I Am the Fated Villain
chapter-421

The Shen Family owned a large, wide land, wherein spiritual springs and waterfalls flowing between mountaintops.

At this moment, in a tranquil courtyard, donning a robe, a chivalric-looking young man with long hair was bending over to water the plants before him. Seemingly youthful, somewhere in his early twenties, the young man was blessed with perfect features.

There wasn’t any mystical energy wafting around his body, but between every movement of his, he seemed to be merged with the environment of his surroundings as many spiritual birds landed upon his gestures, while butterflies danced and stopped on the flowers and grass in the courtyard.

“Speak no more. I shall leave, naturally, when the time comes, but it is not now,” the young man spoke to the Elder at the doorway of the courtyard with his back facing them. His voice was calm, unaffected despite the fact that it was the Second Elder of the Shen Family who was standing behind him.

At the same time, his face was stern as he was attentively watering every stalk of flower and blade of grass while bending over to dispose of withered weeds. It was as though the person behind him was no more important than the floras in front of him.

On the other hand, the Second Elder of the Shen Family was the very Elder who was aggressively against the idea of Shen Xian’er’s marital arrangement. His face was gloomy and his lips were thin, and he was visibly vexed by those words.

“Li Xiu, you should know where to draw the line! We are well aware of the agreement back then. Why are you being like this now? All these years, when have the Shen Family mistreated you? Do you not remember who it is that foraged for the numberless spirit herbs and age fruits to treat your fractured Spiritual Sea?”

Hearing that, the young man named Li Xiu gently shook his head. “I did not concur with the matter as it was you who imposed it on me. And as I have said, I shall leave the Shen Family Residence once the time arrives. By then, I will not remain even if you beg for me to stay. Besides, I did not ask for the mending of my fractured Spiritual Sea. In fact, I have explicitly remarked that it would only be a waste of time. Yet, you were ignorantly stubborn. Of course, without me, Shen Xian’er’s grandfathers would have died years ago. I am their saviour. Is this how the Shen Family treat their saviours?”

Li Xiu blandly sneered. His tone was natural, albeit with a hint of mockery, as if he was describing a trivial, meaningless matter.

Nonetheless, such condescension coming from him deepened the anger within the Second Elder of the Shen Family. “Stop the jest!”

With a dull face, he continued, “The marriage will unquestionably be voided. In no way is a good-for-nothing who came out of nowhere like you deserving of being with the prodigal damsel of the Shen Family! So stop fantasising about Xianer, for she will never marry you! Were you wise enough, you’d leave the Shen Family Residence. That way we’d part with no bad blood. Even if that mysterious Master of yours were to show up now, my words still stand regardless.”

He was aware that Li Xiu’s mysterious Master was formidable as the latter was able to rescue both Shen Xian’er’s grandfathers from a hazardous land. Furthermore, according to her grandfathers’ remarks afterwards, Li Xiu’s Master effortlessly repelled the Principles of Chaos on Boundary Marker Sea with a swing of one hand, which could only be pulled off by someone in at least the Sacred Emperor Realm. Hence they decided to befriend Li Xiu and his Master.

Nevertheless, that was also the very factor of the discord among the Elders now. After all, since Li Xiu’s mysterious Master had been missing for the last three years, none could fathom whether he was dead or alive. Moreover, a cultivator that surpassed the Sacred Emperor Realm was regarded as the mightiest being in Heavenly Tide Realm, whom none would dare to upset.

In response, Li Xiu faintly grinned, feigning indifference. “As I’ve said, I don’t have a Master, and if it is Shen Xian’er’s will to revoke the marriage arrangement, she should speak to me herself. She may be a dazzling, superb damsel in your eyes, but there’s nothing special about her to me. Had her grandfather not pleaded so desperately back then, do you think I’d have agreed with this?”

He was being truthful. Shen Xian’er honestly bore no value to him. Yet, he was irked by her reluctance to see him and desire to deem the marriage arrangement void on one side. Simply, he couldn’t allow himself to stoop so low as to let another back out on a promise—the marriage arrangement—bestowed upon him.

“Such absurdity! Fine, since you said so, I shall bring Xian’er over and have her speak to you about it personally.”

Li Xiu’s words drew the Second Elder of the Shen Family’s sardonic snicker, as it was the first time the latter encountered such a rampant individual. Prior to this, he had never expected Li Xiu’s high-sounding sentiments. [Does he truly believe that he is above us because he has a powerful Master?]

With that, Li Xiu merely shot him a glance before bending over and casually continuing to tend to his plants.

