It had to be said.
As the heroine destined to stand beside the Son of Providence, Su Qingge possessed a beauty that defied scrutiny.
Her features were exquisitely carved, flawless in every dimension. Her eyes were clear as autumn waters, her brows like distant, misty mountains. Her hair cascaded like black silk, framing a face of crystalline white that seemed to glow with an inner luminescence.
Dressed in fluttering white robes, she exuded an aura of dustless transcendence. Her temperament was ethereal and tranquil, difficult to capture in mere words—like a fairy from the Ninth Heaven who had accidentally wandered into the mortal dust.
Yet, today, that tranquil face was marred by unease.
She had requested an audience with Gu Changge for three full days before finally being summoned. This prolonged silence made it impossible for her to gauge his true thoughts.
In the past, every man she encountered—like Ye Chen—had looked upon her with nothing but worshipful adoration. To them, she was a goddess to be admired from afar, untouchable and sacred.
Gu Changge was the first man to treat her with such utter disregard.
She felt a rare sense of trepidation, fearing she would be turned away again.
However, her anxiety could not shake her resolve. Over the past three days, she had conferred with the other soul residing within her body. Together, they had formulated a plan to salvage the situation.
“I wonder what matter compels Holy Maiden Qingge to see me?”
In the great hall, Gu Changge sat cross-legged on the dais. He opened his eyes slowly, his voice indifferent.
His gaze was profound and cold, like a deity looking down upon the mortal coil.
He knew exactly why Su Qingge was here. But he wouldn’t make it easy for her.
If he wanted to break her will, his attitude couldn’t be too gentle.
Su Qingge’s Luck Points were tied to her identity as the heroine. If the heroine were to “willingly” submit to him—the Villain—what would happen?
Gu Changge was genuinely curious.
Moreover, compared to the stubborn Ye Chen, Su Qingge’s weakness was already in his hand. Conquering her would be a much simpler affair.
“Qingge has come to offer a formal apology to Young Lord Gu for the events of three days ago,” Su Qingge said, looking up at him.
She had wanted to do this sooner, but Gu Changge hadn’t given her the chance.
“The incident with Ye Chen began because of me, yet I failed to clarify the situation to the Young Lord. The fault lies entirely with Qingge…”
It had to be admitted: Su Qingge was intelligent. Her explanation was graceful and poised, without a hint of pettiness or evasion.
She knew many things couldn’t be hidden from Gu Changge, so she chose radical honesty. She explained how she met Ye Chen and even admitted to Ye Chen’s unrequited admiration for her.
In front of an existence like Gu Changge, the only way to demonstrate sincerity was to lay all her cards on the table.
This woman… is interesting.
Gu Changge’s face revealed a flicker of genuine intrigue.
He was slightly surprised. Ye Chen probably never imagined that the goddess he worshipped would be selling him out so thoroughly.
A clever woman like this was worthy of being the heroine. She was nothing like those beauties who were merely decorative.
She understood how to seek advantage and avoid harm. With the Sect in crisis, she knew exactly what needed to be done and wouldn’t do anything foolish.
Gu Changge was the strongest backer the Taixuan Holy Land could have. She was far more reluctant to offend him than Ye Chen.
When circumstances left you no choice, you had to yield.
Gu Changge couldn’t help but admire her. Purely an appreciation of her mindset, of course. He certainly wasn’t just coveting her body.
[Ding! Su Qingge’s disposition has shifted. Ye Chen’s Luck Points -40. Destiny Points +200.]
The System notification chimed.
Gu Changge narrowed his eyes.
Interesting.
It seemed that changing the course of people connected to a Child of Providence could also reduce his luck and earn Destiny Points.
This makes things much simpler.
“You tell me all this… for what purpose? Do you assume I harbor some interest in you?”
Gu Changge’s voice turned biting. He looked at her with a mix of coldness and mockery.
“Or perhaps… you are telling me this in hopes that I will spare Ye Chen?”
Su Qingge’s face paled. She had anticipated his suspicion, but the harshness of his words still stung.
“I dare not,” she explained hurriedly. “Qingge knows her meager appearance is unworthy of the Young Lord’s eyes. I only wish to show my sincerity, hoping you will not hold that day’s events against the Sect.”
“Oh?” Gu Changge’s expression turned playful, a cruel edge to his smile. “Ye Chen is so infatuated with you that he was willing to break ties with the Taixuan Holy Land for your sake. Does this attitude of yours… do justice to his devotion?”
The words struck home. A look of pain crossed Su Qingge’s face.
“For the sake of the Sect… for my father’s life’s work… those things are no longer important.”
Her eyes dimmed.
Gu Changge remained cold and silent on the outside, but inwardly, he was laughing.
Attack the heart.
This strategy is truly wonderful.
“Young Lord Gu… there is actually one more matter.”
Seeing Gu Changge’s expression, she spoke again, revealing a secret to demonstrate her sincerity.
“Qingge’s physique… is the Taiyin Xuancha Body. Apart from myself, no one else in this world knows of this.”
Taiyin Xuancha Body?
A supreme Cauldron Physique?
Gu Changge’s memories contained records of this physique.
For Su Qingge to actively reveal this secret… that was a surprise.
But he quickly understood her intent.
It was a vulnerability she was voluntarily placing in his hands, a further demonstration of the sincerity of her apology.
And was this not the first step of the heroine’s total submission?
[Ding! Su Qingge’s willingness to submit has begun to emerge. Ye Chen’s Luck Points -40. Destiny Points +200.]
The System chimed again.
Gu Changge had not expected it to be so easy to draw out her willingness to submit.
With this, Ye Chen’s Luck Points had already plummeted to the three-hundred range.