Chapter 2: The Four Siblings of the Fan Family
As the Emperor of Chu finished speaking, Fan Li finally heard the long-awaited chime from the system.
“Ding!”
“Congratulations, Host, on completing the high-quality mission [Power Over the Court]. System rewards have been greatly increased.”
“The Host has received twelve Life-Extension Pills and one Protective Talisman.”
“Protective Talisman: When carried, it will automatically shield the host from a single fatal blow.”
Fan Li's mouth dropped open in astonishment.
A protective talisman?
Wasn’t this basically an extra life?
Twelve Life-Extension Pills would prolong his life by a year, which also filled him with joy.
That constant, looming sense of impending doom had finally eased significantly.
His face lit up with delight, a sight not lost on the Emperor of Chu.
“This treacherous minister has humiliated me, and yet he dares look so pleased! If I, Xiang Ning, do not avenge this disgrace, I am unworthy to call myself a descendant of the Conqueror of Chu!”
After waiting a while, the system didn’t issue any new tasks.
With such generous rewards, Fan Li knew he couldn’t expect missions every day.
Since there were no more tasks, there was no need to torment the Emperor further.
“Your Majesty, if there are no further matters, shall we end court for today?” Fan Li asked.
The Emperor seized the opportunity as if receiving amnesty.
“As Prime Minister suggests, court is dismissed!”
...
...
Capital of the Great Chu, Fan Manor.
“The Second Master has returned!”
Fan Li had barely stepped out of his sedan chair when the gatekeeper’s announcement rang out.
The main gates of Fan Manor swung wide as the steward led a crowd of guards, servants, and maids, all kneeling in perfect unison.
“Welcome home, Second Master.”
The scene left Fan Li awkwardly embarrassed.
Truly befitting the style of a notorious minister—returning home to nearly a hundred people kneeling in greeting?
But this wasn’t for his benefit; it was clearly meant to be seen by that youthful emperor in the palace!
Fan Li quickly reviewed the system’s intelligence in his mind.
It seemed the Fan family had four siblings?
He was the second, with an elder brother, a younger brother, and a younger sister?
“Ancestor Fan Zeng followed the founding Conqueror Xiang Yu of Great Chu, battling through the chaos for nearly a century, eventually establishing the Great Chu dynasty, which has stood for several millennia now?”
“The world is split into three: the other two nations are Han and Ming.”
“Han, current emperor Liu Xie.”
---
“Ming, current emperor Zhu Houcong.”
“Fan Zeng was the founding hero of Great Chu, honored by the Conqueror as ‘Grand Mentor’ and bestowed the title Marquis of Liyang.”
“As a mark of gratitude for Fan Zeng’s extraordinary merit, the Conqueror decreed that the position of Prime Minister be hereditary within the Fan clan.”
As Fan Li absorbed all this information, he couldn’t help but be wide-eyed with astonishment.
The Conqueror Xiang Yu fought for over a century to found his nation?
This had to be a world of martial prowess!
And everyone seemed to enjoy long lives...
Yet Fan Li felt he was nothing but an ordinary, even frail, scholar—how could that be?
As he pondered, someone called out to him.
“Second Brother? Why are you standing at the gate? Come inside!”
Looking up, Fan Li saw a middle-aged man approaching.
He immediately recognized him as his elder brother, Fan Ming, now the head of the Fan family.
Fan Ming had a long beard reaching his chest, a towering physique, and a square-jawed face that radiated authority even in stillness.
Behind him stood a young man and woman.
The young man was handsome and graceful, with a blue headband and a sword at his waist.
The young woman was lively and beautiful, dressed in pure white robes like fresh snow.
She hid behind Fan Ming, constantly winking and making faces at Fan Li—charming and playful.
“The third sibling, Fan Chun.”
“The youngest sister, Fan Yuehua.”
Gazing at his exceptionally attractive siblings, Fan Li couldn’t help but marvel at the family’s stellar genes.
“Elder brother Fan Ming inherited the Marquis of Liyang title but doesn’t hold official post. He runs the Fan Trading House, the foremost business empire in Great Chu!"
