Yue Mingkong's Prepared Assassination List? Secretly Fanning the Flames
Yue Mingkong’s Prepared Assassination List? Secretly Fanning the Flames
With the Mortal One’s Token in hand, things became much simpler for Gu Changge.
Yan Ji, disguised as Jiang Chuchu, the Successor of the Mortal Palace, could now walk freely under the heavens, and along the way, she could even take the opportunity to publicize his various achievements in opposing the Successor of Demonic Arts.
At this point, presumably no fool would dare jump out and question anything.
And the other Successor of the Mortal Palace, Wang Zijin, had never doubted Gu Changge’s identity in the first place.
When the time came, with both Successors of the Mortal Palace singing his praises, Gu Changge could once again develop in peace for a while.
What did it mean when a Successor of the Mortal Palace spoke?
It meant authority!
As the oldest orthodox lineage to oppose the Successor of Demonic Arts, no other orthodoxy understood the Successor of Demonic Arts as deeply as the Mortal Palace.
As long as Yan Ji didn’t run into old acquaintances or a shifu who knew Jiang Chuchu well, there was presumably no way anyone would notice anything amiss.
Jiang Chuchu was trapped by Gu Changge inside the Internal World, so there was no need to worry about her at all.
Unless she suddenly unleashed some kind of forbidden power, it was impossible for her to break through the shackles of the Internal World and escape.
So for the time being, Gu Changge no longer needed to concern himself with the matter of the Successor of Demonic Arts, and could focus his attention on the Reincarnation of the Mortal One.
“With Prince Ying, Ying Shuang, taking the blame for me, it won’t be easy for him to clear his name during this period. He’s probably already scurried back to Sky Emperor Mountain after emerging into the world.”
“Compared to the other Fortuitous Ones, this guy is actually quite wary...”
“But what use is wariness before me? Even a turtle shell, I’ll smash it to pieces.”
Inside the palace, Gu Changge couldn’t help but laugh.
A Jade Tablet appeared before him.
It clearly listed the life story of Prince Ying.
Beyond that, there was also plenty of information on ancient imperial princes, descendants of True Immortals, ancient freaks, and even quite a few self-sealed young kings who had dominated multiple eras.
“That Yue Mingkong actually prepared an assassination list for me? Looks like she knows what I’m planning.”
“But this suits me perfectly—it saves me the trouble of investigating.”
Gu Changge swept his gaze over these names. This Jade Tablet had been specially left for him by Yue Mingkong when she departed from the Longevity Gu Family.
He hadn’t paid it any mind at the time.
Now, looking it over, he found that those ancient freaks and peerless prodigies about to emerge into the world were truly excellent nourishment for him.
“In my previous life, I probably had a list like this too, which is why Yue Mingkong remembered it.”
Gu Changge murmured softly, beginning to plan his next move.
He could either follow Yue Mingkong’s direction and intercept the Reincarnation of the Mortal One, or he could go search for the place where the Absolute Yin Heaven would appear.
“I can send people to search for the Absolute Yin Heaven—that matter can’t be rushed. So the priority right now is still finding the Reincarnation of the Mortal One...”
Soon, Gu Changge decided on his next course of action.
The Reincarnation of the Mortal One carried immense Fortuity. He suspected that even with Yue Mingkong’s foresight...
...she would very likely end up drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing—and end up reeking of trouble.
Just like when she let Ye Ling escape last time, the sheer power of a Fortuitous One was beyond anything Yue Mingkong could anticipate, especially an old monster like the Mortal One who had reincarnated who-knew-how-many times.
“This kind of thing is better left to me.”
Thinking this, Gu Changge revealed a deep smile and prepared to set off. But before that, he decided to first make a trip to the Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect.
“Ming Lao.”
Soon, Gu Changge summoned Ming Lao, the confidant who had descended to the Overworld with him back then.
“Greetings, Young Master!”
The black-robed Ming Lao arrived respectfully.
Now that he had earned Gu Changge’s favor, his status had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.
Even as an outside-surnamed retainer, many members of the Gu Family treated him with importance, not daring to slight or underestimate him.
And he knew very well who had given him all of this.
“How has Qiuhan been during this time?”
Gu Changge stood with his hands behind his back, asking casually. Come to think of it, he had left Lin Qiuhan at the Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect for quite a while now—it was about time to go see her.
“Qiuhan is doing very well at the Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect. She’s being groomed as the future Sect Master, and her current attainments in the Dao of Alchemy are unmatched among her peers in the sect.”
“She also misses the Young Master dearly.”
Hearing this, a trace of gratification appeared on Ming Lao’s face, and he spoke with some excitement and joy.
