I Am the Fated Villain Chapter 1280:

1641. The final judgment, once again stirred up a storm

She was acutely aware of her disheveled state. Typically, she maintained a meticulous appearance and a refined temperament, yet this was her first time facing such a predicament. Her dark tresses were unraveled, a trail of blood marked the corner of her lips, and even her skirt was stained with crimson. Patches of dust clung to her, making it seem as though a celestial being had tumbled from the heavens into the filth of the mundane world.

For someone who cherished purity and held herself aloof, this situation was agonizing.

Regrettably, the Dragon Lock Chains held her firmly in place, leaving her with no option but to focus on healing her wounds. At this moment, she was utterly powerless.

“I visited the Saintess with nothing but good intentions, yet you respond with immediate hostility?” Gu Changge remarked with a soft chuckle, stepping directly toward the Xiyuan Saintess.

The Saintess was momentarily stunned as she watched him approach. Panic soon set in as she realized her helplessness while bound by the Dragon Lock Chains.

She possessed numerous trump cards to safeguard her virtue, intended only for dire emergencies, but Gu Changge was a different breed of threat compared to Chu Gucheng. The defensive measures she relied on were unlikely to hinder him.

“What is your intention?”

The Xiyuan Saintess’s voice betrayed her alarm. She attempted to rise, but the surrounding Dragon Lock Pillars vibrated violently. The heavy clatter of the chains drowned out her efforts, and the suppression intensified, forcing her back down.

“Stay still.”

Gu Changge shook his head slightly, producing a pristine white handkerchief which he offered to her.

The sight of the cloth caused the Xiyuan Saintess to freeze. She realized her panic might have been an overreaction. During Gu Changge’s previous visit, he had used threats and intimidation, but no physical harm had followed. Rationalizing this, she instinctively reached out to accept the gift.

However, her limbs were pinned by the chains, preventing her from reaching the handkerchief.

“I overlooked the fact that you are currently immobilized.”

Gu Changge spoke with a hint of apology upon seeing her bound arms. He reached toward her ear, gently removing her blood-soaked veil. He then used the handkerchief to dab away the blood from her mouth.

The Xiyuan Saintess was paralyzed, her mind momentarily blank. She could sense the warmth radiating from Gu Changge’s hand, even though he avoided direct contact with her skin. Yet, as the soft fabric moved across her lips, the pressure of his palm was unmistakable.

Once the blood was cleared, Gu Changge effortlessly employed his magic to cleanse and dry her veil before returning it to its place.

The encounter was brief, and Gu Changge’s movements lacked warmth; in fact, he seemed rather detached. Despite this, the Xiyuan Saintess remained in a daze, watching him without offering any resistance or words.

In that moment, an inexplicable sense of comfort welled up within her heart.

It was clear that Gu Changge was the formidable adversary she had glimpsed in her Reincarnation Mirror—the foe destined to bring ruin to the Xiyuan Sacred Hall and the entire Xiyuan civilization.

Yet, this very enemy had stood before her to wipe away her blood, saving her from the shame of her disheveled appearance.

“It is a shame you do not have a wooden comb on hand.”

Gu Changge gave a slight smile and retreated, re-establishing a respectful distance.

Hearing those words, an odd sense of agitation filled the Xiyuan Saintess. She averted her gaze, her voice tinged with annoyance. “Were you intending to comb my hair as well?”

Since time immemorial, such intimate gestures were reserved for Daoist partners or wedded couples.

She and Gu Changge, however, were on opposite sides.

“Even if you requested it, I would decline. Now that the blood is gone, you appear far more respectable.”

Gu Changge laughed, letting the subject drop.

His answer made the Xiyuan Saintess feel uneasy. Had he only helped her because her appearance had offended his eyes?

She let out a faint, nearly silent huff and remarked coldly, “If you had a fresh garment, would you have insisted on changing me too?”

Gu Changge looked over her bloodied robes and smirked. “If that is your wish, I could be persuaded to assist with that as well.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The Xiyuan Saintess felt the urge to glare, replying, “Such personal chores do not require your intervention, Young Master Gu.”

