Reluctantly Believed, the Pampering That Should Have Been Hers
Reluctantly Believed, the Pampering That Should Have Been Hers
Inside the great hall, the atmosphere was somewhat strange.
The two sisters who had just been at each other’s throats, blades drawn, exchanged a glance in unison, each seeing in the other’s eyes a deeply hidden nervousness and worry.
They had been completely unprepared for Gu Changge’s sudden arrival.
They had no idea how long Gu Changge had been there, or whether he had overheard what the two of them had said earlier.
But at this point, no matter what, they could only steel themselves and play along.
Ji Qingxuan’s face bloomed with a smile as she affectionately wrapped her arm around Gu Changge’s, explaining, “She’s the younger sister I mentioned to you, Gongzi—Ji Qingxuan, the heaven-blessed daughter of the Hidden Ji Family.”
“When I first met my sister, I was absolutely stunned.”
“She looks exactly like me, so the two of us can recognize each other at a glance.”
“Now that I think about it, didn’t we meet once back in the Vermilion Bird Empire?”
Hearing this, Gu Changge nodded as if suddenly recalling.
“Qingxuan greets Young Master Changge.”
By now, Su Qingge had also regained her composure, her face carrying just the right measure of respect as she spoke.
No matter how great the conflict between her and Ji Qingxuan had been just moments ago, the first priority now was to bury all of it deep and not reveal the slightest flaw.
Ideally, Gu Changge wouldn’t detect even a hint of anything unusual.
“No need for formalities.” Gu Changge nodded slightly, withdrawing his scrutinizing gaze from Su Qingge.
“Just now, I heard quite a commotion from outside the hall. I thought something major had happened.”
Then, as if something had occurred to him, he spoke again, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Hearing this, both Su Qingge and Ji Qingxuan felt their hearts tighten, cold sweat beading in their palms.
“It wasn’t anything serious, really.”
“I was actually sparring with my sister just now. She’s always believed she’s stronger than me, and I didn’t believe it, so we started fighting right here in the hall to settle it once and for all. I never expected Gongzi would arrive at this exact moment...”
Ji Qingxuan reacted quickly, her face wearing its usual obedient expression as she explained.
“If you don’t believe me, you can ask Qingxuan. Her strength is truly formidable. She gave me quite a shock today—I was nearly no match for her.”
As she finished, she pointed at Su Qingge, signaling for her to speak.
“Yes, I was sparring with my sister just now. I never imagined it would draw Young Master Changge’s attention.”
Su Qingge understood exactly what Ji Qingxuan meant.
But at this moment, she could only steel herself and go along with the explanation.
Although she felt this excuse was rather far-fetched—given Gu Changge’s nature, he most likely wouldn’t believe it.
“Oh, so that’s what it was. It seems the competitive spirit between you sisters runs quite deep.”
Hearing this explanation, the smile on Gu Changge’s lips deepened.
However, he didn’t press the matter any further.
Just as Ji Qingxuan and Su Qingge feared, Gu Changge had actually arrived quite some time ago.
Not only had he personally witnessed the drama of the two sisters turning against each other, he had also seen the trump cards Ji Qingxuan and Su Qingge currently held.
This left Gu Changge somewhat caught between laughter and exasperation.
Of course, he had no intention of exposing the two of them. Su Qingge was now the true Successor of Demonic Arts.
If he exposed their identity swap, that would mean Su Qingge’s identity as the Successor of Demonic Arts would be revealed.
That would do Gu Changge no good either—it would bring him no small amount of trouble.
So what he needed to do now was simply play dumb while knowing full well the truth.
“My sister’s competitive spirit is indeed a bit strong...”
Seeing that Gu Changge wasn’t asking any further questions, Ji Qingxuan couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Yet for some reason, both Ji Qingxuan and Su Qingge couldn’t shake the feeling that Gu Changge had only reluctantly believed their explanation.
This left both of them feeling deeply unsettled, sensing that Gu Changge had actually already figured out their identity swap.
Everything now was merely an act he was deliberately putting on.
But as long as Gu Changge didn’t bring it up, how could they dare say anything more?
Gu Changge’s thoughts were not something they could fathom.
“Gongzi, did you come here this time for some particular matter?”
Ji Qingxuan then blinked her eyes and asked curiously.
Given Gu Changge’s current status and position, the Chaotic Star Territory was hardly worth his attention.
