Ever since his transmigration, Gu Fangchen had been too busy cleaning up the mess left behind by his original body's playboy reputation to actually enjoy any of its privileges.
This time, he decided to indulge himself a little, to experience the pure, unadulterated pleasure of being a true wastrel.
Unfortunately, the other side clearly wasn't going to give him the chance.
Swaggering into the Lu Family Tavern, Gu Fangchen immediately spotted the men standing before its door.
The one in the lead wore a fine brocade robe. His appearance was plain, his body somewhat plump, the very image of a typical pampered young master with a face full of smug arrogance.
Yet hanging from his waist was a long sword, and while his fingers bore no rings, calluses were visible at very specific spots, precisely where the skin would harden after years of sword practice.
Those were the marks of someone who had truly trained in swordsmanship.
A genuine noble like Gu Fangchen, raised in comfort and never without servants, would have hands smooth and pale as a woman's.
From that single observation, he deduced three things.
First, the man's status wasn't low, but neither was it particularly high.
Second, the man was a cultivator, and specifically a sword cultivator.
Third, the sect or family he came from must enforce strict discipline.
Glancing at the two followers behind him, Gu Fangchen noticed the faint flame-like embroidery along their collars.
That was a pattern woven into cloth native to the Southwestern Four Circuits, fabric that could enhance fire-aligned arrays, affordable only to major sects.
His eyes narrowed. These men were clearly from the Sun River Sword Sect.
After thinking for a moment, Gu Fangchen recalled exactly who the fat one was.
Although his appearance had been disguised, only one person within his narrowed range of suspects fit every detail,
Yang Zheng, son of Yang Qing, the Sword Chief of the Sun River Sword Sect.
In the game, this Yang Zheng had been a mere low-level thug NPC, an unremarkable scoundrel whose only purpose was to harass women before being beaten up by the player for experience points.
Who would have thought that from another angle, in another time, he was still playing the same lecherous role?
Players had often mocked how the NPCs seemed to "clock in and out" each day, routinely harassing women as if it were a job.
Did they really spend all three hundred and sixty-five days of the year doing that for fun?
Well, apparently, yes, they did.
Gu Fangchen couldn't help grumbling inwardly.
Of course, Yang Zheng flirting with common women wasn't the surprising part, that was exactly what his character was supposed to do.
What was strange was that the Sun River Sword Sect dominated the Sun River Circuit.
He shouldn't have been harassing women all the way out here at Dragon Hollow Lake in Liuhua Province.
"For Yang Zheng to appear here can only mean that the Seven Sects have already gathered near Dragon Hollow Lake," Gu Fangchen thought. "Earlier than I expected."
He suspected it had something to do with him.
After all, he had killed both Gu Yuye and Gu Lianqian. Sword Pavilion, as Ning Caiyong's maternal family, could never let that slide.
Especially Ning Songjun, if the matter didn't settle quickly, he wouldn't just use a soul projection next time. He'd come in person.
And indeed, Ning Songjun's true body had already taken the field.
But Gu Fangchen had timed things perfectly, by the time Ning Songjun arrived, they had already reached the edge of Liuhua Province, forcing him to turn back.
Still, that single appearance must have terrified the Seven Sects.
They had been preparing for years, ready to strike at the critical moment, and had already set up everything around Liuhua Province.
Ning Songjun's sudden appearance must have scared them into acting early.
After all, what difference did a few days make at this point?
But Yang Zheng showing up here, deliberately disguised, didn't seem like coincidence.
Gu Fangchen flicked his fan lightly, already forming a conclusion.
The Seven Sects must have sent them to test whether those who had interfered before had come with Gu Yuye's men.
After all, it had been noisy enough in Huangtian City before everyone suddenly shifted to Liuhua Province, it did look like Gu Yuye's classic diversion tactic.
And it was perfectly reasonable to assume that the "Saint of War" himself might be involved.
Gu Fangchen instantly saw through their purpose. Yang Zheng, meanwhile, turned toward the voice with a sharp glance. Lifting his double chin arrogantly, he sneered, "And who the hell are you supposed to be, brat? I've never heard of any 'Heir Apparent' in this Dragon Hollow Prefecture!"
He looked around and asked, "Have we ever had a marquis or a prince around here?"
The two lackeys immediately shook their heads. "No, never!"
Yang Zheng continued mockingly, "Then if you're some noble heir from elsewhere, that title's useless here in Liuhua Province!"
Gu Fangchen nearly laughed out loud. You people from Sun River Circuit are even less local than I am, who exactly are you talking down to?
Still, he didn't mind taking this chance to dump another cauldron of blame onto Gu Yuye and Gu Yuandao.
They were both ancient monsters, what was one more sin on their backs?
With the Seven Sects so nervous right now, they certainly wouldn't suspect him, the "useless dandy." They'd only assume he was being used.
So Gu Fangchen decided to give Yang Zheng the reaction he was expecting.
Looking them over with disdain, he clicked his tongue. "Truly, the farther from the capital one goes, the smaller the eyes. Such narrow-minded peasants."
"Listen well! I am the only son of the Northern Garrison Prince's household! By my father's command, I came personally to inspect what kind of so-called dragons and serpents dwell in this backwater."
"You bumpkins have made me travel such a distance. Once Yuandao arrives, he'll flatten every last one of your so-called dragons and serpents!"
He paused, then suddenly tapped his own head lightly with his fan and muttered, "Wait... I probably shouldn't have said that out loud."
Yang Zheng's pupils contracted, a shock running through him.
They had only come to scout, yet accidentally obtained information of this magnitude?
According to their plan, when the imperial court and the Confucian faction arrived, they were supposed to support the story about the "Evil Sword."
And Gu Yuandao, being a Saint's direct disciple, was supposed to be one of their allies!
By then, they would cooperate with him, pretending to accept mediation.
But if Gu Yuandao had already defected to Gu Yuye's side,
Yang Zheng's heart began to race.
Gu Fangchen, realizing he'd said something he shouldn't have, quickly changed tone.
"Ahem, what I mean is..."
He turned his fan and pointed toward the mountains surrounding Sword Pavilion. His voice turned coldly proud.
"Here in Liuhua Province, Sword Pavilion is the law. My grandfather is its Master, if any of you dare contradict me, you've already chosen death!"
With a dramatic wave of his hand, he shouted, "Beat them!"
The Sword Pavilion disciple behind him: "..."
We didn't, we're not, that's not how Sword Pavilion works!
He twitched, exasperated. But though Sword Pavilion might not be the law, this young master's word was law for him.
With no choice, he rubbed his hands, spat to the side, and rushed forward with the others.
A brief scuffle later, Yang Zheng and his men were tossed out, fleeing in disarray, though their expressions were far from panicked.
Gu Fangchen smirked.
This pot... Gu Yuandao, you'd better carry it well.
Only then did the young woman standing behind, clad in plain clothes and hairpins, gentle and graceful, step forward. Her cheeks flushed red as she bowed timidly.
"Thank you, sir..."
Gu Fangchen smiled broadly as he approached.
"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me."
"Shouldn't you ask what I came here for first?"
Yi'er blinked in surprise. "You came... to buy wine?"
Gu Fangchen shook his head, stepping closer. With one hand, he tilted the young woman's chin upward and raised an eyebrow.
"Little lady, this tavern has gone downhill under your care year after year. Why not make it your dowry and give it to me? Within half a year, I'll make it thrive again, more prosperous than ever!"
The followers behind him: "..."
Did he just... copy the line verbatim?!