Chapter 012: Sowing Discord, Proving the Fool

In the dim, bone-chilling dampness of the dungeon.

Ye Chen sat in squalor, his hair disheveled and his appearance utterly wretched.

Only he knew the torture of the past three days. No one came to interrogate him. No one came to check on him. It was as if the world had simply erased him from existence.

He hated Gu Changge to the marrow of his bones. He wished he could flay the man alive.

But in this moment, shock overrode his hatred.

The person he loathed most—the last person he wanted to see—was walking toward his cell.

“Young Lord Gu, as per your instructions, the prisoner Ye Chen has been held here in isolation.”

Led by a deferential disciple, Gu Changge strolled leisurely into the dungeon.

“Understood. You may leave.”

Gu Changge nodded, his expression indifferent. After the disciple retreated, he turned his gaze to the prisoner, taking his time to savor Ye Chen’s current state.

It was clear the past three days had been hell.

To curry favor with Gu Changge, the Taixuan Holy Land hadn’t given the “Son of Providence” so much as a drop of water. The once-proud hero was now a pathetic, withered husk.

Of course, Gu Changge felt not a shred of pity.

If the roles were reversed, Ye Chen wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. The first thing the protagonist would do is scatter Gu Changge’s ashes to the wind.

“Gu Changge! What are you doing here?”

Ye Chen roared, sensing the malice radiating from the visitor. His first instinct screamed that Gu Changge had come to execute him.

“I came here, naturally, to see you.”

Gu Changge smiled, a light, casual expression on his face.

“Oh, wait. No. I came to see your Master.”

The blunt statement hit Ye Chen like a physical blow.

“You… what are you talking about? I don’t understand what you mean!”

Ye Chen’s face paled, his heart hammering against his ribs. Panic seized him.

How could Gu Changge know I have a Master?

This secret is known only to me. No second soul in this world is aware of it!

A chill ran down his spine. Standing before Gu Changge, he truly felt like a transparent ant. He had no secrets left.

“Stop pretending. Who do you think you’re fooling with that expression?”

Gu Changge sneered, his gaze locking onto the ring on Ye Chen’s finger.

“Senior, do you intend to hide forever? Skulking in the shadows hardly befits an expert of your stature.”

Ye Chen’s heart sank to the bottom of the abyss.

Gu Changge didn’t just know about his Master’s existence; he knew exactly where she was hiding.

“Young Lord Gu… why must you trouble a mere remnant soul?”

Finally, a faint, melancholic sigh echoed from the ring.

The voice was heavenly, melodic yet laced with helplessness. A flash of crimson light illuminated the gloom, coalescing into a faint, ethereal figure dressed in red robes hovering in the void.

“Master?”

Ye Chen stared in shock. He hadn’t expected his Master to reveal herself voluntarily. A vague, unsettling premonition crept into his heart.

“Oh? So this is what ‘Senior’ looks like.”

Gu Changge’s expression remained unchanged, though internally, he raised an eyebrow.

He had expected a wizened old grandpa. Instead, he got a stunning beauty with crimson eyes and scarlet robes.

Tsk.

This Ye Chen really has lucky peach blossoms.

Your Master is truly beautiful. A pity she’ll belong to me soon.

“May I ask what business brings Young Lord Gu here?” Yan Ji asked softly, her voice cool and clear.

She had appeared out of necessity. Since Gu Changge had already pinpointed her location, he undoubtedly had the means to force her out. It was better to take the initiative.

“Nothing major,” Gu Changge replied casually. “I simply deduced that Ye Chen had an expert guiding him from the shadows. I was curious to see what kind of person could turn trash into… slightly less useless trash.”

His tone was natural, betraying none of his true thoughts.

Neither Yan Ji nor Ye Chen could read him.

Ye Chen, firmly convinced of Gu Changge’s villainy, glared with eyes full of hatred and Killing Intent. Yan Ji, unable to fathom his motives, remained vigilant.

“So, the Young Lord has seen me now. I am merely a woman, hardly worthy of being called an expert,” Yan Ji responded coldly.

“Why so modest, Senior? Even a dull, foolish thing like Ye Chen managed to achieve something under your guidance. That speaks volumes of your ability.”

Gu Changge smiled, his expression shifting to one of earnest sincerity.

“As the ancients said: ‘A bright pearl covered in dust is a tragedy.’ A fine bird chooses a strong tree to roost in; a wise minister chooses a worthy lord to serve.”

“For a talent like Senior to remain shackled to Ye Chen… isn’t that a waste of your potential?”

As he spoke, Gu Changge secretly tested the waters. The moment he entertained the thought of forcibly seizing the ring, a sharp spike of danger pricked his senses.

Damn Providence, he cursed internally.

But on the surface, his smile didn’t waver.

“Gu Changge! Who are you calling a foolish thing?!”

Ye Chen’s face turned green with rage.

Right in front of him! This man was brazenly trying to poach his Master right in front of his face!

Gu Changge was truly shameless and despicable!

But beneath the anger, panic clawed at Ye Chen’s heart. His Master was his greatest reliance. If she abandoned him… he dared not imagine the consequences.

Gu Changge’s words also made Yan Ji pause.

While it was true that Ye Chen could be foolish, he possessed other qualities—perseverance, bravery, tenacity. Moreover, he had awakened her from her slumber. She couldn’t abandon him over a few words.

What is Gu Changge trying to achieve?

Wait… sowing discord?

Yan Ji’s expression shifted slightly as she realized his true objective.

She could see through the ploy. But Ye Chen… blinded by insecurity and rage… might not be so clear-headed.

In the end, Ye Chen’s reaction might just prove Gu Changge’s assessment of him being a “foolish thing” correct.