Chuchu Caught Off Guard — You Can't Beat Gu Changge
Chuchu Caught Off Guard — You Can’t Beat Gu Changge
“Yin Mei, what exactly is your relationship with Gu Changge?”
Meanwhile, not long after Gu Changge left, Tang Wan finally let out a breath of relief.
That incomparable pressure from before had finally vanished. Her whole body felt as though it had just been fished out of icy water, her hands and feet still cold.
That feeling left her heart palpitating, impossible to forget.
So much so that in front of Gu Changge, she hadn’t dared to speak carelessly, afraid that with one slip, she would end up addressing him as Master.
But now, she couldn’t help asking Yin Mei, knowing that by now she and Yin Mei were grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
Tang Wan subconsciously assumed that Yin Mei must be the same as her — forced by Gu Changge for some unknown reason.
In the end, she had no choice but to submit and let him plant a Slave Mark in her.
Just earlier, she had been worried that Gu Changge would use the Slave Mark to make her do things she was unwilling to do yet couldn’t refuse.
But Gu Changge hadn’t. He had simply chosen to leave, which more or less allowed Tang Wan to breathe a sigh of relief.
“I am Master’s servant, of course. What other relationship could there be?”
Hearing this, Yin Mei laughed casually, a faint smile hanging on her flawlessly beautiful face, utterly captivating.
She had personally witnessed the entire process of Gu Changge coercing Tang Wan.
Gu Changge hadn’t asked her to withdraw, which meant he already trusted her greatly.
This made Yin Mei very happy, her mood excellent, and even the fox tails behind her couldn’t help swaying gently.
“But you’re the Gifted Lady of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. Don’t you feel ashamed, saying something like that with your own mouth?”
Tang Wan was shocked. Either Yin Mei was teasing her, or the Slave Mark planted in Yin Mei was even more terrifying than the one in her.
“What’s shameful about it? In private, I am Master’s servant.”
“As long as Master has time to come see me, I’m already very happy.”
How could Yin Mei not know what Tang Wan was thinking? Yet she deliberately said it just like that, looking quite pleased about it too.
“You really are insane...”
Tang Wan’s expression turned somewhat ugly. She had been planning to privately think of a way — perhaps she could cooperate with Yin Mei to undo the Slave Marks planted in both of them.
But Yin Mei’s behavior left her truly speechless.
“Also, let me tell you something, Wan-guniang — I haven’t been planted with a Slave Mark at all,” Yin Mei said with a beaming smile.
“Impossible... Are you saying you’re doing this willingly?”
Tang Wan was shocked once again, finding it almost impossible to believe.
No Slave Mark?
Then why did Yin Mei address Gu Changge that way?
However, Yin Mei didn’t choose to answer her. Her figure had already left the courtyard.
But this act, in itself, had already given Tang Wan the answer in her heart.
She couldn’t help but tremble.
“Just how many methods is Gu Changge still hiding...”
Still, she soon calmed down and recovered her usual composure.
So that no abnormality could be seen in her.
Tang Wan deliberately waited until her injuries had healed before bringing the unconscious Tang Tian out of the courtyard. Outside, a group of Tang Family experts was waiting, somewhat anxious and uneasy.
Seeing Tang Wan walk out with Tang Tian, with no problems whatsoever, they all couldn’t help but breathe sighs of relief.
“Eldest Miss, is Young Master Tang Tian alright?” a Sacred Noble Realm cultivator couldn’t help asking. He was an attendant of the Tang Family, tall in stature, wreathed in radiant light, and utterly loyal.
“He’s fine. He’ll just probably remain unconscious for a while.”
Tang Wan said. Back then, Gu Changge had drawn out Tang Tian’s divine soul. Although he hadn’t tampered with it, there would still be some effects, more or less.
“That’s good, then.”
The attendant sighed in relief, then couldn’t help asking, “Eldest Miss, this time, did you agree to several of their conditions before they released him? This is simply too much — they’re bullying us beyond all reason!”
“That’s right! Now that Young Master Tang Tian is safe and sound, why don’t we fight our way back in and make them understand that we’re not to be trifled with either!”
The other Tang Family experts chimed in, filled with righteous indignation, feeling deeply humiliated.
Tang Wan waved her hand. “No need. Today’s matter is already settled. There’s no need to bring it up again. Take Tang Tian back to the clan, and tell my grandfather and the others that I’ll be staying in the Vermilion Bird Empire for this period of time.”
Since the clan hadn’t believed her this time, there was no need for her to keep covering things up. She might as well lay it all out plainly.
“Yes, Eldest Miss.”
Receiving their orders, the group didn’t hesitate, quickly departing with Tang Tian.
