Gu Fangchen's reaction was exactly as Prajna Lianyue had expected.
Sky-Eye Division never released intelligence with less than eighty percent confidence; they usually only put something out when they had concrete evidence. Especially for a matter blown up this large, one that the whole world already knew about. That single piece of intelligence had already offended Gu Yuye. If it were wrong, Sky-Eye Division would be accused of fooling the world, no small matter.
Prajna Lianyue could not fathom Sky-Eye Division's motive for acting this way.
Therefore, even if the Lotus Concealed in the Womb were not physically on Gu Lianqian, it must still be closely related to her. Corroborated with what Gu Yuye said, it was enough to tentatively conclude that his claim about reincarnation was likely true.
If working with Gu Yuye paid off, Prajna Lianyue could accept it. But the cooperation between Gu Yuye and the cult was clearly unstable; otherwise, why would Gu Yuye come to talk cooperation one moment and then the cult massacre Lotus-Born Temple the next? Unless absolutely necessary, she did not want to side with that band of Tenfold Dao lunatics, and there was also the untrustworthy Gu Yuye in the middle.
Just then, Gu Fangchen had suddenly made a stir, drawing the tiger out of its mountain. Prajna Lianyue already had an inkling.
She did not believe for a moment that the person who publicly humiliated those Confucian scholars at the Qionglin Banquet, especially that act which shamed Gu Yuandao, was not Gu Fangchen. She didn't buy it at all. That man's audacity she had already experienced firsthand.
To appear at the Qionglin Banquet and declare oneself a cult member, and even pull out the fang of the saint-beast beneath the sage's seat, such behavior was bizarre, insane. Most people could not do it, but that did not mean Gu Fangchen could not.
The more abnormal he acted, the more others would assume he had been impersonated, making it easier for him to slip away later. Yet after Gu Lianqian chased out, the news about the Lotus Concealed in the Womb spread suddenly. Prajna Lianyue did not think Gu Fangchen had engineered that leak.
According to Qing Jian, he had gone to Autumn Peace Road at the time; with the subsequent sudden victory report of the White Dragon Army, one could infer Gu Fangchen had taken part in the battle. Under those circumstances, could Gu Fangchen casually manipulate Sky-Eye Division's intelligence network?
Even if Gu Fangchen were some ancient fiend with ties to old sects and deep knowledge of certain causalities, Sky-Eye Division had only been established for two hundred years, an absolutely new organization, and everything related to it had traceable origins. There was no sign that someone like Gu Fangchen had been meddling inside.
Prajna Lianyue did not think he was so omnipotent as to control Sky-Eye Division as well. If that were true, he would be a truly infallible strategist.
Therefore, the leak about Gu Lianqian was likely an accident Gu Fangchen hadn't anticipated, just like the cult's sudden attack on Lotus-Born Temple, and like Gu Yuye telling her about Gu Lianqian being the reincarnation of the former saintess. Otherwise, why would Gu Fangchen rush back in such a panic to rescue Gu Lianqian?
She had held back, waiting to see whether Gu Fangchen could actually keep Gu Lianqian safe. If he could, she would be the one to reap the benefit.
Previously Gu Fangchen had been able to threaten her with knowledge of the Lotus Concealed in the Womb's whereabouts; now he could no longer do so. Since she already knew the Lotus Concealed in the Womb was inside Gu Lianqian, the next thing to consider was how to extract it.
Ning Songjun was strong, but Prajna Lianyue did not fear confronting the Sword Saint. At this point, nobody could stop her. Once she got the Lotus Concealed in the Womb, resurrecting that person would no longer be a fantasy. Afterwards she would settle accounts with Gu Fangchen.
Prajna Lianyue watched the young man cycle through expressions, forcing calm, and smiled lightly. "What? Finally scared, are you?"
She reached out and traced a circle over Gu Fangchen's heart with her fingertip. The gesture looked intimate but was entirely a threat. After all, the first time they met she had grabbed Gu Fangchen's heart and spoken as if she could stab straight in; now she assumed the same posture.
Gu Fangchen put on a casual air, shook his head, and sighed theatrically. "What is there to fear? I've said it before: I am always honest with people. I have not lied to the Princess even once. The Lotus Concealed in the Womb is not inside Gu Lianqian."
"Princess, don't be misled by the gossip of every tom, dick, and harry. Don't wound the heart of this honest man, or you'll regret it later and won't have the chance to make amends."
"An old proverb warns in advance, Princess, don't lightly test the weight of human hearts."
The more he spoke like that, the more Prajna Lianyue thought he was hiding something. She said mildly, "If that's the case, Gu Lianqian is right here. I can verify things myself and clear it up."
Gu Fangchen's face hardened. He stared at her and said, calmly and without surprise, "So you're going to believe others rather than me?"
He paused, then continued, "You should think it through, Princess. Sword Saint Ning Songjun is in the neighboring carriage. If you do this and are discovered, you will be opposing the Sword Saint..."
Prajna Lianyue laughed. "Do you think I'm afraid? Ning Songjun is indeed formidable, but I completed second-rank cultivation a hundred years ago. Will I really fear a youngster?"
Gu Fangchen looked at her and sighed. "Well then, for all these days, out of gratitude for Qing Jian's diligent service, I had intended to tell you the true whereabouts of the Lotus Concealed in the Womb. After all, the relic rightfully belongs to Tara Sect; returning it would simply be restoring property to its owner."
"But alas... some people are not grateful at all."
He gestured with his hand in a polite summoning motion, his face going cold. "Since the Princess has weighed the consequences, do as you please. I may be a good-tempered honest man, but I will not allow people to trample me without complaint."
"I have decided: after this, I will not disclose the whereabouts of the Lotus Concealed in the Womb."
Prajna Lianyue watched his clumsy performance and became even more convinced that he was bluffing. Gu Fangchen's acting had not improved much; he usually covered his shortcomings by other means, and his rough show this time made the effect even better for him.
She snorted coldly. "I only hope you understand the fate of one who once fooled me."
With that she turned away, her divine manifestation dissolving into the carriage.
Qing Jian instinctively felt a prickle of concern. She opened her mouth as if to plead, then snapped back to herself, sitting upright. What was she thinking? She served the Princess, she should not speak in defense of Gu Fangchen. Besides, after the pain he had caused, why protect him?
Cultivation did not come by shortcuts. She cherished the steady progress of listening to the world's sounds and gradually raising one's level. Could Gu Fangchen suffer the same degree of pain again and again? Unlikely.
Still, since he had given her the recipe for the Jade-Refining Pill, perhaps she could say a good word for him later.
Qing Jian's face turned serious as she looked away, and saw Gu Fangchen utterly untroubled. The youth stretched, yawned, then leaned back against the carriage cushion with a smile, resting his head and waiting idly.
Qing Jian's heart dropped.
A bad premonition rose up.
Princess, surely you will not be tricked by this man a second time, will you?