Chapter 2021 - 2019: Guiding the Lost (I Can’t Play This Crappy Game Anymore!)

The snow was vast and white, corpses scattered all over. Fang Zheng rode on a White Deer, swaying as he approached Fang Zheng’s group, shaking his head and sighing.

"Officer Xiang is truly muddled. Others might not know what kind of person Luu Buwei is, but aren’t you aware of his fate?"

Fang Zheng was genuinely exasperated. To be honest, though novels depict him, Fang Zheng still feels Xiang Shaolong is too naive. Frankly speaking, he’s ultimately just a special forces soldier by background, with no big picture in mind, accustomed to being commanded rather than commanding others. That’s why he instinctively leaned towards Luu Buwei when he saw him.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Shaolong’s body shook, and the elderly man beside him suddenly widened his eyes, as if he realized something as he looked at him.

"Young Master Fang, may I have a word with you?"

After pondering for a moment, Xiang Shaolong seemed to have decided on something and gestured to Fang Zheng, who nodded in agreement and then followed Xiang Shaolong to the side.

Fang Zheng then looked at Xiang Shaolong, shaking his head.

"Honestly, this is the second time I’ve saved you, Officer Xiang. Once, twice, but you can’t keep losing face like this, can you? The inner strength swordsmanship I’ve given you, as long as you practice diligently, will surely make you the best in the world... Yet seeing the mess you’re in now, struggling against a hundred-odd petty thieves..."

As he said this, Fang Zheng squinted his eyes and looked at Xiang Shaolong.

"Could it be you’ve spent all your time on women?"

Fang Zheng was also quite displeased at this moment. To know, what he had given to Xiang Shaolong was a battle skill from Dynasty Warriors, if Xiang Shaolong had truly practiced it, he should be defeating thousands with ease as the generals in Dynasty Warriors do, but to end up beaten so badly here... have you really been practicing properly?

"Uh..."

Faced with Fang Zheng’s taunt, Xiang Shaolong’s face turned a bit ugly. As he said, although Xiang Shaolong did initially practice diligently, after all, with a household of beloved wives and concubines, he eventually had to spare some time for them. Moreover, Xiang Shaolong had no concept of this world’s martial arts ceiling. Although he felt he made quite some progress, he never felt that he could reach the level of Fang Zheng’s Kotone killing enemies with the sound of a zither, so he got a bit lazy.

Thinking back, the swordsmanship of that time did indeed have the saying that one person could rival a hundred, yet Xiang Shaolong had only thought it to be an exaggeration then.

Thinking of this, Xiang Shaolong also felt a bit embarrassed, quickly changing the topic.

"Young Master Fang mentioned Luu Buwei earlier... Could it be this matter is related to Luu Buwei..."

Before he finished speaking, Xiang Shaolong was suddenly struck dumb, then his tiger-like eyes flashed brightly.

"Turns out you’re not that foolish after all."

Fang Zheng looked at Xiang Shaolong and sighed.

"You need to understand, scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant, why do people put the merchant last? It’s because merchants only care about profit, not righteousness, and Luu Buwei is no different. Talking emotions with him is just asking for trouble. Merchants, except for themselves, won’t love anyone else; they only love profits. No merchant isn’t cunning, no cunning without merchants. People like this bring disaster to the country and harm the people; trouble is only a matter of time."

In Fang Zheng’s view, Luu Buwei and the American Consortium basically operate in the same way. Luu Buwei’s "Rare Treasure" back then was exactly like the American Consortium’s nomination of presidential candidates, and just like the American Consortium, Luu Buwei also waged wars for his own gain, earning the world. Hence, over thousands of years, the nature of capitalists remains unchanged. It didn’t change before, it won’t change now, and it won’t change in the future.

The conscience of capitalists is less convincing than the chastity of a prostitute.

Faced with Fang Zheng’s words, Xiang Shaolong’s eyes showed bewilderment, not knowing what to do. Meanwhile, Fang Zheng stared at him, speaking lightly.

"King Xiang of Zhuang is a decent lord, but unfortunately, he and Luu Buwei are going in opposite directions. He will eventually be poisoned by Luu Buwei. This time, he sent people to kill you, obviously having made arrangements. Now it has become a case of either you kill him or he kills you. As the saying goes, strike first to gain the upper hand, act later and suffer. Killing Luu Buwei can at least guarantee you ten years of peace."

"But Qin State can’t afford to lose Luu Buwei..."

"Who says?"

Facing Xiang Shaolong’s words, Fang Zheng scoffed. He knew Xiang Shaolong was always trapped in a historical paradox, afraid of altering the future. But that was just the initial thought of a transmigrator. In fact, later on, which transmigrator wasn’t trying to change the dynasty? Those who crossed over but didn’t oppose Qing could only be politically correct if they used an electric drill through a chrysanthemum, right?

"What if Luu Buwei dies? The disciples trained by my Carefree Palace are much superior to Luu Buwei in both talent and knowledge. He’s only holding the position because he has money and people. Without the talents my Carefree Palace has supplied to Qin State, how could Qin State have recovered its vitality so quickly? Luu Buwei is just a mere figure. If he dies, he dies. Perhaps it would be better if he died."

At this point, Fang Zheng patted Xiang Shaolong’s shoulder.

