Chapter 15: Changle Arrives at Lengshan |
Within the Fangcun space.
Li Shun’s consciousness had now reached the very edge of the space, at the boundary shrouded in that mysterious white mist.
Unlike its usual stillness, like a stagnant, bottomless pool, the mist had recently grown restless. It churned violently, as though some massive, unseen entity lurked within, constantly stirring it into turmoil.
Previously, Li Shun had attempted to force his consciousness into the mist, only to feel as if he had slammed into an invisible wall of iron. The result had been a shaken soul, dizziness, and disorientation.
But now, whether due to his spirit becoming more resilient after surviving life-and-death trials, or because the mist itself had undergone some subtle transformation…
His consciousness could actually slip into it, like threading a needle through the smallest gap.
The moment he entered, all sense of direction vanished. Up, down, left, right, none could be distinguished. As far as the eye could see, there was only endless, boundless whiteness.
Yet deep within, Li Shun felt a vague but undeniable realization arise.
His divine sense extended like a hand. The surrounding mist, though intangible, seemed… capable of being pushed?
However, despite appearing light and ethereal, the mist felt unimaginably heavy upon contact, as though it weighed a thousand jin. Just forcing open the tiniest gap took immense effort. His soul trembled violently, his vision spun, and exhaustion flooded his entire being.
And yet, what filled him with immense joy was this:
The gap he had forced open did not close again like flowing water. Instead, it remained firmly in place, as though permanently carved out.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Li Shun was invigorated. After allowing his spirit a brief moment to recover, he threw himself back into this arduous process of expansion.
Again and again, working in cycles of effort and rest. By the end of the day, he felt as though his entire essence, energy, and spirit had been completely drained.
Yet as he gazed upon the newly opened sliver of territory within Fangcun, a deep and indescribable satisfaction welled up in his heart.
“At this rate, if I push myself, I should be able to open up a new region in just over ten days.”
“When that happens, this Fangcun space will be able to house another puppet.”
At the thought of this, Li Shun couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.
With hope ignited, his motivation only grew stronger.
In the days that followed, he spent nearly every moment immersing his divine sense within the Fangcun space, tirelessly carving out new territory.
At the same time, he did not neglect observing the situation in Lengshan County.
Ever since the twentieth day of the second month, when that hurried contingent of Black-Armored troops had entered the county, everything appeared calm on the surface.
But Li Shun, having already lived through one storm of bloodshed, could keenly sense the undercurrents beneath the peace.
For instance, the number of soldiers stationed at the city gates for inspection had nearly doubled.
Along the main streets and within shadowed alleys, many more plainclothes agents and sharp-eyed constables had appeared.
Watching these unusual deployments with a cold eye, Li Shun began to sense that something was amiss.
“Could it be… that some important figure is coming to Lengshan County?”
On the twenty-third day of the second month, the County Commandant, Cheng Yishu, who had escorted Feng Guan back to his hometown, finally returned with his men.
It was said that the journey had been uneventful, and Feng Guan had been safely delivered to his homeland.
Hearing this news, Li Shun quietly let out a long breath of relief.
February 24th. Amid a spectacle that shook the entire county, Li Shun finally learned the identity of the “Important Figure” who had arrived in Lengshan County.
She was a surviving member of the royal bloodline of the former State of Xu, and now held the title of “Marquis of Changle” under the Great Qian Dynasty.
A Marquis stood at the very peak of the twenty ranks of military merit in Great Qian, a station second only beneath the throne.
Though no one could understand why such an exalted figure would deign to visit a remote frontier like Lengshan County, it did nothing to dampen the near-frenzied excitement of the populace.
Naturally, Li Shun mingled among the crowd to witness the spectacle.
On both sides of the long street, a thick, translucent earthen-yellow formation barrier rose from the ground, forcibly separating the surging masses from the broad main road.
Eight snow-white, majestic unicorn-like beasts pulled a wide carriage carved entirely from a single piece of agarwood. The carriage had no enclosing curtains on its sides as it rumbled steadily down the street.
Through layers of gently swaying gauze, one could vaguely make out a graceful figure reclining within.
As if overwhelmed by that intangible aura of nobility, the once-noisy street fell into complete silence in an instant.
Every citizen held their breath, their burning gazes fixed upon the Marquis of Changle.
Yet she seemed utterly indifferent to the attention. She casually extended a slender wrist and lifted the veil herself.
The moment the curtain rose, it was as if the colors of heaven and earth dimmed.
In their vision, nothing remained but that face, one capable of toppling all living beings.
Her skin was pale as jade, carrying a chill that repelled others from a thousand miles away, yet somehow evoking a fragile, heart-stirring vulnerability. Her long, ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, unadorned by cosmetics or jeweled ornaments.
Only a simple wooden hairpin held her hair in place. Upon closer inspection, faint ancient sword motifs could be seen carved into it.
The Marquis of Changle reclined lazily against the agarwood seat, her gaze drifting like autumn waters over the crowd. Deep within her eyes lingered an indescribable sorrow.
The carriage passed through the long street and only came to a stop before the Lengshan County Yamen.
The magistrate, Fang Xun, had long been waiting with all the county officials.
“Your subordinate greets the Marquis of Changle!”
Fang Xun bowed deeply. Yet as his gaze fell upon the luxurious carriage ahead, a trace of uncontrollable greed flickered in the depths of his lowered eyes.
Supported carefully by two maidservants, the Marquis of Changle stepped down from the carriage.
Her peerless beauty, combined with her willowy, delicate bearing, caused everyone present to freeze, their breath catching.
Fang Xun, seasoned by years in officialdom, was the first to recover. He quickly stepped aside and gestured respectfully.
“Marquis of Changle, please.”
After escorting her into the residence, a lavish banquet was prepared in her honor.
Within the grand hall, graceful dancers performed at the center. Yet despite their elegance, the attention of those present continued to drift toward the Marquis seated at the head.
“Forgive my boldness, Your subordinate dares to ask—what brings the Marquis of Changle here so suddenly?” After several rounds of wine, Fang Xun raised his cup and inquired.
“Passing through my former homeland, I heard that a descendant of the royal family of the former Xiang Kingdom was captured alive here in Lengshan. On a whim, I came to take a look.”
The Marquis of Changle lifted her eyelids slightly, her voice cool and clear like spring water.
At her words, a flush of pride immediately rose on Fang Xun’s face. Feeling greatly invigorated, he began embellishing the story, vividly recounting the events of the suppression and capturing of the enemy that day.
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