"Congratulations, host. You have completed the quest [Wreak Havoc in the Inner Palace]."
"Quest rewards obtained: 2 Substitute Dolls, 2 Jiazi Pills."
In the Dragon God Temple of Peng City, Chu, two Fan Lis were meditating with their eyes closed, while Wu Gang held the diving beast, Tuan Tuan, quietly guarding them.
Suddenly, two more Fan Lis appeared out of nowhere. They smiled at each other and each found a meditation mat to sit on.
"Master, what secret technique is this?" Wu Gang was secretly astonished in her heart. She had heard of the supreme secret technique of the Taoist school called "One Breath Transforming into the Three Pure Ones."
But the scene before her eyes showed that her master had surpassed the limit of 'three.' Including the original, there were now five masters.
"Wu Gang." One of the Fan Lis stopped cultivating and extended his right hand towards Wu Gang, with a pill resting in his palm.
"This is the Jiazi Pill, which can extend one's lifespan by sixty years."
Wu Gang was greatly alarmed! She had long hoped for Fan Li to give her a life-extending pill, but never expected it to be the Jiazi Pill!
A sixty-year lifespan extension?
What a terrifying pill, surely of the highest ninth-grade heavenly rank or even an immortal pill?!
"Master, I..." Wu Gang’s voice trembled. She suddenly felt that everything she had done for Fan Li, including fighting against the Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler, paled in comparison to this Jiazi Pill.
Fan Li waved his hand. "No need for words of gratitude. This is my promise to you."
How could Wu Gang not be moved?
But before she could speak further, she sensed the circulation of spiritual light and the surging of spiritual energy within the cultivation room. This was clearly the prelude to breaking through a realm.
"Master has finally broken through to the Foundation Building realm?!" Wu Gang was utterly astonished. She had guarded Fan Li during his cultivation for many days and witnessed his aptitude firsthand.
What did it matter if it was a tenfold cultivation room?
Or that he was cultivating with two bodies simultaneously?
Even the regular deliveries of precious pills from the Fan Family Trade could not help Fan Li break through his bottleneck.
The Qi Condensation realm seemed to be his limit. Yet now, Fan Li had broken through to the Foundation Building realm without any warning signs.
Wu Gang could not comprehend or see through it, but Fan Li understood it perfectly clear.
"Heavenly Harm… Finally eliminated."
The entire Han empire was in mourning.
In the Weiyang Palace, civil and military officials clad in mourning robes were weeping profusely. They could not accept the endless calamities that had befallen the great Han dynasty.
"During the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, court affairs were in disarray."
"Dong Zhuo occupied the capital, causing immeasurable harm!"
"The current emperor lay low for many years before finally eliminating Dong Zhuo, truly like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, announcing its arrival with a resounding cry."
"He governed for a hundred days, bringing peace and prosperity to the people. The atmosphere in the court was completely renewed."
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"Who could have foreseen that His Majesty would suddenly pass away..."
The elderly minister Lu Zhi wept bitterly, unable to continue speaking.
Several other ministers even fainted from grief. Some gradually noticed the abnormality - there was no sign of Princess Chang Le, the Princess of Lasting Joy, before the emperor's coffin.
Fan Li, the official envoy from the allied nation of Chu, did not come to pay respects either. And where were Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan?
The elderly ministers gazed tearfully towards the gates of the Weiyang Palace.
"Go to the residences of the Imperial Chancellor, Left Minister, and Minister of the Horse Cavalry, and summon those three lords to come and kowtow before His Majesty!"
Minister Lu Zhi gritted his teeth in resentment, his dissatisfaction with the three men even exceeding that towards the traitorous Dong Zhuo.
But just as the words left his mouth, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from outside the palace gates. Noisy because of the great numbers. Heavy because they were clad in armor.
Cao, Liu, and Sun had arrived, bringing their armies.
"Audacious!" Lu Zhi roared. "The three of you dare to rebel? How dare you wear armor and lead troops to storm the palace?"
Nearly ten thousand elite soldiers filled the plaza outside the Weiyang Palace.
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan strode forward side by side.
