Chapter Five: The Riverside Crossing at White Horse Temple

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Upon hearing this, Jing’er, the chief maid of the Wang residence nearby, immediately furrowed her brows.

“The young lady means someone acted behind the scenes to assist... the heir.”

Jing’er paused.

Although everyone in the Wang residence now knew that Gu Fangchen was undoubtedly a fraud, until the imperial decree arrived, he was still officially the heir.

Jing’er, who had always despised this playboy who only knew how to indulge in women, nonetheless, as the chief maid, would not break the rules.

Gu Youren flicked her sleeve, dispersing the pearl powder, her voice icy cold:

“How could any servant in the Wang residence commit such a foolish act? Moreover, Qi Rong’s mastery of formation techniques is only at rank seven; he simply does not have the ability to set up a fourth-rank formation.”

Qi Rong was the name of the servant who had already met a grisly end.

The Grand Princess’s gaze grew distant:

“Furthermore, a mere fourth-rank formation hardly qualifies one as a grandmaster.”

“The crucial point is this person’s extraordinary understanding of formations and their effortless command.”

“Different seals and formations cannot be simply interchanged at will. To achieve that, his formation cultivation must be at least second-rank.”

She murmured:

“In the entire Great Wei realm, only three formation grandmasters hold such a rank.”

“And none of these three are currently in Huangtian City.”

Jing’er pondered:

“Was the formation inscribed on the pearls? No one could have infiltrated the Wang residence, and the room was completely sealed at the time...”

A chill ran through her as she followed the logic to a most shocking conclusion.

Could it be that the heir himself did it?

Gu Youren caught the implication behind Jing’er’s words and cast her a faint glance.

Jing’er immediately stifled a laugh.

Indeed, it was absurd—how could it possibly be true?

One could fake one’s personality, but Gu Fangchen’s dantian was utterly destroyed; that was no forgery.

He could not cultivate; how could he conceal his incompetence?

Moreover, considering Gu Fangchen’s ignorant and muddle-headed nature, the idea of him learning formation techniques was the biggest joke under heaven!

Gu Youren shook her head and looked toward the night sky outside the door, narrowing her eyes:

“The room was sealed tonight, but the items inside were not placed here only this evening.”

“That little bastard isn’t clever enough; he must be a pawn. We must not let Mother be deceived by him anymore.”

“Have the shadow guards accompanying Mother report back at all times, and watch where they intend to go.”

Jing’er bowed her head:

“Yes!”

Gu Youren tapped her palm with the scroll in her hand.

“By the way, when will Father return?”

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“When Master Pei examined the bloodline, he found that this matter might be connected to the Demonic Sect. The Prince is petitioning His Majesty, and he should be back within the hour.”

As for the examination results, there was no need for further explanation.

Gu Youren let out a long breath, thinking about how her true younger brother was the newly crowned top scholar, swelling her heart with pride and satisfaction:

“That good-for-nothing bastard has disgraced the Wang residence’s reputation for so many years. Now that the truth is revealed, justice should be restored.”

...

“Clang! Pusuo Suo—”

In the darkness, the solemn bell tolling from the quiet temple startled the birds in the forest into flight.

A small boat moored in the lake at the mountain’s foot rocked gently. An unattended fishing rod rolled twice, scattering circles of fishing lights.

Old Granny Cui stopped the black steed carriage at the mountain path.

Gu Fangchen leapt from the carriage first, habitually turning to extend his hand toward Ning Caiyong.

Ning Caiyong was momentarily stunned, his eyes flickering upon seeing Gu Fangchen’s freshly bandaged palm.

Seeing no reaction, Gu Fangchen urged:

“Mother, what are you standing there for?”

He muttered to himself, “I heard that Princess Prajna possesses the grace of a celestial being, was born amid a golden lotus blossoming from the earth, carries a fragrant aura, and is stunningly beautiful. I wonder if it’s true...”

