A cold light flashed in Fan Li’s eyes. The arrival of envoys from Wei, Han, and Wu was expected, as was Lu Chunqiu’s presence in Peng City. But Sage Ruler Yao Guang, the strongest woman in the Pure Land, perhaps even the strongest in the world – why had she come?
To be honest, Fan Li wasn’t prepared to face her. If, and he emphasized if, Yao Guang decided to make a move, he had no way of stopping her.
“Deng Zhi, envoy of the Great Han.”
“Zhao Zi, envoy of the Great Wu.”
“Wang Lang, envoy of the Great Wei.”
“We greet Duke Jin!”
Each envoy presented a eulogy, expressing their condolences. Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan had all met Yan Yuan briefly during their campaign against Sage Ruler Blood Phoenix. Theirs had been a bond of respect and mutual admiration, and the sincerity in their eulogies far surpassed the perfunctory decree delivered by Chen Gonggong on behalf of Xiang Chong. The old eunuch, standing awkwardly beside them, suddenly found the imperial decree burning his hands. He had made a fool of himself.
“Father!” Lu Fubao cried out, rushing into Lu Chunqiu’s arms. Marquis Lu was grief-stricken. The seventy-one disciples accompanying him wore expressions of sorrow, their eyes filled with tears.
“Duke Jin…” Lu Chunqiu began, looking at Fan Li, but stopped himself.
“We’ll speak later, Marquis,” Fan Li assured him. His gaze, however, was fixed on the figures standing outside the hall. Two women. Supreme Sage Ruler Yao Guang and Sage Ruler Han Yue, the Sword Sage.
Had she finished her seclusion? The thought flashed through Fan Li’s mind, but his attention remained focused on Yao Guang. This was the first time he had seen her in person, although he had acquired a portrait.
She was as the painting depicted: noble, dignified, benevolent. She resembled a compassionate bodhisattva. Beauty, it seemed, wasn’t her defining feature. Yet, to gaze upon her was to feel a sense of awe and reverence, an urge to bow in worship.
“Duke Jin, her bloodline is second only to the Emperor himself in terms of nobility. A natural-born Phoenix, destined to be the mother of the empire,” Lu Chunqiu transmitted his thoughts directly to Fan Li’s mind.
Fan Li frowned. The mother of the empire? Then why wasn’t she content with being an empress? Why declare herself Emperor? Could it be that she, like Dong Zhuo, had chosen the path of defying fate?
Yao Guang entered the hall. She walked gracefully with a gentle smile and her gaze fixed ahead as if she could see through all things. Instantly, everyone else in the hall, despite their high status, seemed insignificant in her presence. Only Fan Li, Lu Chunqiu, and Han Yue, standing behind Yao Guang, remained unfazed.
Finally, she stopped before Fan Li, looking him up and down as if appraising a potential purchase. “So you are Fan Li?”
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“I am,” he replied, meeting her gaze calmly. He bowed slightly, unable to shake off a sense of powerlessness in her presence, a feeling he hadn’t experienced since facing Emperor Jiajing.
“I have heard much about you, Sage Ruler. It is an honor to finally meet you.” He meant it sincerely. Meeting such a legendary figure was truly a momentous occasion. Of course, now he had to figure out how to eliminate her.
“This Emperor have heard your name for a long time,” Yao Guang words sent a ripple of shock through the hall.
Although it was common knowledge that she had gained the recognition of the three emperors and declared herself Emperor, to hear a woman use such a term so casually was still jarring, especially for the officials and nobles of the Great Chu. To this day, Xiang Ning’s true gender remained a secret, a tacit agreement between Fan Li, Xiang Chong, and the Pure Land to avoid an outright confrontation.
“Fan Li, I am about to establish my empire. Are you interested in serving me?” she asked.
The audacity of her offer stunned everyone. The Great Chu officials were incredulous. Would Duke Jin agree? Impossible! He held a position of unparalleled power in the Great Chu, surpassing even the emperor. Why would he submit to another?
Fan Li remained silent. He could feel a killing intent targeting every vital point on his body. It was clear that refusing Yao Guang’s offer meant instant death.
“Sage Ruler, I am impressed by your authority,” Lu Chunqiu said, stepping forward. He held a book in his hands, its cover bearing the title Lu’s Spring and Autumn Annals. The killing intent targeting Fan Li vanished instantly.
“Thank you, Marquis,” Fan Li murmured. He bowed to Yao Guang. “I appreciate your offer, Sage Ruler, but a loyal subject does not serve two masters. I have benefited from the Great Chu’s generosity. If I am to serve, I will only serve the Great Chu.”
Yao Guang studied him for a moment, then turned her attention to Lu Chunqiu.
“Lu Chunqiu. Interesting. I always believed that the greatest Confucian scholar was either my sister Jin De or Guiguzi of Mount Yunmeng. Yet, you are only at the first rank of the Great Vehicle realm, and you already seem to surpass Jin De. The teachings of the Lu clan, passed down from the pre-Qin era, are indeed formidable.”
Lu Chunqiu’s voice was calm and humble. “We Confucians do not seek strength or victory. Our pursuit is knowledge, understanding, and self-cultivation. Nothing more.”
Yao Guang chuckled. “Our paths are different; our goals do not align.”
The Brahma Sound Pure Land possessed countless cultivation techniques, secret arts, and ancient texts. In her eyes, the Confucian path was but a minor branch, unworthy of her attention. She only entertained the idea of recruiting Fan Li because a newly founded empire required both civil and military officials.
Lu Chunqiu bowed slightly. “You are right, Sage Ruler. Our paths are different.”
There was nothing more to say.
Yao Guang approached the coffin and stopped, but didn’t bow. “Han Yue,” she said.
“Yes, Elder Sister.”
So, Han Yue would pay respects on her behalf? The Sword Sage retrieved three incense sticks, lit them, and bowed to the coffin and the memorial tablet. Then, she approached Fan Li and Lu Fubao.
“Please accept my condolences,” she said.
Lu Fubao lowered her head, remaining silent. Fan Li felt a surge of absurdity. He stared at Han Yue, trying to discern her true thoughts. She met his gaze for a moment but there was no hint of guilt or awkwardness on her face.
It dawned on him that she must have been in seclusion, unaware of the events surrounding Yan Yuan’s death. Knowing her personality, if she knew the Pure Land was responsible, that Yao Guang’s presence here was a charade, she would have never agreed to come.
“Everyone,” Han Yue announced, turning to address the assembled guests. “In three days, my Elder Sister will hold a sermon, sharing the profound teachings of the Pure Land. These teachings can guide all people towards enlightenment, transcending their mortal limitations and achieving immortality. All citizens of the Great Chu are welcome to attend. This is a gesture of goodwill from the Pure Land to the four allied nations. Once the citizens of the five kingdoms have achieved enlightenment, we can conquer the Great Ming!”