Learning to Back Down and Admit Defeat—Outsmarted by His Own Cleverness

The great hall was deathly silent.

The lingering fluctuations of power still felt like a towering Mystic Mountain, crashing down upon everyone’s heads.

At this moment, no one dared to speak. No one even dared to breathe loudly.

The instant Gu Changge struck, that terrifying aura swept over them, and they felt as if they had become tiny specks of dust beneath the Astral River, ready to be ground into nothing at any moment.

This Exalted Immortal’s strength was so horrifying that every single one of them trembled with fear.

The Celestial Archbishop and the assembled elders all had pale faces, their backs drenched in cold sweat—purely from fright.

And now, as they came back to their senses,

everyone looked at Jiang Yang, who had been slapped to the ground and was coughing up blood, their eyes filled with fury and icy contempt, as if they were staring at an idiot, a madman!

If Jiang Yang wasn’t insane, how could he have dared to say something so arrogant just now?

If not for the fact that he was Yao Yao’s brother, he would probably have already been casually slapped to death by the Exalted Immortal.

That was the only thought in everyone’s minds.

“Could it be that I truly misjudged him, that everything about Jiang Yang before was all an act...”

Even Zhao Yi, the Supreme Elder of Celestia Holy Land who had held great expectations for Jiang ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yang, now looked at him with doubt and suspicion, her eyes full of deep confusion and bewilderment.

Based on her understanding of Jiang Yang during this period, his temperament was calm and steady, exuding the confidence of someone who had everything under control.

The things he said were sometimes arrogant, but never without reason or basis.

Yet now, in front of everyone, he had provoked this Exalted Immortal?

Why on earth would he do that?

What backing did he have?

“Brother...”

Yao Yao’s little face was full of complicated emotions. By all rights, seeing her brother injured, she should have felt sad at this moment.

But she didn’t.

If anything, she felt even more disappointed.

Jiang Yang’s actions had long since disappointed her to the core.

Besides, just now it had clearly been her Shifu standing up for her—that was why he had struck out to teach Jiang Yang a lesson.

She was very sensible. She knew Gu Changge was angry because of Jiang Yang’s cold attitude toward her.

“Shifu, please don’t be angry anymore. It’s all Yao Yao’s fault for making you come here with me. Otherwise, none of this would have happened...”

Hearing Yao Yao say this to him, the coldness on Gu Changge’s face receded, returning to his usual calm gentleness.

“This matter has nothing to do with you. That fellow doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth and spoke insolently. As your master, it was only right that I taught him a lesson.”

He said with a smile, his tone making it clear he didn’t take Jiang Yang seriously at all.

As for the System’s notification sounds at that moment, he paid them no mind either.

Jiang Yang had tried to show off in public and failed spectacularly.

That slap to the face had hurt quite a bit—enough to cost him a fair amount of Fortuity points.

But given his personality, this humiliation and disgrace would probably be hard for him to swallow anytime soon.

Of course, Gu Changge didn’t care.

In his eyes, Jiang Yang was nothing more than a leek waiting to be harvested—and a fat, juicy one at that.

Gu Changge actually understood perfectly well what Jiang Yang’s approach and confidence had been based on just now: nothing more than borrowing the terrain of this place, relying on illusory fortune, the Heavenly Star Realm’s worldly fate, and such things to contend against him.

After all, he was the Reincarnation of the Mortal One. Though he had only fused with part of his memories, he would definitely be able to use some of the contingencies and methods the Mortal One had arranged.

So while Jiang Yang’s strength appeared to be only at the Transcendent Realm, seemingly weak,

if it had been an ordinary powerhouse from the Beyond, they might very well have capsized in this gutter.

Especially since Jiang Yang had previously used some method to summon the phantom of Celestia Holy Land’s founder.

A Sacred Emperor Realm phantom.

Though no one knew how much divine might remained in it,

under such power, ordinary people truly wouldn’t be his match.

