I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1394: Can she really do it? As a teacher, I still have to count on you

Gu Changge didn’t stay long at the Ten Thousand Clans Arena. He instructed Ling Huang to bring the gray-haired, gray-eyed woman with him and then left directly. Elder Zhuoju of the Zhuo Clan offered to help him handle the follow-up matters.

Of course, even if Gu Changge had intended to take the woman by force, Hong Gui wouldn’t have dared to stop him. However, since he was traveling under the guise of leisure, it was naturally impossible for him to take someone away without reason. Elder Zhuoju, eager to curry favor, took care of the situation, which pleased Gu Changge.

As for Hong Gui, she certainly wouldn’t dare ask Gu Changge for any compensation. In her eyes, establishing any form of relationship with Gu Changge was worth far more than any material benefit. With this connection, she knew the Zhuo clan would take better care of her in Gufeng Ancient City from now on.

Upon returning to his residence, Gu Changge instructed Ling Huang to have the woman cleaned up before coming to see him again. It wasn’t that he was disgusted, but there were certain matters that had to be addressed with attention to detail.

In fact, Gu Changge could have easily imprinted a slave seal directly onto her heart and forced her to serve him. However, he had no intention of doing so. While hearts may be unpredictable, sometimes a person’s loyalty is far more dependable than any form of control.

Through Hong Gui, Gu Changge had already learned much about that woman’s past. He deduced the rest just moments ago, and most of it aligned with his expectations.

She appeared fierce on the surface, but in reality, it was simply because she had spent so much time in the arena, enduring countless battles and duels. This forced her to adopt a protective facade. In a place like the arena, if you weren’t ruthless and aggressive, you couldn’t defend yourself properly.

Likewise, her choice to remain covered in dirt and blood rather than clean herself was another layer of self-protection. In truth, this was quite a clever individual. She had merely grown accustomed to safeguarding herself through viciousness and brutality.

Of course, Gu Changge wouldn’t have bothered with her if he hadn’t accidentally noticed her compatibility with the way of killing. He was now in need of cultivating a force that could be of use to him in the future. Since the woman before him fit the way of killing, Gu Changge didn’t hesitate to assist her. In time, she would undoubtedly become a formidable weapon in his hands.

The Zhuo Clan must have caught wind of this situation, and Zhuo Fengxie is more cautious than I expected.

But do you really think I wouldn’t notice your alliance with the Hun Clan?

Gu Changge didn’t dwell on this thought for long and shifted his focus to another matter. During his stay in Gufeng Ancient City, things on the Zhuo Clan’s side remained peaceful and quiet. Zhuo Fengxie had clearly figured out his intentions but lacked the courage to confront him.

It only showed that those who had reached this level were far more cautious than most. Zhuo Fengxie wasn’t willing to risk his own life or the future of the Zhuo Clan, so he could only wait for Gu Changge’s next move.

While waiting, Gu Changge received word from the Hun Clan, one of the top forces in the immortal civilization. If his guess was correct, the powerful figures behind the Hun Clan must have already noticed the situation and responded. Now, all he had to do was wait for the right moment.

If Zhuo Fengxie truly aligned himself with the Hun Clan, it would play perfectly into Gu Changge’s plans. With Zhuo Fengxie’s cautious nature, he would only approach Gu Changge to inquire about his intentions once he was confident enough. And this was precisely the opportunity Gu Changge was waiting for.

Until then, the Zhuo Clan and Zhuo Fengxie would maintain a front of harmony with him.

“The power of the Spiritual Royal Family alone doesn’t compare to that of the Zhuo Clan. Depending solely on them won’t be enough.”

Gu Changge shook his head slightly. If the strength of the Spiritual Royal Family were sufficient, he wouldn’t need to deliberate so much.

Judging by the current situation, once the immortal civilization was subdued, many of Gu Changge’s subsequent plans would proceed much more smoothly. As of now, the Xi Yuan Civilization, which the immortal civilization was subordinate to, seemed unaware of the developments taking place.

Being the most powerful civilization, Xi Yuan’s level and foundation were far beyond that of ancient civilizations. It had long mastered the ability to control the flow of luck and destiny in the shadows. If the Xi Yuan Civilization were to focus on the shifts in the immortal civilization’s luck, they would surely notice some anomalies.

