"You..." Chen Gonggong almost cursed out loud, but fortunately after cultivating for many years, he barely managed to restrain himself. This was the Fan manor. Even he was unwilling to fall out with Fan Li.
Chen Gonggong said in a strange tone, "Duke Jin, you returned so quickly. I really didn't expect it..."
Fan Li raised his hand, interrupting his words. "No need for nonsense, let's talk business."
Was slapping his face once not enough?
Then slap him twice!
I won't listen to this old eunuch's nagging!
If Fan Li couldn't act prestigious even in his own home, then he really didn't deserve to be Great Chu's number one minister.
The corners of Chen Gonggong's mouth kept twitching. He almost made a move. He was confident he could instantly kill the merely Body Refining Realm Fan Li. The problem was that behind Fan Li was Wu Gang, who could probably also instantly kill him.
"Is Wu Gang Great Chu's guardian beast or the Fan clan's pet?" Chen Gonggong felt extremely aggrieved!
It was obvious Fan Li was an ant-like existence, yet he still had to be respectful to him.
"Ahem, I came here to deliver an imperial decree to Duke Jin..."
Just as he was about to recite the decree, he was interrupted by Fan Li again. Chen Gonggong was so angry his eyes were almost rolling. "Duke Jin, do you want me to speak or not speak?"
"I want you to speak, but don't speak nonsense." It was completely the tone of someone higher up, completely disregarding the old Unity Realm eunuch before his eyes.
Fan Li coldly questioned, "I heard His Majesty was kidnapped by strong enemies. I was just planning to dispatch troops to directly attack the villains' lair and rescue His Majesty back even if I have to mobilize the entire nation's military. Yet now you want to deliver an imperial decree. What's going on? Whose decree is it?"
"Di...directly attack the villains' lair? Moreover mobilize the entire nation's military?" Chen Gonggong's eyeballs almost popped out.
He believed that with Fan Li's information sources, he definitely already knew that Xiang Ning was taken away by the Brahma Sound Pure Land. But Chen Gonggong never imagined Fan Li would have this kind of reaction!
Declaring war on the entire Brahma Sound Pure Land?
How could that do?
Great Chu would perish!
Once Great Chu perished, what meaning was there left in the Empress Dowager's struggle for power?
"Oh, it's a misunderstanding! Duke Jin doesn't know, His Majesty wasn't kidnapped. One of the Brahma Sound Pure Land's Sage Rulers noticed His Majesty's outstanding talents and deep wisdom roots and decided to accept her as a disciple. His Majesty has decided to follow her master to the Pure Land to cultivate, already passing the throne to Imperial Elder Brother Xiang Chong.
Now, with the Brahma Sound Pure Land's support behind my Great Chu, combined with the new lord's ascension, it is precisely the time when our national fortune prospers and all under heaven is at peace.
The new emperor's edict commands that three days from now, he will hold court. At that time, His Majesty wants to reward civil and military officials and proclaim a general amnesty... Hehe, Duke Jin has worked hard and rendered great merits. The new emperor will definitely bestow rich rewards. This is a good thing!"
The old eunuch's face was fawning as he tried his best to make it sound nicer. He had originally come here to show off might and overawe Fan Li. Who knew it would fail. Now he was instead afraid Fan Li would raise troops in revolt. So he could only try his best to speak nicely to coax Fan Li.
In fact, Fan Li was also very troubled in his heart. When Xiang Ning was taken away, he immediately began thinking of rescue strategies. But this was an extremely difficult problem!
What kind of place was the Brahma Sound Pure Land?
Other than the now dead Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler, there were still nine other Great Vehicle Realm Sage Rulers guarding there. Among them, at least eight would oppose him!
Even if the Pure Land's population was sparse unlike Chu, Han and Ming's millions of soldiers and hundreds of millions of commoners, it was still an extremely hard bone to gnaw through.
Xiang Ning must be rescued back!
However, Fan Li couldn't really agitate Great Chu's entire army and citizens to attack the Brahma Sound Pure Land either.
