I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1796. Deep Admiration and Reverence — The Backup Plan Left by Emperor Weiyang

“W-Wei Yang greets the Alliance Leader.”

Although Jiang Weiyang could not see, she could sense Gu Changge’s arrival. She hurriedly rose and gave him a graceful bow. However, because she stood up too quickly, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt. With a soft cry, her whole body pitched forward.

In that instant, countless humiliating thoughts flashed through Jiang Weiyang’s mind like lightning.

She had never expected that their very first formal meeting would begin with such an embarrassing and awkward scene.

Yet in the next moment, the pain she expected from falling never came.

A warm hand reached out and steadied her.

At the same time, a gentle, jade-like voice sounded beside her.

“Miss Weiyang, there is no need to perform such a grand courtesy.”

“I’ve made a fool of myself before Alliance Leader.”

Jiang Weiyang’s face flushed hot with embarrassment. She quickly regained her footing.

At such a close distance, Gu Changge’s voice sounded even more warm and pleasant than she had imagined—like a clear spring flowing across smooth stones, carrying the refined texture of polished jade.

Inside, she shook her head fiercely, forcing down the chaotic thoughts rising in her heart.

The man before her was the leader of the Heaven-Felling Alliance. Even her father treated him with utmost courtesy and would never dare show the slightest disrespect or negligence.

If she allowed herself to continue thinking nonsense like this, he might notice it.

Gu Changge seemed slightly amused. Then he invited Jiang Weiyang to sit nearby. Casually pouring a cup of tea, he pushed it toward her.

“Miss Weiyang, there is no need to be restrained. Since you are Yaoyao’s friend, you may simply regard me as an elder,” he said warmly.

Holding the teacup with both hands, Jiang Weiyang suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Before coming here, she had prepared countless things to say. Yet now, when the moment truly arrived, her mind had gone completely blank.

She sat there in a daze for a while. Only after rosy clouds spread across her cheeks did she take several deep breaths and gradually calm herself down.

“It’s my first time meeting Alliance Leader, so I’m a little nervous…”

As expected of someone raised amid grand occasions since childhood, she quickly stabilized her emotions and revealed a smile.

Gu Changge waved his hand casually and asked in his usual calm manner,

“It’s fine. May I ask what matter Miss Weiyang has come for?”

Jiang Weiyang took a deep breath and said seriously, “In truth, Wei Yang came to visit so abruptly because I wished to ask the Alliance Leader about matters related to the Dark Race. From Yaoyao, I learned that the Alliance Leader seems to possess methods capable of removing dark matter and allowing beings who have fallen into darkness to return to this world once more.”

After speaking, she stared fixedly toward Gu Changge.

Of course, she could not actually see him, but she desperately wanted to know how he would answer.

At that moment, even she herself failed to notice that her entire body had tensed up while asking this question. Cold sweat had formed in her palms.

Because this issue carried far too much weight.

For every race and orthodoxy throughout the Vast Expanse, it held extraordinary significance.

If Gu Changge truly possessed a solution, then perhaps the countless civilizations and Dao traditions confronting the Dark Race would no longer remain so helpless and passive.

After hearing her words, Gu Changge seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“I do indeed possess methods to remove dark matter. However, this method is not without drawbacks. Furthermore, at present, I cannot remove dark matter from many people at once, because doing so requires me to personally suppress and dissolve it with my cultivation.”

Hearing this, Jiang Weiyang immediately understood. Her expression dimmed at once.

“So even the Alliance Leader has no perfect solution?” She murmured softly.

Jiang Weiyang recalled the many rumors regarding Gu Changge she had heard while staying within the Heaven-Felling Alliance.

The most commonly mentioned point was that within the Heaven-Felling Alliance, there was no need to fear attacks or invasions from dark creatures.

Even if someone was accidentally contaminated and corroded by dark matter, the Alliance Leader supposedly possessed methods to purge and heal it.

These stories had filled Jiang Weiyang with hope.

Because she had long suspected and feared that her father, Jiang Yun, had likely been corrupted by dark matter at some unknown point in time.

That was the only explanation for why his temperament had changed so drastically, causing him to commit many actions entirely inconsistent with his former self.

Including ordering her to stay far away from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty and avoid any place connected to the Orthodox Unity Alliance.

At first Jiang Weiyang did not understand. But later, when the Starbright National Preceptor appeared and attempted to capture her and bring her back, realization suddenly struck her.

Perhaps even her imperial father was no longer acting of his own free will. And as his daughter, the only thing she could do seemed to be finding a way to help remove the dark matter from him.

“There is a method, but everything depends on the specific circumstances,” Gu Changge replied calmly while sipping tea.

To him, dark matter was no different from ordinary spiritual energy.

Whether he wished to remove it or infect someone with it was merely a matter of a single thought.

He also understood Jiang Weiyang’s intentions.

She clearly suspected that Emperor Weiyang, Jiang Yun, had developed serious problems and had likely been corrupted by dark matter. Therefore, she wanted Gu Changge to save him.

And when Jiang Yun had arranged for Jiang Weiyang to come to the Heaven-Felling Alliance, he likely had this consideration in mind as well.

However, for Gu Changge, this offered no real benefit. He still needed Jiang Yun as a chess piece to lure the Fate Master into personally revealing himself.

“Depends on the circumstances?”

Jiang Weiyang silently repeated those words.

So it was possible… but only under certain conditions?

In truth, she did not dare directly tell Gu Changge about her father Jiang Yun’s situation.

It was not because she distrusted him, but because the implications of this matter were far too terrifying. It could easily plunge all sides into panic.

After all, her father was not only the Emperor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, but also the Alliance Leader of the Orthodox Unity Alliance.

