Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1662 - 1655: The Origin of the Lady

Chapter 1662: Chapter 1655: The Origin of the Lady

The people outside the carriage were unaware of what transpired inside. After some pleasantries, Lady Lanxiu finally shifted her attention away from the saint and engaged in earnest conversation with Cheng Ziang.

As it turned out, Lady Lanxiu was referred to as "lady" because she truly was married—or more accurately, a widow.

Her husband had been the leader of the Qi State wild tribes, but he perished in the war against the Anxiang family. Lady Lanxiu, however, seemed reluctant to talk about her husband, showing a palpable discomfort. Cheng Ziang, noticing this, refrained from delving deeper.

Lady Lanxiu possessed the qualities befitting a leader, enabling her to assume the role of leader for the Qi State wild tribes after her husband’s death.

Before the Imperial Court officially intervened to take over governance of Tianguan Town, this place had been under Lady Lanxiu’s administration.

Approximately a year ago, the Wen family, representing the court, began sending envoys to negotiate with her, seeking to assume control over Tianguan Town under the guise of assisting with its governance.

During this period, the Anxiang family staunchly opposed the Wen family court’s existing policies and actively supported the Wu Family. This stance enraged the court, which urgently sought to foster a force capable of countering the Anxiang family.

Lady Lanxiu agreed to the court’s takeover primarily because they promised military assistance to help the Qi State wild tribes strengthen their defenses and expand their military capabilities.

Due to the undeniable presence of martial force and the influence of prominent local clans, the Dongsheng Empire was unified only in name. In reality, its territories remained in a state of de facto division.

To confront the Wu Family, the Wen family court’s foremost priority was to consolidate existing controlled regions while actively developing new ones.

Tianguan Town, which had never fallen into enemy hands, naturally became an ideal choice for suppressing the Anxiang family and garnered significant support from the Wen family court.

Thus, as observed by Cheng Ziang along the journey, the town’s comprehensive military systems and the arms carried by the militia were all provided by the court.

Baiyang Yu was particularly audacious, daring to come to this place to serve as the town magistrate with only a handful of attendants. While he was nominally the military and political head of Tianguan Town, in practice, he presently held only partial political authority.

However, Baiyang Yu seemed remarkably carefree, displaying a cheerful demeanor every day. From the way he looked at Lady Lanxiu, it was apparent what intentions lay in his heart.

In their conversation, what shocked Cheng Ziang the most was Lady Lanxiu’s background.

Surprisingly, she was not originally one of the Qi State wild tribes but instead hailed from a prestigious family within the Qi State. Her family, dissatisfied with the Anxiang family’s dominance, sought to resist them by aligning with the Qi State wild tribes through marriage.

Lady Lanxiu was married off to Tianguan Town under these circumstances, but the outcome was tragic. Upon learning of this arrangement, the Anxiang family first annihilated her clan and then strategically blocked the Qi State wild tribes’ advances at key checkpoints, thwarting their plan to unite forces from within and beyond.

Lady Lanxiu’s husband—the same one who had died during this war—was among the casualties.

Initially, Lady Lanxiu struggled to gain the recognition of the Qi State wild tribes. Yet, through her charisma and resolute political tactics, she managed to quell internal conflicts within the tribe and unify their forces.

Upon her arrival in Tianguan Town, Lady Lanxiu stubbornly adhered to her Northern customs and dressed in attire characteristic of Northern traditions.

However, in order to integrate with the Qi State wild tribes, she actively abandoned these Northern traits, replacing them with traditional attire of the wild tribes—the garments she wore now.

From then onward, Lady Lanxiu never again dressed in Northern-style clothing, and her behavior gradually aligned more with that of the wild tribes. Naturally, this transformation earned her their support.

After the conversation, the Advance Team settled into the government office for a temporary stay. Yet Lady Lanxiu seemed substantially intrigued by the arrival of the Advance Team and couldn’t help but ask questions repeatedly.

"Manor Lord has journeyed from the West—what brings you here?" Lady Lanxiu inquired.

"To enter the capital and petition the emperor, resolving the thousand-year dispute in West Outer Heaven," Cheng Ziang replied.

"Heh, Manor Lord—are you aware of who currently administers the court?"

