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

Chapter 218 A Worthy Death (Part Two)

While Gu Fangchen was lost in thought, Yi'er brought out the new clothes for her.

After washing her face, she took her clothes and knelt on another bed not far from Gu Fangchen. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked at Gu Fangchen stammeringly while holding her clothes.

Gu Fangchen snapped out of her daze and looked at Yi'er. Seeing her troubled expression and the clothes in her hand, she raised an eyebrow, realizing that Yi'er wanted to change but was too shy.

The people of Qingman are known for their fierce and unruly nature. It is quite common for couples who have taken a liking to each other to make love in the open air on the grasslands. Qiqige didn't think it was necessary to prepare a separate tent for Yi'er.

Although she didn't know Yi'er's true identity, Gu Fangchen had escaped to Qingman, not come for tourism. She had a woman with no cultivation by her side, so she couldn't just be a maid, could she?
Naturally, the two of them lived in the same tent, so they could see each other clearly no matter what they were doing.

She's willing to offer a kiss in a life-or-death situation, but when it comes to a time when they might actually be completely honest with each other, she gets shy.

However, judging from Yi'er's previous behavior, it seems more like she's playing hard to get...

She was just pretending to be shy, waiting for Gu Fangchen to speak so she could continue playing the role of "a pitiful girl being forced by a wicked young master".

Gu Fangchen sat up cross-legged, casually took out her fan and fanned herself, deliberately teasing:

"Why did you stop? I don't know how to put on Qingman's clothes. Do you need my help?"

To enhance the immersive experience, he even switched back to referring to himself as "this Crown Prince".

Even though he was no longer the heir apparent at this time, and the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion no longer existed.

Upon hearing his words, Yi'er blushed even deeper and said reproachfully:

"I have hands and feet, I can dress myself."

Gu Fangchen looked at her and said with a smile:

“You are mistaken, young lady. These Qingman clothes are very different from those of the Central Plains. If you have never been familiar with them, it is not easy for one person to put them on. You will need someone to help you.”

"However, since you insist, I will not interfere. But I have things to do tomorrow, so you should wash up and rest soon."

Yi'er, of course, understood Gu Fangchen's urging tone. She glanced at him and whispered:
"Then turn around..."

"Since we're in an unfamiliar place, it's only natural that I, the young master, should help keep watch. Otherwise, the young lady might be kidnapped if we turn around."

Gu Fangchen spoke with great seriousness and conviction.

Yi'er had no way to refute him, so she glared at him and muttered:
"Understood, young master, just wait."

She turned around, knelt down, and untied the bow on her dress. As the fabric slipped down, it revealed a patch of smooth, fair skin.

Next came the clothes.

Yi'er's ears turned slightly red as she lowered her head and fiddled with the furry blue barbarian clothes.

But just as Gu Fangchen said, the clothing structures of the two countries were very different, and she couldn't immediately figure out how to wear them.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound behind me.

A warm and familiar youthful scent pressed against her back, startling her. The clothes in her hands slipped from her grasp, and the youthful voice sounded beside her neck:
"Don't move, you're wearing the wrong clothes."

He sighed, "As expected, I, the young master, still have to help."

Yi'er's heart pounded like a drum. She didn't dare to look back. Clutching the fluffy clothes, she let Gu Fangchen guide her step by step on how to wear them.

These Qing barbarians are warlike, and their clothing is designed primarily for warmth and defense, with multiple layers inside and out, making it very thick.

The garment that Qiqige gave her was probably her own; it was a close-fitting leather armor with sturdy iron plates sewn inside.

Gu Fangchen helped Yi'er put on the two pieces of leather armor, making sure there wasn't even a gap the thickness of a finger that could fit through, in order to ensure the armor's defensive capabilities.

As for those fluffy clothes and decorations, that's just Qiqige's own hobby.

Gu Fangchen played with it curiously for a while before wrapping Yi'er inside.

After getting dressed, Yi'er was drenched in sweat and panting heavily. Her cheeks were flushed from being wrapped in the fluffy clothes, and she was so tired that she could only lean against Gu Fangchen's chest.

The tent fabric is covered with spiritual runes and heat-insulating arrays, making the temperature inside the tent dozens of degrees higher than outside.

Gu Fangchen, with her high cultivation level, was not significantly affected.

Yi'er muttered:
"I'm covered in sweat, so washing up was pointless. It's all your fault, young master."

Gu Fangchen lowered his head and kissed her:
"It's okay if you don't wash, Yi'er's sweat smells good too."

He wasn't just spouting nonsense to fool people.

