National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

After Lucifer of the Dark Holy See left, the Bright Holy See’s plans continued to advance in silence, utterly clandestine.

Even a power as formidable as the Dark Holy See would have to expend considerable effort and conduct a deep, meticulous investigation to fully grasp the situation.

Chu He knew he had to settle the affairs of the Great Xia Empire first amidst these turbulent times.

He had just endured a difficult period of seclusion and had sensed that the various factions were beginning to stir.

The empires surrounding the Great Xia Empire were especially restless. Like sharks that had smelled blood, they were seizing this delicate opportunity, eager to make a move and gain an advantage.

Chu He turned to face Xiao Yu, Nanting Snow, Lin Zuoguang, and Gao Liceng, his gaze calm yet appraising. His voice was steady, laced with an undeniable authority. "You should all return. This battle must have made you aware of your own shortcomings. And you heard my entire conversation with Lucifer of the Dark Holy See.

Many of your families, friends, relatives, and even the people you love live in the Great Xia Empire.

But if those so-called Deities truly descend upon this world, everything will be reduced to nothing.

What you do next is up to you."

After speaking, Chu He didn’t linger. He turned and strode away, leaving Xiao Yu, Nanting Snow, Lin Zuoguang, and Gao Liceng standing rooted to the spot, plunged into a deep silence.

Their faces were grim, their hearts a whirlwind of complex emotions. Each of them pondered the deeper meaning behind Chu He’s words and the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

...

Chu He moved without pause, heading straight for the manor.

The moment he stepped into the manor, he saw Xu Fu sitting in the courtyard. Xu Fu’s posture was relaxed as he leisurely sipped his tea, eyes slightly narrowed in an expression of perfect contentment.

"So, you succeeded." Sensing Chu He’s arrival, Xu Fu opened his eyes slightly. A flicker of some complex, almost imperceptible emotion crossed them as he spoke softly.

"Aren’t you surprised?" Chu He shot back, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Xu Fu, trying to catch even the slightest flicker of an unusual expression.

He knew that Xu Fu was an inscrutable man who would never easily reveal his true thoughts.

Chu He recalled that during his seclusion, he’d had a premonition that his location would become extremely dangerous.

That was why, aside from leaving Amaterasu behind, he had ordered everyone else to leave ahead of time.

And it was for this very reason that Xu Fu was able to wait calmly at the manor.

After obtaining Qin Shi Huang’s body, Chu He had opened a door to a mysterious new world, gaining insight into many truths he had never known before.

Qin Shi Huang’s body retained residual information from ancient times, and that included insight into Xu Fu’s true intentions.

Xu Fu had planned to use this opportunity to try and resurrect Qin Shi Huang, to make him walk the earth once more.

However, Xu Fu had never imagined that Chu He had a system. The system played a crucial role during the process of transferring Chu He’s soul into Qin Shi Huang’s body.

After the transfer succeeded, a system reward was automatically issued, allowing Chu He to become perfectly compatible with the body.

If it weren’t for the system’s reward, it was highly likely that unforeseen complications would have arisen during Chu He’s fusion with Qin Shi Huang’s body.

"Whether the plan succeeded or failed, perhaps there’s an upside either way."

Xu Fu said unhurriedly, that same inscrutable smile on his face. He didn’t deny Chu He’s speculation about his motives.

"If I didn’t still have a use for you, you’d be a corpse right now."

Chu He said coldly, his voice devoid of warmth, like the wind on a frozen night.

He was only tolerating Xu Fu because the man was still useful.

Xu Fu wasn’t the least bit surprised by Chu He’s words, merely giving a slight nod.

’He knew Chu He’s strength was on a completely different level now. He stood no chance of resisting him.’

’From the moment Chu He successfully merged with Qin Shi Huang’s body, he knew his own plans would have to change.’

"What is it you’re really after?" Chu He took a few steps forward to stand over Xu Fu. "Don’t think for a second I don’t know what you’re scheming. Revive Qin Shi Huang? Did you really think I’d let you succeed?"

Xu Fu set down his teacup, his expression calm. "Everything I’ve done has been to fulfill an old promise. Qin Shi Huang was a peerless sovereign; his ambitions shouldn’t be left to languish in history. If he were resurrected, this world might see the dawn of a new order."

"A new order?" Chu He sneered. "More likely, you just want to use Qin Shi Huang to realize your own ambitions."

"Think what you will." Xu Fu sighed softly. "But there is one thing you must understand: this world is about to face a monumental crisis. The conflict between the Bright Holy See and the Dark Holy See, not to mention the impending descent of the Deities... these are not forces we can easily oppose. Qin Shi Huang’s power could be the very thing we need to rely on."

Chu He frowned slightly.

’Xu Fu wasn’t entirely wrong. With all the factions stirring and the world in such a precarious state, an extra measure of power could mean a greater chance of survival if it truly came down to a life-or-death struggle.’

"Even if Qin Shi Huang were resurrected, he wouldn’t be your puppet," Chu He said coldly. "Do you really think you could control a will like his?"

"I never intended to control him." Xu Fu shook his head. "I only wish to give him the chance to complete his unfinished work. As for what he chooses to do, that is his decision alone."