I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1720. The Treasure of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, Choosing a Husband for You

A figure stood quietly by the pool, wearing a light yellow ru skirt, a sash at her waist as delicate as willow fluff. Her waist was slender, almost too slight to grasp, and her jade-like skin carried an immaculate, cold elegance.

At that moment, she seemed lost in thought, gazing at her reflection in the water. Yet a plain white silk ribbon covered her eyes, and her hair, lifted by the wind, floated gently. She occasionally lifted her delicate hands to smooth it back.

“The wind rises again… it’s been so long since I returned…”

Suddenly, a sigh escaped her lips. She raised her head, seemingly looking toward the distant mountains and lakes, frozen in thought like a goddess by the water, detached from the world, lonely and serene.

“Princess…”

“The Emperor summons you.”

Suddenly, a divine rainbow descended from afar. A woman dressed as a maid approached the figure respectfully.

“Father?”

“He specifically sent for me from the Yaoguang Ancient Domain… did something happen? He seems very busy lately.”

The woman’s voice was gentle and soft as she raised a hand slightly. The maid quickly stepped forward, supporting her arm, and then led her away from the pavilion.

“I’m not entirely sure, but His Majesty has been discussing measures to deal with the Black Calamity with the National Teacher, the Divine Martial General, the Grand Tutor, and the Chancellor in the Weiyang Hall.”

“Some time ago, an envoy from the Southern Zhao Zhen Kingdom came, representing the First Alliance, seeking to ally with His Majesty, but they were not granted an audience.”

“Perhaps His Majesty summoned you back out of concern for your safety.”

The maid spoke respectfully while supporting the princess. Then, a golden path appeared as clouds and mist swirled under their feet, and the two swiftly departed the mansion.

“The Black Calamity?”

“It seems even Father finds it troubling.”

“Could it be that he worries about me encountering dark beings in the Yaoguang Ancient Domain, so he specially summoned me back?”

The woman smiled softly, a charming curve appearing at the corner of her lips, brightening the sky itself with her smile.

The maid nodded. “After all, it is a calamity that plunged the vast world into darkness and chaos countless years ago. Its reappearance in the mortal realm is not something any civilization would underestimate. His Majesty, for the sake of the billions of people in the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, would naturally act with extreme caution.”

“During your time in the Yaoguang Ancient Domain, His Majesty has been thinking of you constantly, mentioning your name in front of us servants. Had he not feared disturbing your cultivation, he would have sent someone to bring you back long ago.”

“The Yaoguang Ancient Domain is extraordinarily chaotic. You cannot see, and even we servants worry day and night that something might happen to you there. Your father is the Emperor, and naturally he would be concerned.”

“Alright, Xiao Lan, no matter how much he praises me, I know it’s all because of him,” the woman said with a smile, reaching to playfully pat the maid on the side.

The maid lowered her head, supporting the woman without avoiding her, smiling, and her eyes revealed a hint of admiration.

The woman before her was the Weiyang Princess, Jiang Weiyang, the treasure of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, and the Emperor’s only daughter.

The Weiyang Emperor had no empress, no consorts, and no other offspring—only Jiang Weiyang. Before founding the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, it is said he had a married couple; Jiang Weiyang was their daughter. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the Emperor’s spouse did not live to see prosperity after enduring hardships together. After giving birth to the princess, she passed away.

Through countless years, the Weiyang Emperor conquered the world, unified the chaotic realms before the dynasty’s founding, and became a figure of legend, respected by all living beings and cultivators alike.

Jiang Weiyang, however, was born in this lifetime and had been sealed within the Dao Source by her father in her early years. The Emperor’s love for her was evident to everyone in the dynasty; he cherished her like a priceless treasure, fearing to harm her even slightly. Some even say the dynasty itself was named after her.

Yet, the princess was born with a congenital defect—she had been blind from birth. No matter how powerful the Emperor’s techniques or how many divine herbs or sages he consulted, her blindness remained untreatable.

For a cultivator, even total blindness is not a problem; advanced practitioners can move, sense, and perceive the universe with their mind. Yet her condition was peculiar, deeply rooted in her soul and spirit. No matter her cultivation, she could not see. Even using spiritual perception, her world remained gray and dark. She could not perceive flowers, sunrise, sunset, snow, or moonlight.

This was a perpetual sorrow in the Emperor’s heart. He, omnipotent and capable of the impossible, could not show his daughter the beauty of the world.

Hence, the Emperor’s love for his daughter was unparalleled, a fact well known throughout the dynasty. Anyone daring to challenge it would face his wrath.

These years, the Emperor had never taken consorts or concubines, sparking speculation among many. After all, someone so mighty, feared by all, would certainly have had many admirers.

“Is this the Weiyang Hall ahead…”

Jiang Weiyang’s gentle voice interrupted the maid Xiao Lan’s thoughts. She looked regretful and lowered her head. “Yes, Princess. His Majesty waits for you inside.”

Although deeply loved by the Emperor, the princess never indulged in arrogance. She was kind, gentle, virtuous, and treated others with respect. When servants erred, she would urge forgiveness. From childhood, she would weep for human suffering, aid the weak, and care for the sick and disabled. She was rightly called the treasure of the dynasty.

