Chapter 1588 IF Scenario: What if Shen Tang woke up earlier (Part 2)

"Little one, what's your name?"

Shen Tang conjured up a piece of candy out of thin air to lure the little child.

The little child's mouth watered as she looked at the candy, slurping it down before swallowing. Her two grape-like black eyes were filled with longing, completely absorbed in the treat, and she didn't even notice Shen Tang's question. Ji Mo Cong said, "Her name is Yao, and her nickname is Ashan."

"Ah Shan? Wow, that name sounds robust."

The little girl's name was Gong Xiyao. The high priest named her this in the hope that she would be as majestic and strong as a mountain, and as broad-minded as the earth. However, she was still too young, and her qualities and temperament were yet to be discerned. Ji Mo Cong sighed deeply.

Shen Tang: "Why are you sighing?"

He then asked, "Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Some writers simply like this kind of formula.

The secluded village, isolated from the world, is usually fine, but once the protagonist from another village arrives, all sorts of unexpected events are bound to occur.

The more Shen Tang thought about it, the more convinced she was that she had guessed correctly.

Over the past few days, she had become familiar with the villagers and noticed some strange things. For example, there seemed to be no elderly people in the village, only young adults and children. At first, she worried that the village might have a custom of abandoning the elderly to save food, but later she discovered that it wasn't that there were no elderly people, but rather that the elderly in the village seemed to have an eternally youthful appearance. The man from Jimo Bai was quite old, but he looked like he was in his twenties or thirties.

This is not normal!

That's completely unscientific!

"Your Highness, please forgive my presumption. I am indeed having some troubles right now."

Shen Tang revealed a knowing expression, as if he had guessed the pattern correctly, and continued the dialogue like an NPC following the plot, triggering the next part of the story.

"trouble?"

Is there anything I can do to help?

Ji Mo Cong's worries vanished instantly.

Shen Tang felt that a phrase perfectly captured Ji Mo Cong's expression at that moment: "Yes, yes, a sister's bag can help!"

Fifteen minutes later—

Shen Tang wanted to take back what she had said earlier.

She never dreamed that Ji Mo Cong would say that the warlords outside were racking their brains, hoping that Shen Tang would become their leader, and that the entire Gongxi clan would support her ascension to the throne and unify the world. In short—[Sister, I believe you can become Qin Shi Huang!]

No, Qin Shi Huang?

who?

Her?

Shen Tang was stunned for a long time, unable to process all this information, and even wondered if she had joined some kind of fraudulent organization. Those involved in pyramid schemes only dreamed of the Fuxing bullet train, but these guys from Gongxi Jimo made her feel like Qin Shi Huang: "You guys don't want to do it yourselves?"

Ji Mo Cong said, "A group of dragons without a leader."

Even the high priests each had their own stance and ideas.

Some hope to escape the world, while others hope to transcend it.

Some people are not optimistic about either side.

The ancestors of the Gongxi clan had suffered beatings in the secular world before, and in the end, they still retreated back to their ancestral lands. One problem was the lack of unity among the people; another was the lack of coordinated action, with none of the high priests able to persuade the others. Staying in their ancestral lands at least allowed them to protect their people, but if they ventured out into the world to gamble, they might not even be able to preserve their remaining wealth. Now that Shen Tang has arrived, everything is much easier to manage.

Wherever the enemy points, the Gongxi clan will unite and attack.

The previous conflicts within the clan can also be easily resolved.

Shen Tang: "..."

She understood.

These eccentric members of the Gongxi clan all suffer from decision-making difficulties. Coincidentally, Shen Tang appeared, and they unanimously decided to let Shen Tang make the decisions for them, believing it would be fair to everyone. They didn't even consider whether Shen Tang, living in a peaceful era, would conquer the world.

Shen Tang pointed to himself: "Conquer the world? Me?"

Ji Mo Cong said, "Your Highness must be the ruler."

Shen Tang: "..."

She took out a bronze mirror and looked at herself, but couldn't see any features of a true emperor. Gong Xiyao, tired from playing with his friends for a while, bent down and slipped under Shen Tang's armpit, sitting in her lap as if they were old friends, and admired the mirror together.

Besides Shen Tang's stunning face, the mirror also reflected a delicate and adorable baby face. The little one grabbed Shen Tang's drooping ponytail, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed away, leaving the ends of her hair covered in glistening drool. Shen Tang sighed, put the mirror away, and gently lifted the baby's bottom to prevent her from slipping off: "Sigh, this is worrying. I think this project is too risky; it's not going to be easy."

She should pack her bags and run away.

The people in this village seem to have some kind of mental illness.

Just as Shen Tang was plotting his escape, people arrived at this secluded village again. Ji Sunyin returned with his trusted confidant Yuan Cong. Initially, he planned for Yuan Cong and his men to wait at the foot of the mountain, forbidding anyone outside the village from entering. However, no sooner had he made this decision than the villagers who came to meet him arrived with the High Priest's order, instructing Ji Sunyin to lead them all inside.

