I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1260:

1621. Don’t take Chu Gucheng too seriously

Gu Changge’s presence vanished swiftly, fading away in the pulse of a heartbeat.

Within the pavilion, the Saintess of Xiyuan slumped onto the plush couch. Her features were still gripped by a mask of alarm, as if she had not yet processed the encounter that had just concluded.

In those moments, she had genuinely believed that she was about to endure an unthinkable disgrace. Despite her vast array of techniques, she had been powerless to oppose Gu Changge. Before him, she had felt as insignificant as an insect, no different from a common mortal.

The long eons of arduous Cultivation seemed useless in that instant, like water slipping through fingers. The Saintess of Xiyuan had never known such terror, helplessness, or utter despair. She hadn't even found the opportunity to ignite her life essence for a final stand. Her resistance had been hollow and futile. She felt the sting of regret for her reckless behavior, but she knew there was no cure for such mistakes.

To her utter astonishment, however, Gu Changge had simply halted and walked away. She remained where she was, caught between confusion and shock. The degradation she had braced for never arrived. Instead, the lingering sound of Gu Changge’s mocking laughter and teasing words continued to drift in her ears.

The Saintess of Xiyuan refused to believe Gu Changge possessed enough mercy to simply let her go. Her knowledge of him through the Reincarnation Mirror painted a picture of a man who was anything but virtuous. He was temperamental, enigmatic, and ruthless in his pursuit of personal gain; he was not a man who moved without a purpose.

“Was his entire performance just a tactic to intimidate me? Did he intentionally want to see me rattled and humiliated just to satisfy some dark craving for amusement?”

“After all, the world perceives me as a cold, unreachable goddess. Yet he managed to reduce me to a state of panic and toy with my dignity. Thinking back, this is exactly the kind of thing he would enjoy.”

Slowly, the Saintess of Xiyuan regained her composure. She looked down at the cloak Gu Changge had carelessly tossed over her. One of her pale, flawless shoulders remained exposed, leaving her in a somewhat provocative state. Taking a sharp breath, she gritted her teeth and adjusted her robes, reclaiming her typical aura of cold, noble transcendence.

The events in the pavilion had left her mind in a state of chaos. She had originally intended for this visit to Chu Gucheng’s birthday celebration to be a brief, simple affair. Encountering Gu Changge here was entirely unforeseen.

Furthermore, as the architect of the Fatians, Gu Changge should have been occupied within the Immortal Spirit Civilization. Why was he here in the Immortal Chu Haotu, openly mingling with the members of the Yuxian Palace?

If that were the case, then the enigmatic young man in white from the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain—the one everyone was talking about—must have been him.

The Saintess of Xiyuan’s brow pinched as various realizations began to click into place. The friction between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Haotu had spiraled out of control precisely because of what happened in the Southern Wilderness Ancient Domain.

Chu Gucheng’s most cherished son, Chu Xiao, had been slain by the Seventh Prince of the Demon Court, Di Kun, in that very region. The conflict had started because Chu Xiao and a mysterious youth in white had fought over a singing girl at a house of pleasure. This led to Chu Xiao’s identity being leaked, allowing Di Kun to track and execute him.

“If that white-robed stranger was actually him...”

“Does that mean the entire war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Haotu was orchestrated by him from the shadows?”

The Saintess of Xiyuan weighed this theory and found it highly probable. With Gu Changge surfacing in the Immortal Chu Haotu now, his goal was undoubtedly the destruction of this nation. While the Reincarnation Mirror could show the potential path of the Immortal Chu Haotu, it couldn't alter fate—especially since every time she peeked into the future, the timeline shifted.

This realization filled the Saintess of Xiyuan with a sense of dread. The Reincarnation Mirror was powerful, but it was not without flaws. Just as she had been cornered today, she feared that next time, she might not be so lucky.

She stood in the silence of the pavilion for a long time, finally letting out a soft sigh as she turned her eyes away. She began to doubt if her path had been the correct one. Currently, the Immortal Chu Haotu was at the zenith of its power, seemingly destined to dominate the Xiyuan Civilization. She had chosen to remain a bystander, letting its fate play out naturally.

Part of her hesitation stemmed from the terrifying vision she had seen in the Reincarnation Mirror—a vision of her own death. Despite being the Saintess of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, she was not devoid of human emotion. Like any other practitioner, she had her own fears and desires. She was willing to die for the Sacred Hall her master left behind, but she was not willing to throw her life away on a whim.

“I am still far from the Dao of Great Justice my master spoke of. If she were in my place, what would she do?” she wondered with a hint of sadness.

The fact that the Yuxian Palace group had met with the Saintess of Xiyuan did not go unnoticed by the other powers gathered in the capital. Many were shocked; the Saintess had been refusing all visitors, yet she had granted an audience to these two young people. It wasn't even a senior Elder from the Yuxian Palace, but two juniors.

Soon, various sects began digging into the backgrounds of Ling Yuxian and Gu Changge. However, their origins remained clouded. Even within the Yuxian Palace, few held concrete answers. Ling Yuxian was somewhat known as a rising star, with many assuming she was the daughter of the Palace Master.

In reality, the high-ranking Elders knew she was a "small ancestor" with a terrifying lineage. She was a sibling to the founder of the Yuxian Palace from a bygone era, forced to undergo reincarnation to rebuild her path. Since the Palace had not yet announced that their founder was still alive, many uninformed Elders still believed she was simply a direct descendant of the founder’s line.

Consequently, investigators were met with two conflicting stories: she was either the child of the current leader, Ling Qiuchang, or the daughter of the founder. Most concluded the latter, assuming the Saintess of Xiyuan met her because she recognized her true status. This also explained the immense respect the Yuxian Palace Elders showed her.

