Immortal of the Nine Realms

”Dear, get up and come eat breakfast. We still have to pay our respects to Father and Mother,” urged Fairy Yu, gently nudging the sleeping Fang Chen.

Fang Chen opened his eyes to see the bright red canopy above the bed. After a moment of groginess, he recalled that he had gotten married the previous night.

Ever since his great victory in the battle at Three World Mountain, the surrounding empires had grown timid and fearful, not daring to make the slightest move against him.

Even Qingsong had bowed its head in submission. One could say that Grand Xia now had no rival nearby. If an expansion campaign were to be launched, it would expand much farther afield.

But Fang Chen had chosen not to continue waging war recklessly. Instead, he intended for Grand Xia to enjoy a long period of rest and recovery. After all, fighting year after year had exhausted both soldiers and civilians.

However, in recent days, the court officials had been clamoring for him to hand over his military command, claiming that if he refused, it meant he harbored ulterior motives and intended to rebel.

Rumors had already begun circulating among the populace, and his father had spoken with him about the matter.

In the end, Fang Chen decided not to hand over his command.

The current stability had been hard-won. If he gave up his authority, all those years of effort could collapse overnight.

As for what the men in court were really thinking, how could he not know?

After lingering affectionately in bed with Fairy Yu for a while, the two washed and dressed with the help of the maids, then went to the front hall to pay respects to Fang Canghai and his wife.

They were having fried dough sticks and soya milk for breakfast.

Seemingly in a hurry, Fang Cangyou grabbed a dough stick and left in haste.

Watching his brisk steps, Fang Chen felt something was strange, though he couldn’t quite place what it was.

Fang Canghai stroked his beard with a smile. ”Chen’er, now that you’re newly married, do you plan to go out and see the world? When your mother and I were wed, we traveled for several years. It was during those years that I truly came to know the customs of Grand Xia.”

Fang Chen cupped his hands. ”I was actually planning to, Father, but I wish to sail out to sea.”

The couple froze, and their brows furrowed.

”Out to sea?”

His mother voiced her disapproval at once. ”Why go to sea? The sea is unpredictable, and the waves could be deadly. It’s far too dangerous.”

Fairy Yu, however, was secretly excited. To her, sailing the seas would be wonderful. She relished such thrilling and dangerous ventures.

But she could not let it show, lest she draw her mother-in-law’s rebuke. She lowered her head and sipped her soya milk in silence.

Fang Chen smiled and said, ”Father, Mother, though the seas are rough, they are also vast. I might see sights I’ve never seen before. Since my return from Three World Mountain, I’ve had ships built for ocean voyages. By now, they should be nearly finished. When the time comes, I’ll sail out and broaden my horizons.”

”Have you thought about what might happen if you meet with misfortune at sea? It could shake the very foundation of the state,” Fang Canghai gave a subtle reminder.

”Rest assured, Father. I’ve kept my military command only to shield certain people from idle gossip. Even if I’m away from court, those who wish to stir trouble won’t be able to even if they wanted.”

He had long dreamed of one day taking his beloved wife to see the world’s beauty beyond the horizon.

After years of effort, everything was finally falling into place beautifully. It was time to set out. Life only had so many decades; one could not leave regrets behind.

Fang Canghai paused, then slowly nodded in understanding. ”Very well, let’s eat. If you want to go to sea, I won’t stop you. You’re a powerful martial artist; even if danger finds you on the ocean, you’ll likely survive.”

His mother sighed, relenting. However, she urged, ”Little Yu should stay, though.”

Fairy Yu quickly said, ”Mother, I share weal and woe with my husband. Wherever he goes, I will go.”

Seeing Fairy Yu’s determination, Fang Chen’s mother could only shake her head. ”Fine.”

After breakfast, Fang Chen was about to take Fairy Yu to the shipyard when he ran into Xia Ji at the door.

”Fang Da, where are you going?” Xia Ji asked quickly.

Fang Chen smiled. ”To the shipyard. Coming along?”

