Chapter 64: The Innocence of the Pure Land

The emperor of Chu, Xiang Ning, was to be wed in grand ceremony, taking the Princess of Eternal Joy from Han as his bride. The capital was ablaze with celebration; lanterns of deepest red adorned the gates at each corner of the city. Every tavern, restaurant, and pleasure boat in the alleys brimmed with festivity, as if welcoming a festival, and prices seemed even more hospitable than usual.

The prosperity between the Chu and Han peoples was evident; they mingled as if kin, brotherhood binding the two nations. In stark contrast, Ming appeared solemn and quiet. Not a single envoy was dispatched to extend congratulations to the other realms, and commerce among the people dwindled, showing signs of a complete severance.

Within the palace, the wedding rites were underway.

As the Duke of Jin and the current prime minister, Fan Li himself presided over the emperor's marriage, a gesture of utmost gravity. Every civil and military official attended without exception—Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan all donned ceremonial robes in attendance. Lü Chunqiu, having previously agreed with Emperor Jiajing to avoid impropriety, refrained from attending, but his chief disciple Yan Yuan took his place, seated among the guests as a representative of the martial world.

Wuzhui, gravely injured after battling the Lord of Blood Phoenix, remained in retreat for recovery and was absent. Those who could have attended but deliberately did not were Empress Dowager Li and Xiang Chong.

On the day of the emperor’s wedding, the empress dowager claimed illness and refused to appear; Xiang Chong, citing the need to care for her, likewise declined to attend. Since the incident with the Sect of Fiery Departure, the empress dowager's ambitions had been laid bare. No matter that Xiang Ning was her own daughter; in her eyes, the princess was merely a temporary occupant of the throne. Supporting her son’s ascent was her true desire, even more urgent than toppling powerful ministers like Fan Li.

"Alas, during the Fiery Departure affair, the empress dowager and Xiang Chong remained hidden in the inner palace, leaving no incriminating evidence," Lü Chunqiu had once sighed. "By reason, by law, and by sentiment, it is not convenient to move against her for now." Fan Li made no response.

The mother and son were troublesome, but not enough to cause him real distress. The true headache was the Lord of Qingqiu.

"Though the ceremony is simple, its grandeur is boundless."
"Heaven is exalted, earth is humble; the ruler is dignified, the ministers respectful."
"Man and woman are joined; the phoenix follows the dragon."
"Order brings stability, the family prospers and the nation flourishes... The newlyweds, bow to heaven and earth!"

The palace of Chu was vast, and thousands of guests had gathered. Fan Li, lacking the cultivation to project his voice, nearly shouted the words of the master of ceremonies, barely keeping himself upright. He struggled to maintain his posture, unwilling to let those beside him see any weakness and lose face.

At his side stood only one person: a woman in blue, expression cold and detached—the Lord of Qingqiu.

"She is actually the princess's master..." Fan Li was troubled. These past few days, the Lord of Qingqiu had been constantly at his side. She claimed to be investigating, but her focus was solely on him.

Compared to the Lord of Blood Phoenix, Qingqiu was even more formidable; Fan Li could do nothing to resist. To avoid frightening his friends and family, he dared not reveal her true identity, vaguely describing her as a new acquaintance.

Xiang Ning’s wedding brought Fan Li into the palace to serve as master of ceremonies. He had hoped to escape the Lord of Qingqiu, but she followed him openly into the palace.

"Changle invited me," she explained, leaving Fan Li utterly powerless.

As he watched the newlyweds in dragon and phoenix robes bow to heaven and earth, then retire to their chambers, the ministers could finally begin their feast. Ordinarily, Fan Li would join the festivities, representing the emperor in offering toasts to the officials. Yet he had no heart for celebration.

"Um... Senior Qingqiu..."

"You are not of the Pure Land; you may address me by name."

Fan Li gave a nervous chuckle. Was that true? Could he trust a woman’s words? The ability to turn on a dime seemed a passive skill all women possessed.

