Chapter 82: The Heavenly Emperor’s Ambition

From beginning to end, Princess Changle sat quietly by Fan Li’s side, as serene and composed as an empress, leaning gently against him. Even when Zhao Gao produced the First Emperor’s Chronicle, her gaze did not linger on the book for a single moment.

Fan Li could not help but admire her.

He had no idea what kind of treasure the chronicle was, nor what extraordinary secrets it might contain. Yet, though Princess Changle clearly desired it, she feigned complete indifference. Her self-control alone put Fan Li to shame.

Once the First Emperor’s Chronicle was safely in her hands, Princess Changle turned to Fan Li with a radiant smile.

“Its value even surpasses the Sword of Qin. Don’t you want it?”

He hadn’t expected her to ask this.

Fan Li pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “Anyone would desire such a treasure, but we are partners. This must be of great importance to you. I promised to help you obtain it, so I won’t covet it or compete with you.”

Princess Changle let out a peculiar laugh.

As always, her laughter was wild and unrestrained, yet this time it carried a touch of gentle relief, tinged with sadness. It was as if she regretted meeting Fan Li, or perhaps regretted the nature of their relationship now.

“The First Emperor’s Chronicle… records the way for an emperor to become the Heavenly Emperor.”

Her eyes gleamed with a sharp light as she fixed them on Fan Li. Had he revealed the slightest hint of greed, she might have turned against him on the spot.

Yet, curiously, she chose to reveal the secret within the chronicle, though she could easily have kept it hidden.

In the face of great temptation, human nature is rarely immune to trial.

With Princess Changle’s temperament, she should not have resorted to such a childish test.

“Oh? Is it truly so powerful?”

Fan Li nodded, surprised, but he showed no undue interest.

She scrutinized him for a long moment, drawing so close their noses nearly touched. Then, all at once, she abruptly stepped away!

She burst into laughter, loud and free, as though finally releasing her pent-up emotions.

Fan Li simply listened until the laughter faded.

“I don’t actually want to be an empress,” she said, rising to her feet with regal pride.

The wanton smile vanished from her face, replaced by the majestic bearing of one who would look down upon the world.

“I want to become a Heavenly Emperor!”

Fan Li’s jaw dropped, unable to close his mouth for a long while.

He was truly astonished by Princess Changle’s ambition.

Heavenly Emperor?

Not just an emperor, or even an empress—but a Heavenly Emperor?

Princess Changle seemed to notice his confusion and scoffed. “With my abilities, I could easily become the Son of Heaven of Han. I could make my father abdicate willingly, even compel Dong Zhuo to restrain his ambitions and pledge allegiance to me. Do you believe that?”

Fan Li nodded, then shook his head.

He believed the first, for he had met the Emperor of Han. With such a disposition, abdication was certainly possible if pressed.

As for the latter, he was doubtful—not for any particular reason, but simply because he had never met Dong Zhuo and could not judge fairly.

Princess Changle smiled faintly, seemingly satisfied with his response.

“I do not wish to be the ruler of Han, for the dynasty is now so feeble it has lost all hope of elevating the nation to immortality.”

Seeing Fan Li’s puzzlement, she raised the jade scepter in her hand.

“Only a sovereign who ascends with the entire nation can be recognized by the Heavenly Way and open the Celestial Court in the Immortal Realm, becoming a Heavenly Emperor.”

Fan Li understood.

The First Emperor, ten thousand years ago, had already become a Heavenly Emperor.

Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “With such lofty ambition, why would you become the Empress of Chu, and even say you would bear my child?”

She laughed softly. “The first question, I do not wish to answer.

“As for the second, I am a woman—of course, I alone can bear children. But if I become the Heavenly Emperor, even if I conceive your child, it will be you who becomes empress!”

Fan Li immediately felt a wave of exasperation.

Damn!

What kind of answer was this? If he’d known, he wouldn’t have asked!

“Well, rest assured, your ambition—cough, your grand aspiration—will remain my secret,” he said, even as he turned things over in his mind.

The First Emperor’s Chronicle was in hand, but he had also promised Cao, Liu, and Sun to obtain the Sword of Qin for them.

That golden sword was still with Zhao Gao; getting hold of it would not be difficult.

The next day.

Fan Li and Princess Changle left the Jade Pool, heading to the main hall of the Celestial Palace, the Grand Hall of Lingxiao.

Zhao Gao was already kneeling on the floor, holding the First Emperor’s Imperial Edict in his hands.

“I have read the chronicle and been moved by my ancestor’s ambition to unite the world and embrace all things. I have decided to relieve you of your duty as tomb guardian,” Fan Li announced.

“Zhao Gao, prepare to enter the cycle of reincarnation.”

At these words, Zhao Gao trembled with excitement.

“Your humble servant Zhao Gao thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!”

Fan Li’s gaze drifted to the Sword of Qin hanging at Zhao Gao’s waist.

“This sword, the ancestral blade of the First Emperor—since you have always kept it by your side, you may as well take it with you into reincarnation.”

Princess Changle’s face momentarily showed her astonishment at Fan Li’s words.

Kneeling, Zhao Gao was also taken aback.

Fan Li continued, “You once swore to serve Great Qin in every lifetime. When you are reborn as a human, you must cultivate diligently, ascend to immortality, and bring the Sword of Qin to the Celestial Court of Great Qin, to return it in person to the Heavenly Emperor.”

“This… this…” Zhao Gao broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

“Your Majesty, have mercy! I dare not accept such a heavy task!”

“Oh? And why not?” Fan Li pressed deliberately.

Zhao Gao kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy.

“The path of cultivation is long and arduous, and I am a sinner—my tribulations and ascent will be all the more perilous. Should I perish along the way, the sword would be lost. If that were to happen, even falling into the animal realm would not be enough to atone for my sins!”

Fan Li frowned. “Then what is to be done?”

Zhao Gao hastily replied, “Might Your Majesty accept the sword? You are the Son of Heaven, blessed with great fortune and certain to ascend with ease to the Immortal Realm. With the sword in Your Majesty’s keeping, there can be no mishap, and it will surely find its way back to the First Emperor.”

Fan Li feigned displeasure.

“Zhao Gao, you are but a servant, yet you constantly trouble me to act on your behalf. How is this reasonable?”

“It is all my fault! I am useless! I am a wretch! I burden Your Majesty and deserve punishment!”

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Despite being a powerful, mummified monster, Zhao Gao began striking himself across the face.

The sound of his self-punishment echoed throughout the Celestial Palace.

Princess Changle watched from the side, truly impressed by Fan Li’s performance.

“He’s quite the actor—managing to trick Zhao Gao so thoroughly, all for something he himself wants.”

“The First Emperor’s Chronicle records that every ten thousand years, Heaven permits the creation of a new Heavenly Emperor.”

“Now, the ten millennia are complete. It’s fortunate Fan Li harbors no ambition; otherwise, if he sought to compete with me for the title of Heavenly Emperor, I would be forced into a life-or-death struggle against him.”