Chapter 2836: How Did I Become Hong Chengchou?

Zu An had been to larger dungeons before, and they were often related to the world he had been in before his transmigration. They were usually modeled after ancient dynasties.

If it had been once or twice, he could still shrug it off as a coincidence. But it had happened so many times that he would have to be a fool to brush it off.

He felt as if an invisible hand was secretly controlling everything.

Could it be a universal deity?

Just then, Aragorn’s voice dragged him back to reality. “The identity you take on inside that world will be related to your path. Those of us from the Conglomerate are Order worshipers, so we’ll likely become members of the Ming Dynasty’s imperial court. Our mission will be to protect the imperial court and uphold order.

“You are a Memory envoy, so it’s unlikely that you’ll take on a dangerous position. It should either be that of a historian or a Western missionary.”

Chu Chuyan interjected, “The Conglomerate is filled with experts. Any one of them should be more than enough to turn the tides of an ancient feudal dynasty. Is there a need for so many people to enter the world at once?”

“That’s a great question, Miss Chu,” Aragorn said. “That world is a spacetime fragment replicated using a universal deity’s divine power. The cosmos has its way of finding equilibrium in all things. Indeed, our entrance will greatly strengthen the Ming Empire, but consequently, other worshipers will enter that world as its enemies as well.

“But there’s nothing to fear. The First Elder is personally leading the team, and the Holy Knight Order will be joining us as well. We’ll be able to surmount even the biggest waves.”

Stop planting flags!

Zu An couldn’t help thinking.

Shortly after, the First Elder gathered everyone who would be participating in the Order Ceremony and briefed them on things they ought to look out for.

Zu An noted that other than the Third Elder and the Seventh Elder, the other elders were also participating in the Order Ceremony. Also, the Holy Knight Order and the other invited parties were mainly sending youths in for the ceremony.

They’re hoping to build the younger generation’s credentials through this. It can serve as a stepping stone for them to reach greater heights. That’s also the reason Isabella is participating in the Order Ceremony.

If not for Fourth Elder Mastema’s invitation, I’d have probably missed this Order Ceremony.

But what is Aragorn planning? Did he plan to stop me from attending, or is he waiting for other elders to make a move before intervening?

Meanwhile, Adrian recovered from the earlier setback. He smiled at Isabella and said, “Miss Bella, you can be assured that I’ll protect you inside the world, so you don’t need to be afraid.”

Isabella glanced at Zu An and said, “I have been through greater danger with big brother Zu, and he has protected me well. I’m sure this time will be no exception.”

Adrian’s eyebrows shot up.

No wonder Isabella is so infatuated with that fellow. I didn’t know there was such a nuance to their relationship. Doesn’t that mean that if I protect her well in the dungeon, she’ll fall in love with me too?

“He’s participating as a Mirror Scribe to record everything. I’m afraid he might not be able to take good care of you. There are many talented prodigies from the Myriad Worlds here. I’m sure they surpass him in terms of strength and experience.”

His father had already counseled him. He knew that Zu An wasn’t truly strong; he merely had a set of unusual abilities that made him tricky to deal with. His father had just given him an artifact, so Zu An’s tricks wouldn’t work on him anymore.

With my strength, I should be able to crush him easily.

The spectators agreed with him. Despite Zu An’s incredible stature as a Memory envoy, the aura he emanated was honestly weak.

Besides, Memory worshipers steered clear of secular affairs. They hardly had any sense of presence. It was truly an unusual turn of events for Zu An to have won Isabella’s heart.

Isabella looked at Zu An apologetically. “Big brother Zu, you mustn’t take those remarks to heart.”

Zu An shook his head. “I wouldn’t get angry at a bunch of dead people.”

An event that caught the attention of a universal deity had to be treated with utmost caution. Even a shockwave from it could easily claim countless lives.

“Ah?” Isabella was confused. She didn’t understand what Zu An was driving at.

Zu An didn’t bother explaining his remark. He merely reminded her, “It’s unlikely that the Order Ceremony will go smoothly. Once we arrive in that world, no matter our identities, let’s meet at the Forbidden Palace’s west gate[1].”

Having learned from his previous experience, he knew that they would likely be scattered across different places. They were fortunate to have crossed paths in the Deity of Death’s trial, but there was no guarantee they would have the same luck here.

He didn’t want to suffer the pain of parting ways with Chu Chuyan again.

Isabella nodded, whereas Chu Chuyan revealed a slight smile. The latter appeared to have understood Zu An’s sentiments.

The other youths clenched their jaws in anger.

What sorcery has that fellow cast on Miss Isabella? He came with his wife to propose to Miss Isabella, but not only is Miss Isabella not angry, they’re even getting along well!

The elders opened a spacetime passageway that resembled a stargate and entered it. Augustus, Adrian, and the Holy Knight Order’s elites marched toward the stargate with their heads held up high.

Zu An grabbed Isabella and Chu Chuyan’s hands and made his way over as well. Despite knowing that they would likely be separated in the world, he felt more at ease doing this.

That sparked another wave of fury from the youths.

Those who entered the stargate morphed into stars and descended toward the unique world, which was set in the final years of the Ming Dynasty. They would assume identities of historical figures to restore the collapsed order.

Just then, a finger appeared in the sky and gently touched one of the stars, altering its trajectory. No one participating in the Order Ceremony noticed this anomaly.

When Zu An woke up, he found himself sitting in a classical study room. He exhaled in relief.

Looks like I’ve taken on the role of a historian. I wonder what my identity is here.

Just then, he heard someone running toward the study room. “Milord, bad news! The Red Madame[2] has brought her subordinates to raid our prison!”

Zu An was startled. Memories flashed through his mind, and he suddenly understood what his identity in this world was. He had the weirdest expression on his face.

Hold on. How did I end up as Hong Chengchou?

Hong Chengchou was a famous Han[3] traitor in history. He held an important military post in Great Ming, wielding military power across several provinces. He quelled the peasants’ uprising, which had great momentum at that time.

Later, the Chongzhen Emperor dispatched him to the borders to deal with the invading Manchus. However, he was captured and eventually defected to the Qing Dynasty. The strategies he contributed played a huge role in the Qing Dynasty’s swift capture of the Central Plains.

But this was the Order Ceremony!

The Universal Conglomerate, the Holy Knight Order, and Isabella were all on the Ming Dynasty’s side, and they were seeking to rebuild the Ming Dynasty’s imperial power to bring stability to the world.

Doesn’t that make me the antagonist here?

Not only am I a traitor in the eyes of the Ming Dynasty, but the Qing Dynasty will also view me as a defector and discriminate against me.

More importantly, aren’t I supposed to be a neutral Mirror Scribe who records the events here? How did I end up with such an influential position here?

1. The Forbidden Palace is where the emperor’s consorts and concubines live. ☜

2. Red Madame, or

Hong Niangzi

, was a famous female rebel leader in the final years of the Ming Dynasty. She was born in a small village and led a local militia to fight against officials who sought to exploit them. ☜

3. Han is the dominant ethnic group in that era. Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Yang Guo were all Hans ☜