Chapter 354: Legendary

“Fellow Daoist Qin has become a high-ranking disciple of Shaohua Mountain, and with such high cultivation, his future was not delayed by my momentary oversight. I can finally find some comfort in my heart…”

Patriarch Han’s face showed a look of shame, as if remembering something, he asked again, “After my injuries healed and I emerged from seclusion, I was worried about Fellow Daoist Qin. I sent people near the Youshan Mountains, but they couldn’t find you. I haven’t received any news of you all these years. Have you been in arduous seclusion and cultivation at Shaohua Mountain?”

Qin Sang said, “After joining Shaohua Mountain and breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I went to temper myself in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. This time, I’m returning from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, and passing through Youshan Market, being able to reunite with Fellow Daoist Han is an unexpected pleasure. To my knowledge, the Youshan Mountain Range is an ungoverned area. Fellow Daoist Han, bringing your clan’s experts here, does this mean the Pure Yang Sect intends to expand its influence in this region?”

“Not exactly.”

Patriarch Han shook his head and said, “Since Fellow Daoist Qin is a high-ranking disciple of Shaohua Mountain, you must know that the borders of the Little Cold Domain are not peaceful now. The Heavenly Travel Alliance is stirring, and all major sects are sharpening their weapons and preparing for battle. At such a critical juncture, many rogue cultivators from demonic sects frequently cross the border, attempting to fish in troubled waters. Our sect also ordered us disciples to clear out the demonic traces for the stability of the rear, as a warning. The Han family, along with several other families, happened to be assigned to the vicinity of the Youshan Mountain Range…”

Only then did Qin Sang realize that not only was Patriarch Han the head of the Han family, but after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he was also accepted as a direct disciple by a Golden Core True Person of the Pure Yang Sect, holding a very high status within the sect.

“Is the Heavenly Travel Alliance truly going to launch a major offensive? How serious is the current situation?” Qin Sang’s heart sank, and he quickly pressed for answers.

Once the war begins, the Cloudswirl Great Lake will undoubtedly become the battlefield, and Shaohua Mountain will bear the brunt!

Patriarch Han said, “Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist Qin. It is said that the atmosphere in the Cloudswirl Great Lake is indeed a bit tense, but there are no signs of a major war starting yet. At least, we won’t know for sure until the spiritual tide truly arrives. Furthermore, the number of Nascent Soul stage experts in the Little Cold Domain today is the highest it has been in thousands of years, truly a flourishing period. Before the Heavenly Travel Alliance makes a move, they will have to weigh their own capabilities!”

Qin Sang nodded.

Patriarch Han was right; the Little Cold Domain’s current strength was indeed formidable.

However, there were also rumors that not every Nascent Soul expert possessed the full combat power of the Nascent Soul stage, and any secrets regarding this were beyond their ability to discover.

As they spoke, Qin Sang noticed that the flying boat was not heading in the direction of Great Sui. He asked curiously, “Is Han Family Stronghold not near Great Sui?”

Previously, Qin Sang only knew that there was a Han family under the Pure Yang Sect, but the topographical map did not indicate the exact location of Han Family Stronghold.

Patriarch Han smiled and said, “It used to be some distance from Great Sui, but now it’s within Great Sui’s territory.”

“Oh? Has something changed over the years?”

Qin Sang felt surprised; he vaguely guessed something.

Patriarch Han hummed in assent and patiently began to explain to Qin Sang.

“Because our ancestor rendered great service, after he established the Han family, our sect allocated the regions where several mortal nations, including the current Great Sui, are located to the Han family.

“Originally, our ancestor believed mortals were ignorant, so he sent family disciples to establish nations and manage them.

“However, unexpectedly, these disciples not only lacked the ability to govern, but also acted recklessly, relying on their identity as immortal cultivators. They indulged only in pleasure, completely losing their Dao hearts, turning the mortal world into chaos and disarray, and causing widespread resentment among the common people.

