Chapter Fourteen: Princess Prajna (Part One and Two)

“Crown Prince?”

All eyes turned toward Gu Fangchen.

Tonight, Gu Fangchen had suddenly rushed to White Horse Temple, having somehow heard that Princess Bonruo was there and hoping that Attendant Xiyin might help detoxify him.

Yet everyone, including Ning Caiyong, took this as another one of Gu Fangchen’s reckless antics.

Moreover, even if Princess Bonruo really was at White Horse Temple, given her status, why would she bother with someone as infamous as Gu Fangchen?

Especially Gu Yuandao, whose complexion fluctuated between pale and sallow.

Not long ago, he had said, “What kind of person is Princess Bonruo? Why would she meet a drunken fool?”

And yet now, Attendant Xiyin had actually appeared!

Not just them; even Gu Fangchen was stunned.

No way, such a coincidence?

Does Heaven’s Mandate extend even this far?

He only vaguely remembered that the Dumu Sect had arrived in Huangtian City around this time, but he couldn’t recall the exact moment.

After all, that was just background information.

As a strategist, no matter how skilled, he wasn’t a human computer. Many details required referencing notes or interconnected events to retain clearly.

Originally, Gu Fangchen’s plan was simply to use Princess Bonruo’s name to leave the Wangfu.

His true target had always been Ding Xingfeng.

Whether she was present or not, Gu Fangchen had no intention to approach the Dumu Sect at this time.

Because a major incident had just occurred within the Dumu Sect during this period.

Although this event was far greater than the widely known Crown Prince’s scandal at the Zhenbei Wangfu, the Dumu Sect had implemented strict secrecy, so it hadn’t spread.

This matter was also recorded in the “Dumu Sect Red Secrets · Volume 23.”

It originally had nothing to do with Gu Fangchen.

But the key now was...

He had arrived at White Horse Temple first, requesting to see Princess Bonruo.

And Princess Bonruo had apparently just arrived afterward!

That gap in timing instantly made Gu Fangchen break out in a cold sweat as he realized the issue.

His initial assumption was correct: whether Princess Bonruo was there tonight or not, it didn’t matter.

But now, when he asked, she wasn’t there; after he asked, she came...

The entire nature of the matter had completely changed!

Grimacing, Gu Fangchen forced an angry expression and said,

“The princess is looking for me? That old bald monk said she wasn’t here before—turns out he lied to me!”

He stealthily glanced up at the words hovering above his head.

[Emperor (16 hours 19 minutes)]

The active skill [Life and Death Authority] had already been used, leaving only the super-national-level lucky passive.

He had to rely on himself now...

Attendant Xiyin looked at him with golden lotus-shaped eyes as calm as an ancient well, her voice soft and ethereal:

“The abbot did not lie. The princess had temporarily left due to affairs, but upon hearing someone sought an audience, she instructed me to come.”

Ning Caiyong’s face brightened as he quickly asked,

“Does the princess, moved by compassion, wish to save Chen’er’s life?”

Attendant Xiyin replied calmly,

“That depends on the Crown Prince’s wishes.”

At first, this sounded puzzling.

If she wanted to save someone, why would it depend on the patient’s consent? But others knew Princess Bonruo’s temper was unpredictable; perhaps there were other conditions.

Only Gu Fangchen knew—

Princess Bonruo must have assumed he was involved with that secret.

This invitation was a trap.

Caught between wolves and tigers, Gu Fangchen’s mind raced as he sifted through intelligence related to the Dumu Sect and quickly made a decision.

Returning to the Wangfu now was definitely more dangerous.

He had no cultivation at all, and on Gu Yuye’s turf, he feared even Ding Xingfeng couldn’t protect him.

Though Wusheng’s martial prowess was unquestionable, as an honest man, Gu Fangchen was no match in scheming.

Otherwise, how would he have been framed by Mohe Wuliang years ago, shaken in his Dao heart, and forced into retirement?

Now, approaching the Dumu Sect was ill-timed.

But the advantage was that if Attendant Xiyin helped, the three deadly poisons and the ruined dantian inside him could be resolved quickly.

Cultivation could then proceed without delay.

Hellish beginnings were no joke.

Only three methods existed to cure the three poisons on Gu Fangchen’s body, and Attendant Xiyin was one of them.

The easiest one.