Yi'er does indeed naturally exude a faint scent of wine, which becomes even more pronounced when she sweats, almost like she's taken a sip of "Drunken Spring Breeze".

Yi'er naturally couldn't just sleep like that, all sweaty. She wanted to get up and wipe herself down, but as soon as she got up, she felt weak in the legs and fell back into Gu Fangchen's arms.

She brought her legs together and only then did she realize the slight burning sensation.

The girl was startled, turned around, and glared at Gu Fangchen.

It's definitely swollen...

Gu Fangchen blinked, helped her up, and casually grabbed the towel next to her, saying:

"Let me help Yi'er wipe her body."

Yi'er quickly replied:
"Young master, you... hey!"

Gu Fangchen quickly undressed her, laid her down, and began to carefully rub her back.

……

The next day.

Gu Fangchen stepped out of the tent and was greeted by a beautiful, furry girl.

Qiqige looked at him, then at the inside of the tent, and said with a grin:
"It seems the messenger had a good night's sleep last night."

"messenger?"

Gu Fangchen grasped an unfamiliar word.

Qiqige nodded, bowed to him, and then said:

“Father has declared that you are an envoy sent by the ‘Heavenly God’ to lead the Qingman to an even greater victory, just as in ancient times when our great ‘Heavenly God’ established the foundation of the Qingman.”

Gu Fangchen smiled and said:
"Is light a messenger?"

Qiqige was taken aback, completely unexpected by Gu Fangchen's reaction. Curious, she asked in return:
"Then what do you think it should be?"

Gu Fangchen raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully:

"I thought that after seeing my arrow yesterday, you would understand who I really am."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left, heading towards the golden tent.

In reality, he also knew that his identity could not suddenly become that of a "god" reincarnation.

For Qingman, this was a huge shock.

The fact that Suler came out to greet her after seeing the arrow already proved that he believed Gu Fangchen possessed power comparable to that of a "god".

Otherwise, given his personality, he would never admit defeat so easily.

However, Gu Fangchen is, after all, a person from the Great Wei. If he were to announce right away that he is the reincarnation of a "god", all four major departments would be furious.

Although Sule was the Khan, the four tribes were not a united front. They had grudges against each other, and many harbored malicious intentions towards Sule. However, due to his prestige and power, they had always kept quiet and obeyed his orders.

Once Sule acknowledges that a Great Wei person is the reincarnation of a "heavenly god," ambitious individuals among the four major tribes will surely seize the opportunity to launch an attack and create internal strife.

It is not impossible that they might even rise up in rebellion and overthrow Sule's rule.

At this moment, Suler's recognition of him as a messenger of the "gods" meant that he agreed to the alliance plan proposed yesterday, and at the same time began to gradually lay the groundwork for public opinion.

If the alliance succeeds, Gu Fangchen's reputation will naturally rise, and then we can arrange for Da Tiansa to perform some prophecies and miracles.

At that time, he will naturally be able to advance to become the reincarnation of a "god".

Therefore, Gu Fangchen's words were not only meant for Qiqige, but also for the wolf guards around her.

Among these people were spies from the four major departments, who would naturally relay his words. Qiqige was taken aback upon hearing this, then exhaled a puff of white breath.

This guy... is really arrogant.

This statement is essentially saying that even the identity of an envoy is not enough.

If it were anyone else, even Gu Fangchen from before yesterday, saying such things, Qiqige would definitely think he was crazy.

But Gu Fangchen was just as arrogant in front of the golden tent yesterday.

However, after being ridiculed and scorned, it was their faces that were slapped and swollen.

Therefore, Qiqige was surprised and uncertain about Gu Fangchen's words at this moment.

The wolf guards beside him were indignant:
"Qiqige, he's too arrogant! If he doesn't want to be an envoy, what else could he be? Could he be a 'god' reincarnated?"

Qiqige's face darkened, and she scolded him gently:
"No rudeness allowed."

"A hero's boastful words are boundless courage and power, not to be desecrated. Go and receive ten lashes yourself."

The wolf guard realized he had misspoke, his expression changed, and he quickly lowered his head.

"Yes."

Qiqige watched Gu Fangchen's retreating figure and took a deep breath.

He dared to say such a thing... Could he really be confident?

……

Gu Fangchen went to the Golden Tent, where Maha Wuliang was already waiting.

The gaunt, scholar-like old man looked up at him and tossed a round stone from his hand over.

Gu Fangchen's pupils constricted, and she immediately reached out to catch it before letting out a sigh of relief.

This round stone has a rough, disc-like shape and is about two fingers thick. It is engraved with mysterious golden patterns, forming an ancient sundial.

