I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1782. The Divine Maiden Crushed into Dust — In Truth, a Scheme Against the Heavenly Multitude

The Black Lotus, in ancient times, had once been regarded as a symbol of world destruction, while the followers of the Substitute Heaven faction had even revered it as a sacred object.

The emergence of the Black Lotus Sect was neither accidental nor coincidental.

Gu Changge could also guess the reason why the Black Lotus Sect had appeared out of thin air—it was nothing more than an attempt to alarm him into taking action and force him to reveal himself.

After all, the Black Lotus Sect was indeed intricately connected with the Dark Race.

By setting this bait, the other side was certain that Gu Changge would be wary of the Black Lotus Sect’s ties with the Dark Race.

Knowing that his identity might be exposed, he would be unlikely to send his subordinates to investigate.

Since Chu Heng and the others had always worked under him, they were already very familiar with him.

Thus, while investigating the Black Lotus Sect, there was a high chance that Chu Heng and the others would realize that the Lord of the Black Lotus worshipped by the sect was closely related to Gu Changge—perhaps even Gu Changge himself.

In that case, it would invisibly increase the risk of exposing his identity.

Therefore, based on these considerations, there was a high probability that Gu Changge would choose to personally deal with the threat of the Black Lotus Sect.

The one who set this scheme had clearly taken all these aspects into account, which was why they had Yao Yao deliver news of the Black Lotus Sect back to the Heaven-Defying Alliance at this time.

It could be said that the schemer had an extremely deep understanding of Gu Changge’s origins and intentions.

Thus, one layer after another, tightly interlocked, forming a flawless and meticulous plan.

Even Gu Changge couldn’t help but feel like praising it.

Moreover, fearing that Gu Changge might overlook the Black Lotus Sect, they deliberately had it appear and wander near the borders of the Heaven-Defying Alliance, revealing traces of itself, and then “naturally” allowing Yao Yao to discover it.

Only Yao Yao remained completely unaware, not knowing that she had already become a pawn in someone else’s game.

Although she possessed a life-saving jade talisman given by Gu Changge, it didn’t mean she could repeatedly escape from Dao Realm experts after personally witnessing the sacrificial rituals of the Black Lotus Sect.

Once or twice might be luck—but three or four times could no longer be explained by mere fortune.

At that point, anyone with a meticulous mind would notice something amiss and begin to suspect manipulation behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, Yao Yao, a young girl who had just entered the world, noticed nothing at all. She even felt pleased with her good luck and thought about how to take credit in front of Gu Changge.

“If it were Gu Xian’er, that crafty one, she would’ve noticed something was wrong long ago and started figuring out how to uncover the mastermind…”

“Yao Yao is still too inexperienced.”

Gu Changge shook his head slightly.

He had no intention of blaming her. After all, everything Yao Yao had done was out of concern for him and a desire to help ease his burdens.

Moreover, he had already anticipated the situation with the Black Lotus Sect earlier—he just hadn’t been certain what method the other side would use to test him.

Now it seemed those people were even more cautious than he had imagined.

Gu Changge had deliberately let the Heavenly Decline faction and Lesser Yin faction know that he had reappeared, and had plainly told them that he was no longer at his peak—his strength greatly diminished, no longer the former Lord of Substitute Heaven who once intimidated the vast universe and struck fear into all races.

Now, he didn’t even dare reveal his true identity.

He could only establish the Heaven-Defying Alliance, gradually erode various forces, and secretly rebuild his foundation—while even allowing the Heavenly factions to mix among others and draw attention toward the Dark Source that sealed the Lord of Substitute Heaven, so that he could recover in peace and wait to return to his peak.

Yet even so—despite him being at his “weakest in history”—those people remained extremely cautious. Even their probing was carried out with utmost care, ensuring perfection.

This gave Gu Changge a slight headache. The prey was too cunning—no matter how he cast bait, they refused to take it easily.

Although breaking this scheme now would be effortless for him, Gu Changge chose not to act.

He wanted to see what other methods those people might come up with—and who could remain patient the longest.

At present, the founding day of the Immortal Dao Alliance was approaching, and a grand spectacle was about to unfold.

He wasn’t anxious at all. He simply waited to see whether those people could remain steady—or if they would grow impatient and reveal themselves.

“However, there’s another possibility… Could they think that I’ve realized this is a trap aimed at me, and therefore chose to ignore it out of fear—a sign of lacking confidence?”

“If that’s the case, things would become quite interesting.”

Gu Changge smiled faintly at the thought.

He couldn’t rule out that some fools might think this way.

Of course, it was also possible that this was a deliberate tactic meant to mislead him—making him think the opponent was foolish.

And thinking even deeper, anyone with the courage and strategy to set a trap against him would naturally consider many possibilities.

“If it were Ancestor Xu, with his cautious nature and habit of planning before acting, he wouldn’t use such a seemingly flawless yet actually flawed method against me… Unless this is merely a facade to confuse me…”

Gu Changge’s brows suddenly furrowed.

In his deep eyes, countless visions flickered—past, future, present; endless timelines; three thousand Great Daos; countless profound methods; all the mysteries of the world flashing by in an instant.

He felt that he had overlooked something.

During this period, everything had been under his control, making him somewhat careless.

If not for that sudden deduction just now, he might have truly suffered a loss due to his underestimation.

“Ever since recovering those memories, I’ve lost my former habit of planning before acting. I’ve become arrogant, looking down on all living beings in the world. That’s not a good sign.”

Gu Changge murmured softly and sighed.

Whether as the Lord of Substitute Heaven, the Demon Lord, or his current self—they were all him.