The Dumu Sect worshipped the “Buddha Mother of Salvation,” who had twenty-one manifestations and seven eyes—one eye on the brow to observe the ten directions of Buddha lands, and six eyes to watch over the six realms of sentient beings.

Compassion and salvation were the creed and the divine power of the followers.

In the game, the Dumu Sect was the best healer class.

Their followers could heal all wounds by transferring pain onto themselves, so they wrapped their bodies tightly.

The higher the cultivation, the more severe the injuries—often skin was ulcerated and flesh rotted. If their special bandages were removed, pus and blood would flow, emitting unbearable stench.

Long ago, Dumu Sect followers were mistaken for cultists and despised by the world.

But to them, both physical and spiritual pain were trials bestowed by the Buddha Mother.

The more painful, the happier they were.

When the body reached its limit and decayed completely, they could enter the Pure Land.

Attendant Xiyin was different from ordinary followers.

According to the Dumu Sect’s doctrine, a Tathagata named “Heavenly Drum Sound Tathagata” stood beside the Buddha Mother.

When disaster fell upon the world, this Tathagata sounded a great thunder to warn of coming suffering.

This great thunder was inaudible to most, but those chosen by the Heavenly Drum Sound, born with extraordinary gifts, could hear these omens.

Such people were Attendants Xiyin.

They could discern omens, foresee disasters, and guide followers to the disaster sites to save people.

But don’t think this sect is all saintly.

They could transfer others’ suffering onto themselves, but also their own suffering onto others...

Others lacked the Buddha Mother’s blessing of a physical body and couldn’t withstand even a little.

Their deaths were often agonizingly twisted and terrifying.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Gu Fangchen took a deep breath and looked at Attendant Xiyin with a delighted yet proud expression:

“Since the princess invited me as a guest, I was already planning to visit her, so I’m naturally overjoyed.”

“I heard even the emperor must bathe and change before meeting Princess Bonruo, but I don’t, proving the princess favors me greatly!”

He turned to Ning Caiyong cheerfully:

“Mother, you wait here in the temple a while. I’ll return as soon as I’ve met Princess Bonruo.”

Ning Caiyong looked worried:

“May I ask, attendant, if I might accompany Chen’er? Or perhaps Senior Ding?”

She glanced at Ding Xingfeng, who was looking around pretending to be disinterested, clearly unreliable.

Still, since he had spoken of accepting Chen’er as a disciple, he ought to care a little.

Attendant Xiyin shook her head:

“The princess invited only the Crown Prince alone.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuandao ground his teeth until they nearly shattered, his eyes bloodshot.

The Crown Prince?

He was the true Crown Prince!

He was the biological son of Gu Yuye and Ning Caiyong, the legitimate heir of the Zhenbei Wangfu.

Who was that fake to keep using this title to deceive here?

Judging by this fellow’s tone, he was probably even coveting Princess Bonruo’s favor. Utterly shameless and foolish!

To Gu Yuandao, Gu Fangchen was unworthy of Princess Bonruo’s invitation.

There was only one reason Princess Bonruo would extend such an invitation.

It was because of Gu Fangchen’s “Crown Prince” status.

“Wait.”

Gu Yuye narrowed his eyes and suddenly spoke:

“The saintess means the Crown Prince, yes?”

He slowly continued:

“The saintess lives in the Salvation Palace, secluded and pure. Perhaps she does not know that I recently discovered Gu Fangchen is not my son but a lowly stable boy swapped by the demon cult.”

“Gu Yuandao is my true son.”

“After the truth is uncovered, the Crown Prince title must be returned to Yuandao.”

Ning Caiyong trembled all over, looking at her husband in disbelief.

She had no cultivation and didn’t realize Gu Yuye had thrice entertained murderous intent toward Gu Fangchen, believing he only wanted to discipline his son as before.

But now, she understood.

Gu Yuye must know why she brought Gu Fangchen to White Horse Temple.

He also couldn’t be unaware that Attendant Xiyin could save Gu Fangchen’s life!

But if Princess Bonruo had invited him only because of his Crown Prince status, Gu Yuye’s explanation was a blatant death sentence for Gu Fangchen!

This was her son of nineteen years, whom she was determined to protect.

Ning Caiyong had hoped Gu Yuye would at least consider her feelings.

But instead, he truly intended to cut off all of Gu Fangchen’s chances...