Gu Changge even somewhat suspected that Celestia Holy Land’s founder had some connection to the Mortal One.

Otherwise, why would a perfectly good Sacred Emperor come to a backwater place like the Heavenly Star Realm to leave behind a legacy and lineage?

What was he after?

Nothing more than knowing that the Mortal One would very likely emerge from this realm in the future, so he left behind his legacy in advance to escort and protect the Mortal One.

It was because of all this that Jiang Yang had such confidence, daring to speak to him that way.

Gu Changge had anticipated all of this long ago, so his countermeasure was even more direct and simple.

In everyone’s eyes, Jiang Yang was just showing off, because they didn’t know he actually had confidence and trump cards.

So Gu Changge would simply slap his face hard and stomp on his head. Wouldn’t that settle it?

After all... stirring up these worldly forces, Fortuity, and such things required a bit of time.

Gu Changge’s strike had been far too fast—so fast that Jiang Yang hadn’t even had time to react. Containing the laws of space and time, it instantly crossed everything and slapped him to the ground.

“I have to say, the Fortuity gained from slapping the Mortal One’s face really is quite a haul...”

Numerous thoughts flashed through Gu Changge’s mind, his expression somewhat inscrutable.

And at this moment, as Gu Changge withdrew his hand,

Jiang Yang slowly rose from the ground, though he looked quite miserable—his body stained with blood, many bones broken.

His liver-colored face gradually regained its calm, no longer showing any anger.

In everyone’s eyes, it seemed that after being taught a lesson by Gu Changge, he had calmed down, no longer as arrogant and overweening as before.

Only Gu Changge knew clearly that the gaze Jiang Yang directed at him was still filled with coldness.

That coldness quickly dissipated, becoming placid.

“Today’s matter was my recklessness. I hope the Exalted Immortal, for Yao Yao’s sake, will not hold it against me.”

Jiang Yang spoke, his voice very steady. He even took the initiative to bow to Gu Changge, no longer showing any trace of his earlier fury.

Then, seeing everyone’s shocked expressions, he explained further,

“My provocation just now was also born of jealousy. It was the first time I’d seen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yao Yao so close to a strange man, and as her brother, the fire of jealousy burned in my heart. I truly failed in my role...”

“Now I understand. That slap from the Exalted Immortal knocked me back to my senses.”

“I should be happy that Yao Yao is doing well. Besides me, there’s someone else who treats her so well.”

“Yao Yao isn’t only my sister. Now she also has a Shifu who treats her so well.”

At this point, Jiang Yang looked toward Yao Yao again, revealing that familiar smile she knew so well, with a hint of apology.

“I’m sorry, Yao Yao. Big brother was too cold to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you just now. Because I felt that once you had a Shifu, you wouldn’t want me as your brother anymore...”

“Big brother apologizes to you now. Will you forgive me?”

The further he went, the deeper the guilt on his face became.

His words were sincere and heartfelt.

Even his eyes reddened slightly.

This genuine, heartfelt apology caused the expressions of quite a few elders in the hall to shift, somewhat moved.

Given Jiang Yang’s age, his actions were entirely understandable.

These explanations were also reasonable and logical, with nothing improper about them.

In Jiang Yang’s description of himself, he was a severe siscon who, upon seeing his sister gain such a Shifu, felt unwilling and incomparably jealous.

And he was so frank about it.

This actually made many who had just thought him stupid and brainless suddenly understand, and then somewhat admire his courage—daring to say such embarrassing things in front of everyone.

After finishing, Jiang Yang stood motionless in the hall, looking at Yao Yao with a face full of apology, hoping for forgiveness.

Although Gu Changge’s slap had held back considerably for Yao Yao’s sake, the injuries it caused him were still quite horrifying.

His internal organs and bones were shattered in many places.

If not for his powerful physique holding up, he would probably have been left with hidden injuries.

And this also made Jiang Yang understand that Gu Changge was different from the cultivators he had encountered before.

