Free Web NovelChapter 728: Chapter 286: Breaking the Cocoon, Becoming a Butterfly—Soaring Across the Vast Sea
Li Qian’s slender eyebrows trembled slightly, and her clear eyes stared directly at Fan Wubing,
"The Celestial Slayer who defies the Heavenly Dao, could you really have a heart of righteousness?"
"I dare not. I’m merely stating what I have seen and heard." Fan Wubing, dressed in sky-blue attire, stood proudly in the center of the hall, like an unshakable pillar.
Li Qian’s right index finger brushed across her lower lip, and her stern gaze took on a somewhat aggressive air,
"Those swordsmen who resisted the celestial beings to their last breath at the Sun-shooting Pass, were all people of great integrity. They cherished the universality of the Ascension Era and were full of hope for future generations. They firmly believed that even in death, they must die for a cause, to benefit future generations. And within the Sun-shooting Pass, the Sword Qi embodying their obsessions and the will of the Sword Dao is benefiting the future generations."
Li Qian squinted her eyes slightly, her gaze appearing more oppressive,
"What do you think?"
Fan Wubing was unmoved. "I completely agree with your assessment of those swordsmen. Surrounding the Sun-shooting Pass, in your view, seems to be for the benefit of future generations. If so, then why charge such exorbitant fees for passage? Do you know how many aspiring swordsmen have been barred by these fees? Or is it that the Phoenix Dynasty, Pei Palace, and the Heart Sword Sect believe that the poor are unworthy of enjoying the blessings of their predecessors?"
Li Qian’s expression became more enriched, and she looked at Fan Wubing with great interest,
"The high fees, you can petition for the people of the world to let us lower the fees. Isn’t that a better approach? Why break through the barrier wall?"
Fu Manman and Luo Qingyao exchanged a glance.
They realized that Fan Wubing was debating with Li Qian, trying to justify their actions. His words were full of sarcasm towards the so-called "righteous path."
Fan Wubing asked with a smile, "You are an emperor. You must understand the importance of identity. If it were Mr. He Youyi, or you, Li Qian, Phoenix Empress, it would be all too easy to petition. But who am I? The Celestial Slayer who defies the Heavenly Dao. Who would listen to me?"
"So, you chose to personally break that wall."
"To me, it was no longer an ordinary wall, but a huge chasm between people. If those swordsmen who sacrificed themselves at the Sun-shooting Pass knew that impoverished swordsmen couldn’t even have the right to admire them, do you think they would take it upon themselves to break that wall, preferring their Sword Qi to return to the world?"
Li Qian’s eyes revealed a subtle, intriguing curve, but her tone remained as majestic as ever,
"Anyone else could say these words, but not you. You defy the Heavenly Dao, and fundamentally stand in opposition to the world."
Fan Wubing said,
"A senior once asked me, what is the Heavenly Dao. I answered, the collective will of all beings is the Heavenly Dao. The senior angrily scolded me as nonsense. Where do you think this senior thought I was wrong?"
Li Qian propped her face and said, "I have no interest in guessing riddles."
Fan Wubing looked up, "I didn’t understand it at the time, but thinking about it now. The senior probably wanted to say that today’s Heavenly Dao can no longer represent the will of all beings."
"That’s something a Celestial Slayer would say."
"Then do you think the senior I mentioned is also someone who defies the Heavenly Dao?"
"If he truly thinks that way, then he is indeed someone who defies the Heavenly Dao."
Fan Wubing’s smile became fuller. He raised his hands and clapped heavily.
"If that’s the case, let’s invite that senior out. Let him speak for himself."
A surge of energy burst forth, instantly dissipating all restraints outside the hall.
Li Qian was not surprised by this. She knew that with Fan Wubing’s abilities, if he wanted to leave, the Phoenix Dynasty couldn’t hold him back. But she was very curious about who this senior he mentioned really was.
The doors of the hall suddenly swung open.
Outside came the shout of the Grand General, Tu Yiqian,
"Your Majesty, a malicious intruder has entered the Imperial Palace, be careful!"
"Nonsense, you’re the intruder, your whole family are intruders, what’s wrong with me returning home!"
An old man, reeking of alcohol and appearing slovenly with tousled hair, barged in casually.
The square outside was already filled with Imperial Guard soldiers in armor, with Tu Yiqian at the front. But they seemed to be immobilized, frozen in mid-air, unable to move.
Li Qian looked at the unkempt old man and was momentarily confused. After a while, she recognized something from those familiar eyes, causing her shoulders to tremble.
The usually domineering Empress suddenly became extremely flustered. If there weren’t so many eyes on her, she might have immediately looked for a place to hide. She forced down her extreme nervousness, pressed her hands on her clothes to keep herself steady on the chair, and squeezed out a question through her throat,
"Who are you?"
The slovenly old man’s voice was majestic,
"I am Li Yuan!"
Li Qian’s lips instantly lost their color, and her tense body suddenly lost its strength. Her imperial majesty disappeared completely.
Li Yuan’s gaze softened, "I’ve come back to see you."
Li Qian lowered her head, pursing her lips without speaking. After a while, she raised her head and looked at him seriously,
"Do you think this is right?"
Li Yuan laughed heartily, "I might be the only swordsman who survived the battle at Sun-shooting Pass." His gaze grew distant, "Those old friends probably didn’t want to be trapped there for their entire lives. It’s a sorrowful place; how can it compare to the vast, magnificent world?"
Li Qian looked at Fan Wubing, without a trace of resentment in her eyes; instead, there was a sense of relief,