Only then did Ning Caiyong come back to himself, exhaling a soft orchid scent, and reached out to tap his forehead, dryly remarking:

“I wondered how you knew about Princess Prajna—it turns out you’re just thinking about her looks. I bet your fox friends have been giving you bad ideas again.”

His mother’s expression grew serious as she cautioned:

“Chen’er, you must never let these people use you.”

“The Tara Sect, one of the two great Buddhist schools, holds influence greater than your maternal grandfather’s family.”

“Princess Prajna is the sect leader’s saintly daughter. Her status is unparalleled. Within the sect, her word commands thousands; her cultivation is unfathomable, her mood capricious.”

“She is by no means a woman you should provoke. Remember that.”

Gu Fangchen feigned indifference with a casual “Oh,” relieved to have finessed the conversation.

Damn it, the original incarnation never even thought to steady his mother when disembarking, always walking away with a rebellious scowl.

When he realized this just now, cold sweat nearly broke out down his back!

Too frightening—he had to be more cautious.

One could slowly change one’s persona, but such little habits must be maintained for now.

Otherwise, if Ning Caiyong grew suspicious, he would have to activate his backup escape plan...

Although this beginning was extremely unfavorable, in terms of status and resources, he already surpassed ninety-nine percent of cultivators in the world.

Moreover, this seemingly hopeless, feather-light playboy might be tied to a colossal hidden case lurking beneath the game’s surface.

For a player, this was far too intriguing.

If he could withstand the enmity of the entire Wang residence and Huangtian City, the prospects were immense!

Preserving his identity was preferable, if at all possible.

Gu Fangchen followed the two upward, looking up curiously at the silhouette of White Horse Temple hidden in the woods.

White Horse Temple was built by order of the founding emperor of Great Wei, initially intended to receive wandering monks and Taoists as a resting place.

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But gradually, as the imperial court and the celestial sects entered a honeymoon period, various powers gathered here, transforming it into an intelligence hub.

In the game, this place was a well-known side quest spawn point, as well as one of the most convenient entry points for monks.

Many players would camp here early on, waiting for random quests to appear.

With good luck, one could level up twenty ranks within three days.

Gu Fangchen felt a strong affection for this place.

—Of course, whenever he started a new save, he would be locked up here for three to ten days, knowing even how many hemorrhoids the temple abbot had.

The venerable abbot of White Horse Temple was speaking with Ning Caiyong when suddenly he felt a tightening in his gluteal muscles.

Ning Caiyong looked at him in puzzlement:

“Abbot, what is it?”

“Nothing.”

The abbot cleared his throat twice and joined his hands in a gesture of prayer:

“Perhaps the princess misunderstood. There were no Tara Sect followers at the temple tonight.”

“Really?”

“Really. Monks do not tell lies.”

Ning Caiyong glanced back at Gu Fangchen.

The youth was stunned, then suddenly furious:

“How could that be?! Could they be playing me?”

Naturally, he had not come for Princess Prajna; he only vaguely recalled she might be at White Horse Temple at this hour.

If she was, fine.

If not, even better.

Ning Caiyong relaxed, realizing it was nonsense. She said there was no way her son could know the whereabouts of the Tara Sect’s saintly daughter.

She quickly offered some comfort, then said:

“In that case, stay at the temple tonight. The Wang residence is in turmoil; it’s better not to return.”

...

Deep into the night, Gu Fangchen excused himself to urinate, pushing through the grass with a blade of wild grass in hand, swatting left and right, slowly making his way to the mountain’s foot.

Old Granny Cui trailed far behind.

Reeds swayed around the desolate ferry, with only a small boat idly drifting on the water.

Fishing lights flickered faintly.

Gu Fangchen looked up at the words floating above his head.

[Emperor (23 hours 27 minutes)]

There was enough time.

He leapt onto the boat in two strides, lifted the straw mat curtain, and tilted his head to look at the shabby, slovenly white-haired old man inside, soundly sleeping beneath a bamboo hat.

Grinning, he said:

“Old Ding, how about I bring you a stroke of fortune?”