Five days later.
Du Ge and Luo Shuang walked out of the forest.
In the forest, they practiced martial arts, searched for food, and built shelters. The days were simple yet fulfilling.
To some extent, this lifestyle had actually dulled the hatred in Luo Shuang’s heart.
These were the most peaceful days she had ever experienced.
As they emerged from the forest and faced the world once again, Luo Shuang felt a twinge of fear, even a reluctance to confront the harsh reality.
She glanced back longingly at the dense forest and asked, “Master, where are we going next?”
“Princess, are you afraid?” Du Ge asked.
“A little.” Under Du Ge’s guidance, Luo Shuang had learned to face her thoughts honestly and speak without beating around the bush.
“Do you remember what I taught you?” Du Ge asked, a vine naturally slipping into his palm.
Seeing the vine, Luo Shuang couldn’t help but shiver and quickly said, “When I want to retreat, I should think of my dead father and brothers, think of the guards who died protecting me, think of the lost glory and wealth, think of what will happen if Duke Dingguo catches me…”
“Very good. You’ve learned how to PUA yourself!”
Du Ge looked at Luo Shuang with satisfaction and asked, “So, have you figured it out?”
“I have.” Luo Shuang’s gaze gradually became firm. She clenched her fists and said, “I want to restore my kingdom, defeat Duke Dingguo, become the first empress in history, and usher in an unprecedented era of prosperity.”
“Alright, if you’ve figured it out, let’s go.” Du Ge skillfully put away the vine and took the lead out of the forest.
The last Alien Star Battlefield ended hastily, taking only half a year.
This time, Pan-Universal Entertainment wanted to extend the duration.
With advanced skills not so easily obtained, Du Ge wanted to see if he could create a derivative item.
The chances of a derivative item appearing were very low. Most warriors would give up on derivative items and focus on advanced skills and keywords.
But undeniably, once a derivative item was successfully created, its power was no less than any advanced skill.
Looking at all the derivative items that have appeared, they all matched keywords and were used long-term, giving them special significance before they were born.
Like the Blade of Slaughter, the warrior with the slaughter keyword used it to kill countless people.
Like the Diplomat’s Medal, the warrior with the diplomacy keyword wore it and completed countless successful diplomatic negotiations over decades.
So, the vine he used to beat the princess might also have a chance to become a derivative item.
As long as he kept using it, it might evolve into a high-level artifact like the Vine of Loyalty, making the princess, or any future lord, tremble at the sight of it.
Even if it didn’t work out, it didn’t matter. After all, he wasn’t the one getting beaten…
…
“Master, you still haven’t said what we’re going to do next?” Luo Shuang asked, following behind Du Ge.
“Travel the world, get to know and understand it.” Du Ge glanced back at Luo Shuang, “Find more like-minded people to help us restore the kingdom. A hero needs three helpers. To restore the kingdom, we need generals to lead troops, strategists, civilians to grow food, and officials to manage internal affairs. We have a lot to do and many talents to gather…”
At this moment, Du Ge inexplicably thought of Murong Fu.
That guy who was obsessed with restoring his kingdom, not thinking about accumulating land, soldiers, or food, not thinking about becoming an official, but only recruiting martial artists. If such a person could successfully restore a kingdom, it would be a miracle.
To rebel, one should learn from Ying Zheng, Liu Bang, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Liu Bei. That is the true way of emperors.
“How do we find them?” Luo Shuang asked.
“With strategies, your charisma, and your princess status,” Du Ge said. “As long as you put your heart into it, finding talents isn’t that hard.”
“Please teach me, Master,” Luo Shuang said.
Du Ge was silent for a moment, then looked at a village at the foot of the mountain: “Alright, I’ll demonstrate once. Pay attention.”
“Okay.” Luo Shuang nodded.
The two walked into the small mountain village. Du Ge stopped a farmer carrying a hoe at the entrance: “Old man, who is the wealthiest in your village?”
The old man glanced at the sword at Du Ge’s waist and his clothes, clearly torn by swords, and trembled with fear, unable to speak for a long time.
Du Ge patiently looked at him: “Old man, don’t be afraid. I mean no harm. I just want to ask for some food for my apprentice and me.”
“Lu Yuanwai, Lu Yuanwai’s family is the richest. The large mansion in the west of the village is his.” The old man gritted his teeth and said.
“Thank you, old man.” Du Ge cupped his fists.
“Young man, please don’t tell Lu Yuanwai that I told you!” The old man looked at Du Ge with a bitter face. “If he finds out I pointed you to his door, he won’t spare me.”
