So He Actually Had a Real Identity — He Was Being Framed
So He Actually Had a Real Identity — He Was Being Framed
A matter of life and death — I figured you’d save her. (Please subscribe)
“An old acquaintance is looking for me?”
Inside the palace hall, Xiao Ruoyin sat cross-legged, ancient silver runes glittering and flickering across her body. Hearing the disciple’s report from outside the hall, she suddenly opened her eyes.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she wondered whether it was Jiang Chen looking for her.
During this period, she had stayed within the Skyward Schloss’s encampment and hadn’t gone out at all, so she still didn’t know what had happened in the Star-Picking Tower today.
“Yes. This is a letter that your old acquaintance, Ruoyin-shijie, entrusted me to deliver. Please have a look.”
The disciple outside the palace spoke respectfully, letter in hand.
After a moment of thought, Xiao Ruoyin nodded, rose, and walked toward the palace entrance, somewhat curious about what Jiang Chen wanted with her.
As it happened, she had also been looking for Jiang Chen, intending to try to take back her Celestial Boat of Creation.
However, when Xiao Ruoyin opened the letter, she froze, her delicate brows knitting tightly together.
It’s Niu Tian looking for me, not Jiang Chen?
Xiao Ruoyin’s expression shifted slightly. The handwriting on the letter was something only she could recognize.
The content was simple: Jiang Chen was in trouble and needed her help.
This made her hesitate, wondering whether she should go meet Niu Tian.
Ever since awakening the memories of the High Priestess of Destiny...
Her old friends — including Niu Tian, Jiang Chen, and the rest — were actually all insignificant in her eyes now. As long as they didn’t interfere with her return to her peak, that was all that mattered.
Of the myriad paths in this world, only the Great Dao stands alone.
Jiang Chen, because he was formed from the Artifact Spirit of the Celestial Boat of Creation, was somewhat special to her, which was why he warranted extra attention.
“What kind of trouble has Jiang Chen run into, that Niu Tian needs to come beg me for help?”
Then, Xiao Ruoyin’s expression returned to normal. After thinking it over carefully, she still decided to go meet Niu Tian.
In an inn outside the Skyward Schloss, she quickly followed the letter’s directions and found Niu Tian in a corner.
“Ruoyin, you came!”
Niu Tian, who had been waiting anxiously with furrowed brows, hadn’t expected Xiao Ruoyin to arrive so quickly. Looking up and seeing her, his face showed delighted surprise.
In his view, Xiao Ruoyin coming so quickly to see him meant she still cared deeply about Jiang Chen’s life and death, and wouldn’t just stand by and watch.
However, the Xiao Ruoyin of today was quite different from the Xiao Ruoyin he used to know.
Though her appearance hadn’t changed much, she exuded an aloof, otherworldly coldness, like a fairy of the Moon Palace who might ride the wind away at any moment.
White robes fluttering, dark hair dancing, her face fair and flawless, her features exquisitely beautiful, her crystalline eyes carrying an unfathomable depth.
Compared to Niu Tian, who stood up in excitement, Xiao Ruoyin appeared calm and indifferent. She glanced at him and said, “What kind of trouble has Jiang Chen fallen into, that you needed to come find me?”
Her tone was flat, with no intention of reminiscing with an old friend.
This distant, indifferent demeanor made Niu Tian’s smile freeze on his face. He seemed somewhat embarrassed and incredulous, then slowly sat back down.
The bitter smile in his heart deepened, and he felt a sense of loss, finding the Xiao Ruoyin before him truly unfamiliar.
It made him recall how, during this period, Jiang Chen had poured out his grievances to him, mentioning Xiao Ruoyin’s many changes.
“If it weren’t urgent, I actually wouldn’t want to trouble you either, but I truly have no other options. Right now, you’re probably the only one who can save Jiang Chen... He’s in grave danger — a matter of life and death. Today, in the Star-Picking Tower, he was captured by people Gu Changge sent.”
Niu Tian took a deep breath, calmed himself, and then recounted everything that had happened today to Xiao Ruoyin in full detail.
“Jiang Chen was captured by Gu Changge?”
After hearing all this, Xiao Ruoyin’s brows immediately furrowed. She felt this matter was thorny, not as simple as Niu Tian imagined.
She was currently walking on thin ice at Gu Changge’s side, careful at every step — nothing like the comfortable, carefree life everyone imagined.
