A Man Who Knows His Place — Thank You, Gongzi, Gongzi Is So Good
A Man Who Knows His Place — Thank You, Gongzi, Gongzi Is So Good
“Saying all this nonsense is useless. I don’t care what Dao lineage stands behind you. I’ll ask you just one thing — today, are you dead set on protecting this guy?”
However, Gu Changge did not let Chu Hao finish his words. He coldly interrupted him, his eyes filled with nothing but condescension and indifference.
In the eyes of everyone present, the name of the Supreme Cave Heaven was not worth Gu Changge’s regard at all.
“Young Master Changge...”
“Where forgiveness is possible, one should forgive. There is nothing in this world that cannot be let go. Shidi Wang Xiao didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Whatever losses this young lady has suffered, Shidi Wang Xiao can compensate for them.”
Chu Hao’s brows couldn’t help but furrow. He had already lowered his stance this much, had spoken in such a manner, yet Gu Changge gave him no face whatsoever.
He didn’t even place the Supreme Cave Heaven in his eyes.
Deep down, Chu Hao had always carried his own pride.
As for Gu Changge, he only cared about the power standing behind him. After all, Chu Hao himself had reached the Sacred King Realm at merely a few hundred years of age.
He had kept a low profile all this time, never letting word of it spread — otherwise it would surely have shaken the world and drawn the attention of powers and Dao lineages from all directions.
In his view, Gu Changge, this so-called number one of the younger generation, was nothing more than this.
The peerless prodigies of his own era, at Gu Changge’s age, had merely been wandering around the Sacred Realm, while he was already on the verge of becoming a Sacred Emperor.
With such pride in his bones, Chu Hao had felt some resistance toward Gu Changge from the very beginning, which had only eased slightly because of Gu Changge’s attitude toward his Imperial Father.
But today... Gu Changge’s utter refusal to give him any face had truly enraged him.
“Compensation? Do you think I, Gu, need such a thing?”
Gu Changge said indifferently, “Or perhaps in your eyes, this shidi of yours is even qualified to offer compensation?”
“Sorry, but in my eyes, he isn’t worth a single strand of my Qingge’s hair... let alone today, when he caused Qingge to suffer such heavy injuries.”
“Today, if I don’t tear him into ten thousand pieces, I’d consider it letting him off easy.”
Gu Changge said these words lightly and casually, yet they set off monstrous waves in the hearts of everyone present.
Especially Su Qingge and Ji Qingxuan. Although the two had swapped identities, these words seemed to be spoken to both of them, leaving their hearts rippling, unable to calm for a long time.
The many heavenly pride daughters were even more shaken in spirit, incomparably envious.
How many women in this world could make Young Master Changge say such words?
They would probably live in happiness for their entire lives!
“Da Shixiong, save me!”
Hearing that Gu Changge intended to tear him into ten thousand pieces, Wang Xiao’s face drained of all color, trembling in terror.
“Rest assured.” Chu Hao nodded, not agreeing with a single word of what Gu Changge had said.
Boom!!
At this moment, Gu Changge no longer intended to waste words. He struck directly.
Boundless magic power, following the reach of his palm, transformed into a terrifying golden millstone that blotted out the sky, rumbling as it crushed downward, runes cascading, laws interweaving — tyrannical to the extreme.
Even Old Xuan, a Sacred Lord, had his expression change drastically, feeling the terror. His very physique stung faintly, as if it were about to crack apart.
If even he was like this, the other prodigies and cultivators felt it all the more.
With expressions of horror, they scattered and fled in all directions, fearing being touched by even a wisp of the aftershock.
This level of power was no longer something an ordinary Sacred Lord could contend with — and this was merely a casual palm from Gu Changge.
The prodigies of the True Immortal Academy felt it most deeply. Their eyes widened one after another, unable to believe it.
“Too terrifying. So this is just the tip of the iceberg of Young Master Changge’s strength?”
“Before this, I always thought he was at most at the Sacred Realm, but the divine might he’s displayed today has probably already approached the Sacred Lord Realm!”