Only the memories and experiences tied to each identity differed.

After recovering those sealed memories, it was easy for his original habits and ways of thinking to change.

If not for the period of mortal life he experienced in Qing Mountain Village with Su Qingge, he might have already been completely overtaken by his “Heavenly” nature.

If Ancestor Xu intended to deal with him, he would certainly try to restrain the remnants of the Substitute Heaven faction first.

After all, after Gu Changge founded the Substitute Heaven organization, Ancestor Xu had followed him for a long time and understood his character and behavior well.

Ancestor Xu would assume that Gu Changge would fall into arrogance, underestimate the deeper implications behind the Black Lotus Sect, and would not personally act even if he knew it was a trap targeting him.

Thus, this wasn’t actually a scheme against Gu Changge—but rather a scheme against the remnants of the Substitute Heaven faction, namely the Heavenly Multitude now under Wu Yue’s control.

Meanwhile—

After leaving the courtyard where Gu Changge usually secluded himself for cultivation, Yao Yao’s expression became somewhat downcast.

She kept wondering whether she had angered him, or whether using the life-saving jade talisman that day had disappointed him.

Even after returning to the side hall where Jiang Weiyang and the others were waiting, she still hadn’t snapped out of it.

“Miss Yao Yao, what’s wrong? You seem distracted.”

It was Jiang Weiyang’s puzzled voice that finally brought her back to her senses.

“Ah, nothing… I was just thinking about something and got lost in thought,” Yao Yao forced a bright smile and shook her head.

Jiang Weiyang didn’t press further. She nodded, then asked with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, “Miss Yao Yao, did you mention my matter to the Alliance Leader? What was his response?”

Hearing this, Yao Yao froze for a moment before remembering.

Her expression immediately turned awkward and apologetic.

“I… when I went to see Master just now, he was busy and had no time for anything else. I only met him briefly before being told to rest. I didn’t get the chance to bring up your matter. I’m really sorry…”

Ever since the day they met, Jiang Weiyang had been asking Yao Yao to help her request an audience with Gu Changge.

Yao Yao had agreed, saying she would mention it, though whether Gu Changge would meet her was not something she could decide.

Jiang Weiyang had been grateful.

That was also the reason she followed Yao Yao all the way to the Heaven-Defying Alliance.

But Yao Yao had completely forgotten about it.

Earlier, she had been focused entirely on matters related to the Black Lotus Sect and hadn’t mentioned Jiang Weiyang at all—not intentionally, but because she genuinely forgot.

Especially after Gu Changge dismissed her, her thoughts became chaotic—how could she remember anything else?

“It’s alright…”

“The Alliance Leader must be extremely busy managing such a vast force. It’s normal that he doesn’t have time.”

Jiang Weiyang was momentarily stunned, her hopeful expression dimming, but she quickly recovered, smiling brightly again with understanding.

“I’ll visit Master again tomorrow morning and bring it up for you then,” Yao Yao said, nodding as she let out a breath.

Zhu Fuyi, watching this scene, couldn’t help but sigh softly, feeling a complicated mix of emotions.

He had been following Jiang Weiyang the whole time, watching her expressions—

From initial anticipation, nervousness, and unease…

To stretching on tiptoe to look eagerly…

And now to disappointment, helplessness, and acceptance.

Wasn’t this exactly how he used to be when inviting Jiang Weiyang out?

The same cycle of hope, rejection, loss, and eventual self-comfort.

Only now, the once distant and untouchable divine maiden had fallen into the dust.

His heart felt indescribably conflicted.

He had chosen to follow Jiang Weiyang as her coachman and protector partly because he hoped to get closer to her.

After all, the Weiyang Emperor intended to choose a husband for her.

If he could win her favor, he might gain an advantage.

Even her political marriage with the Ninth Prince of the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom wasn’t unchangeable.

Yet during this time, Jiang Weiyang rarely spoke with him.

Most of her time was spent inside the carriage.

Even when she spoke, it was only to thank him and urge him to leave this dangerous situation.

Instead, ever since that red-clothed girl appeared, Jiang Weiyang’s conversations revolved almost entirely around the Alliance Leader.

She held deep admiration, respect, and curiosity toward that mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful figure.

Zhu Fuyi, driving the carriage, listened to their conversations—listened to her constantly asking about another man—and couldn’t suppress the bitterness inside him.

Of course, he knew he had no right to envy or resent such a figure.

Even his grandfather, or the Weiyang Emperor himself, didn’t have that qualification.

Yet the feeling still grew uncontrollably.

“The Alliance Leader is someone far beyond even the Weiyang Emperor… In his eyes, we are all just juniors. I’m overthinking this…”

Zhu Fuyi could only console himself like this.

Afterward, Yao Yao led Jiang Weiyang and the others to rest.

Many in the Heaven-Defying Alliance noticed the veiled young woman and speculated about her identity, but due to Yao Yao’s presence, no one dared inquire.

As for the carriage holding the Black Lotus Holy Child, Yao Yao ordered it to be strictly guarded, forbidding anyone from approaching—using Gu Changge’s name.

With that, even the high-ranking members of the alliance didn’t dare lift the covering to peek inside.

Early the next morning, Yao Yao went to Gu Changge’s courtyard to seek him and bring up Jiang Weiyang’s matter.

However, to her surprise, Gu Changge—who rarely left—was not there.

Even the alliance’s higher-ups had no idea where he had gone.

Ling Yuling had long been accustomed to his unpredictable whereabouts.

When Yao Yao found her, she was still pondering Ji Hanjing’s matter, wondering what Gu Changge had meant in his final words to her.