Chapter 2776: The Secret Plan

While Zu An was heading over, he'd noticed wounded soldiers bandaging themselves and black smoke rising from the distant city center. The scent of blood and gunpowder lingered in the air.

That led him to think he was from a general clan, and they had just fought a war. Judging from the wounded soldiers all around, they appeared to have lost the battle.

But the beautiful middle-aged woman calling him ‘Polu’ made his mind come to a halt. That name was terribly familiar. The first thought that came to his mind was Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s son, Guo Polu.

I thought dungeons emulated history. Why is there novel content in them as well?

On second thought, a universal deity could grasp all knowledge and culture about a world in an instant. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to combine different elements to create a unique trial.

“I’m fine now,” Zu An replied.

Had the middle-aged woman not mentioned it, he wouldn’t have noticed it. There were indeed parts of his body where blood flowed more slowly, but those could hardly be considered an injury. Even the lightest injury he'd sustained in recent years was far more severe than this.

But it struck him that his current body was different from his usual superhuman one. He couldn’t compare them using the same standards.

“You must have been diligently practicing Quanzhen Inner Energy[1] in recent years to have recovered so fast.” The stern middle-aged man sitting in the center chair finally revealed a heartened smile.

“It could be the Nine Yin Manual[2]. I imparted it to him recently,” the middle-aged woman said.

“Rong’er, you dote on our children too much. It’s still too early for Polu to be practicing the Nine Yin Manual. It might work against him,” the middle-aged man replied sternly.

Zu An was silent, but that affirmed his guess.

The couple in front of him were Guo Jing and Huang Rong from the Legend of the Condor Heroes, and his identity was that of a side character who had only appeared on Guo Xiang’s birthday, Guo Polu.

Hold on, I thought supernatural powers were banned? Why is the setting a Wuxia world?

But then again, compared to the powers displayed in the Cultivation World and the Myriad Worlds, I guess martial arts are hardly supernatural abilities. They can, at most, be considered physical training.

Taking a closer look, the couple before him was beyond middle-aged. Guo Jing’s hair was turning white. Huang Rong had maintained her complexion better, but wrinkles could be seen at the corners of her eyes. Time had still left its mark on her.

Zu An couldn’t help remembering a famous phrase—’beauties are like famous generals; their gradual withering is not meant for the world’s eyes’. But then it quickly struck him that Huang Rong was now his mother, and that made him feel terribly awkward.

Huang Rong harrumphed. “The Mongols have already invaded the Central Plains. I ought to impart everything I can to him while I can.”

Guo Jing fell silent. The atmosphere in the room became grim.

Zu An was taken aback. He hadn’t expected to hear such depressing words from top experts in this world.

Hold on.

He suddenly remembered the reflection he'd seen in the copper mirror earlier.

I should be in my twenties or early thirties in this world. Guo Jing and Huang Rong have been guarding Xiangyang

[3]

against the invading Mongols in the south. Could it be...

“Guo’er won a decade of peace for us by assassinating the Mongol’s Möngke Khan[4], but the Mongols have made a comeback and have erected their base camp right outside Xiangyang. The imperial court’s resources have dried up from reinforcing Xiangyang. It’s unlikely we can turn the tide of the battle.” Guo Jing’s resolute eyes looked downcast.

“Big brother Jing, you have already done your best. Xiangyang would have succumbed years ago if not for you. This time, the Mongols invaded Persia, cutting off the imperial court’s access to the Silk Road. On top of that, the Mongols are also harassing our southwest border over at Dali. Our other battlefronts are struggling. This is not a problem you can resolve alone,” Huang Rong consoled him.

Guo Jing sighed. He understood all those things, but a defeat was still a defeat. In this case, no justification would make a difference.

Huang Rong changed the subject and said, “Polu, Xiang’er, we called you here today to plant a seed for the future.”

It was only then that Zu An noticed a young lady sitting in the corner of the room. She had a delicate appearance, exuding an air of sweetness and valiance. She was Huang Rong’s second daughter, Guo Xiang, though they looked nothing alike.

Of course they don’t look alike.

Zu An looked at the young lady, who was staring intently at him, and chills ran down his spine.

She was Firework! Just as Zu An's appearance hadn’t changed, Firework’s appearance remained the same as well. It turned out that they were all roleplaying here.

“Second sister...” Zu An greeted Firework.

“Heh. Yes, my good third brother.” The young lady chuckled.

Zu An was speechless.

This sarcastic tone. No doubt about it. She’s Firework.

Huang Rong frowned. “What’s wrong with you two? Why do your tones sound so weird?”

Zu An and Firework were startled. Neither of them knew the criteria for clearing and failing this trial. There was a chance they would be eliminated if their identities were exposed. They didn’t dare risk it, so they decided to play their roles.

But Firework knew next to nothing about this world. She was still too shaken up from losing her immense powers to quickly adapt to the situation.

Fortunately, Zu An quickly changed the subject. “We were curious as to why our big sister isn’t here.”

Huang Rong shook her head. “Too much is at stake here; Fu’er is not sharp-witted enough to participate in this plan.”

Firework was impressed by Zu An’s swift reaction.

He’s a sharp one. So, we have a big sister named Fu’er in this world?

Zu An had to hold back his laughter.

I guess Guo Fu’s reputation is truly terrible.

At the same time, he understood why the Deity of Death had said he had an advantage in this trial. Firework, Tingxue, and Isabella knew nothing about this world’s backstory, and that was bound to be to their disadvantage.

“All right, let’s get back to the topic at hand,” Huang Rong said. “We have tried everything against the Mongols in recent years, but we have no choice but to conclude that fate is siding with the Mongols now. The Central Plains’ downfall is set in stone. It’s nigh impossible to fight against fate.

“But fate will not side with them forever. Just as quickly as the grassland tribes have conquered the world on horseback, they will eventually fall off their high horses and lose the world. It might take decades or even centuries. The only thing we can do is to plant a seed for the future, so that our descendants can reclaim the world once the tides no longer favor the Mongols.”

“Our secret plan is named the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber Plan[5]!”

1. The Quanzhen Sect is a nominally righteous daoist sect in the story, though they play an antagonist role. ☜

2. The Nine Yin Manual is one of the legendary skills in the series that even top experts seek to obtain ☜

3. Xiangyang was an important fortress city in the Song dynasty, used against the Mongols. ☜

4. Khan is the leader of the Mongolian tribes. ☜

5. This term is literally translated as ‘Following providence to slay the dragon plan’. The dragon that they are seeking to bring down here refers to the Mongols. ☜