She was puzzled by her own decision to even ask such a thing. Previously, she had used her allure to probe Gu Changge, but now she found herself unable to maintain her usual composure.

“Is Young Master Gu here merely to witness my humiliation?”

“You mentioned before that Chu Gucheng, the sovereign of Xian Chu Hao Tu, is driven by ambition. He has conspired with the Sage of Law, Elder Jin, Chu Xinyue, and the blind matriarch of Yin Ru Cave to entrap me.”

The Xiyuan Saintess quickly regained her professional poise and changed the subject. Gu Changge responded, “I am not here to gloat. I sensed you were in peril and came to verify your condition.”

Gu Changge shook his head with a smile. “Chu Gucheng’s greed is vast; he seeks to dominate. He aims to unify the Xiyuan civilization, and since the Xiyuan Sacred Hall blocks his path, he was bound to move against you.”

The Xiyuan Saintess remained skeptical of his altruism. Did he truly value her well-being?

“I am safe for the time being. Chu Gucheng lacks the nerve to kill me; he only intends to keep me confined. This formation can only hold me for a few years at most.” She added, “However, Chu Xinyue consumed a cryptic pill from the Yin Ru Cave’s blind woman. She has transformed into my double and will take my place in the world.”

“Chu Gucheng will undoubtedly exploit this deception.”

Gu Changge was already privy to these developments. For him, these events posed no threat; rather, they were accelerating the internal decay and eventual downfall of Xian Chu Hao Tu.

“It seems Chu Gucheng is bolder than I anticipated. Not only has he imprisoned the true Saintess, but he is now using his daughter as a puppet to mislead the masses?”

He feigned a touch of astonishment before looking at her. “Your incarceration by Xian Chu Hao Tu will indeed complicate matters for me later on.”

“Does that mean you intend to free me?” The Xiyuan Saintess looked at him, her eyes shining with sudden hope.

This void dungeon was protected by tens of thousands of restrictions, yet Gu Changge had slipped in undetected. She hoped he could spirit her away just as easily.

“Not at this time.”

Gu Changge shook his head, disregarding her hopeful gaze. “The moment is not right. It is not yet time for your departure.”

Her face fell instantly at his blunt refusal. She hadn't expected such a cold and immediate rejection.

She had allowed herself a glimmer of hope that he had come for a rescue. What did he mean by the timing being wrong?

“I will find my own way out. I don't need your assistance,” she stated firmly, her voice sharp with pique.

“Then the Saintess must be patient for a while longer. I shall return to facilitate your escape when the time is appropriate.” Gu Changge smiled, ignoring her visible displeasure, and said nothing more.

A shimmering rift opened in the fabric of space-time. His form dissolved like mist and vanished instantly.

Once he was gone, the Xiyuan Saintess felt even more agitated.

She had to recite the “Calming Mind Mantra” hundreds of times before she could regain her center.

There was no denying that Gu Changge’s visit had disturbed her inner peace.

“Why do his actions contradict the visions from the Reincarnation Mirror?”

“Should I trust the mirror's prophecies, or believe what I experience firsthand…?” she whispered.

The following day, a monumental announcement echoed from the capital of Xian Chu Hao Tu, rattling every dignitary still in attendance.

Xian Chu Hao Tu had declared an alliance with the Xiyuan Sacred Hall to form the Xiyuan Alliance, intended to shield the civilization from a looming disaster.

This revelation sent shockwaves through the representatives of various Daoist sects.

Furthermore, rumors of a political marriage between Xian Chu Hao Tu and the Xiyuan Sacred Hall began to circulate.

Chu Gucheng and the Xiyuan Saintess were seen together in public, appearing quite close.

The Saintess had abandoned her usual icy demeanor toward the ruler, appearing to engage in friendly and lighthearted conversation with him.

This sight left the guests from the Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, Guangming Temple, Ling Shen Cave, and Yu Xian Palace in utter disbelief.