“I can sense Father’s presence,” Jiang Weiyang said with a smile.

A brilliant golden light descended from the heavens, forming a path leading to the Weiyang Hall. There, majestic clouds and colorful mists swirled around the ancient palace. Powerful auras lingered in the void, sweeping the stars and radiating tremendous pressure from the temporal rifts.

“Greetings, Princess,” the assembled generals said, humbled by her presence.

“No need for formalities,” Jiang Weiyang said with a smile, walking alone up the steps toward the hall, no longer needing her maid’s support.

“Weiyang is here…”

Inside, the Emperor Jiang Yun, wearing casual robes, was discussing state affairs with ministers. Upon sensing her arrival, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

“We will discuss the First Alliance later. I have matters to discuss with Weiyang.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the ministers respectfully left, knowing father and daughter would have much to speak about after her return from the Yaoguang Ancient Domain.

“Greetings, Father,” Jiang Weiyang said, smiling and bowing gracefully towards him.

“Did you encounter the opportunity the National Teacher mentioned in the Yaoguang Ancient Domain?” Jiang Yun asked as he emerged from behind a screen and gestured for her to sit.

Shaking her head, Jiang Weiyang replied, “No, but I did meet the people Father sent to secretly protect me. Though the Yaoguang Ancient Domain is chaotic, my strength is sufficient for self-protection. You’ve worried too much.”

“Is it not because I fear you might face dangers beyond your ability?”

Jiang Yun smiled, touching his nose in fatherly helplessness. He comforted her, “If you didn’t encounter an opportunity, that’s fine. The National Teacher’s divinations are not always accurate.”

Jiang Weiyang shook her head. “I no longer care. Though blind, my heart can see. I’ve long since grown accustomed to this. It’s rather you who still worry that the Yaoguang Ancient Domain might hold a chance to restore my sight, is it not?”

The Yaoguang Ancient Domain was vast, dozens of times the size of a typical ancient domain, teeming with mixed civilizations and races, where battles and conflicts were constant. It was said to have originated from the remnants of the Yaoguang Ancestral Court, filled with hidden treasures, making it a prime location for cultivators and other beings seeking fortune.

Jiang Yun laughed, slightly embarrassed at being caught by his daughter. “Good thing there are no outsiders here. Otherwise, as Emperor, I’d be quite embarrassed.”

Jiang Weiyang smiled, dimples appearing. “Had there been outsiders, I’d have spared Father some face.”

“You truly are just like your mother,” Jiang Yun said helplessly. His gaze deepened, and Jiang Weiyang noticed, collecting her smile. She rarely displayed this side publicly.

“Father… are you thinking of Mother again?” she asked softly.

Since birth, she had never seen her mother. Aside from childhood memories of sitting in her father’s lap while he spoke of her, she had no impression of the woman.

“If Qin Yao were here, seeing you now, she would surely be gratified…” Jiang Yun sighed.

Time had changed him; his once heroic face was lined, hair streaked with silver. Even his close aides rarely saw him like this, shrouded in a faint mist.

“Mother…” Jiang Weiyang was momentarily lost, then shook her head, understanding that her father’s deep love for her mother had brought him through years of loneliness.

“Hahaha, enough of that. You just returned from the Yaoguang Ancient Domain. I’ve ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes. Tonight, I will entertain some guests, and I shall also announce something.”

Jiang Weiyang looked puzzled. Announce something? Why wait for the meal? And guests? Her father seemed unusually preoccupied.

“Father, is this because of the Black Calamity, or something else?” She asked softly.

Jiang Yun’s eyes were full of unspoken emotion. He shook his head. “It’s not about the Black Calamity. You’re grown now; it’s time to find a suitable husband. I have selected a few candidates for you. Since you’ve returned tonight, we can choose together.”

“Hmm?”

The words left Jiang Weiyang stunned. Her silk-covered eyes widened in disbelief. A husband… selected by her father himself?

In the past, any suitor among the dynasty’s ministers’ children who expressed interest would be met with the Emperor’s fury. That he now proposed such a thing shocked her utterly.

No matter how wide the world, she could not see it; yet, she sensed the world around her shifting.

Meanwhile, in the Xiyuan Civilization, Cangyun Ancient Domain, in the ancient city of Chenyi, a grand inn stood beside the street, its depths shrouded in mist and chaos.

Inside a quiet, elegant room, a man resembling a waiter bowed respectfully, introducing to a black-clad woman, “Senior, this is the finest ‘Heaven’ room, Number One. How does it suit you?”

“I will stay here at least half a year. During this time, no one is to disturb me.”

The black-clad woman’s figure was tall and graceful, chest prominent, skin like polished porcelain, lips red and delicate.

“Rest assured, Senior. Our innkeeper and the city’s temple guardians are well acquainted. While in town, no one will dare act freely in our inn,” the man said with a smile.

“The Guardians of the Patheon Temple?”

“Yes, yes. You can rest assured. There are many travelers like you, distant arrivals… no one will investigate you.”

“I understand. You may leave.”

The masked woman spoke calmly, tossing a piece of Dao Source to the man before dismissing him.