World's First Traitor System (440)

Chapter 440 - Emperor Xiang Ning of Chu

The location of the New Pure Land was not difficult to find. The four sword intents—Immortal Execution, Slaughter, Extinction, and Trapping—manifested as four barriers that stretched straight to the heavens. Viewed from afar, they resembled four colossal pillars of colored light.

Fan Li detached three contingents of troops, each ten thousand strong, assigning them to escort the women from the states of Wei, Han, and Wu back to their respective homelands. He then ordered Fan Chun to lead twenty thousand soldiers to escort the women of Chu back to their country.

He himself led the remaining one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Garrison Army, marching in a vast, imposing column towards the New Pure Land.

After marching for the better part of half a day, the great army arrived at the outskirts of the Pure Land.

"Your Majesty!"

"Your minister has come!" Fan Li shouted towards the sword barrier, but no one answered.

"Han Yue, it's me! I'm here!" He shouted again, yet still received no reply.

Fan Li grew anxious. Could some mishap have occurred within the Pure Land?

That was right! The Great Ci Dynasty had just fallen. Besides Han Yue and Xiang Ning, the female sword cultivators of the former Pure Land were also secluded within the New Pure Land. Could Great Ci's fall have stirred feelings of shared sorrow, causing them to suddenly turn hostile?

Anxiety gnawed at Fan Li. He wished he could forcibly tear the sword barrier apart, but how could he achieve that with his own cultivation level?

He tried using the Dust Destiny Necklace again, but the video call went unanswered.

"Something really has happened!?"

Fan Li was filled with regret. If Hu Zongxian had still been beside him now, perhaps his Great Vehicle realm cultivation could have allowed him to break through the sword barrier?

Fortunately, though Fan Li felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, his worry did not last long.

The sword barrier extending to the zenith suddenly dissipated between heaven and earth, vanishing as if it had never existed! The hundred-li expanse of the New Pure Land, after a decade, reappeared in the mortal realm once more.

The scene that next met his eyes was one Fan Li would never forget for the rest of his life.

One hundred women in green robes stood holding spirit swords, though the blades remained sheathed. They formed two lines, like stars arrayed around the moon, guarding an emperor clad in a golden dragon robe and wearing the imperial beaded crown. Despite the majestic bearing, the emperor's face was flushed crimson with shyness.

It was Xiang Ning! Fan Li hadn't seen her dressed like this in a long time and felt momentarily dazed.

This extraordinary 'imperial procession' advanced until it was about thirty meters before Fan Li, finally halting.

The leading female sword cultivator possessed a steady aura and restrained gaze; her every movement seemed attuned to the Dao of Heaven. With his current insight, Fan Li recognized her at a glance as a powerful female sword cultivator of the Unity realm.

"The Brahma Sound Pure Land respectfully sees His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Chu, return to court." The Unity realm sword cultivator spoke first, and the other ninety-nine immediately echoed her words.

"We respectfully see the Emperor of Chu return to court!"

"May Your Majesty's fortune flourish and your immortal path be smooth!"

Fan Li was stunned. He clearly saw tears welling in Xiang Ning's eyes as the women spoke. Had they formed such a deep friendship over ten years of living together day and night?

But what stunned Fan Li even more was that, even now, the one hundred female sword cultivators still identified themselves with the Brahma Sound Pure Land. They were the true guardians of their path, the last adherents to an ideal whose rightness or wrongness Fan Li felt unable to judge. This unwavering adherence alone, steadfast even if the seas dried up and the rocks crumbled, already earned Fan Li's respect.

He announced clearly, "Fan Li, Duke Jin of Great Chu, respectfully thanks the Brahma Sound Pure Land for the care shown to my Emperor over the past ten years."

As he spoke these words, a trace of warmth surfaced in the resolute eyes of the female sword cultivators.

The leading sword cultivator smiled and nodded at Fan Li. She turned and performed the sword cultivator's salute to Xiang Ning. "Your Majesty. As long as heaven and earth endure, the cultivators of the Pure Land will be your eternal friends. We only wish Your Majesty a safe journey."

