NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66 – Second Qing Qiu
"Qing Qiu, what realm are you at?" Fan Li curiously asked.
Aside from the enmity between himself and the Brahma Sound Pure Land, Fan Li had no ill feelings towards Qing Qiu personally. He was even willing to admit that Qing Qiu was truly someone transcendent from the world.
She had personally attained the realm to 'escape the sea of suffering'. She had extraordinary strength and transcendent status. All the troubles and trivial concerns of the mundane world could not affect her.
Fan Li was actually quite envious of Qing Qiu's transcendence. But the envy was only a momentary thought. Fan Li would not become like Qing Qiu, he absolutely would not walk in that direction.
Fan Li knew he was a secular person. He had family, the three Fan siblings were connected by blood. Although they were only inherited from the original host, Fan Li was willing to bear all cause and effect.
He also had responsibilities. His promise to Wu Gang for longevity, to live at least the same lifespan as him. His responsibility to Xiang Ning. As long as he remained, he was the minister and Xiang Ning the sovereign, though bullying her was another matter.
It even included the promise to Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan to repay the three for their battle against Blood Phoenix in the Dragon God Hall.
And also the promise to Lü Chunqiu. After all, the Lü clan gave up their thousand-year neutral stance to become a new force of strength for Great Chu.
"Me? Great Vehicle Realm, 7th rank." Qing Qiu replied in a plain tone, as if it was just a passing trivial matter.
"Cough cough cough!"
Fan Li was drinking tea at the moment and immediately choked on the tea and spat it out.
Great Vehicle Realm, 7th rank?
Wasn't Qing Qiu supposed to be the 9th ranked Sage Ruler of the Brahma Sound Pure Land? Only one rank higher than the Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler?
"But the Blood Phoenix was at 2nd rank of Great Vehicle Realm, how can you be..." Fan Li didn't finish speaking as he stopped mid-sentence. He understood the next moment.
Qing Qiu had an indifferent personality, she probably also didn't like fighting over things.
"If you used your real strength, what rank would you be among the Sage Rulers of the Brahma Sound Pure Land?" Fan Li couldn't help asking.
He wasn't afraid of offending her either. Fan Li felt Qing Qiu had that kind of personality. If she was willing to answer, then she would answer. If unwilling to answer, then she would just stay silent, but definitely wouldn't find him at fault for asking.
"Second." Qing Qiu replied lightly, "The 1st Sage Ruler is a bit stronger than me. She is at 8th rank of the Great Vehicle Realm."
Fan Li felt cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
Strong! Extremely strong!
The number of Great Vehicle Realm experts in the Brahma Sound Pure Land was more than the Three Kingdoms combined!
No wonder, even with only ten Sage Rulers and a few hundred disciples, the Pure Land could remain aloof and detached, above the billion lives of the Three Kingdoms, enjoying the prestige of a sacred land!
"Teacher above, this disciple pays respects with a bow."
As they were speaking, Princess Chang Le suddenly descended from the sky, floating gracefully into Rivers and Mountains Tower.
Right now, the ceremony crown and bridal robes from her earlier wedding remained on the princess. Added with the happy occasion, she seemed even more beautiful.
Fan Li instantly felt a headache coming on.
‘As the new Empress of Great Chu, why aren't you accompanying your emperor on your wedding night, what are you running over here for?’ Even though he only complained in his heart, Princess Chang Le immediately saw through his thoughts. The princess deliberately blinked flirtatiously at him.
"Not sharing the bridal chamber with His Majesty, others won't know the reason, how can Duke Jin forget about it?"
Princess Chang Le was completely speaking intimately like a secret lover, leaving Fan Li rather embarrassed for quite a while. And it was all happening right in front of her master, Qing Qiu?
What was wrong with this Liu Man!?
Fan Li secretly glanced at Qing Qiu, only to discover she was completely unperturbed.
Indeed, Princess Chang Le understood her master better than him. As long as no taboos were triggered, no matter how the princess acted, there would be no issues for Qing Qiu.
"Where is His Majesty?" Fan Li asked.