Tang Wan looked in the direction of the Vermilion Bird Empire and sighed inwardly.
Because of the Slave Mark, she simply couldn’t do anything that would betray Gu Changge or harm his interests.
Even if the thought arose in her heart, she couldn’t act on it.
The conflict between Tang Tian and Yin Mei, thanks to Tang Wan’s intervention, was ultimately resolved.
Quite a few cultivators who had been hoping to watch the show ended up somewhat disappointed. However, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Tang Wan must have agreed to some conditions from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s Gifted Lady in the end.
This minor internal struggle within the Alliance of Thousand Merchants quickly settled back into calm, like a small ripple in the ocean.
Not many people would bring it up again.
Several days later, within the Tang Family residence.
The unconscious Tang Tian finally opened his eyes. However, if anyone looked closely, they would notice faint golden, resplendent patterns flashing through the depths of his eyes, gone in an instant.
“Sss, my head hurts so much!”
“Damn it, that Yin Mei actually had someone knock me out...”
Tang Tian clutched his head in considerable pain.
But the pain came quickly and, in the end, faded quickly too.
“Eh? What’s this?”
Tang Tian was suddenly somewhat shocked.
He discovered that there seemed to be some extra memories in his mind, as if he had experienced something during his unconsciousness.
Only, these images were chaotic and blurry, as though containing some supreme profundity.
Faintly, he could only see a boundlessly vast world, within which palaces and pavilions sat atop the clouds, and even the Gates to Heaven seemed to prop open eternity itself.
“Fortune and misfortune go hand in hand. Could it be that after encountering danger this time, my great opportunity has arrived...”
Tang Tian was extremely excited. He had heard many such tales of wandering heroes in storybooks.
Stories like suddenly learning supreme divine abilities after falling unconscious — he had heard storytellers tell of those too.
But he truly never imagined that one day it would happen to him.
“No, this secret absolutely cannot be known by anyone.”
Tang Tian forcibly suppressed his emotions and stayed calm. He didn’t dare publicize something like this.
He might be a spoiled playboy, but that didn’t mean he was stupid.
Along with that ancient and mysterious vision, he discovered that there seemed to be an additional mantra in his mind?
Something called... Entanglement?
He was utterly clueless about those obscure, ancient characters, but that didn’t stop him from knowing how powerful this mantra was.
...
“Gongzi, you’re back?”
In the Imperial Capital of the Vermilion Bird Empire, deep within the palace.
A woman in white stood gracefully outside the hall, her hair soft and smooth, her fair face lustrous and glowing, carrying an obedient, quiet air.
It was none other than Ji Qingxuan, who had been waiting here for Gu Changge for several days.
Judging by appearance alone, she and Su Qingge were already indistinguishable. The only difference lay in their personalities.
Ji Qingxuan’s disposition was somewhat darker and colder, while Su Qingge was more quietly elegant and serene.
Gu Changge nodded and answered casually,
“I’m back.”
“Has anything happened in the Vermilion Bird Empire recently?”
Ji Qingxuan shook her head, then said, “No. With Gongzi going off to resolve the Eternal Overcast calamity, the Vermilion Bird Empire has been quite peaceful. However, in the Black Tortoise Empire, not far from the Vermilion Bird Empire, it seems something has happened to some prodigies.”
“Oh? The Black Tortoise Empire — isn’t that where Heavenly Monarch Ziyang and the King of Six Crowns went?”
Gu Changge put on a somewhat surprised look.
In truth, the moment Ji Qingxuan said it, he had already guessed. As the Successor of Demonic Arts, Su Qingge would definitely need to find targets during this period.
For her, the best place was actually wherever Heavenly Monarch Ziyang was.
Heavenly Monarch Ziyang had a grudge against Gu Changge, so the first person Su Qingge would want to move against would surely be Heavenly Monarch Ziyang.
Even if she couldn’t kill him, she’d at least cause him some trouble.
“Mm. Several prodigies met with misfortune — their Sources were devoured completely. It seems the Successor of Demonic Arts must have hidden among their ranks.”
Ji Qingxuan nodded, her bright eyes fixed steadily on Gu Changge.
“It seems we’re in troubled times. I hope Heavenly Monarch Ziyang and the others are alright.”
Gu Changge smiled and quickly put the matter out of his mind. Speaking of which, it was about time he made his move on Ying Shuang, who was mixed in with Heavenly Monarch Ziyang’s group.
Ying Shuang, this Body Possession-type Fortuitous One — he had free-ranged him long enough. It was time to harvest. Of course, before that, he still needed Ying Shuang to do one more thing for him.