Letting out a scoff, the Second Elder of the Shen Family speedily left the courtyard, but right after he walked out of it, the Communication Rune tucked on his chest suddenly lit up. At once, an ever so stern expression surged on his face as he was also visibly nervous and anxious, after which he pulled out the Communication Rune.

“What? That young man is coming to the Heavenly Tide Realm?” The Second Elder of the Shen Family was dazed for a moment upon seeing the content within the Communication Rune before finding himself dumbfounded as his voice shivered with uncontrollable excitement. He could barely hold the Communication Rune, almost dropping it on the ground, and he seemed like a completely different person from how he was behaving in front of Li Xiu.

Seeing that expression of his, Li Xiu furrowed his brows, seemingly somewhat surprised. Although he was aware of the influence and power of the Second Elder of the Shen Family, he couldn’t help but wonder what it was that evoked such reverent attitude, even causing his entire body to tremble.

[Young man?] As Li Xiu caught the Second Elder of the Shen Family muttering those words, he began to ponder and infer, but he wasn’t fazed by it.

“Oh, fool that knows not his place, I shall have you behold what an absolute being looks like!” The Second Elder of the Shen Family sneered and after glancing at Li Xiu, he hastily departed, intending to inform the rest of the family members regarding the news to receive their guest.

Not many were aware of the fact that the Second Elder of the Shen Family came in contact with an individual from the Upper Realm. Back then, he was informed that an unparalleled young man, who held absolute dominance, was from a certain family, and was looking for someone who carried the surname ‘Gu’.

And now that he received the news that this man was coming to Heavenly Tide Realm, he was thoroughly stupefied. He quickly figured out that Gu Xianer must be related to it. Thus, without any further delays, he hurried to confer with the fellow Elders.

Although Shen Xian’er’s parents were prejudiced against this young man due to a matter in the past, the latter, at the end of the day, carried the bloodline of that certain family, which signified an impeccable opportunity to the Shen Family.

Meanwhile, amid a valley, wherein Celestial Mists drifted and reishi thrived across the lands filled with radiant mists, pebbles gleamed like gems as traces of purple lights wafted everywhere, making the mountains resemble the Celestial Realm.

…

At that moment, Mrs. Shen, Mr. Gu, and Shen Xian’er were still expressing their disdain towards Gu Changge over the incident in the past.

“Xianer, please stop defending him.” Mrs. Shen looked at Gu Xianer sadly.

With a cold face, Gu Xianer listened to her mother’s expression and felt helpless, after which she explained, “Father, Mother, you misunderstand. Gu Changge is really not to be blamed for the incident. Even at this second, he is doing all he can to make it up to me. I’m living well with the Gu Family Residence; the Elders treat me well. Some time ago, an Ancestor of our branch came out and almost obliterated the Ancient Sea Palace! Please, stop being stubborn. The Elders have been missing you.”

Hearing that, Mrs. Shen shook her head and sighed. “Time has been harsh on you, Xianer. I understand your desire to protect the family’s name, but how can such a dreadful grudge be dismissed by mere words?”

From her perspective, had Gu Xianer not sacrificed herself, Gu Changge wouldn’t have let her off so easily, let alone allow her to return to the Gu Family and willingly restore their former positions to them. Essentially, the excruciating pain of having one’s bone removed was indescribable.

“Although we have not returned to the Gu Family Residence for years, we are still aware that Gu Changge only agreed with the Elders in bringing our branch members back in order to secure his position as the Young Master of the Gu Family. If it weren’t for this, he wouldn’t have been so kind,” Mr. Gu then noted as he clenched his fists, abhorring his own incompetence to do anything.

Gu Xianer was merely a child when Gu Changge seized her Dao Bone back then. No matter how he would explain his side of the story, nothing could ever bury such harsh truth.

“Mother, Father…” Unable to find words to rebuke them, Gu Xianer was at a loss for words. She understood that her parents were concerned about her, but at the same time, she was also worried about the grave prejudice her parents bore towards Gu Changge.

However, the incident back then was connected with Gu Changge’s secret, which hindered her from being able to clarify the situation. She told her parents everything that recently happened between her and Gu Changge, yet their scepticism persisted.

“Sister, please speak no further. Now that you are back to the Shen Family, all is well. The four of us can live here in peace, together, forever,” Shen Xian’er softly said. Having been influenced ever since she was a child, she bore hostility towards Gu Changge despite never seeing him.

“You are yet too young to comprehend certain things.” Gu Xianer sounded somewhat helpless. She had been repeatedly trying to clarify for days, yet it didn’t seem to have worked the way she wished. Her parents disdain towards Gu Changge was deep to their bone, and it would be extremely difficult to change their minds.

