I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1262:

Ouyang Ji’s bluntness caught Ling Yuxian completely off guard. It was hard to believe that the hostile stance he had previously maintained was rooted in such a motive.

Still, the possibility remained that Ouyang Ji was playing a part, putting on a calculated performance for the observers outside.

Gu Changge, however, could discern Ouyang Ji’s true intent. The man was intelligent, and he was exactly the type of subordinate Gu Changge required at this moment.

"Gu Gongzi, please be at ease. Regardless of your decision, I swear upon my Dao heart that not a single word of today's events will leave this room," Ouyang Ji declared with total sincerity, paying no mind to Ling Yuxian’s presence. "Chu Xinyue is consumed by her own arrogance, under the delusion that I am captivated by her looks. In truth, I was merely playing along to flatter her. Such a woman is far too full of herself. If you require it, I can seize her at a moment’s notice to use as a pawn against Chu Gucheng."

Gu Changge gave him a brief look, a thin smile playing on his lips. "That won't be necessary. Since you have spoken so plainly, how could I possibly doubt you?"

Joy flashed across Ouyang Ji’s face at those words. Reaching into his robes, he produced a jade token and offered it to Gu Changge. "As a sign of my devotion, this is my life token. Gu Gongzi may use it to reach me whenever necessary. Whatever the task, simply give the command."

Turning toward Ling Yuxian with a faint look of apology, he added, "My earlier actions were impulsive and likely caused offense. I hope Miss Yuxian can find it in her heart to forgive me."

He was uncertain of the exact nature of the bond between Ling Yuxian and Gu Changge, but seeing her stand quietly by his side during such a conversation made it obvious their connection was extraordinary.

With his piece said, Ouyang Ji did not linger. He left the life token behind, offered a respectful bow, and walked away.

Gu Changge watched him depart with an intrigued glint in his eyes. He remained silent, picking up the life token and stowing it away casually. This item would likely serve a purpose later. Since Ouyang Ji had offered it, he was clearly prepared to pay a price as a pledge of loyalty.

"I took him for a fool who didn't know his limits, but it appears he has some wits about him," Ling Yuxian remarked after Ouyang Ji had gone, her eyes shifting toward Gu Changge.

Having overheard the majority of the exchange, she was stunned. Did Gu Changge truly intend to move against the Xianchu Haotu? What was his plan? Toppling a powerhouse like the Xianchu Haotu through individual effort seemed like a fantasy.

"Those who climb to such heights are rarely dim-witted. They simply understand how to read the wind and follow their own interests," Gu Changge replied, smiling.

Ling Yuxian nodded slowly, then asked with genuine curiosity, "Are you seriously planning to strike at the Xianchu Haotu? You don't even seem to have a personal grudge against them."

Gu Changge looked at her and chuckled. "When did I claim I was going to attack them? Isn't it the Xianchu Haotu that wants my head to avenge Chu Xiao, the descendant of Chu Xiaocheng?"

"If you don't want to tell me the truth, then don't," Ling Yuxian huffed, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

The more time she spent with Gu Changge, the more she realized he was an enigma. His motives and internal thoughts were impossible to decipher.

This sensation of being trapped in a thick fog was nearly maddening. She felt an urge to tear through his exterior and uncover the reality beneath.

Yet, the harder she tried to understand him, the more she realized her fascination was growing. Her interest in him had reached a point where it rivaled her obsession with Cultivation and the pursuit of power.

Ouyang Ji’s exit was as swift as his arrival. The elite disciples of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace who had been confronting the Yuxian Palace Elders also pulled back, preventing a full-scale battle from erupting.

Nevertheless, the disturbance had already drawn the gaze of numerous Cultivators and factions within the Xianchu Haotu capital. Many had rushed to the area, eager to witness the fallout.

The reason for the clash between the Young Master of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace and the Yuxian Palace remained a mystery. However, onlookers noted that Ouyang Ji appeared battered upon his exit, his clothes torn, blood staining his lips, and his aura severely diminished.

This sight sparked a wave of rumors and theories. Given Ouyang Ji’s recent attempts to woo Chu Xinyue, the second princess of Xianchu Haotu, people naturally began to connect the dots.