"The reason I took action this time wasn’t because I was worried about you, but because I was worried something might happen to the Third Princess. You know Yanran and she share a good relationship, but I have my limits. The Third Princess is your woman; you must keep her safe on your own. This is the second time. If it happens again, I might not be able to save you."

Fang Zheng’s words weren’t alarmist. These two times he was able to arrive in time was solely because they were "original plot lines," but in the "original story," this time Zhao Qian should have already died. However, she was saved by Fang Zheng, which equates to altering the storyline. What will happen in the future, who knows?

On a side note, Fang Zheng has already confirmed that Xiang Shaolong is indeed a big oaf. What a joke, the song he was playing earlier was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor—Fate.

Such a well-known piece, and Xiang Shaolong showed no reaction, acting as if he recognized nothing... could it be you’re actually illiterate?

After having a conversation with Fang Zheng, Xiang Shaolong took his leave, and Fang Zheng saw him corralling a few house guards to plan on the other side while he himself rode his White Deer, meandering around. He hadn’t gone far before he saw Zhao Qian with four maidservants approaching him, gracefully bowing.

"Zhao Qian thanks Young Master Fang for saving my life."

"Third Princess, no need to be so polite; it’s just a minor effort."

Looking at Zhao Qian before him, Fang Zheng’s face broke into a smile. He wasn’t particularly interested in Zhao Qian; he had simply laid down a burden in his heart. It’s like playing a game and feeling perpetually frustrated because you can’t save one of your own after a plot-driven death; and then you use a mod to revive them, and suddenly everything feels right.

Once the heart is unburdened, naturally one feels comfortable.

"Moreover, Yanran and the Third Princess are close friends. If she finds out I saw a friend in need and didn’t help, I’d surely face her complaints."

"Ah..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian couldn’t help but cover her mouth, curiously glancing at Fang Zheng.

"Could it be that Young Master Fang and Sister Yanran are...?"

"Hmm... you can imagine it that way."

At this moment, Fang Zheng felt somewhat embarrassed. In truth, he was aware that Ji Yanran secretly harbored feelings for him. However, women’s thoughts and actions at this time period differ considerably from modern ones. Fang Zheng initially wanted her to reconsider her affection and thus intentionally had someone make a sailor uniform for her. He thought that a brilliant woman like Ji Yanran would never wear what she considered "indecent" clothing. Unexpectedly, Ji Yanran gladly agreed, and what caught Fang Zheng off guard was that this ancient intellectual, once clad in a sailor uniform, displayed an unexpectedly modern beauty. And thus, he inadvertently...

How should I say it...

These are mistakes made in youth.

Even more surprising to Fang Zheng was that the typically well-read and sensible Ji Yanran, after this incident, seemed to have discovered a new taste. She constantly sought him out with a longing comparable to Little Hei’s desires. Consequently, Fang Zheng had to find an excuse to escape for some peace.

Who would have thought that not only women in OX mangas possess the ’juice extracting maiden’ attribute, but even those in martial hero novels do as well? Xiang Shaolong, your kidneys must truly be formidable; novels indeed are artistically exaggerated.

But to be honest, a daytime refined and elegant brilliant woman, suddenly so passionate at night, this contrast is indeed quite captivating. After all, Fang Zheng had never encountered such a woman akin to a Yamato Nadeshiko, and found it rather refreshing.

What? You’re talking about Shisei?

That’s a crime, alright!

"In that case, Qian’er hereby first congratulates Young Master Fang and Sister Yanran."

Zhao Qian isn’t unaware of reading the room. With a slight smile, she exchanged a few words with Fang Zheng before noticing Xiang Shaolong approaching with several guards. At the forefront, Xiang Shaolong’s face looked unusually grim—not due to Fang Zheng conversing with his beloved wife.

Upon seeing Xiang Shaolong’s expression, Zhao Qian understood the two had important matters to discuss, so she turned to leave with her maid, while Xiang Shaolong glanced at Zhao Qian before addressing Fang Zheng again.

"I just spoke with Mr. Xiao; his opinion mirrors yours, Young Master Fang. It seems I’ve indeed been double-crossed by that bastard, Luu Buwei."

At this, Xiang Shaolong was gnashing his teeth, but Fang Zheng clearly wasn’t here to listen to grievances.

"So what does Officer Xiang plan to do now?"

"I, Xiang Shaolong, am not easily bullied, but Luu Buwei wields considerable power... We still need him to counteract those unfriendly forces in the Qin State..."

While speaking, Xiang Shaolong sighed deeply.

"Apologies, my mind’s a mess."

"Understandable, Officer Xiang is, after all, human, and it’s normal to have limitations."

Listening to Xiang Shaolong, Fang Zheng realized he still lacked the transcendent mindset of future transmigrators who dare to defy fate. But then... being an ancestor, one shouldn’t demand too much.

Previously, time travel literature didn’t exist.

However, Fang Zheng had his own ideas.

"What’s Officer Xiang’s plan going forward?"

"Naturally, returning to the city."

Faced with Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Xiang Shaolong forced a bitter laugh.

"Things have come to this; all those documents are lost beyond recovery. Any diplomatic mission now would just be a joke, but before that..."

With this, Xiang Shaolong clenched his teeth.

"I want Luu Buwei to know, I’m a man with a temper!"