After all, Gu Changge taking the initiative to ask meant that Gu Changge had not forgotten Lin Qiuhan.
For someone of Gu Changge’s status, in the Beyond, he need only say the word and countless heavenly-pride maidens would throw themselves at his door, breaking down his threshold.
Lin Qiuhan, in the end, merely came from the Overworld. No matter how outstanding her alchemy talent, her foundation was ultimately inferior to those heavenly-pride maidens.
It would have been perfectly normal for Gu Changge to forget her.
Now, with Gu Changge saying this, it was clear that he had been wrong to worry!
How could this not excite Ming Lao? He too hoped that his junior could earn Gu Changge’s regard.
“Oh, Qiuhan hasn’t disappointed me.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly, not particularly surprised. After all, she was a person of great Fortuity—only after arriving in the Beyond did she begin to reveal her brilliance in the Dao of Alchemy.
“It just so happens I have some free time lately. I’ll go to the Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect to see her.”
Gu Changge continued.
The main reason was that he had a task to entrust to Lin Qiuhan. Having the Violet Supreme Alchemy Sect nurture her for him for so long—it was time for her to serve her purpose.
“Thank you, Young Master! If Qiuhan hears that the Young Master is coming to visit her, she’ll be overjoyed beyond measure.”
Ming Lao said with a face full of excitement.
...
“What? There’s news of my parents’ and grandfather’s whereabouts?”
Meanwhile, on the other side, under Gu Changge’s deliberate arrangement.
A piece of news, passed through many twists and turns, reached Gu Xianer’s ears.
Inside the palace.
She looked at the clansman reporting the news before her.
Joy, excitement, and elation surfaced on her face, impossible to suppress—she simply couldn’t hide it.
This was the second happiest thing for her in recent times.
And the first, of course, was figuring out the unspeakable secret Gu Changge had carried all along.
Since the incident at the Nirvana Pool, Gu Xianer had not seen Gu Changge again, nor did she know what he was doing.
Having personally witnessed Gu Changge unable to suppress his Demonic Energy that day, controlled by it, Gu Xianer had already understood everything.
Why had Gu Changge dug out her Great Dao Bone back then? Wasn’t it precisely because he was controlled by the Demonic Energy?
And now, Gu Changge would rather cripple both his own arms than harm her.
This moved Gu Xianer immensely and warmed her heart.
Especially Gu Changge’s words at that time—“Don’t you dare touch her”—as if he were roaring at another version of himself. That low, hoarse roar still echoed in her ears from time to time, making her heart tremble.
So Gu Xianer could understand everything Gu Changge had done over the years.
His deliberate avoidance of her now was perhaps just him being unable to swallow his pride.
Thinking this, Gu Xianer didn’t mind Gu Changge’s various behaviors in the slightest.
“Xiaojie, the news should be accurate. At the time, a Cultivator noticed the whereabouts of the Family Head and the others. They seem to be in a certain lower-realm plane...”
“From the news, the Family Head and the others don’t seem to be in any danger.”
The reporting clansman replied with a face full of certainty.
“Who told you this news?”
Gu Xianer was a bit puzzled and curious.
“That is unclear. The source of the news went through too many twists and turns—it’s impossible to determine.” the man answered respectfully.
Gu Xianer was slightly taken aback.
Coming back to her senses, she nodded, glanced in the direction of Gu Changge’s branch of the family, and then said, “Very well. I’ll set out immediately to find my parents.”
She had only just returned to the Longevity Gu Family, and now she was hearing news of her parents’ whereabouts?
Wasn’t that too much of a coincidence? Or was her luck simply that good?
Gu Xianer was no fool.
Someone had probably been secretly helping her investigate all these years.
And who could that person be?
Soon, Gu Xianer guessed who had done it.
“That Gu Changge really is as proud as ever. He clearly cares about me in his heart, yet insists on acting indifferent. Hmph...”
With this thought in mind.
Gu Xianer led the many experts of her branch and set off toward the place where her parents were located.
...
“Saintess.”
At the same time, in the mountain ranges outside the territory of the Longevity Gu Family.
Yan Ji, wearing a veil with a layer of mist shrouding her face, stood there. From her appearance, she was completely indistinguishable from the former Jiang Chuchu.
At this moment, even if Wang Zijin, who had cultivated alongside her, were here, she would find it hard to detect anything amiss.
In his youth, the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being had also been a notorious figure, and out of necessity had developed this secret art of altering one’s appearance—it could even disguise one’s Source aura.
Perhaps even the Ancient Reincarnation Supreme Being himself never imagined that one day, this secret art of his would be used by Gu Changge in such a place.