The Xiyuan Saintess addressed the crowd personally to clarify. She explained that after consulting with Elder Jin and the Sage of Law the previous night, she realized the upcoming threat to the Xiyuan civilization was too great for any single sect to handle. Unity was the only path to survival.

She claimed her Reincarnation Mirror had shown the return of the dark mist. The Xianling civilization had already fallen, becoming a stronghold for the Black Calamity’s remnants.

She further alleged that Zixiao Mountain was conspiring with these dark forces, and even the Demon Court had been tainted. She proclaimed that Chu Gucheng, the ruler of Xian Chu Hao Tu, was a man of destiny—the reincarnation of the ancient human emperor—and the only one capable of leading them through the tribulation.

These revelations left the guests reeling. The information was overwhelming.

Previously, the Saintess had claimed there was no link between the Xianling civilization and the Black Calamity, and that Zixiao Mountain was still being vetted.

Though the guests were confused by her sudden reversal, none dared to challenge her openly.

Suspicions began to take root. Why the sudden change of heart? And why was a political marriage being discussed?

Though Chu Gucheng hadn't confirmed the details, many assumed he intended to marry the Saintess herself.

As the head of the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, she was the most revered figure in the civilization. A marriage to Chu Gucheng was a world-shaking event.

This news acted like a boulder dropped into a calm pond. For other Daoist factions, this was a dark omen.

The Xiyuan Sacred Hall had always been a neutral arbiter. If it sided with Xian Chu Hao Tu, the remaining powers like Yu Xian Palace and the Buddhist Kingdom would be forced to submit to Chu Gucheng’s authority.

This threatened to destroy the long-standing power balance of the Xiyuan civilization.

Whispers began to spread that the Saintess was being coerced or manipulated by Chu Gucheng.

The “Silent Buddha” of the Lianruo Buddhist Kingdom, along with representatives from Guangming Temple and Ling Shen Cave, sought a private audience with the Saintess to uncover the truth.

Within the palace, Chu Gucheng, Elder Jin, and the Sage of Law were prepared for these inquiries.

The Saintess appeared before them, looking as composed and ethereal as ever.

“The Xianling civilization has fallen to the dark mist. The leader of the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance is tied to these remnants,” she explained calmly. “During the banquet, I spoke cautiously to avoid provoking him while I assessed his strength. After conferring with Elder Jin, we decided on this course of action.”

Veiled and radiating a misty aura, she spoke with a detached authority.

“The Saintess’s mentor, Xiyu, is an old friend of mine. We wouldn't truly quarrel over trifles. Our public disagreement was merely a ruse to deceive that man named Gu,” Elder Jin added with a smile.

“My fellow Dao brothers, you are all trusted allies,” Chu Gucheng said, his gaze sweeping over the room. “The Black Calamity’s remnants have been subtly infiltrating our world. Zixiao Mountain is already their puppet. If we do not act now, the demonic tide will consume us all. The great tribulation is upon us.”

The leaders from the various sects looked grim. While they had lingering doubts about the Saintess's explanation, they couldn't ignore the recent suspicious behavior of Zixiao Mountain and the ominous black coffin they had delivered.

“If the Saintess and Lord Chu say this is so, we must take it seriously. But if you are wary of the man behind the Heaven’s Punishment Alliance, how do you intend to stop him?” asked an ancient hermit from a remote region. Though not an Ancestor Dao expert, his power was significant.

Other powerful figures from various realms echoed the concern. Their combined strength was a force to be reckoned with.

“Do not worry. We have a plan to handle the man named Gu. However, we will require your cooperation when the time comes,” Chu Gucheng stated firmly.

Despite his outward confidence, he was troubled. The operatives he had sent to eliminate the Champion Marquis’s inner circle had vanished. This suggested a hidden power within his own capital was protecting his enemies.

He suspected Gu Changge’s involvement. Meanwhile, in the depths of the capital, ancient transport portals began to glow with divine light. Through the swirling mists, powerful reinforcements began to arrive, ready for the coming storm.