“Do I need a reason to come? Can’t I just come to see you?”
Gu Changge smiled faintly and countered, seemingly amused by her question.
Ji Qingxuan had actually guessed this was likely the reason.
A faint blush rose on her lovely face as she said joyfully, “Gongzi, I’m so happy and touched that you came to see me.”
“I even thought you had forgotten all about me.”
Gu Changge smiled, his gaze still gentle. “What silly things are you saying? How could I ever forget you?”
“Gongzi, you’re so good to me.”
Ji Qingxuan’s heart was filled with joy and emotion as she clung tightly to Gu Changge’s arm, not wanting to let go in the slightest.
She snuck a glance at Su Qingge, her expression carrying a hint of smugness and provocation.
Seeing this scene, Su Qingge kept her eyes lowered the whole time, yet an inexplicable sourness welled up in her heart.
She knew none of this could be blamed on anyone else—it was all the result of her own doing, the choice she had stubbornly made back then.
Now, even though her true self stood right before Gu Changge, she could only act like a stranger.
Instead, it was her sister who, as a matter of course, enjoyed the pampering that rightfully belonged to her.
At this moment, Su Qingge even felt that if Ji Qingxuan wanted to kill her, that would be perfectly normal.
Because even she herself was beginning to harbor such emotions.
After that, Gu Changge and Ji Qingxuan chatted about many things—the various changes in the Chaotic Star Territory during this period, and some of the rare treasures she had seized.
Su Qingge, meanwhile, stood off to the side like an outsider, looking utterly out of place.
The feeling of having something that clearly belonged to her snatched away by her own sister left her heart aching with an indescribable bitterness.
“Su Qingge, don’t you dare be foolish. You are the Successor of Demonic Arts, and Gu Changge is the leader of the younger generation. Do you really think that once your true identity is exposed, he’ll still tolerate your existence?”
“Don’t forget what he said back then—he would kill you with his own hands.”
“The way things are now is the best possible arrangement.”
In Su Qingge’s mind, the voice of her other soul rang out, cold and mocking, shattering her fantasies.
Hearing these words,
a self-deprecating curve formed at the corner of Su Qingge’s lips. She glanced at Gu Changge and Ji Qingxuan chatting happily not far away, and gradually calmed down.
She was destined to be someone who lived in shadow and darkness.
While Gu Changge shone with dazzling brilliance, his future beyond imagination—the two of them were never meant to be people of the same world.
Soon after, news of Gu Changge’s arrival sent the entire Chaos City into a frenzy.
This place was a mixed bag of all sorts—countless cultivators and beings who, having offended powerful enemies, had no choice but to flee their homelands and settle here long-term.
Although everyone ordinarily knew that the current ruler of Chaos City was Ji Qingxuan, the one called the Chaos Queen,
many people knew that Ji Qingxuan was merely the figurehead. The true master behind this vast Chaotic Star Territory was Gu Changge.
Now that Gu Changge had personally arrived, every cultivator and being was shaken to the core, utterly astonished.
During this period, news about Gu Changge had swept across the Beyond like a hurricane.
Many people longed to see Gu Changge with their own eyes, to catch a glimpse of his true visage.
However, Chaos City’s rules were strict—even many high-level figures dared not set foot in the inner city without permission.
Because of this, Ji Qingxuan specially ordered a grand welcoming banquet to be held.
Many families within Chaos City were able to attend, presenting lavish gifts in tribute.
“The Beyond has been quite lively these days.”
At the banquet, Gu Changge sat in the seat of honor and chuckled softly.
Beside him, Ji Qingxuan picked out dishes for him.
Hearing his near-sighing remark, she was somewhat puzzled and couldn’t help asking, “Gongzi, why do you suddenly say that?”
On the other side, Su Qingge, who had been drinking alone, also paused her movements at these words and looked over with focused eyes.
“I just suddenly remembered some things. These past days, quite a few high-level figures from the great sects and orthodoxies have sought me out, asking me to keep an eye out for traces of that Successor of Demonic Arts.”
Gu Changge wore a calm smile as he spoke casually.
“The Successor of Demonic Arts?”
Hearing these words, Ji Qingxuan’s expression changed slightly.
She knew the Successor of Demonic Arts was someone who had escaped from Gu Changge’s hands multiple times—his strength was unimaginable.
During this period, news of the Successor of Demonic Arts reappearing in the world had indeed caused quite an uproar.