Afterward, Gu Changge returned to the palace and, by the way, used a Communication Rune to ask Jiang Chuchu about the source of the Eternal Overcast calamity.
The Source of the Eternal Overcast he had been longing for was still waiting for Jiang Chuchu to find it for him.
However, even answering via Communication Rune, Jiang Chuchu was far from polite: “Haven’t found it.”
Short and to the point.
Gu Changge smiled and soon tossed the Communication Rune aside, paying it no further mind.
In a region far from the borders of the Vermilion Bird Empire.
Grey mist billowed to the heavens, and countless Yin Spirits ran rampant. The cities and tribes along the way had all been reduced to ash.
Jiang Chuchu’s figure stood tall in the sky, immortal light swirling around her, bone inscriptions flickering, transforming into terrifying Dao Swords that descended from all directions.
Countless Yin Spirits died miserably beneath them, none surviving.
Unlike Gu Changge, who talked about resolving the Eternal Overcast calamity but never actually lifted a finger,
Jiang Chuchu, from the very first day she arrived at the Vermilion Bird Empire, had rushed straight to this place, intending to purge the Yin Spirits and, along the way, search for the source of the eruption.
At this moment, her bright eyes were fixed on the Communication Rune, a faint expectation flickering within them. But after a long while, no word came from Gu Changge.
This caused the expression in her eyes to dim considerably, though it quickly returned to normal.
Only the movements of her hands grew sharper and more terrifying. Her Dao Swords multiplied into thousands, descending from the sky, as if she were treating all the Yin Spirits before her as Gu Changge himself.
But the next moment, she felt the Communication Rune in her jade hand seem to light up.
Jiang Chuchu’s slaughtering of the Yin Spirits paused.
She looked at the Communication Rune, her eyes somewhat puzzled.
Then, Gu Changge’s voice came from within.
“Take care of yourself.”
Equally short and to the point.
Jiang Chuchu froze, somewhat doubting whether she had heard wrong.
He was actually showing concern for her?
She listened to it once more. Mm, it was indeed the voice of that incomparably detestable, incomparably despicable, incomparably shameless bastard Gu Changge.
Jiang Chuchu felt her heart suddenly begin beating very fast. This sudden surprise caught her somewhat off guard.
“Mm.”
In the end, she softly replied with a single word.
Yet her eyes seemed to sparkle, as though starlight had fallen into them.
...
“It’s all thanks to you, Hao’er. If not for you in this Eternal Overcast calamity, the entire Vermilion Bird Empire would likely have been destroyed.”
Within the imperial palace, the Vermilion Bird Emperor spoke with deep emotion, his words carrying a sigh.
Among all the ancient empires currently suffering the Eternal Overcast calamity, who would have thought that it would be the somewhat weaker Vermilion Bird Empire that would be the first to lift its crisis?
Of course, that wasn’t to say the Eternal Overcast calamity had been resolved.
But it was no longer as imminent as it had been in those first few days, when everyone was on edge, fearing the Yin Spirits would come charging and the entire Vermilion Bird Empire would fall.
“Father Emperor exaggerates. This was simply what I ought to do.”
Chu Hao waved his hand, his expression calm and steady.
“Gratitude is still due. Hao’er has expended quite a lot these past few days — go get some proper rest.”
The Vermilion Bird Emperor said with a hearty laugh, in an excellent mood.
Chu Hao nodded, his mood quite good as well.
Although he had been holding back the Eternal Overcast calamity outside the Vermilion Bird Empire’s borders these past few days, he had also been keeping an eye on the Hidden Wang Family and the Supreme Cave Heaven.
Wang Xiao’s death had indeed enraged the Wang Family.
But in this matter, Chu Hao had offended Gu Changge without hesitation in order to protect Wang Xiao, which left the Wang Family with nothing to say and no grounds for blame.
Yet they also didn’t dare express any gratitude toward Chu Hao.
Moreover, someone from the Wang Family had even spread word that Wang Xiao deserved his fate, that his death was no loss at all...
This kind of burning-the-bridge behavior made Chu Hao’s heart burn with rage, yet there was nothing he could do.
Gu Changge’s background was simply too terrifying. Even the Hidden Wang Family was deeply apprehensive, not daring to harbor any thought of revenge.
Chu Hao had even learned that some Wang Family experts intended to come seize him and deliver him to Gu Changge as an apology.
If not for the Supreme Cave Heaven’s intervention, Wang Family experts might already have arrived.
Whether they could actually capture him wasn’t important — what mattered was the attitude.
All of this only made Chu Hao angrier and more stifled. He was one step short of pointing at the Wang Family and cursing them as shameless.
So in the end, it had all been his own wishful meddling?
