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

Chapter 215 Burying Him in Qingman (Part 2)

The young man who emerged from the landscape painting was handsome and upright, with long eyebrows reaching his temples and eyes like cold stars, looking every bit the elegant scholar.

This young man's appearance would be familiar to any cultivator.

Gu Yuandao, a rising star who was thriving just two months ago, has now fallen into complete silence.

Even when she is occasionally mentioned, it is as a contrast to Gu Fangchen, or because of Gu Yuye's death, people think of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, which has now been sealed off and is now a desolate place.

Now that Gu Fangchen has murdered the emperor and betrayed the country, if Gu Yuandao were to reappear in the martial world, the title of Prince of Zhenbei should actually fall to him.

This can also be seen as another way of fulfilling his initial wish...

However, even Gu Yuandao would probably not be willing to take over the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, which was destined to fall into ruin, in this way.

but……

The premise is that the person standing here now has stepped out of the "Landscape Painting" again—

It was indeed Gu Yuandao's words.

The young man did indeed resemble Gu Yuandao, but his demeanor was vastly different from Gu Yuandao's.

Although Gu Yuandao presented himself as a "gentleman," he was actually quite melancholic because he had been instilled with too much ambition by Gu Yuye since childhood. In addition, he lived a life of poverty and did not actually smile much.

If he were to laugh, it would be a cold laugh or a sneer; he wasn't truly a person of refined character.

Especially after being repeatedly crushed by Gu Fangchen and having his cooperation with the Demonic Sect exposed in public, which greatly damaged his image... given his personality, even if he were to reflect on his mistakes in the "Mountains and Rivers Map," it would be useless; he would only become angrier and angrier. Theoretically, he should have already turned into a twisted, corrupted mess.

But this "Gu Yuandao," smiling and bowing to Xie Qian, truly displayed the demeanor of a refined and unassuming gentleman.

Anyone who takes a look will feel that this is exactly what the name "Gu Yuandao" should look like.

Xie Qian, however, seemed unsurprised by the changes in his true disciple. He raised his head, looked at him, and said calmly:

"How is this body?"

Gu Yuandao nodded and said:
"Not bad, it's impressive that you were able to find such a suitable body, and it's been able to withstand 30% of my power in such a short time."

He raised his hand and gently lifted it towards Lu Mingyuan in the distance, and the severed arm of that second-rank "Heart Saint" regrew back!
Lu Mingyuan's pupils constricted, and he was horrified.

His severed arm wasn't due to his own unwillingness to seek treatment, but rather because that mysterious near-first-rank divine master left behind the "severing" intent of his swordsmanship, completely preventing his arm from growing back.

This belongs to a higher level of "Dao," which Lu Mingyuan, a second-rank cultivator, naturally couldn't do anything about.

Therefore, I apologize to the sage here... hoping that the sage will have mercy on me and help me to rebuild my physical body.

Unexpectedly, this disciple, whom the sage had previously accepted, emerged from the "Mountains and Rivers Map" after reflecting on his mistakes. With every move he made, he possessed the power to easily contend with the power of a quasi-first-grade Dao intent!

In other words... I'm afraid that Gu Yuandao at this moment is at least at the same level of near-first-grade strength.

Judging from their conversation, this "Gu Yuandao" has probably already been possessed.

—A doubt also lingered in Lu Mingyuan's mind.

To be honest, they could all see Gu Yuandao's character flaws clearly, but Gu Fangchen's provocation only amplified them.

A 19-year-old fifth-ranked scholar is indeed a genius, but that's not enough for a sage to directly accept him as a true disciple.

That article about people's livelihood wasn't necessarily anything particularly shocking.

In Lu Mingyuan's opinion, this article, combined with his cultivation level, does qualify him, but that's all he's qualified for.

It's normal to accept it or not.

However, it's not enough to reach the level of direct, genuine transmission.

But when sages approve of something, they can only sense that there must be a deeper meaning behind it, but they don't know what that deeper meaning actually is.

Now it seems……

The answer to this profound question is probably right before our eyes.

The sage wasn't actually taking on disciples.

What he accepted was a physical body prepared for his disciple!
Thinking of this, Lu Mingyuan trembled and immediately knelt down before the two of them, saying:

"Thank you for your healing, Your Majesty! Mingyuan will do his utmost to serve you faithfully!"

Xie Qian's gaze remained unchanged. He chuckled and said:
"A natural fit. This body has been nurtured since childhood and is exactly the same as yours back then, only lacking a bit of aptitude."

Gu Yuandao withdrew his hand and said:

"A few points are fine. In this world today, there are no true immortals left. First-grade strength is enough."