"Of course I know. But if we don’t go, the issue will remain unresolved. Whether it be Emperor Wu or the Hundred Chiefs, we must negotiate with them seriously," Cheng Ziang declared firmly.

"Just you?"

"Yes, just us!" Cheng Ziang met Lady Lanxiu’s gaze and answered resolutely.

"It’s been ages since I’ve encountered people with such courage. If everyone in the world were like you, how could the imperial system ever remain defective?" Lady Lanxiu chuckled bitterly and shook her head, her expression betraying a hint of envy.

"I’ve heard that you’ve taken in many demon clan refugees. Allow me to thank you once again for your kindness, Lady," Cheng Ziang said respectfully.

"There’s no need to thank me. At its core, my actions are driven by utility," Lady Lanxiu replied bluntly. "Just as my father once married me off to Tianguan Town, the aim has always been to unite all available forces. Although that attempt failed, I believe the idea itself holds merit."

She seemed to recall the tragedy of her family, a shadow passing over her bright eyes before she sighed and closed them softly.

"I understand. And I respect that. Nonetheless, I still thank you for your help," Cheng Ziang said earnestly.

"Are you of the demon clan? Why are you so invested in their plight?" Lady Lanxiu asked as her sharp gaze fell on Cheng Ziang.

"No, we hail from the Western Continent. The first people we encountered upon arriving in this land were members of the demon clan. Together, we endured that war..." Cheng Ziang explained.

"Oh, that tiresome old war. The Wu Family must still be nursing their wounds, huh? Heh, serves them right," Lady Lanxiu said with a mocking smile.

"What do you mean by that, Lady?" Cheng Ziang feigned ignorance.

"You should know—the greatest losses the court suffered during that war were Generals. Generals formed the military backbone of the Wu Family’s power. The war was instigated by the Wu Family and ended in their total defeat. If not a case of shooting oneself in the foot, what would you call it?" Lady Lanxiu said, sighing softly.

After pausing, she continued before Cheng Ziang could speak: "To be honest, I don’t even know the true purpose of cultivation. Life has its limits, but practice seems endless. Pursuing infinite power with finite life—missing out on the most beautiful years of one’s existence. In the end, one grows old and weary, with only a fraction of power to show for it—is it truly worth it?"

"Even if one cultivates enough to ascend and become a True God, without a physical body, there will be no desires to fulfill. Are the so-called gods merely counting their strength every day, living in emptiness?"

"Actually..." Cheng Ziang scratched his head, "There are two types of gods. One type works tirelessly, ensuring the world remains stable. These gods are pure-hearted and have no desires."

"The other type, though divine, mingles among mortals, tasting the sorrows of human life while seeking enlightenment across two realms. They are no less interesting than ordinary people."

"How do you know what gods are like?" Lady Lanxiu asked.

"Because saints are responsible for communicating with heaven and earth," Cheng Ziang replied without hesitation.

The gods Cheng Ziang referred to were naturally Tana and Xia Yue—two sisters, one wandering across the world and the other residing within Lipei, studying knowledge of Earth and the Otherworld.

"Fine, I’ll take your words as truth for now," Lady Lanxiu said dismissively, nodding lightly.

"Does Lady suspect me of deceit?" Cheng Ziang asked tentatively.

"I didn’t say that." Lady Lanxiu gently shook her head.

"There are countless cultivators across Kyushu, including many Nascent Soul Realm masters, yet none have successfully ascended to immortality—correct?" Cheng Ziang squinted slightly as he spoke.

"You are an outsider—how do you know these things?" Lady Lanxiu asked, slightly frowning.

"Oh, I know. I also know that any attempt to ascend to immortality inevitably triggers divine punishment. Of those who suffer it, nine out of ten perish," Cheng Ziang said with a cold laugh.

"You..." Lady Lanxiu stared at Cheng Ziang, her expression finally turning serious.

"Now, Lady should believe in the gods of this world—and also that we can communicate with them," Cheng Ziang remarked.

"Why? Why does ascension invite divine punishment?" Lady Lanxiu couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s simple—because the gods won’t allow it. Lady must understand, as should everyone in Kyushu: Nascent Soul is the pinnacle of cultivation. No one can ascend to immortality. It’s absolutely impossible!" Cheng Ziang declared decisively.