In the chilly prison, Ye Chen was discussing a plan to break out with his mysterious Master.
"We must think this matter through. Gu Changge's background is unimaginably terrorizing. Furthermore, there's a daunting force hiding behind his back, so you can't face him toe to toe just yet, which reminds me… You shouldn't have acted so recklessly back then," Ye Chen's Master uttered.
Her name was Yan Ji. Her figure was ordinary but her crimson eyes were devilishly magnetic. At that moment, she was donning a face ever so stern. Although she was merely a Cursed Spirit, it was clear that she was once a legendary figure.
"Understood, Master. I apologize." After calming himself down, Ye Chen felt regretful for having directed his vexation at his charming Master and blaming her for his failure. Fortunately, his Master wasn't angered but gave him advice instead, which he found deeply moving.
However, no way in the world would Ye Chen admit to being reckless as his actions were assiduously planned. Sadly, his Master failed to show up at the most crucial time. "Your words are heeded. From now on, I shall lay low until I'm eventually strong enough to slaughter Gu Changge," he swore, gritting his teeth.
Despite the tremendous contemplation, he couldn't bring himself to give up, thinking that Su Qingge's decisions weren't voluntary and were only forced by perturbation. Or rather, forced by Gu Changge.
Seeing him so agitated, Yan Ji revealed a frown as she sighed in her heart. In her eyes, Ye Chen's mind had yet to mature given how he was willing to defy someone he shouldn't have for the sake of a woman. Besides, Gu Changge wasn't the one at fault in this matter as Supreme Stygian Holy Land was the people gratifying him, so he shouldn't be the one to blame. Nonetheless, Ye Chen was, after all, the disciple she took in personally, and her awakening was only possible thanks to the spiritual energy he had harnessed through hard work. Therefore, Yan Ji did not express her thoughts.
[There are many powerful people suppressed in this prison. Perhaps they are my way to escape,] Ye Chen pondered in his heart, unwilling to obediently sit through time.
[Since Supreme Stygian Holy Land has no sense of justice, don't blame me for being ruthless!] His heart palpitated with rage.
As they were discreetly conversating, an undetected pair of eyes were observing them. Those eyes belonged to Ming Lao, who had his presence concealed. Although Ye Chen's Master was once a mighty figure in the past, she was now only a cursed spirit, so she wouldn't be able to sense him. "What the prince was referring to as Destiny—a Cursed Spirit of an ancient legend, is on this young man?"
Ming Lao scowled. No matter how he saw it, he couldn't find anything strange about Ye Chen, except for the ring on his finger, which seemed somewhat strange. It was as if a spirit was drifting within it. Moreover, the supernatural exchange earlier obviously indicated that there was someone formidable backing him. Regardless, Gu Changge's order was for Ming Lao to watch Ye Chen's every movement in the dark, and not to get involved in anything else. As such, Ming Lao did not interject.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed, and Ye Chen's imprisonment seemed to have been forgotten by every dweller in Supreme Stygian Holy Land. Since Gu Changge did not mention it, none dared to question him. It wouldn't even be excessive of a punishment for the mere Sect Disciple, who had offended the being from the Beyond, to be confined till death.
Gu Changge was rather exhilarated. For the past three day, Ming Lao had relayed to him everything that had taken place in the prison, and Gu Changge had pretty much gotten a grasp of the interaction between Ye Chen and his so-called Master. [Same trick, different people. Ye Chen is only able to breathe until this day, besides his substantial amount of luck, was, most of the time, thanks to his mysterious Master. Without the grandpa by his side, he's nothing but a worm.]
Although Gu Changge had had the intention to seize Ye Chen's ring away from him, the mysterious Master in the ring might be extremely aggressive and willing to risk annihilation solely to protect Ye Chen. Besides, the protagonist was shielded with a dense layer of luck. Hence, Gu Changge's idea was highly dangerous, and might even be unattainable. Perhaps he and Ming Lao were doomed to stay in the holy land.
[Something like defamation or accusation could probably work, but isn't that too cheap, even for me as the antagonist? No, it's for the sake of Fatums as well as training!] He thought that self-righteously. In the palace, Gu Changge made a subtle movement as he was about to execute his new-found strategy.
Out of nowhere, stopping him was a guard from outside the palace, who entered and reported, "Your Highness, the Saintess wishes to see you."
Hearing that, Gu Changge regained his senses and revealed a smirk before speedily withdrawing it, faintly stating, "Let her in." After all, the antagonist should still retain his complacence. On top of that, it was about time that he met Su Qingge, who he had heartlessly ignored for three days.
In the previous world, Gu Changge had read innumerable novels and studied their characters. An intelligent female protagonist such as Su Qingge would be easier to be dealt with once her weaknesses were exposed. The first step was to establish an understanding of her personality. Essentially, he wasn't an appeasing simpleton that would be stunned by the presence of a dashing damsel. [What is it they always said? Lower their guard and strike them hard? And by the time she's losing all hope, that's when I give her one.]
In fact, for the past three days, the Archbishop had been awfully troubled. As for the reason, it would be due to the fact that his own daughter had possibly upset Gu Changge. Naturally, Su Qingge, as a filial daughter, wouldn't want to see her own father so depressed, and her sympathy for her father was one of the weaknesses of her that Gu Changge discovered.
"I believe we have met, Prince Gu." All of a sudden, a mellifluous timber entered his ears. Visibly hesitant, Su Qingge slowly walked into the palace, unable to remain serene as she used to.