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World's First Traitor System (122)
🕑 Added 2024-03-18 18:52:46 +0000 UTCChapter 122 - The True Imperial Son, Unmatched at the Same Realm
"Stop, stop, stop! Marquis Wen, cease your words, or else my three thousand guards will turn against you!" Fan Li was startled and quickly interrupted Lü Bu's 'spell-casting'.
Good heavens!
Could "A Life Adrift" really be Lü Bu's ultimate technique?
Should he, a perfectly fine young man like myself who hasn't even found a wife, accept such a nine-foot tall son who likes stabbing people in the back?
Lü Bu knelt on the ground, equally bewildered. He had come to sincerely pledge allegiance, yet Fan Li actually dared to refuse him?
A perfect Unity realm cultivator of the highest order - wherever he went, wouldn't he be warmly welcomed?
With his rich experience of changing allegiances, Lü Bu couldn't understand for a moment whether there was something wrong with himself or with Fan Li.
"Ahem, Marquis Wen, please rise," said Fan Li, extending his hand in a gesturing motion but not daring to approach Lü Bu.
"Lord Jin, I sincerely come to surrender!" Though his words conveyed loyalty, Lü Bu nimbly stood up, disliking the act of kneeling before others.
The current situation was indeed unfavorable for Lü Bu. By rebelling with Dong Zhuo, he had offended the Han Emperor. His desertion from the battlefield was equivalent to betraying Dong Zhuo.
Lü Bu was homeless and desperately lacked a sense of security, urgently needing a new worthy lord to serve. Within Chang'an City, Fan Li was currently the best choice.
No matter how fiercely the Han Emperor and Dong Zhuo battled, the nation's strength would inevitably weaken after this great war. Yet Fan Li commanded supreme authority in Chu!
The future ruler of the great Han would absolutely not wish to offend Fan Li, nor would it be easy to pursue Lü Bu for surrendering to him.
To accept or not accept, that was the question troubling Fan Li's mind. His dilemma, however, was impossible for others to comprehend.
From a talent recruitment perspective, Lü Bu's capabilities were undoubtedly exceptional.
But this man was practically a human vexation - innately domineering over his lords. Fan Li feared that if he accepted Lü Bu, he might not survive for more than a few years.
"Such a rare tiger general, yet you hesitate to take him in? What exactly are you wavering about? Do tell the Princess," said Princess Chang Le suddenly, draping her arms around Fan Li's neck in an intimate manner as she whispered in his ear.
This scene left Lü Bu dumbstruck!
Chang Le was not only the Grand Princess of Han but also the Queen of Chu, yet she behaved so intimately with Fan Li in public?
This only demonstrated that Fan Li's authority in Chu was even more terrifying than Lü Bu had imagined!
This new father... no, this potent backer - Lü Bu had made up his mind to serve him!
"You understand nothing," Fan Li pushed the overly affectionate Princess away, feeling irritated. "Never has a 'godfather' to Lü Bu met a good end! Have you not heard of the tales of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo?" After speaking in a low voice, Fan Li suddenly recalled that Dong Zhuo was not dead yet.
The Princess responded with a chuckle. "How old are you to be thinking of becoming Lü Bu's godfather? Why not simply take him under your command?"
Her words jolted Fan Li awake like from a dream!
That's right!
The biggest bug was in being Lü Bu's "godfather." If he didn't become the godfather, it seemed he could avoid the risks?
Given Lü Bu's character, as long as he was satisfied materially, he was unlikely to betray Fan Li.
The so-called "Fang Tian Halberd," "Red Hare," and "Diao Chan" were all he desired.
Except for the last item, with Fan Li's great wealth and power, supporting Lü Bu was no issue. The only downside was that Lü Bu only fought favorable battles.
"Lü Bu!" Fan Li promptly called out in a loud voice, "Do you truly pledge allegiance to me wholeheartedly?"
Lü Bu was overjoyed. He had almost thought Fan Li would not accept him, never expecting the other party to change his mind.
"I come to surrender with utmost sincerity and no second thoughts! If my lord doubts me, I am willing to swear to be your..."
Fan Li waved his hands repeatedly, "No need for such trouble with oaths and vows. I have always admired the general's talents and character. Since you come with sincere intentions, I shall accept you."
That was a close call! He had almost failed to stop Lü Bu in time.