Her face went pale, her heart a turmoil of indescribable emotions.

Gu Fangchen sneered inwardly.

Gu Yuye really wanted him dead.

If Princess Bonruo’s invitation was truly due to his Crown Prince identity, it might have succeeded.

But regardless of whether Gu Fangchen was the Crown Prince or merely a nobody, Princess Bonruo would meet him tonight to confirm matters.

Simply because he had predicted her actions in advance.

Attendant Xiyin said calmly:

“Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. If there is nothing else, please follow me, Crown Prince.”

She gestured politely to Gu Fangchen.

Just like that?

Gu Yuye faintly frowned.

But that was the limit to his intervention; to stop her more forcefully would be beneath him.

He nodded and looked at Gu Fangchen:

“Since the princess has invited you, I will say no more. However, by imperial order, I am investigating the swap incident. I will allow you to stay only until dawn, then you must be returned to the Wangfu.”

Gu Fangchen gritted his teeth with a bitter smile.

This guy was truly a thorn in his side.

Attendant Xiyin neither agreed nor disagreed:

“If the princess is pleased, naturally she will send the Crown Prince back.”

Gu Fangchen twitched at how that sounded, as if he were a hired guest...

He turned to Ding Xingfeng:

“Hey, Old Ding, don’t forget what I said.”

The old man yawned, rolled his eyes, picked up a firewood knife from the ground, and threw it sharply toward the mountain:

“You forget, but I never will.”

“Whoosh—Boom!”

A white aura burst around the blade, and it vanished instantly.

It seemed to have landed inside White Horse Temple.

...

Gu Fangchen followed Attendant Xiyin back into White Horse Temple, winding to a rear courtyard.

It looked ordinary, but from a normal perspective, it was impossible to detect.

Because this place was protected by a fifth-rank illusion array.

Designed specifically to conceal hidden locations.

Gu Fangchen was very familiar with this—each dungeon run in the game required dismantling at least seven or eight such arrays to collect all treasure chests.

There was a golden-level treasure chest here as well.

It could be sneaked in and taken when Princess Bonruo was absent, but afterward, the Dumu Sect would almost certainly hunt you down.

A glance told him where the array’s nodes were.

Nothing special—just practiced hands.

As soon as Gu Fangchen entered the courtyard, his gaze was drawn to the central pond.

Not because it was beautiful.

The once lotus-filled delicate pond was shattered, with a huge pit smashed in it.

Water flowed everywhere, lotus flowers toppled and scattered, a complete mess.

In the very center of the pit, a plain firewood knife was embedded deeply in the pond’s bottom.

Gu Fangchen: “...”

Old Ding, are you helping me or causing trouble?!

Ahead, heavy white gauze curtains fluttered.

Attendant Xiyin lifted the curtain and walked in, her figure gradually disappearing, leaving Gu Fangchen standing alone in the courtyard.

The entire courtyard was eerily quiet, with only the faint sounds of water and wind.

A few lamps illuminated the surroundings.

Gu Fangchen didn’t hesitate to sit on a relatively intact stone by the pond and scooped some water to wash his face.

He had been suppressed by Gu Yuye’s aura, his face bloody and sticky, extremely uncomfortable. Now at last he could clean up.

He looked at his reflection—the body’s skin was fair, the features handsome, with the air of a privileged noble son.

But years of mischief showed in his eyes and brows, radiating a wild and sinister aura—he didn’t look like a good man.

“Ahem...”

He couldn’t help coughing twice, the poison boiling and itching in his chest, making him want to scratch.

Speaking of which, theoretically, Princess Bonruo, as a member of the Dumu Sect, should be wrapped in bandages like the others.

But in fact, her beauty was among the best in the entire game.

This was because of her uniqueness—

She was regarded as the living incarnation of the Buddha Mother of Salvation, not an ordinary mortal follower.

In other words, Princess Bonruo was already a pure body, no longer needing to endure the tribulations of the defiled world, innately possessing the highest cultivation.

Only a great vow to save an entire nation’s people had cost her one pair of eyes.

Suddenly, Gu Fangchen felt dazed.

The flowing water before him transformed into streaming golden sand, endlessly pouring forth.

He looked up to see a scorching sun overhead, hot winds blowing.

Damn!

Gu Fangchen twitched his mouth, thinking this was bad.

He could see the illusion array, but with no cultivation at all, he had no defense against it!