Ji Sunyin's expression was horrified: "This...isn't this inappropriate?"

Gong Xiyu asked, "What's wrong with that?"

This is not a normal time.

In the past, the clan's territory would have been protected with utmost care. But now that His Highness has awakened, the entire clan has a leader, and his birth is a foregone conclusion. Ji Sunyin glanced back at Yuan Cong, who had come with her, and had a vague premonition that this trip would likely change many things, leading them into an unknown future.

"Alright."

The territory of the Gongxi clan is extremely well hidden.

As the group passed through the defensive barrier, Wei Cheng suddenly sensed something: "Uncle, without Master's permission, I fear I would have struggled to break this barrier. It is truly exquisite."

Wei Lou ignored him.

His gaze, however, grew cold.

The other subordinates followed quietly, each with their own thoughts.

Only when everything became clear did the mysterious territory of the Gongxi tribe finally reveal itself. At this time, the high priest sent someone to summon Ji Sunyin to speak with him, while the other attendants were arranged to stay by others.

The Gongxi clan was not large, so naturally they didn't have many houses.

With no guests arriving, no household prepared special guest quarters. The arrangement of guests became a problem, and ultimately, all the candidates were sent to the home of the former High Priest, Ji Mo Cong. This High Priest was skilled in raising Gu poison, and had reserved a considerable amount of land in his residence for this purpose.

Later, because his daughter was born, and fearing that Gong Xiyao would cause trouble when she grew up, Ji Mo Cong moved the Gu worm to another courtyard.

Perfect, the empty space can accommodate guests.

In the group, the aloof young man sighed coldly, "...Alas, who could have predicted that things would turn out this way?"

Qin You: "What do you mean?"

Yun Da asked, "Will our lord still be our lord?"

It's a shame he just recently fell for Ji Sunyin's lies.

Before he could even vent his passion, Ji Sunyin was inexplicably summoned back to a family meeting, behaving strangely and suspiciously. The act of feigning illness was secondary; the real fear was that the so-called Gongxi clan would use their kinship to coerce Ji Sunyin into relinquishing their interests and power.

These people follow Ji Sunyin, but they are not Ji Sunyin's private property. Isn't the Gongxi clan meddling too much?

If Ji Sunyin can't see clearly, then their fate is over.

Qin You, being rather simple-minded, blurted out, "If my lord isn't my lord, then what is he? Don't be sarcastic."

Yun Da sneered: "Qin Shaoyou, your brain..."

Qin You said unhappily, "What's wrong with my brain?"

He also disliked Yunda very much.

This guy just likes to put on airs.

He walks with an air of superiority, speaks with an air of superiority, and lectures people with an air of superiority. He only wears white clothes and never uses a spear. He has a widower face that is both mean and handsome, and he likes to make a bunch of fancy moves like wind and snow when he fights with anyone. He always tries to steal kills. How annoying!

Yunda casually shifted his gaze away.

He looked like he didn't want to talk to an idiot.

Wei Cheng stepped in to smooth things over.

"We're colleagues, why fight?"

Yunda didn't answer, but just chuckled dismissively.

Wei Cheng: "..."

Even a skeleton couldn't suppress his anger.

Is Yunda provoking me?

Just as tensions were rising between them, a simply dressed young woman entered the courtyard. Her hair was as black as a waterfall, her skin as white as snow, and her aura as pure as distant mountain snow, making everything around her seem like mud beneath her feet. Upon her appearance, everyone stopped their discussion, their gazes shifting between wariness, suspicion, and scrutiny. Even Wei Lou, lost in his own thoughts, was drawn to the commotion.

He looked up and saw someone walking on light.

The world was silent, except for the rush of blood.

He was only momentarily distracted before regaining his senses.

Wei Cheng muttered, "Who is this person?"

Qin You raised his hand to stop the person: "Who are you?"

Ji Mo Cong looked at him with amusement: "And who are you?"

I was stopped at my own doorstep just to go home?

However, she soon learned the identities of these young men and said with a kind smile, "So you are Ah Sheng's friends. Welcome to all guests. Please stay here and tell me if you need anything. Just make yourself at home and don't feel awkward."

Wei Lou asked, "Ah Sheng?"

"So this is the Gongxi Yin you all know? Oh, I heard that child changed his surname? He took the surname Ji Sun for himself?"

This matter caused quite a stir within the clan for several days.

No one really understood what Ji Sunyin was going to do.

After several days of discussion, they finally concluded that the child had entered adolescence. Perhaps feeling that the surname Gongxi was too common, he changed himself to the trendy and uncommon surname Jisun. However, the high priests knew why the child wanted to sever ties with his family.

How well they do outside is none of the Gongxi clan's business.

The initial plan was to bring the person back.

The current high priest suppressed the matter, saying, "Let him go out and explore if he wants; all he knows is to come back and complain after getting beaten."

They do not believe that changing their surname will sever their connection with each other.

Ji Mo Cong used his divine power to condense a wooden staff, and in a few moments, he arranged several rooms with a rustic charm, and everyone chose one to stay in.