While Ling Yuxian’s identity was debated, Gu Changge remained a total enigma. Disciples only knew him as a mysterious senior brother from the Xianyun Daoist Temple with a divine aura and immense talent. He was clearly close to Ling Yuxian, and the fact that the Elders treated him with such deference only deepened the mystery. People wondered if he, too, had a background as profound as Ling Yuxian’s.

This theory gained traction when a prodigy from the Guangming Temple named Putianü came forward. She had met Gu Changge previously in Ziguicheng and recognized him. She hadn't initially realized he was in the capital until her seniors mentioned the Yuxian Palace’s guests.

“We don't know where he truly comes from. He appeared alongside Ziyun Chuan of Zixiao Mountain, having saved his life. Ziyun Chuan believed he originated from one of the legendary forbidden zones or eerie lands,” Putianü explained to her Elders, holding nothing back.

The Elders had tried to delve deeper into her memories to find clues, but they found nothing and were forced to stop. Seeing Gu Changge again was a shock to her; she realized her mental image of him was fading, and she could hardly recall his face unless he was standing right in front of her.

“So, the man accompanying the Yuxian Palace’s small ancestor is the same one from the Southern Wilderness?” The leaders of the Guangming Temple were stunned, their moods shifting between doubt and alarm.

Other young talents, like the Ming Ying Daoist and Caiyun Fairy, soon corroborated the story. The news spread like wildfire through the capital of the Immortal Chu Haotu. Ministers, generals, and noble houses were left in a state of shock.

Back in Ziguicheng, Chu Xiaoshen—the heir of Chu Gucheng—had been forced into the spotlight because of a dispute with Gu Changge over a courtesan. Chu Gucheng had ordered a massive manhunt for the white-robed man at the time, but Gu Changge had vanished without a trace. The Yuxian Palace disciples were equally floored. Who would have guessed their "senior brother" was linked to the death of the Immortal Chu Haotu’s prince?

“How is it that Chu Xiaoshen’s death is connected to you?” Ling Yuxian asked, her voice filled with disbelief when she finally confronted Gu Changge.

Gu Changge remained perfectly composed, sipping tea in his courtyard. He smiled faintly. “Connected to me? Wasn't it Di Kun of the Demon Court who killed him? What does that have to do with me?”

He was fully aware of the rumors buzzing through the city but didn't give them a second thought. Even if he had personally ended Chu Xiaoshen, he knew Chu Gucheng wouldn't dare strike him now. With the birthday banquet in full swing and many guests present, the capital was no threat to him. He could walk out whenever he wished.

“Even if you say that, his death is still tied to you. Aren't you afraid of Chu Gucheng’s vengeance? Even my sister is cautious here. Chu Gucheng is a favorite of providence, holding the fortune of the Ancient Emperor of Mankind. Within this realm, he is nearly invincible. Even ancient monsters might fail against him.” Ling Yuxian’s tone was deadly serious. She had done her research before coming here; Chu Gucheng truly cherished that arrogant son of his.

“Should I take this as you being worried about me?” Gu Changge asked with a smirk. He laughed softly. “It’s just Chu Gucheng. There is no need to treat him as someone significant.”

Ling Yuxian stared at him, seeing only genuine indifference. She let out a cold huff. “It seems I was being unnecessarily concerned.” She turned on her heel and left, frustrated that her genuine worry was met with such nonchalance.

“The Immortal Chu Haotu can be wiped out with a thought. Why worry?” Gu Changge murmured, setting his cup down.

A puff of black mist manifested in the air, forming a tiny version of Fu Bo. “Master, the tasks are complete. I must say, this man’s identity is quite convenient; no one in the Immortal Chu Haotu dares to question him,” Fu Bo’s eerie laughter echoed.

“The armies of the Zhuo and Hun Clans, along with forces from the neighboring civilizations, have already infiltrated the borders. They are ready to strike with overwhelming force at your command.”

“The stage is set. We only need the right moment,” Gu Changge said with a thin smile. Even though Fu Bo had been sidelined by Chu Gucheng, his years of service had given him immense influence. Gu Changge had intended to use this when he let the Eternal Life Spirit take over Fu Bo’s shell. Instead of a messy border war, it was far more efficient to destroy the enemy from within.

“Master, the man responsible for Xiaoshen’s death is right here in our city, and you are doing nothing? Xiaoshen cannot rest in peace,” a voice cried out elsewhere.

Inside the main hall of the palace, a beautiful woman was weeping before Chu Gucheng, begging for justice. Several others stood with her, their faces red with fury.

“Father, if you are hesitant, let us take the lead in avenging Xiaodie. You can punish us afterward if you must. We need to give the guests an answer,” said Chu Xinyue, Chu Gucheng’s second daughter and the sister Chu Xiaoshen had loved most.

“With so many eyes on us, how can I simply strike? Xiaoshen was the aggressor, and there is no proof this man killed him intentionally,” Chu Gucheng replied, his face dark. He had just confirmed Gu Changge’s identity. He realized that the young man’s amused look on the city wall had been a deliberate provocation. Gu Changge knew exactly what he had done and had the audacity to show up at the capital regardless.

“It’s too much of a coincidence for Di Kun to appear right then. Someone was helping him. And Father, you saw that strange ancient formation Di Kun used recently. That wasn't a technique from the Demon Court,” Chu Xinyue argued. She was a powerhouse in her own right, her Cultivation having long eclipsed the Dao realm. She had even crafted forbidden artifacts for her brother, yet even those hadn't saved him.