I Am the Fated Villain

Chapter 1403: Is it actually an old friend of the empress? A disgrace to the eternal protoss clan

Wisps of spiritual mist enveloped Mu Yan’s figure as she sat cross-legged on the bluestone, her five hearts turned skyward. She practiced quietly, adhering to the key points of the exercises given by the old Zhuowu. Her face appeared even more flawless and crystal clear, resembling a female immortal carved from jade.

Although she suspected there might be issues with this exercise, she dared not disobey Zhuowu’s orders, so she cultivated diligently. Surrounding the serene green lake, hidden among the pavilions and palaces, several powerful beings left by Zhuowu stood guard, monitoring her every move.

Just as Mu Yan became absorbed in her thoughts, focusing intently on her cultivation, Wang He’s figure emerged nearby, concealed among several old trees with lush branches and large crowns. He looked youthful, but his true age exceeded tens of thousands of years.

At that moment, Wang He wore a simple Daoist robe, a purple star crown perched on his head, and held a dust whisk in his hand, giving him an ethereal appearance. As he gazed at the beautiful woman with closed eyes not far away, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a smile.

“I finally found you, the future Empress Pingtian,” he said, grinning as he approached without attempting to conceal his presence.

The instant Wang He appeared, Mu Yan, who had been deeply immersed in her practice, suddenly sensed him. She opened her eyes, her expression freezing for a moment before shifting to one of vigilance.

“You found my trace so quickly. You’re worthy of being the future Empress Pingtian. Although you haven’t truly risen yet, you are already extraordinary,” Wang He remarked, slightly taken aback. He hadn’t anticipated Mu Yan’s perception to be so keen, especially considering he had used a secret method to mask his aura.

At that moment, none of the powerhouses guarding the area noticed Wang He’s arrival, as he had already dealt with that aspect. However, the more remarkable Mu Yan’s response was, the broader the smile on his face grew.

“It’s really like…” he began, walking closer. Before Mu Yan could speak, he took the initiative and sighed slightly, looking genuinely emotional.

Mu Yan frowned slightly, a strange look crossing her eyes. A Daoist, appearing suddenly in the courtyard where she was being held and expressing such sentiments, raised her suspicions. Moreover, this Daoist had gone undetected by the individuals assigned by Zhuowu. Did he eliminate them, or were they simply unable to perceive him?

“Who are you? Why are you here?”

Mu Yan asked, maintaining her vigilance. Many thoughts raced through her mind as she spoke calmly.

Wang He smiled slightly, making a polite gesture, and replied, “I’ve seen the young miss.” Scavenger was his alias from the time he wandered the world before his rise to prominence.

“Scavenger?”

Mu Yan echoed, feeling something was amiss with the peculiar title. Moreover, she questioned the audacity of this Daoist. How dare he trespass here? Did he not realize this was the Zhou clan’s territory?

“I wonder why the Daoist has come here,” she said, her tone firm yet tinged with concern.

“If you entered by mistake, I advise you to leave as soon as possible to avoid being discovered and causing trouble.” Mu Yan shook her head, genuinely trying to persuade him.

She had always been kind-hearted, and her intentions were good. After all, if this strange Daoist were discovered by Zhuowu, the consequences would be disastrous.

Hearing her words, Wang He maintained his amiable smile. “This Daoist came here because of the young miss,” he replied.

Mu Yan was taken aback. Did he really come here for her? A flicker of anxiety crossed her mind. Could he be connected to the family that had sent people after her?

But Mu Yan wasn’t naïve. Though she kept her expression calm, her vigilance deepened inwardly.

“It seems that the miss doesn’t quite believe the words of this poor Daoist,” Wang He observed, a knowing smile on his lips.

“When I traveled throughout the world, I formed a close friendship with a fellow Daoist named Mu Xingkong. Our bond was inseparable.”

His tone turned somber as he continued, “However, due to some circumstances, I had to journey to a distant universe. Upon my return, I was devastated to hear the unfortunate news of Fellow Daoist Mu Xingkong’s passing.”

Wang He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle in the air. “Fortunately, this poor Daoist is skilled in deduction and divination. I can decipher yin and yang and navigate the five elements, understanding the universe across past and present. After some careful deduction, I discovered that Fellow Daoist Mu Xingkong still has a child left in the world…”

His voice carried a hint of emotion and regret, as if he genuinely mourned the loss of his friend and felt compelled to find her.

“That is why I have sought you out.”

Moreover, as Wang He spoke, he detailed his experiences with the fellow Daoist named Mu Xingkong. His stories were so vivid and engaging that even those unfamiliar with the events would be inclined to believe them. He recounted tales of their adventures, such as the time they captured ancient star beasts in a forbidden sea of stars, a harrowing experience that nearly cost them their lives.

