Gu Fangchen's use of the title "Dao Lord of Emotion" served another purpose, one that made it far more convenient to control the Dugu Clan.
Dugu Yue's momentum was at its peak. He was the most promising candidate for the next Patriarch of the Gushe branch of the Dugu Clan.
However, beneath him stood another, Dugu Zhuo, also a renowned figure on the Heaven Ranking. The two factions had been opposing each other within the clan for years, equally matched, each waiting for that one decisive opportunity to tip the scales, but that opportunity had never come.
Dugu Yue could influence the Dugu Clan, but his influence remained limited.
If an opportunity arose to reshuffle the hierarchy within the Gushe Dugu Clan, he would never miss it.
And now, that chance to break the balance stood right before him.
The bait Gu Fangchen crafted from the dragon vein was more than enough to tempt Dugu Yue, and even the entire Gushe Dugu Clan.
For years, the Lingtai branch of the Dugu Clan had stood as the leading noble family. The Gushe branch had gained little from this prestige, remaining perpetually overshadowed by Lingtai. Whenever people mentioned "the Dugu," they meant Lingtai Dugu. But since both were Dugu, why should Lingtai be considered superior?
Their strength was comparable. The only difference was that the Lingtai branch had produced an empress, and because of that, Gushe Dugu had always been seen as inferior. Whenever people spoke of the foremost noble house, it was always Lingtai Dugu.
Yet in truth, the Gushe Dugu were the original line. Lingtai had branched off from them.
By principle, the two branches should have shared glory and ruin alike.
But human greed was insatiable, this had always been true throughout history.
The Gushe Dugu had long harbored a subtle ambition to reclaim their rightful title, to once again claim the mantle of the foremost noble clan.
As long as Gu Fangchen put forth the proposal through Dugu Yue, at least half the Gushe Dugu would immediately support it.
The framework of Gu Fangchen's plan was nothing short of flawless.
But altering such a major course of action was no trivial matter. Each Dao Lord, in turn, voiced their doubts. Gu Fangchen answered them one by one, explaining the advantages and dangers in detail, earning their constant nods of approval.
Every step had been meticulously arranged. This plan was no spur-of-the-moment fancy, it was clearly something long thought out, merely brought up today because the timing was right.
In truth, the blueprint for Gu Fangchen's plan had been copied directly from the Demon Sect's own.
In one of the Demon Sect's possible timelines, after a player's interference had caused their plot to fail, they had turned to this exact strategy as an alternative.
The only difference was that the Demon Sect had used falsehood disguised as truth.
But this time, Gu Fangchen would use truth disguised as falsehood!
"If that's the case," said the Sixth Division Star Lord, "and if the array can indeed be formed to create a false dragon vein… then we can fully cooperate."
He looked at Gu Fangchen, reaching a conclusion, and then turned toward the others.
"What do you all think?"
The Dao Lord of Craft chuckled.
"Naturally, I have no objections. Since the Dao Lord of Emotion is acquainted with our venerable founder, he is a friend to our Craft Path."
Earlier, Gu Fangchen had taken the chance to speak amicably with the "Toothsmith."
Though the Toothsmith now wandered the world aimlessly, doing no proper work, in the eyes of the Craft Path he was still their revered founder.
Anyone who had met the Toothsmith face-to-face, who had traded with him, was someone with fate tied to their path. Naturally, they would show respect.
And besides, this plan was airtight. Not a single flaw to be found.
The General of Thousand Roads and Lord Decay had no objections either.
The Coal Seller's expression shifted darkly, his eyes shadowed, but he knew that with five Dao Lords already in favor, the decision was made.
Their earlier round of interrogation had been exhaustive, yet no flaws had been revealed. Even when brought before the "Old Thousand Years," it would likely pass.
He could only feign agreement.
"As long as the dragon vein can be created… the Righteous Path will serve the cause with all its strength."
But in truth, this went against his fundamental objective.
The uprising army had always been his project. When the time came to install a puppet emperor, that figure should have been his choice. Now, Gu Yuye had taken the role instead.
The rebellion itself had been reduced to a supporting act.
He could not be more unwilling.
"So," the Sixth Division Star Lord said, turning to Gu Yuye, "what say the Prince?"
Gu Yuye felt a faint, lingering unease.
From the moment this suddenly enthroned Dao Lord of Emotion appeared in Gu Fangchen's form, that unease had taken root.
Even though this "Feiwei" had answered every question flawlessly, knew every detail of the Demon Sect's inner workings without the slightest inconsistency, something about his appearance made Gu Yuye's heart quiver.
As if haunted by a shadow deep in his mind.
The thought made him laugh bitterly. Why should he fear Gu Fangchen?
Just because the man appeared in that form, would he really let that fear make him forgo such a perfect opportunity?
He had always known that the Demon Sect's plan was to create a vessel for the nation's fate. Though they had never said it outright, he had long been aware.
But so what?
If the Demon Sect used him, he could just as well use them. It was only a contest of skill, who would be the final victor?
Once he borrowed the dragon vein's momentum, and destiny was in his hands, what could the Demon Sect possibly do?
When the time came, even falsehood would become truth.
Having made up his mind, Gu Yuye took a deep breath.
"Cooperation is possible," he said slowly, "but I have one condition, I wish to see the true face of the Dao Lord 'Feiwei.'"
He fixed his gaze on Gu Fangchen.
"Since we are to work together, there must be honesty between us. Surely such a small request would not offend you, Dao Lord?"
A trace of displeasure crossed Gu Fangchen's face.
"The Emotion Path has always used truth and falsehood as its methods. No Dao Lord has ever revealed their true face to outsiders. Your request crosses the line."
He raised a finger toward the Sixth Division Star Lord, pretending to be angry.
"If you distrust me, then why not demand that the Star Lord show his true body?"
The Sixth Division Star Lord was silent.
Though the others did not know that he had divided himself into six bodies, they were aware he had many incarnations, and that the one before them might not even be the true one.
They all guarded their secrets. None of them ever revealed their true forms to one another.
Gu Yuye's request had indeed crossed a boundary.
He himself knew that it was a somewhat indecent demand, but Gu Fangchen's resistance only made him more suspicious.
"This matter is too important," he said darkly. "I've never heard of anyone in the Emotion Path who could wield illusion to such an extent. I must know who you really are. Or is the Dao Lord afraid?"
Gu Fangchen clasped his hands behind his back, refusing to yield.
"Gu Yuye, you may indeed be the best candidate, but the uprising army could easily offer another. Whoever bears the dragon vein will become Heaven's chosen. If you won't accept this fortune, there are plenty who will."
He narrowed his eyes at Gu Yuye and sneered.
"Furthermore, you speak of trust. But trust cannot be one-sided. Tell me, Gu Yuye, do you trust us?"
"If I dare show my true face, would you dare to show yours?"
That question struck directly at Gu Yuye's weak point.
But the lure of the dragon vein was too great to resist.
After a moment's silence, Gu Yuye lifted his head, eyes firm.
"I will."
"My earlier request was indeed presumptuous. I do not need to be the one to verify your identity. Surely, Dao Lord, you trust the other Dao Lords here more than you trust me?"
"In that case, so long as one of them can confirm your true face, that will suffice."
Then, he swore a Heart Demon Oath: if Gu Fangchen dared reveal his true face, then on the day the dragon vein was completed, he would show his true self before all and bear the mantle of Heaven's Mandate.