“Simply unbelievable. Who would have thought... Young Master Changge was hiding so deeply. Perhaps even this is only part of the strength he’s revealed...”
Thinking of this, the many prodigies’ awe and reverence for him deepened further.
But their feet didn’t stop in the slightest. Mounting divine rainbows, they hurriedly left the area, feeling that the coming battle would engulf the entire Vermilion Bird Imperial Capital and destroy everything.
“Gu Changge!”
Chu Hao’s expression was extremely ugly as well. He hadn’t expected Gu Changge to strike directly without even saying another word.
With no other choice, he grabbed Wang Xiao with one hand and retreated backward.
If he were to make a move against Gu Changge, wouldn’t that mean offending the vast and terrifying background behind him?
This feeling of being tied hand and foot filled Chu Hao with incomparable frustration.
Rumble!
But as he retreated, Gu Changge’s palm descended directly, causing the many buildings and pavilions below to explode.
Terrifying fissures stretched across the Imperial Capital, and swathes of palaces and mansions were reduced to dust.
Many cultivators who failed to escape in time screamed as their bodies and souls were annihilated.
This scene sent a chill through Chu Hao’s heart, and anger surged within him.
After all, this was the place where he was born, a place he held deep feelings for. Gu Changge could afford not to care, but he could not.
Especially among those cultivators, many were faces he knew well.
Gu Changge released Ji Qingxuan, his figure striding through the void as he said indifferently, “At this point, do you still intend to protect him?”
“Gu Changge, as the successor of the Longevity Gu Family, a Ranked Disciple of the True Immortal Academy — is this how you casually bully others and treat human lives as worthless?”
Chu Hao’s heart burned with fury, and he couldn’t help but shout.
“What wrong have I committed?”
Gu Changge’s words remained light and casual. “It’s you, rather — to save this so-called shidi, you insist on opposing me. As a prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire, you disregard your own subjects?”
“Or perhaps you feel they can’t compare to this so-called shidi of yours? It seems this shidi of yours is quite useful to you.”
What they call killing without drawing blood — that is words that pierce the heart.
Gu Changge’s words almost instantly ignited the fury and resentment of many cultivators of the Vermilion Bird Empire.
As for blaming Gu Changge — would they dare?
It was Chu Hao instead who, as a prince, did not shelter his own subjects but went to save his shidi, offending Gu Changge.
Anyone with eyes could see that this matter required giving Gu Changge an explanation, yet Chu Hao insisted on saving Wang Xiao. Wasn’t that plainly choosing to oppose Gu Changge?
“Gu Changge, what fine methods you have. With such conduct, can you call yourself a gentleman?”
Chu Hao’s voice carried coldness. Naturally, he heard the meaning behind Gu Changge’s words.
But at this moment, he had bitterness he could not voice, nor could he explain himself to the cultivators of the Vermilion Bird Empire.
“I, Gu, have never claimed to be any sort of good person.”
Gu Changge smiled, appearing utterly carefree. “It seems that today, the Vermilion Bird Empire is dead set on opposing me?”
“Ding — Fortuitous One Chu Hao’s popular support within the Vermilion Bird Empire has been damaged. Fortuity points continuously decreasing...”
Hearing the System’s notification, he paid it little mind.
After all, all of this was within his expectations. Chu Hao believed Gu Changge’s target was Wang Xiao, but how could he know that Gu Changge was merely playing along with the scheme?
From beginning to end, Gu Changge’s target had been Chu Hao, this Fortuitous One.
“Gu Changge, this matter is entirely my own doing. It has nothing to do with the Vermilion Bird Empire. Don’t drag it into this.”
Chu Hao said in a deep voice. The Vermilion Bird Empire and his Imperial Father were his weakness.
He was inherently a man who valued loyalty and sentiment — otherwise he would not have rushed back from his sect when the Vermilion Bird Empire suffered the calamity of the Absolute Yin Heaven.
Yet now, Gu Changge was using precisely this to threaten him.
“Weren’t you just calling yourself the Third Prince of the Vermilion Bird Empire? And now it has nothing to do with you?”
Gu Changge smiled faintly, then his expression turned cold. “Men — go seize the Vermilion Bird Emperor and bring him to me!”
