Qin Dynasty.
Land of Baiyue, Baiyue City.
At this moment, Queen Yan Lingji of Baiyue, along with Zi Nu, Nong Yu, and Hong Lian, were all gathered, discussing the shocking revelation of the first name on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
Even Xue Nu and Eastern Monarch Yan Fei had joined them.
Yan Fei was happily playing with her daughter, Su Yue, showing a long-lost smile.
"Zi Nu sister, did I just see that right?"
"The first place is the Emperor of Ming, Zhu Houzhao?"
"The ranking says he has an avatar who is actually the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, Su Yi?"
"Su Yi is the Emperor of Ming? How could that be?"
"Is this the reason why he never came to find us?" said Hong Lian with a complicated expression, her gaze filled with unwillingness.
"What a Zhu Houzhao, what an Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi, what a Longevity Sword Bai Yujing. Just how many secrets is he hiding from us?"
"Despicable. He brought us here to play city lord and then disappeared on his own."
"Did he think by doing so we no longer had any connection?" Yan Lingji's face was full of frustration and grievance.
"With his strength and influence, it should be easy for him to know how we're doing. Why hasn't he come to visit us even once?"
"Not even a glance at little Su Yue. As a father, he's far too heartless."
Just then, Nong Yu seemed to recall something.
"Zi Nu sister, do you remember?"
"Not long ago, a mysterious man broke into Baiyue City and tried to kidnap little Su Yue."
"At that critical moment, another force suddenly appeared, rescued Su Yue, eliminated the villains, and vanished."
Zi Nu nodded in response.
"Afterwards, I investigated. The kidnappers were assassins from the Qin Dynasty's Net Trap."
"As for those who saved her, we couldn't identify them."
"They're likely a force unknown to us, secretly watching over Baiyue City."
"Whether they are friends or foe, we can't say."
Her eyes revealed a trace of concern.
To this day, they haven't found those people.
Were they still nearby, or had they already left?
Who were they?
No one knew.
"Do you think… could it have been him?"
"His own daughter was in danger. He couldn't possibly stay indifferent."
"That force must have been sent by him to protect Su Yue."
After hearing this, the women all felt that it made sense.
For some reason, a trace of happiness welled up in their hearts.
At least it showed that the scoundrel had always been watching over them.
He hadn't forgotten them.
Still, with his abilities, why hadn't he come to see them in person?
Was he afraid they would cling to him?
"Mother, aunties, are you talking about father?"
A soft and sweet voice suddenly rang out.
It was little Princess Su Yue, daughter of Yan Fei.
Her beautiful big eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Ever since she was born, she had never seen her father, so the little one was naturally very curious.
"Good girl, Yue'er, don't mention that heartless man. You have your mother and us aunties. That's more than enough!" said Hong Lian as she picked up Su Yue and teased her playfully.
"Auntie Hong Lian is lying. I saw you secretly muttering that 'father is a scoundrel' before!"
"You were crying and laughing, your face looking all weird!"
"Mother and the other aunties too!"
Exposed by the little one, Hong Lian's face changed. She stomped her foot.
"You little rascal, teasing me now? Do you still want me to play with you?"
From the way they acted, it was obvious their care for Su Yue came from the heart.
There was not a shred of pretense.
"Alright, Hong Lian, you're not a child anymore. Let's get serious!" said Yan Lingji firmly.
"Zi Nu sister, we can't just sit around and wait."
"We need to take the initiative."
"Otherwise, one day he really will forget us."
"Remember, there are two powerful women around him now."
"Maybe they're the ones stopping him from seeing us."
"One or two of us must go to Ming and confront him face to face!"
"He owes us an explanation!"
As Yan Lingji said this, everyone's expression changed, clearly tempted.
"I'll go! I want to go!" shouted Hong Lian immediately.
"No, you can't. You need to stay and look after Yue'er," Yan Lingji quickly stopped her.
"Sister Feiyan is already a Land Immortal. If anyone goes, it should be someone strong enough to stay safe."
Hearing this, Eastern Monarch Yan Fei thought about it for a moment and then shook her head.
"But I can't leave easily. Eastern Sovereign Tai Yi is keeping a close watch on me."
"If he notices, we could get into serious trouble."
"Yan Lingji, as Queen of Baiyue, you can't leave either."
"Xue'er, do you want to go to Ming?"
Yan Fei looked toward Xue Nu and asked.
Xue Nu was interested and really wanted to go, but after a moment's thought, she shook her head.
"In a few days, I must return to the Mohist School. Ying Zheng is preparing to attack the Mechanical City, and I'm worried."
"Baiyue shouldn't get involved in the internal strife between the Qin Dynasty, the Six Kingdom nobles, and the various philosophies."
"Xue'er, protect yourself well."
"With the technique that scoundrel gave you, unless you run into a Land Immortal, you should be safe."
Because of that man, the women all had a good relationship with Xue Nu.
They also had full confidence in her strength.
"Then Zi Nu and Nong Yu, the two of you should go."
"Why can't I go too?" Hong Lian asked with wide eyes, clearly reluctant.
The women all laughed gently.
Finally, Eastern Monarch Yan Fei waved her hand.
"Alright, stop teasing Hong Lian. I'll personally look after Yue'er while you go with them."
"With three of you, you won't be at a disadvantage even against those two women!"
"The Ming Empress is strong and holds high status, but we are no weaker. Baiyue City has nothing to fear!"
At this point, pride filled the women's expressions.
The foundation laid by that man was extremely solid.
After years of development, they no longer feared any power in the Nine Provinces.
"Also, the Martial Force Ranking will be announced in a month. Baiyue City will surely make the ranking."
"We must prepare in advance in case of sabotage by hidden enemies!"
"That scoundrel mentioned long ago that there are terrifying hidden hands behind the scenes in the Nine Provinces."
