A Hint of Love and Hate, the Assassination
A Hint of Love and Hate, the Assassination
## The Cruel Truth, Perhaps Also Forced by Circumstances
Inside the palace, immortal mist curled through the air. Gu Changge, dressed in magnificent robes of black and yellow, sat upon the main seat, exuding an air of nobility and mystery.
When Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue entered, he was quietly drinking wine, a languid smile hanging upon his incomparably handsome face.
“Greetings, Young Master Changge.”
Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue merely raised their heads to glance at Gu Changge before cupping their fists respectfully.
“Brother Yaoxing, Miss Chuyue, no need for such formality. Please, sit.”
Gu Changge glanced at them, smiled faintly, and gestured for them to take their seats.
The two of them could not fathom Gu Changge’s purpose in summoning them, but they dared not refuse his goodwill.
After they sat down.
Yin Mei walked over and poured wine for the two of them. The rich, mellow fragrance of the wine permeated the air, swirling within the bronze cups, wisps of radiant light interweaving within.
“Thank you, Young Master Changge, for bestowing this wine upon us.”
“May I ask why Young Master Changge has called my sister and me here today?”
Yaoxing raised his cup, toasted Gu Changge, and then asked respectfully.
Beside him, Ji Chuyue wore a pale yellow dress, her face like the bright moon, her skin fine and fair, her hair soft and smooth—moving and beautiful. At this moment, she imitated her brother’s manner and toasted Gu Changge as well.
The two of them felt somewhat apprehensive. As the saying goes, keeping company with a lord is like keeping company with a tiger. By Gu Changge’s side, they had to weigh every single word for a long time before speaking.
Such was the nervousness in their hearts.
At this Divine Rock Conference, the matter of Gu Changge fighting the demoness in red had spread to all parties. Many people believed that even without using the Supreme Treasure he had obtained in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, he could contend with a True Daoist.
Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue feared him all the more.
“Brother Yaoxing, there’s no need to be nervous. The reason I’ve called you two siblings here is to discuss with you the matter of rescuing your Founding Ancestor,” Gu Changge said with a faint smile.
Hearing this, the two of them relaxed somewhat, no longer as tense as before.
Ji Chuyue also let out a long breath. She actually couldn’t quite understand why Gu Changge would help their clan so selflessly, without seeking anything in return.
Could it be to rescue their Founding Ancestor and then resolve the calamity of the Absolute Yin Heaven?
Or was there some other reason?
“Young Master Changge’s great kindness and virtue—our Ji Family will never forget it.”
“Regarding the rescue of our Founding Ancestor, we must trouble Young Master Changge. After discussion among our clan’s several old ancestors, we’ve decided to act three days from now. At that time, the various forces will gather at the foot of Kun Mountain and first use Dao Artifacts to clear a path.”
Ji Yaoxing wasted no words, laying out his clan’s current plans in full, hiding nothing.
Gu Changge sipped his wine while nodding with a slight smile. “A fine plan indeed. Since it’s three days from now, then I shall certainly bring the Gu Family’s experts along, to contribute my share of strength toward rescuing Senior Ji Shengchu.”
Hearing these words, both Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue couldn’t help but show expressions of gratitude, raising their cups one after another to toast Gu Changge.
Regardless of Gu Changge’s motives, when it came to helping the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor, he had indeed rendered great assistance.
“Actually, I have some understanding of the dangers of Kun Mountain. I feel that if you rush in so rashly, the chances of rescuing Senior Ji Shengchu are not great.”
“I wonder if Brother Yaoxing still remembers that fellow named Jiang Chen from Purple Mountains last time? He actually possesses the inheritance of a Divine Source Master, and toward all manner of dangerous places, he has an almost instinctive ability to seek fortune and avoid calamity. If we can find him this time, I think he might be of great help.”
Subsequently, Gu Changge smiled faintly and suddenly brought up Jiang Chen with pointed meaning.
“The Jiang Chen that Young Master Changge speaks of—is he the one who charged into Purple Mountains back then?”
Ji Yaoxing’s heart tightened, though his face showed a somewhat puzzled expression as he asked.
Ji Chuyue also hadn’t expected Gu Changge to suddenly mention Jiang Chen, and she felt an inexplicable worry for him.
