"Ding!"
"It is detected that Wu Gang has pledged allegiance to the host. The mission [It's All Mine, All Mine] has been completed."
"The host has obtained the mission reward, 1 Substitute Doll."
"The Substitute Doll can generate a perfect second self. Does the host want to use it immediately?"
Fan Li chose, no.
The Substitute Doll was too miraculous, a secret to be kept for later. He did not want to use it publicly.
Using the Undying Pellets to subdue Wu Gang, then having her pretend to pledge allegiance to Xiang Ning, this trip to the Wu River went smoother than Fan Li had expected.
"Your Majesty, be careful!" Chen Gonggong suddenly yelled loudly!
At the same time, Fan Li also sensed something wrong. A majestic sword qi descended from the heavens, pressing down towards their heads.
The Great Ming National Teacher, Lan Daoxing, had finally made his move! "My lord Emperor Jiajing sends this sword qi to greet the Chu Emperor Your Majesty. If Your Majesty can withstand this strike, then you will have the qualification to sit equally with my lord and enjoy free drinks at the [Three Emperors' Alliance]."
Lan Daoxing's words immediately let the ones under attack understand that this sword qi was sent out by Jiajing Emperor, and not him, Lan Daoxing.
As for Jiajing Emperor's strength, legend said he was already at the Greater Vehicles Realm!
Did he unleash this sword because Wu Gang was unwilling to submit to Great Ming? Or would Lan Daoxing have struck out regardless of Wu Gang's attitude?
Fan Li had no time to think carefully. He only yelled loudly: "Wu Gang, act quickly!"
Wu Gang moved almost at the same time. She instantly transformed into her dragon form and charged towards the heavens!
The massive pitch-black dragon body, dark as the night, spiraled upwards from below to envelop the bright yellow sword qi.
The sword of an emperor at the Greater Vehicles Realm carried tremendous might that could split the heavens and earth! But facing the similarly Greater Vehicles Realm Wu Gang, it was finally blocked.
"Courting death." Wu Gang entwined the sword qi and looked coldly towards Lan Daoxing on the opposite shore. Because it wasn't Jiajing Emperor personally here, she could steadily block this sword!
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Wu Gang, don't be angry. This poor Daoist is only following orders. This poor Daoist shall take his leave now, no need to send me off!"
Lan Daoxing's voice transmitted from far away. In an instant, he had already fled thousands of meters away.
Wu Gang intended to pursue and kill him, but unfortunately was entangled by Jiajing Emperor's sword qi, unable to break free. She suddenly saw Lan Daoxing turn back and point his finger in a sword gesture from the distance, an evil smile on his face.
Wu Gang thought this was bad! The bright yellow sword qi suddenly exploded, and the spiritual power of a Greater Vehicles Realm expert madly spilled out in all directions!
"Crap!"
The dust stirred up by the spiritual power explosion nearly shrouded the entire Black Dragon Pool.
At the same time, a silhouette was blasted back, tracing out a miserable parabolic trajectory in midair before heavily falling into the Black Dragon Pool. It was Fan Li!
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"The treacherous minister?!" Xiang Ning exclaimed in shock. "Wu Gang, Eunuch Chen, quickly save him!"
There was no need for Xiang Ning's order at all. Wu Gang instantly transformed back into human form and leapt into the water.
As for Chen Gonggong, he just stood motionless at the water's edge.
Xiang Ning's face was already ghastly pale. She herself was completely unharmed by the earlier explosion. It should have been Chen Gonggong protecting her.
But why was Fan Li affected? She looked at Chen Gonggong in confusion. "Why aren't you going down to save him?"
The old eunuch immediately knelt down and said, "This servant's foremost duty is to protect Your Majesty, especially to guard against Lan Daoxing returning."
Xiang Ning could not refute this. "Then...why am I the only one uninjured?"
The old eunuch's aged face squeezed out a fawning smile.
"Your Majesty, please understand. This servant has only Unity Realm cultivation. Protecting Your Majesty is already quite difficult. How could I also ensure Minister Fan's safety? Your Majesty must not forget, Jiajing Emperor is after all at the Greater Vehicles Realm. This servant is far from his match."