“Nevermind. Please halt the discussion of this matter. We should mind Xian’er’s problem instead.” As Gu Xianer’s parents were about to go on, she quickly waved her hand in fear that they would bring up more ridiculous matters. The only way she could change their opinion on Gu Changge was by making them visit the Gu Family Residence once, as well as Peach Village while they were at it.

“Fine, fine. Let us stop, or you’ll be infuriated again.” Mrs. Shen sounded helpless as well, thinking that Gu Changge must have fed her something that would trigger her vexation every time they spoke of Gu Changge. Although Gu Xianer didn’t reflect her feelings on her face, the emotional changes in her heart was blatantly obvious to them.

“Why would I be infuriated…” Right as Gu Xianer was about to refute, a divine rainbow flashed from outside the valley, when an individual approached Shen Xian’er and reported, “Lady Xian’er, the Saintess Yao Yue wishes to meet with you. She is currently by the gate.”

“Saintess Yao Yue?” Hearing that, Shen Xian’er tensed her brows as an ominously bewitching figure popped up in her mind. It baffled her as to why the guest would visit the Shen Family at such a time.

Although she had encountered Saintess Yao Yue numerous times, they weren’t exactly friends, given that they merely had a couple of exchanges. Yet, the latter came all the way to the Shen Family Residence and specifically requested to meet with her so unexpectedly.

“Saintess Yao Yue, the Successor of the Blazing Moon Holy Land? Why is she here?” Mrs. Shen, too, was confused. Although she had been living in hiding in the valley without stepping out the borders once, news regarding certain talents of Heavenly Tide Realm still found their ways to her ears.

Saintess Yao Yue, was an amazing, dazzling prodigal damsel, who also happened to be the Successor of Blazing Moon Holy Land. She possessed formidable strength and domineering eminence, she was admired and pursued by numberless young prodigies. Often, enthusiasts would compare Saintess Yao Yue and the Shen Xian’er, the prodigal damsel of the Shen Family.

Regardless, that didn’t answer why Saintess Yao Yue would visit the Shen Family at such a moment, and what business she had come to Shen Xian’er with.

“Tell her I’ll be with her soon.” In spite of her suspicion, Shen Xian’er responded courteously.

After all, Blazing Holy Land was the force with the longest history in Heavenly Tide Realm, which had existed even longer than the Shen Family, hence carrying unfathomable heritage. Moreover, there were rumours across Heavenly Tide Realm stating that the Ancestor of Blazing Holy Land had entered retreat somewhere in the depths all these years. Thus, they could neither ascertain if he had ascended or had died.

Essentially, once a cultivator of Heavenly Tide Realm broke through the Sacred Emperor Realm, it would be difficult for them to remain in this world. Thus, they would either attempt to conquer the world or enter retreat and seal their life force to prevent its deterioration so that it wouldn’t be detected by the World Principles.

The ancestors of the Shen Family, for instance, resorted to the latter. Thus, all this time, they had been in retreat in the ancestral land to seal their life force.

“I shall accompany you.” Weirded out by the matter, Gu Xianer suggested, to which Shen Xian’er nodded.

With that, the two turned into divine rainbows and departed from the valley as they headed to the gate of the Shen Family Residence.

In front of the ancient, brilliant gate, grand, giant boulders stood as green, glowing mists wafted around them, adding a touch of agedness to its appearance.

Many members of the Shen Family who were passing by were dazed by the sight upon them.

A glamorous, captivating woman in a red dress was standing at the gates. Elegant and beguiling, her body ambiguously shimmered and a jade flute was tied to her waist. Behind her, there was a great number of followers, regardless of gender and age, including a number of those who possessed daunting strength and immeasurable cultivation.

“Saintess, are we to wait here the entire time? What if Shen Xian’er has no intention of seeing us?” At that moment, behind the woman in red, an Elder whose head was filled with white hair impatiently asked.

The woman in red, being none other than Saintess Yao Yue herself, remained unaffected upon those words. “Shen Xian’er will come to us. Just wait a little longer.”

She was quite confident, not worried that Shen Xian’er would refrain from seeing her. As she was speaking, her gaze when she looked at the Shen Family Residence was somewhat complicated, though to be honest, she was concealing the awe lurking deep in her eyes, as if some sort of terrorising being dwelt beneath the residence.

All of a sudden, two divine rainbows glided across the sky to the gate of the Shen Family Residence. They were Gu Xianer and Shen Xian’er.