Was Chu Xinyue the catalyst for Ouyang Ji’s aggression? Had she prodded him into a fight with the Yuxian Palace? It was common knowledge that her brother’s death was linked to Gu Changge, who now served as the eldest senior brother of the Yuxian Palace’s Xianyun Sect.

Conversely, some argued this was unlikely. It was the eve of Chu Gucheng’s birthday. As a princess, it would be incredibly foolish for Chu Xinyue to orchestrate a scandal that tarnished the royal family's image at such a time.

The prevailing theory was that Ouyang Ji had acted on his own to impress the princess, only to suffer a humiliating defeat.

Amidst the growing speculation, the Xianchu Haotu royals issued a formal statement. They offered an apology to the Yuxian Palace, claiming they had failed in their duties as hosts to prevent the incident.

Furthermore, the Xianchu Haotu issued a stern warning: any faction causing trouble during the sovereign’s birthday festivities would be viewed as an enemy of the state and a violator of the peace.

Chu Wushang, the Crown Prince and eldest son of Chu Gucheng, personally visited the Yuxian Palace’s quarters to offer his regrets and soothe any lingering resentment.

Given the Xianchu Haotu’s humble stance, the Yuxian Palace could not reasonably continue the feud, especially since no lasting damage had been done.

As for Gu Changge, the primary target of the incident, he remained remarkably quiet.

“I am sorry, Xinyue. I have failed you. That man’s strength was beyond my expectations; I was no match for him.”

“I failed to get revenge for you, and I’ve brought shame upon myself.”

Inside a palace chamber, Ouyang Ji lay in bed, his complexion ghostly and his Qi nearly extinguished.

“Young Master Ouyang, please do not blame yourself. The fact that you risked yourself for me is enough to make me happy. Seeing you in this state fills me with guilt. That man is truly heartless to strike so viciously. This is a genuine Dao-level holy medicine from our royal stores; it will aid your recovery.”

Chu Xinyue stood by his bedside, her expression one of deep regret. She took a sealed wooden box from her maid and handed it to Ouyang Ji personally. As she did, her fingers brushed against his arm.

Her gaze sharpened instantly. Initially, she had doubted Ouyang Ji’s competence—how could he be defeated so quickly? He had been forced to retreat almost immediately after the confrontation began.

However, her inspection confirmed that his injuries were legitimate. A terrifying, oppressive aura was still circulating through his Meridians, eating away at his life force.

Ouyang Ji had survived three Heavenly Decay Tribulations, yet he had been rendered helpless by Gu Changge. She realized she had drastically underestimated Gu Changge's power.

“Young Master Ouyang, you must rest. I will leave you to your recovery and return tomorrow.”

Chu Xinyue knew she couldn't blame him. She suspected that if she had faced Gu Changge herself, she might not have fared any better.

Once she had left, Ouyang Ji sat up, shaking his head. He looked at the medicine she had provided but made no move to open it.

“I was worried she might see through the ruse, but Gu Gongzi is more frightening than I could have imagined. He saw through my plan before I even arrived. He even predicted that someone would inspect my wounds and left those specific traces in his palm strike to deceive them…”

A chill of awe ran through Ouyang Ji. He had never encountered someone so calculating and meticulous. His power was immense, but his foresight was even more terrifying.

If the Xianchu Haotu was being hunted by such a man, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would struggle to save them.

Consequently, the guests in the capital began to sense the undercurrents of danger. The vibrant lights and festive atmosphere were starting to feel like a mere mask for something darker.

Despite this, the main event finally arrived: Chu Gucheng’s birthday banquet began in earnest.

The feast was legendary, with tables stretching like a massive dragon from the heart of the palace out into the city streets.

The sky was ablaze with divine light, celestial vapors swirled, and omens of good fortune were everywhere.

Waterfalls of silver poured between the grand towers, and the sacred peaks were shrouded in primal Qi. Figures moved through the mist like immortals attending a feast of the gods.

The air was filled with the music of the qin and se, the chime of bells, and the resonance of jade. Lotuses bloomed in the lakes, creating a scene that rivaled the heavenly realms.

Ancient mountains rose and fell among the palaces, bathed in the glow of descending auspicious clouds.

“The Tianyu Human Clan offers 9,000 pairs of Ancient Tianyu feathers!”

“We offer 90,000 Tianyu Qiankun Immortal Pills!”

“We offer 30 million pounds of Eternal Bright Spring Water!”

