Chapter 125: Reality Changed, Glory for Ten Thousand Ages (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"Gu Yi, dinner's ready~"

The game's screen gradually shattered, and Gu's mother's voice happened to come through.

"Coming~"

Gu Yi almost instinctively replied, rubbed his eyes, and slowly put down the game console.

The room was pitch black.

It was completely dark outside.

Gu Yi pressed the switch by his bed as usual; the lights flashed on instantly, and he looked around.

The room was still the same familiar room, unchanged.

Gu Yi was not disappointed.

Reality would surely change, but such change, after a thousand years, could not directly interfere with the home of the present.

He slowly rose, took his phone, and walked out of the room.

Although the game's progress wouldn't pause.

But this matter couldn't be fully resolved in one go—eating and drinking well was key.

The living room had also changed very little.

Old Gu was sitting at the dining table, while Gu's mother was finishing up in the kitchen.

Gu Yi cast a casual glance and instinctively looked toward the safe.

It was still there, no different.

Gu Yi didn't expect Old Gu to tell him the password; after a brief glance, he headed for the dining table.

But just then—

Gu Yi suddenly noticed several things hanging in the most prominent spot of the living room, things he had never seen before.

"Hm?"

Gu Yi frowned and stepped forward to examine them closely; his heart trembled instantly.

【Certificate of Cultural Artifact Donation.】

【Dear Mr. Gu Jianjun, we honor your dedication to cultural heritage and your commitment to preserving historical continuity, as you generously donated the rare treasure, the Xuande censer, to our museum. The censer's form is elegant, its craftsmanship exquisite, its inscription dignified, having endured the sediment of time.】

【Our museum shall properly preserve and scientifically study it, and through exhibitions and academic seminars, bring the artifact to life, fully revealing its value.】

【This certificate is hereby issued to express our gratitude and respect, forever commemorating your act!】

【.】

Xuande censer!

Though not one of the treasures he had left for his family, the words "Xuande censer" still struck Gu Yi.

And more crucially—

There were several other certificates as well.

The artifacts listed on them were equally extraordinary.

Gu Yi's breathing grew increasingly rapid; his mind briefly froze.

But then he noticed the certificate below.

Unlike the donation certificate.

The collection certificate did not list any artifacts to be collected—it merely granted permission.

Instantly, Gu Yi's heart calmed slightly.

The usual tactic of collection.

Donate and collect at the same time.

So there really was an impact after all!

Though after so many centuries, the Gu family's influence couldn't completely transform everything, it had still left behind some traces.

Even if those traces weren't many or particularly precious.

But they were different!

For Gu Yi, this was absolutely a thrilling development!

"What are you looking at?"

At that moment, seeing Gu Yi frozen, Old Gu spoke up.

"Dad."

Gu Yi quickly regained his composure, sat down on the chair, and asked with a smile: "How many things has our family collected?"

"Not many."

For once, Old Gu gave Gu Yi a direct answer, shaking his head and sighing: "Our family did indeed leave behind many items, each one a treasured heirloom."

"But unfortunately, almost all those heirlooms were lost."

"Though later generations passed down a few things, our family gradually declined over time—everything we have now are gifts bestowed by emperors out of respect for our ancestors."

"How much could there be?"

Saying this, Old Gu sighed again.

Countless thoughts flashed through Gu Yi's mind.

His expression was complex; he asked no more, but immediately picked up his phone and searched "Gu family" on the short-video platform.

Videos instantly popped up.

【Standing before you now is—the strongest carbon-based lifeform on Earth in the 2nd century, Governor of Asia, dual authority over the Eastern Hemisphere, a figure crowned with countless titles.】

【The only minister in our nation's history whose prestige surpassed that of the founding emperor with real power.】

【He is also the idol of countless emperors and the prototype of protagonists in countless blockbuster novels—everything from "born to face calamity," to "kill until no one dares claim supremacy," to "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—never underestimate a young man" were all modeled after him.】

【He is the only uncrowned monarch in our nation's history — Marquis Zhaolie Gu Chen】

【.】

【He was born into the legendary Gu clan.】

【His grandfather Gu Xi was the strongest carbon-based lifeform of the first century, the pillar of the Eastern Han who thrice supported the imperial throne.】

【And Gu Chen grew up in such an environment.】

【Unlike other warlords, there are no supernatural or strange records about Gu Chen's origins; on the contrary, in his childhood he was utterly unremarkable.】

【But it was precisely this kind of person who slaughtered his way through the entire chaotic era and subjugated the barbarians on all four sides.】

【No matter what your origins, what your background, or how glorious your battle record, when facing him you were destined to bow your head.】

【No matter how firm the faith of foreign tribes, how unyielding their will, after facing him he would replace their faith and become their new god.】

A typical marketing-account video, but what it said was actually correct.