If even her father had been contaminated by dark matter, then what place in the Vast Expanse could still be considered safe?

“Thank you, Alliance Leader, for clearing my confusion.”

Jiang Weiyang rose and gave him another graceful bow.

Beneath the gauzy veil of her hat, her expression was complicated as she could not help but ask, “If in the future, Wei Yang wishes to ask the Alliance Leader to help remove dark matter for someone… what kind of price would need to be paid?”

Gu Changge seemed thoughtful upon hearing this and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked,

“Do you have some friend or relative who has been corrupted by dark matter?”

Jiang Weiyang’s eyes trembled slightly, her lashes fluttering as she answered in a somewhat sorrowful voice, “I’m worried that such a thing may happen in the future.” Gu Changge merely smiled.

“If it is only such a small matter, then there is no problem. Since you are Yaoyao’s friend, I can consider helping you once.”

“Really?”

Jiang Weiyang was instantly overwhelmed with joy. Even her voice trembled slightly.

After realizing her tone sounded somewhat as though she were doubting Gu Changge, she hurriedly explained, “It’s not that Wei Yang doubts Alliance Leader’s words. I’m simply too surprised. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Gu Changge casually blew across the surface of his tea and smiled.

“It’s fine. However, I also have one request.”

Jiang Weiyang immediately replied, “Please speak, Alliance Leader. As long as it is something Wei Yang can accomplish, no matter the request, I will agree to it.”

Perhaps realizing that such wording sounded somewhat strange, a blush suddenly spread across her fair, flawless face.

Gu Changge said leisurely, “You are intelligent, so you should understand the current situation in the Vast Expanse. The Immortal Dao Alliance is about to be established, and afterward, the Orthodox Unity Alliance may join forces with it to oppose my Heaven-Felling Alliance.”

“Although Emperor Weiyang is your biological father, judging from his current circumstances, he is likely no longer capable of protecting even himself. Therefore, it is impossible to expect him to accomplish anything.”

“The Weiyang Immortal Dynasty currently needs someone capable of stabilizing the hearts of its people. Although an old ancestor has recently appeared within the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, do you believe that person can truly convince the masses and command the entire dynasty?”

Jiang Weiyang was first shocked.

How did Gu Changge know that her father was already unable to protect himself?

But very quickly, she grasped the meaning behind his latter words.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. After thinking for a moment, she cautiously asked, “Alliance Leader means… you want me to govern the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty in my father’s name?”

Although she was the only child of Emperor Weiyang, asking her to command the masses was still greatly overestimating her abilities.

First of all, she had fled the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty after refusing the marriage alliance with the Ninth Prince of the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom. Even if she returned now, her position would neither be justified nor legitimate.

Moreover, to her, the current Weiyang Immortal Dynasty was no different from a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair—far more dangerous than the Heaven-Felling Alliance itself.

She had not forgotten how the Starbright National Preceptor had previously come to capture her and forcibly bring her back.

As for that old ancestor, she had heard rumors as well. It seemed the ancestor had emerged from a source stone within the ruins of the former Shaking Light Ancestral Court, possessing an unimaginably senior generation status.

Since her father was absent from the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, all affairs were currently being managed and controlled by that old ancestor.

Under that person’s governance, the dynasty remained orderly and stable. No news of rebellion or chaos had spread.

Gu Changge shook his head.

“My meaning is for you to give the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty a legitimate reason to no longer obey Emperor Weiyang’s orders.”

“When your father arranged for you to escape the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, he should have entrusted something to you, correct?”

Although Ji Hanjing was technically Jiang Weiyang’s ancestor in terms of seniority, the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty had ultimately been founded by Emperor Weiyang Jiang Yun himself.

He was still alive, still seated within the Orthodox Unity Alliance, and his prestige remained intact.

Even if Ji Hanjing insisted that Jiang Yun had colluded with the Dark Race and attempted to strip him of his imperial authority, it would still be difficult to achieve any real effect.

As long as Jiang Yun remained alive for even one day, he would remain the true master of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty. And someone as intelligent as Jiang Yun, who had carefully arranged for his daughter Jiang Weiyang to escape to the Heaven-Felling Alliance, must have already foreseen many future events.

Therefore, he had certainly left behind some kind of evidence or backup plan.

Rather than calling Jiang Yun the current Emperor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty, it would be more accurate to describe him as merely a puppet of the Fate Master.

And the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty itself was only one of the Fate Master’s tools.

Hearing Gu Changge’s words, Jiang Weiyang froze once again.

Then, after finally reacting, her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, her face filled with overwhelming shock.

How did Gu Changge know all this?

She had not told him anything. Aside from her father, only she herself knew these matters.

Even the maids absolutely loyal to her were completely unaware.

Back then, Emperor Weiyang had indeed given her a brocade pouch.

Inside were many items.

Besides several life-saving treasures, there were also objects whose purposes Jiang Weiyang herself did not understand.

But what truly shocked her was this—How did Gu Changge know that her father had deliberately arranged for her to flee the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty?

Probably not a third person within the entire dynasty knew this secret.

Yet Gu Changge, separated by countless billions of miles, understood everything as though he had personally witnessed it.

“You need not be so surprised. By making a few deductions and guesses, one can naturally determine the truth.”

“Emperor Weiyang would never send his own daughter into a marriage alliance with the Nanzhao Ancient Kingdom for no reason,” Gu Changge said casually as he blew aside the steam from his tea and took another sip.

“Nothing can escape Alliance Leader’s insight.”

Jiang Weiyang quickly recovered herself.

However, her eyes now sparkled brilliantly, filled with admiration and reverence beyond measure.