Gu?
Named Tianlang?
Daoist title Chixiao?
Monarch Chixiao?
And... uncle?
Wait a minute.
Could it be that this guy is impersonating Monarch Chixiao again to swindle people?
And by the looks of it, using some unknown method, he's actually managed to fool Great-Grandfather! Thinking of this, Tang Manqing hurriedly said, "Great-Grandfather, you mustn't be deceived! Although he shares the surname Gu, he is not the Monarch. His real name is Gu Qingfeng, his Daoist title is Young Master Chiyan—he is definitely not the Monarch!"
"What Gu Qingfeng? What Young Master Chiyan? Girl, he is that kid Gu Tianlang. Your great-grandfather wouldn't lie to you."
"Great-Grandfather, I'm not saying you're deceiving me, but that he is deceiving you!"
Tang Manqing explained, "Great-Grandfather, back in the Great Northwest, he claimed to have fused with a wisp of the Monarch's residual consciousness and called himself the Monarch's successor. Now that he's come to our Yanluo, he's claiming to be the Monarch himself. You mustn't fall for it."
"What residual consciousness? What successor? I'm telling you, girl, don't talk nonsense."
"Great-Grandfather, this isn't me talking nonsense. He said it himself!"
"Oh?"
Old Monster Tang found this strange and looked at Gu Qingfeng, asking, "There's such a thing?"
Gu Qingfeng sat in his chair, drinking wine as if watching a show, watching them, and nodded in affirmation. "That's right, there is such a thing."
"You brat, what were you thinking, claiming to have fused with some residual consciousness and saying you're your own successor?"
"You think I wanted to?"
Gu Qingfeng poured himself another drink, speaking unhurriedly, "I said I was Gu Tianlang, but no one believed me. I could only settle for the next best thing and claim to be my own successor. And even then, damn it, no one believed me."
"Serves you right!
This is all karma of your own making!"
Old Monster Tang shot Gu Qingfeng an extremely disdainful glare before saying to Tang Manqing, "Girl, your great-grandfather has eyes of fire and gold. No one in this world can deceive this old man. This kid is Gu Tianlang. Stop guessing wildly."
"Great-Grandfather, how can you be so sure he's the Monarch?"
"Nonsense! This old man personally verified it, of course I'm sure. Don't forget, back in the day, that kid Gu Tianlang even hung around with your great-grandfather for a while. I know that brat better than anyone. Moreover, I asked him about some things from back then, and he knew every detail. He's the real deal, no mistake about it."
"Asked about some things from back then?"
Tang Manqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Great-Grandfather, don't you forget, there's another person in our Yanluo Kingdom impersonating the Monarch. He also knows some things from back then, even private matters involving Auntie. If even the private matters between the Monarch and Auntie have been leaked, let alone the private matters between you and the Monarch. Besides, since he fused with a wisp of the Monarch's residual consciousness, it's not strange at all that he would have some of the Monarch's memories and know about your private affairs with him."
"You mean that guy from before? Didn't your great-grandfather tell you? That guy is a fake."
Tang Manqing was almost at her breaking point, continuously trying to persuade him. "Great-Grandfather, that 'Monarch' knows about matters with Auntie, and you say he's fake. This one knows about matters between the Monarch and you—also private matters. How can you be so sure that one is fake and this one is real?"
"Girl, why didn't I notice before how stubborn you are? You're exactly like your aunt!"
Finding that Tang Manqing simply refused to believe Gu Qingfeng was Gu Tianlang, Old Monster Tang was growing impatient. If it were anyone else, he would have slapped them long ago. But this was his favorite granddaughter, so Old Monster Tang could only patiently explain.
"Girl, your great-grandfather knows Gu Tianlang that kid at least a little. As for that guy from before, your great-grandfather went to catch him. Although that guy looked exactly like Gu Tianlang, and his demeanor, mannerisms, and tone were almost identical, that innate aura Gu Tianlang has—others can't imitate it. Your great-grandfather took one look and knew that guy was a fake."
