian’er before going to the Demon World.] Gu Changge began considering his next steps. He had already sent people to investigate her, while also asking Yin Mei to help him observe the branches of the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion. Thus, he already had something in mind.

Bai Lian’er was mysterious and very few people had seen her true appearance. Even the assassins of the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion hadn’t seen the real appearance of the mastermind. Thus, Gu Changge decided to let someone destroy some of its branches, and capture important figures within its management. With Bai Hun and these important figures within his control, she simply had no choice but to show herself. Unless, she had gone to the Demon World, of course.

“Young Master, Jiang Luoshen, the princess of the Godly Illusion Clan, is asking to see you. She is currently waiting for you outside of the Immortal Academy’s entrance.”

Just while he was puzzling over the problem, a report from outside the palace made his eyes narrow. This surprised him as she had nearly died at his hand yet dared to visit him now. [How brave of her. Isn’t she scared of being killed by me?]

[Is this because of Jiang Chen then? Planning to make me behave more leniently and not expose the lie in their so-called explanation?] Gu Changge thought of the possibility and couldn’t help a smile.

“Let her in.”

At the entrance of the Immortal Academy, many young prodigies were watching incredulously as a gorgeous woman in golden robes stood outside. She was tall and slender, seemingly shimmering with light. Her features were flawless and striking as if they had been carefully carved in marble, while her golden hair fluttered with the breeze. Her entire being radiated an extremely cold and regal air.

She was Jiang Luoshen, the princess of the Godly Illusion Clan. Many recognised her and were shaken. They did not understand why she was there. The hottest topic in the Upper Realm currently was the relationships between the Clan and the different Sects. Since she was the princess of the Clan, wasn’t she worried that anything bad would happen to her? Besides, she was unaccompanied, standing alone and emotionless like an immovable glacier which exuded a freezing aura.

“Princess Luoshen, please come with me. My Master is waiting for you in the palace.” Soon, a muscular figure transformed into a light beam and sped towards the entrance, greeting her with clasped hands. Everyone became more surprised by this, knowing that this muscular person was one of Gu Changge’s followers. He was strong and pretty popular within the Immortal Academy.

[Does this mean that Jiang Luoshen is here to see Gu Changge? Didn’t they fight due to a misunderstanding inside the Godly Illusion Tomb? One of the peak Sacred Lord Realm Masters of the Godly Illusion Clan had even been killed by Gu Changge!]

Everyone was now curious as to why she would come to see him.

[Did they encounter something in the Ancient Divine Tomb? Still, since she dares to appear, it indirectly proved the truth of the news provided from the Clan.]

Soon, Jiang Luoshen followed the muscular person towards the palace Gu Changge was occupying.

The Immortal Academy was astir at her arrival, with many young prodigies emerging from their cave mansions in astonishment after receiving the news.

She had some reputation in the enormous Upper Realm, viewed as a goddess by many young prodigies due to her powerful strength, terrifying Talents, and otherworldly beauty. The events that had transpired in the Godly Illusion Tomb did not diminish any of her attractiveness in the slighted. The fact she had come alone from her home to meet Gu Changge at the Immortal Academy made them envious. They began to guess what had happened between the two of them.

“Princess Luoshen, Master is already inside the palace. I shall take my leave first.” The person who had led Jiang Luoshen to the palace left. She stared at the palace without any visible emotion, yet she was shivering internally while clenching her hands within her sleeves. That uncertain feeling of fear rose once again as she felt the threat of death hanging over her. She could almost see Gu Changge clutching her neck and holding her up again, striking her into a bloody mist soon after.

She was slightly pale and uneasy, even though her father had given her a protective amulet, which would allow her to leave instantly if anything went wrong. This decision had taken a lot of her courage to make and she wouldn’t have done this if not for the Clan. Of course, this was all her fault and she couldn’t blame anyone else. She had grown too proud and forceful, as she had been fated to rule over everyone and become the future Godly Illusion Empress from the moment she was born. Thus, with such a personality, how could she allow herself to retreat?

At that thought, she took a deep breath and her expression regained its coldness. She pushed open the doors and walked in, inhaling the light yet refined fragrance of tea as soon as she entered. A handsome young man was waving his fan behind the kettle, his hair shimmering faintly. He seemed to be careful of the fire due to the looser robes he was wearing, clearly attentive yet his demeanour seemed laid-back and even idle.

This was the first time she had seen him this way; she froze on the spot, swallowing down the words she had been planning to say. Her first impression of him inside the Tomb had been cold yet assertive. He was a more terrifying person than she was. Not to mention, extremely cruel and despicable. She hadn’t expected him to be brewing tea leisurely when she had been so cautious and prepared. This was vastly different from the man she saw him as, and the way he looked now was reminiscent of an extraordinary deity who had left the mortal world behind. She hadn’t forgotten that she had been killed by him before, though.

“Sit.” Gu Changge’s voice rang out, distracting her from her thoughts. For some reason, she involuntarily sat on the stone bench beside her.