Entering the Palace for an Audience  

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm telling you to raise it like a child." Fan Li was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He had just realized that Wu Gang was somewhat paranoid. But why should he take the blame for the Overlord of Chu?

Wu Gang was stunned. "Raise a child...?" She had lived for over a thousand years, yet she was still a single dragon, without even a mate, let alone offspring.

"That's right, raise a child. Who made the rule that Great Chu can only have one guardian beast? Raise Tuan Tuan well. In the future, you two can protect Great Chu together. What's the problem with that?

I'll provide everything you need to raise the child. Go to the Great Chu national treasury and take as much as you want. If it's not enough, I'll give you the key to the Fan family's private vaults."

After simply explaining it like that, Fan Li sent Wu Gang away. He was truly exhausted today.

Just as he was about to lie down and have a good sleep, the manor guards came to report: "There is an imperial summons from the palace requesting Second Young Master's presence to discuss important matters."

***

Chengming Hall, Imperial Palace-

Memorials were piled up like mountains, yet Xiang Chong didn't even glance at them. He was excitedly rubbing his hands.

"If this succeeds, then I can take control of court affairs!"

Beside Xiang Chong stood two women. One was dignified and elegant, his mother Empress Li. The other wore light green robes with her hair tied up. She had a sword hanging from her waist and dressed somewhat androgynously. Her cold, beautiful face carried a hint of aloofness.

Empress Li smiled and said, "With Sage Ruler Han Yue personally taking action, this is sure to succeed!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Xiang Chong repeatedly nodded. "Sage Ruler Han Yue is the number one female sword cultivator of this generation. A third stage Great Vehicle Realm expert. With Sage Ruler personally taking action, that Fan Li brat won't be able to struggle for long!"

Despite being praised by the ruler of a nation, Han Yue's expression remained cold and aloof. Her thin lips only moved slightly.

"Among the three thousand great daos, only the dao of the sword is the most murderous. Although I am only at the third stage of Great Vehicle Realm, even against fourth stage experts, I have the power to counter-kill!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Chong gaped with eyes wide open before revealing ecstatic joy. He respectfully bowed and said, "If Sage Ruler can get rid of that treacherous minister, you will be my benefactor. I am willing to accept Sage Ruler as my foster mother!"

Only now did Han Yue reveal a change in emotion. She looked at Xiang Chong in shock, then towards Empress Li.

On this trip to Chu, she had come at the request of her good friend Sage Ruler Jin De to look after mother and son.

Her friend had been previously injured with her life magic treasure 'Female Virtue' damaged. Sage Ruler Jin De was currently undergoing closed-door cultivation to repair her treasure and recuperate from her injuries, thus having no time to split herself.

"Is this... appropriate?" Han Yue felt somewhat expectant yet also worried as she asked.

Enduring bitter cultivation for hundreds of years before finally attaining success, she had been invited by First Sage Ruler Yao Guang to join Brahma Sound Pure Land for further cultivation.

She had never experienced the splendor and bustle of the mortal realm. Deep down, she actually quite yearned for it. To become the foster mother of a nation's Son of Heaven, wasn't that an extremely honored and glorious status?

But with the birth mother present right now, how could she bring herself to accept Xiang Chong's offer?

Suddenly, Empress Li spoke up, "My son, how can you speak so rashly!"

Upon hearing this, Han Yue frowned. She felt her face had been utterly disgraced and was just about to storm off.

Yet Empress Li continued, "The Sage Ruler is personally acting for your sake. No matter whether this succeeds or fails, you already owe her greatly! How can you only offer to accept her as foster mother if things succeed? If the Sage Ruler isn't repulsed, quickly kneel down this instant and perform the rites of a filial son!"

After she finished speaking, Empress Li looked towards Han Yue full of expectation, seemingly begging her to accept.

"Oh? This?" Sage Ruler Han Yue's anger instantly vanished. In her heart, she faintly felt a trace of delight.

Xiang Chong seemed to have rehearsed beforehand. He promptly revealed an enlightened expression and directly kneeled down with his head touching the floor.

"Mother! Mother!"

Sage Ruler Han Yue took a shocked step back, watching Xiang Chong kowtow like pounding garlic.

"Your Majesty.... my imperial son.... child, quickly get up."

