Since We're Tearing Off the Mask Anyway, What Else Is There to Do on a Long Night?
Since We’re Tearing Off the Mask Anyway, What Else Is There to Do on a Long Night?
The pitch-black blade sank into Yue Mingkong’s body in an instant.
Pu!
The spray of blood blurred the scene before his eyes.
The wedding dress, already red, became even more blindingly crimson.
Gu Changge watched as a great gush of blood rushed toward him, staining his robes red, and he saw Yue Mingkong’s final moment—her shock, her confusion, her disbelief, her sorrow...
At that moment, he was like an outsider. It was clearly his own body, yet he couldn’t control it, much less stop any of it from happening.
Soon, the vision faded away.
Gu Changge fell silent for a moment.
Then he sighed softly. “No wonder Yue Mingkong couldn’t hold back when she heard those words, dropping even her disguise.”
If it had been him, he would have felt those words were nothing short of humiliation too.
Murdered by the one she loved most on her wedding night, then reborn back into the past.
He wasn’t unfamiliar with this trope, but for it to have happened to his own fiancée—that made things a bit tricky.
“So this is what Yue Mingkong experienced before her rebirth—killed by my own hand on our wedding night.”
“But obviously, I would never do something so deranged. With a perfect wife who loves me like that, you’d have to be sick in the head to do such a thing, right?”
“And based on what she experienced, at that time I must have been dominated by the Demonic Energy. In other words, the me of that timeline never awakened the System or my past-life memories...”
Very quickly, Gu Changge figured it all out.
A cold wind blew across the mountain peak.
Then he transformed into a divine rainbow and left the place.
Now that the cause had been found, there were quite a few ways to resolve the matter.
“Speaking of which, it’s this Demonic Energy again. It’s screwed me over so many times already. But that said, it’s not without a solution—after all, the blame can just as easily be dumped on the Demonic Heart.”
“However, Yue Mingkong has already been through it once. This time, she obviously won’t trust me so easily.”
“And there are so many things that happened in between that I know nothing about...”
As Gu Changge returned to the main hall, he pondered countermeasures along the way.
Of course, it wasn’t that there was no solution. After all, judging from Yue Mingkong’s reaction, she had truly loved him before.
But now? That was no longer certain.
And when a woman hates a man, she can be truly terrifying.
Hating someone to the bone isn’t just a figure of speech.
On top of that, Yue Mingkong was a regressor. Relying on her foreknowledge, she could seize the initiative at every turn—extremely difficult to deal with.
Not to mention she undoubtedly understood him inside and out.
Gu Changge weighed it in his heart. His greatest advantages right now were the System and himself, and beyond that, the Variable that was his very existence.
Because now, he was the one in control of everything—the Demonic Energy had long since been dealt with.
As long as Yue Mingkong still loved him, many problems would resolve themselves.
When that happened, not only would he gain massive System rewards, he’d also have a regressor wife. That was pure profit, no loss.
Of course, it was also possible that Yue Mingkong was now scheming with all her heart to kill him.
“Yue Mingkong doesn’t know that the current me and the me who killed her back then are completely different, so she’ll only suspect that everything I’m doing now is meant to deceive her...”
“Her guard is very high...”
“On the other hand, the reason Yue Mingkong kept pretending to be her old self in front of me today is probably because she saw my behavior was completely different from what she experienced before, so she guessed that I, like her, had also been reborn.”
“She was worried I’d see through her identity as a regressor, but at the last moment, because of those words, she really couldn’t hold back and just left...”
Gu Changge quickly sorted out the whole sequence of events.
The thing that troubled him most was that Yue Mingkong would no longer easily believe anything he said.
No matter how he explained—saying he was different from the one who killed her, saying it was because the Demonic Energy had controlled his body back then—she obviously wouldn’t believe any of it.
On the contrary, the more he explained, the guiltier he’d look. She’d think Gu Changge was still trying to deceive her.
That would only backfire.
So... Gu Changge felt there was no need to explain at all.
The best approach was the same as before—pretend he didn’t know she was a regressor.
As for what to do, he knew perfectly well. The entire plan was already mapped out.
