Villain System: Stealing the Protagonist's Harem and Luck

Chapter 71: She Has the Bearing of a Female Emperor

Father and son talked for a long time. They discussed future plans, and Gu Lintian asked detailed questions about Gu Changge’s recent cultivation, his concern meticulous and genuine.

Gu Changge felt a pang of embarrassment. He couldn’t exactly tell his father, “I just add points to a menu to level up.” Seeing the warmth in Gu Lintian’s eyes, he decided to put more effort into his actual training.

Although, his strength was already terrifying.

But humans were greedy creatures. The feeling of absolute power, of holding everything in the palm of one’s hand… it wasn’t just wonderful. It was intoxicating.

Before Gu Changge left the palace, Gu Lintian added a few more things.

“Your mother has been missing you. When you have time, visit her at the Absolute Beginning Divine Sect.”

Gu Changge nodded. “I understand, Father.”

Memories of his mother surfaced. She was the Holy Maiden of the previous generation of the Absolute Beginning Divine Sect, and her father—his grandfather—was the sect’s Grand Elder, wielding immense authority.

The Absolute Beginning Divine Sect had been allies with the Gu Family for generations. It was an ancient orthodoxy that had stood for multiple epochs, its status equal to any Supreme sect.

Gu Changge clicked his tongue internally.

With this kind of terrifying “Second Generation” background, even if he were a complete waste, he could walk sideways in the Upper Realm. His mother was famously protective. If he didn’t bully men and seize women with this background, it would be a waste of resources.

Of course, only a veteran Villain would have such thoughts.

“Also,” Gu Lintian said, his expression turning serious. “In a while, that girl Yue Mingkong will come with her father to discuss your marriage. This time, do not be so cold to her. She is your future wife.”

“You used to dislike her for being too soft, but her actions over the past six months have been admirable. She possesses the bearing of a Female Emperor.”

“Your mother and I are very satisfied with her. If she assists you, this world will be yours for the taking.”

“Father, rest assured.”

Gu Changge paused, then nodded.

A face of dreamlike beauty surfaced in his mind.

My fiancée.

Yue Mingkong, the Fourth Princess of the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty.

His expression became intriguing.

Could this standard fiancée setup be related to the new Daughter of Providence the System had hinted at?

He searched his memories. Yue Mingkong was the definition of a “Bai Fu Mei” (White, Rich, Beautiful) in the Upper Realm. Her looks, talent, and background were top-tier.

But in his memory, he had no feelings for her. He had been cold and polite, treating her like a stranger. He had considered her weak and lacking in methods.

Aside from that, he hadn’t done anything to her. He hadn’t offended her.

And if she was coming to discuss marriage, it likely wasn’t a cliché “breaking the engagement” plot.

Gu Changge was puzzled. According to his speculation, an Upper Realm Daughter of Providence wouldn’t be simple. Her background and methods would far outstrip the Lower Realm protagonists.

Getting a perfect wife delivered to my door? Isn’t that the treatment reserved for a Son of Providence?

Then again, based on web novel tropes, it wasn’t impossible for a Villain to have one too.

Since the System wouldn’t tell him who the target was, he had to guess.

Whatever. I’ll keep an eye on her.

Gu Changge left the palace and returned to his personal divine island. Along the way, he felt terrifying auras leaking from the various mountain peaks—clansmen inadvertently releasing pressure during cultivation.

Swallowing starlight and refining moonlight were common sights here.

Deeper in the clan territory, chaos mist swirled around floating palaces. Even deeper lay the Ancestral Land.

Whenever a great enemy invaded, the Gu Family would simply dig up the Ancestral Land and unearth an ancestor from some forgotten era to crush the threat. No one knew how deep the family’s reserves truly went.

Digging up ancestors was a Gu Family specialty.

…

Gu Changge’s return caused a stir in certain circles.

Many knew he had gone to the Lower Realm, but few knew why. His every move was watched. The Gu Family might present a united front to the world, but internally, it was a shark tank.

Gu Changge was the Young Lord, but he wasn’t guaranteed to be the future Patriarch. That decision lay with the Council of Elders.

The Immortal Gu Family had five main lineages. One had declined, leaving four to vie for supremacy. Each lineage had its own monstrous geniuses eyeing the throne.

Of course, killing fellow clansmen was strictly forbidden. The elders encouraged competition to keep the family sharp, not to destroy it.

More than a decade ago, the decline of the “Thirteenth Lineage” and its suppression by Gu Lintian’s lineage had caused waves among the higher-ups.

At this moment, on the main peak of another lineage.

Several powerful elders sat in a grand hall, discussing matters.

“Changge’s aura has intensified since his return,” an old woman said, golden light flickering in her eyes. “He’s faintly touched the peak of the Conferred Lord Realm. The geniuses of the other lineages might not be his match anymore.”

“His cultivation talent is indeed rare,” an old man agreed. “He truly deserves the title of ‘Heaven-Sent God-Man’. He might break through to the Divine Realm within a few years.”

“It seems the position of Patriarch will fall to their lineage again. Three generations in a row…” another elder sighed.

“It’s a pity about Old Thirteen’s lineage,” someone suddenly said. “They’ve been suppressed so hard. Apart from that one ancestor who’s either in seclusion or dead, they have no one left…”

The atmosphere in the room chilled.

The events of ten years ago were taboo. Fratricide. It was a stain on the family’s honor. If it got out, the Gu Family would be a laughingstock.

“Even if Old Thirteen’s ancestors wake up, they probably won’t say much,” one elder mused. “Changge’s talent is too great. He might even surpass the current Patriarch.”

“True. But I’ve heard rumors recently…”

“Oh? What rumors?”

“That little girl from Old Thirteen’s lineage… she didn’t die.”

The elders fell silent.

“We misjudged her back then. Her talent was just hidden.”

“A pitiful child,” an elder sighed. “If we had protected her better… Gu Changge was so young then, yet his heart was so cold. To attack his own sister… If he leads the family, what will become of us?”

“I heard she was seen in the Land of Abandoned Immortals,” another whispered. “We owe her. Let’s keep this from the Patriarch for now.”

…

Inside Gu Changge’s palace.

Lin Qiuhan and Su Qingge stood quietly. They had been briefed on the rules: where to go, what to say, and who to avoid.

Gu Changge nodded at them.

Bringing them to the Upper Realm wasn’t just for decoration. Lin Qiuhan would go to the Alchemy Sect. Su Qingge… she could stay as a maid.

As the number one beauty of the Eastern Wilderness, she was pleasing to the eye. But given her intelligence and her suspiciously high Luck Points, keeping her as a mere vase felt like a waste.

She wasn’t as simple as she looked.

“Qingge,” Gu Changge said, deciding to tease her. “You always wanted to come to the Upper Realm. Now that you’re here, why so quiet?”

Su Qingge looked at him, her voice low and vulnerable.

“Qingge knows it is hard to please the Young Lord. Does… does the Young Lord not want me anymore?”

She was smart, but here, she was alone. Lin Qiuhan had an ancestor. Su Qingge had nothing but Gu Changge.

If he discarded her, her fate would be miserable. Even a powerhouse like Elder Ming would be a miner here. A beautiful woman like her? She would be a plaything.