What the f**k was going on here?

Just as Fan Li arrived outside Chengming Hall, the first thing he saw was Xiang Chong dressed in his dragon robes emitting imperial might. Yet now he was unexpectedly kowtowing to a woman dressed as a man?

Hey? What happened to your imperial dignity? Your imperial bearing?

Have you fed all that to dogs?

"Duke Jin has arrived!"

Hearing the little eunuch make his announcement, Xiang Chong who had been kneeling on the ground hurriedly climbed back up.

Without waiting for Xiang Chong to greet him, Fan Li directly strode into Chengming Hall.

"For what matter have you summoned me?" Fan Li coldly asked.

What was meant by influential minister?

What was meant by overbearing?

As long as Fan Li was given an inch, he could never be considered to have "overwhelming power over court affairs!"

After experiencing Fan Li's methods these past days, Xiang Chong didn't dare confront him directly anymore. He maintained a benevolent and amiable expression.

"Duke Jin, allow me to introduce Sage Ruler Han Yue of Brahma Sound Pure Land."

Sage Ruler Han Yue slightly raised her chin, using only the corner of her eyes to glance at Fan Li contemptuously. Arrogance leaking through the cracks!

Upon hearing the title 'Sage Ruler', Fan Li's reaction was also huge. The difference was that killing intent flashed out from his eyes.

As if a mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator actually dared to unsheathe his sword against Sage Ruler Han Yue?

Everyone present only heard Fan Li enunciate each word, "Zither, chess, literature, painting, sword, archery, which are you among them?"

Brahma Sound Pure Land had ten great sage rulers:

Supreme, Life, Zither, Chess, Literature, Painting, Sword, Archery, law and Blood.

Blood referred to Blood Phoenix who was already dead. Literature Sage Ruler was Jin De. Law Sage Ruler was Qing Qiu. The other seven great Sage rulers, Fan Li had yet to meet.

The reason why Fan Li asked was because the ones who had abducted Xiang Ning and injured Wu Gang previously were precisely the six sage rulers of zither, chess, literature, painting, sword and archery.

"I am the Sword Sage Ruler."

After Han Yue spoke, her arrogant manner became even more ostentatious, seeming to await Fan Li's worship of her.

The next second however, she felt an immense killing intent as fierce as a tidal wave surge towards her!

Sage Ruler Han Yue broke out in cold sweat. Just as she was about to unsheathe her sword to face the enemy, the killing intent disappeared in an instant.

Where could such overbearing killing intent have erupted from?

She remained doubtful and vigilant. Yet her gaze was attracted by Fan Li. 

Fan Li was currently smiling at Sage Ruler Han Yue warmly, completely harmless in appearance.

Hallucination?

Impossible for him!

Sage Ruler Han Yue self-doubted in her heart. Could it be after failing to break through to the fourth stage of Great Vehicle Realm for many years, her state of mind had become unbalanced and showed signs of going berserk?

Thinking to here, she no longer placed Fan Li in her eyes. After all, he was merely at the insignificant Qi Refining Realm.

"Cough!" Xiang Chong gave a light cough, attracting the two's attention.

"Duke Jin, Great Han's envoys have delivered a diplomatic letter. To celebrate the descent of guardian beasts, the Han Emperor changed era names to 'Yan Kang' and will hold grand celebrations."

Speaking to here, Xiang Chong felt his cheeks burn. Among the three emperors, only he hadn't even seen his nation's guardian beast, let alone subdued it.

"The Han Emperor has invited me to the festivities in Chang'an. But as you know, I'm actually.... somewhat indisposed. So I'll have to trouble Duke Jin to go in my stead." At this point, Xiang Chong finally revealed excitement.

"Sage Ruler Han Yue represents Brahma Sound Pure Land and will also attend the grand celebrations. The Sage Ruler's cultivation is unfathomably profound. With Duke Jin and the Sage Ruler traveling together, safety can be assured without doubt!"

Fan Li only felt his eyelid twitch.

Without doubt?

More like undoubtedly returning dead without a whole corpse!

However, Fan Li truly couldn't refuse this trip to Han as an imperial envoy.

Right before entering the palace, he had also received secret letters from Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan pleading for him to definitely personally go to Chang'an!