“Yes, Master!”
Hearing this, the crowd of followers behind him accepted the order one after another, about to transform into divine rainbows and charge toward the imperial palace.
“Gu Changge, stop right there!”
Hearing this, Chu Hao’s expression changed drastically, and he couldn’t help but shout.
He had never imagined that once Gu Changge put away his earlier mild demeanor, the fangs he revealed would be so terrifying, making his heart palpitate with dread.
Boom!!
At this moment, he stopped concealing anything. A terrifying Sacred King Realm pressure erupted from his body, instantly sweeping across the entire Vermilion Bird Imperial City.
At this moment, every single cultivator felt it — a palpitation and trembling that came from the depths of their souls, an urge to prostrate themselves toward that place.
When a Sacred Emperor rages, heaven and earth overturn at a whim; covering the moon with one hand, shattering stars with a flick of a finger — all of it effortless.
The might of a Sacred King could no longer be described in words.
If Chu Hao wished it, with a single finger he could annihilate the Vermilion Bird Imperial City before him.
“Sacred King...”
“Heavens, the Third Prince is actually a Sacred King! Simply unbelievable. When he left the Imperial City back then, he was only at the Enlightened Noble Realm, right? In just a few short centuries, he’s become a Sacred King!”
“Sss! This is simply unbelievable!”
“The Third Prince is truly a monster. Such strength can no longer be described by the word ‘prodigy.’ A Sacred King of a few hundred years — too dreamlike...”
“Before this, no one had ever heard of anyone reaching the Sacred King Realm at such an age...”
At this moment, no matter who it was, everyone was utterly shaken, eyes wide, unable to believe any of it.
Su Qingge, Ji Qingxuan, and that graceful, charming woman in the pavilion were all incomparably shocked as well.
“Chu Hao gege is as outstanding as ever, his radiance dazzling, with no one able to compare.” The graceful woman’s gaze was filled with nothing but adoration.
“Da Shixiong is actually a Sacred King... wonderful...”
“I’m saved.”
Wang Xiao couldn’t help but feel overjoyed, sensing hope.
Before this, he had never imagined that Da Shixiong was actually a Sacred King. When the time came, no matter what happened, the Supreme Cave Heaven would surely protect Da Shixiong to the death.
Then naturally, his own life would no longer be in danger.
However, the instant Chu Hao revealed his Sacred King cultivation...
Behind Gu Changge, a majestic aura rose, like a scorching sun illuminating the eternal sky — resplendent and dazzling, yet heavy as mountains and rivers.
Divine peaks and mountain ranges, rivers and vast seas, sun, moon, and stars, the turning of heaven and earth... all manner of mystical phenomena emerged.
Lifelike, as if reflected from ancient spacetime, carrying a natural, heaven-born Dao rhythm — and a terrifying Sacred Emperor’s pressure!
It was a great seal transformed into mountains and seas, majestic and weighty, surging and boundless.
The moment it appeared, the sky was blotted out, seemingly unable to bear this power, as if about to burst apart.
“A Sacred Emperor Artifact!”
Everyone’s expressions changed violently once more, horrified to the extreme.
Chu Hao revealing Sacred King cultivation was already shocking enough, but in the next moment Gu Changge directly brought out a Sacred Emperor Artifact, making everyone’s scalp go numb, their very souls nearly freezing.
What outrageous wealth was this — a young existence controlling a Sacred Emperor Artifact!
This was simply unimaginable.
Yet it had happened, and what’s more, Gu Changge could actually activate and wield it — it was no mere ornament.
“Are you certain you want to fight me?” Gu Changge’s expression still carried that utterly unconcerned nonchalance.
“You...”
Chu Hao’s face shifted violently, his heart filled with boundless fury, which he finally suppressed with all his might.
He truly had not expected Gu Changge to have been prepared all along, directly bringing out a Sacred Emperor Artifact.
If he really fought Gu Changge, then without a doubt, the entire Vermilion Bird Imperial Capital would be destroyed in an instant, reduced to dust and ruins.
