Chapter 52: Three Days Later, a Formidable Foe Approaches

"You're really not willing to help!?"
Fan Li remained silent, but Xiang Ning grew anxious.
She once again raised her head to look directly at Princess Changle, her gaze burning with intensity, completely forgetting that she might be exposing her own identity.
Xiang Ning's reaction, however, greatly amused Princess Changle.
She let out another round of laughter before finally restraining her smile.
When her expression stilled, Princess Changle appeared as serene as a Bodhisattva in retreat.
A veil of compassion seemed to settle across her calm and beautiful features.
The princess spoke slowly, "The Blood Phoenix Matriarch has recently broken through in her cultivation, now at the Second Rank of the Grand Ascension Realm. The Master of Lihuo Sect is far weaker, but still at the peak of the Ninth Rank of the Integration Realm. Accompanying them are elders and disciples of Lihuo Sect, less than a hundred in number, but all formidable."
Xiang Ning's face turned ashen with fright!
Is this the power of the Pure Land of Brahma?
The weakest matriarch is already at the Second Rank of the Grand Ascension Realm?
Among the Three Kingdoms, the strength of the Blood Phoenix Matriarch surpasses both the Emperor of Chu and the Emperor of Han?
She sank into deep self-doubt!
With such reclusive cultivators in existence, what right does Great Chu have to establish its own nation?
Fan Li, however, remained calm and simply continued to ask, "Princess, could you tell me in detail the cultivation levels of the Lihuo Sect elders and disciples?"
Princess Changle was taken aback for a moment.
Then she smiled and replied, "Lihuo Sect has two elders, both at the First Rank of the Integration Realm. Of the other seventy disciples, aside from a few at the Nascent Soul Realm, the rest are all at the Golden Core stage."
"So powerful!?" Xiang Ning was shocked once again.
The strength of the Lihuo Sect disciples even faintly surpassed the mid- and lower-level generals of the Great Chu army!
"Thank you," Fan Li nodded earnestly. "I will remember it."
Xiang Ning looked at Fan Li in disbelief.
Remember it?
What did he mean?
Was he not planning to escape, but instead imagining a counterattack?
Princess Changle was quite pleased with Fan Li's reaction. She smiled, "If the Duke of Jin requires it, I can act against anyone except the Blood Phoenix Matriarch. But only to hinder, not to kill."
Others did not know, but these words were not in Princess Changle's original plan.
Her original intention was only to inform Fan Li of the intelligence.
Now, the princess had suddenly changed her mind and was willing to act on Fan Li's behalf!
She truly saw some promise in Fan Li.
Though this man was almost excessively weak, he still gave her a sense of limitless potential.

The alliance between Xiang Chong and the daughter of the Lihuo Sect Master, and thereby gaining the overwhelming support of both the Sect Master and the Blood Phoenix Matriarch—these were all unexpected developments.
Had Princess Changle known earlier that the royal family of Great Chu was in such a position, she would never have agreed to meet Fan Li during the Luohu Literary Gathering!
"No need for Your Highness to intervene," Fan Li refused.
"Why not!?"
The princess did not speak, but Xiang Ning anxiously pressed for an answer.
"Are you courting death? With so many powerful cultivators, including a Matriarch, do you really believe you can resist them?"
Seeing her so flustered, Fan Li merely smiled, "I've made a rough calculation. If I mobilize all my resources, I might be able to manage."
At these words, both women were struck dumb.
Princess Changle narrowed her eyes, her expression like that of a sly fox, playfully studying Fan Li.
"Is the Duke of Jin certain he won't reconsider? I could barely manage to hold off the Lihuo Sect Master for you."
Fan Li was startled!
The Lihuo Sect Master?
A peak Ninth Rank Integration Realm expert, just a step away from the Grand Ascension Realm—among the most elite in the mortal world!
What was Princess Changle’s true cultivation, that she could claim to hold off the Lihuo Sect Master?
"Rumor has it that Princess Changle is qualified to practice half of the Pure Land's secret arts. But no one knows how much she has mastered—a tenth, two-tenths, half, or all?"
Fan Li believed that Liu Man was not boasting; she truly possessed the strength to withstand the Lihuo Sect Master!
"Thank you, Princess. I've recalculated just now. I do have the ability to withstand these powerful enemies."
Smiling, Fan Li raised his teacup and took a sip.
When he set the cup back on the table, the remaining tea was as still as a mirror, not a ripple to be seen—such was the steadiness of his hand.
A steady hand signified a tranquil heart, and above all, confidence!
Princess Changle believed him.
Her gaze toward Fan Li was increasingly appreciative, though she still did not forget to cast a teasing glance now and then at Xiang Ning.
"Oh dear, now I somewhat regret it," Princess Changle sighed softly.
"Regret what?" Fan Li asked, curious.
"If I had supported you wholeheartedly from the start, you would surely have been grateful to me. Gratitude would turn to affection, and then I could have your child right away, couldn’t I?"
Fan Li was left speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Xiang Ning was even more stunned, unable to accept such brazen words coming from the lips of the Princess of Han herself!
"But now, since I haven’t managed to help you at all, you’ll probably resent me in your heart!"
As she spoke, a charming and youthful mischief appeared on that stunning face, quite at odds with her age.
Any normal man, even if angry before, would find all his anger vanished at such a sight.

Fan Li could not help but sigh inwardly: "Fortunately, Xiang Ning is a woman. If she were a man and married someone like Liu Man, wouldn’t she be utterly at her mercy?"
"Your Highness has already done me a great favor by warning me. I, Fan Li, owe you a great debt, and will certainly repay you in the future."
At Fan Li's words, Princess Changle let out a soft, satisfied chuckle.
Yet none noticed the flash of steely determination in her eyes—a ruthlessness that should not have been there!
For a woman as strong-willed as she, once she resolved to do something, no one could dissuade her!
"Three days from now, the Blood Phoenix Matriarch and the Lihuo Sect will arrive within Great Chu’s borders. The exact location is..."
Within the Hall of Rivers and Mountains, the conversation grew hushed.
Time passed, and only as dusk fell did a snow-white figure slip quietly from the hall and drift away.
"Your Majesty, please return to the palace."
"Oh... oh..."
Xiang Ning felt utterly overwhelmed by the day's events, her emotions surging wildly.
Fan Li personally accompanied her to a carriage bound for the palace, watching as she disappeared down the long avenue leading to the imperial city.
The gates of the Fan estate closed tightly behind her.
But inside the mansion, lights blazed throughout the night.
Fan Li, along with his elder brother Fan Ming, third brother Fan Chun, and younger sister Fan Yuehua, conspired in secret until dawn.
During the night, nine sturdy figures vaulted over the estate walls.
They belonged to the Soaring Eagle Division of the Garrison Army!
Though only at the Golden Core stage, they specialized in covert movement and swift travel—scouts tasked with intelligence transmission.
The nine scouts split into three groups, each heading in a different direction.
Once outside the city, each group further divided.
With three main directions unchanged, the three scouts in each direction spread out at intervals.
This was one of the methods Fan Li had Fan Chun use to train the Garrison Army.
Every piece of intelligence sent out was prepared in triplicate—labeled A, B, and C.
As long as one copy reached its destination, the mission was considered a success.
"Three sets of intelligence: one to the garrison camp, one to the headquarters of the Fan Merchant Guild, and one to Lü City. But, little brother, will the man in Lü City really act on your behalf?" Fan Ming asked, somewhat worried.
Fan Li put away the Imperial Seal he had just used.
"When he sees my seal, Lü Chunqiu will come. Now, I must pay a visit to the Dragon God Temple and speak with Wuzhui..."