"Third brother Fan Chun is incredibly gifted in cultivation, undefeated among his peers, serving as Colonel of the Tiger Guards, overseeing the capital’s defenses.”
“Youngest sister Fan Yuehua, known as the Moonflower Fairy, is yet unmarried. Suitors, from princes and nobles to talented youths, line up from the palace gates all the way to the summit of Phoenix Song Mountain outside the city.”
Fan Li suddenly felt out of place in such an outstanding family—he was the only frail scholar, yet also the infamous minister?
Heavens!
Was he shaming his ancestor Fan Zeng?
As he mused, Fan Chun, the third brother, bounced over with excitement.
“Second brother, I heard you forced the young emperor to call you father in court? In my view, our Fan family should rise up, have the emperor abdicate in your favor. If he refuses, I’ll lead a hundred thousand Tiger Guards to storm the palace myself!”
Fan Li staggered at those words, nearly falling over.
He stared at Fan Chun in disbelief.
What sort of natural-born rebel was this?
To speak of rebellion so casually?
Did he not see all the comings and goings at the manor gate? What if there were government spies about?
---
Before Fan Li could speak, his youngest sister Fan Yuehua piped up with a grin, “Once second brother becomes emperor, does that make me the founding princess?”
Fan Li swallowed hard. Wasn’t she supposed to be a fairy, not a traitor?
“What nonsense are you two spouting? Keep quiet!” Elder brother Fan Ming suddenly scolded.
Fan Li breathed a sigh of relief—at least the eldest was a man of principle.
But Fan Ming continued, “To overthrow the old order and reshape the world is a matter that requires careful planning, not childish talk. But rest assured, second brother: the wealth our family has amassed surpasses the treasury of Great Chu. At your command, the clan will be your strongest support!”
Fan Li: “...”
Was the whole Fan family a den of rebels?
Seeing his astonishment, Fan Ming stroked his beard and smiled, “Second brother, do you really think I’ve spent these years in business just to pay taxes to that brat Xiang Ning?”
“That brat Xiang Ning? I ought to let you have this treacherous minister system instead!” Fan Li thought wryly.
The four siblings entered the manor and settled in the main hall.
Noticing their intense gazes, Fan Li couldn’t help but ask, “If the Fan family were to rebel, why should I be emperor? Wouldn’t eldest brother or third brother be better suited? What about you, little sister?”
The three burst out laughing at his question.
Fan Ming shook his head, smiling, “You know me, second brother. I love commerce above all else—especially seeing wealth pile up like mountains.”
Fan Chun added, “You know me as well, second brother—I love fighting, especially the thrill of slaughtering surrendering troops after a victory.”
Fan Yuehua chimed in, “Second brother, don’t you want the throne? It’s a pity I’m just a woman—there’s never been a female emperor. Besides, all I want is to look beautiful and watch a throng of men fight for my favor.”
“You three must be mad!” Fan Li could only complain inwardly, deeply frustrated.
He retreated to his private quarters, spending half a day fully digesting the remaining information.
This wasn’t a world of mere martial prowess, but a true realm of cultivation!
Everyone trained, seeking ascension!
The Immortal Realm did exist, with numerous cases of ascension throughout history.
The historians of Chu, Han, and Ming all recorded that the founding emperors of each dynasty had ascended to the Immortal Realm!
Yet to Fan Li’s astonishment, he discovered he had no cultivation at all.
The path of cultivation was divided into: Body Refining, Qi Training, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Unity, Great Ascension, and Tribulation Crossing.
“I don’t even have the lowest level of Body Refining. How is that possible?”
Eldest brother Fan Ming, outwardly Great Chu’s greatest merchant, was in fact a third-tier Spirit Transformation expert!
Youngest sister Fan Yuehua was called the Moonflower Fairy partly for her beauty, but also because she was a consummate Nascent Soul master.
As for Fan Chun, commander of a hundred thousand Tiger Guards, he was already at the peak of ninth-tier Spirit Transformation at a young age, and had even defeated a Unity-stage opponent!
Within Great Chu, aside from a handful of ancient survivors, Fan Chun was practically the strongest existence!
Fan Li suddenly realized that, aside from himself, the entire Fan family was full of prodigies.