He looked very righteous, but his methods were actually both righteous and demonic. On the surface, he appeared to be giving Yao Yao face and holding back,

but secretly he had done something underhanded, trying to cripple him!

Moreover, the strength Gu Changge displayed was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fully capable of injuring him.

That method of instantly crossing space to descend upon him was simply too fast—it suppressed him before he could borrow the great forces of this place.

This completely exceeded Jiang Yang’s expectations.

Before this, he had always believed he could borrow Celestia Holy Land’s Fortuity and Dragon Vein forces to contend against Gu Changge, to make Gu Changge understand he was no simple figure and thus become wary of him.

But facts proved that this time he had actually guessed wrong... It was precisely because he harbored such thoughts that he got his face slapped so viciously.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have suffered such a huge loss and lost so much face in front of everyone.

But thanks to Gu Changge, Jiang Yang also recalled quite a few things.

This sister of his—her origins were probably not simple!

No wonder Gu Changge treated her so well. He really did have ulterior motives.

At this moment, Jiang Yang decided to change his approach and start with this sister of his.

He didn’t yet know Gu Changge’s origins and goals, but he had memorized this grudge. There would be plenty of opportunities for revenge in the future.

“Looks like he’s learned his lesson and plans to back down and admit defeat first.” Gu Changge smiled faintly, his gaze toward Jiang Yang somewhat intriguing.

“Jiang Yang...”

“This child, really...”

At this moment, hearing these words, the ever-softhearted Grandma Yin Hua couldn’t help but sigh.

Based on her understanding of Jiang Yang’s character, he wasn’t likely to do something like what he just did.

This explanation, though, made her sigh.

But what decision to make was not hers to make—it depended on Yao Yao.

“Brother...”

“Is what you’re saying true?”

Yao Yao was also stunned upon hearing this, confusion and bewilderment surfacing on her little face.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Yang to suddenly say such things.

And that sincere appearance didn’t look fake.

But was her brother really acting cold toward her for this reason, because he was afraid of losing her?

If it were normal times, hearing such words, Yao Yao felt she would definitely be very happy.

But now...

Yao Yao was somewhat torn for a moment. She wasn’t someone who could be dazzled into a daze by a sentence or two.

Especially since Jiang Yang’s attitude had changed far too quickly.

But if it wasn’t for this reason, how else could she explain his actions of provoking Gu Changge the moment he arrived?

So she subconsciously turned her gaze toward Gu Changge, wanting to see what her Shifu would say.

At this moment, Gu Changge noticed her expression and couldn’t help but smile slightly, saying,

“Since your brother has apologized like this, why don’t you forgive him, Yao Yao? Who doesn’t make mistakes when they’re young? I see his words are sincere, and this explanation is quite reasonable.”

“After all, he is your brother...”

As he spoke, he gave Jiang Yang a rather meaningful look.

It seemed Jiang Yang had learned his lesson this time, planning to start with Yao Yao. At least he wasn’t too stupid, continuing to play the show-off.

Gu Changge also wanted to know what Jiang Yang planned to do next.

After all, the current Jiang Yang was no longer the brother Yao Yao used to have.

He was indeed the Reincarnation of the Mortal One, but up to now, there were still people who could acknowledge his identity.

Gu Changge was still considering how to expose Jiang Yang’s “true face” and thereby cause Yao Yao to break with him.

Now that he was taking the initiative to do this, it actually gave Gu Changge more opportunities to exploit.

After all, the deeper the deception, the greater the rift and hatred when it was finally exposed.

This suited him perfectly.

“Mm-hm, Yao Yao will listen to Shifu.”

Since even Gu Changge said so, Yao Yao naturally said nothing more at this point.

Only, the way she looked at Jiang Yang no longer held the closeness and longing of before.

It was more like looking at someone she barely had a relationship with.

Jiang Yang’s expression also returned to calm, though a bitter smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth.

As if he were still regretting what had just happened.

He didn’t expect to make Yao Yao believe him just like that, to reverse her previous disappointment in him.

