“So, what you’re saying is… unless the Providence of this ‘Child of Providence’ decays to a certain threshold, I cannot actually kill him?”
After a lengthy internal exchange, Gu Changge raised an eyebrow at the System’s explanation.
[Yes, Host. Providence is mysterious, and the workings of fate are hard to predict. Killing Ye Chen would not be difficult with your current strength, but it would certainly trigger a series of unknown changes.]
[This is because you, Host, are the greatest anomaly in this world.]
Gu Changge nodded. He understood.
A “Child of Providence” truly lived up to the title; the Heavens themselves were acting as his bodyguard.
For example, if Gu Changge really tried to kill Ye Chen now, a bolt of lightning would surely descend from the heavens and strike him dead first.
But so what if the Heavens protect you?
I can still play you to death slowly.
Gu Changge sneered inwardly, unconcerned.
He casually scanned the Luck Points of everyone in the great hall.
Apart from Ye Chen, who had 500 Luck Points, Su Qingge had the most at 350. This reinforced Gu Changge’s earlier suspicion: she was probably the heroine.
He briefly pondered a question. If he were to… “consume” Su Qingge right now, would he also suffer a Providence Backlash?
If so, the risk might outweigh the reward.
Whether in his past life or this one, Gu Changge was not a beast ruled by his lower half. Providence might sound abstract, but in this world, it was a tangible force governing life and death. Getting himself killed over a moment of pleasure would be a fool’s end.
Of course, there is a solution.
I just need to drain their Luck Points until they are dry.
Just like the System notification he had received earlier:
[Ding! Publicly humiliated Ye Chen. Ye Chen’s Luck Points -10. Destiny Points +50.]
Fifty Destiny Points. Not a fortune, but not a pittance either.
Even so, there were quite a few things Gu Changge could do with them, such as improve his strength, cultivation, or natural aptitude. Compared with diligently cultivating, wasn’t cheating to add points much more appealing?
“Ye Chen! You dare to openly defy the Sect’s laws and even insult Young Lord Gu? Guards! Throw him into the dungeon to await Young Lord Gu’s judgment!”
At this moment, the Grand Elder of the Punishment Hall stepped forward.
He was a burly old man with a square, imposing face that commanded respect without the need for anger. In the Taixuan Holy Land, he was a figure of absolute authority.
Although he was known for his impartiality and had even looked favorably upon Ye Chen in the past, he understood the reality of the situation. Ye Chen had offended an entity he should never have touched.
When weighed against the safety of the Sect, a mere inner disciple was expendable. He could not allow Ye Chen to bring disaster upon them all.
Seeing the Punishment Elder’s gaze—a mix of probing and ingratiation—Gu Changge gave a slight, permissive nod.
He stepped back to his original seat, his expression unreadable.
Letting me handle Ye Chen?
That’s not a bad idea.
Who would have thought that even you, with that honest face and reputation for justice, would act like this?
Gu Changge couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
As Gu Changge withdrew his overwhelming Pressure, Ye Chen was finally able to stand. His face was a mask of shock, unwillingness, and burning humiliation.
His current state of mind was exactly as Gu Changge had predicted.
Why?
Why, at the critical moment, did Master not respond to me? Has she betrayed me too? Or does even she fear Gu Changge’s background?
In this moment, Ye Chen’s heart turned to ice. His eyes were cold and hollow.
But the sharpest knife was Su Qingge.
From start to finish, she hadn’t uttered a single word in his defense. She simply stood there, silent. She even took the initiative to pour tea for Gu Changge.
Ye Chen saw it all.
The goddess he loved and admired, the woman he was willing to fight the world for, was actively serving another man. The pain was agonizing, as if his heart were being carved out.
Can’t she see that I was willing to break ties with the Taixuan Holy Land just for her?
Ye Chen felt a chill that penetrated his very bones.
How could Su Qingge not see the anguish on Ye Chen’s face? She knew he had misunderstood.
But she could not put the sect that had nurtured her for more than twenty years in danger for Ye Chen’s sake.
She could only choose to lower her head in silence, her jade-like hands clenching tight, refusing to meet Ye Chen’s gaze.
“Holy Maiden Qingge… I hear the moonlight is exquisite tonight. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to admire it later?”
Suddenly, Gu Changge spoke.
Having observed the subtle interplay of expressions between the two, he naturally wouldn’t let such a perfect opportunity slip by.
His handsome, peerless face revealed a gentle smile—refined, courteous, and perfectly timed to twist the knife.
The invitation made Su Qingge freeze.
For a split second, her cheeks flushed slightly, a sense of being flattered rising unbidden in her chest.
But she quickly realized Gu Changge’s true intention.
Her body trembled. The color drained from her face.
Looking into Gu Changge’s deep eyes, she saw it clearly—a flicker of playfulness and mockery.
He said it on purpose. He said it specifically for Ye Chen to hear.
Su Qingge was intelligent enough to understand the game.
However, the rest of the hall remained oblivious.
Everyone in the hall envied her, and the Taixuan Holy Master looked delighted, urgently signaling to his daughter.
If she could truly catch the eye of this Young Lord… never mind ascending to the Upper Realm, just the connection alone would be a supreme opportunity for the Taixuan Holy Land. It could mean the difference between stagnation and soaring to the heavens.
“Gu Changge!!”
“You are despicable! You are shameless! What kind of man bullies others by relying on his background?”
“If you have the ability, suppress your cultivation to my realm! Let us fight fair and square!”
Ye Chen snapped.
His eyes red, Ye Chen roared like a madman. How could he possibly bear those words and that display?
“You shameless villain! I swear I will kill you one day!”
In response, Gu Changge said nothing.
He didn’t even look up.
He simply lowered his eyelids, blew gently on his tea leaves, and took a sip. From beginning to end, he treated Ye Chen’s existence as less than air.
Pfft—!
Unable to bear the sheer weight of the humiliation and the dismissal, Ye Chen spat out a mouthful of heart’s blood and collapsed, fainting on the spot.
At that moment, a System notification chimed.
[Ding! Ye Chen’s state of mind is damaged. Luck Points -100. Destiny Points +500.]
Tsk, tsk.
These Destiny Points are truly too easy to earn.
Gu Changge took another leisurely sip of his tea.
…
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