Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors

In any case, Li Hongyun thought this stage was not very difficult.

Defeating Liu Wuzhou was challenging, after all, Liu Wuzhou was also a formidable overlord, Yuchi Jingde was under his command at this time, and during the campaign by Lord Qin, they had been at a standoff in Bai Bi for a long time before finally achieving key victories in Meiliang State, Queshu Valley, and other places, gradually pacifying River East.

But as long as he didn't mess around like Prince Qi, defending Jinyang and waiting for reinforcements shouldn't be too big of a problem.

Thinking thus, Li Hongyun decided to strengthen his forte first and chose "Master of Archery."

He did not plan to go out and fight Liu Wuzhou to the death, as the battlefield was too unpredictable and he was not sure he could win. However, if it came to defending the city, as long as he made good preparations in advance, combined with his excellent archery skills, there shouldn't be much issue.

After selecting his talent, Li Hongyun looked at the other talents he already possessed.

At this moment as a player, he also had the default talents "Memory Fragments," "Inspiring Morale," "Surviving Desperate Situations," and the exclusive talent for Divine Machine players "Masterful Craftsmanship," which made him quite confident.

The trial officially began.

Li Hongyun's perspective descended, entering into the body of Prince Qi.

The first feeling was that the physical condition was not bad.

Although Prince Qi was still very young at only sixteen years old, he had enjoyed horseback riding and archery since childhood, so there was no problem with his physical fitness.

Although he didn't feel like Lord Qin at his prime, who possessed the feel of a humanoid Gundam, at least he wouldn't hold Li Hongyun back.

Prince Qi's original riding and shooting skills combined with the "Master of Archery" talent chosen by Li Hongyun should prove to be very effective.

However, before he could fully integrate(,) his ears picked up the sounds of chattering.

"Your Highness, come quickly!"

Li Hongyun turned his head and was shocked by the scene before him.

He saw many young and beautiful women wearing battle robes and armor, each holding swords and spears, already lined up and ready to slash at each other.

And the leading beauty, who clearly was one of Prince Qi's favorite concubines, was casting sultry glances at Li Hongyun, seemingly signaling that he could start now, even invitingly.

Li Hongyun couldn't help but swallow.

Wow, what a striking way to start, using this to test the officials!

No doubt about it, the evil old society, these privileged people really knew how to play.

Prince Qi was only sixteen years old, but with the unquestioning favoritism from Emperor Gaozu of Liang, he was an absolute emperor in Bingzhou State and Jinyang, having cultivated over a hundred concubines, tirelessly working day and night.

In the evening, after the battles in bed, they would wear battle robes and armor to continue fighting during the day.

And it wasn't just simple play-acting; they really slashed at each other.

Historical records state that many of these concubines were hacked to death in such encounters, and Prince Qi himself had been wounded.

Regarding this, Li Hongyun could only say, Prince Qi was somewhat implicated.

Thinking this, he sternly said, "Stop all of you!"

Noticing something unusual on Prince Qi's face, the favored concubine quickly tested, "Is Your Highness in a bad mood today?"

Li Hongyun shook his head, "No, let's not do this anymore. Return all the swords, spears, and armor to the armory."

Among these concubines, many showed expressions of surprise and relief.

Clearly, most of these weak women greatly resisted such activities; every day people were dying, no one knew if they might be next.

However, the leading few concubines seemed hesitant and even somewhat unhappy.

Because they had high status in this 'game,' acting as "generals" who took command in the rear, they were mostly safe from danger.

Moreover, they knew Prince Qi enjoyed this game; continuing would increase their favor with him.

Hence, Prince Qi's sudden change today caught them off guard.

The quickest-reacting concubine immediately took off her armor and cuddled up to Li Hongyun's side, "Your Highness seems out of spirits today; why don't we return to the mansion, and your humble concubine can dance and sing for you..."

Li Hongyun flinched as if struck by lightning and quickly struggled to free himself, "No need! You all can leave now!"

Having kept a stern face, he sent all the concubines away and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was a close call, almost didn't survive the test.

"If I can't resist this little temptation, then there's no hope of beating Lord Qin."

Li Hongyun figured he was, after all, an elite player and couldn't just give in so easily. At least he had to score a 'world-first' before slowly experiencing this aspect.

After sending the concubines away, just as Li Hongyun was about to leave, a woman in her forties approached.

"Your Highness, you really cannot continue this way! Not to mention whether His Majesty might punish you for this, if Your Highness were to be wounded by a blade, it would be too costly a loss!"

Li Hongyun was momentarily stunned before he realized who this was: Nanny Chen.

When Prince Qi was born, his mother, Empress Dou, disliked his appearance and was unwilling to care for him, instructing the family to abandon him.

Maid Chen Shanyi secretly took him back and secretly raised him until Emperor Gaozu of Liang returned home and was then informed; thus, Prince Qi survived and did not die in infancy.

Later, Nanny Chen continued to follow Prince Qi.

Later, as Prince Qi made his concubines combat each other in armor daily, resulting in deaths and his own injuries, Nanny Chen tried to persuade him to be more restrained.

Yet, Prince Qi furiously ordered her execution, and posthumously she was awarded the title Lady Ci Xun.