...
Inside the great hall.
Gu Lintian was in the middle of discussing matters with Emperor Yue, his face beaming with delight, clearly in the thick of an enjoyable conversation, when he saw Yue Mingkong walk in from outside with slightly reddened eyes.
As if she had been crying?
Gu Lintian’s brows immediately furrowed, anger showing on his face as he asked, “Mingkong, what’s wrong? Did that brat Changge bully you again? Tell Bofu what happened, and Bofu will teach him a lesson for you.”
He knew full well that Gu Changge had always been cold and indifferent toward Yue Mingkong before, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to bully her.
Toward Yue Mingkong, his future daughter-in-law, both he and Gu Changge’s mother were very satisfied, so naturally they couldn’t stand to see their son mistreat her.
Besides, Gu Changge had said that his past behavior was due to the Demonic Energy affecting his temperament, but that shouldn’t be the case anymore.
So what was this about?
“Mingkong, what happened?” Emperor Yue also noticed something off about his daughter’s expression and couldn’t help asking.
He had watched Yue Mingkong’s performance during this period and was very pleased and gratified.
As a result, he had grown considerably more caring toward her than before.
Yue Mingkong’s expression had already returned to normal. Her smile was poised and gracious as she shook her head. “Bofu and Father Emperor are overthinking it. Changge didn’t bully me. I was just thinking about some things from the past and felt a little sad. Forgive me for losing my composure in front of Bofu.”
“Hmph, that brat Changge really goes too far! Mingkong, you shouldn’t keep shielding him either, or after you two get married, he’ll keep bullying you...”
Hearing this, Gu Lintian sighed somewhat helplessly, feeling even more exasperated at Gu Changge for not living up to expectations.
Where else could one find a daughter-in-law as virtuous and gracious as Yue Mingkong?
Her methods were iron-blooded and astonishing; in the future she might even take charge of the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty and become a peerless empress.
In the Beyond, heaven’s proud daughters were as numerous as fish crossing a river, countless beyond measure, yet who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her?
And yet Gu Changge not only failed to cherish her, he made her shed tears and bullied her. He simply deserved a beating!
Though Gu Lintian usually doted on Gu Changge, at this moment he couldn’t help a surge of anger rising in his heart.
After getting married?
Hearing those words, Yue Mingkong smiled, then gently shook her head without saying much.
After today, Gu Changge’s eyes would likely no longer tolerate her existence—he wouldn’t rest until she was eliminated.
Her greatest secret had now been discovered by Gu Changge.
He would never allow someone who knew so many of his secrets to remain alive in this world, even if that person was his fiancée.
“So Mingkong was here all along. Are you feeling better now?”
At that moment, Gu Changge’s voice suddenly came from outside the hall.
Warm and gentle, seemingly carrying just the right touch of concern.
Yue Mingkong’s body stiffened slightly, as if facing a great enemy.
But she quickly relaxed.
After all, they were in front of Gu Changge’s father and her own Father Emperor. No matter how much he wanted to kill her, he couldn’t possibly make a move here.
“Changge, what’s going on? You bullied Mingkong again? You even made her cry?”
Immediately, Gu Lintian’s brows knitted together and he began berating Gu Changge.
He looked fully prepared to teach him a lesson if he didn’t give a proper answer.
Hearing this, Gu Changge’s expression froze for a moment, then he couldn’t help laughing. “Father, what are you talking about? How could I bully Mingkong? She’s my future wife. I can’t even dote on her enough—how could I possibly bully her?”
As he spoke, he walked naturally to Yue Mingkong’s side and just as naturally took her hand.
Her fingers were slender and fair, as delicate as the most flawless immortal jade.
From beginning to end, Yue Mingkong remained somewhat stiff.
She couldn’t quite figure out what Gu Changge was doing.
Was he putting on a show of affection in front of the two elders to deceive his father?
However, she realized this was the first time in both her lives that Gu Changge had ever held her hand.
Her mind couldn’t help buzzing for a moment.
“Hmph, that’s more like it.”
Seeing this, Gu Lintian snorted coldly and let the matter drop.