In the past, when Gu Changge merely glimpsed the location of another supreme civilization—Xu Dan Civilization—through the endless expanses of time, space, and dimensions, he immediately attracted the attention of many powerful beings there. This made him reconsider whether he should activate his other plans, such as those tied to the original world.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Ten Thousand Clans Arena, the gray-haired woman who had been following Ling Huang appeared to be in a dazed state. The unfamiliar sense of peace surrounding her left her feeling somewhat detached, as though the calmness was almost unreal.

In front of her, the dazzling yet gentle sunshine bathed the world in warmth, and a soft breeze brushed against her face. This was no longer the dark, bloody, and damp arena. Above her stretched a clear, cloudless sky, filled with fresh, abundant aura. She hadn’t been able to stand quietly under the sun like this in a long time—enjoying its warmth, inhaling an indescribably pleasant scent carried by the wind.

This feeling took her back to her childhood, when she was carefree and free. If given a choice, why would she have ever allowed herself to be stained with blood and filth, like a rat hiding in a stinking gutter? Yet now, she was unsure of her current situation.

She didn’t know much about Gu Changge’s identity, but she did know that the master behind the Ten Thousand Clans Arena, as well as the elders of the Zhuo Clan, treated him with great respect and deference. Clearly, Gu Changge possessed a significant background.

But what did it mean that he wanted her to follow him from now on? What had he seen in her? Was it her ability to kill for him? Or was there something else he wanted?

The palace where Gu Changge was temporarily residing was located in the northeastern part of Gufeng Ancient City. It was a place of exceptional beauty—mist shrouded the area, exotic flowers bloomed everywhere, and the mountains and pavilions stretched endlessly, offering an unparalleled sense of peace and elegance, far removed from the noise and chaos of the city.

Ling Huang led the gray-haired woman through the process of washing up, changing her clothes, and cleaning off the mud and blood. This time, she didn’t resist; she obediently followed along, knowing that resistance was futile.

She lay in a bath carved from bluestone, steam rising from the water, and colorful petals floating around her. Her long gray hair spread out in the water like seaweed drifting in the ocean. It had been so long since she had felt this kind of tranquility and relaxation, and she couldn’t help but want to close her eyes and sleep peacefully for a while.

Ling Huang stood nearby, his hands tucked inside his wide sleeves, watching the girl who appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen. Based on her youthful appearance, it seemed more fitting to call her a girl, though her true age was likely far beyond that.

Although Ling Huang didn’t know why Gu Changge had chosen to keep her, he could sense there was something extraordinary about her, something that set her apart.

Back in the gladiatorial arena, her methods of killing opponents were far beyond what someone at her level should have been capable of. Now, with the blood and grime washed from her face, her original features were revealed—delicate and sharp. Her face was small, with a petite and refined nose. When her eyes opened, her gray pupils gave off a calm yet cold aura.

However, whether it was intentional or a result of the injuries she had suffered, her face was marred with numerous jagged, centipede-like scars. These scars stretched across her face, creating a terrifying appearance at first glance.

Her body, too, bore the marks of countless battles—knife wounds, sword cuts—all of them visible, leaving behind deeply etched reminders of her violent past. Given her strength, which had reached the level of a true immortal, it stood to reason that she could have found a way to erase these scars if she wished. But she had chosen to keep them, perhaps as a shield or reminder of all she had endured.

Ling Huang shook her head slightly, then took out a white porcelain bottle from her sleeve and placed it nearby.

“The Young Master instructed me to keep this. The bottle contains the best healing medicine, capable of healing all the injuries you’ve suffered, restoring you to your former self.”

“In front of the Young Master, you don’t need to have any worries, and you don’t need to rely on the methods you used in the past to protect yourself. Of course, the medicine is here. Whether you choose to take it or not is entirely up to you; no one will force you.”

“After you wash up, there are suitable clothes for you here. I will wait for you outside the hall.”

With that, Ling Huang left the room.

The gray-haired girl, still lying in the bath, was momentarily stunned by Ling Huang’s words. She hadn’t expected him to say that, and it relieved her that she would be left alone in the palace. Wasn’t he worried that she might take the opportunity to escape?