"Although this body's aptitude is somewhat lacking, it's only a matter of time."

Xie Qian raised his head and looked up at the sky:
"People in this world are always confused. They would rather live in ignorance than know the truth. The 'Tao' is right there, so how can they not explore it? It is truly ignorant."

He sighed:
“We preachers dedicate our lives to this cause, yet all our efforts are in vain.”

Gu Yuandao's expression turned solemn, and he cupped his hands in greeting:
"The task of spreading the word is nothing more than adding fuel to the fire, but if I only wish to keep this flame alive in the world, I will have no regrets!"

This person was Xie Qian's true disciple, the one who always followed him in spreading his teachings.

Its name is Luosong.

Xie Qian looked pleased and said:

"Although Gu Fangchen is a variable, expelling her from beyond the Great Wall can create another opportunity for our cause of 'eternal harmony'!"

"Although two of the five dragon veins have been lost, we should still thank him for sending a 'Wrathful Dragon Vein' that is no less powerful than a dragon vein. This power is enough to make up for the gap."

His spirit deer leaped several times, landing on the stone platform in the cold pool. Lu Mingyuan quickly lowered his body even further, filled with fear and trepidation.

Xie Qian reached out and lifted Lu Mingyuan up, and Lu Mingyuan felt an invisible force lifting him up.

He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately... this means that he is still useful and it's not time for him to be disposed of yet.

Xie Qian asked:

"Your Highness, are you ready for the coronation ceremony?"

Lu Mingyuan immediately said:

"Already prepared!"

"I have come here precisely to invite the Sage to preside over the grand ceremony!"

When the emperor of the Great Wei Dynasty ascends the throne, two ceremonies are held.

One instance was at the Ziji Hall, where he inherited the Imperial Seal of the Nation and received the homage of all the officials.

The second time was at Yaoshan, to worship the oath that set up "half of the country"!

And this second ceremony, naturally, was to be presided over by Xie Qian.

Now that Gu Fangchen has taken the Imperial Seal of the State away, the first ceremony seems somewhat unworthy of its name.

Fortunately, thanks to Xie Qian's reputation built over a thousand years, the Imperial Seal now holds a three-tenths position in terms of the emperor's legitimacy.

Most importantly, the worship ceremony was held at Yaoshan.

And this time, because of that "Wrathful Dragon Vein," Xie Qian will be able to transform the entire dragon vein and insert it into Xiao Sheng's body while worshipping him, instantly boosting his reputation.

This is enough to offset the impact of the theft of the Imperial Seal of the State.

This will make Xiao Province "the one destined by Heaven".

This method is actually the same as the one Gu Fangchen used to trick Gu Yuye, except that Gu Fangchen turned the real into the fake, while they are going to turn the fake into the real. This "Wrathful Dragon Vein" will make Xiao Sheng the true new emperor, and with this identity, a new national destiny will be born within him.

This is the new dragon vein.

However, at the same time, it will also become the host of two dragon veins.

Xie Qian nodded and said in a gentle tone:
"In that case, go ahead and tell Governor Xiao to prepare well."

"This is a day he has dreamed of for 150 years."

"Yes."

Lu Mingyuan bowed respectfully again and then left the cold pool behind the mountain.

Luo Song smiled as she watched his departing figure, then turned to Xie Qian and pondered:
“Teacher, although Gu Fangchen is already outside the pass, we still cannot be careless. He should be in the Tribulation Refining Realm now, undergoing trials from both the inner and outer demons, which is the most suitable time.”

“This disciple is willing to go to the northern frontier to bury him in the Qingman region.”

Xie Qian nodded:

"can."

……

Yaoshan, the main hall of Wenhua Academy.

Many disciples have been settled elsewhere, and this place has been turned into a place for the new emperor to rest and prepare.

The statue of the saint enshrined above has lowered its eyes and a solemn expression, while the incense smoke rises from below, creating a hazy atmosphere.

Crown Prince Xiao Sheng, supported by others, slowly walked into the incense burner and personally took three sticks of incense, placing them in the incense burner beneath the statue.

He still had the same old, white-haired appearance, but he no longer had that heavy, senile air of old age. His eyes, which had been cloudy, were now shining with a bright light, and he was in a state of excessive excitement.

It's always worrying that this might be a final burst of energy before he dies, and that he might pass away at any moment...

Those around her served her with even greater care, fearing that they might commit the same crime of regicide as Gu Fangchen.

But Xiao Sheng felt incredibly good about himself; he felt more energetic and robust than ever before.

Never in the past 150 years has there been such a moment of triumph!

