Possession 07

Feng Yusheng froze for a moment, then spoke word by word: "I demand justice for the Zhong Family..."

"Justice? Hah. While you were waiting, King Zhennan and Marquis of Yuexi's loyalist armies were already marching here. For the sake of your so-called apology, are you willing to let hundreds of thousands of brothers lose their heads?" Fang Zhiyi ignored him and turned to his deputy. "Issue the order!"

The deputy immediately straightened his back. Throughout the journey, he had harbored many doubts, but seeing Prince Huai's resolute expression, he had never voiced them. Now, Prince Huai finally spoke.

"The Emperor has shot and killed our Marshal Feng Yusheng! Brothers, avenge our marshal!"

Feng Yusheng was stunned. "What are you doing?!"

Fang Zhiyi smirked sinisterly. "The brothers risked their lives following you, and now you want to back out? Then they can just as easily take your head and keep going." With that, he waved his hand.

Several deputies closed in, wailing, "Marshal, your death was so tragic!"

Upon hearing the news, the army attacked even more fiercely. The Old Emperor, who had ascended the city walls, did not see the second son of the Zhong Family but instead encountered Prince Huai, Fang Zhiyi.

"Prince Huai! I treated you well! Why rebel?!"

Fang Zhiyi muttered under his breath, "It's not like I wanted to rebel. If I said I was possessed, would you believe me?"

But a moment later, he declared, "Your Majesty, you’ve grown old. It’s time to abdicate. Your paranoia worsens by the day—this subject fears he may one day perish under your suspicions." This wasn’t entirely baseless; given Prince Huai’s original temperament, death would have come sooner or later.

"Traitor! Traitor!"

Fang Zhiyi offered no further reply, only directing his men to press the assault.

By that evening, the inner city had fallen as well. When the Deposed Crown Prince received the news, he stood dumbfounded in the courtyard where he had been confined, unsure of what to feel.

Then a group of soldiers pushed open the gates. At their head, Prince Huai knelt on one knee before him and proclaimed, "Prince Huai, Fang Zhiyi, humbly requests the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne!"

The men behind him echoed the cry.

The Crown Prince was stunned. Prince Huai? Did they even have any connection?

"Your Highness, please proceed to Wude Hall for your coronation," Fang Zhiyi urged again.

And so, the Crown Prince found himself bewilderedly ascending the throne. Fang Zhiyi had already weighed the options—among the imperial princes, only the Crown Prince was fit to rule. He had a reputation for benevolence, though he was somewhat of a libertine.

With the Crown Prince now the new Emperor, the loyalist armies lost their purpose. Upon receiving the order to withdraw, they could only turn back.

When Feng Yusheng awoke, he found himself lying in a vast palace chamber. Memories of what had happened before his unconsciousness flooded back, and rage surged within him. But before he could speak, a hoarse voice sounded from the shadows nearby.

"Awake?"

Feng Yusheng’s entire body stiffened.

As the gaunt, aged face emerged from the darkness, his heart swirled with panic, fury, and shock.

"It’s you."

The two engaged in a "cordial" discussion regarding the unresolved matters of the Zhong Family. However, the Old Emperor, having nothing left to lose, refused to apologize, leaving Feng Yusheng seething.

At least he wasn’t alone—Princess Xialuo was also brought in.

The two exchanged silent glances. Princess Xialuo couldn’t comprehend why her powerful control talisman had failed, nor why her system had suddenly vanished.

The only sound in the palace was the Old Emperor’s mad laughter.

Servants delivered meals to their door daily, so starvation wasn’t a concern, but the days dragged on unbearably. Having consumed a supreme medicinal pill, Feng Yusheng’s health remained robust—he couldn’t even fall ill if he tried. Worse still, Princess Xialuo clung to him relentlessly.

A hopeless romantic, Princess Xialuo eventually stopped obsessing over her missing system. As long as she could stay with the male lead, she was content. She was certain he would stage a comeback—he had to. And the system would surely return.

Then, one night, the Old Emperor died.

The mad laughter ceased, leaving the palace even more desolate.

After the initial passion faded, Princess Xialuo began to miss her system. It was supposed to be a transmigration conquest system, allowing her to travel through worlds and pursue male leads. Why had it disappeared?

With the Old Emperor’s death, Feng Yusheng realized he had lost his chance to demand justice for his family. The mastermind was gone, and he grew increasingly withdrawn.

Princess Xialuo started babbling nonsense, speaking words he couldn’t understand. He paid her no mind. Though he was grateful to her, gratitude was all he felt.

A year later, at Prince Huai’s request, the two were released and cast back into the common world, left to their own devices.

They never saw Prince Huai again.

"Brother, do you think the Emperor will leave me alone now that I’ve voluntarily surrendered my military power?" Prince Huai fiddled with a birdcage while rambling.

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "Probably." After a pause, he added, "Well… most likely."

Who knew if this Emperor would grow to resemble his father?

Little Hei had filled Fang Zhiyi in on the original plot.

In the original timeline, Feng Yusheng manipulated the princes into scheming against one another. Eventually, he used Princess Xialuo and Prince Huai Fang Zhiyi’s forces to stage a rebellion. After breaching the outer city, he ordered a halt, demanding the Emperor exonerate the Zhong Family.

Following a war of words, the Emperor finally admitted his wrongdoing. Satisfied, Feng Yusheng left—abandoning the two to three hundred thousand rebel soldiers.

The Old Emperor later settled scores. Prince Huai Fang Zhiyi and a host of other generals were imprisoned, nearly all executed come autumn.

Only Princess Xialuo escaped unscathed, having secured an imperial decree for her marriage to Feng Yusheng. The two happily retreated into seclusion.

"Conclusion: This world revolves around romance, huh?" Fang Zhiyi chuckled. Gradually, he detached from Prince Huai’s body. The prince continued muttering, "What about that young lady from yesterday? I’ve inquired—she’s Minister Li’s daughter. My heart’s fluttering again..."

Fang Zhiyi gazed at the foolish Prince Huai and smiled faintly. "Little Hei, when can I go back?"

Little Hei’s bloated form, writhing midair, suddenly stilled.

"You want to return?"

Fang Zhiyi met its gaze. "Yes."

"Why?" Little Hei sounded puzzled.

Fang Zhiyi laughed. "My mind holds too many memories. I’ve witnessed dynasty after dynasty, and the emotions that once defined me are fading. I also feel… something foreign growing within me."

Little Hei twisted uneasily.

"And, Little Hei—what exactly are you?" Fang Zhiyi asked again.

Instead of answering, Little Hei replied in an odd tone, "Must you return? You’ll regret it."

Though Fang Zhiyi’s face showed no mirth, he let out a dry laugh. "Nothing drags a person through world after world without reason. I’ve said that before, haven’t I? Feels like a long time ago."

A strange light flickered across Little Hei’s body as its voice shifted.

"Are you… certain? You might die."

Fang Zhiyi seemed to have anticipated this. "Die? I’ve died many times already—once in every world."

Little Hei’s form expanded once more. "Complete one more world, and I’ll send you back."

Fang Zhiyi fell silent.

"Well?" Little Hei squirmed.

"You could deceive me, and there'd be little I could do about it."

"I won’t deceive you. Never." Little Hei's tone remained oddly strained.

Fang Zhiyi shook her head and leaped into the swirling vortex.