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

Chapter 223 Princess Prajna's Male Concubine (Three-in-One)

In Luo Song's opinion, Gu Fangchen's inner demons arose because the person she was trying to save had already died at her hands.

Therefore, the inner demons should also fall within the range he guessed...

Whether it's shame, remorse, or good intentions, it's all reasonable.

The inner demons born of shame often transform into boundless malice towards those one has wronged because the guilt is irreparable.

It's like someone who owes money and doesn't pay it back. At first, they might feel ashamed, but as they owe more and more, they'll start to direct their malice at their creditors.

If Gu Fangchen develops inner demons due to shame, then the most likely thing he would do is kill Zhao Daniu's family to silence them.

In this way, the promise no longer needs to be kept, and the shame in one's heart will disappear.

The inner demons born of regret often transform into displaced anger. Gu Fangchen might believe that everything is Qingman's or the Princess's fault—

If it weren't for the invasion of the Qingman, and if the eldest princess hadn't been trapped, why would it have been necessary to sacrifice these people?
So, whether he resents Qingman or the Eldest Princess, for Gu Fangchen in her current predicament, it's all a dead end.

As for the inner demons arising from good intentions, they naturally transform into self-torture and are the most dangerous and direct inner demons.

Mental confusion is one aspect, but if there is any point that cannot be understood, suicide will inevitably be chosen as an act of atonement.

However, neither of these options would be the response Gu Fangchen would make at this moment.

Luo Song and Xie Qian were no different; both believed that they were practicing righteousness, which naturally stemmed from their own desire to help the world and save the people.

Although what they did was outrageous, in their own eyes it was a truly timeless law, a great deed done for the benefit of all people.

Naturally, he never considered himself a bad person; on the contrary, he was a traditional Confucian disciple and a very kind-hearted person.

What Gu Fangchen is doing at this moment seems quite bizarre to most people.

If someone dies, and you just grab their soul and have someone impersonate it to reunite with their family, it's simply not something a human being would do.

But in this way, the grandfather and grandson will have someone to take care of them, and besides, they are just ordinary people and can't tell the difference.

Zhao Daniu's wife unfortunately died young, so even the ethical issues were resolved.

Both emotionally and practically, things are taken care of.

Leaving aside moral factors and judging by practicality, this approach is not only perfectly acceptable, but is actually the optimal solution!

But that's precisely where the problem lies.

Gu Fangchen's decision was so calm and reasonable that it didn't seem like she was suffering from inner demons at all.

Luo Song did not believe that he was a cold-blooded person without any emotional fluctuations, but simply used this to cover up his crimes.

If that's the case, he could simply kill Zhao Shi's family members; why go through all that trouble?

Gu Fangchen is now part of the Qingman camp. As long as the charge of regicide hangs over him, he will never be able to restore the prestige of the Great Wei.

Such hypocrisy is meaningless.

Therefore, Gu Fangchen must have had good intentions when she did such a sinister thing...

Luo Song stared wide-eyed as Gu Fangchen effortlessly made her way to the gang's black market near Mo Hai, where she bought a fresh middle-aged man's corpse under the guise of making a puppet.

These corpses were so well preserved because they were specifically used for various less respected magical techniques.

The one Gu Fangchen chose looks about 50% like Zhao Daniu.

Zhao Daniu left Mohai several years ago and has been communicating with his family by letter ever since, never returning home.

"Well... five years, and living in the border army, it was tough and tiring, so it's normal that my appearance has changed a bit."

Gu Fangchen stroked her chin, squinted at the corpse in front of her, and nodded:

"Just add a little more illusion magic, and it will be completely flawless."

He turned his head, looked at the trembling soul, and smiled slightly:
"You agree, right, Zhao Daniu?"

The spirit immediately nodded, its expression very serious:
"You're right!"

Gu Fangchen had just explained the situation to the spirit, offering to resurrect him as a human in exchange for him playing the role of Zhao Daniu and continuing to live as Zhao Daniu.