“Are you feeling better? Just now I suddenly noticed something was wrong with your expression. Why did it look like you’d been crying?”
Gu Changge looked at the somewhat stiff Yue Mingkong as if he couldn’t sense her current state at all.
His voice was warm as jade, his face handsome and refined, as he asked softly.
“I’m fine. Changge, you don’t need to worry.”
Hearing Gu Changge’s somewhat caring words, Yue Mingkong was slightly taken aback inside, but her face still wore a proper, natural smile.
At the very least, she couldn’t show any abnormality in front of everyone.
She wanted to see exactly what Gu Changge was plotting now.
She wouldn’t be fooled again!
Though this expression of his was truly rare. In her previous life, he had always shown a cold face to the world—when had he ever been this gentle?
If this were his true self, how wonderful that would be?
She felt a bit of self-mockery in her heart, but mostly indifference.
With the current emperor of the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty paying a visit, the Gu Family naturally had to hold a grand banquet. At the feast, cups were raised and exchanged, hosts and guests alike enjoying themselves—a lively, harmonious scene.
Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong sat side by side at one table, looking perfectly matched, like a pair of immortal lovebirds, drawing the envy of many young juniors.
At the same time, they cursed inwardly that a bastard like Gu Changge was utterly unworthy of Yue Mingkong.
Of course, they still remembered Gu Changge’s strength clearly. Back then, all of them combined couldn’t beat him.
Now, naturally, they dared not say anything—at most grumbling a few words in their hearts.
Soon, the banquet ended and everyone rose to leave.
Yue Mingkong had drunk quite a bit of wine, her face slightly flushed, and she now stood up to head to the palace the Gu Family had arranged for her to rest in.
At that moment, however, Gu Changge grabbed her hand, his expression natural and smiling. “Where is Mingkong off to? The moonlight seems lovely tonight. I think it’s quite suitable for admiring.”
Yue Mingkong’s body went rigid.
“Hahaha, young people and their hot-blooded vigor...”
Emperor Yue, Gu Lintian, and the others couldn’t help laughing at the sight, their expressions rather suggestive, and then they left the place.
Gu Changge’s behavior seemed a bit forward to them, but with the wine and the fact that they were young people, it was fairly understandable.
The place instantly fell quiet.
Only Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong remained.
“The night is long. Why is Mingkong in such a hurry to leave, instead of staying to drink a few more cups with your husband?”
And Gu Changge’s voice turned cool.
Yue Mingkong’s face was now deep and cold, the dignified smile she had been faking all along gone. At this moment, she was like an empress incarnate.
She laughed coldly. “Gu Changge, everyone’s gone now. You finally don’t need to keep pretending...”
“I don’t know why you’ve changed like this, or were you just pretending too well before? So well that I never noticed you had such methods.”
········Seeking flowers·········
As if he didn’t understand what she was saying, Gu Changge remained seated at the banquet, drinking, his expression indifferent.
Hearing this, Yue Mingkong was suddenly stunned, not quite understanding what Gu Changge meant.
Her current changes? Did he mean everything that had happened over the past half year?
It seemed Gu Changge didn’t know about her rebirth.
Then his probing today was actually to figure out her changes?
Thinking of this, Yue Mingkong suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Gu Changge had not, as she had imagined, been reborn along with her.
Otherwise, he would never have revealed his true colors and asked her such a question.
However, just then, Yue Mingkong’s expression suddenly changed as she felt a terrifying pressure bearing down on her from the void.
Gu Changge had made his move against her.
Weng!
Reacting, she struck back swiftly, forming seals with her hands as brilliant radiance emerged all over her body. Runes condensed between her palms, forming a fearsome Lunar Seal that blasted forward!
Over the past half year, she had been seeking out all kinds of fortuitous encounters, and her cultivation had already broken through to the peak of the Honoured Lord Realm—she was even just half a step away from entering the Honoured King Realm.
But what she found somewhat unbelievable was that Gu Changge’s cultivation was actually higher than hers.
Yet she clearly remembered that in her previous life, Gu Changge was only at the Honoured Lord Realm at this point.