“Don’t worry, old man. I won’t say it was you. I’ll say I found it myself.” Du Ge smiled, bid farewell to the old man, and led Luo Shuang to Lu Yuanwai’s house.
Luo Shuang looked at the old man, who kept looking back, frowned, and seemed to be deep in thought.
…
They arrived at Lu Yuanwai’s door.
Du Ge knocked and asked to see Lu Yuanwai, but the guards shut the door in his face.
Du Ge simply kicked the door open and fought his way in, finally seeing the trembling Lu Yuanwai in the main hall.
Seeing the fierce-looking Du Ge, Lu Yuanwai kowtowed repeatedly: “Spare me, hero! Spare me! Take all the money in my house, just spare my family…”
“Please rise, Yuanwai.” Du Ge reached out and helped him up, smiling. “We didn’t come for money. We came to offer you a great fortune.”
Lu Yuanwai was stunned. He looked at the guards lying around the courtyard, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and forced a smile: “What fortune? Please explain, sir…”
“Do you know who she is?” Du Ge asked.
Lu Yuanwai glanced at Luo Shuang and shook his head.
“To be honest, she is the Fourth Princess of Qingwu Kingdom.” Du Ge took out the princess’s jade pendant and waved it in front of Lu Yuanwai. “Yuanwai, you must have heard about what happened in Qingwu Kingdom. Duke Dingguo usurped the throne and slaughtered the royal family, but the Fourth Princess escaped.”
“Greetings, Fourth Princess.” Lu Yuanwai looked at Luo Shuang in confusion and quickly bowed to her.
“Mm.” Luo Shuang nodded.
“Yuanwai, the Fourth Princess bears the destiny of a true dragon and has grand ambitions. She plans to raise an army, drive out Duke Dingguo, and reclaim the throne of Qingwu Kingdom.” Du Ge looked at Lu Yuanwai sincerely. “We came to ask Yuanwai for some money and food to raise an army.
Yuanwai, helping the Fourth Princess in her time of need is like giving charcoal in the snow. If the Fourth Princess ascends the throne, she will surely reward you with titles and honors. Yuanwai, don’t you think this is a great fortune?”
“…” Lu Yuanwai stared at Du Ge, his mouth twitching.
Are you kidding me?
If you want to rob me, just say so!
Don’t take me for a fool!
Let’s not even talk about whether she is really the Fourth Princess. Even if she is.
Just the two of you, with no soldiers or generals, telling me you’re going to overthrow Duke Dingguo and become emperor?
Moreover, if you want to gather money and food, you should go to Qingwu Kingdom. What are you doing in this small village in Chongming Kingdom, 800 miles away from Qingwu Kingdom?
This childish lie wouldn’t even fool a three-year-old!
…
Clearly, Luo Shuang had also thought of this. Her face turned red, and she couldn’t bear to look at Du Ge. The sacred aura around him instantly vanished. She had thought he was a great talent, but he turned out to be a big talker with no real ability.
At this moment, Luo Shuang felt extremely bitter. Heaven was truly against her family!
“Yuanwai.” Du Ge waved his hand in front of Lu Yuanwai’s eyes and asked with a smile, “What do you think?”
Lu Yuanwai glanced again at the guards they had knocked down and said, “Fourth Princess, I am willing to offer some money and food to support your cause.”
Luo Shuang coughed and was about to speak.
But Du Ge interrupted her, smiling: “Yuanwai, I can hear the doubt in your words. Fair enough, there has never been a female emperor in history. Let me tell you the strategy our advisor has set for us to ease your mind!”
“…” Lu Yuanwai looked at Du Ge in confusion, frowning slightly.
“Equal distribution of land, shared wealth, high walls, and ample food. This is the strategy our advisor has set for us.” Du Ge looked at Lu Yuanwai with a smile. “Let’s set aside the last two for now. Let me explain what equal distribution of land and shared wealth means. Before I do, I want to ask, how much land do you own, Yuanwai?”
Lu Yuanwai’s face changed, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
“Yuanwai, if I were to divide your land among the poor tenants and peasants in the village, do you think they would rally to our cause?” Du Ge asked. “Actually, I had already prepared for the possibility that you might not want the great fortune the princess is offering. In that case, we would borrow your head to give this fortune to more people…”
What nonsense about equal distribution of land and rallying followers?
The world isn’t in chaos. If you divide the land, those peasants wouldn’t even dare to take it, and the land deeds are registered with the government. This is just a threat!
Lu Yuanwai’s face turned ashen, and he kowtowed repeatedly: “Fourth Princess, I was blinded by greed earlier and didn’t recognize the true dragon before me. I am willing to offer all my money and food to support your cause…”