Chapter 508: Unifying the World is Within Reach

Chapter 508: Unifying the World is Just Around the Corner

"Master, back then, it was the old emperor of East Ming who joined forces with those martial artists to deal with me. Over the years, East Ming has been brewing potions with shady motives. So, Baby wants to wipe them out!" Ruo Xi Baby once again pleaded with her master.

"Master, with your help, we'll be unstoppable!" Xiaoyu Heng also chimed in.

"You are her brother, Xier's brother," Qiu Chanzi nodded. "It's been so long, I can hardly distinguish the affairs of the mortal world anymore."

Back when he picked up the little girl, she was even smaller than now, and he raised her with great care.

"Back then, the little girl was chubby and rosy-cheeked!" Qiu Chanzi said, looking at the little girl in his arms.

Life in the mountains was simple, but the master and disciple grew vegetables, raised chickens and ducks, and occasionally hunted wild game, getting by just fine.

Most of the time, the master would leave the food for the little girl, fattening her up good. When money was tight, he would go down the mountain to treat people, earning some silver to buy food and bring it back up.

"Master!" Ruo Xi Baby looked up, her big, dark eyes like grapes fixed on her master.

"Alright, alright, Master will head down the mountain with you!" Qiu Chanzi smiled. "You once said you'd take care of Master when he grew old."

"So, Baby will take care of you!" Ruo Xi Baby began counting on her fingers. "Grand Imperial Mother, Uncle, Mother, Eunuch Gao, Nurse Jin, Nanny Qin, Nanny Gui, and..."

"That's quite a lot of people to take care of!" Qiu Chanzi teased. "With me added to your list, think you can handle it?"

"Does Master eat a lot?" Ruo Xi Baby gestured with her tiny hands. "One chicken a day is fine, maybe even two, but any more would be too much!"

"Then let’s conquer East Ming, and we’ll add an extra chicken," Xiao Yin nodded.

"Little sister, when you grow up, I’ll be old too. You’ll have to take care of me then!" Xiaoyu Heng quickly added.

*Smack!*

Xiao Yin swatted his son's head.

"In the future, you’ll dote on your sister and take care of her. Who said you could mooch off your sister?" Xiao Yin scolded.

"I know, Father! I’m just worried about getting old!" Xiaoyu Heng pouted. "I’ll protect my sister well!"

Qiu Chanzi watched as everyone adored the little girl, a constant smile on his face.

They were finally heading down the mountain.

A thousand years—he hadn’t been down there in ages.

The world below had changed completely, and like the little girl, Qiu Chanzi was wide-eyed with curiosity.

Consort Xian had already arrived at the border and was going over maps at the army camp when she heard the emperor and Xier had returned. She rushed out to greet them.

"Your Majesty, Xier!" Consort Xian approached, about to embrace Xier, when she noticed a man with an immortal aura, little Xier hanging off him like a charm. She asked curiously, "Your Majesty, who is this?"

"Well... that's a story, Mother Consort. Let’s go inside the tent, and I’ll explain everything," Xiaoyu Heng said, leading his mother into the tent.

The border town was somewhat desolate.

But these days, with Xiaoyu Heng stationed there, the townsfolk had found new hope. They emerged from their homes, crowding the streets, and from afar, they could spot the finely dressed figure—the emperor himself.

"Your Majesty, we can help hunt down the East Ming spies. They’re all bad people—you can spot 'em a mile away!"

"That's right, Your Majesty! Without exception, all the spies from Dongming carry the scent of medicinal herbs!"

The townspeople crowded around Xiao Yin, eagerly voicing their observations.

"Very well, I appreciate your help. Identifying spies is commendable, but... do not wrong the innocent," Xiao Yin nodded in agreement.

"Of course! We would never falsely accuse anyone good!" the people promised sincerely.

Xiao Yin nodded before turning to continue strolling through the streets with Ruo Xi Baby and Qiu Chanzi.

"Your Majesty, this man here—he carries the scent of medicinal herbs!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! This is exactly the scent those Dongming spies carry!"

Ruo Xi Baby grimaced, shooting a helpless glance at her uncle.

Xiao Yin smiled faintly. "Dongming specializes in alchemy, so their people are soaked in lingering medicinal scents. However, this man is an herbalist of Great Wei—it’s only natural for him to carry such a scent."

"Oh, I see!"

"Therefore, when searching for spies, you must be careful not to wrong the innocent," Xiaoyu Heng added with a sigh.

"Have you heard? General Lü... seems rather close to that princess from Dongming!"

"Exactly! That Dongming princess once fancied our Emperor of Great Wei—back when he was just a neglected prince guarding the southeastern border!"

Hearing this, Consort Xian looked up at the emperor. "Your Majesty, my father remains at the front lines and has yet to return. Once he does, I shall get to the bottom of this."

"Indeed. I stand by those I choose and choose those I stand by. Regardless, Great Wei remains stable today thanks to the border garrisons’ unwavering dedication. We must not let unfounded gossip shake the people’s faith," Xiao Yin affirmed.

His words moved Consort Xian deeply, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

Qiu Chanzi chuckled and asked Ruo Xi Baby, "Kiddo, your uncle seems quite admirable. Is your mother the same? It seems Great Wei taking over the world is just a matter of time!"

"Mmm, my mother is the most beautiful!" Ruo Xi Baby declared.

"Oh? Earlier, you mentioned supporting your master, mother, uncle, and even the Empress Dowager—but not a word about your father. Where is he?" Qiu Chanzi finally voiced the question he had long pondered.

"My father? He’s a prince of Southern Mingyue Kingdom. Right now, he’s probably been sold into service somewhere—who knows what’s become of him!" The little girl sighed. "He’s pretty unreliable, but... he’s the Little Azure Dragon!"

"Really?" Qiu Chanzi laughed.

"Yes! But he won't let anyone call him that. He insists on remaining in his black dragon form—he dislikes the color green!" Ruo Xi Baby shook her head in exasperation.

"That's weird! He sounds like quite a piece of work," Qiu Chanzi remarked.

The group waited at the border—for the border commander’s return, and for Xiaoyue to handle her business and join them.

The Fleshy Fungus’s backlash likely meant Bai Cangming wouldn’t survive. Martial artists from across the land would converge upon Cangming Mountain, and once again, as in the past millennium, they'd fight until one stood supreme—only to meet their death.