"The Monarch's aloof arrogance, his domineering contempt, his untrammeled freedom—others indeed cannot imitate those."
That Tang Manqing didn't believe his words made Old Monster Tang very anxious. Similarly, finding that her great-grandfather didn't believe her words made Tang Manqing very anxious too. She said, "Whether that person had the Monarch's unique aura or not, I couldn't tell. But this guy definitely doesn't have it. Even if he fused with a wisp of the Monarch's residual consciousness, he doesn't possess that aura of dominating the world and looking down on all heroes."
As she spoke, Tang Manqing pulled Old Monster Tang and pointed at Gu Qingfeng. "Great-Grandfather, look at him. Where is there even a hint of the Monarch's shadow?"
Tang Manqing truly couldn't understand why her great-grandfather was so convinced this guy was Monarch Chixiao.
Leaving aside those so-called private matters for now.
As for the Monarch's aura, did he have any?
Not even a tiny bit!
He was completely a playboy, a good-for-nothing young master!
Forget about dominating the world or looking down on all heroes—he didn't even have the innate aloofness the Monarch possessed. How could he possibly be the Monarch?
"What aloof arrogance? What domineering contempt? What untrammeled freedom? And dominating the world?
Looking down on all heroes?
I'm telling you, girl, those are all rumors! They're fabrications by storytellers, understand?
The real Gu Tianlang isn't that majestic. This guy is just a sloppy, good-for-nothing brat who's even less refined than your great-grandfather!"
Gu Qingfeng had only cultivated in this world for a mere two hundred-plus years, yet he had created countless, innumerable legends.
His cultivation had been broken and re-established nine times, his fate had faced life and death nine times, he had achieved the status of both immortal and demon nine times, ascended to the Peerless Throne. His destiny was entirely rebellious and unique. He had destroyed immortal dynasties, severed immortal rivers, dominated the Nine Heavens, trod upon the Nine Palaces, defied the Nine Heavens. He was hailed as a figure unparalleled since ancient times across the three thousand boundless great worlds of heaven and earth.
His existence was absolutely that of a legendary overlord who shook the ancient era.
Therefore, there were many ancient texts and historical records about him, and he was the favorite subject of storytellers.
Because he was mysterious enough, bizarre enough, crazy enough, and romantic enough!
Whether in ancient texts, historical records, or storytellers' tales, whenever the name Monarch Chixiao Gu Tianlang was mentioned, without exception, it was described with phrases like 'how aloof and arrogant,' 'how domineering and contemptuous,' 'untrammeled and free,' 'dominating the world,' and so on.
Old Monster Tang had also flipped through those historical texts and ancient records and had even specifically gone to listen to storytellers narrate the legendary tales of Gu Tianlang.
Regarding this, Old Monster Tang was extremely disdainful, because he knew very well that when that kid Gu Tianlang got angry, he might truly deserve to be called aloof and arrogant, domineering and contemptuous. But that was only when he was angry. Normally, this kid was just a damn sloppy, playboy brat.
In the past, Old Monster Tang had also told Tang Manqing not to believe the rumors about Gu Tianlang, that they were exaggerated. However, Tang Manqing simply wouldn't listen and had even argued with him, saying how great and powerful the Monarch was, her words filled with a kind of worship for Gu Tianlang.
In the past, Old Monster Tang couldn't prove that Gu Tianlang was just an unrefined brat. But today, Gu Tianlang was right here. Old Monster Tang naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity. He also pointed at Gu Qingfeng and said, "Look, this is Gu Tianlang's true face. He's not as aloof, arrogant, domineering, or contemptuous as the rumors say! Nor is he as untrammeled, free, or world-dominating as the storytellers claim!
Those are just appearances. You mustn't believe them!
!!
This guy is just an ordinary, good-for-nothing brat!"