Chapter 1617

“Then don’t blame this old servant for being unfaithful,” he said with a cold look on his face, speaking in a harsh tone. “If you want to kill me, go ahead and do it, but don’t ask me to betray the Heavenly Chu Hao soil, or betray the Lord of the Country. That is absolutely impossible, even though the Lord of the Country no longer values me and has distanced himself from me. It does not change the loyalty I have for the Heavenly Chu Hao soil.”

Fubo’s face turned cold, and he spoke sternly.

The reason he had survived to this point and achieved his current level of cultivation was largely due to the various heavenly materials and treasures granted to him by Chu Gucheng.

Therefore, even if Chu Gucheng wanted his life, it was to be expected.

If the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to comply. After all, he was merely an old servant.

“Such a pity,” Gu Changge sneered, “you are loyal to Chu Gucheng, but he cannot see it. He believes that you are the one who caused the death of his offspring. You are just a servant. How could your life compare to that of his children? He gave you the position and strength you have now, but have you already forgotten everything you did for him? Hmph, stubborn loyalty is just foolish loyalty.”

Gu Changge seemed to have seen through Fubo’s thoughts and let out a mocking laugh. He didn’t really want to waste words on him, saying all this. But because Fubo had been managing the Heavenly Chu Hao soil for Chu Gucheng for so many years, he was responsible for guiding and assisting many people with great luck. The fate of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil was thus intertwined with Fubo.

If he allowed the Eternal Spirit to directly consume and take over Fubo’s body, Fubo would essentially perish.

Naturally, the luck of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil would be affected and show signs of disturbance. This would alert Chu Gucheng and others, making them cautious. That was why Gu Changge intended to leave a portion of Fubo’s consciousness intact, so that the impact on the luck of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil would be much smaller.

“So what if it’s foolish loyalty? I have no regrets for what I have done. Born in this world, but I have done my duty,” Fubo said firmly, facing Gu Changge, his tone resolute and upright.

Although he didn’t want to die, there was no choice now. If he were to betray the Heavenly Chu Hao soil, it was simply impossible.

“Haha, such a noble sentiment, born in this world but doing one’s duty. I can’t interfere with what you did in life, but after you die, what you do is up to me,” Gu Changge said lightly, laughing.

“Master, why waste time talking to this old man? It would be better to kill him quickly and let me occupy his body. The things he could do while alive, I can do just as well after he dies,” the Eternal Spirit cackled in a sinister voice. Its vague black mist continually transformed and coalesced into a faint image of Fubo, as if it could rush forward at any moment and take over his body.

Seeing this scene, Fubo’s previously determined expression couldn’t help but change. He had no idea what this eerie black mist was, but he could feel a chilling, terrifying aura coming from it.

Moreover, Gu Changge’s words had just struck a painful chord with him. Throughout his life, he had been upright and honest, never giving anyone a chance to criticize him. While what happened after death was no longer his concern, the thought of this eerie black mist taking over his body and acting at will was unbearable.

Could it be that even in death, he would still be blamed by others?

His entire clean reputation, wiped away, and his death used as a scapegoat?

This was something he could not accept.During this period, rumors about him had been circulating throughout various parts of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil, claiming that he was afraid of death and had deliberately abandoned Chu Xiao to escape, only to find an excuse to stay outside for a while before returning alone to save his own life.

The Lord of the Country, Chu Gucheng, had long been aware of these rumors, but due to Fubo’s seniority and status, he found it difficult to reprimand him. He could only gradually distance himself from Fubo and assign the major responsibilities of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil to people like the White Brow Star Lord.

Fubo could not clarify or explain these rumors, and if people continued to misunderstand him, he might never clear his name in his lifetime.

When Gu Changge noticed the change in Fubo’s expression, he understood that this old man still cared about something deep down.

Gu Changge could have directly acted, forcibly sealing a part of Fubo’s consciousness and letting the Eternal Spirit take over his body. But such actions could lead to unintended consequences, such as the luck of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil being disrupted too obviously. There were many guests here, and if someone paid attention, they would notice the anomaly.

For safety’s sake, Gu Changge chose the more troublesome method, allowing Fubo to open his mind willingly.

This way, he could keep an eye on the luck of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil at all times, carefully controlling the situation.

“Back when we were in the South Wilderness Ancient Domain, I had someone save you because I saw your loyalty and character. You risked your life to delay time for the sake of saving the master’s offspring, which made me appreciate you. But that’s all there is to it. I’m only speaking to you now out of that bit of admiration. Otherwise, why would I waste time on you? After I take over your body, I can still make you work for me. For me, there will be no impact whatsoever.”

Gu Changge observed Fubo’s inner struggle and spoke in an indifferent tone.

Fubo stared at him intensely, as though trying to discern Gu Changge’s true intentions.

Gu Changge casually lifted his tea, blew on the steam, and took a sip.

“The two choices you proposed are the same to me. Whether you help me or not, in the end, you will still betray the Heavenly Chu Hao soil and the Lord of the Country.”

Fubo nearly gritted his teeth as he spoke, his heart torn in distress.

“Yes, it’s up to you to decide. No matter how you choose, in the end, you will betray the Heavenly Chu Hao soil. But if you’re willing to help me, you can still survive and take Chu Gucheng’s place,” Gu Changge said with a faint smile.

Fubo’s face showed clear signs of struggle. He understood that, just as Gu Changge had said, he actually had no real choice.

In truth, whether he lived or died didn’t matter to him.

What he cared about was Chu Gucheng’s suspicions, distrust, estrangement, and the rumors that had hurt his reputation.

Gu Changge calmly sipped his tea, not in a hurry.

“It’s you who didn’t trust me from the beginning, no matter how much I explained. You stubbornly believed that it was me who caused Chu Xiao’s death, thinking I was afraid of dying. Since that’s how it is, don’t blame me for being unfaithful…”

At that moment, Fubo’s face suddenly twisted in rage, as if he was about to vent all the accumulated frustration, grievances, and anger he had endured in this time.

The moment he spoke those words, Gu Changge subtly moved his mind, and with a snap of his fingers, the Eternal Spirit instantly transformed into a wisp of black mist, heading straight for Fubo’s forehead.”Clear your mind,” he said.

…

After returning to the rest area in the Imperial Celestial Palace in the capital of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil, Gu Changge unexpectedly saw Ling Yuxian outside the courtyard.

She was standing with her arms crossed over her shoulders, leaning against an ancient pine tree in front of the door. A gentle breeze blew, making the floral-patterned corners of her skirt flutter, revealing a smooth, jade-like calf.

“Senior Sister Yuxian, are you looking for me?” Gu Changge asked casually as he walked over, his gaze sweeping over her. Normally dressed in a battle skirt and cloak, Ling Yuxian rarely wore such attire.

“Looks like you’re quite busy, Senior Brother Gu. Where did you go this time?” Ling Yuxian said, having been waiting for him. As soon as she saw him return, she stepped forward, looking like she wanted to ask something important.

She wasn’t sure why Ling Yuling had asked Gu Changge to accompany her the next day to visit the Saintess Xiyuan. But since it was her sister’s request, she followed orders. What surprised her was that Gu Changge wasn’t in the courtyard when she arrived, and she hadn’t seen him leave at any point.

She had just arrived in the capital of the Heavenly Chu Hao soil, and yet, as soon as she did, he had disappeared.

With no other choice, Ling Yuxian had to wait outside the courtyard for him to return.

“Just meeting someone,” Gu Changge casually replied.

“A woman?” Ling Yuxian raised an eyebrow suddenly.

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