Incidentally, this soul was also carefully selected by Gu Fangchen.

He was a member of the White Dragon Army, but he died on the battlefield, rather than being eliminated by Gu Fangchen's skills.

He had only been dead for a short time, but luckily escaped the cleansing of the Yellow Springs and became a preparatory vengeful ghost living in the Nine Netherworlds.

If someone has recently died, as long as their soul can be brought back, they can be resurrected by any means necessary.

There are only two prerequisites.

First, the other party must have at least basic spiritual cultivation in order to return relatively intact.

And the soul that was retrieved happened to be a Taoist cultivator.

Secondly, if the body is dead, it is difficult to continue living, so one must take over another body by using possession or puppetry techniques to control another body.

There has to be no rejection reaction.

But for someone like Prajna Lotus Moon—or as she thought—who is an ordinary person without cultivation, whose soul has long since fallen into the Nine Netherworlds and reincarnated countless times, a special method is needed.

Gu Fangchen chose this person for a simple reason: he came from the White Dragon Army, so he wouldn't be exposed because he didn't know anything about the military.

After experiencing the torment of the Nine Netherworlds, no one would not want to live again.

Moreover, with Gu Fangchen's help, his life as Zhao Daniu will only get better and better.

This wasn't even a condition; he was more than willing.

Gu Fangchen doesn't need to sign a soul contract to control this person. She only needs to leave a gap in the puppet technique, which he must fill every few years. Otherwise, if the soul and body are not in harmony, he will be sent back to the Netherworld immediately.

Gu Fangchen spent three days stuffing the man's soul into that body, and then used puppetry and illusion techniques.

They created a perfect "Zhao Daniu".

Luo Songxin harbored doubts and waited in secret, but the moment when Gu Fangchen's "inner demon" would manifest never came.

He was becoming more and more in sync with Gu Yuandao's body, and his strength was recovering every moment.

However, there is still some distance to go before it can be restored from the second rank to the first rank.

However, with the grand plan of "eternal unity" now within reach and success imminent, he was unwilling to create any complications. Otherwise, he would have simply killed Gu Fangchen directly.

"Could it be... that the 'inner demon tribulation' I cast failed to take effect?"

Luo Song was surprised and frowned.

In any case, Gu Fangchen's current appearance does not seem to be the result of being affected by "inner demons".

Who can be so calm and organized when dealing with their inner demons?

This doesn't seem like an extreme case at all...

After much deliberation, Luo Song's doubts finally reached their peak.

Just because others can't withstand the "inner demons" doesn't mean Gu Fangchen can't.

There are many strange things about this person, and perhaps he has a method to counteract the influence of the inner demons, which has taken effect without his knowledge.

Taking advantage of the changing weather, Luo Song once again condensed the red tribulation lightning and unleashed it upon Gu Fangchen.

"Crack... Boom!"

Gu Fangchen, who was stabilizing "Zhao Daniu's" body, raised an eyebrow, glanced at the red lightning, and then got busy again, throwing herself into her work of refining the corpse.

Luo Song: "..."

I refuse to believe this nonsense!

"Crack! Crack! ... Boom! Boom!"

The severe weather with thunder and lightning lasted for three days near Mohai, but such drastic weather changes were not surprising to the border residents.

Because the Qingman's Tiansa are most skilled in the art of altering the weather, they often use this to create plagues, and the residents living on the border must adapt to such unpredictable changes.

As for the red lightning mixed in with the dark clouds, even if someone occasionally noticed it, they would only think it was a different color.

three days later.

Gu Fangchen escorted "Zhao Daniu" back to Mohai with a normal expression. After exchanging pleasantries with Granny Meng and Hongdou for a while, she bid farewell.

He set the background for "Zhao Daniu" as someone who was wounded on the battlefield but also made contributions. He needed to recuperate in the desert for a period of time before taking his grandfather and grandson to the Central Plains to live a good life.