He ventured, "Qingqiu, I must stress again, my battle with the Lord of Blood Phoenix was purely for self-preservation. With my cultivation, how could I provoke the Lord of the Pure Land? Surely you understand the meaning of reasonable self-defense?"

Qingqiu glanced at him.

"The Sect of Fiery Departure was destroyed by you. Of their millennial wealth, thirty percent entered the royal treasury of Chu, seventy percent went to the Fan family."

Fan Li laughed awkwardly. "Well..."

His family had suffered greatly in plotting against the Lord of Blood Phoenix. If they didn't recoup their losses, would they starve?

Qingqiu interrupted, "Fiery Departure is Fiery Departure, Pure Land is Pure Land. You took nothing from the Pure Land; I have no grounds to pursue the matter."

Fan Li finally breathed easy.

But Qingqiu continued, "Anyone who comes into conflict with the Pure Land, if they harbor any grave crimes, regardless of the cause, the Pure Land may pursue them relentlessly until death."

Damn!

Fan Li nearly cursed aloud.

So, regardless of whether the Lord of Blood Phoenix was at fault or deserved death, so long as the Pure Land found any leverage, they could condemn him?

It seemed that, in any world, power ruled; truth existed only within the range of cannon fire.

Fan Li felt thoroughly vexed.

Who was he? The foremost minister of Chu, reputed as second only to Dong Zhuo in cunning—at least, that was the persona demanded by the system. Could he really have no vulnerabilities?

Even Fan Li doubted himself.

Qingqiu seemed to read his thoughts and patiently explained,

"Dynastic power struggles are mundane affairs; they are not the standard by which the Pure Land judges good and evil. Whether you are a treacherous minister or a loyal one, it does not concern my criteria."

Fan Li was baffled.

"What do you mean? You even kill loyal ministers?"

Qingqiu clarified, "A loyal minister of Chu, if he urges the emperor to wage war and brings suffering upon the people, is guilty before the world. Conversely, even if you are a treacherous minister, so long as your power plays do not abuse the people, the Pure Land finds you blameless."

Fan Li understood, but was left dazed.

What exactly was the Pure Land? Did these women see themselves as arbiters of virtue for the world?

A fleeting sneer crossed his face.

He thought he hid it well, but Qingqiu caught it.

"You do not accept the Pure Land’s doctrine?"

"No, I do not."

Fan Li reasoned that with Qingqiu’s temperament, flattery would do no good; he might as well speak frankly.

"Why?" Qingqiu actually showed a hint of curiosity. "When the Pure Land was founded, it was because women were vulnerable, so it was established to protect them. The Pure Land upholds its founding intent, treating all matters equally. The common folk are the weakest; the Pure Land prioritizes their welfare and sets good and evil by their interests. What is wrong with that?"

Fan Li may lack the highest cultivation, but in matters of governance, he was never at a loss.

He promptly asked, "Qingqiu, do you think it is better for the world to be divided, or unified?"

Qingqiu had an answer ready. "Division breeds conflict, conflict brings suffering; I think unity is best."

Fan Li nodded repeatedly.

"When Chu grows strong enough, I launch war, conquer Ming and Han, and unite the world. Would the Pure Land consider me guilty or meritorious?"

"Uniting the world... meritorious?" Qingqiu hesitated for the first time.

Fan Li smiled. "If I destroy two nations, endless war ensues, and the people suffer. Would the Pure Land not consider me guilty?"

Qingqiu was silent.

She was stunned for a long time before saying, "Let the three kingdoms coexist peacefully, without bloodshed."

Her tone, for once, betrayed uncertainty.

Fan Li pressed on, "Suppose Chu suffers a natural disaster, the fields yield nothing, and the people face starvation. If Han and Ming refuse to sell grain, may I wage war to force them to sell?"

Qingqiu’s eyes widened, as if she had never considered such complexities.

"If I wage war, I am guilty."
"If I do not, the people of Chu starve."
"Qingqiu, in this moment, how would you judge my merit or guilt?"