Why Is the Regent Plotting Rebellion?

[Last revised for now. Updated through Chapter 28.]

[All paid chapters from Chapter 24 onward have been extensively revised. Yuan Zhaoye's story is expected to wrap up around Chapters 35 to 40. Unless something goes wrong, the paid chapters will include Yue Mingsong's arc as well. The revisions mainly remove Jing Yi's material, which was too drawn out and made me feel guilty. There is a 100% anti-piracy system to prevent people from buying the book. The author is busy with real-life work and updates irregularly, so please enter at your own risk.]

Yan Zeling is the only regent in the Yong Dynasty.

Following the wishes of his father and elder brother, he founded and secured the state, never slacking for decades, until he finally worked himself to death.

Good news: He has bound himself to a card-drawing System and can continue to serve his country.

Bad news: It is now the Yong Dynasty two hundred years later, and the country will fall in just two years.

Even worse news: In a year's time, the young Emperor will be the first to beg the barbarians for peace, single-handedly squandering the nation's fortunes. He will send them money, wives, daughters, ministers, and members of the imperial clan. The Yan imperial family will be cleaning toilets for the Northern Di, while the Emperor himself enjoys every luxury and flees with his eunuchs and treacherous chancellor.

Later generations conclude: What a thoroughly filial man! Truly an extraordinary emperor.

The regent, rising from his coffin: "..."

The regent is furious. He sharpens his blades and turns his attention to the Emperor, ready to try "holding the emperor hostage to control the lords" once more.

The System, pleased, gives him a secret identity, convinced it did the right thing by digging the regent out of the ground.

Until...

[SR Card: Bandit Chief / Yuan Zhaoye] -> [Currently revising, about 30% complete.]

Your fearsome reputation resounds through Zhenbei Pass. You are the white-clad mad dog feared by the Northern Di.

Caught up in a treason case, you become a wanted criminal and wander for five years. You and the leaders of Pingrong Stronghold, including Zhi Yu, swear a blood oath to defeat the barbarians and never retreat in this life.

Later, when the court suppresses the bandits, you sacrifice your broken body to Xuanyuan, and Pingrong Stronghold survives because of you.

[R Card: Schoolteacher / Yue Mingsong]

You are rigid and proper, obsessed with fame and fortune, destitute, and disliked by everyone.

After witnessing the rebel leader's entire usurpation, you feign abandoning your foolish loyalty and prejudice in a life-or-death moment. As a commoner, you unite the rebel armies, like the reincarnation of the God of War.

Later, poison is hidden in the sweet coating. You trick the rebel leader into eating it, saying, "I am loyal to the Yan clan, and will live and die by your side."

[SSR Card: Owner of Danfeng Academy / Bai Yujing]

You treat others with sincerity and yourself with severity, wishing all the poor scholars under heaven could live in comfort.

Falsely accused, you become a caged bird in the treacherous chancellor's hand, thwarted and frustrated. You willingly bow to fame and fortune, bearing a lifetime of infamy and never returning to your nest.

Later, you come to your senses and hack the treacherous chancellor, who should have died peacefully of old age, into eight pieces before the Emperor's eyes. History books sing your praises.

[N Card: Black Inn Proprietress / Ji Suiniang]

You are beautiful and venomous, raised by your mother from childhood, and will stop at nothing to get what you want.

Because of your gender and beauty, you emerge from the mundane world, yet others presume themselves superior to you. With a single glance, you captivate the prince of the Yi people. You wear a phoenix crown and bridal robes, marrying into the barbarian lands for the sake of peace.

Later, you turn your husband into a living medicine experiment, and your name is immortalized in the history of the Southern Border's poisons and Gu.

[SP Card: Protagonist of a Transmigration Novel]

[UR Card: Spirit Medium]

The locals, killed thousands upon thousands of times by the regent's secret identities, weep as they decide to carry on the legacy of their confidant, teacher, friend, elder brother, and sisters, and rebel to the bitter end.

"The heavens are dead, it is our generation's turn to rise!"

"Drive out the barbarians and revitalize Huaxia!"

System: ???

Wait, no, do you still remember you're supposed to save the country?

The regent, who has sent the barbarians running in every direction, smiles shyly, keeping his name out of it. "Well, how could this not count?"

1. The secret identities in the blurb are the main ones along the timeline, but there are many more.

2. This is a fictional setting. Please don't compare it to official history. (Bows deeply.)

3. The character cards were illustrated by Paigu Xiaobao, with permission. The portraits don't really look like the characters. The author just thought this looked better than leaving the space blank.

Theme: You can't rely on anyone unless you're useful. No matter how hard things get, you can only save yourself.