Xia Ji’s expression changed slightly. Then, in a low voice, he asked, ”You’re really going to sea?”

”Yes. And don’t try to dissuade me. The rest will be up to you now,” Fang Chen said.

”That’s true, but I’d like to sail with you. Why don’t we find someone else to take my place?” Xia Ji probed.

Fang Chen studied him for a few moments. Seeing the unease on Xia Ji’s face, he gave a cold snort. ”Other than you, I trust no one. I won’t risk coming home from a voyage to find my household raided.”

”Fine then. I’ll reluctantly accept this hard job.”

”What hard job? My men will be with yours, you’ll just need to give the word, and the rest will be handled properly.” Fang Chen waved his hand. ”Enough talk. Are you coming to see my ship or not?”

”Of course.”

The ship was already finished. A month later, just as the court began submitting memorials to impeach Fang Chen, they learned that the God of War had sailed off with his men, vanishing without a trace.

The ministers were stunned. Some tried to seize his command in his absence, but met an even more formidable resistance that cowed them into retreat.

The seascape was indeed different from the land. Over several years of voyaging, Fang Chen would sometimes land with Fairy Yu and his men on uninhabited islands, discovering many strange plants—some edible, some not.

One day, Fairy Yu vomited during a meal, not from seasickness.

Fang Chen ordered the sails set for home. By the time they returned to Grand Xia’s capital, Fairy Yu had given birth to a fair, chubby son.

In addition to a son, Fang Chen brought back many exotic things never before seen in Grand Xia. Some seeds he entrusted to Xia Ji to have planted and cultivated.

Xia Ji proved resourceful. In just the few years Fang Chen was away, the crown prince Xia Yu had committed a great blunder and fallen out of favor.

Instead, Xia Ji, the emperor’s illegitimate third son, gained high favor. The emperor personally entrusted him with much state business.

Because of Fang Chen, the empress Fang Cangyue was also close to Xia Ji and often supported him.

With the emperor’s favor and the empress’s backing, Xia Ji acted without hindrance, proposing numerous astonishing reforms.

In the years that followed, Fang Chen continued to sail with Fairy Yu from time to time, sometimes turned back by storms, sometimes rewarded with surprising finds.

He came to enjoy such days: free of worries, never lacking food or clothing, with elders at home and children at his knee. But even a strong martial artist couldn’t withstand the test of time. As the years passed, his body began to decline.

Before he knew it, Fang Chen had reached fifty—the age of knowing destiny. From then on, he no longer voyaged personally, spending his days with family.

Today, his son came with his family to pay respects. After teasing his young grandson for a while, Fang Chen sent them off. Soon after, Xia Ji, now the emperor for only a few years, arrived in plain clothes.

Fang Chen cupped his hands with a smile. ”Your Majesty.”

Xia Ji waved him off. ”Enough of that. When will you return to court to help me?”

”What would I do there? Grand Xia’s national power is at its peak. Your Majesty’s reforms have been a great success. The children have schools, and the elderly are well fed. What need is there for me?” Fang Chen replied with a smile.

”The Hidden Guard reports that the Hanshui Kingdom does not wish to see Grand Xia strong. They’ve sent envoys to Qingsong to speak privately with Marshal Xiao.” Xia Ji sighed lightly. ”I think there will be war. Why can’t these people live in peace? No wonder our homeland sent us here. Such fertile land is wasted on them. Unlike us, they rarely turn on their own.”

Fang Chen sighed. ”Indeed. Unlike our homeland... though it’s been so long since I returned, I can barely remember it. Could you tell me more?”

Xia Ji froze, stared at him for a moment, then his face cooled. He rose and said, ”You’ll have to remember on your own. Outsiders can’t help you.”

With that, Xia Ji turned and left.

”How interesting,” Fang Chen murmured to himself. ”He wants me to recall it on my own? Shouldn’t he be casting a spell to make me lose my senses and fall completely into madness?”

Just then, he saw a chubby boy running toward him from afar. Smiling, he waved. ”Come here, grandson, come keep grandpa company.”