This way, he can lie down and get familiar with the two of them, and there won't be any major flaws later.

Subsequently, Gu Fangchen traveled at full speed to the Western Regions.

Today, the Western Regions are filled with numerous small kingdoms, but they are all minor kingdoms, completely subordinate to the powerful Gu poison state – Vatuma.

Because of the rampant use of Gu poison, the residents of this Fatuma are, as one can imagine, a place teeming with lawless madmen, extremely vigilant, and very xenophobic.

If he enters into the group as a complete outsider, he will certainly not be able to gain their trust.

Even though they came as Qingman's "celestial god" messengers, it only added one layer of apprehension.

In particular, he came here this time to find a super-resilient escape artist who had escaped being silenced by Gu Yuye.

If the wandering merchant who presented the "heart-planting poison" hadn't been more perceptive of danger, he wouldn't have been able to escape at all, given that Gu Yuye turned against him so soon.

Therefore, we must not alert the enemy during this trip.

They would use Princess Prajna Lotus Moon's identity to lure the enemy out...

Therefore, Gu Fangchen's first task was to create a hidden identity for herself.

Midway through, he contacted Guanyue and received the remaining part of the "Love" Dao.

The Demonic Cult's "Path of Love" also doubles as an intelligence agency. Although its professional capabilities are still inferior to those of the professional Eye of Heaven, the advantage is that it is completely under its control, and there is no need to make any deals with the Eye of Heaven.

Moreover, the intelligence function of "Qing" Dao is merely a byproduct of their infiltration into various forces.

Their real role is to help you seamlessly integrate into the local community, no matter where you go.

Although the "path of love" has now broken away from the demonic sect and become independent.

However, since the Demonic Sect was originally a sect that relied on individual factions and mostly operated independently, the only branch that was lost in the matter of leaving the sect was the Demonic Sect itself.

However, the principles of "emotion" themselves are not greatly affected...

After all, even before they left the religion, the "love" way was a group of people who would even cheat their own people.

……

The next day.

In the royal palace of Vatuma.

"It is truly an honor for my country, Vatuma, to have Your Highness grace us with your presence..."

An elderly man in a magnificent white robe bowed to Prajna Lotus Moon, his face showing a mixture of flattery and caution.

"But what brings the princess here so suddenly?"

The Vatuma is now a theocratic state, and its people adhere to the Galo religion, which helped establish the kingdom five hundred years ago.

—The name of this religion is a copy of Garuda, so it is natural that it completely worships the ancient kingdom of Garuda and regards the restoration of this great ancient kingdom as its ultimate goal.

And most of the people of Vatuma did indeed worship Garuda immensely.

Because of the theocracy, the king was also the priest. This old man in white, named Mori, was the high priest of the Gara religion of Vatuma, and thus the king of Vatuma.

At the same time, he is also a second-rank Gu master who is proficient in poison and Gu techniques, and has absolute control over the entire Vatuma.

According to the customs of the Central Plains, this old Moli could be called the "Gu Saint".

This also shows why the Great Wei was the absolute hegemon.

The Qingman currently has two second-rank officials, but that's because most of them sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. At its peak, there were a total of five.

In the Great Wei, there are seven people who are considered prominent, and one of them is a first-rank official.

In the entire kingdom of Vatum, only one person of the second rank emerged.

The Sea Kingdom is better off, as it has two.

The strength of the Great Wei is basically overwhelming.

If it weren't for the internal strife, and if we also had to include the major cancers within the Demonic Sect... then there would be more than ten second-rank cultivators.

Mori himself belongs to the faction that largely identifies with Princess Prajna as the last surviving orphan of Garuda.

However, he was puzzled as to why Prajna Lotus Moon had not responded to them and returned to this homeland for so many years.

Therefore, when Prajna Lotus Moon suddenly visited, Mori was more worried that something might have changed in the current situation of the Great Wei, and that they might be planning something against them.

