Chapter Sixty: Fang Qingyan (Part One)

Chang'an City.

Inside the grand imperial palace of the Great Yuan Dynasty, Yang Lan knelt dejectedly, bowing his head to the man in dragon robes seated above. "Your Majesty, I am incompetent. Please, grant me death!"

Emperor Yuanwu, Li Hui, sighed. A faint, dark aura suffused his face, which looked aged beyond his forty years, and his eyes were dull and listless. "My loyal subject, there is no need for this. I am already fully aware of the circumstances. With Yang Nan in Kunlun, it was no easy task for you to do what you did. Do not reproach yourself."

Yang Lan replied with shame, "I have failed your Majesty's immense grace. I have no way to repay you; I deserve to die!"

Li Hui shook his head with a miserable expression. Suddenly, he swayed as if about to collapse. Yang Lan was startled and rushed forward to support him. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty!"

A eunuch nearby quickly presented an elixir. After taking the medicine and resting on the dragon throne for a moment, Li Hui said slowly, "My friend, you and I have known each other since youth. You know I am no foolish monarch, and you are no sycophant. Why then is the world in such chaos? The empire passed down by my father is crumbling. If I were to meet him in the underworld one day, how could I ever face him?"

Yang Lan spoke with solemn resolve, "Your Majesty, do not worry. This is merely the result of rebellious vassal kings causing turmoil. I shall personally lead the iron cavalry to crush these traitors. One day, we will surely see a golden age for the Great Yuan!"

Li Hui shook his head, the dark veins on his pale face growing more pronounced. "My friend, my time is short. The old Duke served three generations of emperors and forged the Great Yuan's hegemony. You must follow in your father's footsteps, so that our lifelong friendship may not be in vain."

A flash of pain crossed Yang Lan's eyes. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty will live for ten thousand years; do not worry. The Department of Immortals has countless prodigies who will surely refine an elixir of immortality for you. We will sweep away the evil spirits and restore peace to the Great Yuan!"

Li Hui curled his lips into a faint smile. "Yang, there is no need to comfort me. How could I not know the length of my own life? I only hope that after I am gone, you will assist the Crown Prince and unify the realm. All matters, internal and external, will rely on you!"

Yang Lan knelt and vowed, "I accept your Majesty's heavy trust. As long as I have a breath left, I will not fail your expectations! Please, Your Majesty, do not give up. The Crown Prince is still young; I implore you to take care of yourself."

Emperor Yuanwu's eyes grew dim. He murmured, "It is a pity... I have only this one son... and yet he..."

Yang Lan struck his head heavily against the ground. "Your Majesty, do not fret. The Crown Prince is your only bloodline. Neither the Confucian sect nor the rebellious vassals can take the Great Yuan's empire away! Please, preserve your health for the long term!"

Li Hui waved a hand wearily. "You are tired, Yang. Return to your manor for now. We shall discuss this another day."

Yang Lan knelt and withdrew. Upon returning to the Duke's mansion, Yang Cheng greeted him with a joyful expression. "Twelfth brother, the Prince of Anping has sent word. All matters in the court will depend on you."

A cold glint appeared in Yang Lan’s eyes. He said coldly, "Tell your master to behave! If he helps me achieve my great undertaking, I will help him unify the four continents. The Emperor still has ten years of life, and the hopes of the world rest upon him. We must not be impatient!"

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Yang Cheng’s eyes, but he bowed his head. "Twelfth brother is absolutely right. We shall plan carefully and consider our future moves."

Yang Lan huffed in anger and strode away. As Yang Cheng watched his back, the murderous intent in his eyes could no longer be hidden.

Back at his spirit beast abode, Yang Nan had finished his period of focused cultivation. After putting away his divine talisman cave-dwelling, he brought Yong'er to the back garden. The flowers were in full bloom, and the fragrance was intoxicating. It was rare for Yang Nan to come out and enjoy such beauty, and he felt a sense of ease and relaxation.

Hiding in the cave-dwelling was like working in isolation; coming out for a walk brought a change of heart.

Amidst the flowers, a white-furred monkey the size of a fist suddenly emerged, jumping with joy upon seeing Yang Nan. When Yong'er saw how cute the little monkey was, she picked it up with a laugh. The monkey was not shy and acted affectionately in her hands. Yang Nan laughed, "You little rascal, you’ve been missing for days, and now you’ve run into the back garden. Are you here to steal spirit herbs?" Having been called a "little monkey" by the sect leader Xuan Xu, Yang Nan felt this name suited the spirit monkey perfectly.

Hearing his master’s teasing, the monkey began to jump up and down anxiously, waving its little hands. Its large eyes were filled with grievance. Yang Nan had raised it for a long time and understood its gestures. Seeing it so aggrieved, he reached out and took the monkey from Yong'er, saying softly, "Fine, fine. If you aren't here to steal, then you must be here to see your friends?"

The spirit monkey nodded vigorously. It jumped from Yang Nan’s palm, turned, and dove into the flowers, beckoning him to follow. A sense of childlike wonder stirred in Yang Nan, and he followed the monkey into the sea of flowers. The back garden was vast, featuring not only countless brilliant, colorful blossoms but also designated herb gardens where spirit plants were cultivated. After walking for a while, the view suddenly opened up as he reached the central herb garden.

In the garden, slender flower fairies flew between the spirit herbs, busy watering them, while earth-dragon spirit beasts loosened the soil underground. Several types of spirit beasts and dozens of minor demons were bustling about, and groups of beautiful maidens worked among the plants, their lighthearted singing drifting through the air.