Lü Bu grew even more delighted. In truth, with Fan Li being so young, it would have been rather awkward for Lü Bu to acknowledge him as a father figure. Having skipped that formality, Lü Bu felt immensely grateful to Fan Li.
"Lord Jin is so straightforward, not even imposing any conditions. He must truly appreciate my talents. If given the opportunity, I shall certainly perform admirably!"
In accepting Lü Bu's surrender, Fan Li appointed him as a third-rank general overseeing the Imperial Guard Corps.
Lü Bu was extremely satisfied with this arrangement. While under Dong Zhuo, despite their father-son bond, his military rank was not very high - merely a mid-ranking third-rank general.
Now, having just surrendered to Fan Li, he was bestowed the third-rank general title and could command the entire Imperial Guard Corps, clearly demonstrating Fan Li's high regard for him.
"Lord Jin truly intends to put me to good use!" Lü Bu inwardly rejoiced.
In fact, Fan Li's thinking was quite clear. Lü Bu was eager to prove himself, so he would give him the opportunity. As for the question of loyalty...
Although Lü Bu's loyalty was not high, he was pragmatic and would absolutely not betray Fan Li at this juncture. Understanding this, Fan Li dared to employ him. What truly troubled Fan Li was Dong Zhuo.
At this moment, outside the Weiyang Palace...
Fan Li could clearly see Dong Zhuo, including the wrinkles on his face and the whiskers fluttering in the wind.
With Fan Li's cultivation vision, he originally could not make out such details. However, Dong Zhuo had transformed into a giant!
His height reached thirty to forty zhang, making the originally tall outer walls of the Weiyang Palace seem like a low doorstep that he could easily stride over.
"What's going on?" Fan Li asked Princess Chang Le in a low voice. "Has Dong Zhuo grown even stronger? What level of the Great Vehicle realm is he at now?"
The Princess's tone also became unusually serious. "The fifth... sixth level... he's approaching the seventh level."
"What?!" Fan Li was greatly alarmed.
Was the Devouring Demon Technique this terrifying?
After a bout of frenzied devouring, Dong Zhuo's cultivation had skyrocketed to such a realm?
"Didn't you say the demonic art had flaws? At this rate, if Dong Zhuo devours your father as well, wouldn't he become invincible in the world?"
Princess Chang Le shook her head without a word.
The demonic art must have flaws. But the reality before their eyes showed that Dong Zhuo was indeed becoming invincible...
***
"Interesting. Advisor Lan, you have allowed me to witness a fine spectacle."
In the Taihe Hall of the Grand Ming Palace, National Preceptor Lan Daoxing performed the secret art "Invoking the Divine to Manifest Visions," greatly depleting his spiritual power but enabling the scenes of Chang'an City to be displayed for the Jiajing Emperor's viewing pleasure.
"The Devouring Demon Technique?"
"Have any of Our erudite advisors heard of such an eccentric cultivation method in this world?"
Below the imperial dais stood the high officials of the Ming Dynasty's imperial court. At the forefront was Yan Song. And at the very back was unexpectedly Zhang Juzheng.
"Perhaps this subject's knowledge is too limited to have heard of the 'Devouring Demon Technique'," Yan Song knelt and reported.
With the chief minister kneeling, Xu Jie and the other officials behind could only follow suit and kneel as well.
"If Your Majesty is interested in the Devouring Demon Technique, you could issue an edict to the secret guards infiltrating Chang'an to acquire the secret manual by any means necessary," Yan Song suggested further.
Upon hearing this, the Jiajing Emperor burst into laughter. "We are the true imperial son and supreme sovereign! How could We, the most esteemed and noble, practice some demonic outer path technique?"
However, Chief Minister Yan Song countered, "Dong Zhuo devoured the entire Xiliang army through the demonic technique, causing his cultivation to soar rapidly. He seems to have the potential to become unmatched under heaven..."
Flattery is an art form with substantial technical nuances. Although Yan Song appeared to be contradicting the Jiajing Emperor, he had already discerned the emperor's disdain for the battle prowess displayed by the demonic technique.
Therefore, the more he hyped up Dong Zhuo and the demonic technique, the more room he provided for the Jiajing Emperor to flaunt his superiority.
As expected, the Jiajing Emperor scoffed dismissively before confidently declaring, "Yan, do you believe it or not? If Dong Zhuo were to stand before me right now, with a single move, I could strike him dead on the spot."
"The maxim 'The true imperial son is unmatched at the same realm' is no mere empty phrase."