Tears, like pearls, streamed continuously down Xiang Ning's cheeks. Yet she bravely lifted her head, disregarding the fact that over a hundred thousand Garrison Army soldiers saw her weeping, and walked alone towards Fan Li.

With every step Xiang Ning took, the sound seemed to echo her own heartbeat. She felt nervous, hesitant, and unsure! But only the man before her gave her the conviction to keep walking forward!

When the distance between them was less than ten meters, Fan Li suddenly swung himself off his horse.

"Fan Li, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty back to court!"

This was the first time Fan Li had knelt to welcome Xiang Ning with the etiquette due from a subject. At the same time, however, he muttered inwardly: Only this once. It won't happen again. The state has its laws, but a household also has its rules.

Behind Fan Li, the one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Garrison Army knelt simultaneously – a truly spectacular sight!

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to court!"

"Long live my Emperor, long, long live!"

Seeing this, Xiang Ning's eyes grew even redder. Her thoughts were momentarily jumbled, and when she opened her mouth, she unexpectedly stammered, "Foster F— Cough!"

Fan Li looked up in confusion, wondering why she had suddenly coughed. He saw Xiang Ning's face flush crimson, her pretty almond eyes wide as she glared at him, actually looking angry.

Rotten Fan Li! Awful Fan Li! Bastard Fan Li! she fumed silently. I almost called him 'Foster Father' again! How annoying! Have I actually gotten used to it? Ancestor Overlord above, Ning'er swears I'll never call this awful fellow 'Foster Father' again in my life! It's just too embarrassing!

Xiang Ning mentally composed herself for a moment before finally regaining her calm.

She spoke slowly, her voice clear and sweet, yet tinged with a hint of majesty. "Duke Jin, your efforts on this journey have been great. We are deeply gratified. You may rise."

"I obey!" Fan Li rose and walked to stand beside Xiang Ning.

He beckoned, and soldiers immediately brought forward a dragon carriage that had long been prepared. A full set of imperial regalia was also presented; Fan Li had prepared it all for Xiang Ning.

He's so good to me... Xiang Ning was so moved she almost started crying again.

Fan Li, however, glanced left and right for a moment before lowering his voice to ask in Xiang Ning's ear, "Your Majesty, where is Han Yue?"

Xiang Ning was certainly not petty; moreover, she had long considered Han Yue a close confidante. But talk about ruining the mood! He really knew how to ruin the mood! Why mention another woman's name when I'm feeling most touched? she thought furiously. Aaaaaah! Fan Li is always so annoying!

Xiang Ning gritted her teeth, practically itching with frustration, and managed to force out a few words. "Your beloved went looking for Bai Rong."

Fan Li was momentarily speechless but couldn't deny it. Han Yue truly was his beloved – she had carved herself into his heart.

…

A tomb stood there, merely a cenotaph holding robes and effects.

Green robes, white hair, a sword like frost and snow. Han Yue's figure seemed desolate, like a solitary soul, appearing even more lonely than the tomb itself.

Three kneelings and nine kowtows. It was a grand ritual to honor the departed souls, and also a farewell.

I should have brought Bai Rong's head back as an offering for you, she thought, addressing the departed. But in the end, I despised her too much, feared she would defile your resting place, so I decided against it.

I leave this Chasing Moon Sword here. From now on, let it accompany you in my stead. The world is somewhat chaotic now, and I fear he cannot handle it alone. Ultimately, I must lend him my strength, so I can only bid you farewell for now. Sisters, please rest in peace.

Holding the Chasing Moon Sword level in both hands, she gently placed it before the tombstone. The Heaven-grade spirit sword, cold as frost and snow throughout its length, bore only a single streak of freshly stained crimson near its tip.

She turned, descended the mountain, and saw two familiar figures.

One was the man she longed for day and night.

The other was a woman, dressed in a slightly loose-fitting dragon robe, who occasionally shot sidelong glares at the man beside her, yet offered Han Yue a sincere and warm smile.

Fan Li saw Han Yue's full head of white hair and finally understood why she had been so secretive about her appearance over the years.

He didn't hesitate, striding forward directly and grasping the slender hand of the world's strongest sword cultivator – whose cultivation was easily sufficient to kill him in an instant.

"Come!" he said.

"Come home with me!"