LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4 - You and I Have Been Candid, How Could We Betray Each Other?
Meanwhile
Lu Ping let out a long sigh.
After grinding for over ten hours, just as his military strength was flourishing and he was on the verge of pacifying the Quanrong, planning to return with military achievements to marry the Han Marquis—no, the Han Empress—a new message popped up.
[Year 527 of the Jing Calendar, the Han Empress has sent you a secret edict.]
The scene shifted, and a brand new scenario appeared before him.
It was as if Lu Ping had been transported to a strict and disciplined military camp, where he saw a figure that looked exactly like him, standing in the midst of it.
A post-transmigration game with effects like this?
Lu Ping was genuinely impressed.
At this point, the Lu Ping in the game had reached middle age. Though he wore a purple-gold crown and was clad in chain armor, he still exuded a scholarly aura.
His expression was calm as he held a secret edict in his hand.
At that moment, an officer rushed into the camp and urgently said, “General, the messenger sent by Lord Li has been waiting for several hours. Should we grant him an audience?”
[Please choose—]
[1. A loyal minister serves no second master. Refuse Li Wenfu’s overtures and follow the Han Empress’s secret edict.]
[2. Play both sides, avoid taking a clear stance, and strive for higher rewards.]
[3. Betray immediately, hand over the secret edict, and pledge loyalty to Lord Li as a foster son.]
Lu Ping stared at the options, not understanding. He really didn’t understand. He had been achieving victories at the frontier, about to pacify the Quanrong, and return to the old capital. There was even a chance he could be enfeoffed with the highest honors for a military commander.
Yet here he was, about to face a crisis from his own camp?
Sure enough, he should never have placed his hopes in the AI.
Lu Ping sighed and quickly selected the first option.
This was just a game, not reality. He had chosen the Han Marquis for the character’s illustration, so hesitating for even a second would be disrespecting his own preferences.
Moreover, he had been loyal to the Han Marquis faction for ten years. Although it had only been ten hours in reality, in the game, it had been a solid ten years.
Ten years of exchanging letters, sending gifts, and maxing out favorability—how could he be swayed now?
‘Attempting to recruit me? Get lost!’
‘The Han Marquis is number one in the world!’
As Lu Ping made his choice, the in-game character hesitated.
“Oh no…”
Lu Ping suddenly realized the problem—he had forgotten that the game didn’t allow decisions that contradicted the character’s personality.
In other words, even if he chose to follow the Han Empress’s secret edict and refuse Li Wenfu’s overtures, the in-game character might not comply.
“At least try to show some restraint!”
Lu Ping mentally cursed this lousy setting. If he couldn’t even control his own character, was his lifetime of reputation going to be ruined?
[In the military camp, General Lin stepped forward and respectfully requested, “General, the army is prepared, provisions are ready, and the armor is in place. It’s time to eradicate the Quanrong and return to the old capital.”]
[“This is the best opportunity to achieve great feats; we must not miss it.”]
[“As the commander of the Six Armies, how can you delay the battle because of a secret edict? Please reconsider, General!”]
[You frowned and remained silent.]
At this point, Lu Ping had already lost hope.
This was indeed a difficult dilemma he faced in the simulation.
Following the Han Empress’s secret edict meant temporarily giving up the military achievements within reach. Even though he was the General Who Conquers the West and the head of the Six Armies at the frontier, the momentum of the campaign had swept up even his personal will.
No one could stop the Western Expedition!
Refusing was easy, but it would undoubtedly betray the trust of the Han Marquis, which didn’t align with his goal in this game.
[Another general stepped forward in the camp, “Li Wenfu’s influence is great; General, please endure for now. Once we have pacified the Quanrong and return to court, we can purge the traitors and save the nation.”]
[Upon hearing this, Lu Ping’s frown eased, and he stroked the Fangtian halberd with an arrogant expression, “These vermin are of no consequence. A mere traitor is nothing more than grass in my eyes.”]
[“With my Red Hare horse and Fangtian halberd in hand, what is there to fear in the world?”]
The options returned to the initial screen.
Lu Ping was stunned. No way, are you serious, man?
The generals in the camp had simply stated a fact, yet it triggered a rebellious reaction in his character. He wasn’t even concerned about fighting the Quanrong anymore and instead started considering returning to court?
Do you really think the regent is made of clay?
But given the experiences of his character in the simulation, this reaction wasn’t surprising.
Who was Li Wenfu? A mere minister’s son, a treacherous official who usurped the state; and who was Lu Ping in the simulation? A descendant of royalty, one of the Six Ministers.
After ten years of guarding the frontier and driving the Quanrong to the brink, he was revered by his soldiers as the Flying General.
Could Li Wenfu handle this? No, he couldn’t, you know that, right?
So it wasn’t surprising that Lu Ping would view the world’s heroes as mere grass.
It must be said that the talent greatly influenced the simulation character.
Without hesitation, Lu Ping chose the first option.
[“I, the General Who Conquers the West, have come from the Western Expedition, guarding the western border for over ten years since the Year 517 of the Jing Calendar. I have served diligently, reclaiming lands from the Quanrong, and have been greatly trusted by the Han Marquis and entrusted by the late emperor. I dare not forget.”]
[“Now, my comrades urge me to pacify the Quanrong before returning. But do you know that there are traitors in the court, and the Han Empress is still struggling within the palace?”]
[“If we, as soldiers, do not think of loyalty to the king and service to the country, but only of temporary gains, how are we any different from Li Wenfu and his ilk?”]
[“Do not discuss this further. My lord is in the east; we must not abandon them! We will return to court immediately. If anyone raises this issue again, do not blame my halberd for being unforgiving.”]
[Lu Ping slashed through the desk in the camp with his halberd, splitting it in half.]
[“If I were in the court, how dare those traitors cause chaos?”]
[The generals fell silent.]
In reality, Lu Ping felt a bit heavy-hearted. Unlike his in-game character, he wasn’t so confident.
When it came to leading troops in battle, he feared no one. But returning to court, if he got caught up in political scheming, with his non-existent political acumen, he probably wouldn’t last more than a few rounds.
He needed to be cautious in his decisions from here on out and act swiftly!
…
Han Marquis’s Mansion
Luo Jinxuan stared at the screen before her, her expression complicated.
[“You and I have been candid, how could we betray each other?”]
In the game, Lu Ping led three thousand armored cavalry stationed outside the capital and sent a messenger with a letter to express his intentions.
Luo Jinxuan hadn’t expected that her initial order for Lu Ping to clear the court of traitors and save the nation, which she gave on a whim, would actually lead him to return to court with his troops. She wasn’t sure whether he was using her name to rebel and justify his actions, or if he was truly loyal and courageous.
[You are in a dilemma. Please choose—]
[1: Draft an edict ordering the General Who Conquers the West, Lu Ping, to lead his troops into the city and execute the traitors.]
[2: Bide your time, order the General Who Conquers the West, Lu Ping, to enter the court, maintain balance, and seize the opportunity to consolidate power.]
Luo Jinxuan couldn’t help but recall how her uncle, Li Wenfu, had also worked tirelessly with great loyalty before she ascended the throne.
She also remembered her father’s dying words. “The vessel and the name, they must not be entrusted to others!”
She, the Han Empress, believed in the way of kings.
Luo Jinxuan clicked on the second option.
“If the day comes when I regain full power, I will not let you down,” she silently vowed in her heart.