Chapter 66: The Second Qingqiu

"What stage have you reached in your cultivation, Qingqiu?" Fan Li asked curiously.

Setting aside his personal grievances with the Pure Land of Brahma's Chant, Fan Li harbored no ill feelings toward Qingqiu herself. He was even willing to admit that she was truly a person set apart from the world.

She had attained the stage of "liberation from the sea of suffering." With extraordinary strength and a transcendent position, none of the mundane troubles of the mortal world could touch her.

In fact, Fan Li rather envied Qingqiu's detachment. But envy was only a fleeting thought—Fan Li knew he could never become someone like her, nor would he ever walk that path.

He was, at heart, a man of the world.

He had family—the three siblings of the Fan clan were bound to him by blood. Though he had inherited these ties from the original host of his body, he was willing to bear all their karma.

He also had responsibilities. He had promised Wuzhui a long life, at least as long as his own. He held a duty toward Xiang Ning—for as long as he remained, he was the minister and she the sovereign, though teasing her was another matter altogether.

He also owed a debt to Cao, Liu, and Sun, having promised to repay their help in the bloody battle against the Blood Phoenix at the Dragon God Hall.

And there was his promise to Lü Chunqiu—after all, the Lü clan had forsaken their thousand-year neutrality to become a new pillar of the Great Chu.

"My cultivation? The Grand Perfection Stage, seventh rank," Qingqiu replied in a calm, indifferent tone, as if mentioning something utterly trivial.

Fan Li, in the midst of sipping his tea, was so startled he choked, spraying tea everywhere.

The Grand Perfection Stage, seventh rank?

Wasn't Qingqiu merely the ninth-ranked Holy Master of the Pure Land of Brahma's Chant, only slightly above the Blood Phoenix Holy Master?

"But the Blood Phoenix is at the Grand Perfection Stage, second rank. How are you..." Fan Li trailed off, falling silent as realization dawned.

He understood instantly.

Qingqiu's temperament was serene and indifferent—she was not one for contest or strife.

"Within the Pure Land, where does your true strength rank?" Fan Li couldn't help but ask.

He wasn't worried about broaching any taboo. He sensed that Qingqiu's nature was such that if she wished to answer, she would; if not, she would simply remain silent, and would certainly not hold it against him.

"Second," Qingqiu answered coolly. "The First Holy Master is slightly stronger than I am—she is at the eighth rank of the Grand Perfection Stage."

Fan Li felt cold sweat bead on his forehead.

Formidable! Incredibly formidable!

The number of Grand Perfection experts in the Pure Land far surpassed that of all three kingdoms combined! No wonder, with just ten Holy Masters and a few hundred disciples, the Pure Land stood exalted above the Three Kingdoms, enjoying the prestige of a sacred realm!

"Master, your disciple pays his respects."

Suddenly, Princess Changle arrived.

She descended from the sky, drifting gracefully into the Hall of Rivers and Mountains. Still adorned in her bridal phoenix crown and wedding mantle, she was breathtaking, her beauty now tinged with the joy of celebration.

Fan Li could only feel a headache coming on.

"As the empress of Great Chu, why aren't you accompanying your emperor on your wedding night, and instead have come here?" he grumbled inwardly, only for Princess Changle to immediately catch his thoughts.

She shot him a coquettish glance.

"The reason I'm not consummating the marriage with His Majesty isn't known to others, but how could you, Lord Jin, have forgotten?" Her tone was that of a lover meeting in secret, leaving Fan Li thoroughly embarrassed—especially in front of her master, Qingqiu.

What was wrong with Liu Man, this woman?

Fan Li stole a glance at Qingqiu, only to find her utterly unconcerned.

As expected, Princess Changle understood her master far better—so long as nothing touched upon Qingqiu's taboos, she cared not what her disciple did.

"Where is Her Majesty?" Fan Li asked.

