She glanced around at the people. Greeting her were the cold-faced Quan Chengying, next to whom stood Han Yin, who was even colder than him, followed by her master Yun Shenhai, Lu Ziban, the Minister of the Heavenly Crafts Department, Ma Wen, the Minister of the Literature and History Department…
Many familiar faces were in front of her, but the one missing was Fang Bading, the marshal of the Holy Glory Empire, whom she remembered very well.
The war between the Holy Glory Empire and the Hedo Empire has ended, and the Holy Glory Empire has no other wars in the near future. As the Imperial Marshal, Fang Bading should have no reason to leave the Holy Glory Empire.
Quan Ji asked in confusion, "Where is Marshal Fang? I haven't seen him. Where is he?"
The moment Quan Ji finished speaking, the smiles on everyone's faces froze, and the joyful atmosphere that had been welcoming Quan Ji seemed to be frozen in that instant.
Everyone's expressions were not good. Yun Shenhai laughed and said, "My dear disciple, what fun things have you experienced outside? Tell your master quickly! Your master is looking forward to it and has been waiting for you for so long. There's nothing fun in the Holy Glory Empire..."
Even when Yun Shenhai spoke these words, his tone was dry and devoid of any joy, as if he were hiding some important information.
Quan Ji had a bad feeling, her fingers began to feel cold, and she repeated her question: "Where is Fang Bading?"
This time, no one spoke.
Even Quan Qingchi beside him couldn't laugh anymore. He lowered his head, hesitated, and finally spoke:
"Marshal Fang... when we were being ambushed in a mountain pit by the Hedo Empire using illusion magic, in order to protect more warriors... he single-handedly lifted a large stone to block the pit, allowing us to leave through a small passage in the pit."
"When we went back to fight the encirclement, he was hung on a cross by the Qinghong Marshal of the Heduo Empire. His hands, feet... were all fixed with longswords. Finally, a long spear pierced through his skull... We couldn't save him."
As Quan Ji listened to these words filled with remorse, she clenched her fists.
In fact, after saying all that, it all boils down to just six words.
Fang Bading died in battle.
The atmosphere was heavy for everyone.
Because Marshal Fang had a good relationship with everyone, he was easygoing and unpretentious... He was absolutely loyal to the Holy Glory Empire, had a good reputation among everyone, and fought for the Holy Glory Empire for many years.
He died without ever marrying a wife. His father died in battle, his mother was taken as a prisoner of war and died, and now even he himself... died in the place where he had spent his whole life.
battlefield.
Quan Ji was also feeling inexplicably distressed, something she would never have experienced in her previous life.
Perhaps this is the price of being a leader with humanity.
She spoke quietly: "In war, death is normal. Marshal Fang... is the glory of the empire, and like millions of soldiers of the empire, he will forever be with the holy light."
Whether these words were meant to comfort themselves or others, everyone who heard them felt extremely distressed.
Fang Bading was neither extremely important nor unimportant in Quan Ji's life.
After all, we were soldiers who had come together from our weakest days, fought together, and trained the lazy soldiers together.
Although we didn't spend much time together, we experienced a lot.
No matter how many empires Quan Ji conquered, she could never forget the war with the Huo Yi Empire—the first empire she conquered in this life.
At that time, the marshal was Fang Bading.
Everyone knew that Quan Ji must be feeling terrible right now.
Quan Ji looked at Quan Qingchi: "Where is his grave? I want to go see it."
Although the Holy Empire traditionally uses holy burials in wars, it will erect tombstones for some of the most meritorious warriors in remembrance.
Quan Qingchi said, "When Marshal Fang took on everything for us, he said that after his death, his tombstone wanted to return to his hometown. But we never knew where Marshal Fang's hometown was. In the end, we placed his tombstone on the road to Fengshentai, where many wildflowers bloom. He was such a good person, he will surely be blessed by the gods."
Quan Ji gave a wry smile: "Yes, he will be blessed by the gods, and the place he chose is very good."
As she spoke, she transformed into a golden flash and vanished from the place in an instant.
Others also wanted to teleport there.
But Jun Chenlan was stopped by Quan Qingchi a second before he could teleport.
Jun Chenlan frowned in confusion: "Hmm?"
Quan Qingchi was still a little scared of this person, and said timidly, "I'm a little worried about my little sister... why don't you take me with you?"
Jun Chenlan hummed in agreement, then placed a large hand on Quan Qingchi's shoulder.
In an instant, everyone disappeared from the Holy Glory Imperial Palace.
...
On the way to the altar.
Here, wildflowers bloom in profusion, and a pleasant fragrance can be clearly smelled in the swirling wind, stirring the heart and bringing immense comfort.
A tombstone stands on the ground covered with white and purple wildflowers, with a portrait of a burly man and an epitaph personally carved by Lu Ziban, the Minister of the Ministry of Works.
[The glorious heroism of the Holy Empire, the tomb of Marshal Fang Bading.]
These rows of words before me evoke indescribable emotions, a mixture of calm and agitation.
Quan Ji knelt down on one knee, brushed away the grass that had fallen from somewhere on the tombstone, looked at the portrait, and gave a forced smile.
"Marshal Fang, I've come to see you."
"It's only been a few months since we last met, and you're already unwilling to help me manage the barracks?"
She exhaled:
"Your passing... wasn't exactly sudden, after all, it's war... you could have been left to rot in the wilderness at any moment, you died quite like a man."
He was, after all, her first marshal after she came to power; it would be a lie to say there were no feelings between them.
But it's not enough to make Princess Quan cry.
She's not that fragile.
If she cries every time someone dies, how can she be a leader?
It's good to be humane, but rationality is always what a leader needs most.
Behind them, Shinjutsu and the others slowly arrived.
Jun Chenlan remained silent.
Quan Qingchi said worriedly, "Little sister, don't be too sad. War is always so cruel. You told me before... it's either me killing you or you killing me. Marshal Fang also told me that dying on the battlefield would be the best end for him... Well... in a sense, he has fulfilled his wish. He is a person worthy of respect!"
Quan Ji listened to these words, looked at the tombstone of the person in front of her, and then looked at the scene of the sunset.
The solar halo was dazzling.
The wind tousled her hair, and she gave a bitter smile.
"Yes, war is that cruel. Who knows... I might die on the battlefield someday too."
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