How could she possibly save Jiang Chen?
“There was no helping it. Today at the Star-Picking Tower, Jiang Chen’s disguise was seen through by Gu Changge. He’s probably being held prisoner right now, his fate unknown.”
“Falling into the hands of someone as ruthless as Gu Changge, Jiang Chen will probably suffer inhuman torture. If no one saves him, he’ll likely have a hard time surviving,” Niu Tian sighed, his words carrying unconcealable grief.
“What makes you think I can save Jiang Chen?”
Hearing this, Xiao Ruoyin fell silent for a moment. Her expression didn’t change as she asked in a flat voice.
“Gu Changge treats you so well. I think you should have a way, Ruoyin. You just need to whisper a few words in Gu Changge’s ear, put in a good plea, and maybe, for your sake, he’ll let Jiang Chen go.”
At this, Niu Tian gave a bitter smile.
Xiao Ruoyin’s delicate brows furrowed. She couldn’t tell whether Niu Tian was being sincere or purely sarcastic.
What kind of person was Gu Changge — didn’t he know?
If she dared to plead before Gu Changge, what would the consequences be?
And what would Gu Changge think?
Her situation would probably become even worse then.
“Ruoyin, don’t misunderstand — I really don’t mean anything else by it. When Gu Changge released us from the dungeon back then, he should have already known about your relationship with Jiang Chen.”
“Given that friendship, if you plead with him, it shouldn’t be a big deal. If you really can’t do it, then I’ll just have to find another way.”
Seeing Xiao Ruoyin fall silent, Niu Tian couldn’t help growing anxious, worried she would refuse, and hurriedly explained.
“I understand. I’ll do my best. But whether I can save Jiang Chen, I can’t guarantee.”
After a long silence, Xiao Ruoyin sighed inwardly, then agreed.
She also knew there was no other way now, no other choice.
If Gu Changge killed Jiang Chen, then she would never get her Celestial Boat of Creation back.
No matter the reason, she had to find a way to save Jiang Chen — at the very least, she couldn’t let Gu Changge kill him now.
“That’s wonderful! I knew you’d definitely agree.”
Niu Tian’s face lit up with joy, and he let out a long breath of relief.
Having obtained Xiao Ruoyin’s promise, he didn’t linger any longer, hastily taking his leave, afraid of bringing gossip and criticism upon her.
In his view, for Xiao Ruoyin to have attained her current status and position, she must have paid some price.
Besides her beauty, he couldn’t think of anything else she had to offer.
“He really doesn’t give me a moment’s peace.”
Watching Niu Tian leave, Xiao Ruoyin shook her head. After thinking for a moment, she headed toward the place where Gu Changge had been staying lately.
She knew that tomorrow Gu Changge would lead people to storm Kun Mountain to rescue that Ji Family ancestor, and who knew how much time would be wasted inside.
If she didn’t seize the time to see Gu Changge now, who knew how long she’d have to wait for the next chance.
Huala—
At this moment, in a damp, dim dungeon, a young man covered in blood lay unconscious on the ground in a wretched state.
The next instant, as a basin of cold water was suddenly splashed down, he jolted and snapped his eyes open. They were bloodshot, still filled with rage and hatred.
“Awake?”
The jailer beside him sneered, setting down the basin of cold water he had been about to splash.
Jiang Chen’s expression gradually cleared from its daze, and he struggled to climb up from the ground.
Right now, his whole body was in agony. He didn’t know how many bones were broken; his internal organs had ruptured. After being struck by that steward-like old man’s palm, it felt a hundred times worse than being crushed under a great mountain.
If not for his Sacred Physique of Creation, his injuries would have been far worse than this.
“Where is this?”
Then, Jiang Chen looked around, surveying the surroundings. He noticed quite a few bloodstains and scratch marks on the walls, as well as cold chains meant to pierce through a person’s shoulder blades.
Clearly, this was some dark dungeon.
Then, he noticed the black-robed man standing before him.
Jiang Chen immediately shuddered, his eyes unable to hide his humiliation, rage, and hatred.
“Gu... Changge...”
His eyes bored into the man, and he practically squeezed those three words out from between his teeth.
Behind Gu Changge stood Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue.
However, Ji Chuyue didn’t quite dare meet Jiang Chen’s gaze.
Back at the banquet, Jiang Chen had kept looking toward her. Though she understood, she had kept dodging his gaze.
