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"Elder Brother—" Nan Fengning exclaimed, tears streaming down his face.
Elder Brother Li patted Nan Fengning's shoulder and said, "Don't cry. Don't give Han Guang Zhen Ren and your master something to laugh about."
It was only then that Nan Fengning realized where he was—not at Flowing Spring Villa—and that he was no longer a child. He quickly wiped away his tears and awkwardly greeted Hansu Zhenren and Han Guang Zhen Ren.
"It's all right," Han Guang Zhen Ren waved his hand. "It's natural for brothers to express their feelings when they meet. We won't mind. I just didn't expect Zhuo Dao You to be Nan Fengning's elder brother. But why do you have different surnames?"
"Fengning is my adopted brother," Elder Brother Li explained, not delving into the matter of their differing surnames.
Nan Fengning was astonished that Elder Brother Li could converse with the two celestial beings on equal terms, so he asked, "Elder Brother, did you also accidentally enter the realm of cultivation?"
"No, I came to seek help from Han Guang Zhen Ren and Hansu Zhenren," Elder Brother Li replied.
Nan Fengning was even more shocked, a thought emerging in his mind: "Elder Brother, could it be that you are also a Cultivator?"
Elder Brother Li did not deny it and smiled, "That's right!"
Nan Fengning was completely stunned. His elder brother was a Cultivator? This was even more unbelievable than him becoming a Cultivator himself. After all, Elder Brother had always lived at Flowing Spring Villa and had never had the chance to meet any Cultivators.
"Elder Brother, you really know how to keep secrets," Nan Fengning said hoarsely.
After a while, Nan Fengning finally accepted the fact that his elder brother was a Cultivator. He also learned about Elder Brother Li's purpose for coming to Shushan Sect and discovered the identity of his future sister-in-law: the illustrious Song Princess.
As for the request for assistance made by Hanno and Elder Brother Li, Han Guang Zhen Ren naturally agreed. Even though they were Cultivators and did not need to concern themselves with mortals, he did not wish to see barbaric forces wantonly slaughtering the descendants of Huaxia. Moreover, saving people was a matter of merit. After discussing specific details and agreeing on a time, Hanno and Elder Brother Li took their leave. Nan Fengning accompanied them out on behalf of his master and the sect leader, as the sect leader wanted to give Nan Fengning a little more time with them.
"Elder Brother, do you have any news from our parents?" Nan Fengning asked, voicing his concern.
Elder Brother Li nodded. "Don't worry; your younger brother and sister are safe. They are currently being sent to Flowing Spring Villa. Father and Mother will take good care of them."
Nan Fengning was perceptive and immediately asked, "What about my mother? Has something happened to her?"
Elder Brother Li sighed and patted Nan Fengning's shoulder. "Nono and I arrived a bit late. The princess and Master Liu set fire to Liu Family to hold off the Mongolians so that others could escape; they perished in the flames."
Tears burst forth from Nan Fengning's eyes. To be honest, Master Liu and Princess Anyang had not treated her well; they were far less caring than Old Master and Madam of the Manor. Initially, Princess Anyang had doted on Nan Fengning, but after having children and due to Master Liu's disdain for her, she gradually grew distant. Nan Fengning had long known that she was not favored by her parents, which was why she left home at a young age to wander the world. Yet, they were still her parents; how could she not grieve upon hearing of their deaths?
Elder Brother Li took out a handkerchief and personally wiped Nan Fengning's tears. "Don't cry. They wouldn't want you to weep for them even in spirit. Instead, transform your pain into motivation to cultivate diligently. Once you have the strength, you can avenge them."
Nan Fengning nodded vigorously. "I will definitely work hard to cultivate!"
In the second year of Xiangxing (179 AD), during the first month, General Zhang Hongfan led the Yuan Army to attack Cliff Gate. The Yuan Army marched in great numbers and soon reached Yashan, surrounding the Southern Song from three sides.
On the sixth day of the second month of Xiangxing (179 AD), Zhang Hongfan launched a powerful frontal assault against the Song army, using cloth to cover boats that had been prepared in advance with hidden troops, catching the Song forces off guard. The Song army suffered a crushing defeat. Seeing the situation was dire, General Zhang Shijie withdrew elite soldiers and had previously arranged with Liu Yisu to lead over ten ships to cut through the encirclement and escape. However, their breakout failed. The forty-three-year-old Xiufu carried the eight-year-old Last Emperor Zhao Bing into the sea, followed by over a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians who jumped into the water as well. After the battle, over a hundred thousand corpses floated in the sea. Zhang Shijie hoped to find descendants of the Zhao family in the Song dynasty under Empress Yang's name for future endeavors; however, upon hearing of Emperor Bing's death, Empress Yang also committed suicide by drowning. Zhang Shijie buried her by the sea. Soon after, he tragically drowned under Pingzhang Mountain during a storm.
This was the famous Battle of Yashan, a sorrowful chapter for the Han people. After Yashan, there was no China; after the fall of Ming, there was no Huaxia. The Battle of Yashan marked the beginning of the decline of Han civilization.