Even the Successor of War Immortal Manor had nearly died at the hands of the Successor of Demonic Arts.
The expressions of everyone in the hall shifted as well.
Su Qingge, who had been picking up food, felt her jade hand stiffen momentarily, seeming slightly unnatural, but she quickly recovered, and no one noticed anything amiss.
She hadn’t expected Gu Changge to suddenly bring up the matter of the Successor of Demonic Arts at this moment.
This made her heart jolt, and she couldn’t help but listen with full concentration.
Gu Changge now stood at the very pinnacle of power in the Beyond.
If the various orthodoxies and forces had plans targeting the Successor of Demonic Arts, they might well discuss them with him.
From these words, she could prepare herself in advance.
“Yes, the Successor of Demonic Arts. That fellow escaped from my hands several times back then, and I thought he had vanished without a trace.”
“Who would have thought he’d pop up again during this period? Truly unexpected.” Gu Changge took a light sip and shook his head gently, seemingly sighing with emotion.
“No matter how strong that Successor of Demonic Arts is, how could he possibly be a match for Gongzi?”
“He’s nothing more than a defeated foe of yours.”
Ji Qingxuan huffed lightly, her words brimming with reverence for Gu Changge.
“That may be so, but there’s no helping how good he is at hiding. However, I hear that this time he slipped up—the Successor of War Immortal Manor survived, and during their battle, he seemingly caught a glimpse of the Successor of Demonic Arts’ true face.”
Gu Changge shook his head and spoke casually, as if discussing trivial household matters.
Naturally, he had made all of this up on the spot. How would he know anything about the War Immortal Manor’s affairs? While the two sides weren’t exactly mortal enemies, their relationship wasn’t friendly either.
His reason for saying this was mainly to test Su Qingge’s reaction.
If she had truly carelessly exposed her real face, then Gu Changge would have no choice but to have Bai Lian’er do everything possible to kill the Successor of War Immortal Manor.
Gu Changge would not allow such a loose end to remain alive in this world.
“Slipped up? So that means the War Immortal Manor will soon be able to find the real Successor of Demonic Arts?”
Hearing these words, Ji Qingxuan was somewhat astonished. She hadn’t expected that the Successor of Demonic Arts, for all his meticulousness, would expose his true face during this assassination attempt.
If that were the case, wouldn’t the Successor of Demonic Arts’ true identity soon be revealed to the world?
Su Qingge’s heart jolted, her brows furrowing slightly, her expression turning somewhat unnatural.
Failing to kill the Successor of War Immortal Manor had indeed been her blunder.
But from beginning to end, she had never revealed her true face—so how had the Successor of War Immortal Manor discovered what she looked like?
She was somewhat puzzled.
Could it be that the War Immortal Manor possessed some secret art capable of retracing the scene? But she had always been extremely careful, carrying a Supreme Treasure that obscured and confused the heavenly secrets.
So where exactly had things gone wrong?
Su Qingge didn’t doubt Gu Changge’s words in the slightest—on the contrary, she believed them completely.
“Perhaps that fellow possesses some Divine Talent that allows him to peer at your true face. Failing to kill him was indeed your blunder.”
“Those golden cross-shaped pupils of his do indeed hold unfathomable, mysterious power.”
The other soul in her mind sighed softly, seemingly somewhat helpless as well.
Su Qingge’s expression had already returned to calm as she asked inwardly, “Then what should I do from now on? Flee for my life, find a place to hide, or change my appearance entirely?”
She had long anticipated that this day would come—she just hadn’t expected it to arrive so quickly.
Still, at this moment, Su Qingge wasn’t particularly flustered and began pondering countermeasures.
“From the looks of it, we can only adapt as things unfold.”
“If it truly comes to that, go to Devil Mountain and seek refuge with that one. She will take you in.”
The other soul replied, then gradually fell silent.
Su Qingge nodded, her expression calm.
“Regarding the matter of the Ji Family that I mentioned to you before—have you given it any thought?”
Then, midway through the banquet, Gu Changge seemed to suddenly remember something and asked Ji Qingxuan beside him with considerable interest.
Ji Qingxuan was first taken aback, then came to her senses, becoming somewhat delighted, the ambition in her eyes undisguised as she answered almost without hesitation, “If Gongzi is willing to help us sisters, we would naturally be more than willing.”