I Am the Fated Villain

No one expected the woman in white to address Gu Changge in such a manner. Her expression and tone conveyed more than mere acquaintance, leaving the onlookers completely bewildered.

As people processed the situation, they began to speculate about the complex emotions and connections between Su Qingge and Gu Changge. Chen Ya, quick to catch on, realized she didn’t know the history between them. Su Qingge’s expressions and actions suggested a deep and possibly intimate connection between the two. As a woman, Chen Ya was all too familiar with the nuances of such gazes and tones. In the presence of Su Qingge, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of darkness and gloominess, even questioning her own worth.

“Su Qingge…” Gu Changge whispered the name, feeling an innate familiarity. The name resonated within him, not a mere recollection, but a profound sense of long-term acquaintance. There seemed to be a significant history between them, yet Gu Changge didn’t force the memories; he let them flow naturally, confident that they would surface when the time was right.

“The name sounds nice,” he remarked with a smile.

“It’s not the first time you’ve said this.” Su Qingge also smiled, her eyes expressing tenderness.

Not far away, the old Daoist hesitated but eventually approached. He cupped his hands at Gu Changge and said, “The old Daoist has met the Daoist brother.” Though possessing unfathomable strength, he recognized his insignificance in the presence of Gu Changge. Uncertain of Gu Changge’s current state, he approached to extend his greetings, not willing to compromise his manners.

“Greetings, seniors,” the middle-aged man followed his ancestors, hastily performing the ceremony of the younger generation. Although Gu Changge appeared youthful, how could he, from his appearance alone, discern the existence that his ancestors feared? To speculate?

The surrounding villagers stared wide-eyed. The old Daoist and the middle-aged man, who exudes an aura of mystery and power, displayed such reverence before Gu Changge. It felt almost unreal, akin to a dream.

Wang Xiaoniu’s family of three, despite their earlier expectations and guesses, were still shocked. “Gu… Uncle Gu, he is also an extremely powerful cultivator? I’m not dreaming,” Wang Xiaoniu felt a bit dizzy, questioning the reality of the situation. His lifelong pursuit of immortality now had a tangible connection to his companion, whom he had affectionately called Uncle Gu.

Wang Xiaoniu’s father, Wang Erniu, also found himself in a dreamlike state, mouth agape. Gu Changge had been assisting them with farm work, blending seamlessly into the routine of everyday life. He had even earnestly persuaded Gu Changge to stay, not realizing the extent of his companion’s extraordinary abilities.

While Wang Erniu chuckled wryly in his heart, he felt grateful for the harmonious time they had spent with Gu Changge. Despite his mysterious identity, Gu Changge had exhibited behaviors and actions that defied the stereotypical image of a cultivator. He seemed completely integrated into the mundane world, like an ordinary person.

“I’m not a cultivator or immortal now, so why should the Daoist priest be so polite?” Gu Changge shook his head, rejecting any notion of differentiation based on their identities as old Daoists and middle-aged cultivators.

The old Daoist smiled wryly, unsure of what Gu Changge was going through. However, Gu Changge’s words made it clear that he was not currently a cultivator.

That didn’t imply that he wasn’t a cultivator before or after this revelation. The sudden appearance of such a formidable presence in the small mountain village left the old Daoist shocked and incredulous. It also signaled a sense of significant changes in the world—an impending catastrophe causing turmoil and unraveling mysteries in the vast world.

Initially, the old Daoist believed he stood on a certain peak, but Gu Changge’s arrival made him realize he was akin to someone sitting in a well and looking at the sky. The appearance of Gu Changge allowed the old Daoist to comprehend the notion that one truly understands the sky when outside it, and understands people when outside the realm of ordinary folks.

News of everything happening in the Green Mountain Village quickly spread to nearby areas, leaving many villagers astonished and disbelieving. Who would dare to believe that an immortal had been living among them? Those who had interacted with Gu Changge during this period found themselves in shock, as if living in a dream. Some recalled teasing him about his melon-selling venture, contemplating what kind of melons they would sell if they resembled him, with countless young ladies eagerly waiting for him to marry. Looking back now, they were not only shocked but also chuckled wryly at their earlier assumptions.

The Green Mountain Village, once a tranquil haven, now bore a veil of mystery. The appearance of individuals with mysterious origins sparked speculation about whether it was a picturesque landscape or if some hidden secret lay beneath the surface. Nearby sects attempted to inquire about the Kongtong Immortal Sect, only to be horrified. This supergiant force spanned the immortal domain and the upper realm, emerging in recent years as a force beyond their imagination and reach.

In the subsequent period, Green Mountain Village gradually returned to its former tranquility after the initial shock and excitement. Despite the awareness of Gu Changge’s extraordinary identity, villagers observed that he remained unchanged. He continued with his regular routine, working from sunrise to sunset, and daily life carried on as usual.

The person bringing water and food shifted from many young girls in the village to Miss Su after Gu Changge’s identity became known. Most of the young girls, including Chen Ya, the tofu seller, abandoned their romantic thoughts. The perceived vast gap in status seemed insurmountable to them. Nevertheless, a few individuals couldn’t resist sneaking glances—youthful indiscretions that were all too common.