Let alone a mere Imperial Capital — even the entire territory of the Vermilion Bird Empire could not withstand a clash between Sacred Emperor-level powers. The aftershocks alone would easily exceed tens of millions of li, truly world-destroying.
He had thought that revealing his Sacred King cultivation would intimidate Gu Changge into backing down, but he truly never expected Gu Changge to have so many tricks up his sleeve.
“Da Shixiong, save me!”
“If something happens to me, my clan will definitely not let the Vermilion Bird Empire off. You know my uncle, he...”
Seeing Chu Hao’s silent, suppressed expression...
Wang Xiao also realized what was happening. His heart skipped a beat, incomparable unease washing over him, the terror from before sweeping through his entire body once more.
He couldn’t help but cry out, deathly afraid, not wanting to die here.
“Hao’er, what has happened here...”
It was at this very moment.
High in the sky, the Vermilion Bird Emperor — his face pale, somewhat shocked, confused, and bewildered — was brought over by Gu Changge’s crowd of followers.
Seeing this setup, the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s heart was in a panic, deeply uneasy and frightened.
He still didn’t know what had happened.
But even a Sacred Emperor Artifact had been brought out — were they going to destroy the Vermilion Bird Empire?
“Imperial Father...”
Chu Hao gritted his teeth, forcing himself to calm down at this moment.
But seeing Gu Changge’s high-and-mighty, overlooking, casual demeanor, his heart filled with incomparable frustration and unwillingness.
With his proud bones, when had he ever suffered such stifling humiliation?
But with the Vermilion Bird Emperor in Gu Changge’s hands, what could he do besides compromise?
“Young Master Changge, this is...”
The Vermilion Bird Emperor looked at Gu Changge with utmost trepidation, asking cautiously.
“I merely invited the Vermilion Bird Emperor to come watch a bit of excitement. It’s nothing major — no need to worry too much.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly, then swept his gaze over his crowd of followers, his voice turning cold. “I told you to invite the Vermilion Bird Emperor over. Who told you to be disrespectful to him?”
“We know our error.”
“We beg Master’s forgiveness!”
Hearing this, the crowd of followers all knelt down, hurriedly playing along.
Gu Changge nodded, his expression easing slightly. “I’m sure the Vermilion Bird Emperor doesn’t mind such a small matter. You may all rise.”
“Yes, thank you, Master.”
Watching this scene, the many cultivators nearby couldn’t help but feel their guts turn to ice, cold air spreading across their backs.
Even the Vermilion Bird Emperor, before Gu Changge, looked like something that could be crushed at any moment.
Ordinary cultivators like them were probably worse than ants.
“...Hao’er...”
By now, the Vermilion Bird Emperor had roughly guessed what had happened, and he sighed inwardly.
“Imperial Father, it’s already fine.”
Chu Hao shook his head, and his tightly clenched fists couldn’t help but loosen. He chose to submit.
Then, the terrifying Sacred King pressure dissipated.
This action already demonstrated Chu Hao’s choice.
“Da Shixiong, you can’t abandon me...”
Seeing this scene, Wang Xiao couldn’t help but despair.
“The Third Prince is indeed a man who knows his place.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
Then the mountain-and-sea great seal floating behind him trembled lightly, letting fall a wisp of Sacred Emperor law. With a pu sound, it descended, and the utterly terrified Wang Xiao, unable to even resist, exploded directly — body and soul annihilated on the spot.
Truly, it fulfilled those words — torn into ten thousand pieces.
“Wang Xiao is dead...”
Standing behind Gu Changge, covered in blood, Ji Qingxuan watched this scene, her heart incomparably complicated.
There was joy, release, satisfaction... in short, hard to describe.
Someone she once had to warily guard against, not daring to lightly provoke, was before Gu Changge simply like an ant, crushed with effortless ease.
This enormous disparity left her somewhat unable to adjust for a moment.
After all, not long before this, she had still been reminding her sister Su Qingge to be on guard against Wang Xiao.
Yet she never imagined that Wang Xiao would now be annihilated in body and soul.