She remembered well that Jiang Chen had always wanted to take revenge on Gu Changge. This time, Jiang Chen had disguised himself as a Source Master and was following at the side of the An Clan’s eldest young lady, An Xi—something she actually knew about.
Moreover, what worried her most was that her brother Ji Yaoxing knew Jiang Chen’s current true identity.
“It is indeed him. He did not die within Purple Mountains when it collapsed.”
“Afterward, he appeared within the Godly Illusion Tomb, activated the Array Patterns within, trapped and killed the leaders of many great sects, and then even snatched away the Godly Illusion Divinity Crystal, provoking a catastrophe of monumental proportions.”
Gu Changge shook his head slightly with a smile, pinning this black pot firmly onto Jiang Chen in just a few words.
Of course, what he said was also the current consensus of the various orthodoxies and forces of the Beyond.
After all, even now, many people were still hunting for Jiang Chen’s whereabouts, seeking to avenge their sect leaders.
“I understand. As long as we can find this person, our plan to rescue our Founding Ancestor this time will have a much greater chance of success.”
Ji Yaoxing nodded, his expression turning solemn, understanding Gu Changge’s meaning.
He did not doubt Jiang Chen’s abilities—to rely on such meager cultivation and yet trap and kill the leaders of many great sects within the Godly Illusion Tomb.
Such methods and such audacity—how could an ordinary person compare?
Gu Changge wore an approving smile and nodded. “It’s good that Brother Yaoxing understands my meaning. The key to rescuing your Founding Ancestor this time lies largely with that Successor of a Divine Source Master.”
Kunwu City was covered with his informants, so as long as he wished to investigate, he could easily learn that Ji Chuyue had gone to see Jiang Chen some time ago.
From this, it was highly likely that Ji Yaoxing already knew Jiang Chen’s true identity.
Gu Changge told him all this merely so that he would seize Jiang Chen and bring him along when the time came.
To avoid startling the snake in the grass, Gu Changge could only pretend for now that he didn’t know who Jiang Chen was.
Otherwise, if Jiang Chen became a frightened bird, unwilling to exert his remaining usefulness and enter Kun Mountain, then Gu Changge’s plan targeting the Ji Family’s Founding Ancestor would fall through.
Afterward, Gu Changge spoke with Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue about a few more matters before showing weariness and waving them away.
“The matter of Jiang Chen bearing the demonic seed—it’s time to find an opportunity to expose it...”
He watched the departing backs of the Ji siblings, lightly tapping his wine cup.
In terms of cultivation, Jiang Chen and the Successor of Demonic Arts were worlds apart.
But this did not hinder Gu Changge from using it to muddy the waters, making already turbid waters even murkier.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Kunwu City.
After taking their leave, Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue both wore somewhat heavy expressions as they headed back to their residence, clearly burdened with thoughts.
“Brother, you’re not really going to expose Jiang Chen’s identity, are you?”
Ji Chuyue finally couldn’t hold back and asked with some worry.
Ji Yaoxing glanced at her and shook his head. “Then tell me, do you have a better idea?”
“For the sake of an outsider who has nothing to do with us, could you bear to watch our Founding Ancestor suffer and languish within Kun Mountain?”
These words left Ji Chuyue momentarily speechless, unable to find any grounds for rebuttal.
“There is no more room for maneuver in this matter. When it comes to rescuing our Founding Ancestor, anything can be sacrificed—even this friend of yours.”
Ji Yaoxing’s words seemed utterly cold.
“Moreover, do you think Gu Changge suddenly bringing this up was a coincidence? Or has he already learned something?”
These words sent a chill down Ji Chuyue’s back—the more she thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
Ji Yaoxing sighed. “For the sake of the family, little sister, what you should be doing now is actually being more like Ji Qingxuan.”
“Brother, you want me to curry favor with Gu Changge too?” Ji Chuyue’s eyes suddenly widened, her face full of disbelief.
At this moment, Ji Yaoxing felt like a complete stranger to her.
“This isn’t my idea—it’s Father’s. Compared to Ji Qingxuan, in terms of looks you are no inferior to her; in terms of status within the Ji Family, she is beneath you.”
“Your qualifications are far better than hers. For people like you and me, marriage agreements have always been matters beyond our control. We have no right to choose.”