However, this tragic scene was merely an illusion seen by the Yuan Army, created by Hanno and Elder Brother Li along with cultivators from this world as a large-scale mirage. In reality, Zhao Bing, Xiufu, and over a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians—including Empress Yang and Zhang Shijie—had all been transported to offshore waters by Hanno using invisibility talismans and favorable wind talismans.
Xiufu, Zhang Shijie, Wen Xiang, and other officials from Southern Song were all bewildered. Weren't they just engaged in naval battles not far from shore with the Yuan Army? How did they suddenly end up in open waters? The sea breeze caressed the waves as seabirds soared freely in the sky; everything felt so calm and peaceful that if it weren't for their damaged ships and injuries, they might have thought that the previous battle was just a dream!
"Immortals! It's immortals!" one soldier suddenly pointed at something in the distance and shouted. "Gods have come to save us!"
Everyone turned to look in the direction he pointed and saw several black dots flying across the sea. As they drew closer and grew larger, everyone could see that these were individuals flying on Flying Swords—each one strikingly handsome and extraordinary in stature. Who else could fly like this but immortals? Overwhelmed with shock, everyone immediately knelt down to express their gratitude to these celestial beings. Surely without their help, how could they have escaped from being surrounded by Yuan soldiers?
"Rise," Han Guang Zhen Ren said while stroking his beard. Although he spoke humbly, his eyes sparkled with joy. After their intervention, they felt merit descending upon them from above, loosening their stagnant cultivation levels significantly after many years without progress. Indeed, this was quite a profitable endeavor.
"Of course! Of course!" The crowd did not expect such amiability from these 'immortals' and began praising them enthusiastically.
Zhang Shijie bowed his head toward the sky and said, "Deity, could you grant us strength to help restore our state and drive out the barbarians from Central Plains?"
In his mind, since these immortals had helped them escape from Yuan soldiers' encirclement, surely they would assist them against Yuan soldiers as well; perhaps they could reclaim their homeland?
"This..." Han Guang Zhen Ren hesitated; saving lives was one thing but interfering in dynastic changes involved significant causality issues that they couldn't afford as members of Shushan Sect. He looked toward Elder Brother Li and Hanno.
Elder Brother Li sighed and flew forward to address Zhang Shijie and Wen Xiang: "It is not that we do not wish to help; rather it is destined that Huaxia will endure a century of humiliation from foreign invasions, and dynastic changes are beyond our involvement. We can only apologize."
"Does this mean that Song is truly doomed?" Wen Xiang spat out blood before bursting into tears. The other officials followed suit as they wept together; even Emperor Zhao Bing buried his face in Empress Yang's embrace and cried. Yet amid their sorrowful cries, this precocious child felt a faint sense of relief deep within his heart.
As the cries subsided, Elder Brother Li spoke again, "The rule of foreign tribes over the Central Plains is already a foregone conclusion. You should not think about fighting back; that will only lead to needless loss of life. Since you have preserved your lives, you must live well."
With that, Elder Brother Li tossed the Southeast Asia map and nautical chart to Wen Xiang. "You can no longer stay in the Central Plains, but there are many lands and islands overseas. With your current strength, you can easily subdue the local natives and establish a new nation abroad. The environment there is not worse than in the Central Plains; in fact, crops can be harvested two or three times a year, and the people will no longer suffer from famine. Here is the map; go ahead."
Wen Xiang respectfully held the map, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, immortal."
Han Guang Zhen Ren flew to Elder Brother Li's side and said, "A good deed deserves to be carried through. The risks at sea are great; I will send a few disciples to escort you."
"Thank you, immortal!" came another round of heartfelt gratitude. Their voices were filled with hope; these people who had lost their country faced certain death, yet now they had a chance for a new life. Their hearts brimmed with gratitude towards the "immortal." Once they established their nation overseas, they would set up longevity tablets for Han Guang Zhen Ren and others to express their appreciation. The incense offerings from these tablets would help Han Guang Zhen Ren and his companions in their cultivation, but that was a story for later.
Han Guang Zhen Ren left several Foundation Establishment Period disciples to escort Zhang Shiguang and others southward. Thanks to this action, the risks at sea were mitigated, especially since many ships belonging to the Southern Song had suffered damage. A single ordinary storm could wipe them out completely. Fortunately, with several Foundation Establishment Period cultivators assisting them, the fleet managed to navigate through the storm safely and finally landed on Kalimantan Island. Kalimantan Island, also known as Borneo, is the third largest island in the world and boasts rich vegetation and mineral resources. The Southern Song exiles established their nation here and incorporated several nearby large islands into their map.
Hanno and Elder Brother Li did not follow Han Guang Zhen Ren's group but instead concealed themselves and descended onto Zhao Bing's ship. Zhao Bing was cradled in Empress Yang's arms; at this moment, the deathly aura surrounding them had dissipated, but both were bewildered, unsure of what fate awaited them.
"Mother, brother!" Hanno revealed herself.
"Nuoer!"
"Sister!" Empress Yang and Zhao Bing exclaimed in surprise as they rushed to her side, each taking one of her hands.
"Nuoer, you finally returned. Gang'er... how is Gang'er?"
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