“The Nine Heavens Dao Sect offers 600 stalks of Nine-Colored Divine Bamboo!”

“We offer 300 Original Ancient Magnetic Mines!”

“We offer 100 Xuan Yin Heavenly Nests!”

…

The guests presented their tributes one by one. Every item was a priceless treasure that would have caused a war in the outside world.

The Nine-Colored Divine Bamboo, for instance, was a legendary material for crafting artifacts, prized for its ability to hold complex Dao patterns. It appeared shrouded in chaotic energy, less than six feet long but divided into nineteen distinct sections.

It flickered in and out of existence, a mysterious and ethereal substance that even Dao-level experts would fight to possess. To see six hundred stalks given away at once was staggering.

The guests were all titans of their respective civilizations and Sects, possessing vast hoards of wealth.

As the night went on, the gifts became even more extravagant: complete seeds of ancient worlds, weapon cores forged from Dao fragments, and Void Dao Lakes harvested from the depths of space. These were things most Cultivators only knew from myths.

The Saintess of Xiyuan made a personal appearance, presenting a scroll of ancient art that radiated the essence of the Dao.

The Elders of the Yuxian Palace offered a treasure pulsating with Dao realm laws, an item of incredible lineage.

A withered monk from the Buddhist Kingdom of Lailai brought a string of prayer beads once worn by the Buddha Master himself. Each bead glowed with a holy light capable of purging evil and manifesting divine power.

The Guangming Temple presented a golden robe woven with the Qi of Yin and Yang, representing the balance of light and shadow.

An enigmatic elderly woman from the Yin Ru Cave offered a sealed silk pouch, its contents hidden from view.

She admitted she didn't know what was inside; she was simply following the orders of the Master of Yin Ru Cave. This sparked intense curiosity, as no one had ever heard of that location before.

However, the old woman’s aura suggested she had surpassed eight Heavenly Decay Tribulations, making her more powerful than almost anyone in the room. If she was a mere messenger, how powerful was her Master?

Chu Gucheng was beaming, his pride swelling as he accepted the treasures. The previous days' frustrations caused by Chu Xinyue’s mistakes were forgotten.

He wasn't just happy about the riches; he was intoxicated by the respect shown to him. He had sent the invitations, and the world had answered. Even the reclusive Saintess of Xiyuan had come to pay her respects.

Ambition burned in his heart. Raising his wine cup, he toasted the powerful figures gathered at his table.

“It is a great honor to have you all here. Today, let us drink until we can drink no more!”

The scent of immortal wine saturated the hall. Chu Gucheng’s face was flushed, appearing quite inebriated. While a man of his power could burn off the alcohol with a single thought, he chose to let himself feel the buzz.

Every bit of stress from the recent past was drowned in the wine.

The guests, seeing his high spirits, joined in the celebration, raising their cups in unison.

Gu Changge sat apart from the crowd, drinking quietly. His presence had caused a stir; people now realized he was the mysterious youth from the Ancient Southern Wilderness who traveled with a Grand Dao realm servant.

Many suspected he hailed from a forbidden zone. Had it not been for the tension regarding Chu Xiao’s death, many would have tried to curry favor with him. But doing so now would be an insult to Chu Gucheng, so they kept their distance.

“The woman watching you from the shadows is Chu Xinyue, the second princess…” Ling Yuxian whispered, her scent drifting toward Gu Changge.

Gu Changge glanced over. She was a woman of regal beauty, dressed in a sweeping black gown with her hair pinned high, radiating authority.

She was currently with Ouyang Ji, moving among the guests to offer toasts by her father’s side.

Gu Changge had already identified her. He also noticed several others, including the old woman from Yin Ru Cave, observing him closely.

He didn't care. He was only here to watch the show. Chu Gucheng might be laughing now, but Gu Changge knew that his joy would soon turn to rage.

“This princess seems far more capable than her pathetic brother, Chu Xiao.” Gu Changge spoke casually as he sipped his wine, unconcerned about who might hear.

Ling Yuxian’s face was slightly pink from the wine, her skin glowing like fine jade under the palace lights.

“Watch your tongue. Don't let them hear you,” she whispered, stepping closer as if to steady him or offer a word of caution.

Was he truly so bold as to insult the hosts in the middle of their own palace?