Chapter 5: Casting the Elephant into the Mortal World
“Third self-examination.”
Awakening once more from the searing agony of flames consuming his body, Li Shun gasped for breath. As usual, he completed the ritual of “I examine myself thrice each day,” then forcibly calmed himself and began his final plan.
“This is different from the previous two illusory cycles. Everything that happens this time will be real, set in stone, with no chance of reversal. If I die this time… the outcome is unknown. I must proceed with utmost caution.”
“Fortunately, the gains from the last awakening were significant. Not only did I uncover the true hiding place of the Lengshan Venerable, I also learned the identity of that bandit leader.”
“The rightful heir of Great Xiang… a direct descendant of the Xiong clan… Xiong Jin.”
The image of overwhelming flames still lingered in his mind. The arrogant and cold gaze of the Xiang remnant leader seemed to stare back at him across space. Li Shun let out a faint snort.
“In the past, when Great Qian’s emperor trampled the Seven Nations beneath his warhorses and unified the realm, the fates of the former royal families differed. Some groveled and submitted, rising to ranks among the nobility. Some fought to the death and had their entire bloodlines exterminated. Others concealed their identities and vanished from the world.”
“The Xiang royal family belongs to the kind that was ordered to be eradicated completely. Though rumors have long claimed that a few descendants still linger, none were ever confirmed. And yet, today… I have encountered one.”
“I wonder… if one were to capture or kill such a legitimate descendant of the Xiang royal line, what kind of reward would it bring?”