The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 179 Don't be afraid, I won't do anything

For Gu Yuye, once the dragon vein takes shape, it means that the plan is basically fully implemented and there are no other concerns.

Even if there are pitfalls, as long as the dragon vein is in his hands, he can control the situation.

Therefore, whether or not one's true identity is revealed will be meaningless by then.

He has never revealed his true identity out of caution, not out of fear.

His true form is actually stronger than his clone. Unless the sage of Yaoshan happens to emerge from seclusion at that time, no one will be able to kill him in one blow.

Even if the sage emerges from seclusion, as long as the fate of the nation rests on his shoulders, in order to prevent the evil cult from using the fate of the nation to open the Heavenly Gate, the sage will probably have to protect him!
Therefore, Gu Yuye made a decision after only a moment's thought.

As long as it's confirmed that this "Love" Dao Master is not Gu Fangchen, then everything will be fine.

No matter how powerful Gu Fangchen is, she is still a target of the Demonic Sect's manipulation and persecution. The enmity between them is no less than that between her and Gu Yuye.

Ding Xingfeng, Princess Banruo, and others could be considered old acquaintances, or perhaps they had conflicts of interest.

But no matter what, the leader of the Demonic Sect has no reason to protect Gu Fangchen, right?

Therefore, Gu Yuye felt at ease letting other Dao Lords judge the truth.

Gu Yuye made a vow against his inner demons, looked at Gu Fangchen, and said:

"Master Feiwei, is my sincerity enough to be considered trust?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Fangchen's expression softened slightly:
"That's pretty much it..."

"In terms of illusion skills, apart from me, the Dao Master of the 'Craftsman' Dao is the strongest. However, since I am acquainted with their ancestor, I should naturally avoid suspicion."

Gu Fangchen smiled and looked at the man in the iron hat who stood silently beside her, wearing a rusty sword-covered raincoat:

"Since that's the case, then... I'd like to ask 'Lord Yubai' to be my witness. Does anyone have any objections?"

Everyone nodded. "Yu Bai Gong" had a peculiar and eccentric personality and basically did not associate with other Dao Lords, nor did he have any friendship with them.

His presence is the perfect witness.

Originally, it was thought that "Feiwei" would choose "Gong" Daoist Master, who was obviously closer to him, but he actually chose "Yubai Gong," who was indifferent to everyone.

In this light, it is clear that "non-action" is indeed well-founded and has a clear conscience!
When Gu Yuye heard that he had asked "the corrupt official" to notarize the event, he breathed a sigh of relief and secretly realized that he had indeed been too suspicious...

Others might be possible, but "the corrupt official" is absolutely impossible!

Back then, he personally contacted Wu Hui, the confidant of that "spoiled scoundrel," to discuss how to directly assassinate Gu Fangchen.

Later, the "Death" Path also became the main force in hunting down Gu Fangchen.

Gu Fangchen and the "Death" Path are sworn enemies, and "Yu Baigong" would never help Gu Fangchen fake it!
"The Degenerate Duke": "..."

Beneath the iron hat, the face of the void remained perfectly calm. He raised the sword in his hand and gently tapped it downwards.

"Click."

In an instant, the Dao Domain of "Death" suddenly unfolded. Centered on the tip of his rusty sword, a terrifying and chilling pure blood color spread outwards, rapidly engulfing the entire secret chamber and enveloping him and Gu Fangchen.

If an ordinary person saw this scene, their heart would stop in shock.

The Way of “Decay and Ruin” is the death of all things, but not the end.

The path of "extinction" is the ultimate goal of everything.

The path of "death" is a process of moving towards the ultimate end.

Countless deaths constitute annihilation.

"Death" and "extinction" are inseparable, but at the same time, they are completely different, just like the difference between a point and a line.

Rusting, rotting, aging, decay... these are the ways of "death".

Cultivators are not always afraid of instantaneous destruction; the destroyed physical body can be reborn, but the aging of lifespan is almost irreversible.

There are so few ways to extend lifespan that even losing some lifespan is heartbreaking.

When encountering a "tyrant," the worst thing isn't being beaten to death, but rather having your lifespan shortened while being beaten...

What's more, this guy is covered in poison; even a little bit of it is disgusting.

Gu Fangchen actually understood that, as a player, the most terrifying thing about fighting against "Yu Baigong" was that, while fighting, the opponent would directly reduce your maximum health!

Who can bear this?

After fighting for ages without even scratching the boss's health bar, I turned around and found myself grazed, my health bar down to half, and I was also poisoned, my health rapidly decreasing...

It's a drawing of hell!
The margin for error is simply too low when playing against a "defeated ruler".

But because of this, Gu Fangchen has almost developed muscle memory. As soon as Guagua Gong raises his hand, he knows whether the opponent wants to use a basic attack, a combo, or a feint, whether it's a random attack, a fast or slow attack, or a direct strike.

The current preparatory movement is clearly a feint.

There wasn't even any poison released in this domain; it was just that the color was terrifying, meant to scare people.

Expanding the Dao Domain is simply to create a private chat environment.

Gu Fangchen raised her head and smiled:
"This must be the first time you've truly seen me, Xuanming?"

