novelraw Chapter 87 : Monument of Heroic Souls
Chapter 87 : Monument of Heroic Souls
Chapter 87: Monument of Heroic Souls
The strength of Anxi Prefecture was never reliant on any single person.
Just like Fan Kang — greatness born from ordinariness — such people were the true foundation of Anxi’s prosperity.
Watching that streak of blue fortune on the Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror gradually dim and extinguish,
Jiang Zhaoming gazed at the familiar spot on the desk below and could not help but let out a long sigh.
He remained silent for a long time.
Thinking of the soldiers who had sacrificed themselves for Anxi, and of devoted officials like Prefect Fan, Jiang Zhaoming felt he must do something for these most ordinary yet greatest people of Anxi Prefecture.
His consciousness sank into the River of Fortune. Guiding his famed vessel, Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze fell upon the flowing current below.
After an unknown amount of time, a divine artifact appeared within his sight.
【Divine Artifact · Monument of Heroic Souls】: A monument commemorating immortality. It can receive and harbor souls, consuming Spirit Crystals to nurture them. The souls within may freely enter and exit, though doing so depletes soul power.
Looking at this Fortune Blessing glowing with a strong red radiance, Jiang Zhaoming took a deep breath.
He had found it!
With this monument, not only could Fan Kang’s soul enter within, but all the fallen soldiers of Anxi could be enshrined and nurtured.
Even if they never fought again, they would one day witness the grand prosperity forged by their sacrifice.
However, this Fortune Blessing required red fortune. Jiang Zhaoming hardened his resolve—he would exchange it!
He knew that divine artifacts such as the Lunar Soldier Altar could bring greater aid to Anxi.
Yet artifacts like that could always be fished again someday.
But the heroic souls of those who had given their lives for Anxi Prefecture—once scattered—could never be summoned back.
Thus, Jiang Zhaoming began several rounds of fortune elevation, until his remaining fortunes became:
【Remaining Fortune: Red ×2, Purple ×3, Blue ×8, Green ×23, White ×6】
He hung a strand of red fortune upon the hook. The Fortune Blessing representing the Monument of Heroic Souls immediately surged toward him.
Because this blessing had no strong competitors, Jiang Zhaoming directly cast his fortune into the water.
Soon, the red blessing bit the hook.
Unlike the easy catch of Yue Fei last time, this time a tremendous force surged through the line, nearly pulling him off balance.
Steadying himself, the embryonic form of his Myriad Phenomena Foundation manifested behind him. Boundless strength burst forth from his body.
With a powerful lift, the Fortune Blessing transformed from the Monument of Heroic Souls was gradually drawn to the surface.
Finally, with a flash of red light, a palm-sized stone monument appeared in Jiang Zhaoming’s hand.
He then glanced at his last remaining red fortune, pondering its use.
He had two plans in mind: one, to exchange it for a Grand Archmage from the Arcane Plane;
the other, to exchange it for the Lunar Soldier Altar.
The former would allow Jiang Zhaoming to touch the laws of other planes, developing more wondrous techniques and technologies.
With a Grand Archmage’s knowledge, his gain would be far more than a single golden-body-level power.
The latter—the Lunar Soldier Altar—could allow him to amass a tremendous force in these times of constant warfare.
After long contemplation, Jiang Zhaoming still made no decision.
After all, Great Jin’s intent remained uncertain, and the situation west of the Prefecture was unclear.
His greatest trump card was this red fortune—it was best to wait until things became clearer.
In reality, night had silently fallen.
He slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and extended his palm.
At his thought, the ancient, mysterious, palm-sized monument silently appeared in his hand.
The small monument felt smooth and warm to the touch, exuding a profound sense of weight and spirituality.
Without hesitation, Jiang Zhaoming mobilized his spiritual power and began refining the monument.
As his power flowed into it, the profound patterns on its surface seemed to come alive, glowing faintly.
Yet just as the refinement was about to complete, a sudden change occurred.
“Weng!”
The monument emitted a deep, resonant hum, its body trembling slightly in Jiang Zhaoming’s hand.
Then, a hazy, ancient figure composed of countless light particles slowly rose from the top of the monument.
Its outline was unclear, yet it radiated an aura of vast age and solemnity.
“Through endless ages, at last a new master—”
A gentle voice echoed directly within Jiang Zhaoming’s consciousness—ancient, calm, transcending time itself.
Jiang Zhaoming’s heart tightened as he focused on the spectral figure. “You are the Artifact Spirit?”
