I Might Be a Big Shot — Chapter 15

Previous  |  Next

As a vengeful man, Li Xinglun had originally intended to make his appearance utterly ordinary — so plain that no one would recognize him even in a crowd. But for some reason, the moment the face-changing Gu insect burrowed into his skin, the face of Changkong Zhuoyu flashed through his mind.

Although both in words and in his heart, Li Xinglun thought Changkong Zhuoyu was an impractical dreamer, he still refused to believe that his master was actually Xue Qianjie; there must be some misunderstanding. But one thing Li Xinglun always admitted was that Changkong Zhuoyu’s looks were far too deceptive. The fact that the disciples and master of the Rang family believed he was Xue Qianjie certainly owed something to his outward appearance.

With such a stunning face, if Li Xinglun looked too plain, people might say his master had poor taste or something of the sort.

Li Xinglun shouldn’t have cared about what others thought, but for some reason he instinctively rejected that idea. So when he activated the face-changing Gu insect, he changed his mind.

Since Rang Cencen already thought he was a fox spirit seducing the Sect Master Xue, then his looks naturally had to live up to that role.

The pain of cutting flesh and shaving bone was nothing to Li Xinglun. Though painful, he endured it — mere fleeting pain of the flesh could hardly compare to the torment in his heart.

When Li Xinglun walked out of the room, his appearance was very similar to his original face, yet clearly different — a deliberate choice on his part.

In this state, those familiar with him might think he resembled Li Xinglun, but would immediately recognize them as two different people. One way or another, Li Xinglun was unwilling to use another face entirely, yet he also couldn’t openly show his true appearance, as it would hinder his investigation into who the mastermind really was. So in the end, he chose this approach.

Similar, yet not quite the same — thus, people were even less likely to believe he was Li Xinglun. After all, anyone who went to the trouble of acquiring a face-changing Gu would surely aim for a dramatic transformation; who would go to such lengths only to make such subtle changes?

Li Xinglun also adjusted his height slightly. Originally half a head taller than Changkong Zhuoyu, he now made himself the same height — perfect for hiding behind his master, staying unnoticed, while quietly reminding his master not to give himself away.

Li Xinglun was already exceptionally handsome, and in Rang Cencen’s eyes, that little fox spirit had given himself an even more strikingly sharp and heroic look. Although still a bit inferior to Changkong Zhuoyu, he was certainly a dragon among men.

Rang Cencen was sure that Li Xinglun hadn’t been this handsome before — it must have been their Hundred Flowers sect’s face-changing Gu that did it!

But to Changkong Zhuoyu, the new appearance was actually a step down. Back when his disciple was at the bottom of the Soul-Breaking Gorge, he often wore an expression of despair mixed with defiance. His sharp brows and thin lips always seemed to challenge heaven itself, which Changkong Zhuoyu liked very much. But now, Li Xinglun appeared slightly gentler, with all his rebelliousness and defiance hidden away, looking more like a properly groomed righteous sect’s young prodigy.

“Barely acceptable,” Changkong Zhuoyu said with slight displeasure. “I still prefer your original face, Little Xing.”

He reached out and touched the altered parts of Li Xinglun’s face. The original face wasn’t so gentle, but more profound and rebellious.

“In the future, when there’s a chance, change it back,” Changkong Zhuoyu said unhappily.

Li Xinglun smiled faintly, his eyes shining with starlight. “I understand. I’ll do as Master wishes when the time comes.”

“Good.” Changkong Zhuoyu was finally a bit more satisfied.

Rang Cencen: “…”

If jealousy were a fire, then Rang Cencen’s fire would absolutely rival the Brahma Heavenly Flames, burning even the Nine Heavens to ashes. This fox spirit was already at the pinnacle of human beauty — he used to look even better? If he were any more handsome, he’d rival Sect Master Xue himself — impossible!

Li Xinglun could only feel helpless: I really was more striking before.

In any case, after all that fuss, Li Xinglun had successfully altered his appearance. They even decided on a new name for him: Pei Xingchen — yet another name no one could make sense of.

{Xingchen — lit. stars and constellations.}

“Many thanks to you both, Seniors.” Naturally, this was not something Changkong Zhuoyu could say — someone of Xue Qianjie’s stature would never thank others. But it was perfectly reasonable for Li Xinglun, as the junior, to express gratitude on their behalf.

“Not at all,” Rang Weiran said, his eyes fixed on Changkong Zhuoyu. “I’ve already said before — the Hundred Flowers sect looks only to Sect Master Xue. If Sect Master Xue commands it, how could we dare disobey?”

The implication being: we actually don’t like the fox spirit Pei much, but since Sect Master Xue ordered it, we have no choice…

“Of course, you won’t go unrewarded,” Changkong Zhuoyu added at the right moment.

This, too, had been planned between him and Li Xinglun. They agreed that since Xue Qianjie was once the sect master of the demonic sect, and had traveled the world visiting countless treacherous peaks, he must have some savings. Changkong Zhuoyu felt that since it was originally his, he should retrieve it as soon as possible; whereas Li Xinglun thought that since Xue Qianjie had disappeared for a thousand years, his treasures were ownerless — whoever found them could keep them.

