RWNEFE -Chapter 674 There Is an Immortal Island Overseas!

“I once sent people to incite Prince Li,” Xu Qingshan said. His tone carried the confidence of someone who could turn the clouds with a flip of his hand. Compared with the respectful man who had knelt outside before the Son of Heaven, he seemed like a completely different person.

“At that time, I was young and hot-blooded. My plans were not so far-reaching, which is why Zhou Chengqian managed to seize the advantage.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Unfortunately, Zhou Chengqian was not a wise ruler either, so you found another opportunity.”

Xu Qingshan replied, “The guiding maxim of our Ghost Valley has always been this: enter the world in times of chaos, and assist only a wise ruler.”

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “So you had to find ways to plunge the world into chaos.”

Xu Qingshan answered, “This is the court. Using some subtle and cunning methods is only normal.”

Shen Lanxi said, “There are two sayings I particularly like. One is: ‘Better that dust gathers on the medicine rack than that there be sick people in the world.’

“And the other: ‘Better that a general’s blade rust than that there be war under heaven.’”

For the first time, cracks appeared in Xu Qingshan’s composed expression.

“At that time, I did not yet understand such principles,” he said slowly. “But the facts have proven that I was right. Without the schemes I laid back then, there would be no situation like today. Compared with the present, even if a foolish ruler had lingered on for three more generations, it would not equal half of what has been achieved now.”

Shen Lanxi could only give a bitter smile.

Everyone had their own standpoint. But when they acted from those positions, had they ever thought about the countless small, insignificant people swept up in the great waves they stirred?

In the face of grand currents, were the lives of ordinary people not lives as well?

Could they simply be sacrificed at will?

Seeing the faint bitterness in the empress’s smile, Xu Qingshan let out a long sigh.

When he came, his heart had been full of joy at seeing his disciple again. He had never expected their meeting to end like this.

When he knelt earlier, he had already sensed it.

The bond of master and disciple had ended at that moment.

“Does Your Majesty have anything else to ask?” he said. He admitted that he had once plotted around his disciple, but he had never intended to harm her.

Shen Lanxi asked coldly, “What is the relationship between the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect and Medicine King Valley?”

Xu Qingshan was stunned for a moment, then nodded in understanding. “You truly should ask that.”

“In the earliest days, both the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect and Medicine King Valley separated from Ghost Valley. You may not know that Medicine King Valley has ties to us—now I tell you that the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect does as well.”

At once, she understood everything.

No wonder the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect and Medicine King Valley had appeared and disappeared so seamlessly during those events.

Apart from Ghost Valley, probably no one else in the world could have achieved such concealment.

“One last question,” Shen Lanxi said quietly. “I hope Master will not conceal the truth from me.”

“Ask.”

“When I married Zhou Ruyuan… did Ghost Valley know about it?”

Xu Qingshan suddenly fell silent.

That silence itself was the answer.

“I understand,” she said, rising to her feet.

“I once regarded Ghost Valley as the support behind me, the confidence that allowed me to realize my ambitions. I never imagined that in the end, it would be Ghost Valley that stabbed me in the back.”

Panic finally appeared on Xu Qingshan’s face.

“No—that choice was the best one for you at the time. I wanted to preserve you.”

A bitter smile surfaced on Shen Lanxi’s face.

Preserve her?

Did the chain of events that led to her being poisoned also count as preservation?

“Even if Master wished to protect me, when comparing me with Zhou Ruyuan back then… you still chose Zhou Ruyuan.”

She was merely a female disciple—how could she compare with the wise ruler her master had chosen?

As he watched her walk out the door, Xu Qingshan opened his mouth several times, wanting to explain, but in the end he gave up in dejection.

No explanation would help.

This disciple of his was not a foolish sovereign.

“There is an immortal island overseas,” he suddenly said. “It is said that immortals dwell upon it. I will take people by ship to seek medicine for you there.”

Shen Lanxi spoke without turning back, then strode out of the courtyard.

Outside, the members of Ghost Valley looked at the direction she had gone, then at the room behind them.

Why had she come out so quickly?

“You two, go and follow His Majesty. We’ll go in and see Master.”

Yinzi and Feng Wu were sent to follow Shen Lanxi, while the rest hurried into the courtyard.

…

Three days later, an imperial decree was transported by water from the south all the way to the capital.

“His Majesty, while passing through Ghost Valley, met with its successors and conversed with them most pleasantly. The successors of Ghost Valley have volunteered to sail westward across the seas, on behalf of His Majesty, to visit the lands beyond the western borders.”

Before the people of the capital had even digested this news, another decree arrived.

“The successors of Ghost Valley are willing to divide half their forces to sail eastward across the oceans. As manpower is insufficient, volunteers are now being recruited from throughout Aolai to join the eastern and western expeditions. The primary purpose is maritime trade with overseas lands, and secondarily the establishment of diplomatic relations. The significance is extraordinary—those who wish to enlist should do so at once!”

As soon as the announcement was released, a wave of applications surged.

The capital, which had grown somewhat quiet because of the Emperor’s southern tour, suddenly became lively again, like oil thrown onto blazing fire.

At last, the official ships reached the end of the riverway—Hangzhou in Jiangnan.

“Your servant Liu Baodai greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”

Besides Liu Baodai, Shen Lanxi saw another person who should have been stationed in the northwest.

“Yan Qiulian!”

“This common woman, Yan Qiulian, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”

Only then did Shen Lanxi recall a memorial she had approved half a year earlier.

Yan Qiulian had yielded her garrison post to her younger brother Yan Qiuling and requested permission to go into commerce.

“You came here with a merchant caravan?” Shen Lanxi asked.

Yan Qiulian’s eyes lit up, and she smiled. “I never expected that amidst all Your Majesty’s affairs, you would still remember the memorial I submitted.”

Shen Lanxi glanced between her and Liu Baodai.

“You two know each other?”

Liu Baodai replied, “Yes. I met General Yan when we were in the army. At that time, seeing that I conducted trade as a woman, she asked me many questions about commerce.”

Seeing that Yan Qiulian was no longer trapped by the past, Shen Lanxi felt glad for her.

“For women, establishing oneself in this world is already difficult. For you to take this step so bravely is no small thing.”

This time, Yan Qiulian had appeared for another matter.

“Your Majesty, I wish to request permission to sail west across the seas.”

Shen Lanxi looked surprised. “Do you know how dangerous sea voyages can be?”

Yan Qiulian replied, “I have previously traveled by water, transporting silk from Jiangnan to the northwest for trade. I do not dare claim great expertise, but I am not afraid of sailing.”

“Sea voyages are not the same as rivers and lakes,” Shen Lanxi said.

A resolute light shone in Yan Qiulian’s eyes. “My younger brother is already married, and I have a nephew and a niece. I no longer have any worries behind me.”

“In those years, I was saved by Your Majesty. Since then, I have wanted to become someone as courageous as you.”

“Your Majesty is the first of your kind in all history. I do not hope to surpass you. But I wish to prove that what men can do, women can also do—and what men cannot do, women can do as well.”

Shen Lanxi looked at her deeply.

To climb out of the mire without falling into self-pity, to persevere and find a path of one’s own—this was exceedingly rare for women of this era.

“Very well,” Shen Lanxi said at last. “I grant you permission.”