What is a Son of Heaven?
Wanli's answer: The Emperor.
This answer, though standard, was wrong. Since Wanli's failed attempt, Fan Li had been pondering the answers to the three questions.
So, what truly defines a Son of Heaven?
"Please answer, King. What is a Son of Heaven?" The three stone statues spoke in unison, urging Fan Li to respond.
"Hahaha, look at him, he's stumped!" Sage Ruler Jin De exclaimed in delight.
She gestured towards Fan Li, seeking agreement from those around her, but received no response. Instead, she was met with strange looks. Those looks seemed to say: Whose side are you on?
"The Son of Heaven is not the son of Heaven. In the beginning, the giant god Pangu split the heavens and the earth. The clear Qi rose to form the sky, and the turbid Qi descended to form the earth. Then, Pangu transformed himself into all things.
The Son of Heaven is also among the things Pangu created. Therefore, the Son of Heaven is not the son of the Heavenly Dao, destiny, or fate. The Son of Heaven was born between heaven and earth, inheriting Pangu's bloodline. The Son of Heaven is, in fact, the son of Pangu."
Fan Li's answer left everyone speechless.
Was he wrong?
It didn't seem so.
The legend of Pangu was known to all, and no one dared to deny it. The Son of Heaven as Pangu's son – this answer seemed more accurate than the son of the Heavenly Dao, destiny, or fate.
But was the standard answer the correct one?
Crown Prince Wanli's failure served as a prime example. Furthermore, if all things originated from Pangu, wouldn't that make everything Pangu's son? What made the Son of Heaven so special?
"Second question: What is the duty of a Son of Heaven?"
The statues spoke, presenting the second question: What should a Son of Heaven do?
Jin De felt a flicker of disappointment. She had hoped Fan Li would be eliminated after just one question.
"Well..." she thought, "Even with two questions, he might not be right."
Thankfully, Wanli's previous failure provided her with some solace.
"The duty of a Son of Heaven is to claim land, establish a nation, build ancestral temples and shrines, and then simply enjoy the country." Fan Li's answer was unexpectedly simple.
Claim land?
Establish a nation?
Build ancestral temples and shrines?
These were the tasks of a founding emperor. As for their descendants, they inherited the throne and the nation, skipping the initial stages of creation.
So, the key point was simply to "enjoy the country"?
"How is this any different from being a parasite?" Zhang Juzheng was stunned, this thought involuntarily popping into his mind. However, upon further reflection, he realized that this answer might actually be correct!
Throughout history, wasn't the primary occupation of emperors to "enjoy the country"?
Millions bowed before them!
Millions provided for them!
Millions served at their command!
As for those who dedicated themselves to governing diligently, caring for the people, and practicing frugality – they were a rare breed.
Zhang Juzheng felt a strange sense of dejection. The lofty image of the emperor, instilled in him by traditional Confucian teachings, suddenly seemed diminished.
"Why state the obvious?" Lu Fubao muttered under her breath.
Yan Yuan, standing beside her, rolled his eyes. Junior Sister. you shouldn't say such things!
The statues spoke, posing the final question. "Can the Son of Heaven ascend further?"
Everyone held their breath, curious about Fan Li's final answer, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.
If the Son of Heaven wasn't above the Heavenly Emperor or the ruler of a celestial nation, then what was he?
"I don't know."
Unexpectedly, Fan Li's answer was "I don't know"?
This was clearly a wrong answer!
Lu Fubao felt her heart leap into her throat. 'You fool!' she thought, 'Even a random guess might have been right! What if you answered the first two questions correctly? You've ruined everything!'
She was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. The others also wore expressions of regret, except for Jin De, who was sneering. However, Fan Li's answer wasn't finished.
"I don't know if the Son of Heaven can ascend further. But I have a goal. Perhaps, I can try in that direction."
The three stone statues spoke in unison: "What goal?"
Everyone was shocked!
"Is this... is this a fourth question?" Lu Fubao stammered.
No one answered her. At this moment, everyone present had a bold suspicion:
Could Fan Li truly take Guiguzi away?
"Abandon the throne of the Son of Heaven," Fan Li paused, then slowly continued, "and become Pangu."
Crack!
A crisp sound, like shattering crystal, echoed through the air. The barrier that had stood before them, blocking the final stretch of the mountain path, cracked open.
At first, there was only a single crack, splitting the barrier in two. Then, countless smaller cracks branched out, covering the entire barrier.
Crash!
The impenetrable barrier of the Three Emperors Formation shattered into countless fragments! The barrier was no more. The Three Emperors Formation was broken.