The entire world has finally returned to his hands!
This is what he deserves!
Lu Mingyuan suddenly appeared beside him, cupping his hands in greeting:
"Your Highness, please prepare for a moment. The sacrificial ceremony will begin soon. The Sage is already waiting for you on the mountaintop."

He flipped his hand, took out an exquisite wooden box, and then opened it.

Inside were dozens of gold needles, each as thick as a finger, covered with intricate incantations carved in blood, making them look incredibly eerie.

If Gu Fangchen were here, she would definitely recognize her—

Isn't this just a demon-suppressing nail?

Yes, to suppress the "Wrathful Dragon Vein," it is necessary to use the Demon-Suppressing Nails to completely seal it within Xiao Sheng's body.

Gu Fangchen used Qingjian's power to transfer the pain, which allowed her to successfully drive the Demon-Suppressing Nail into her body and complete the "magic refinement".

Even Qing Jian, a fourth-rank "Xi Yin Attendant," was tormented by the immense pain to the point of losing control of his bladder.

Xiao Sheng's cultivation level had not yet broken through the lifespan limit; he was only at the sixth rank. The pain brought by the Demon-Suppressing Nail was enough to destroy both his body and spirit.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Sheng slowly walked up to Lu Mingyuan, reached out, and gently stroked the wooden box.

His movements were gentle, but his fingers trembled slightly.

Clearly, he was aware of the consequences of doing so.

Although the Confucian scholar would certainly save his life, that would be all he would ever do.

Once the demon-suppressing nail is inserted, his meridians simply cannot withstand it, and he will likely spend the rest of his life paralyzed.

But... how much of his life does he have left?
"Heh...hehehe..."

A strange smile appeared on Xiao Sheng's aged face.

He was the crown prince for 150 years!
He has at most a year left to live!
If he can't get this position now, he might even be sent away by Emperor Yong'an next year!
Therefore, he must become emperor!

Doesn't he know what the Confucianists want to do?
Those five dragon veins are the offerings for "eternal unity under the same sky"!

Now that he has become a vessel for two of the dragon veins, it means that in the near future, he will also be sacrificed by Confucianism and Xie Qian!
But... he waited for far too long, and his obsession had become a demon.

He would be willing to be emperor even if it was just for a day!
Xiao Sheng's breathing was heavy. His fingers, stroking the "demon-suppressing nails," were incredibly gentle, as if he were dealing not with instruments of torture about to be pierced into his body, but with his most intimate lover.

Looking at the skeletal old man's crazed state in front of him, Lu Mingyuan felt a chill run down his spine.

But this only further proves that they are right.

Emperor Yong'an tormented even his own children in this way; how could he possibly treat the people of the world this way?
Killing him is a matter of course.

The "Great Harmony" they created is the best answer for this world.

"Your Highness, let me set up the formation for you."

Lu Mingyuan looked at Xiao Sheng with pity in his eyes, holding the box in his hand.

Xiao Sheng withdrew his hand, nodded, and took a deep breath:

"bring it on."

come on!

This is what makes me worthy of wearing that crown!

With a fanatical gleam in his eyes, Xiao Sheng accepted the "Demon-Suppressing Nail" under the sage's watchful gaze.

……

Luo Song's emergence from seclusion disguised as Gu Yuandao naturally sparked discussion among some academy disciples.

It was nothing more than discussions about what he had done before and the death of Gu Yuye.

Luo Song walked along as if he hadn't heard anything, showing a gentle smile and bowing to the disciples as usual.

His nonchalant attitude surprised and dismayed the disciples, who felt ashamed and quickly returned the greeting.

After Luo Song left, the people looked at each other in disbelief.

"Is that really Senior Brother Gu?"

"I heard that he made a complete fool of himself in the Purple Palace that day, and I thought that his Dao heart was damaged from then on, and he would never recover..."

"I never expected that he would have such clarity of mind after only a month of self-reflection?"

"I think it's more than that. Senior Brother Gu's aura is becoming increasingly profound. He must have broken through his obsessions and reached a higher level!"

"Truly a disciple of a sage... truly extraordinary!"

Luo Song asked several senior students in the academy and found Gu Youren's location.

She was somewhere in the Wenhua Academy, teaching her disciples with complete concentration, seemingly unaffected by the turmoil at the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.

After Gu Youren finished his lesson, Luo Song stepped forward and smiled:
"Miss."

Gu Youren was taken aback:
"What do you want from me?"

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.: I'm suffering in the toilet again... I'll post this first and then revise it. If there are any errors or omissions, I'll refresh the page later!
(End of this chapter)