I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1547: The sky is falling, you don’t want your junior sister to be in any danger, do you?

Jing Xiao was stunned by Ling Yuxian’s words, unable to believe her ears. The idea that the Jing Guo behind her was inextricably linked with Yu Xian Palace was shocking. Moreover, the implication that Senior Brother Gu had approached her because of her identity was almost too much to process.

“Ling Yuxian, what do you mean? What do you mean that the Jing Guo behind me is linked with Yu Xian Palace?” she demanded, her voice rising. “Why don’t I know anything about this? Besides, Senior Brother Gu didn’t know my identity at the beginning, so how could he possibly know what you’re talking about?”

Taking a deep breath to steady herself from the shock and confusion, Jing Xiao stared intently at Ling Yuxian.

“Whether you believe it or not, that’s all I have to say. Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean others are ignorant,” Ling Yuxian replied calmly. “It is difficult to paint the skin of a tiger, and even more challenging to conceal the bones of a person who knows their face.”

Ling Yuxian was not surprised by Jing Xiao’s reaction; she continued to speak flatly. It would be hard to explain everything to Jing Xiao clearly at this moment. Moreover, Ling Yuxian herself was uncertain about the purpose behind Gu Changge’s interest in Jing Xiao. Was she merely following her intuition?

By saying this, Ling Yuxian hoped to instill some suspicion in Jing Xiao regarding Gu Changge and to dissuade her from trusting him as she had before.

Otherwise, she couldn’t even fathom how dangerous Jing Xiao’s situation truly was. After expressing her concerns, Ling Yuxian said no more; she took a deep look at Jing Xiao and prepared to leave.

Jing Xiao stood frozen, Ling Yuxian’s words echoing in her mind. Her plain white palms, concealed beneath her sleeves, were clenched tightly, trembling slightly.

“Know people’s faces but not their hearts?”

What a striking statement. Why would Ling Yuxian say such things to her? Based on her understanding of Ling Yuxian, it was impossible for her to voice such thoughts without reason. Could it be that Senior Brother Gu was indeed more complicated than he appeared?

As she reflected on her interactions with Gu Changge during this time, Jing Xiao felt a wave of confusion wash over her. If Senior Brother Gu’s gentleness and elegance were mere facades, then everything she believed was a lie…

Her heart throbbed suddenly, as if pierced by a needle, and her breath felt as if it were being consumed by flames.

“Impossible…”

Jing Xiao shook her head vigorously, finding it hard to accept.

Under Senior Brother Gu’s warm smile lay another hidden face. The thought was hard for her to bear; if what Ling Yuxian had said was true, it would feel as if the sky were falling down around her.

“Xiao’er, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly, a voice imbued with slight weariness broke through her thoughts. Jing Xiao came back to her senses and looked up to see the white-robed figure of Elder Jiulin standing before her.

“Master…”

She hadn’t noticed when Elder Jiulin had arrived, but his expression was gloomy, reflecting the pain and struggle within him.

Elder Jiulin hadn’t intentionally eavesdropped on the conversation between Jing Xiao and Ling Yuxian. Unaware of their past grievances, he had only approached after seeing the turmoil etched on Jing Xiao’s face following Ling Yuxian’s departure.

“Master, what kind of person do you think Senior Brother Gu is?” Jing Xiao asked, her voice steady as she collected her thoughts.

Elder Jiulin looked puzzled. “Shouldn’t you be the one to answer that question, Xiao’er? If you’re asking me, I can’t say for certain. After all, I don’t know the Senior Brother Gu you speak of very well.”

As he spoke, he furrowed his brow, recalling that not long ago, Palace Master Ling Qiuchang had also inquired about Gu Changge. It struck him as unusual that such a young disciple would garner such attention from the Palace Master.

“Ling Yuxian came to talk to you about that Senior Brother Gu?” Elder Jiulin asked, his curiosity piqued.

Jing Xiao nodded, unsure of how to respond.

“Could it be that Ling Yuxian came to you because the Palace Lord is deliberately trying to match the two of you?” Elder Jiulin suggested, a hint of confusion lacing his tone.

Jing Xiao was taken aback by his words, not understanding why her Master would think that. Yet, a strange feeling stirred within her.

“Impossible. Ling Yuxian is far too arrogant for that. If it were for that reason, she wouldn’t resort to such indecent means,” Jing Xiao thought to herself, shaking her head inwardly. Deep down, she still didn’t want to believe what Ling Yuxian had said.

She intended to find an opportunity to ask Gu Changge directly, refusing to be deceived without clarification. “I don’t know why Senior Sister Yuxian walked away so quickly after seeing me. Could there be some kind of beast that frightens her so much?”

At that moment, as Ling Yuxian exited the main hall, she suddenly heard a chuckle behind her. Startled, she turned to see Gu Changge waiting at the foot of the mountain.

Despite the darkness of the night, his white garments stood out vividly, as if untouched by the shadows surrounding him. The purity of his attire was almost ethereal, reminiscent of freshly fallen snow or flawless jade, exuding a detached and refined elegance that contrasted starkly with the world around him.

In the entire Yu Xian Palace, Ling Yuxian had never encountered anyone with an aura quite like Gu Changge’s; it was unforgettable. She frowned, sensing that Gu Changge seemed intent on finding Jing Xiao. As night fell, their approach made her uneasy, confirming her decision to warn Jing Xiao earlier.

Ling Yuxian had initially considered pretending not to see him and taking another path, but Gu Changge spoke up, halting her with a smile.

“I don’t know what you need, Senior Brother Gu,” Ling Yuxian replied flatly.

Gu Changge had not expected to see Ling Yuxian there but quickly guessed her purpose. He smiled slightly and said, “I can’t say it’s advice. I believe you’re here to see Junior Sister Jing Xiao as well. I wonder if you could do me the honor of discussing it with me.”

Ling Yuxian frowned, preparing to refuse his request. However, Gu Changge interrupted her, his smile unwavering. “I believe you don’t want Junior Sister Jing Xiao to encounter any danger in the future, right?”

“You…”

His words caused a change in Ling Yuxian’s flawless jade face, which now reflected anger and disbelief. Her jade hands clenched tightly, betraying her rising agitation.

Ling Yuxian had not anticipated Gu Changge’s boldness and straightforwardness. His blatant threats, made openly in the Yu Xian Palace, left her taken aback. Moreover, he had the audacity to threaten Jing Xiao’s safety.

Gu Changge continued to smile lightly. “I’ve already learned about the past friendship between Junior Sister Jing Xiao and you from her. Although there may have been some conflicts, you surely remember that friendship, or else you wouldn’t have come to warn her specifically at this time.”

He spoke with such confidence that it left Ling Yuxian seething. Gu Changge had discerned her intentions, and it frustrated her further. She hadn’t expected him to be so astute or so self-assured.

“You…” Ling Yuxian’s flawless jade face flushed with anger, her hands clenched tightly.

“Don’t call me Senior Sister; I can’t bear your title,” she replied coldly, her voice unwavering.

Gu Changge chuckled nonchalantly, “Then perhaps you should take some time to have a good talk with me now?”