At first glance, this stone seems ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one discovers that its golden patterns change with the light and shadow, complex and magnificent, pulsating with countless proverbs, making one's heart flutter.

If you practice the art of cause and effect, you will discover that it contains countless threads of cause and effect.

Once attracted, one becomes trapped in it, losing one's senses along with it.

This is the divine artifact that Qingman enshrined on the sacred mountain – the "Wangyin Sundial".

It is also an important item for completing the Prajna Lotus Moon [Red Dust Fire] side quest.

However... anyone who has done this side quest knows that it has no successful ending.

Regardless, Prajna Lotus Moon's resurrection plan is doomed to failure.

Gu Fangchen now knows that the reason why Prajna Lotus Moon failed is because, in the original game timeline, there was no such person as Gu Fangchen.

Or rather, the Gu Fangchen she wanted to resurrect did not exist.

Only now is there a possibility of success.

Moreover, it wasn't a success in the normal sense, because Gu Fangchen didn't die at all...

"Hmm... but this way, there are some advantages too."

Gu Fangchen looked at the divine weapon in her hand and smiled bitterly to herself:

"At least, we don't have to worry about the Prajna Lotus Moon subplot failing again."

When he was deceiving Princess Prajna, he had already planned to find a way to enter the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Garuda and complete the perfect resurrection ritual.

Although the process continues, the goal is different now.

Gu Fangchen planned to let Banruo Lianyue discover the truth little by little on the way... so that the shock wouldn't be too great and would ruin her.

Maha Boundless adjusted his glasses, chuckled, and said:
"This is the 'Past Cause Sundial'. There's no need to be too careful or afraid of it breaking. This thing was originally placed on that sacred mountain, but it wasn't of much use. Now it's gone in a good way."

What does it mean to die a worthy death?

Are you sure this thing will definitely break?
Gu Fangchen's heart skipped a beat. Putting everything else aside, there was no doubt about the old man's mastery of causality...

So, this "sundial" will most likely break down on the way to Vatuma.

However, if we need to use the "Wangyin Tiangui" (a type of gnomon), and to damage it to this extent... then we can only use it as the core of the formation to activate some forbidden-level formations.

Can it really go that far?

Gu Fangchen's heart sank as she looked at the "Past Cause Sundial" in her hand and took a deep breath.

Whether it's possible or not, we have to do it.

He twitched the corner of his mouth and said:

"I will try my best to return it intact."

He put away the round stone, greeted Qiqige, and asked her to take care of Yi'er.

He then quietly concealed himself and headed towards the Six Paths of the North.

Before leaving, I need to say goodbye to Old Ding and the Princess.

……

Shuobei.

The situation has changed repeatedly, but with the Eldest Princess and the Martial Saint stationed at the border, the morale of the army has not wavered.

The White Dragon Army and the Black and Yellow Army were originally stationed on the border.

After Gu Yuye's death, the Xuanhuang Army was almost completely wiped out, leaving only a small number of remnants to defend the city.

Ding Xingfeng then gathered his old troops, separated 50,000 soldiers from the White Dragon Army, and rebuilt the "Yizhou Army," occupying Jinlin City and guarding the three passes that Gu Yuye was originally supposed to defend.

Gu Fangchen first went to Jinlin City, took out her "Marquis of Yizhou" token, and successfully met with Old Ding.

"Shh!"

As soon as Gu Fangchen stepped into the main hall of the city lord's mansion, dozens of guards sprang out from all around, their silver spears gleaming, their blades pointed directly at his brow.

Well... if you're surrounded as soon as you enter, that would be considered a success.

Gu Fangchen silently raised her head and saw Ding Xingfeng sitting behind the desk, his face gloomy, sneering at her:

"You murdered your king and betrayed your country, and you still dare to swagger in front of me?"

Gu Fangchen shrugged and said with a grin:

"Master, don't be so serious."

"It's nothing more than killing an emperor and then fleeing to another country to hide. It's not a serious matter..."

Ding Xingfeng didn't react to this, but the others twitched their lips.

If this isn't serious, what could be serious?
Ding Xingfeng was also amused and said:
"Then tell me, what else would be considered serious?"

Gu Fangchen said softly:

"Of course, it's taking it without asking, a waste of resources, and harming innocent bystanders. Don't you think so, old man Ding?"

……

at the same time.

Luo Song and Gu Youren, disguised as Gu Yuandao, also arrived at the White Dragon Army's main camp and met Xiao Yinghao.

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.: Post first, then edit; please refresh if there are any errors or omissions.

(End of this chapter)