And it was the same now.
“It seems your injuries aren’t severe enough — you still have the strength to speak.”
... (Seeking flowers) ...
Gu Changge smiled faintly. A jailer beside him handed him a cup of steaming tea.
He unhurriedly took a light sip, appearing utterly relaxed and at ease.
“I’ll fight you to the death!”
Seeing Gu Changge’s casual, overlooking manner, Jiang Chen nearly ground his teeth to dust. Ignoring the pain wracking his body, he lunged forward to fight desperately.
But before he could make a move, the jailer beside him turned cold and kicked him directly, berating him, “How dare you act insolently before the Young Master! Don’t court death!”
“Pu—”
Covered in wounds as he was, how could Jiang Chen withstand such a kick? He immediately spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, mixed with quite a few fragments of his internal organs.
His whole body flew sideways and crashed into the wall, looking even more wretched.
Ji Chuyue couldn’t quite bear it, but in front of Gu Changge, she didn’t dare say much.
“Little sister, these words are best said by you to him personally.”
Seeing this, Ji Yaoxing couldn’t help shaking his head. Worried that Gu Changge might misunderstand something, he spoke to Ji Chuyue, wanting her to personally sever her relationship with Jiang Chen.
That way, both she and Jiang Chen could give up hope and stop harboring fantasies.
Ji Chuyue’s small face paled slightly. Hearing this, she glanced at her brother, then at the casual and indifferent Gu Changge. Then she gritted her teeth and steeled herself to step forward.
Gradually, as if she had come to terms with it, the expression on her face slowly became calm.
“Chuyue...”
“I know you have no choice, that you have your difficulties. I don’t blame you.”
Jiang Chen climbed up from the ground and looked at her, seemingly guessing what Ji Chuyue was about to say.
But at this moment, he still showed an understanding smile.
“Jiang Chen, don’t flatter yourself. Do you still not understand even now? Why do you think your identity was exposed?”
Ji Chuyue shook her head, her voice turning cold. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll serve Young Master Gu. Young Master Gu is magnanimous — he might even spare your life and overlook your previous offenses.”
“Chuyue, you don’t need to say these things. I know you’re not this kind of person.”
Hearing these words, Jiang Chen endured the searing pain throughout his body, yet couldn’t help laughing.
He understood that Ji Chuyue was being forced.
She was a kind-hearted girl — she would never do something like leaking his identity and whereabouts.
Everything before his eyes was just an act.
“You...”
Ji Chuyue’s brows furrowed, inwardly anxious.
She was trying to save Jiang Chen. As long as he obediently complied and served Gu Changge, he could survive. Why couldn’t he understand?
“It seems you still haven’t figured this out. In that case, let me spell it out for you plainly.”
“The Ji Family wants to rescue their ancestor, and you carry the inheritance of a Divine Source Master, so you can help the Ji Family within Kun Mountain. When the Ji Family’s ancestor is rescued, you’ll be the Ji Family’s benefactor — even the Ji Family’s ancestor will be grateful to you.”
“Don’t you have designs on Ji Chuyue? With the Ji Family’s ancestor backing you then, making you the Ji Family’s prized son-in-law wouldn’t be impossible.”
Gu Changge smiled faintly and waved his hand, cutting off what Ji Chuyue was about to continue saying.
Immediately after, he walked over, and his other hand suddenly wrapped around Ji Chuyue’s slender waist, leaving her frozen in place, the expression on her small face somewhat at a loss.
“Gu Changge, what do you mean by this?!”
Seeing this, Jiang Chen’s expression turned extremely ugly, his eyes spitting fire, practically wishing he could chop off Gu Changge’s hand.
Ji Chuyue’s mind was buzzing too. Her whole body was rigid, not daring to move an inch.
However, Gu Changge seemed not to see Jiang Chen’s expression — or rather, he turned a blind eye to his glare.
He continued smiling faintly, reaching out to stroke the flower-like, jade-beautiful little face before him, which was suffused with alarm and unease.
“As you can see, Ji Chuyue doesn’t want to be my Concubine.”
“If you don’t want her to be toyed with by me at will like she was today, I think you’ll find a way to save her.”
“Rescue the Ji Family’s ancestor, and you might marry Ji Chuyue and become the Ji Family’s prized son-in-law. Or be crushed to death by me. These two choices — pick one yourself.”