“Our ancestor, reflecting deeply on the pain caused, decided to let mortals govern the world!

“All family disciples were to return to Han Family Stronghold for cultivation, and all rogue cultivators within the territory were to be disciplined one by one. They were not allowed to openly display their powers before mortals, nor were they permitted to interfere with the workings of the mortal world.

“Of course, the methods of immortal cultivators are unpredictable, and some things are still hard to stop completely, but after the rules were established, interference significantly decreased.

“Since then, the mortal world was allowed to develop freely, with talented and virtuous individuals taking charge. Though it experienced divisions and reunifications, and frequent wars, it unexpectedly flourished even more.

“Our Han family only needs to collect offerings from the emperors, bestow a few medicinal pills without affecting the mortal world’s operations, and intervene to manage epidemics and natural disasters when they exceed mortal capabilities, which saves us worry and effort.

“Other families, seeing how effective this was, followed suit. Nowadays, most of the mortal realms controlled by our sect operate in this manner…”

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang couldn’t help but feel a shiver of fear. Fortunately, back then, he had acted discreetly, only serving as a secret agent, and never recklessly used Yama in battle. Especially when attacking the imperial capital later, he remained hidden throughout.

Unaware of Qin Sang’s thoughts, Patriarch Han continued, “Our ancestor’s move was truly brilliant. Over the years, exceptional talents have emerged in the mortal world; the abilities of some have even made us immortal cultivators marvel.

“However, few can compare to that Empress of Great Sui!

“General Qin once served as a general under the Empress; you must know something about her, right?

“During her lifetime, as a woman, the Empress made a shocking move, launching a military remonstrance.

“Her father had only been on the throne for a few days when he was deposed by the Empress, who then honored him as the Retired Emperor. At that time, the Han family also debated this unconventional act, but later decided not to intervene and acknowledged the Empress’s position.

“Unexpectedly, after ascending the throne, the Empress displayed extraordinary talent. Internally, she selected the wise and capable and built up national strength; externally, she engaged in alliances and diplomacy. When the time was ripe, she launched wars with lightning speed.

“Amazingly, with the strength of Great Sui alone, she achieved continuous victories, conquering several nations in just one year.

“Today, the territory of Great Sui is no smaller than that of Heng Kingdom, and under the Empress’s rule, it is becoming increasingly prosperous.

“The Empress proved herself no less capable than any man, excelling in both civil and military affairs, truly an enlightened ruler of her generation!

“Fellow Daoist Qin… Fellow Daoist Qin…”

Patriarch Han was full of praise for the Empress, but noticed Qin Sang seemed absent-minded. “Fellow Daoist Qin, what are you thinking about?”

“Ah? Nothing! Nothing!”

Qin Sang suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly shook his head to cover it up, then lightly coughed and couldn’t help but ask, “The Empress truly was an extraordinary person! But Fellow Daoist Han mentioned ‘during her lifetime’ — has she perhaps passed away?”

Patriarch Han nodded.

“After all, the Empress was a mortal. Moreover, with the strength of Great Sui, to expand its territory and establish such an enduring legacy, every step was like treading on thin ice, always on the verge of utter ruin…

“The Empress was like a dancer on a tightrope, toiling day and night, utterly exhausted. Although the Han family bestowed some medicinal pills for recuperation, it was beyond their power to save her.

“However, her magnificent and turbulent life was something even we immortal cultivators marvelled at, truly making her life well-spent.

“Compared to her, many immortal cultivators are merely decaying wood, living a few extra years!”

As Qin Sang listened to Patriarch Han, his mind wandered far away.

Princess Dongyang, Elder Princess, Empress…

One could say Qin Sang had watched her rise step by step.

Qin Sang had long known of her ambition. On the night before he left all those years ago, he also knew she was prepared to stake everything, willingly acting as bait to lure the Crown Prince into the open, helping her one last time.

He hadn’t expected that her conviction had never faltered.

She had truly become a legend.