The Gongxi clan did not welcome outsiders, yet they did not send anyone to keep an eye on them.

Ji Sunyin did not appear until the moon was high in the sky.

Wei Lou felt even more frustrated.

One moment, Ji Sunyin's image flashed through his mind, and he worried that she would bring about the outcome he least wanted to see. The next moment, Ji Mo Cong, whom he had met during the day, flashed through his mind. Frustrated, he opened the window and looked at the moon.

Then--

Caught off guard, she met the gaze of Shen Tang, who was equally dumbfounded.

Wei Lou asked warily, "Who are you?"

The people monitoring them?

Has something really happened to our lord Ji Sunyin?

Shen Tang's gaze swept over Wei Lou's hair. His hairstyle was different from the Gongxi tribe's, and his accent was also quite different. She didn't answer Wei Lou's sharp question, "Are you from outside?"

Wei Lou did not draw his sword to kill anyone.

But his hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

He secretly pondered whether to kill the person or let them go.

"So what if it is?"

"Can you tell me what it looks like outside?" Shen Tang's eyes lit up. If it weren't for the young man's aura that exuded a sense of unapproachability, she would have excitedly grabbed his hand and shaken it.

The other party is from out of town.

It might provide useful information.

Perhaps it can even help me escape from this place.

Wei Lou frowned: "Why are you asking this?"

Shen Tang said, "I long for the outside world."

She didn't reveal her background, after all, she didn't know whether Wei Lou in front of her was a human, a ghost, an enemy, or a friend, so it was better to be cautious.

Wei Lou chuckled and said, "What's so appealing about the outside world?"

Although he disliked the clan's superstitious practices, he knew that the Gongxi clan lived peacefully and prosperously in this secluded world, their people well-fed and clothed, enjoying a comfortable life. What lay outside? A desolate wasteland, scarred and ravaged, where cannibalism was commonplace.

Countless men, women, the elderly, and children lacked even a piece of clothing to cover their bodies, drifting naked like lost souls in the world, barely surviving, emaciated and emaciated, their filthy, rough human skin covering their skeletons. He was only one human skin more than his nephew, Wei Cheng.

Each bone protrudes from under the skin.

It looks just like a walking tombstone.

Shen Tang listened in silence: "Are things this hard to do?"

She couldn't help but think of the first day she woke up, when the Gongxi clan had gathered over a hundred dishes, and she had only eaten a few bites.

Wei Lou said, "At least we're still alive."

It's truly difficult when everyone starves to death.

Shen Tang remained silent.

Wei Lou was puzzled by her reaction.

But it was just her foolish, soft-hearted pity born of naivety.

What people need is food to fill their stomachs, clothes to keep them warm, sturdy houses to shelter them from the wind and rain, and a sense of security from being plundered and killed at will... They don't need this worthless feeling of pity.

Because it doesn't solve any problems.

Perhaps feeling that Shen Tang was too naive and foolish, Wei Lou also gave up the idea of ​​killing her and prepared to remove the window support.

With just a glance, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing under a tree in the courtyard. The figure was draped in a thin veil of moonlight, its gaze calmly fixed in his direction. Who else could it be but Ji Mo Cong? Wei Lou paused, and Ji Mo Cong's voice drifted over.

"What is Your Highness doing?"

Shen Tang froze: "I...I was basking in the moonlight."

Ji Mo Cong: "The moonlight tonight is truly stunning. I obtained some Gu wine from my elder sister, the vintage of which is just right. Would Your Highness like to try some?"

Shen Tang: "Okay, sure."

Ji Mo Cong then invited Wei Lou.

"Everyone who sees this gets a share. Would Lord Wei like to join us for a drink?"

Wei Lou replied coldly, "It would be impolite to refuse."

The taste of Gu wine is very unique, with a long-lasting aftertaste.

Shen Tang couldn't hold her liquor; she fell asleep immediately after just one sip. Ji Mo Cong remarked, "Young people are great; they sleep soundly."

Wei Lou did not answer.

He was not familiar with Ji Mo Cong, whose stance was unclear.

Before sending Shen Tang away, Ji Mo Cong left a cryptic remark: "When you have time, talk to Your Highness about the hardships of the people."

"Is saying this useful?"

“If you speak, she will hear you.”

Wei Lou found both Ji Mo Cong and Shen Tang quite inexplicable.

Lord Ji Sunyin did not appear until the next day.

He brought them back over a hundred steaming hot meat buns, each as big as a general's fist. Qin You and Yun Da tasted one and felt it was a luxury; even wealthy families couldn't afford to eat such fine flour. "Why is our lord only returning now?"

Ji Sunyin said, "Phew, I'm starving. I was pulled aside by some elders for a meeting to ask about the external situation."

You might not believe it—

The Gongxi clan is going out to fight.

This makes his angry departure a few years ago seem somewhat clownish.

ヽ(ー_ー)ノ

Gong Xiyao is Anian's mother.

As mentioned in the previous text, Ji Mo Cong is the direct ancestor of Shao Bai Anian's branch.

(End of this chapter)