“But Master, you’ve forgotten your past and have nothing now!” Li Xinglun deliberately spoke up in front of the Rang master and disciple to undermine his master. But it seemed more like he was trying to avoid paying the Hundred Flowers sect, which made Rang Cencen furious: how could Sect Master Xue fancy such a petty man!

Changkong Zhuoyu’s long lashes trembled slightly, and he said as if unconcerned: “No matter. The things of this world all belong to me.”

So domineering — in his eyes, the world was just his purse; whatever he wanted, he could simply reach out and take.

Rang Cencen, both awed by Changkong Zhuoyu’s domineering aura and scornful of Li Xinglun, suppressed her anger and said, “Sect Master Xue, in the demonic path there’s a legend: every generation of sect masters, before undergoing tribulation or self-sacrifice, would hide their collection of treasures somewhere among the mountains of the demonic sect, waiting for their reincarnated self or someone who could break their formations to claim them.”

The sect masters of the demonic sect rarely took disciples, nor did they leave everything to any capable subordinate. They’d occasionally bestow some elixirs or treasures, but kept the rest for themselves. The demonic path always believed in survival of the fittest — if you could break the formations left behind, you were stronger than the previous master and thus deserved the treasures. Inheritance was not something the demonic path practiced; they believed everything belonged to the capable.

So Xue Qianjie had likely left treasures hidden in the mountains of the demonic palace? That place was the stronghold of the demonic path — not to mention the countless traps, just entering the mountains required Golden Core level strength.

Going there to retrieve treasure… Li Xinglun thought it unlikely. Perhaps it was better to give up and focus on cultivation.

But Changkong Zhuoyu clearly didn’t think so.

“In that case, let’s make a trip,” he said lightly, as if it were his own home.

“This…” Even the proud Rang Cencen hesitated. “Sect Master, though you were once the master, it’s been a thousand years, and the position has long since changed hands. With your special identity, if you want to enter the mountains, you’d probably have to storm Heaven-Shaking Peak directly.”

Then challenge the entire demonic sect, fight his way to the current sect master, and bathe the demonic path in blood, reclaiming the position of sect master.

That, Changkong Zhuoyu was unwilling to do.

He simply wanted to recover his memories, soothe his once-loyal subordinates, then travel the world with his disciple, helping him avenge himself and living a carefree life. Changkong Zhuoyu realized that aside from retrieving his past, he had no great ambitions — unifying the cultivation world was not his style. What he wanted was to walk every inch of the land, then perhaps visit the immortal realm, and if that wasn’t enough, maybe even ascend to the god realm.

Given that, why bother being sect master of the demonic sect and burden himself with all its responsibilities?

So he hesitated.

But he still wanted to visit the demonic mountains, since they were part of the land he wished to explore.

“Dealing with the demonic sect is no problem. But I have no desire to bear the burden of the demonic path,” Changkong Zhuoyu said calmly. These words still fit Xue Qianjie’s character. After all, when he became sect master, he first subdued everyone with thunderous methods, then handed all affairs to a few trusted subordinates and wandered the world — a man who clearly disliked power and trouble.

“This…” Rang Cencen didn’t know what to say.

“Little Xing can go,” Changkong Zhuoyu said. “Didn’t you say the Golden Core stage was enough to enter the demonic sect? I’ll help you reach it. Once you’re at Golden Core, you can take me back to Heaven-Shaking Peak.”

Li Xinglun: “…”

Master, wake up! I practice righteous cultivation! And even if I’ve reached the late Foundation Building stage, that was only a few days ago — there’s still a long way to go before Golden Core!

Rang Cencen was speechless as well.

At this point, the more experienced Rang Weiran stepped forward at once and said, “Sect Master Xue, since Young Master Pei has used the face-changing Gu, you can keep the mother Gu with you. Your demonic aura will influence it, and since the child and mother Gu are connected, the child Gu inside Young Master Pei will also emit a demonic aura. That way, even when he uses techniques, he won’t give himself away — as long as he doesn’t cultivate in front of others.”

Even if he did, Changkong Zhuoyu’s cultivation style was more flamboyant than a demonic cultivator’s.

“Excellent.” Changkong Zhuoyu glanced at Rang Weiran with approval.

Seizing the opportunity, Rang Weiran added, “Of course, the Gu insects still need care. For convenience, it would be better if our Sect Master accompanied you on your journey. Since Cencen has reached Nascent Soul stage, it’s about time for her to go out and gain some experience as well.”

Look at that — one child Gu, one mother Gu, and to take care of the mother Gu they even had to throw in a sect master. The Hundred Flowers sect was truly devoted to Xue Qianjie.

This suited Changkong Zhuoyu perfectly (since he was broke). He pretended to ponder for a moment, then said, “Very well.”

Then he turned to give Li Xinglun a smug smile — only to see Li Xinglun clenching his fists, his expression pained. Changkong Zhuoyu instantly understood and withdrew the smile.

Li Xinglun, looking as though he were constipated: “…”

No, he had to think of a secret signal to warn Changkong Zhuoyu in the future.

~ Chapter End ~

Previous  |  Next