Villain System: Stealing the Protagonist's Harem and Luck

Chapter 013: The Actor Goes Online, Can’t Catch a Wolf Without Baiting the Trap

“Gu Changge! You are despicable and shameless! Not only did you steal my Qingge, but now you dare to have designs on my Master?!”

Ye Chen’s face twisted with ugly, unrestrained rage as he screamed his accusations.

In his mind, Gu Changge was motivated purely by lust for his beautiful Master. The possibility that this was a calculated psychological attack—a wedge driven between master and disciple—never even occurred to him.

Ye Chen’s feelings for Yan Ji were complex.

She was his teacher, yes. But deep in his heart, he viewed her as his exclusive possession—a forbidden treasure that no other man was allowed to touch.

Gu Changge’s words had ignited the powder keg of hatred that had been building for days.

“Oh? Stealing your Qingge?”

Hearing Ye Chen’s outburst, Gu Changge didn’t blink. Instead, he let out a light, airy chuckle.

“You should know the truth, Ye Chen. From beginning to end, she came to me willingly. I have never forced Su Qingge to do anything. Do not misunderstand the situation.”

He paused, his gaze shifting back to the red-robed spirit.

“Besides… was anything I just said incorrect?”

“Men strive for higher ground just as water flows to the sea. This is the immutable law of survival.”

“As for you… if you truly cared for your Master, you wouldn’t be holding her back. Do you honestly believe a wisp of a remnant soul can exist in this world forever without support?”

Every word was a blade, drawing blood without leaving a mark. It was an execution of the heart.

Ye Chen’s face turned ashen, his fists clenching until his nails bit into his palms.

He knew the truth. He knew a remnant soul was fragile, constantly fading. That was why he was so desperate to become strong—so he could one day reshape her body. But hearing it from his enemy shattered his defenses.

“Little Chen… calm down.”

Yan Ji sighed inwardly. She circulated her Qi, sending a wave of cooling energy into Ye Chen’s mind, forcing him to regain his composure.

He was still young, still ruled by hot blood and impulse.

A few words from Gu Changge had thrown his mental state into chaos, stripping him of his usual fortitude. Yan Ji couldn’t understand why her disciple, usually so clever, repeatedly acted like a fool in front of this man.

Could a single setback truly break him so easily?

“Master…”

Ye Chen gritted his teeth, the cooling energy finally suppressing his agitation.

Gu Changge’s words were vicious. They struck straight at his deepest insecurities.

[Ding! Ye Chen’s mental state continues to deteriorate. Providence -20. Destiny Points +100.]

The System notification chimed in Gu Changge’s mind, but he ignored it. His focus was entirely on the prize.

“Senior, have you considered my offer?”

Gu Changge continued, his voice sincere and earnest, like a monarch seeking a wise sage.

“If you follow me, I can not only help you restore your physical body but also provide the resources for you to return to your peak.”

“I believe you are aware of my origins. You, more than anyone, understand the terrifying weight of the forces standing behind me.”

“And if I may be bold… I dare say that in every aspect—talent, background, resources—I, Gu Changge, am far superior to Ye Chen.”

He spoke with the grace of a perfect gentleman, completely ignoring Ye Chen’s existence.

Even Yan Ji, whose brow had been furrowed in suspicion, found her resolve wavering. She couldn’t read his true intentions.

Sowing discord?

If Gu Changge wanted Ye Chen dead, he could snap his fingers and it would be done. Why waste time with such elaborate schemes?

Perhaps I am overthinking it. Does he truly just want to recruit me?

To be honest, her impression of Gu Changge was… not bad.

She had lived a long life and seen much of the world. Objectively, Gu Changge hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Ye Chen who had been unreasonable, stubborn, and murderous. Yet Gu Changge had shown restraint.

Such magnanimity, such bearing… this young man possessed the potential of a true枭雄 (Ambitious Hero/Villain). His future was limitless.

“Young Lord Gu, there is no need to say more,” Yan Ji said finally, shaking her head. “I owe Little Chen a debt of gratitude for awakening me. Until he has grown into his own, I will not abandon him.”

She declined the offer directly. The terms were tempting, but she could not violate her own dao of loyalty.

Gu Changge’s face fell, a look of genuine disappointment washing over his features.

He sighed. “Of course. I understand. Loyalty is a rare virtue.”

“However, I will leave the offer open. I will give Senior time to consider.”

“If you choose to follow me,” Gu Changge added casually, “I will overlook Ye Chen’s offenses. I can have the Taixuan Holy Land cancel his punishment with a single word.”

“As for Su Qingge… if you wish, I can even bestow her upon him.”

“You—!”

The veins on Ye Chen’s forehead bulged, threatening to burst.

He bit his tongue, forcing down the scream building in his throat. He understood now. Gu Changge didn’t just want to humiliate him; he wanted to strip him of everything—his dignity, his love, his Master.

Ye Chen fell silent, his eyes radiating a coldness like glacial ice.

The woman he worshipped, Su Qingge… in Gu Changge’s mouth, she was nothing more than a trinket to be “bestowed” at a whim.

In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, power truly allowed one to do whatever they pleased.

“Young Lord Gu, please… stop,” Yan Ji said, stunned. “I appreciate your sincerity, but…”

Even she hadn’t expected Gu Changge to offer so much. His sincerity seemed boundless.

“Senior, please think it over carefully. I never force others, and I certainly would never stoop so low as to use Ye Chen’s life to threaten you.”

Gu Changge looked at her, a strange light in his eyes.

If I could kill Ye Chen right now, do you think I would be standing here talking to you?

Yan Ji might have lived for centuries, but her nature was surprisingly pure. Manipulating her was easier than manipulating Su Qingge. A few pretty words and a show of “sincerity” were enough to dissolve her prejudices.

He had prepared a long time for this performance.

The seeds were sown. Now, he just had to wait for the cracks between master and disciple to widen into a canyon.

Then, he would reap the harvest.

“This pill is called the Spirit Gathering Pill. I trust Senior recognizes it.”

Gu Changge smiled slightly, reaching into his robes and leisurely producing a small box.

He opened it to reveal a pill, pale purple and glowing with an inner light. Around it, faint illusions of mountains, seas, and celestial palaces flickered in and out of existence. The aura it emitted was visibly divine.

“The… Spirit Gathering Pill?”

Yan Ji couldn’t help but gasp, shock flooding her beautiful eyes. It was a supreme medicine for repairing the soul—a treasure nearly extinct in the Lower Realm.

“Senior’s current condition is unstable. Consider this a meeting gift from me.”

Gu Changge smiled warmly.

He placed the pill on a small ledge within the cell. Then, without waiting for Yan Ji to refuse, he turned and walked out of the dungeon.

As the old saying goes: If you can’t bear to sacrifice the child, you can’t catch the wolf.

Once his back was turned to the cell, the gentle smile on Gu Changge’s face vanished, replaced by a look of cold, predatory amusement.