This time, Prajna Lotus Moon was visiting a neighboring country as a holy maiden of the Tara sect, so she naturally attended in full regalia, no longer wearing the white dress that resembled a lotus flower.

Instead, she was adorned with jewels from head to toe, wearing a colorful celestial robe, with her fair neck, arms, and ankles still decorated with jingling and exquisite jewels.

The fine gauze, like mist, covered the upper half of her face, but even with only half her face visible, she was still incomparably beautiful.

Her celestial robes moved without wind, spotless, with ribbons tied to her arms, swaying gently in mid-air.

From a distance, she truly resembles the celestial maiden in the mural, as if she were about to fly away at any moment.

Prajna Lotus Moon said softly:
"Does King Mori not welcome me?"

Morley thought to himself, "Of course I don't welcome this," but outwardly he quickly shook his head:
“It is our wish that the princess is willing to return to her homeland. However, over the years, the Garuda sect has repeatedly hoped that the princess would lead us to find the ruins of Garuda, but we have never received a response from the Tara sect.”

"Why have you suddenly come here again this time? We simply don't understand the reason behind it."

Prajna Lotus Moon turned her head.

Although Mori couldn't see her eyes, he seemed to feel her gaze, and his throat tightened, a sense of vigilance rising in his heart.

But Prajna Lotus Moon only sighed softly, then turned to look into the distance, murmuring:

"The old friends are gone, and the homeland is hard to return to."

“The people from back then are no longer here. If I go back, I will only find a place of sorrow… King Mori has lived for five hundred years and must have experienced many separations and deaths.”

"In the eyes of the world, a second-grade Qitian Realm cultivator is already a celestial being."

"But for you and me, there are many things we want to salvage, but very few things we can actually do..."

“Since King Mori has experienced it, he should understand why I am unwilling to return. In the words of the Central Plains, things have changed, and time has passed. What is there left for me to see?”

These words were so sincere that Mori couldn't help but show a look of emotion.

really……

Many regrets of ordinary people will vanish like smoke a hundred years from now.

But for practitioners like them, many things linger in their minds for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Overcoming inner demons simply means enabling them to align their thoughts with their actions and no longer waver in their beliefs.

But it cannot change a person's character.

If one is born with sensitivity, one will suffer for hundreds or thousands of years.

The Garuda followers of Vatuma, because of the legend of Princess Prajna who sacrificed her own eyes to bring about a miracle, truly regarded her as a saintly woman of great love who was devoid of emotion and desire, and who only sacrificed herself.

But they forgot that she was also just a cultivator.

As a second-grade cultivator, Mori was able to understand the contrast in Prajna Lotus Moon.

That explains why she chose not to respond.

Morley nodded, then asked curiously:

"If that's the case, why did the princess suddenly agree to return?"

Prajna Lotus Moon whispered:
“Some time ago, I had a sudden realization that the opportunity might be in my homeland. Perhaps the time has come. If I can resolve my inner conflicts, I might be able to reach a higher level.”

Upon hearing this, Mori's pupils constricted instantly.

I see……

Prajna Lotus Moon's cultivation level has been at the late stage of the second rank for many years.

If I were to break through again now, I'm afraid it would be beyond the peak of the second rank... If I could attract the gaze of the Buddha Mother of Salvation again, the first rank might not be out of the question!
This is truly a great opportunity!

In that case, if their Gara Cult could lend the princess a hand, wouldn't they have gained a favor for nothing?

Morley's attitude immediately changed.

If the other party is representing the Great Wei, then he will definitely continue to play dumb, unwilling to get involved in the current chaotic situation of the Great Wei.

The Vatuma are inherently xenophobic, and although poison and witchcraft are prevalent, it doesn't mean they are stupid.

Although the Great Wei is currently in chaos, it is far from being able to give small countries like theirs a share of the spoils.

The battle between the Qingman and the Great Wei is like gods fighting, and they, as mortals, suffer the consequences.

If you think you're the prey, you'll only become someone else's prey.

However, if Prajna Lotus Moon came for personal reasons, then they would naturally offer their full support.