At this moment, an old woman in grey robes appeared in the void, her cultivation at the Sacred Lord Realm, speaking respectfully.
She too had failed to notice anything unusual about Yan Ji.
Yan Ji nodded slightly, her expression as calm as if devoid of any emotion.
Following Gu Changge’s instructions, after leaving the Longevity Gu Family, she had rushed here in her identity as the Successor of the Mortal Palace.
Her destination was precisely the territory where the Ancient Myriad Clans resided.
“Saintess, did your investigation this time bear fruit?” the grey-robed old woman couldn’t help but ask curiously. Before this, Jiang Chuchu had insisted on going to the Longevity Gu Family to question Gu Changge.
In her view, that had been quite unnecessary.
Now, the prime suspect for the Successor of Demonic Arts was none other than Prince Ying.
At a time like this, shouldn’t they be investigating Prince Ying instead?
Hearing this, Yan Ji’s face showed an apologetic expression at just the right moment, and she shook her head. “I overthought it. Young Master Changge holds the world in his heart and bestows grace upon all living beings. He has contributed greatly to the cause of opposing the Successor of Demonic Arts. I shouldn’t have doubted him.”
Hearing these words, the old woman felt a sense of realization. She had been worried that the Saintess would remain obstinate and keep drilling into a dead end.
To wake up and turn back now wasn’t too late.
“Saintess, then are we heading to Sky Emperor Mountain now? That place is probably a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den right now—it won’t be peaceful.” the grey-robed old woman said with some worry.
She was very concerned that Sky Emperor Mountain might take the opportunity to strike at Jiang Chuchu, regardless of the consequences.
Yan Ji shook her head. “The matter of the Successor of Demonic Arts is of grave importance. Sky Emperor Mountain wouldn’t dare risk making an enemy of the entire world. There’s no need to worry.”
As she spoke, a trace of daze couldn’t help but appear in her expression.
When she first followed Gu Changge back to the Beyond, she actually hadn’t known of Gu Changge’s identity as the Successor of Demonic Arts.
It was only recently that Yan Ji figured it all out.
The one she followed was far more than just an ambitious hero—this was simply a peerless demon lord who treated the entire world as his chessboard, scheming over all living beings.
She actually had no resistance to this.
After all, the one she followed was Gu Changge the person, not his identity.
Under a secret that concerned life and death itself, Gu Changge had not done anything to her; on the contrary, he trusted her deeply and entrusted many important matters to her.
The kindness of recognizing her worth, the kindness of rebuilding her body... too many kindnesses—Yan Ji had no way to repay them.
“Understood, Saintess. Then we’ll make a trip to Sky Emperor Mountain now. As for the Reincarnation of the Mortal One, are we still going to search for him?”
Hearing this, the grey-robed old woman’s expression also turned solemn, sweeping away her earlier worries, and then she asked about another matter.
This was something Jiang Chuchu had always cared deeply about before—like hunting down and slaying the Successor of Demonic Arts, it was placed at the top of the list.
If they were going to Sky Emperor Mountain, then the matter of the Reincarnation of the Mortal One would inevitably have to be set aside.
“The Reincarnation of the Mortal One will return sooner or later. We needn’t interfere excessively in this—let nature take its course. Too much interference might even hinder the Mortal One.”
Yan Ji recalled Gu Changge’s instructions and couldn’t help but shake her head slightly, explaining it this way.
Of course, even if she didn’t go searching for the Reincarnation of the Mortal One, the rest of the Mortal Palace wouldn’t be able to resist setting out.
After all, being the first to find the Reincarnation of the Mortal One was a supreme honor—there might even be rewards.
“Our priority right now is to first confirm the identity of the Successor of Demonic Arts...”
Yan Ji spoke again, her tone indifferent.
After all, Prince Ying, Ying Shuang, was the one currently taking the blame for Gu Changge. Her goal was naturally to find every possible way to make sure Prince Ying carried that black pot firmly and securely.
“Understood.”
Hearing this, the grey-robed old woman nodded, harboring no suspicion whatsoever.
Soon, master and servant transformed into divine rainbows that shot into the sky, heading in the direction of Sky Emperor Mountain.
...
At the same time, at Sky Emperor Mountain.
Ying Shuang, his face dark with gloom and unwillingness, was pacing back and forth inside his palace, clearly in a foul mood.
“Damn it!”
“That Gu Changge actually framed me like this! I will definitely avenge this!”
His fists were clenched tight, his face full of unwillingness, but deep in his eyes were hidden profound dread, fear, and worry.
During this period, things had gone exactly as Gu Changge had guessed.
Having just emerged into the world for barely two days, intending to show off his might, Ying Shuang had barely left Sky Emperor Mountain before encountering attacks from numerous Cultivators and living beings, leaving him battered and humiliated.