Although Saintess Yao Yue was bewildered by the presence of Gu Xianer, whose visage was unfamiliar to her despite bearing resemblance to that of Shen Xian’er, she refrained from questioning it.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Saintess Yao Yue?” Shen Xian’er took a look at Saintess Yao Yue’s party and blandly asked with a calm, unfaltering tone as she cut straight to the chase.

As her sole goal was to achieve the Great Dao, without being distracted by inconsequential stimuli, she was rather ignorant of sentiments, which led to her somewhat discourteous tone of speech.

As such, those standing behind Saintess Yao Yue were slightly annoyed, given that they had been waiting for quite a while. Worse, Shen Xian’er welcomed them with such bluntness instead of receiving them with amiable reminiscence. As one of the most distinguished ancient families in Heavenly Tide Realm, it was quite unacceptable for the Shen Family to do such a thing as it might suggest their condescension towards Blazing Moon Holy Land.

Nevertheless, Saintess Yao Yue wasn’t bothered by it as she waved her hand. Having interacted with Shen Xian’er prior to this, she was aware that such was her personality. Therefore, she, too, immediately got to the point. “It is said that you are intent on voiding your marriage with the useless potential in-law of the Shen Family.”

With a frown, Shen Xian’er asked. “From where did you hear such news?”

Given that the matter was only known by the members of the Shen Family, it was certainly peculiar for Saintess Yao Yue to be informed of it, unless a spy of hers lay within the Shen Family.

“That doesn’t matter.” Seeing her expression, Saintess Yao Yue came to a realisation, after which she subconsciously revealed a grin and replied, “I’m already at your gate, Lady Xian’er. Have you not the intention to invite me in for a seat? The Shen Family is one of the top forces in the Heavenly Tide Realm. I am sure you are capable of pleasing your guests?”

“What do you plan to do?” Shen Xian’er’s tone remained discourteous as she expressed her suspicion. [Why would Saintess Yao Yue inquire about that useless ‘in-law?’]

To be fair, she bore no bias against Li Xiu as she simply had no intention of marrying or having a child, given that all she wanted was to achieve the Great Dao. Even if Li Xiu wasn’t the good-for-nothing that he was, she would still disagree with the marriage arrangement.

“I am purely curious to take a glimpse at the man whom the Shen Family took in, only to have his marriage arrangement with you revoked years later,” Saintess Yao Yue briefly answered with a smile.

In that instant, even Gu Xianer felt strange as to why Saintess Yao Yue would ask about Shen Xian’er’s fiance.

“Since you insist, let us walk.” Shen Xian’er found no point in rejecting Saintess Yao Yue’s request. After all, her guests were only here to meet with Li Xiu through her. Although she bore no interest in Li Xiu, she would never limit his actions, nor would she interfere with others’ desire to visit him.

“Thank you, Lady Xian’er.” Growing joyous, Saintess Yao Yue retained a decent smile without displaying her glee.

With that, she followed Shen Xian’er on her graceful steps; the hem of her red dress swayed as they went deeper into the Shen Family Residence.

[What does she truly want?] Gu Xianer, who had been witnessing from the side, felt a heavy surge of doubt in her heart, as though Saintess Yao Yue came with an ulterior motive.

Nevertheless, right at this moment, a dense aura arose from the Shen Family Residence. From the central palace, a bright light flashed, as a mighty wave of energy thrusted upward, engulfing the sky. It was actually just the surge of an ancient and powerful aura. From it came a number of figures, as they hurriedly dashed to the gate, seemingly extremely hasty.

At once, Saintess Yao Yue and the rest, who were hurrying to Li Xiu’s courtyard, grew perplexed.

“What is happening? Are those not the Elders of the Shen Family?” She intuitively asked.

Shen Xian’er was puzzled as well, as this was her first time witnessing a scene of such grand magnitude, wherein Elders were speedily rushing towards the gates, which the Elders never did in spite of the arrival of a formidable enemy.

“Something major must have happened to have all the Elders startled like this.” Shen Xian’er gently shook her head, quickly becoming unbothered by the sight, since it was unlikely for her to be relevant to such an occurrence.

However, Gu Xianer revealed a glower as the sight reminded her of the day she arrived at the Shen Family Residence. Despite her discretion, the Elders of the Shen Family still came to welcome her with utmost respect.

“Such a sight… He didn’t come all the way here, did he…” A bizarre sensation suddenly arose in her heart. Although her guess wasn’t impossible, Gu Changge wasn’t the kind who likes to dabble in something troublesome, let alone travelling all the way to Heavenly Tide Realm.