The three ignored Lu Zhi's furious shouts and went straight before the Han emperor's coffin, stopping in their tracks. In perfect synchronization, the three bowed respectfully towards the coffin.
"Kneel and kowtow!" Lu Zhi raged.
"Men." Cao Cao spoke impassively. "Minister Lu is of advanced age, and this would unduly exhaust him. Immediately escort Minister Lu home to rest."
A burly, bear-like giant stepped forward, bellowing, "Yes, sir!"
He grabbed Lu Zhi, ignoring the minister's furious cursing, and carried him out of the Weiyang Palace with large strides.
This action, while not as extreme as murder like Dong Zhuo, was still brutal and oppressive enough to instill fear.
Dong Zhuo's rebellion had nearly killed off all the upright and principled ministers. Now, only Lu Zhi remained, while the other Han officials chose to preserve their lives.
The palace fell into a deathly silence.
"Gentlemen." Cao Cao's voice echoed through the great hall.
The officials knelt on the ground, trembling with fear and unease. At this moment, they were disoriented, unable to discern if they were kneeling before the emperor's coffin or before Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan.
"His Majesty has ascended to heaven, and all people grieve."
"We should reflect on His Majesty's great virtue and decide upon a posthumous title, so that he may be properly laid to rest."
"However, deciding the posthumous title is a significant matter that requires discussion among all officials. The three of us dare not act alone."
The officials were dazed. Only after a while did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Discussing a posthumous title?
While a solemn matter, it was not too difficult.
His Majesty had eliminated Dong Zhuo, so he was certainly a ruler of great accomplishments. His posthumous title should naturally be one of praise.
"It seems we were overthinking - they merely wish to decide on a title, not to change dynasties."
"Minister Lu's temper is too rash; he mistook the three lords for villains like Dong Zhuo."
"These three are ultimately the emperor's trusted subjects, loyal ministers."
The more the officials pondered, the more relieved they felt, and began earnestly considering the posthumous title.
One suggested, "His Majesty was diligent in study and virtuous in conduct. How about using 'Wen' (Literary) in his title?"
Another proposed, "His Majesty decisively eliminated the chaos and commanded awe through virtue. Using 'Wu' (Martial) would be more fitting."
In no time, various laudatory titles like Zhuang, Ming, Xuan, and Rui were all suggested. But as the officials discussed, their voices gradually trailed off.
They noticed that the only three standing in the Weiyang Palace - Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan - were all coldly glaring at them.
Understood. The three lords disliked such praiseworthy titles?
Could it be they wanted to use a neutral title for His Majesty, or even a derogatory one?
None of the kneeling officials dared to speak up first. After all, they were subjects of the Han emperor.
"Zhongmou, what do you think would be a suitable title for His Majesty?" Cao Cao suddenly turned and smiled, addressing Sun Quan.
Sun Quan smiled as well, but it was a cold smile. "I have little education, lacking the erudition of Lord Cao and the Imperial Uncle. I dare not blindly suggest anything." Sun Quan cupped his hands and stepped back, excusing himself from the matter.
Sly and evasive, Cao Cao and Liu Bei thought simultaneously in their hearts. But they were long accustomed to Sun Quan's habit of taking the middle path, no longer bothering with it.
"Xuande, do you have a suitable title in mind? Please share your thoughts." Cao Cao addressed Liu Bei.
"Lord Cao, please go first. I dare not presume over you," Liu Bei modestly declined.
Cao Cao gave him a wry smile, no longer deferring to him. He spoke aloud, "The current emperor was filial and kindhearted. His posthumous title should include the word 'Xiao' (Filial)."
Hearing this, the officials had no objections. Filiality was foremost among virtues, and 'Xiao' counted as a laudatory title.
Cao Cao continued, "However, the Han's dynasty is ending, its mandate has expired, unable to be passed on further. The old dynasty must fall, and a new one rise. His Majesty is the final emperor of Han. As the wise sage said, 'The wise man avoids trouble and makes way.' His Majesty's posthumous title shall be: Han Xiaoxian Emperor!"
As his words fell, the officials were struck with shock!