Yao Guang had indeed departed.
Within the newly established Pure Land, the hundred swordswomen were unaware, but Han Yue knew. She had been prepared to die, the immense pressure of Yao Guang’s power bearing down upon her. But the pressure had suddenly lifted, leaving her light and free.
She had been on the verge of death, yet she had been spared.
Had Yao Guang truly accepted the existence of the new Pure Land?
In the past, Han Yue, with her unwavering faith in Yao Guang, would have believed it. But she knew now that compassion was not among Yao Guang’s virtues.
Then, who had intervened?
A letter, carried by the wind, drifted down from the sky, landing gently in Han Yue’s hand. She recognized the familiar calligraphy: “Thanks to Your Majesty’s intervention, Han Yue and I have pledged our love to each other…”
Half a month later, in Peng City, the imperial decree announcing Bai Rong’s appointment as Empress of Great Chu had just been issued.
Fan Li still remembered the look of triumph and ambition in her eyes as she knelt to receive the edict. She was a woman consumed by greed, her intelligence failing to keep pace with her desires.
Fan Li saw through her facade. Even more ludicrous, Bai Rong had been making overt attempts to curry favor with him, not romantically, but politically, a blatant attempt to signal her non-aggression. She was not only greedy but also opportunistic, a true weather vane.
Back in the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, the Dust Destiny Necklace vibrated. It was a call from Xiang Ning.
“Your Majesty, I have just concluded my morning audience.” Fan Li, facing the video screen, offered his practiced eight-tooth smile, his handsome features and gentlemanly demeanor enough to charm any maiden.
Xiang Ning, however, seemed unimpressed.
“Fan Li, why do you never call me?” It was an old complaint, repeated almost every time she contacted him. By now, Fan Li often forgot his true identity as a transmigrator. He should thank Xiang Ning for these occasional video calls, these reminders of his past.
“Your Majesty, I’ve been rather busy…” he replied, scratching his head awkwardly.
“Lies!” Xiang Ning retorted, her words sharper than her intentions. “You simply don’t care about me!” The words had barely left her lips when her face flushed crimson.
Fan Li, however, simply stared at her, momentarily stunned. The barrier between them, once a seemingly impenetrable wall, was now as thin as a soap bubble, preventing them from acknowledging the unspoken truth.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Your Majesty…” Fan Li sighed, about to speak, but seeing the tears welling in her eyes, he quickly changed his tone. “Of course I care about you, Your Majesty.”
Xiang Ning’s tears turned to laughter. “Hmph! I don't need your concern!” she declared, her words contradicting the joy in her eyes.
Fan Li rolled his eyes. Women.
“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?” he asked, expecting her usual retort: Can’t I call you just to chat?
“Fan Li, I’m in trouble!” Xiang Ning’s face was clouded with worry. “As you know, I’ve been studying under Master Qing Qiu. But since she left Great Ci, I’ve been without a teacher.”
So, that was it? Fan Li was puzzled. A teacher could guide you, but ultimately, cultivation depended on individual effort. Surely Xiang Ning understood this? She was a Nascent Soul cultivator, capable of independent study.
“Do you rely heavily on Qing Qiu’s guidance?” he asked, curious. He had no ulterior motive. If it was truly important, he could contact Qing Qiu for her, acting as an intermediary.
“You don’t understand!” Xiang Ning stamped her foot in frustration. Her youthful features and naturally innocent demeanor made her look more adorable than intimidating.
“Master Qing Qiu’s teachings… they’re not ordinary cultivation methods. She was teaching me how to counter the techniques of six of the Pure Land’s ten Sage Rulers – the Sage Rulers of the Zither, Chess, Literature, Painting, Sword, and Blood. But she left before I could complete my training! Fan Li, what am I supposed to do? If you go to war with Great Ci, I don’t want to be a burden! I want to fight alongside you!”
So that was it. Fan Li hadn’t considered Xiang Ning a significant factor in his plans for the war against Great Ci. But her mention of counter-strategies against the Sage Rulers intrigued him.
“Which techniques have you mastered? Are you confident you can defeat a Sage Ruler?”
“Of course not!” Xiang Ning shook her head vigorously. “I’ve only learned the theory. I’m far from mastering them. Countering the Blood Sage is relatively simple, but the others – the Zither, Chess, Literature, Painting, and Sword – they require a deeper understanding of their respective Daos. Especially Han Yue’s swordsmanship. Master Qing Qiu was about to teach me how to counter it, but then she stopped, saying Han Yue’s swordsmanship had changed, that the old methods were no longer effective. Fan Li, what am I going to do? If Han Yue attacks you, I won’t be able to help!”
Fan Li was speechless. Han Yue attacking him? She had once, but surely she wouldn't again. But how could he explain this to Xiang Ning? He couldn't possibly reveal that he had just written a letter to Yao Guang, referring to himself as Han Yue’s husband.
“Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry about Sage Ruler Han Yue. She has left the Great Ci Dynasty. She re-established the Pure Land, abandoning her title as Sage Ruler, likely seeking a life of peace and seclusion.” He hoped this would reassure Xiang Ning. But a woman’s stubbornness, once ignited, could surpass even a man’s imagination.
“Fan Li, you’re too naive! What if this is all part of Yao Guang and Han Yue’s plan? Re-establish the Pure Land? The old Pure Land, the current Great Ci Dynasty, they’re all our enemies! No! I must find a way to counter Han Yue’s swordsmanship!”
Fan Li, thoroughly exasperated, knew he had to distract her. “Your Majesty,” he said, adopting a serious tone, “there is a matter of grave importance to the Great Chu, a matter I require your assistance with.”
“What is it? Tell me!” To have Fan Li, the man who controlled the Great Chu, seeking her advice on a matter of national importance, it was a rare honor. Xiang Ning’s face lit up with excitement.
“You mentioned that countering the Blood Sage’s techniques is relatively simple?”
“Yes,” she replied, still puzzled by his sudden change of topic.
Fan Li glanced around, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Your Majesty, perhaps you’re unaware, but the false Emperor, Xiang Chong, has just appointed a new Empress. It is Bai Rong, the next Blood Sage. Please, Your Majesty, teach me how to counter her techniques. We must not allow her to cause chaos within Great Chu.”