Wang He’s narration was so compelling that it blurred the line between reality and fabrication. Of course, he had honed this technique when establishing the Scavengers Sect, using similar methods to persuade many disciples and elders of his credibility. With the powers of the Book of Scavengers, which could probe into the lives of others, he effortlessly crafted an image of himself as a mysterious figure who knew both the past and present.

When Mu Yan heard Wang He mention the name Mu Xingkong, her expression shifted to one of surprise. That was her father’s name. Aside from her, very few people would know of him, making the revelation all the more striking.

Although she didn’t have many memories of her father, she had never heard him mention any close friends, let alone someone as peculiar as this Daoist. However, Wang He’s words felt convincing, especially when he had said earlier, “It really looks like…” which had momentarily shaken her suspicion.

Yet, despite this flicker of doubt, she remained cautious. If her father had truly had such a life-and-death friend, it seemed unlikely that he wouldn’t have shared that information with her. The only explanation she could consider was that there might be something hidden beneath the surface.

“I don’t have much memory of my father, and I didn’t know he had such a friend as the Daoist,” Mu Yan said, glancing at Wang He and shaking her head.

Yet, as she contemplated the possibility, a glimmer of hope emerged: if Wang He’s claims were genuine, could this Daoist potentially help her escape the peril she currently faced?

Moreover, there seemed to be no reason for this Daoist to lie to her. After all, what could she possibly offer that was worth deceiving?

Then she remembered the Eternal Divine Furnace, something her mother had entrusted to her before she died. Her mother had instructed her to retrieve it from a specific location after leaving the Eternal Protoss and to guard it closely, warning her never to disclose any information about it. If this Daoist was truly who he claimed to be, he might be able to deduce that the Eternal Divine Furnace was in her possession.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Mu Yan’s worries intensified, making her even more alert.

Wang He, on the other hand, hadn’t expected to fully dispel Mu Yan’s concerns with his words. After all, this was the future Empress Pingtian. Though she was still young, her courage and cunning were beyond what ordinary people possessed.

“The poor Daoist understands that you might not believe what I’m saying right now, but that’s alright. I came here to ease your worries,” Wang He continued.

“I will do my utmost to help you out of your current dangerous situation. However, Elder Zhuowu is indeed powerful. I am no match for her at this moment, and I cannot directly take you away or confront the vast Zhuo clan… But since you are an old friend, I will certainly do everything I can to assist you.”

Wang He concluded his words with a reassuring smile. Before Mu Yan could respond, his figure abruptly vanished from her sight.

Initially, he had intended to elaborate further on Mu Yan’s experiences to make her more convinced, but he sensed a terrifying aura approaching—Elder Zhuowu was returning. Recognizing the urgency, he decided against lingering too long.

Wang He believed that what he had shared would plant seeds of doubt in Mu Yan’s mind. The future was long, and he felt no need to rush.

After Wang He’s figure disappeared, Mu Yan remained stunned for a moment, her thoughts swirling as she slowly regained her composure.

Could what this Daoist said be true? If so, wouldn’t he be my uncle or something?

Mu Yan pondered, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. After all, Wang He hadn’t inquired too deeply about her current predicament; he had simply stated that he would find a way to extricate her from danger. This sparked a glimmer of hope in Mu Yan, who had been feeling despondent about her situation. She genuinely wished that what Wang He had claimed was true.

Not long after Wang He had disappeared, a beam of golden light descended from the horizon, transforming into Elder Zhuowu. “You girl, are you being lazy again? Haven’t you had enough of the suffering from the past few days?” she chided, her calm gaze landing on Mu Yan.

Noticing that Mu Yan was dazed and not practicing, a flicker of anger flashed across Elder Zhuowu’s face.

If Mu Yan didn’t cultivate diligently, her current strength wouldn’t be enough to contain Zhuowu’s immense spiritual power, let alone serve as a vessel. Snapped back to reality, Mu Yan pursed her lips and fixed her dark eyes on Zhuowu, remaining silent, as if she were a dead pig unbothered by boiling water.

“Forget it, today is your acceptance ceremony, so I will spare you this once,” Zhuowu declared, her tone softening slightly.

“But in front of all the guests, you are not allowed to embarrass me.”

With a cold snort, she flicked her sleeves, and in an instant, both she and Mu Yan vanished from the spot.