"Don't worry. Even if he was a scoundrel, he left plenty of backup plans for us."
"Just one or two Land Immortals won't be enough to shake the foundation of Baiyue City," Yan Lingji said proudly.
She had great confidence in Baiyue's defensive capabilities.
"Very well, prepare yourselves. Zi Nu, Nong Yu, Hong Lian, the three of you will go together."
"Zi Nu, if you get the chance, try to set up an intelligence network within the Ming Dynasty."
"I have a feeling that Empress Wu Zhao is not a simple woman. In the future, we will be dealing with her a lot."
==========
Ming Dynasty, Residence of the Heavenly Venerable Organization.
Murong Qiudi and Lin Shiyin looked at each other in disbelief.
"Your sword techniques… he taught you too?"
"Sister Qiudi, didn't he teach you as well?"
"I didn't expect that the man we've been searching for is actually the Emperor of Ming, Zhu Houzhao."
"Su Yi the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal is just one of his avatars."
"What exactly do we mean to him?"
Murong Qiudi was overwhelmed, her emotions indescribably complex.
She didn't believe that man was unaware of what she had done in the martial world, or that she was searching for him.
And yet, he completely ignored her.
He had made no effort to appear.
"No. I must go to the Ming Palace and question him myself."
Murong Qiudi stood up at once.
"Sister Qiudi, don't be rash. Don't do anything foolish," Lin Shiyin quickly stopped her.
"If you do that, you'll be walking right into a trap."
"Did you see who's second on the Hidden Dragon Ranking? Empress Wu Zhao."
"She is definitely not someone to be trifled with. If she catches you off guard, you'll be the one to suffer."
"If he taught us such precious techniques, clearly he still cares."
"Our true rival is not that scoundrel, but Empress Wu Zhao."
"He's not coming to us likely because he fears she'll harm us."
"She holds the advantage in status. If we act recklessly, we'll lose everything."
Murong Qiudi hadn't thought it through yet.
But beside her, Lin Shiyin had already awakened her innate talent for palace intrigue.
She analyzed everything clearly, leaving Murong Qiudi momentarily stunned.
While Qiudi focused on the man, Lin Shiyin had already shifted her target to the real threat: Empress Wu Zhao.
Murong Qiudi wasn't foolish.
She quickly caught on.
Shiyin was right. That scoundrel wasn't the root of the problem.
Knowing him well, she was sure he couldn't resist her after her transformation.
Empress Wu Zhao was the true danger.
In terms of strength, Qiudi was still slightly behind.
As for influence, the Heavenly Venerable Organization was obviously no match for the Netherworld City.
She needed allies.
Suddenly, Murong Qiudi's eyes lit up.
She had a goal.
According to scouts, Song Yuhua and You Ruo from the Hidden Dragon Ranking were both within Ming territory.
If she could recruit them, the Heavenly Venerable Organization would greatly increase in power.
She might even make the Martial Force Ranking.
That settled it.
Empress Wu Zhao, was it?
We will never back down!
==========
Ming Dynasty, Imperial Palace.
Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, the person has been brought," the Dark Guard Commander said respectfully.
"Let him in," Zhu Houzhao nodded.
"Your humble servant, Bai Xiaosheng, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!" said a middle-aged scholar respectfully.
"Rise. I summoned you, and with your intelligence, you must already know why."
"I assume it's about the Azure Dragon Association?" Bai Xiaosheng replied confidently.
"Correct. I don't wish to intervene in their internal affairs, but I want you to keep a close watch."
"Make sure they don't cause trouble."
"With the Golden Ranking now public, chaos is about to erupt in the Nine Provinces."
"The Azure Dragon Association must not only grow stronger but also help maintain order in the Ming martial world, proving its worth."
Bai Xiaosheng's eyes lit up with excitement.
Though the Azure Dragon Association was powerful, he had always felt something was missing.
As one of its leaders, he was never satisfied with the status quo.
Now that he had received a direct task from the Emperor, he was determined to reform the organization.
He even planned to extend its influence beyond the Ming Dynasty into other dynasties.
That sense of achievement far surpassed mere regional influence.
Zhu Houzhao quietly listened to Bai Xiaosheng's detailed plans.
He made no comments.
What mattered to him was the result.
If Bai Xiaosheng failed, no amount of talk would change the outcome.
Eventually, Zhu Houzhao dismissed him.
Bai Xiaosheng was one of Zhu Houzhao's many pieces scattered throughout the martial world.
Not only powerful, but also highly intelligent.
He was used for tasks unfit for the Emperor or the Dark Guard to handle directly.
There were many like him hidden across the Nine Provinces.
"Keep monitoring him. As long as he doesn't pose a threat to Ming, leave him be."
"I want to see how far he can go."
Zhu Houzhao instructed the Dark Guard Commander.
"Your Majesty, there is another matter of great importance. Please be prepared."
The commander's expression turned serious.
"Oh? What matters could concern you so deeply?" Zhu Houzhao asked in surprise.
"Di Shitian of the Heaven Gate has sent the Divine Mother Luo Xian and the Ice Emperor to Ming."
"They intend to capture the Empress and the Consorts and wipe out the royal family. You are also their target."
The commander reported coldly.
"How amusing. That old madman Di Shitian is acting up again?"
"Trying to destroy my Ming? Seems playing god too long has made him insane."
"He should have stayed in his hidey-hole. Daring to provoke me means I'll have to teach him a lesson."
"Divine Mother Luo Xian and the Ice Emperor? Perfect. I'll kill one and turn the other into my pawn."
"Di Shitian has quite a few things I want. Let's start by placing a piece inside his camp."
"Come. Let's go meet them."
As soon as he spoke, Zhu Houzhao and the Dark Guard Commander vanished on the spot.