At this moment, Fan Li's main body was still on the return trip. The main body and split soul shared all sensory information.
"Princess, I have a request." Fan Li's main body suddenly spoke to Princess Chang Le who sat in the same carriage.
"Oh?"
On the return trip, Princess Chang Le was unexpectedly well-behaved. Despite both riding the same carriage, the princess wasn't flirting. Instead she silently sat in a corner reading the Records of the First Emperor she had just obtained.
Seeing Fan Li's solemn expression, the princess immediately put the records away.
"The Brahma Sound Pure Land sent out six Sage Rulers who kidnapped His Majesty."
"What?!" Princess Chang Le was shocked.
Fan Li continued, "I know the princess can contact Qing Qiu Sage Ruler. Please relay to her to be sure to protect Xiang Ning's safety in the Pure Land. As long as Qing Qiu can accomplish that, I will owe her a tremendous favor from now on."
Princess Chang Le nodded. "Don't worry, this request doesn't violate any Pure Land rules. My master will agree."
After speaking, the princess took out a sheet of paper. Using her index finger as a brush, she wrote a line on the paper. From the trajectory of her finger, Fan Li could recognize what she wrote.
"Fan Li asks Master to protect Xiang Ning. He is willing to owe you a great favor."
"Many thanks." Fan Li solemnly said.
The princess gave a charming smile. With a casual flick, the sheet of paper instantly transformed into a pure white ray of light that shot northwest.
"Hehehe, I'm Great Chu's empress. Protecting my own 'husband' is only natural. Why do you still need to thank me?"
After some playful teasing, the princess took out the Records of the First Emperor again, infusing spiritual energy to read the contents. Ever since obtaining the records, the princess lost interest in everything else. Like a bookworm, she concentrated solely on studying them.
Great Chu, Peng City, the Fan manor.
"Duke Jin, what are your thoughts on the court session three days from now..." Chen Gonggong carefully asked. He was really worried Fan Li wouldn't attend court or acknowledge Xiang Chong as the new emperor.
Lady Li's scheme relied on the Brahma Sound Pure Land's prestige to keep Fan Li in check. After Xiang Chong sat firmly on the throne, they would slowly whittle away at the Fan clan's influence. Once the Fan clan completely lost influence in Great Chu, they would exterminate the entire clan!
Now, Fan Li still had the power to raise troops in revolt. So it was still far from the time to break ties.
"This minister understands. All officials won't be absent from the court session three days from now. You should also remind Xiang Chong that as the new emperor attending court for the first time, he cannot be late."
"Uh... Yes, I'll remember." Chen Gonggong didn't feel good hearing this.
What was Fan Li saying?
How could Xiang Chong possibly be late?
This was his first time presiding over the imperial court!
Yet Fan Li spoke as if lecturing a child, completely disregarding Xiang Chong.
'When the new emperor holds court that day, Fan Li won't force the new emperor to also call him Imperial Father right?' Chen Gonggong suddenly thought of this and instantly broke out in cold sweat!
He secretly glanced at Wu Gang. Sighing to himself, he suppressed a certain crazy urge again. If he had to call Fan Li that, then so be it. After all, it wasn't him doing the calling.
"This minister still has matters to attend to. You can leave after setting down the decree." Fan Li impatiently waved his hand.
Chen Gonggong was speechless. Didn't he need to recite the decree? He was even waiting to see Fan Li kowtow. Even this kind of pleasure was gone?
Chen Gonggong was unhappy. Thick skinned, he continued standing there, preparing to recite.
"Wu Gang, see our guest out."
Chen Gonggong instantly deflated. Putting down the decree, without even saying 'no need to send me off', he fled the Fan manor in a flash.
"Ai!"
With no outsiders left in the household, Fan Ming sighed again and shook his head. "Younger brother, Great Chu has changed reign."
Fan Li coldly laughed. "Great Chu hasn't changed reigns. Because I am Great Chu's heaven!"