Meanwhile, above the banquet, silk and bamboo instruments intertwined, filling the air with soft melodies from the harp. Guests mingled freely among the pavilions and buildings, laughing and drinking. The green lake mirrored the sky, dotted with lotus leaves, while a veil of immortal mist enveloped the scene, creating a divine ambiance. Figures moved gracefully among the mountains and ancient trees, surrounded by swirling purple clouds, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

In some open areas farther away, many younger cultivators were engaged in lively discussions about the Dao. The entire space could accommodate at least tens of thousands of cultivators, all prominent figures from across the immortal civilization.

“Calculating the time, Elder Zhuowu should be here soon…” remarked an elder from an ancient force named Hun Tianya, a smile playing on his lips.

“She’s wrapping up some matters at Zhuowu, and it should be nearly finished by now.” His familiarity with Elder Zhuowu was evident, suggesting a good personal relationship.

At his words, many guests paused, placing their cups down as they turned their attention toward the distance, anticipation evident in their expressions.

Swish! A ray of golden light descended from the sky, quickly illuminating the area as Elder Zhuowu emerged within it.

“For today’s disciple acceptance ceremony, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all fellow Daoists for traveling here from hundreds of millions of miles away. Zhuowu is deeply thankful,” she proclaimed, her voice resonating with authority.

Dressed in a dark golden cloak, every movement of hers seemed to command the natural order of the world, reflecting her profound and extraordinary cultivation.

As she spoke, Zhuowu smiled and raised her glass, inviting everyone to join her in a toast. Many guests reciprocated, raising their glasses in respect. In terms of strength and status, only a few present could compare to her.

Yet, despite the ceremonial grandeur, the eyes of many cultivators remained fixed behind Elder Zhuowu. There stood a woman with a calm demeanor, clad in a moon-white long dress and a white outer cedar jacket. Her hair was lightly coiled, and her figure was strikingly graceful. Among the younger generations, expressions of astonishment were evident as they took in her presence.

“As expected of Elder Zhuowu’s disciple; this face is truly rare in the world,” some elders remarked, their voices filled with admiration.

“From both age and cultivation perspectives, she’s not inferior to any young genius…” another added, nodding in agreement.

“It’s clear that with this disciple, Elder Zhuowu will become a peerless figure in the future,” more guests chimed in, their flattery growing with each passing moment.

Since Elder Zhuowu had publicly acknowledged her disciple and organized this acceptance ceremony, it was evident that she placed great importance on Mu Yan.

Amid the crowd, Wang He observed Mu Yan, who radiated like a moon surrounded by stars. A smile formed in his heart, pleased that events were unfolding according to his expectations and plans, without a hitch.

However, in the banquet area designated for the Eternal Protoss and their entourage, Li Yang, the son of the Eternal Protoss, was astonished. His eyes widened as he stared at Mu Yan in disbelief, and soon his expression shifted, becoming increasingly stormy.

The other elders of the Eternal Protoss wore similarly grim expressions, clearly taken aback by Mu Yan’s unexpected appearance. They were particularly shocked to see her transformed into the disciple of Elder Zhuowu from the Zhuo clan. This development felt like a betrayal, a humiliation to those clansmen who had been expelled by the Eternal Protoss in the past.

Things are getting interesting.

Luo Xiang Jun mused, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She had not anticipated such a strong reaction from Li Yang and the others. Although she had never encountered Mu Yan before, she could easily deduce her identity now.

Meanwhile, Mu Yan herself was filled with astonishment as she scanned the crowd, her gaze landing on a familiar figure. Surprise flickered in her eyes when she spotted her younger brother.

Little Yang!

She murmured, not expecting to see him there.

After being expelled from the Eternal Protoss, Mu Yan had worried deeply about her brother’s safety and had longed to visit him in secret, but circumstances had made that impossible. It was only later that she learned Li Yang had become the son of the Eternal Protoss, which brought her a measure of relief.

During their mother’s pregnancy with Li Yang, Mu Yan had been quite young herself. Despite the age difference, she felt a profound concern for her half-brother. She knew that her own actions had contributed to Li Yang being overlooked by their father, and this guilt weighed heavily on her. She had always wanted to make it up to him.

At that time, Mu Yan and her mother lived in a neglected courtyard, their situation dire. Her mother’s cultivation had suffered greatly due to previous injuries, leaving her weak and shivering from the cold in winter. They received no assistance, not even a stove to keep warm. To survive the harsh winters, Mu Yan had taken the initiative to help servants and handymen with their tasks in exchange for a few pieces of coal.

Despite the mockery they faced from some servants, most were kind-hearted and would occasionally give her some coal to help them endure the cold. This was how she and her mother survived one severe winter after another. Yet, Li Yang rarely visited his biological mother, seemingly indifferent to their plight.