The figure nodded slightly. “I am the spirit of this monument—you may call me Monument Spirit. Congratulations, new master, you have begun to refine the Monument of Heroic Souls.”
“This monument is no common treasure. Since I have awakened, I shall answer your doubts and assist you in mastering it.”
As the Monument Spirit spoke, clear information about the monument’s usage naturally imprinted itself into Jiang Zhaoming’s mind.
By channeling spiritual power, he could enlarge or shrink the monument, or absorb and release heroic souls.
To nurture souls within it, Jiang Zhaoming needed to regularly infuse Spirit Crystals.
The amount required depended on the number and strength of the souls.
Once a soul entered the monument, it could choose to slumber, never awakening unless summoned by the master— or remain conscious, wandering within the monument’s inner world, though for now, that inner world was empty.
After explaining, the hazy light form rippled faintly, as if confirming Jiang Zhaoming’s understanding.
He absorbed the knowledge swiftly and nodded solemnly.
“Thank you for your guidance. I understand.”
The Monument Spirit’s light gradually faded, sinking back into the monument.
Only the ancient stone monument remained, quietly resting in Jiang Zhaoming’s palm.
“It’s time to bring Prefect Fan back.”
Jiang Zhaoming smiled gently.
Stepping out from the royal mansion, his figure turned into a gust of wind, instantly arriving above the Fan residence.
From the mourning hall below came muffled sobs, echoing painfully in the still night.
Without revealing himself, Jiang Zhaoming hovered in the air and flipped his palm, summoning the ancient Monument of Heroic Souls.
Infusing it with spiritual power, its surface began to glow softly as the inner space silently opened.
At the same time, a gentle, serene energy flowed from the monument into Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes— the Monument Spirit guiding him, granting the Sight Beyond the Veil.
In that instant, the world before him changed completely.
The entire city of Anxi appeared shrouded in a faint mist. Countless light forms—some bright, some dim—drifted about the streets and courtyards.
Some appeared solid, almost lifelike; others were faint shadows, as if a breeze could scatter them at any moment.
Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze swept toward the Fan residence—yet the familiar soul was nowhere to be found.
“Hmm? Where has Prefect Fan gone?” he wondered.
With a thought, Jiang Zhaoming flew beyond the city, soon reaching the place where Fan Kang had gone on his morning stroll.
Under the cool moonlight, the familiar stream flowed quietly.
By the bank stood a slightly translucent but clear figure, staring at the flowing water in silence.
It was Fan Kang’s soul.
He no longer appeared as the frail old man, but as a young scholar in blue robes, his features bright and spirited— as if time had reversed, returning him to his youthful prime.
Jiang Zhaoming landed silently.
Sensing the presence of a living person and an inexplicable pull, Fan Kang slowly turned around.
When he recognized the newcomer, his faintly shimmering face showed visible surprise.
“Your Majesty?”
Fan Kang’s voice did not pass through air, but resounded directly within Jiang Zhaoming’s mind—clear and vivid.
He instinctively stepped aside, assuming Jiang Zhaoming had come to view the streamside scenery.
Yet when their gazes met, Fan Kang realized—those deep eyes were fixed precisely upon him.
Puzzled, he glanced behind himself—nothing there.
Turning back, that gaze was still locked upon him.
In that instant, Fan Kang understood.
He bowed deeply toward Jiang Zhaoming, performing the full salute of a loyal subject.
“Your servant Fan Kang pays respects to Your Majesty!”
Jiang Zhaoming looked at the soul before him and gently shook his head.
“Fan Kang, the realms of life and death now stand between us. There is no need for such mortal courtesies. Just call me Zhaoming.”
“Your Majesty’s kindness, I shall remember. Yet the rites of lord and subject are engraved in my heart— I dare not forget them. Besides—”
He paused, his tone calm and free of regret.
“This remnant soul of mine will not last long.”
Jiang Zhaoming did not press further. Smiling softly, he extended the Monument of Heroic Souls before him.
“This monument can preserve true souls from dispersing. Within it dwells the Monument Spirit, who will care for you. Prefect Fan, would you be willing to dwell within it for now, and be spared from fading away?”
Fan Kang hesitated briefly.
Jiang Zhaoming smiled helplessly and explained the monument’s workings to him.
Upon hearing that his wife and children could also enter one day—and that he could freely emerge to see Anxi’s future— Fan Kang no longer hesitated, stepping gracefully into the monument.