Still, she remained calm. She knew many of Gu Changge’s methods and had been on guard against them all along. She wouldn’t fall for his tricks.
“Peak of the Honoured Lord Realm. Mingkong, it seems you’ve been hiding quite a lot from your husband.” This scene seemed to surprise Gu Changge for a moment.
Then he raised his palm. Terrifying golden patterns emerged, transforming into a vast, mountain-and-sea-like surge that blocked Yue Mingkong’s Lunar Seal!
At the same time, his hand grasped forward, activating his Void Talent. With a weng, he instantly seized control of the void before him.
．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．
“Gu Changge... what are you doing? Let me go!”
The next moment, Yue Mingkong suddenly cried out in alarm.
She only felt the space around her tighten, the void seeming to freeze, and then Gu Changge pulled her into his embrace in one motion.
The gentle expression on his face had long vanished, replaced by the coldness she knew so well, tinged with a hint of amusement.
“Not good...”
Yue Mingkong’s heart trembled.
She never expected Gu Changge could actually influence the void. This method was completely beyond her expectations.
Quickly, her Knowledge Sea suddenly burst with light. A golden little figure appeared, incomparably dazzling, chanting Daoist sounds from its mouth, moving to strike Gu Changge down.
However, Gu Changge seemed to have been prepared. His own Knowledge Sea likewise blazed with light—a pitch-black divine avatar with cold eyes, demonic qi coiling around its body, directly blocking the Daoist sound technique.
Yue Mingkong’s expression grew grave.
Every method Gu Changge displayed greatly exceeded her expectations. She hadn’t even seen them in her previous life.
This made her unable to stop wondering—were the Gu Changge of her previous life and the Gu Changge before her eyes really the same person? Or had something gone wrong somewhere?
“Mingkong, at this point, are you still not prepared to come clean to your husband?”
Gu Changge asked with meaningful interest, not continuing his attack.
Yue Mingkong’s delicate brows furrowed tightly, deeply puzzled as to why Gu Changge had suddenly stopped.
In her view, Gu Changge was the type who would never give up until he achieved his goal.
Could it be that his goal today was actually just to learn about her changes over the past half year?
Figuring this out, Yue Mingkong also breathed a sigh of relief.
She simply decided to be frank. “In that case, I’ll just lay it out for you, Gu Changge. The old me was all an act, put on to please and cater to you.”
“I don’t want to do that anymore. Someone like you is utterly cold-hearted. You can’t be moved by anyone, so why should I keep making things hard for myself?”
These words were half true and half false—just right for covering up the truth of her rebirth.
Gu Changge couldn’t help wanting to applaud her quick wit inside, but his face showed not the slightest change.
“Oh? How do you know I can’t be moved by anyone?” he asked.
Yue Mingkong struggled in his embrace, but finding she couldn’t break free, she couldn’t be bothered to move anymore.
Hearing his question, she was even less inclined to pay him any mind.
In her previous life, she had proven that result with her life. Was there anything more to say?
However, thinking about how Gu Changge had not been reborn along with her, Yue Mingkong felt more or less relieved.
The Gu Changge of this moment was the Gu Changge she knew.
All that warm gentleness before had indeed been an act, meant to trick her into revealing the truth.
Fortunately, she was one step ahead, fobbing him off with this explanation without exposing the secret of her rebirth.
“So that’s how I am in your heart. All these years, Mingkong, you’ve certainly hidden it from me well. That hurts me a little, you know.”
Gu Changge said, his smile faint.
“Gu Changge, don’t you know your own temperament?” Yue Mingkong snorted coldly. Since she had already torn off the mask with Gu Changge, there was nothing left for her to care about.
Within the Gu Family, she reckoned Gu Changge wouldn’t dare silence her by force.
Hearing this, Gu Changge was unmoved and simply carried her off toward his own palace.
Along the way, many clan members saw them and couldn’t help showing suggestive smiles.
“Gu Changge, what are you doing?”
At this, Yue Mingkong was somewhat dazed, her mind suddenly buzzing into chaos.
“The night is long. What do you think we can do?”
Gu Changge replied casually.