Ji Yaoxing sighed softly, looking at Ji Chuyue’s somewhat paling face with a trace of reluctance.
“So you all intend for me to become Gu Changge’s Concubine?” Ji Chuyue’s face was pale, her jade hands clenched tight.
“If only it were so—that would actually be for the best. But it seems Gu Changge likely wouldn’t think much of you.”
Ji Yaoxing sighed. “You must understand, even without Gu Changge, your future husband would still be some young talent from another force.”
“I know you harbor some feelings for that Jiang Chen, but in the end he’s just a poor boy with no power and no influence. On top of that, he’s offended Gu Changge.”
Hearing such cruel words from her own brother’s mouth for the first time made Ji Chuyue’s delicate body tremble, her face turning white, finding it hard to accept.
But she also understood clearly—this was reality.
In the northwest corner of Kunwu City, within an extremely quiet and secluded courtyard.
An Xi, Jiang Chen, Niu Tian, the Young War Immortal, and the others were gathered here, chatting and laughing merrily, appearing thoroughly carefree and at ease.
The table was laid with all manner of rare delicacies, with numerous beautiful maids attending them at the side.
“This kind of life—this is the life a cultivator ought to have.”
Jiang Chen looked at the table full of delicacies and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, thinking of his own frugal and hardscrabble life these past days.
The fierce beast meat before him started at tens of thousands of Spiritual Stones per portion.
Ordinarily he wouldn’t even dare look at such things, and even the maids attending them were beautiful and charming, delicate and lovely.
Such a life filled him with envy.
Only successors of ancient immortal clans and supreme orthodoxies like An Xi and the Young War Immortal could enjoy such things so easily.
The resources and cultivation techniques that ordinary Cultivators pursued their entire lives—these people possessed from the moment they were born.
“If Brother Jiang wishes it, with your status as a Source Master, obtaining all of this would be an effortless matter, wouldn’t it?”
The Young War Immortal smiled faintly, his handsome face bearing a refined smile, golden cross-shaped runes occasionally flashing through his eyes.
Judging from his aura, he had actually mostly recovered—his Source was not severely wounded as the outside world speculated.
Jiang Chen smiled bitterly. “Brother War Immortal flatters me. I know full well what level I’m at.”
Subsequently, after a few cups of wine went down, his face flushed somewhat red. Seeing this grand feast, he involuntarily thought of Ruoyin again, and his mood instantly became utterly miserable.
“There are fragrant grasses everywhere under heaven—Little Chenzi, why must you keep pining for her?”
After the Divine Rock Conference, the straightforward Niu Tian had also asked Jiang Chen about Xiao Ruoyin. Through indirect probing he had come to understand some of it, so at this moment he couldn’t help but offer persuasion, appearing deeply concerned.
“Niu Tian, you don’t understand. Only now have I finally realized why she left so decisively. After all, following Gu Changge, her daily life is a thousand times more luxurious than everything before my eyes. How could she bear to give that up?”
Jiang Chen’s eyes were somewhat red, his fists clenched tight, his voice low and hoarse.
He was deeply unwilling to accept it. Thinking back over this period—the way Xiao Ruoyin had walked strangely back then, the way she had been evasive when speaking—what did that mean?
Laughably, he had still naively believed back then that she had truly twisted her ankle.
“Xiao Ruoyin shouldn’t be the kind of person who despises the poor and fawns on the rich, who curries favor with the powerful. I think she must have had her own difficulties.”
“Perhaps she was forced by circumstances.”
Niu Tian, seeing Jiang Chen in such heartache, sighed endlessly.
An Xi, who had remained silent all along, now couldn’t help but show a strange expression on her face, beginning to understand the whole story.
So Jiang Chen had recently suffered the calamity of Gu Changge snatching away his beloved.
The woman he loved had been taken by Gu Changge.
In that case, this was an even better opportunity for her to win Jiang Chen over.
However, just as An Xi was about to open her mouth to persuade and comfort Jiang Chen—
Outside the courtyard, a murderous aura suddenly swept over them, carrying an ice-cold, bone-piercing killing intent, abruptly enveloping the entire place.
“Not good—assassins!”
The Young War Immortal was the first to sense something wrong. His expression changed drastically as he shot to his feet.