Wearing the hat of being connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts, no matter where he went, he could not possibly be welcomed—instead, he provoked hostility everywhere.
If not for their fear of the backing power of Sky Emperor Mountain behind him, many orthodoxies and great sects would have nearly made their move.
All signs indicated that Prince Ying had an inextricable connection to the Successor of Demonic Arts.
No matter how Sky Emperor Mountain explained, it was useless. On the contrary, they had accidentally killed quite a few Cultivators and living beings who attacked them, only making the matter blacker the more they tried to clear it up.
This matter made Ying Shuang’s expression ugly and furious to the extreme. Although he had not inherited the original body’s memories, he knew full well that he had absolutely no connection to any so-called Successor of Demonic Arts.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of Demonic Arts aura in his body.
All of this had been slanderously pinned on him by Gu Changge and that Successor of the Mortal Palace.
Twisting the facts, despicable and shameless, directly splashing dirty water all over him.
Yet he had no way to deal with it, nor did he have the original body’s many schemes and methods to respond.
With no other choice, Ying Shuang had to turn back midway and head home.
Moreover, he had sent people to investigate the little servant boy by Yin Mei’s side—in other words, his original self.
In the end, they found that the little servant boy had vanished without a trace, and the place where he disappeared was none other than the Longevity Gu Family.
This made Ying Shuang’s hair stand on end.
Presumably, apart from him, no one would pay attention to such a nameless little servant.
And the disappearance of this little servant would not stir up any ripples either. With no family or ties, no one would care about him at all.
“I suddenly disappeared—Yin Mei will probably be sad. From now on, there’ll be no one to feed her horses.”
“That Gu Changge actually made Yin Mei sad—he deserves death even more!”
But at that time, Ying Shuang still held onto such thoughts, thinking that apart from Yin Mei, no one would care about his disappearance.
In his view, Yin Mei was a ray of light in his most desperate and helpless moment.
If Yin Mei didn’t care about him, why would she have helped him so much?
And Ying Shuang naturally chalked up all of these grudges to Gu Changge’s account.
Gu Changge had very likely discovered something—otherwise, why would he suddenly make a move against a little servant?
This made Ying Shuang’s whole body run cold, giving him the feeling that Gu Changge had suddenly seized hold of his weakness.
His former body had very likely been taken over by the former Prince Ying.
And Gu Changge absolutely had the means to learn the whole story from Prince Ying’s mouth.
Therefore, terrified in his heart, Ying Shuang planned to return to Sky Emperor Mountain first and lie low for a while.
At the end of the day, he used to be nothing more than a little servant who had never even seen the wider world, and had suddenly become the kind of lofty, exalted figure he used to envy and resent the most.
A change in status did not mean his mindset could change along with it.
What’s more, before he could even enjoy it, he was saddled with the black pot of the Successor of Demonic Arts, reduced to a demon lord that everyone wanted to beat down.
This left Ying Shuang stifled with pent-up frustration—he was on the verge of cursing out loud!
So he could no longer remain in the outside world. With his current abilities, he was far from capable of handling such a situation.
And during this period, Ying Shuang’s sudden reversal—returning to Sky Emperor Mountain barely after emerging into the world—drew mockery from many of the neutral great clans among the Ancient Myriad Clans.
They felt that this newly emerged Prince Ying was truly disgraceful, a disgrace to his father’s name.
Even many of the higher-ups and old fossils of Sky Emperor Mountain frowned in unison.
After all, it had been Ying Shuang who insisted on emerging into the world, and now it was also Ying Shuang who, after running into some difficulties, came scurrying back to Sky Emperor Mountain.
What was this? Even they felt their faces losing luster.
This behavior differed considerably from the Ying Shuang of the past, making them wonder whether something had gone wrong in his cultivation.
But they didn’t think too deeply about it.
Because as the offspring of Sky Emperor Ying, Ying Shuang was protected by the Royal Mark—his divine soul was extremely secure, and it was impossible for him to be easily possessed by any existence.
If anyone truly dared attempt Body Possession, the commotion would inevitably be tremendous and draw their attention.
For a time, Ying Shuang’s prestige at Sky Emperor Mountain was swept away completely—which, incidentally, earned Gu Changge a large windfall of Fortuity points and Fatums for no effort at all.
All of this, in Gu Changge’s view, was within expectations, and he had also played a part in fanning the flames.
At the end of the day, the current Ying Shuang was merely wearing the skin of a great figure—inside, he was still just a horse-feeding servant boy.
Facing a situation like this, the fact that he hadn’t been scared limp and paralyzed was already pretty good.