Gu Yi merely glanced at it briefly before swiping past.

【What was the Gu clan of the Eastern Han's Yan-Han period?】

【If you are not a noble house, seeing the Gu clan is like a frog at the bottom of a well gazing up at the moon; if you are a noble house, seeing the Gu clan is like a mayfly gazing up at the blue heavens!】

【Let us count the great sages of antiquity who have appeared within the Gu clan;】

【Marquis Zhongwu — Gu Xiao,】

【who rose to prominence alongside Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu following the Battle of Kunyang】

【The legendary clan of our nation's history — the Gu clan.】

【As the most legendary clan in our nation's history, the emergence of the Gu clan can still be called a miracle to this day.】

【The great talents that have appeared within their clan are too numerous to count.】

【Their far-sighted vision is also a key element that cannot be ignored in the history of our nation's feudal dynasties.】

【Do you know why Xingtai is called a holy land?】

【It is because a legendary clan once appeared here, and the generations of heroes within it played an important role in the development of the Nine Provinces.】

【Now let us, through a video, understand the legendary Gu clan and why Xingtai (Julu) is a holy land!】

【.】

【— The Gu clan!】

【Why did this clan, which produced several legendary figures, decline?】

【The decline of the Gu clan must be traced back to the Yan-Han period. As one of the most influential feudal dynasties in our nation, the rise and fall of this dynasty was also closely tied to the Gu clan.】

【After Marquis Jingxiang Gu Ye passed away in the second year of Changxu, the Gu clan gradually faded out of the Yan-Han court.】

【A situation arose within the clan where the new generation could not match the old.】

【Compared to the extraordinary geniuses who had appeared before, the talents of the clan's younger generation appeared increasingly mediocre】

【.】

【Do you know which ancient figure the Dingning Festival — which gives you a three-day holiday — is named after?】

Watching these videos one after another, Gu Yi did not actually find it strange.

Without his manipulation and the influence of props.

The Gu clan naturally could not continue to flourish.

History moves forward; although the Gu clan's current influence in the Yan-Han period has reached a point where none can stand against it,

with the passage of time,

when the Gu clan has gone too long without producing any extraordinary figures, this reputation is destined to gradually fade with time.

Gu Kang, Gu Xi, Gu Chen — they may still continue to be worshipped forever.

But for the Gu clan to continue flourishing is undoubtedly the talk of a fool.

And besides these videos that count as popular science or marketing accounts, there were also some film and television clips.

Gu Yi immediately noticed a video with extremely high popularity.

It seemed to be a film and television edited clip.

Accompanied by melodious music and the genuine sounds of clashing weapons, the scene gradually shifted from blurry to clear.

— This was a mountain pass.

A white-haired old man was standing above the mountain pass, watching the battle below.

His figure was somewhat thin and frail, but between his brows there was still a full measure of heroic spirit.

Facing the battlefield below,

his face showed no ripples whatsoever, as if everything was within his control.

The great fire raged on~

Although this flame was made with special effects, it also quickly allowed Gu Yi to realize where this was.

— The Battle of Azure Dragon Gully!

Sure enough, the next moment a thunderclap suddenly sounded.

What followed was a cut in the shot, and Dong Zhuo's reinforcements.

The subsequent scene did not differ much from that year.

Although a lot of artistic embellishment had been added, along with a dim background created for the performance, overall it did appear to have been made with care.

Also flashing past were the dense barrage comments, all bearing the same four large characters — "Farewell, Grand Tutor!"

This was a television drama about "Gu Xi."

Gu Yi did a simple search; it told the legendary life of "Gu Xi."

There were not only television dramas.

Same goes for anime.

Compared to TV dramas, this anime features even more artistic embellishment, yet the effect is equally extraordinary.

At the very moment Gu Xi fell.

In the anime, the entire scene's background tone suddenly shifted gradually into dark, blood-red.

And Gu Xi's falling figure slowed progressively.

One after another, images flashed forth.

The ruined ruins of the Han palace, smoke and fire spreading across the land, a great dragon howling in its weakening state.

A blood moon appeared; flocks of crows took flight.

As these images flashed, several spectral shadows appeared behind Gu Xi.

One figure held the Chi Xiao Sword pointing to heaven, a crimson serpent coiled around his body, his feet treading upon the mist of Mangdang Mountain.

It was Gao Zu Liu Bang!

Another spectral shadow wore silver armor and rode a white horse, wielding the Yunxing Spear, behind him a star-map of dozens of generals.

It was Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu!

Between them, the Han banner was borne on Gu Xi's back alone.

As the scene grew ever more blood-red.