But considering the unfathomable strength of her captor, which was beyond her comprehension, it seemed pointless to worry about such small concerns.

It was truly rare for her to experience such a comfortable moment, free from scrutiny. And the idea of restoring her original form?

She slowly turned her head to look at the white porcelain bottle nearby, a mix of hesitation and longing evident in her eyes. If not for the circumstances she had faced, who wouldn’t desire to be clean and beautiful? For her, this had once been an unattainable luxury.

On the first day she was threatened with being taken into the arena, she had seen the undisguised, greedy expressions on the faces of the dead soldiers as they looked at her. In that moment, she realized what might await her in the future. Without a second thought, in front of all those soldiers, she had marred her own facial features and allowed her blood to soak her entire body.

Sure enough, after that, the greedy, lustful gazes directed at her had mostly disappeared. However, that was not enough; there were still some creatures who cared little for such things. In their eyes, it didn’t matter if her features were hideous, as long as she didn’t look… inviting.

So, she spent her days surrounded by blood and filth, the disgusting stench of blood clinging to her body throughout the year. Coupled with her eccentric, indifferent, and ruthless demeanor, she had succeeded in ensuring that no one dared to attack her.

In the dark confines of the arena, she had struggled to protect herself until now. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold on or how long this endless battle would continue, with no clear tomorrow or future in sight. When would it all come to an end? Sometimes, she truly wished for death.

In a fight, being killed by an opponent seemed preferable to the relentless torture she faced day after day. Yet, she couldn’t allow herself that escape; she still had to protect her sister and her clansmen. If she were to die in the arena, her younger sister—or her clan—might be captured to take her place, forced to endure the same harrowing experiences she had faced.

The thought of watching her sister go through everything she had endured was unbearable.

Can I… really?

She murmured, her gaze fixed on the small white porcelain bottle nearby. A deep longing flickered in her eyes.

At this moment, deep within the Zhuo Clan, in the magnificent palace of Elder Zhuowu, a stunningly beautiful woman was grooming herself in front of the mirror, her expression impassive. She wore no makeup; her crescent-shaped eyebrows arched gracefully like willow branches, her nose was exquisite, and her lips had a natural rosy hue. Her hair flowed like a cloud, framing her cool, dignified features and revealing a swan-like slender neck that was so beautiful it could dazzle the eyes.

However, upon closer inspection, one would notice that her eyes were a dark golden hue, exuding a hint of majesty.

“As expected, you are the disciple whom the deity favors. Who would have thought that beneath the delicate features you present, such a formidable appearance lies hidden?”

Elder Zhuowu remarked, standing a short distance away with her hands clasped behind her back. She watched Mu Yan as she prepared herself, nodding in satisfaction. This was not only her chosen apprentice but also her selected vessel.

Elder Zhuowu was thoroughly satisfied with Mu Yan, both in terms of talent and appearance. Compared to her current self, Mu Yan’s true beauty was something beyond her comprehension. When they first met in the Ice and Fire Hell, Elder Zhuowu had not even realized that Mu Yan was in disguise, concealing her true features. It was only after bringing Mu Yan back to the clan that she discovered the truth.

As Elder Zhuowu spoke, Mu Yan’s expression remained unchanged; she continued to comb her hair with an impassive demeanor.

Elder Zhuowu didn’t mind her silence and simply continued, “In the next few days, focus on cultivating according to the techniques I’ve taught you. After some time, I will personally announce to the world that I have taken you as my apprentice. At the acceptance ceremony, don’t embarrass me as your teacher.”

“I’m counting on you to uphold my reputation.”

She paused, then added, “Also, remember your current identity. You met me by chance while traveling the world. The person you were before no longer matters.”

As the Heavenly Elder of the Zhuo Clan, she held a prestigious status, her strength rivaling that of the Void Dao Realm beings in the Immortal Civilization who had survived three heavenly declines.

Thus, the announcement of accepting apprentices would inevitably be made known to the world, culminating in a grand ceremony. At that time, not only would representatives from all branches of the Zhuo Clan attend, but other renowned sects of the Immortal Civilization would also participate, sending congratulatory gifts to mark the occasion.