However, in this matter, his own Supreme Cave Heaven had displayed an incomparably firm stance. His sect had even sent word telling Chu Hao that he needn’t worry or fear.
The Eldest Senior Brother of the Supreme Cave Heaven was second to none!
Upon receiving this news, Chu Hao was greatly invigorated.
“Guozhu, in resolving this calamity, the prodigies of the True Immortal Academy also deserve no small credit. I saw how brave they all were, fearless of death, blocking many of the Yin Spirits to the east.”
At this moment, an old eunuch beside the Vermilion Bird Emperor couldn’t help but say with a smile upon hearing this.
However, the moment these words left his mouth, the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s expression changed, somewhat angered, and he waved his hand. “In my presence, do not mention them.”
He still couldn’t forget what Gu Changge had done that day.
Now that everyone before him was a trusted confidant, there was naturally no need to keep up a show of reverence.
“Do you really think they acted out of kindness? It’s nothing more than the more Yin Spirits they kill, the higher their points, and the more it benefits them.”
The Vermilion Bird Emperor said with a hint of a cold sneer.
“But... they truly did resolve quite a few troubles for the Vermilion Bird Empire, killing many Yin Spirits and preventing our lands from falling again.”
The old eunuch was somewhat taken aback, then explained.
“Hmph!”
The Vermilion Bird Emperor snorted coldly. “So what? Even without them, Hao’er would still have resolved this calamity.”
Because of Gu Changge, he had long since lost all goodwill toward these high-and-mighty prodigies.
“These prodigies — if not for the True Immortal Academy’s trial, would they have come here at all?”
“This is their mission. Even if it were some other ancient empire instead of the Vermilion Bird Empire, it would be all the same to them. So, Eunuch Li, you needn’t read too much into it.”
“This time, even with Gu Changge leading all those prodigies, the Yin Spirits they exterminated didn’t amount to as many as I killed alone.”
Chu Hao also smiled gently and explained, “So, in truth, Father Emperor is right. Even without them, I could have resolved this calamity on my own.”
As he was speaking, a guard’s voice came from outside the palace.
“Third Prince, Wan-guniang requests an audience.”
“Wan’er?”
Chu Hao was startled, then revealed a look of delight. He no longer cared about the Vermilion Bird Emperor beside him and went straight out to welcome her.
At the palace entrance, Tang Wan stood there, graceful in bearing, her sleeves fluttering, a smile on her face.
“What brings you here today?” Chu Hao asked with a smile.
“I happened to settle some matters recently, so I have a bit of time,” Tang Wan said with a smile.
“I know — it’s about your younger brother Tang Tian, right?”
Chu Hao had heard of the matter. In his view, Tang Wan must have been schemed against by that so-called Gifted Lady of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan.
“That matter is already resolved.” Tang Wan smiled and didn’t elaborate on it.
“That’s good. If you’ve suffered any grievance, you must tell me,” Chu Hao said.
Tang Wan froze. Gu Changge’s figure abruptly surfaced in her mind, and fear involuntarily rose in her heart. She didn’t dare say more.
She waved her hand. “Chu Hao-gege, don’t worry. I haven’t suffered any grievance.”
“That’s good, then.”
“Actually, I came this time because there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, Chu Hao-gege.” Tang Wan chose her words carefully.
“Oh? What is it? Could it be about dealing with Gu Changge?”
Chu Hao asked. He still had the Jade Tablet Tang Wan had given him last time, which clearly listed the many prodigies who had grudges and conflicts with Gu Changge.
He subconsciously assumed Tang Wan had come to help him, and a warm current couldn’t help flowing through his heart.
Hearing this, Tang Wan suddenly sighed, and only then said, “It is indeed about Gu Changge... Chu Hao-gege, I think you should endure for now, and wait until this matter blows over.”
“Gu Changge’s edge is too sharp right now. I’m worried about you...”
“What?”
However, before she could finish, Chu Hao interrupted her, somewhat incredulous. “Wan’er, what on earth happened? Why would you suddenly say something like this?”
“Did the Tang Family behind you put pressure on you?”
Some time ago, Tang Wan hadn’t held this attitude. Or had she caught wind of something?
Tang Wan looked at him steadily, and in the end said helplessly, “Chu Hao-gege, as you are now, you can’t beat Gu Changge.”
“A wise man doesn’t fight losing battles. Listen to me, alright? Just endure this humiliation for now?”
She didn’t know how else to put it.
Gu Changge’s meaning back then had been that as long as Chu Hao didn’t come provoke or obstruct him, he couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.
In other words, this matter could actually be put behind them as long as Chu Hao simply endured a little.
Against Gu Changge, Chu Hao couldn’t gain the slightest advantage.