Ji Qingxuan’s original plan had been to borrow Gu Changge’s might to teach Wang Xiao a good lesson. She had never thought of having him die here.
“So this is what jiejie’s life is like...”
Suddenly, an improper thought arose in her — if things could stay like this forever, if the identities were never swapped back, how wonderful would that be?
“Gongzi...”
In the distance, Su Qingge also watched all of this with incomparable complexity, all five flavors mingled in her heart.
“Now that your anger’s been vented, you should feel better, right?”
Afterward, Gu Changge paid no further heed to Chu Hao, the Vermilion Bird Emperor, or the others. He walked toward Ji Qingxuan and asked casually.
In his heart, the System’s many notifications were sounding at that moment.
The Fortuity points and Fatums gained from striking at the Fortuitous One amounted to no small harvest.
As for Chu Hao’s matter, he was in no hurry. Leeks should be harvested slowly, schemed over gradually — only thus could maximum profit be obtained.
“Mm, thank you, Gongzi.”
“Gongzi is so good.”
Ji Qingxuan’s smile was very happy, and very sweet. These words came almost entirely from her heart.
She had thought Gu Changge would pick her up like he had earlier, and felt a small flicker of anticipation in her heart.
But unexpectedly, after saying those words, Gu Changge walked right past her without saying anything more.
For a moment, Ji Qingxuan thought Gu Changge had noticed something amiss, and her heart skipped with panic.
But remembering what her sister had told her, she knew Gu Changge’s personality was simply like this.
He would never do anything meaningless.
Which meant his actions just now weren’t entirely for her sake?
This made Ji Qingxuan breathe a small sigh of relief, more or less. She found that Gu Changge was truly hard to fathom — she couldn’t tell at all whether he had discovered anything or not.
Afterward, ignoring the injuries on her body, Ji Qingxuan hurriedly chased after Gu Changge.
From beginning to end, she didn’t look again at her sister Su Qingge on the other side, fearing Gu Changge would notice something unusual.
“Qingxuan will probably fall in too deep. When that happens, I won’t know what to do...”
Su Qingge sighed slightly in her heart, though she still remembered her current identity.
“Da Shixiong, what should we do about this?”
“We’ve offended Gu Changge, and now even Shidi Wang Xiao has...”
Then she couldn’t help but ask, looking somewhat worried.
Hearing this, Chu Hao squeezed out a smile and waved his hand. “It’s fine. I’ll report this matter to the sect first.”
Then he looked toward Old Xuan, whose face carried worry, and said, “As for Shidi Wang Xiao’s matter, I’ll have to trouble Old Xuan to inform the Wang Family.”
“I already did my utmost in this matter, but Gu Changge was so overbearing... there was nothing I could do.”
“I saw all of this with my own eyes and know it can’t be blamed on Old Xuan. When the Wang Family assigns blame, I will explain the circumstances to them... Old Xuan need not worry.”
Hearing this, Old Xuan nodded, his heart easing as well, and said, “Young Master Chu, rest assured. Leave this matter to this old man. The Wang Family has its own sense of justice; they will know how to handle it and won’t make things difficult for Young Master Chu.”
Speaking thus, both of them breathed sighs of relief in unison, each harboring their own worries.
Wang Xiao had died in the Vermilion Bird Empire — who knew how the Wang Family would react? After all, the one who killed him was Gu Changge.
“Right, Shimei Qingxuan, what exactly is your relationship with that woman? Do you know?”
At this moment, Chu Hao suddenly realized — why did Ji Qingxuan look so similar to that woman in white? They were practically carved from the same mold.
Hearing this, Su Qingge also put on a somewhat puzzled look, saying in confusion,
“I don’t know what’s going on either. I felt something was strange before, which is why I left the palace to come take a look outside.”
Chu Hao pondered for a moment. “Could it be that you have an older or younger sister, but your mother never told you?”
He had vaguely heard some things about Ji Qingxuan’s background — he knew her mother had fled a marriage and gone to the Overworld, only to be captured and brought back.
That was why he asked this.
“Then when I have time, I’ll go back and ask my mother.” Su Qingge nodded.
Only then did Chu Hao let the matter rest.