[The Fortuitous One loses a hundred Fortuity and I end up getting fifty Fatums. It seems the ratio is one to five.] Hearing the system's message, Gu Changge pondered in his heart, planning to spend these Fatums to upgrade his system interface whenever he had the time.
In the palace, the unconscious Ye Chen was transferred away by Justice Court's disciples. As the disturbance finally ended, countless guests expressed their astonishment. "Not only was the young master unpredictable, but he was truly formidable as well. His past must be unimaginably daunting!"
"Even the Archbishop would make his beloved daughter the young master's escort…" Curiosity surged in the crowd's eyes as they pondered Gu Changge's identity. Simultaneously, they made a decision—from then on, they would relay everything that had taken place in the palace to their respective Sects. And if opportunity presented itself, they would tag along with the young master, which could only bring advantages. Of course, they could also foresee that a substantial upheaval would occur in Eastern Barren in the near future.
Very soon, the canonization ceremony had come to an end. During the banquet, Chu Xuan the Saint was tremendously thrilled, condescendingly glancing at his Sect peers before going to the central space and respectfully serving Gu Changge a drink. "Thank you for your assistance, Prince Gu. I will be honored to be your companion and be your sword and shield if the need ever arises."
Even the blindest man could see Chu Xuan's gratification. Realizing that he didn't have a sidekick, Gu Changge thought that Chu Xuan, as the Saint of Supreme Stygian, was quite an optimal option. Smiling, Gu Changge accepted the drink and chugged it down. "Such a matter is only minor. Do not take it to heart, Brother Chu Xuan."
"I am forever grateful, Prince Gu." There was nothing but glee on Chu Xuan's face.
"This old one pays you his respect, Prince Gu."
"Prince Gu's descent from the Beyond is an honor to Eastern Barren."
Having seen through Chu Xuan's intention, fellow elders and disciples, unhindered by ignorance, accordingly paid their respects to Gu Changge, though in their hearts, they were scorning Chu Xuan for his slyness. Although Chu Xuan had never shown it, his adept fawning skills certainly left the rest baffled. He didn't even break a sweat and effortlessly became the young master's sidekick. Thereupon, many disciples couldn't help but feel envious.
"Qingge…" Seeing his daughter's pale face, as if she was out of her mind, the Archbishop frowned. [From what I had witnessed earlier, Prince Gu should be interested in Qingge. But why does he no longer feign any interest in her?]
"Father…" Su Qingge softly shook her head with her blanched face. However, she did not convey her thoughts. [By no means Gu Changge is interested in me. Judging by his look, he was clearly doing that to provoke Ye Chen. But why? What grudge does he hold against Ye Chen that led him to humiliate Ye Chen so atrociously?] Regardless, she was aware that no time was a good time to upset Gu Changge. After all, a mighty man like him wouldn't have a shortage of intimate companies. Thanks to her tactfulness, Su Qingge clearly knew where she stood.
"Sigh…" The Archbishop, on the other hand, was no blunt man either. He could already figure out what happened just by looking into his daughter's eyes, to which he revealed an agonized grimace.
Hearing her father's sigh, Su Qingge was disconcerted as well. She understood the man her father was, and that he was only willing to hand her over due to the perturbation within him. She took a glance at Gu Changge and hesitated. Gritting her teeth, she had decided that by the end of the banquet, she would put her pride down and accompany Gu Changge through the night. After all, the turmoil that had taken place today all started with her.
Nonetheless, Gu Changge never once spared a glance at her, minding his engaging conversation with Chu Xuan as he retreated to his chamber. All that talk about the beautiful moon and a moonlight serenade instantly became a joke, which was undoubtedly Gu Changge's intention. Something as trivial as a moonlight serenade was not to get in his way. Although it would certainly be satisfying to devour the woman, doing that would lead to Negative Fortuity. Who knew, an intergalactic beast might just appear out of nowhere and engulf him, and that was too much of a risk. Even though Su Qingge was definitely appealing in her white garment and her mannerism was even more charming, she was still not worth the risk.
Watching as Gu Changge's figure faded away, Su Qingge was left dumbfounded, standing idly as she hadn't the chance to say a thing. She was a taciturn woman. Although she never spoke much in her usual life, it was her first time seeing someone belittling her so gravely. Ye Chen, unlike Gu Changge, was always on cloud nine whenever he got to interact with her. Followingly, Su Qingge heaved a sigh in her heart as she was forming a strategy to amend the situation.
"This man, Gu Changge, is indeed incalculable. He's much more fascinating compared to that Ye Chen lad." At that moment, within her conscience, a feminine, mischievous voice sounded. The voice was heavenly melodious, but at the same time, it also carried a gush of intimidation. Regardless, Su Qingge was more than familiar with that timber, which was evidently reflected on her ever-calm face. The voice had been resonating in her conscience since the moment she was born, and it was kept as a secret that even her own father was oblivious to—two souls in a vessel.
Late at night, in the chamber where Gu Changge rested, an elderly man in black with a concealed face appeared out of thin air.
"How's the investigation advancing?" Gu Changge, sitting upright on his bed, subconsciously exited the system interface and quizzed with his eyes wide open.
"Prince, it is indeed as you anticipated. There was a reason why the Archbishop decided to send his daughter away."
"What is it?" Gu Changge glowered.
The elderly man in black courteously answered, "Supreme Stygian Holy Land's mightiest warrior, Elder Tai Shang, had died three hundred years ago, but the information was never disclosed to the outside world. As such, Supreme Stygian Holy Land is in urgent need of new support. Furthermore, the Archbishop's wife, a noblewoman from the Beyond, was captured back to the Beyond. Thus, the Archbishop wishes to use Su Qingge to strike up a relationship with you in order to scour for his wife's whereabouts."
"Ah, another correct guess." Gu Changge grinned. He was contemplating that Su Qingge, as the female protagonist, must have a complex background, which was why he got the elderly man in black to dig up information about her.
The name of the elderly man in black was Ming Lao. Ming Lao was a powerful guardian from Eastern Barren. Forget Supreme Stygian Holy Land, there was no place in the entire Eastern Barren he couldn't reach.