"Heh, after just three cups of watered wine, she fell fast asleep," Princess Changle replied, mocking Xiang Ning's innocence with the air of an old hand in the ways of love.

Fan Li sighed helplessly. "You two have your talk. I'll take my leave."

A Holy Master and a princess—he truly did not wish to deal with two such troublesome women at once.

"The Tomb of the Last Qin Emperor—I will go as well."

With a single sentence, Princess Changle stopped him in his tracks.

Chu and Han had agreed to jointly excavate the tomb after the wedding. On Chu’s side, Fan Li himself would lead the expedition; Han would send the envoys Cao, Liu, and Sun. But neither side had mentioned that Princess Changle would participate!

"What is this about...?" Fan Li was perplexed. Was there some great treasure in the Tomb of the Last Qin Emperor?

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan had already stated plainly that they only wanted the Sword of the First Emperor; all other treasures could go to Great Chu. By that logic, perhaps the remaining grave goods together were not even as valuable as the Emperor’s sword.

What, then, was there that Princess Changle herself coveted?

"If you refuse, Fan Lang, I’ll have no choice but to reveal the Empress’s secret to all," Princess Changle whispered in his ear, her voice soft and seductive, but her words a thinly veiled threat.

Fan Li was speechless and could only acquiesce. Having a strong princess in the group was no bad thing. As for Xiang Ning’s secret—since Empress Dowager Li and Xiang Chong were restless, that secret must be kept at all costs.

"Master, you should come with us as well," Princess Changle added.

Both Fan Li and Qingqiu were taken aback.

Especially Qingqiu—after repeated rebuttals, she had already planned to end her investigation and return to the Pure Land. Though leaving with nothing to show for it might be seen as a loss of face, Qingqiu’s nature was so detached that she cared little.

She had no reason to kill Fan Li, so she would not persist unreasonably.

Qingqiu made no comment on whether she would go or not.

Princess Changle laughed. "Master, Fan Li is most adept at toying with women. Even the Chu national guardian, the divine beast Wuzhui, already acknowledges him as her master. Don’t let him deceive you, only to have you hurry back to the Pure Land!"

So Princess Changle had noticed her master’s intention to withdraw?

Fan Li ground his teeth in frustration. How could this woman be so full of mischief? She spoke of wanting to bear his child, yet constantly made trouble for him!

Qingqiu nodded.

"Very well, I will accompany you to the tomb," she said. Then she turned to Fan Li, "Rest assured, I will not interfere with your excavation. But if any accident arises that threatens your life, I will immediately take you away by force. During the investigation, your life or death will be decided by the Pure Land."

"What?" Fan Li was bewildered. What was this? The second strongest Holy Master of the Pure Land had become his bodyguard?

Could he have misunderstood Princess Changle’s intentions all along?

The next morning, at dawn.

Fan Li attended court as usual and, following procedure, petitioned for Chu and Han to join forces and set out to investigate the Tomb of the Last Qin Emperor.

"Um... Wuzhui is still recovering from her injuries. Should we perhaps wait until she’s healed before venturing to the tomb?" Xiang Ning asked.

On the Han side, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan were all experts at the Integration stage. Chu’s lineup was comparatively weaker.

Fan Li would lead, accompanied by Fan Chun and elite guards; among the remaining experts, only Princess Changle and Yan Yuan could be counted.

Yan Yuan was originally a Chu native—on Lü Chunqiu’s suggestion, he had accepted recruitment by the Chu court under the guise of a wandering martial artist and was now an official in the Ministry of Rites.

Fan Li looked at Xiang Ning in surprise.

A delay? Was she worried for his safety?

He smiled knowingly and replied, "I’m afraid we can’t postpone. The departure date was proposed by the Han envoys—they must have their reasons."

"Oh." Xiang Ning pressed her lips together and, after a moment’s silence, said softly, "Be sure to return safely."

Fan Li, however, misunderstood.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty—this minister will be sure to bring the Empress back safe and sound."

"Oh..."