As a matter of fact, the only reason Gu Changge spared Ye Chen's life was because Ye Chen wasn't even worthy of being called an enemy. Undoubtedly, Gu Changge wouldn't let a true enemy live for too long. Otherwise, he would have slaughtered Ye Chen immediately when he offended him back then without showing any mercy or allowing him any chance to thrive.
Be it Ye Chen or Lin Tian, 'the Fortuitous One' was only a pleasant label while they were nothing but tools, crops waiting to be harvested. One after another, endless Fortuitous Ones were only waiting for their turn to face the relentless antagonist.
At the end of the day, Gu Changge was no ignorant man that would allow any threat to grow. Typically, an antagonist would die as a result of their talkativeness or ego. However, Gu Changge was neither of those and he possessed much more knowledge than the others. Though he wasn't necessarily omniscient, what he had was more than required to stomp Ye Chen and Lin Tian. Basically, given Gu Changge's power level right now, those two Fortuitous Ones were barely any threat to him. Moreover, he found entertainment in slowly stripping their belongings while earning Fatums before eventually exhausting their values. Otherwise, things would get too dull.
Having transmigrated as an antagonist, Gu Changge knew exactly how to sate his own desires. Moreover, thanks to the information from his system, he was informed about the rule regarding how he must decrease the Fortuitous Ones' Fortuity to zero, and how killing a Fortuitous One with zero Fortuity could gain him a Heavenly Gift.
A Heavenly Gift definitely sounded promising. At least, it was able to waver Gu Changge's heart. Otherwise, making a move on Yan Ji right away or finding Ye Chen's whereabouts would have been too easy.
Nonetheless, Gu Changge did neither as he was waiting for his treasure-seeking rat, Ye Chen, to activate the ruined site and locate the Eight Barren Demon Halberd before he would intervene at the final moment. After all, that was the ultimate purpose of his descent to the beyond.
As Gu Changge was pondering, he was interrupted by a gentle knock from outside the palace.
"Answer the door, Qingge." Having sensed who the guest was, he revealed a frown before instructing Su Qingge, who was reading an ancient archive not far away from him.
"Yes, Prince Gu." Su Qingge put down the ancient archive and lightly walked to the door.
At the door stood a woman in a sapphire dress, who looked incomparably beguiling with her rosy make-up. In her hands was a tiny lunchbox that was emitting an alluring fragrance.
"I made some spirit cakes myself. If Prince Gu gets hungry at night, he may eat these." Lin Qiuhan said to Su Qingge with a slight blush. She was being quirky, and she didn't even know why she would make the decision to prepare the spirit cakes.
No matter how infinitely strong a cultivator was, the desire in the stomach was never satiable. And since she excelled in culinary, she thought it was a good idea to send some spirit cakes to Gu Changge.
"Understood, Lady Lin. It must have been troublesome for you to send these snacks in the middle of the night. I shall thank you in our Prince Gu's stead," Su Qingge replied with a courteous smile and a cold voice carrying a trace of insinuation, emphasizing the way she uttered 'our.'
Seeing how the innocent woman before her was deeply charmed by Gu Changge at their first encounter, Su Qingge intuitively wondered whether she should give her a warning so as not to fall into his trap. Nevertheless, doing that might draw Gu Changge's bullying upon herself, so she decided to forget about it.
On the other hand, Lin Qiuhan didn't comprehend Su Qingge's message since she wasn't as sharp as her.
"Thank you very much, Saintess Qingge. Then, I shan't disturb Prince Gu's rest." Hearing that, Lin Qiuhan nervously handed the lunchbox to Su Qingge and hurriedly departed.
"Lady Lin has only met him once yet she's already in this deep. Prince Gu's manipulation is getting more and more effective." Saying that, Su Qingge returned to the palace to Gu Changge's side and opened the lunchbox.
*Whoosh!* Immediately, the aroma gushed into their nostrils as the spirit cakes glowed an amber hue. There were even anomalies wafting above the spirit cakes. It was clear that they, as well as its composing ingredients, were nothing ordinary.
"Lady Lin's spirits cakes are pretty good. You should learn to cook some time, Qingge." Unaffected by Su Qingge's brutally honest words, Gu Changge joyously took a few bites and voiced his compliments.
"Since you like them so much, perhaps you should get Lady Lin to stay by your side. Isn't that much simpler?" Su Qingge replied.
Upon those words, Gu Changge took a glance at her and revealed a baffling expression. "Oh, you're jealous? That's not really your style, is it? That's not very attractive, you know?"
Su Qingge shook her head. "Prince Gu, you're too mysterious to figure out, and I am aware that it's not easy to really gain your adoration, so jealousy or not doesn't matter." Despite saying that calmly, she wasn't able to fully conceal her whininess.
"Since when have you been this passive-aggressive?" Gu Changge subconsciously beamed.
…
From a distance, Lin Tian caught Lin Qiuhan returning from the palace deep within Lin's Residence. Judging by the direction, she was heading back from Gu Changge's place.
[What's a woman doing out there so late at night?] Clenching his fists, he was obviously angry and scornful.
"What are you doing here, Tian? And where did you go this afternoon? I couldn't find you anywhere." There was glee, bashfulness, hesitation and numerous indescribable emotions on Lin Qiuhan's face, but upon seeing Lin Tian, she immediately withdrew her emotions and sternly asked.
Lin Tian gritted his teeth as his heart was engulfed in envy and resentment, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. "And why are you out so late at night? Did you go visit Prince Gu?"
He could no longer acknowledge what emotions he was feeling. As long as the sentiment in his heart wasn't resolved, it would only affect his mind, rationality, and judgment. In that instant, nothing was more urgent than to resolve his intrinsic issues.
Hearing that, Lin Qiuhan was instantly dazed, as if she was being seen through. Regardless, she retained her sisterly serious look in front of Lin Tian and answered, "My business is none of yours. Just focus on your training."
"Gu Changge is an evil person. Don't be deceived by his appearance. It's so obvious that attracting women is all that he does. You should know better than this, Lin Qiuhan." With a glower, Lin Tian even called out his sister's full name. He couldn't let Lin Qiuhan fall any deeper for Gu Changge. Or else, he would have to resort to force.
"How is Prince Gu an evil person?" Hearing that, Lin Qiuhan was visibly offended as she revealed a scowl. [Since when is Lin Tian in the position to reprimand me? Besides, from what I've experienced today, Prince Gu's not at all unpleasant. He's polite and gentle. Despite his terrifying origin, he wasn't at all boastful!]
"Don't you dare slander Prince Gu! I'd be glad if you're at least a hundredth of what he is!" Lin Qiuhan replied, assuming Lin Tian was overthinking it.
"Why are you this foolish? It's right in front of you!" Lin Tian was tilted, infuriated. He laid the matter out so explicitly, yet Lin Qiuhan was still as oblivious as ever. [What drug did Gu Changge feed her?]
"Why have you been so weird recently? Even if Prince Gu is not a good person, what ill intent could he possibly hold against me?" At that moment, Lin Qiuhan was basically speechless. She countered with a question before leaving quickly.
Upon those words, Lin Tian was stunned. [Indeed, what ill intent does he actually hold?]
Nonetheless, having only taken a few steps, Lin Qiuhan suddenly remembered the things she wanted to ask Lin Tian. [How did he learn about alchemy and cultivator's training? Where did he go this afternoon, and why couldn't I find him?