Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Tang Dynasty, Bad People headquarters.

Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang looked at the name "Cang" and felt a stir in his heart.

A shadow from years ago rose once more in his mind.

Back then, the Tang Emperor was not yet Li Shimin.

During a mission that required him to infiltrate the Sui Dynasty.

He had encountered a young Daoist named Cang.

At that time, Yuan Tiangang, or more precisely, the Bad People's target, was a woman traveling with this Daoist.

Conflict broke out instantly between both sides.

At first, he paid no mind to the young Daoist.

But when the fight actually began.

Just a single move, and Yuan Tiangang was seriously injured on the spot.

Many of the elite members of the Bad People who followed him were instantly killed.

If that Daoist hadn't been unwilling to kill him, thinking it would be a waste, the Yuan Dynasty might not be alive today.

At that time, the Daoist had introduced himself as "Cang".

So ever since then, the Yuan Dynasty had been secretly investigating this mysterious man.

Unfortunately, all efforts were fruitless.

But now.

The Nine Provinces Dao Immortal Ranking had ranked him as number one.

He finally understood, but also felt a deep shock.

That shock came with fear.

This man's power was far beyond what he had estimated.

It was terrifying.

And to think that all these years, he had once considered trying to take revenge if the opportunity ever arose.

Fortunately, they hadn't met again.

Otherwise, even if he survived, he would have been skinned alive.

Such a terrifying figure turned out to be a rogue cultivator without any sect or backing.

That was unexpected.

"Marshal, His Majesty just issued a decree, instructing us to locate this God Demon Realm cultivator named Cang."

"He's even willing to offer the position of National Master to recruit him."

"What should we do? Should we participate in the search?"

Yuan Dynasty's trusted subordinate, Shi Yao, stepped forward and asked.

"No need to concern ourselves for now. We will continue to deal with the matter of the Tang Dynasty's vassal kings."

"Everything else is not our responsibility."

"Yes, Marshal!"

Having understood the truth, even Yuan Tiangang himself had no desire to interact with that man again.

Until his own strength reached a sufficient level, caution was the wisest path.

==========

Qin Dynasty Territory.

Land of Hundred Yue, Hundred Yue City.

"Your Majesty, this is another gift from that mysterious man for Princess Yue'er."

A maid from Hundred Yue City stepped forward.

She handed a wooden box to Yan Lingji.

"Alright, you may leave now."

Yan Lingji took the wooden box and waved her hand. The maid withdrew.

She opened the wooden box.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

"That scumbag still has a bit of conscience, sending Little Yue'er gifts every few days."

"Looks like he knows he's in the wrong and feels guilty for how much he owes Yue'er all these years."

"Is he trying to make up for it now?"

"He probably hasn't come to Hundred Yue City because he's too ashamed to face Yue'er."

Yan Lingji chuckled softly, then handed the wooden box to Fei Yan beside her.

"Fei Yan, go give this gift to Yue'er later."

"It'll probably cheer her up for a while again."

"That little ungrateful one, I've cared for her all these years, and it still doesn't compare to a few gifts from that scumbag. She's completely bought over."

"Father and daughter indeed. I really can't compete."

Yan Lingji pretended to be aggrieved.

"That scumbag really understands how little girls think, always sending strange and exotic items."

"I don't even know why Yue'er likes this kind of stuff so much."

"But I have to admit, that scumbag really goes all out. Every item is a treasure."

"Right now, Yue'er's personal collection is worth more than mine as the Hundred Yue Queen."

"Any single one of those gifts would cause a frenzy of competition across the Nine Provinces."

"After all these years, that scumbag is still as wealthy as ever. I really want to rob him again like I used to!"

At that moment, Zi Nu walked in gracefully.

"Yan Lingji, Fei Yan, don't you both feel like this "Cang" sounds a bit familiar?"

"Cang? It does sound familiar, like we've heard it somewhere before."

"Yeah, I think I've heard it too."

"I remember now. Zi Nu, do you recall? Not long after Hundred Yue City was founded, that scumbag suddenly left without saying goodbye."

"Then we followed his trail."

"Near a coastal region, we witnessed a terrifying battle between two powerful individuals."

"That battle almost overturned the entire sea."

"One of the old men kept shouting the name "Cang" during the fight."

"The young Daoist fighting him must have been "Cang"!"

As she spoke, Yan Lingji's expression turned serious.

No wonder the name sounded so familiar.

The impression it left was unforgettable.

That battle was still fresh in her mind to this day.

It was definitely in the God Demon Realm.

If Cang was a Great Perfection God Demon Realm cultivator.

Then who was that old man fighting him?

He could not have been much weaker.

Yet another unknown cultivator.

There were simply too many God Demon Realm cultivators in the Nine Provinces.

And to think they were only at the Heavenly Human Realm and Mythical Realm, feeling proud of themselves.

Compared to true cultivators, they still had a long way to go.

"Now that you mention it, I remember too."

"Yes, that person was indeed named "Cang"!"

"Could he be a hidden cultivator from the Qin Dynasty?"

"If that's true, then Hundred Yue City could be in danger."

"If we hadn't gone after that scumbag back then, we wouldn't have seen that battle."

"Remember how after the fight, Cang glanced toward our hiding place? He definitely noticed us."

"But he didn't make a move. Probably didn't care."

"His half-smiling expression... I still remember it clearly."

"Sigh, whatever. Even if something really happens, that scumbag won't ignore us."

"What matters is that we know this Cang isn't someone we can deal with."

"If we ever run into him outside Hundred Yue City, we run the moment we see him!"

==========

Cang's traces had appeared throughout the Nine Provinces.

Anyone who put in the effort could find clues with ease.

Soon, sightings and battle records of Cang appeared across various nations.

Of course.

Everyone he had fought was a formidable cultivator.

Even those defeated instantly were at least Heavenly Human Realm.

As for cultivators below the Land Immortal Realm, they weren't even qualified to meet Cang.

For a time, all major powers came to fully understand the mystery and power of this Cang.

He was someone not to be provoked.

Although he wasn't a bloodthirsty killer, he also wasn't someone you could deceive or provoke casually.

If anyone truly angered him, it would result in disaster.

Many investigations revealed that some forces who provoked Cang were completely wiped out by him in a single strike.

There was never a second move.

Instant defeat, instant destruction, and nothing but instant death.

His actions were swift and decisive.

This was the fate of his enemies.

Of course.

It wasn't as though no one had ever received his kindness.

In fact, many now-famous cultivators had once received his guidance.

Even a few simple pointers or a few casual words had helped them immensely.

They continued to benefit from those insights even to this day.

It was easy to imagine how mysterious and powerful this Cang truly was.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Painting Jianghu ( 画江湖 )

・Yuan Tiangang ( 袁天罡 ) — Master of Bad People

Nine Songs of Moving Heaven ( 天行九歌 )

・Yan Lingji ( 焰灵姬 ) — Queen of Hundred Yue City

・Zi Nu ( 紫女 ) — Elder of Hundred Yue City

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Fei Yan ( 绯烟 ) — Eastern Monarch of Yin Yang School