"Hehehe, after three cups of wine, she's already fast asleep."
Princess Chang Le ridiculed Emperor Xiang Ning's innocence like an experienced courtesan.
Fan Li could only helplessly say, "You two can slowly chat, I'll take my leave first."
One Sage Ruler and one Princess. He really didn't want to face two such difficult women at the same time!
"I also want to go to Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum." Princess Chang Le suddenly said a single sentence that made Fan Li halt his departure.
Great Chu and Great Han had agreed to jointly excavate the emperor's mausoleum after the grand wedding. On Great Chu's side, Fan Li would personally lead the expedition. Great Han sent Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan as envoys.
Neither side had ever mentioned Princess Chang Le wanted to participate!
"You want to..." Fan Li was baffled.
Did Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum truly contain some incredible treasure?
Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan had already named they only wanted the Qin Emperor Sword. All other treasures could go to Great Chu.
Extrapolating from this, even if all the remaining burial objects were added together, their total value still probably wouldn't surpass the Qin Emperor Sword.
What thing had unexpectedly caught Princess Chang Le's attention?
"If Sir Fan doesn't agree, I'll have no choice but to publicly reveal His Majesty's secrets." Princess Chang Le whispered sweetly next to his ear, but her words were threatening.
Fan Li was rendered speechless. He could only acquiesce. Having one more, very powerful princess wasn't a bad thing. And as for Xiang Ning's secret, since the Empress Dowager and Xiang Chong were restless, guarding the secret was definitely a must.
"Teacher should come along too." Princess Chang Le said again.
Fan Li and Qing Qiu were both stunned upon hearing this. Especially Qing Qiu. After repeated setbacks, she was already prepared to end her investigation and return to the Pure Land.
Although she would return fruitlessly, still seeming somewhat embarrassed, Qing Qiu had an indifferent personality. She wasn't concerned about things like dignity and face at all.
With no decisive reason to kill Fan Li, of course she wouldn't stubbornly insist on staying. Qing Qiu did not indicate whether she would go or not.
Princess Chang Le giggled and said, "Teacher, Fan Li is extremely skilled at toying with women. Just look at how Great Chu's guardian beast, Wu Gang, has long acknowledged him as master. You mustn't be fooled by him and hastily return to the Pure Land."
So it turns out Princess Chang Le noticed her teacher was inclined to depart?
Fan Li was angrily grinding his teeth to the side!
How could this girl's belly be full of bad water?
She talked about bearing his child with her mouth. Yet with her actions, she constantly made trouble for him?!
Qing Qiu nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you to the mausoleum."
She also told Fan Li, "Rest assured, I won't interfere with your excavation of the mausoleum. But should any unexpected events endanger your life, I'll immediately force you to leave the mausoleum. During the investigation period, matters of your life and death can only be decided by the Pure Land."
"Huh?" Fan Li was somewhat confused.
What did this mean?
The Brahma Sound Pure Land's second most powerful Sage Ruler was now his bodyguard?
Had he misunderstood Princess Chang Le?
***
The next day at dawn.
Fan Li held court and reported on the joint expedition between Great Chu and Great Han to excavate Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum.
"Umm... Wu Gang is still recovering from her injuries. Should we wait until she heals before departing for the mausoleum?" Xiang Ning asked.
On the Great Han side, Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan were all experts at the Harmonization Realm.
In contrast, Great Chu's lineup was a little weak.
Fan Li led the team, accompanied by Fan Chun and the elite garrison troops. The only remaining skilled individuals were Princess Chang Le and Yan Yuan.
Yan Yuan, originally from Chu, was instructed by Lü Chunqiu to accept the recruitment of the Great Chu court in the identity of a martial artist.
Fan Li looked at Xiang Ning with some surprise.
Delay?
Is she worried about his safety?
Fan Li smiled knowingly and replied, "Delaying may not be possible. The departure date was proposed by the Great Han, and there may be some deeper meaning behind it."
"Oh," Xiang Ning pursed her lips, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "You must come back safely."
Fan Li, however, misunderstood. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely bring the Queen back safely."
"Oh..."
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