The banner, symbolizing the Han dynasty's destiny, grew increasingly tattered as Gu Xi fell.

The barrage of comments was likewise densely packed with those four large characters.

"Farewell, Grand Tutor!"

This was an anime with some xuanhuan elements.

In addition—

There were also films and anime about Gu Chen, even a popular young idol portraying Gu Chen, only to be viciously criticized until utterly shredded.

Gu Yi ate his meal while scrolling through videos about the Gu clan.

Clearly.

Although the Gu clan never maintained its glory, it had already exerted tremendous influence on the modern world.

Of course, these influences were merely influences.

They could not bring Gu Yi anything.

Beyond these, there were documentaries about the Gu clan.

What filled Gu Yi with pride was—

The official educational documentary devoted five entire episodes to the Gu clan.

One episode recounted the rise and fall of the Gu clan.

The other four episodes each focused on a single individual.

"Gu Kang," "Gu Xi," "Gu Chen," "Gu Ye"

These four had such immense influence that they far surpassed Gu Xiao, the founding ancestor who launched the Gu clan's rise.

Gu Yi glanced briefly at the rise and fall of the Gu clan and paid it no further attention.

Although he didn't need to constantly stick to the game.

There was no point wasting time on the Gu clan's decline—he had no need to care at all.

As long as he was here—

How could the Gu clan's future fail to change?

What truly caught his attention were the comments below.

"In our Lingnan region, besides venerating our ancestors, we also worship Marquis Jingxiang Gu Ye and the Divine Woman of Qingnang Gu Ling—there are still temples dedicated to them, and they are crowded with worshippers."

"I still remember when I was a child, our elders would tell us legends passed down through generations."

"How the Divine Woman of Qingnang saved lives, how great Marquis Jingxiang was."

"When I was young, I didn't pay much attention."

"But as I grew older and studied the history of that era, I could not help but sincerely admire their greatness."

"I don't know about other places, but in ours—"

"If a shop is run by a local, we never charge a member of the Gu clan's direct line!"

"What I find legendary about the Gu clan is their unchanging original aspiration across ten thousand generations."

"They had already reached such heights in their time, yet they refused the throne within easy grasp."

"And the deeds of every member of their family consistently advanced the development of that era; their contributions to the Nine Provinces surpassed those of any other family."

"Although this family gradually declined in later generations,"

"Just the attitude of later dynasty emperors toward this family proves the Gu clan's extraordinary nature."

"Just thinking of Marquis Zhaolie Gu Chen's deeds gives me goosebumps—his single person suppressed an entire era, becoming a figure above the founding emperors of feudal dynasties—so powerful!"

"Indeed, to be honest, our clan still worships the Great Ghost Lord."

"Same here—we must also worship the White Wolf Who Chases the Sun every year!"

"The Gu clan truly spread our Huaxia culture overseas—last time I traveled abroad, I saw a tattooed man burning incense before a statue of Marquis Zhaolie."

"."

As Gu Yi read these comments, he grew increasingly calm.

Indeed—

His thoughts had not been mistaken.

As long as the Gu clan does not take that step, it will forever hold its innate advantage.

When prestige is strong, whether it be the reigning Emperor or a warlord in chaotic times, none would lightly strike against the Gu Clan.

But once prestige weakens,

there becomes no point in targeting the Gu Clan, and the cost far outweighs the gain.

This is precisely the talisman Gu Yi forged for the Gu Clan.

——Next, he must face the task of ensuring the Gu Clan's glory endures.

At the very least, it must never decline further as it has now.

Absentmindedly opening a video about regional customs of "worshipping the Gu Clan," Gu Yi ate while watching.

Each region had its own distinct customs regarding worship.

The main methods were deeply local in character.

The worship described by the old couple was naturally the Han Chinese method.

It required Gu Clan descendants to travel to Julu and join Han people from all over to worship the ancestors of the Gu Clan.

The scene was immensely grand.

During this time, lively performances would be held, lasting a full seven days.

This had become a long-standing tradition, with many hoping to pray for a prosperous year ahead.

The video naturally included footage of unfamiliar terms.

These were clearly later renovations, yet Gu Yi could still discern much of the original form—such as the statues of Gu Kang and others.

Hearing the sounds from his phone, the old couple brought up the matter again.

Old Gu had extensive experience with this.

As a direct descendant of the Gu Clan,

he was a key figure in these worship ceremonies.

Though the Gu Clan had declined, its lineage still numbered many descendants.

But these descendants no longer maintained the close ties they had during the Great Han.

As the Gu Clan faded, this connection grew ever more distant.

Now, many were as strangers to one another.

This was an inevitable phenomenon.

