Fan Li had a general understanding of the situation. This was the story of a woman born under a lucky star, a woman of exceptional talent and beauty. Though he could guess the general outline, he still listened patiently as Qing Yuan recounted the details.
"The female cultivator from the Pure Land was overjoyed upon meeting Bai Rong. She praised her talent lavishly and declared, right then and there, that she would take Bai Rong to the Pure Land.
Only then did my master realize the true purpose of her visit. He hastily tried to dissuade her, explaining that Bai Rong and I were betrothed, and our wedding was scheduled for later that year." Qing Yuan's eyes were bloodshot.
"My master’s cultivation was at the eighth rank of the Divine Transformation realm. But the female cultivator from the Pure Land was at the first rank of the Unity realm. My master was no match for her. He could only plead with her desperately.
Seeing that she was indifferent to his pleas, my master turned to Bai Rong, asking if she was willing to honor our betrothal and remain at the Wuyang Sect."
Fan Li asked, "And Bai Rong refused? She chose to abandon the sect and join the Pure Land instead of marrying you?"
“Ha… Hahaha…?!” Qing Yuan laughed bitterly, nodding and shaking his head like a madman.
"In truth, I loved Bai Rong deeply, and I knew she was a woman of exceptional talent. Our small Wuyang Sect was like a shallow pond, unable to contain a dragon. So, when Bai Rong clearly stated that she wouldn't honor our betrothal and wished to join the Pure Land, although my heart was filled with sorrow, I agreed to let her go."
Fan Li frowned. Qing Yuan’s answer was unexpected. He had assumed Qing Yuan's relentless pursuit of Bai Rong had led to the tragedy.
"But I heard that the Wuyang Sect leader is dead. What happened?" Fan Li inquired.
"Because of the Pure Land's face!" Qing Yuan yelled bitterly.
"I had already persuaded my master to abandon the betrothal, even if it meant being ridiculed by others. I had accepted our fate. But I never expected that as Bai Rong was about to leave the Wuyang Sect, she suddenly asked the female cultivator from the Pure Land a question.
She asked if her future status as a Sage Ruler of the Pure Land would be tarnished if people discovered she had once been betrothed to a disciple from a third-rate sect like the Wuyang. Just because of that one sentence, the female cultivator decided to kill my master!"
As Qing Yuan spoke, he suddenly ripped open the collar of his robe. A grotesque wound, deeply indented, marred the skin above his left breast.
Fan Li was stunned. Judging by the severity of the wound, Qing Yuan's heart must have been pierced. How was he still alive?
"The female cultivator attacked without warning. My master, caught off guard, was killed in just three moves. I was born… different. My heart… is on the right side."
Fan Li was even more astonished. He was a mirror image person? Fan Li had encountered such cases in his previous life. Individuals whose internal organs were reversed, a rare medical phenomenon.
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"Due to my severe injuries, I entered a state of suspended animation. That's how I survived. When I awoke, I found the Wuyang Sect had been slaughtered. My master's body, the elders' bodies, my fellow disciples' bodies... I dragged myself across the grounds, burying them all. It took me a day and a night.
Later, I heard that the Pure Land's tenth Sage Ruler, Xue Feng, had been ambushed and killed by you, Duke Jin. Consumed by a desire for revenge, I joined the city guard. I hope to earn enough military merit to convince you to kill Bai Rong for me!"
Fan Li listened patiently as Qing Yuan finished his story, but he didn't answer immediately. He countered, "The woman who accompanied me these past two days is the Sword Sage of the Great Ci Dynasty. Surely you’re aware of this?"
"I am," Qing Yuan replied.
Fan Li frowned. “If you knew, then why…?” He trailed off, realizing the futility of his question.
It seemed Qing Yuan, during his time in the scout battalion, had been diligently gathering information. He had likely concluded that Fan Li and the Sage Rulers of the Great Ci Dynasty were allies in name only.
Fan Li realized that aside from Qing Qiu, this assessment was accurate.
A clear, arrogant voice suddenly came from outside the tent. Sage Ruler Han Yue had returned, and she was angry.
Fan Li’s heart skipped a beat. Had she overheard his conversation with Qing Yuan? If so, everyone in the tent, including him, was as good as dead.
“I left in a fit of pique. Why didn’t you come after me?”
Han Yue’s question surprised him.
It took him a moment to realize that the woman, coming and going as she pleased, had been too preoccupied with her own emotions to even consider eavesdropping.
“I was handling military matters,” he said, gesturing towards Qing Yuan who was still kneeling. Han Yue’s expression softened slightly.
“Will it take much longer?” she asked. “I explored the area earlier and discovered a small lake nearby. Its waters are as clear as a mirror. Would you accompany me on a stroll by the lake?”
Anything to appease Han Yue. Fan Li quickly agreed. “Of course! I’ll accompany you.”
As expected, Han Yue smiled and forgot her anger. She turned to Qing Yuan. “Not bad, Fan Li. Your soldiers are all so impressive? What did he do wrong that he’s still kneeling?”
Fan Li was speechless, unsure how to answer.
Qing Yuan, however, spoke up. “It’s all my fault, Sage Ruler. I was drunk and assaulted a fellow soldier in the camp. I’m being punished for my actions.”
Drunk and assaulted a fellow soldier?
Han Yue’s heart softened with sympathy. She looked at Qing Yuan with compassion.
“You… You must have loved your wife very much.”
“Yes,” Qing Yuan nodded. “I’m ready to join her in the underworld.”
Han Yue, oblivious to his true meaning, was even more moved. “No man is heartless. Such loyalty and devotion are admirable,” she said to Fan Li. “You should punish him lightly. Don’t be too harsh.”
Fan Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Sage Ruler Han Yue clearly had no understanding of military law. How could she interfere in the affairs of the Great Chu city guard?
“Uh…” he said awkwardly. “Perhaps you could wait outside for a moment? I’ll just give him a quick reprimand, then I’ll accompany you to the lake.”
Han Yue, finally realizing the impropriety of her presence, happily departed.
The atmosphere in the tent turned somber once more.
"Your subordinate is here."
"I grant your request."
Qing Yuan’s expression remained unchanged. However, he was curious. Why was his lord so certain that this mission meant certain death?
"This letter needs to be delivered to the commander of the allied forces." Fan Li handed him a sealed letter.
Deliver a letter? It didn’t sound difficult.
Qing Yuan frowned in confusion.
Fan Li lowered his voice, as if worried about being overheard.
"Many of the Great Ming citizens living outside Yunzhou City are actually spies disguised as commoners. Although you are the best scout in the city guard, this is enemy territory. It’s understandable if you’re discovered by the Great Ming’s secret agents.
What I mean is… You will only have truly completed your mission if this letter reaches Crown Prince Wanli."
Qing Yuan trembled. He finally understood. His mission was a suicide mission!
Fate was truly cruel.