Yang Nan looked up and saw Dieyi chatting and laughing with another woman. Dieyi, with her delicate, multicolored wings, was innocent and pure, dancing lightly among the flowers with exquisite beauty. The woman beside her was equally radiant and graceful, and their clear, melodic laughter showed they were in high spirits.

The spirit monkey leaped forward and landed on the woman of peerless charm. She gave a little cry and whispered, "Spirit, where have you been playing again? If Master finds out, you’ll be in trouble..."

Dieyi, fluttering among the flowers, giggled, "Sister Huayan, are you perhaps thinking of Master?"

The woman blushed in embarrassment and annoyance, raising her slender hand to catch the dancing Dieyi. "Oh, is that so? You’re teasing me now..."

Dieyi flew several yards higher and laughed, "Who doesn't know? You are so beautiful and charming that the other day, Master clearly glanced at you several times—even I can't compare to you..."

Huayan grew even more bashful and angry, abandoning her chores to chase Dieyi through the flowers. As the two played, they suddenly saw Yang Nan standing tall and upright under a flowering tree, watching them with a warm smile. Both women’s faces flushed crimson.

Dieyi flew over and said coquettishly, "Young Master, why aren't you training today?"

Yang Nan nodded. "I’m going to the City of Immortals to retrieve my Yin-Erosion Dharma weapons. I saw the spirit monkey playing here, so I came to take a look."

Dieyi giggled, "Young Master, did you hear everything just now?"

Yang Nan laughed in spite of himself. "You little girl, you’re becoming more mischievous as you hang around Baiyi. A woman should be gentle; what is all this playfulness about?"

Seeing his intimate tone, Dieyi reached out to straighten the messy folds of his robes. "It is only because of such a beautiful spring day that I dared to be so bold. Usually, you are absorbed in your training, and I wouldn't dare to say a word."

Seeing Dieyi’s gentleness, Yang Nan felt a pang of regret. Ever since they made their "three-lives" vow, he had rarely flirted with her or the other two maidens, focusing entirely on his cultivation. He realized he had been too cold toward them. "If you enjoy it, play with your sisters more. Your lifespan is different from mine, and while you must work hard at your cultivation, there is no need to rush."

Seeing her master’s thoughtfulness, Dieyi nodded sweetly. Huayan then approached, trembling slightly as she curtsied. "This servant greets Young Master!"

Although she was uninhibited in her banter with Dieyi, she was always nervous in front of her master. Seeing her shy and hesitant appearance, Yang Nan nodded lightly. "Rise. The herb garden is well-maintained thanks to you. If you continue to care for it well, you need not worry about your cultivation methods; I will make arrangements for you." Although this Begonia-flower maiden was peerless in beauty, how could Yang Nan allow himself to be distracted by female charms?

He only wanted to provide a future for her since she was in his manor. Had it not been for the deep bond and loyalty of the Lotus and Butterfly maidens who had followed him for thousands of miles, Yang Nan would never have taken concubines.

Seeing Yang Nan’s calm expression, Huayan knew her master was a man of decisive action and stern authority; this moment of kindness was rare. She hurriedly thanked him, "This servant will certainly tend to the garden with care. Thank you, Master, for your grace!"

Dieyi noticed her master’s indifferent demeanor, realizing he held no romantic feelings for Huayan, and sighed inwardly. Her master was perfect in every way, except that he was solely focused on the Dao and viewed all beauties as mere trifles. It was a waste of his handsome looks. The gardens of the Jade Clarity Palace were filled with flowers, any one of whom would be considered a supreme beauty in the outside world, yet Yang Nan never gave them a second look.

However, perhaps that was for the best—it saved many women in the world from having their hearts broken.

Yang Nan strolled through the flowers with Dieyi and Huayan. Before long, Yuniang arrived with Yang Da and Yang Er, looking anxious. Seeing Yuniang’s urgency, Yang Nan asked, "Yuniang, what is the matter?"

Yang Da and Yang Er immediately knelt. "Young Master, please, you must go and bring the Young Mistress back!"

*Fang Qingyan? Where is she?*

Yang Nan was stunned. Over the past few months, Old Crab had scoured thousands of miles, searching for countless demons and monsters, and had rescued hundreds of mortal women, but there had been no sign of the "Young Mistress." Now that his servants were so urgent, could they have found Fang Qingyan?

Seeing Yang Nan’s daze, Yuniang said gently, "Young Master, I questioned the minor demons in Tiger Valley. The one who abducted the girl at the East Sea port was indeed a tiger demon. It must be her."

Yang Nan frowned. "But haven't Yang Da and the others already checked all the women in the tiger demon's valley? Could it be..." Yang Nan suddenly realized someone was indeed missing!

That woman with the extraordinary air, as bright as the moon!

Yang Nan turned abruptly. "Are you saying... it is her???"

Yuniang nodded firmly. "I described the woman's appearance, temperament, and conduct to Yang Da. It must be her. Since she entered Kunlun, she must be within the Kunlun mountains. Young Master, you must go and bring her back."

Yang Nan was astonished. His fiancée had actually brushed past him? The memory of that woman, determined to go to Kunlun, etched into his mind... So, she wasn't going to Kunlun to seek the Dao, but to find her husband!

What a resolute spirit! She actually dared to go to the Kunlun Immortal Mountains! Yang Nan felt a secret sense of wonder, followed by a headache!

Several months had passed; how could he be sure Fang Qingyan was still at the Kunlun Sect? Regardless, he had to go and search for her!