As he spoke, a figure leapt out from the Black Dragon Pool, bringing up spray dozens of meters high.
It was Wu Gang. Fan Li's eyes were tightly shut as she carried him horizontally before her chest.
"How is he?!" When Wu Gang returned to the shore, Xiang Ning immediately asked. But Wu Gang did not answer. Her gaze only coldly swept across Chen Gonggong.
"This servant is useless. Thankfully there was Lady Wu Gang today, otherwise even Your Majesty would have been in danger." The old eunuch squeezed out a fawning smile on his aged face, truly looking like a slave as he flattered. He was currently in an extremely good mood. Both major tasks of this trip were accomplished - Wu Gang returned to Great Chu, and Fan Li died unexpectedly.
"Cough cough cough!!!"
Just as the old eunuch was thinking this, he suddenly heard a familiar voice violently coughing from choking on water.
"Put me down, I'm not used to being held by a woman like this." Not only was Fan Li not dead, his physical condition seemed quite good. He was only drenched all over, and choked a bit on water.
Wu Gang put him down. Xiang Ning excitedly wanted to step forward and check on him, but managed to restrain herself.
"Minister Fan...what a hardy physique." The old eunuch complimented, but his gaze towards Fan Li contained some resentment.
The explosive aftermath of a Greater Vehicles Realm sword qi could kill several Golden Core Realm cultivators. How could a insignificant Body Refinement Realm like him make it through safely?
"Hmph, damn eunuch. Wasting my only protective talisman." Fan Li cursed in his heart. He had clearly seen earlier that while protecting Xiang Ning, the old eunuch had left him out.
Thankfully the item [Protective Talisman] had helped Fan Li withstand the explosive might, otherwise he would have been dead long ago!
"I'll settle accounts with you later, damn eunuch!" Fan Li silently vowed. A gentleman bides his time for ten years to avenge a grievance. As long as I make it home safely today, we'll talk more then.
"Great Ming is truly hateful. Unable to recruit Wu Gang, they actually plotted against Us!"
Xiang Ning was also growing angrier the more she thought about it, yet could do nothing against them.
At this time, Lan Daoxing had already fled far away. Wu Gang likely couldn't even find him if she tried.
As for the Jiajing Emperor in Great Ming, Xiang Ning did not yet have the strength to take revenge.
She could only do as Lan Daoxing said, and settle the score during the [Three Emperors' Alliance].
***
"Your Majesty, return to the palace."
"Confer upon Wu Gang the title Guardian Deity Beast, sharing the nation's longevity and fortune."
"Minister Fan Li's efforts are great and contributions high. Specially appointed as Duke of Jin."
Listening to the titles granted by the little emperor, Fan Li felt very speechless.
Was Xiang Ning really that numb to the imperial throne, that she would confer a dukedom upon him?
Why not just grant the surname 'Sima' while you're at it?
After Wu Gang's conferral, a plot of land was set aside in Peng City for her dwelling. Coincidentally, that plot of land bordered right against the Fan manor.
At the time, Xiang Ning had happily said: "Wu Gang, I'll trouble you to monitor the Fan manor, especially keep an eye on that petty thief Fan Li. Report back to Me immediately if he has any odd behaviors!"
"Oh, alright." Wu Gang had agreed very readily, then directly passed on the original words to Fan Li that same day.
"Why not just kill her and become the emperor yourself?" Wu Gang curiously asked.
Fan Li was speechless. He only felt that Emperor Xiang Ning was really fortunate to have encountered a treacherous minister like himself who lacked dedication; otherwise, the change of dynasty would have happened long ago.
"You just focus on cultivating in seclusion; I will find you when needed," Fan Li smiled. "If there are new life-prolonging pills, I'll deliver them to you first. Rest assured."
"Thank you, Master."
After sending off Wu Gang, Fan Li went straight to the training room. Inside the training room, a man identical to him was sitting cross-legged in a cultivation posture. It was the perfect clone transformed by the Substitute Doll!
"I'm responsible for cultivation," the clone said.
"I'm responsible for being a treacherous minister and completing system tasks," Fan Li's original body chuckled.