Xuanming was the real name of "Yubai Gong".

That is, the "Puppeteer" who controls this puppet.

Although Yu Baigong had expected this, his pupils still contracted when he heard the name, and he stared intently at the guy in front of him.

"So you mean this isn't the first time you've met me?"

Gu Fangchen sighed:
"I've seen you many times, and I've killed you many times."

"Similarly... I have seen your daughter many times and once thought I had found a way for her to survive."

I once thought?
So, there is no way out...

"The Degenerate Duke" was silent for a moment, then said:
"You asked Duan Qicang to pass on a message to me—'The one who tied the knot must untie it.' What does that mean?"

His daughter's name was Xuanling.

But the meaning behind this sentence goes beyond just a name; the other party must know much more! Everyone believed that it was not until a hundred years ago, when someone with white hair opened the Heavenly Gate, that the Heavenly Gate was able to appear in the world.

Little did he know that because of his past foolishness, his daughter Xuanling was actually the first person to come into contact with Tianmen!

After that, he tried every possible way to find a way to prolong his daughter's life.

They have been searching for this for thousands of years, and still do today.

Gu Fangchen truthfully replied:

“If we go back to the beginning and close the causal loop, Xuanling will be able to wake up… That’s what I used to think.”

"The Degenerate Duke" did not question how to return to the beginning; understanding his implied meaning, he pondered and said:
"So now, do you think this is the wrong approach?"

Gu Fangchen could only tell the truth, saying:
"I do not know."

If you choose the "Return to Truth" ending, then doing the things mentioned above will awaken Xuanling.

But now, after discovering Tianmen's last words, he has a feeling... if he did that, it might not be Xuanling who wakes up.

Just like, in the end, it might not be the player who returns from the underworld.

"The Degenerate Duke" was not angry at all. Instead, he let out a long breath, shook his head, and said in a deep voice:
"At least, you've eliminated one false possibility for me."

He could tell that what Gu Fangchen said was true, and he himself was also confused.

Gu Fangchen thought for a moment and said:

"Could I see Xuanling?"

Not as a player, but as Gu Fangchen.

In the game, Xuanling is an untraceable character, and many details about her are not fully revealed to the player.

However, given Gu Fangchen's current identity, she might be able to find hidden clues.

"The Degenerate Duke" looked at him and said very directly:
"You are still too weak."

Just like the inaccessible Heavenly Gate, Xuanling is related to the Heavenly Gate. Getting close to her will cause mental confusion, and one must at least reach the third rank of strength to do so.

Gu Fangchen blinked and said with a grin:
"Understood. Once I reach a certain level of strength, I can meet him."

"Insolent scoundrel" certainly means that, but looking at this kid's smug and fearless smile, I felt inexplicably annoyed...

Never mind, it's all for the sake of saving my daughter.

This guy probably has a talent similar to obtaining prophecies, and knows far more than he imagined... Maybe he really can find a way to wake Ling'er up.

He would try anything, no matter the cost, as long as there was even the slightest possibility!

The brief conversation ended.

"Bad Lord" struck his rusty sword again, and the blood-red domain instantly disappeared.

He nodded and said calmly:
“He is indeed a man of passion.”

Gu Yuye's last concern disappeared, and the remaining Dao Lords also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they were certain that the illusion technique they had just witnessed was indeed incredibly powerful, Gu Yuye's skepticism made them nervous.

Fortunately, it can now be confirmed that their judgment was correct!

"Therefore, proceed according to plan! Seven days from now will be the day the dragon vein appears!"

The "Six Star Lords" made the final decision, looked around, and everyone nodded in agreement before disappearing from the spot one after another.

Gu Yuye left behind and said in a deep voice:

"I have several men under my command in Jiangnan who can cooperate with the aristocratic families. When the rebel army begins to stir up trouble, we will gather them under the pretext of suppression."

Gu Fangchen smiled:
"In that case, Your Highness, you may come with me to the Dugu family in a few days."

……

Gu Fangchen walked out of the secret room, where Guan Yue greeted her at the door.

"Lord Dao, the imposter who impersonated you has been placed in your room as instructed."

She got into character very quickly, calling him "Dao Master" fluently without any hesitation.

Gu Fangchen nodded:
"Take me there."

He followed Guan Yue to the door of the room, instructed the latter to stand guard outside, and then pushed the door open and went in.

Upon entering, the first thing that catches the eye is Ying Liangxin, who is bound hand and foot.

Moreover, the method of binding was extremely familiar and vulgar...

It truly resonates with me.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

Ying Liangxin looked at him with a knotted rope in her mouth and a look of terror in her eyes.

Gu Fangchen smiled slightly and stepped forward.

"Don't be afraid, I won't do anything."

……

at the same time.

Ning Caiyong and his entourage finally arrived at the Dugu family residence in Gushu.

The news that the Prince of Zhenbei had arrived in Gushu to investigate the truth of what happened back then had already spread far and wide. Jiangnan was the territory of aristocratic families, so naturally, it was full of cultivators.

Many of those who were on the list of successful candidates came to deliver their visiting cards.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: My stomach is still upset. This chapter is only 3,000 words; I'll continue tomorrow...

(End of this chapter)