As time passed, Wang Xiaoniu was finally taken away by the old Daoist. Despite his parents’ reluctance, they understood the significance of their child becoming a true cultivator, far surpassing academic achievements or ancestral honors. Wang Xiaoniu, not burdened by the departure, left with a smile and their expectations.

Before departing, the old Daoist left numerous precious items for the couple. While not conferring immortality, these gifts promised to extend their lives by decades or even hundreds of years. Whether due to Gu Changge or Wang Xiaoniu, it was a necessary gesture.

Once Wang Xiaoniu left, Wang Erniu and his wife couldn’t help feeling a twinge of reluctance. They wondered how many years Wang Xiaoniu would spend in cultivation and when they would see him again. Apart from his parents, another person deeply reluctant to part with Wang Xiaoniu was the youngest daughter of the Chen family, Chen Arya. Her nickname was Arya, but her real name was Chen Xiaoya.

Before his departure, Wang Xiaoniu quietly visited Chen Xiaoya and presented her with the sword-patterned jade pendant gifted by the old Daoist. He assured her that after achieving success in cultivation, he would return to bring her delicious food. Despite their tender age and the absence of explicit romantic feelings, a subtle fondness had developed between them. When Wang Xiaoniu offered the jade pendant, Chen Xiaoya, tearful, encouraged him to cultivate diligently. The two children embraced each other, shedding tears as they parted.

Gu Changge was aware of this, and it was Chen Xiaoya who approached him, sharing the story. She believed Gu Changge, being a cultivator respected by the old Daoist, might provide insights into her potential fate with immortality. Gu Changge remained silent on this matter, but Su Qingge assured Chen Xiaoya that she and Wang Xiaoniu would undoubtedly meet again in the future, their destiny intertwined in the unseen threads of fate.

Before Wang Xiaoniu departed with the old Daoist, Gu Changge moved out of the Wang household and began living with Su Qingge. Su Qingge had initiated this arrangement, and for Gu Changge, it felt entirely natural, as if it were meant to be. Although not officially married, their understanding and rapport mirrored that of a seasoned couple. Su Qingge knew Gu Changge’s habits and preferences, down to the precise temperature of his tea. Likewise, Gu Changge had grown accustomed to the simple and comfortable life with her by his side.

Gu Changge cultivated a small garden outside the courtyard, growing bean sprouts, fruits, and vegetables. Engaging in daily chores like weeding and watering, he sold the harvest at the market using the Wang family’s carts. The villagers, aware of his extraordinary identity, eagerly purchased these fruits and melons.

Su Qingge seemed to have forsaken her status as a cultivator, donning simple linen attire, a headscarf, and tying up her hair. She took on daily chores, cooking and washing for Gu Changge. During hot weather, she brought him refreshing spring water, delicately wiping the sweat from his forehead with her sleeves, smoothing his collar, adjusting cuffs, and mending clothes. In colder times, she lit the stove and crafted embroidered cotton shoes for him.

In autumn, as the trees shed their leaves and the harvested rice dried in the courtyard, Su Qingge found the scene exceptionally serene. Gu Changge, though busy, reveled in the simplicity of it all.

As winter approached, the sky resembled snow, and the weather grew colder. The nearby villagers, accustomed to Gu Changge’s identity, were unreserved around him. Su Qingge, well-regarded in the village, showcased her culinary skills, delighting in the season’s offerings like bacon and homemade wine.

As temperatures dropped, the lake froze, and the courtyard was blanketed in a thin layer of white snow. The world turned silent and silvery white. Inside their home, a lively fire crackled in the stove, and sparks occasionally flew. The two nestled together on a not-so-big bed, listening to the snowfall outside. Gu Changge, tightening the quilt around them, held Su Qingge close, gently smoothing her hair.

Amidst the tranquil snowfall, they found solace in each other’s arms, feeling as if only the two of them existed in the entire world. Winter gave way to spring, and time passed swiftly. Gu Changge’s understanding of the world deepened, and he realized that these experiences transcended mortal concerns.

Cultivators pursued different paths—some sought the natural way of Daoism, longevity, and foresight, while others pursued a return to simplicity and the natural. Each individual held distinct perspectives. The term “ordinary” didn’t refer to an average person but rather to a state of mind and concept, emphasizing simplicity and authenticity.

Cultivators pursued longevity and immortality, dissatisfied with the status quo, striving for salvation. On the other hand, mortals sought prosperity, wealth, and power, a pursuit akin to fighting for their own form of salvation. Neither group desired an ordinary existence.

Wang Xiaoniu’s family, along with all the villagers in Green Mountain Village, were mortals, yet they, too, were engaged in their own battles for a better life. The impoverished sought prosperity, the ailing longed for health, and the wealthy aspired to build joyous households with children and grandchildren.

Wang Erniu diligently worked the fields, adhering to the rhythm of sunrise and sunset. In the mortal realm, where insects sang for a single autumn and epiphyllum blooms lasted only one night, everyone was fighting for their version of salvation.

For Gu Changge, the term “mortals’ ‘ had lost its original meaning. What defines immortality? Was it about battling and scheming, or did it embody a lofty and ethereal existence, quietly observing the mortal world? Both seemed to be aspects of immortality.

Ordinary people experienced the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, witnessing the myriad facets of mortal life. They sought detachment from the world, returning to their origins, yet still remained ordinary individuals in the grand scheme of existence.