Morley stood up, his expression softening considerably, and said:

"In that case, we are naturally willing to do our utmost to help. If the princess needs anything, please feel free to ask us. We hope that the princess can attain the Great Dao as soon as possible!"

Prajna Lotus Moon said softly:
"King Mori, you are too kind. Once I have made my preparations and entered the Garuda Ruins, I would be happy to invite you all to be my guests."

Morley immediately became excited:
"Excellent, excellent, that's wonderful!"

After the two reached an agreement, Mori had the best palace arranged for Prajna Lotus Moon to live in.

After Prajna Lotus Moon and her attendant Xiyin left with their servants.

Mori quietly summoned the eunuch and instructed him:

"What about those clean-cut newcomers?"

The eunuch smiled and said:
"It's already been arranged."

Morley stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction:

"Remember, wait for the princess to speak herself, and do not offend her."

"Yes."

After the eunuch left, he turned a few corners and arrived at a courtyard.

In the courtyard, there were several handsome young men, all dressed in white, waiting with their heads bowed.

The eunuch waved his hand and said:

"Being able to serve Princess Prajna is the luckiest thing in your lives. Don't mess it up. Even if the princess doesn't like any of them, you must not lose your composure."

The boys all bowed their heads and agreed.

The eunuch nodded in satisfaction and told them to follow him.

According to legend, Garuda was not only cruel and warlike, but also indulged in debauchery, and the royal family and nobles, both men and women, were extremely promiscuous.

According to legend, Princess Prajna also had the habit of keeping male lovers.

They were clearly trying to please him.

Of course... some of these specially trained teenagers also had the purpose of gathering information and acting as informants.

……

When Prajna Lotus Moon walked into the palace, she discovered that it was actually a hot spring palace.

This place, Fatuma, is located in the desert, where oases are scarce, and water is naturally the most precious resource.

But this palace not only created a hot spring, but also piled up ice blocks everywhere to balance the temperature and create a hazy, fairy-tale atmosphere.

This is clearly an extremely extravagant act.

Prajna Lotus Moon paused, pursed her lips, and her expression turned unpleasant for a moment.

This palace is clearly modeled after Garuda.

According to records, the nobles of Garuda loved to do this, and this reminded her of some distant memories.

Prajna Lotus Moon walked forward step by step. Just as she reached the entrance of the palace, she saw the eunuch leading several young men, which made her face even colder.

"your Highness……"

Before the eunuch could speak, Prajna Lotus Moon interrupted him, saying calmly:
"Do not……"

必。

Before she could even utter the word "must," Prajna Lotus Moon saw one of the boys raise his head, revealing a very familiar face.

It's so familiar it's like seeing a ghost!

Prajna Lotus Moon: "..."

Qing Jian, standing next to him, also stared wide-eyed.

Gu Fangchen winked at Banruo Lianyue.

Because of the isolation of the Vatuma, he didn't even need to disguise himself this time, as they didn't even know what "the traitor Gu Fangchen" looked like.

As for why he would disguise himself as this persona... naturally it's because it's the most convenient, and if successful, he can follow Prajna Lotus Moon at any time without being suspected.

—It can even appear in bed.

Prajna Lotus Moon gritted her teeth, her chest heaving a few times. Naturally, she didn't think this was an accident, given the guy who had repeatedly threatened her.

This guy is definitely doing it on purpose!

The holy woman of the Tara sect is naturally pure and virtuous. Moreover, she detests the aristocratic ways of the Garudas and abhors them.

But at this moment, she wanted to revive that person, and no matter how unwilling she was, she had no choice but to cooperate...

Upon hearing this, the eunuch had already intended to tactfully leave with his men.
"I'll do it right away..."

"No need."

Prajna Lotus Moon remained expressionless, pointing at Gu Fangchen, who had a docile expression:
"Let him in to serve you."

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 still not feeling well, I'm a little late, lol
(End of this chapter)