Yet during the worship, these people still looked to Old Gu as their leader, and wherever they went, they were warmly welcomed.

In every aspect—food, clothing, shelter, travel—they needed not spend a single coin themselves.

As he spoke of this, a flicker of pride crossed Old Gu's face.

This was the privilege granted by the family.

Yet he had never enjoyed such privileges; though the Gu Clan was no longer what it once was, such minor expenses were not worth exploiting the Gu name.

"You're no longer a child. Eventually, this burden must pass to you," Old Gu paused mid-chopstick, the green vegetable trembling slightly above his bowl. "Remember, never bring shame to the Gu family."

Gu Yi nodded seriously, lowered his gaze, shoveled the last grain of rice into his mouth, swallowed with a rolling throat, then set down his chopsticks and bowl and rose toward his room.

Watching Gu Yi's back, Gu's mother was startled: "This child suddenly feels like a different person."

Old Gu tapped his cigarette pack against his palm; the flame lit the wrinkles at his eyes, and through the hazy smoke, a faint smile of satisfaction curled his lips: "People must grow up."

"When I took over the ancestral legacy, wasn't I the same?"

He remembered clearly.

Though he had heard stories of the clan's ancestors since childhood, it was only later, through deeper understanding, that he truly felt the family's glory.

It was also in an instant that he felt matured.

Outside the window, night deepened; wind brushed the bronze bells at the eaves, their tinkling sound as Old Gu silently drew a deep breath of smoke.

Back in his room, Gu Yi did not immediately enter the game, but instead studied history at his computer.

As before,

as the Gu Clan fell silent, the wheel of history, under time's force, crushed the changes the Gu Clan had wrought.

No, it wasn't entirely without change.

Perhaps precisely because the Three Revivals of Han had such a profound impact, later history had shifted in subtle ways.

Yet on major events, nothing differed.

Gu Yi glanced briefly, focusing primarily on the Yan Han Dynasty.

It was no surprise to him.

Emperor Liu Jun ultimately caused the Yan Han Dynasty to decline from its peak.

He had not lied to Gu Ye—he had inherited Liu Chen's ambitions.

But his abilities could not sustain his ambitions or his sudden surge of confidence, and that sealed his fate.

Yet the Yan Han Dynasty received high praise.

Whether among netizens or historians alike,

netizens admired Yan Han mostly for Liu Bei and Gu Chen, the only such ruler-minister pair in all history.

Including Gu Chen's suppression of an entire generation;

and Liu Bei's benevolence and his bonds with Guan, Zhang, Zhao, and others;

even Liu Shan was deeply liked, his reputation in history not low, frequently cited as an example in later dynasties.

All aspects were highly esteemed.

As for historians, they praised Yan Han chiefly for its institutions and Gu Ye's implementation of ethnic integration.

This was crucial to the entire development of Huaxia.

It propelled history forward by a great leap, laying the foundation for the future development of the Nine Provinces.

This is a universally accepted academic truth, and historians' assessments are naturally sound.

As for these—

Gu Yi merely glanced at them briefly, paying no great attention.

In truth, how posterity turns out holds little relevance to him.

History will inevitably change along with the Gu clan; these changes might expose the Gu clan to danger, even to annihilation.

But this is ultimately the storm the Gu clan must face.

Gu Yi is merely catching up on lessons.

He needs to understand knowledge he once only knew superficially but never grasped in detail.

Though these details are already outdated by modern standards,

within the game, they are entirely different.

Gu Yi's thoughts remained utterly calm.

Though he understood he was still himself, his goals had never changed.

But after such a long period of observation and more precise control, he had developed a mind as steady as Mount Taishan.

The game's progression would not be interrupted;

but so what?

Even if he never re-entered the game, the Gu clan had already endured to the present day—what was there to rush for?

All he needed to do was alter the Gu clan's decline.

He was the Gu clan's final pillar, and learning these detailed facts served nothing but this purpose.

This time, Gu Yi consulted a great deal of material.

Covering every aspect.

Perhaps due to his recent progress, while reviewing these materials, Gu Yi unexpectedly felt his comprehension had grown stronger.

Only when he felt he had learned enough did he lie back on the bed.

He was about to pick up the game console and re-enter the game.

But as his gaze flickered sideways, he suddenly noticed the identification documents on the nightstand.

The documents were unchanged.

Still the same size, the photo and everything else entirely unaltered.

Yet Gu Yi immediately noticed the change, his expression shifting slightly as he picked up the documents and examined them closely.

The name remained the same; the place of origin remained unchanged;

but—

one field had changed, and this field was Very Heavy.

It had shifted from a single character to two characters.

It was the "ethnicity" field.

Two large characters were clearly printed upon it—Yan Han!

(End of Chapter)