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World's First Traitor System (224)
🕑 Added 2024-06-28 17:00:08 +0000 UTCChapter 224 - Lu Fubao's Choice
The Investiture of the Gods?
Fan Li frowned, lost in thought. "Such a thing actually exists? But its effects seem different from what I remember from my previous life. According to Emperor Jiajing, everyone should be scrambling to get on the list, not be forced onto it after death? And it's the key to national ascension?"
Quickly, drawing on the knowledge accumulated from the original Fan Li's extensive reading, he noticed another discrepancy. The Overlord of Chu, the founding Emperor of the Han Dynasty, and the founding Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty - none of these legendary figures seemed to have possessed the Investiture of the Gods.
"So, despite their talent and ambition, they only achieved personal immortality, leaving their empires and subjects behind in the mortal realm?"
He thought of another individual - the third-generation Guiguzi, Wang Ban. The Guiguzi lineage had been a coveted prize, fought over by the three founding emperors. The reason, he suspected, was related to the Investiture of the Gods!
Fan Li finally pieced it together, but he couldn’t help but laugh wryly. "Wang Ban, a true tech nerd, so oblivious to such a momentous matter!"
"I need a clone permanently stationed in the Great Jin kingdom," he decided. In truth, he had already considered this. An emperor shouldn’t be absent from his kingdom for extended periods. It was strange that the Great Jin, newly founded, had a ruler who rarely resided there.
However, with each clone contributing to his cultivation, accelerating his progress, Fan Li had been reluctant to assign one to a fixed location.
In the grand hall, countless eyes watched Fan Li.
"Duke… Duke Jin…" Xiang Chong's face was ashen.
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Fan Li glanced at him nonchalantly.
Seeing Fan Li’s composure, Xiang Chong wanted to weep.
"Duke Jin, how should we respond to Emperor Jiajing’s declaration?" He was frantic.
National ascension was no longer a mere concept. Emperor Jiajing had obtained the means, and he was actively luring talented individuals to the Great Ming Dynasty.
Would Fan Li simply stand by and watch as this disaster unfolded?
Or was Fan Li also considering defecting to the Great Ming?
The thought sent chills down Xiang Chong's spine. If Fan Li betrayed him, wouldn't he, Xiang Chong, be the perfect offering to prove Fan Li’s loyalty to the Great Ming?
"Calm yourself, Your Majesty. The effectiveness of the Investiture of the Gods has yet to be proven. Perhaps it's just a tactic by Emperor Jiajing to sow discord among his enemies? Besides, the descent of divine beasts – the Vermilion Bird isn't the only one in the world.”
Xiang Chong's face brightened. "Duke Jin, are you suggesting that I send elite troops to capture Princess Chang Le and seize the Black Tortoise?"
He had barely finished speaking when he sensed killing intent radiating from Fan Li. Capture Princess Chang Le?
For a moment, Fan Li truly considered killing Xiang Chong.
How dare this imbecile even entertain such a thought? How dare he touch his woman?!
“Princess Chang Le is not only the daughter of the late Emperor Xiaoren of the Han Dynasty, but she was also the Empress of the Great Chu! How dare you, after less than a year on the throne, suggest capturing a former Empress? Such an act would make the Great Chu a laughingstock! Besides, we haven’t even confirmed whether foreign divine beasts can be used by our nation. Your priority should be finding the divine beast destined for the Great Chu. Once we obtain the divine beast, we'll also obtain the Great Chu’s Investiture of the Gods. Then, we’ll have nothing to fear from Emperor Jiajing.”
Finally, Fan Li adopted a fatherly tone, chastising a wayward child. “Your Majesty, as Emperor, you should act with honor and integrity, not resort to underhanded tactics."
Xiang Chong flushed with shame.
"I… I was merely asking. I never intended to capture the former Empress. Duke Jin, please… calm yourself.” He wanted to weep.
To be humiliated like this in front of the entire court…
Even when Xiang Ning was Emperor, she hadn't suffered such a devastating blow to her dignity, had she?
"Do you have any other matters to discuss, Your Majesty?" Fan Li asked coldly.
Xiang Chong quickly shook his head. "No!"
"In that case, I have urgent matters to attend to. I must take my leave."
Fan Li flicked his sleeve, turning and striding out of the hall.
"Respectfully send off Duke Jin!"
All the officials bowed to Fan Li's departing figure in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Xiang Chong slumped back in his dragon throne, dejected. It took him a while to muster the energy to speak. "Court dismissed..."
…
Inside the Dragon God Palace, Tuan Tuan growled angrily. Its toy had been taken away again.
Fan Li studied the luminous pearl for a long time, finally concluding that this divine artifact hadn’t fully matured yet.
“Stop whining. Here you go,” he said, returning the pearl. Tuan Tuan immediately snatched it with its tiny paws.
"Could it be that the speed at which the divine beast breeds the Investiture of the Gods is related to the Emperor's cultivation level?"
Thinking about Emperor Jiajing's cultivation, then reflecting on his own, Fan Li couldn’t help but blame himself. "It's all my fault for being so weak!"
"Master, she's here," Wu Gang announced, leading a visitor into the hall.
It was Lu Fubao.
Although she had been informed beforehand, seeing five identical Fan Lis still shocked her.
"He said he had four clones. He wasn't lying..."
Amidst her astonishment, Lu Fubao felt a surge of warmth and contentment. When a man was willing to share his greatest secret with a woman, what did it mean?
"Fubao."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to accompany one of my clones to the Great Jin kingdom? I mean, permanently relinquish your status as Imperial Noble Consort and become a citizen of the Great Jin."
Fan Li had been pondering this for a long time. He knew what Lu Fubao's willingness to stay by his side meant.
But during their time at the Fan residence, watching Lu Fubao serve him tea, diligently acting the part of a virtuous consort, had filled him with a sense of guilt.
Outside Mount Yunmeng, she had deployed the Eight Hells of Heat formation, nearly wiping out Crown Prince Wanli’s entire army. It had been a stunning display of talent.
Yet, after returning to Peng City, her abilities had been wasted on menial tasks.
‘Perhaps the Brahma Sound Pure Land’s philosophy isn’t entirely wrong. How many talented women in the world are forced to suppress their abilities, unable to showcase their talents or prove their worth? Keeping Lu Fubao in Peng City would only ruin her life.’
Lu Fubao stared at him, stunned. His proposal sent her heart racing.
"Fan Li… What would I do in the Great Jin?"
Her voice trembled with a mix of excitement, nervousness, and joy. Imperial Noble Consort? She had long since made it clear that she didn’t care for the title.
Peng City, the imperial palace of the Great Chu, held no allure for her.
"Whatever you want," Fan Li replied with a gentle smile. "You can continue studying formations, or perhaps explore mechanical arts."
He added thoughtfully, "The Guiguzi lineage possesses an extensive library. I can speak to Wang Ban and arrange for you to borrow whatever you need. You’re one of the most knowledgeable women I know.”
Lu Fubao trembled with excitement, barely able to contain herself. She was about to agree immediately.
Forcing herself to remain calm, she asked one final question: "What would my status be in the Great Jin?"