“Yao Yao, it’s not that big brother didn’t want to go back to see you and Grandma. It’s that I had my own difficulties and simply couldn’t get away. Only now am I free.”

At this moment, Jiang Yang spoke again, throwing out these words.

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of quite a few people in the hall changed, including the Celestial Archbishop, whose face turned pale, cold sweat trickling down his forehead!

He already knew what Jiang Yang was about to say!

This was something he absolutely did not want Gu Changge and the others to know, because it concerned Celestia Holy Land’s secrets.

It also involved how they had previously treated Jiang Yang like a slave and thrown him toward the Soaring Mountains.

If Jiang Yang spoke of this now and angered Yao Yao, wouldn’t their Celestia Holy Land be doomed?

In their eyes, although Yao Yao was only Gu Changge’s disciple, she was practically no different from a little princess.

“You had difficulties?”

Hearing this, Yao Yao was also slightly taken aback. Jiang Yang bringing up this matter himself made her feel that perhaps it really was so.

There was some difficulty behind it?

So that was why her brother couldn’t come back to visit her and Grandma?

This matter had actually become like a thorn in her heart.

But at this moment, Yao Yao’s little face didn’t change much. She even sighed.

“Suddenly saying this now—whether your difficulty is real or fake, it’s useless. Outsmarted by his own cleverness...”

Glancing at the helpless-looking Jiang Yang below, Gu Changge had actually already guessed what he was about to say.

His expression held a faint sneer.

What use was there in saying it?

Yao Yao’s view of him was already deeply ingrained. On the journey, she had told Gu Changge that the old Jiang Yang was an honest and kind person who, when misunderstood, would never defend himself, only silently endure it alone.

And now Jiang Yang couldn’t wait to throw out this difficulty of his own accord?

This goal was far too obvious.

“Whatever difficulties there are, brother, you don’t need to say them. Yao Yao believes you.”

At this moment, Yao Yao shook her head, not letting Jiang Yang explain.

Though small in stature, at this moment she exuded an invisible authority that made Jiang Yang swallow back the words he wanted to say.

His brows furrowed involuntarily.

To be honest, the consciousness born before he fused with this body still had quite an influence on him.

Just like now, he had no idea why Yao Yao would say such a thing. She wouldn’t even listen to his difficulties?

But on the surface, Jiang Yang still showed a relieved expression, then returned to his previous calm indifference.

“Yao Yao and Grandma have come all the way from Northern Mountain Village, a tiring journey. Why don’t you rest first?”

“Tomorrow I’ll take you two around the area near Celestia Holy Land. We haven’t seen each other in over a year—I really have missed you both.”

He said with a smile, showing not the slightest trace of the man who had just been slapped to the ground by Gu Changge, coughing up blood in a sorry state.

As if that person hadn’t been him at all.

Now he looked more like a host welcoming family from afar.

This scene made many elders frown deeply. They couldn’t easily decide how to treat Jiang Yang either—after all, Jiang Yang was the first person in so long to trigger the founder’s phantom.

Even Gu Changge hadn’t blamed Jiang Yang, so how would they dare overstep?

“What exactly is Jiang Yang up to?”

The Celestial Archbishop frowned deeply, unable to figure out the purpose behind all of Jiang Yang’s actions.

“I hope Jiang Yang isn’t about to do something stupid again.” Supreme Elder Zhao Yi’s gaze held some worry.

Meanwhile, Gu Changge’s expression grew rather interested.

Interesting.

Next, Jiang Yang would probably try every means to brush up his presence with Yao Yao. As the Reincarnation of the Mortal One, his discernment wouldn’t be poor—he could see there was something different about Yao Yao.

Only, Jiang Yang probably never imagined that the person Yao Yao trusted most now was not him, but rather her Shifu, Gu Changge.

“For me, isn’t this also an opportunity?”

Thinking of this, Gu Changge narrowed his eyes, a plan forming.