The delegation returned to their country.
In Peng City, Chu, the Chu Emperor Xiang Chong led civil and military officials to welcome Fan Li a hundred li (around 30 miles) outside the city.
To be honest, Xiang Chong did not want to come at all. He was the ruler, while Fan Li was his subject. For the emperor to travel a hundred li to welcome and pay respects to a subject - what kind of decorum was that?
However, Fan Chun, the Minister of the Guards, sent a message, "The 200,000 palace guards under my command eagerly hope that Your Majesty and Duke Jin can maintain a harmonious ruler-subject relationship."
Originally, the Chu capital only had a garrison of 100,000 troops. After the siege to kill the Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler, another 100,000 irregular troops appeared.
So 200,000 well-equipped and trained palace guards all hoped Xiang Chong would welcome Fan Li outside the city?
Thus, Xiang Chong decided to go with the flow. But before leaving the city, he begged the Sage Ruler Han Yue to accompany him.
"Revered Mother, I dare not face Fan Li alone."
"You don't want to see him, but do you think I want to?" Han Yue inwardly sighed. Ever since the assassination attempt, she did not know how to face Fan Li.
If he had died back then, it would have been settled once and for all. But Fan Li stubbornly refused to die. Recently, he had become Han Yue's nightmare, appearing countless times in her dreams.
"Allow me to prepare first." Han Yue left those words and hurriedly departed.
Seeing this, Xiang Chong was delighted, thinking Han Yue had some secret technique that required preparation beforehand.
"Good...good, let's head out then."
But when she returned, Xiang Chong was dumbstruck.
Han Yue had indeed carefully prepared herself. She had removed her androgynous attire, wearing an elegant and exquisite dress that made her look as beautiful as a celestial fairy from the heavens.
If Xiang Chong didn't know she had tried to assassinate Fan Li, he would have thought she was going to meet her lover.
Han Yue's mood was also fluctuating wildly. This peak ninth-grade dress was actually something Fan Li had purchased at a high price from Yun Xiu Fang or the (Cloud Embroidery Manor.)
Even she herself did not understand why she had specifically changed into this outfit.
"If he sees me dressed like this, perhaps he won't bring up the assassination matter?" Han Yue wildly speculated in her heart.
***
A hundred li outside Peng City.
When Fan Li saw the yellow imperial insignia reserved for the emperor, a cold smile appeared on his lips.
This guy definitely did not come willingly.
As the two sides drew closer, Fan Li also noticed the celestially beautiful Han Yue, which caused an even stranger expression on his face.
Why did she come?
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To try assassinating him a second time?
But on closer look, Han Yue seemed to have forgotten to bring her sword. Well, for a peerless sword cultivator at the third level of the Great Vehicle Realm, any grass or wood could become her sword. He still needed to be cautious.
The ceremonial music played. It was actually the imperial court music reserved for the emperor's use.
Fan Li's mind was so preoccupied with Han Yue's possible assassination attempts that he failed to notice the issue with the music.
"Heh heh!" Xiang Chong inwardly sneered. "I secretly arranged to play the imperial court music. Since Fan Li didn't notice and accepted it openly, I have an excuse to investigate his crime of overstepping bounds!"
Fan Li came to a stop before Xiang Chong. He was about to report the details of his mission to the great Han empire.
But before Fan Li could open his mouth, he heard Xiang Chong coldly ask, "Fan Li, do you know your crime?"
"What?" Fan Li was dumbstruck.
Know his crime?
What crime did he commit?
Xiang Chong coldly continued, "As a subject of great Chu, you accepted the imperial court music just now without declining it. Don't you know your crime?"
Oh, just that?
Fan Li breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought Han Yue was going to make a move on him.
Fan Li smiled wryly, "Your Majesty, as the returning diplomatic envoy, the welcoming ceremonial music was not arranged by me. Even if there is a crime, it seems unjust to blame me for it, no?"
"But you accepted the music!" Xiang Chong stubbornly persisted. "Putting aside who arranged it, don't you still have a crime?"
"Fine, I'm guilty." Fan Li found this tediously childish. "So how does Your Majesty intend to punish me?"
Xiang Chong's heart leapt with joy! He blurted out, "Usurping the imperial music is a grave crime of overstepping bounds, akin to treason!"
Fan Li stared at Xiang Chong for a long while, like he was looking at an idiot.
Accusing him of treason?
Even Xing Ning would call that a waste if she saw it.
"What's wrong? Am I not correct?" Xiang Chong felt uncomfortable under Fan Li's gaze and subconsciously took a step back, moving closer to Han Yue.
"Heh heh." Fan Li gave a wry, humorless smile. "Your Majesty, with 200,000 palace guards present, do you really want me to commit treason?"
No matter how slow Xiang Chong was, he finally realized the issue.
Treason - Fan Li clearly had the power to do so.
Using the charge of treason against Fan Li, what if he really forced Fan Li's hand? Wouldn't Xiang Chong be asking for his own death?
Fortunately, Fan Li had no intention of fighting fire with fire. Among those present, the only one who truly made Fan Li uneasy was Han Yue.
‘Han Yue actually returned to Peng City? Does she really see this as home now, seeing Xiang Chong as her son? Why not just stay obediently in the Pure Land? Or does she plan to assassinate me again?’
As Fan Li contemplated, he heard Han Yue's soft voice, "Are you well?"
Damn!
This woman spoke, asking such a cryptic question?
Was she implying whether his injuries had healed?
"I'm well, how about you? How have you been lately?" Fan Li also spoke in riddles. He meant, did she intend to make another attempt on his life or had she given up?
"I'm well too..." Han Yue lowered her head, her face slightly flushed red. Simply because Fan Li's words did not carry any blame, she inexplicably felt relieved.
‘Is he no longer angry? Is it because of how I'm dressed? If so, I'll only wear the clothes he gifted me from now on.’
Fan Li carefully observed Han Yue's reactions but only grew more puzzled.
Why was her face red?
Did she apply some sort of cold-preventing wax?
It was sweltering hot, no need for that.
Unless...she was nervous?
Even expert assassins must feel tense before an operation, no matter their profound cultivation?
So she was going to make a move today?!
This thought made Fan Li flinch backward instinctively.
Seeing him retreat, Han Yue abruptly raised her head. First a look of bewilderment, then biting her lip, her face turned pale from red. Her beautiful eyes seemed to well up with grievance.
‘He still refuses to forgive me...’ Han Yue felt dejected in her heart. ‘Should I tell him? I've already asked Elder Sister, I don't need to act against him anymore. I'm only staying in Peng City to shelter Xiang Chong and his mother by the way.’ She felt aggrieved but did not voice a single word, only continuing to gaze mournfully at Fan Li.
Fan Li broke out in a cold sweat from fright. ‘Damn it, I'm glad I retreated quickly! It seems this distance is enough, she can't make a move conveniently now? Thank goodness I was clever, I'll stay far from this bitch from now on.’
On the side, even Xiang Chong had been rendered dumbstruck. The strange dialogue between the two just now sounded oddly intimate.
What's going on?
One was Chu's power-usurping minister, the other was his revered mother - could the two be discussing a love affair?
Xiang Chong suddenly recalled how Xing Ning had been forced to address Fan Li as "Father". Could the same fate befall him, just in a different way?
‘No way! Han Yue cannot be trusted! I must seek help from the Supreme Sage Ruler!’