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

Ming Dynasty Territory.

An endless army slowly marched toward Shanhai Pass.

"Congratulations, Marshal, for being ranked on the Renowned Marshal Ranking!"

"From now on, your name will resound throughout the entire Nine Provinces!"

Qi Jiguang rode on a tall white horse, clad in the armor from Heaven Dao Reward, holding the divine spear also granted by the Heaven Dao, exuding a powerful aura.

Coupled with his own formidable strength, being ranked 10th on the Renowned Marshal Ranking was truly well-deserved.

"This Marshal's current position and glory are entirely thanks to His Majesty's devoted nurturing."

"If not for His Majesty's recognition back then, I would still be a mere foot soldier."

"Marshal, you are too modest."

"With your talents, it was only a matter of time before you rose to become a renowned marshal!"

Qi Jiguang paid no attention to the flattering words of the guards around him.

Even now, with great authority in hand, he dared not act the least bit arrogant.

His heart remained ever vigilant.

Not only against enemies lurking in the shadows, but also against his own ambition.

He must never grow arrogant and make His Majesty suspicious of him.

For if the Emperor and subject fall out of harmony, no matter how talented he may be, he would eventually be reduced to nothing.

He still had many aspirations yet to be fulfilled!

"Marshal, be careful!"

At that moment, Qi Jiguang noticed a flash of panic in the eyes of a nearby guard.

His heart tightened.

He swiftly raised his spear and held it before him.

In the next instant.

A terrifying burst of energy shot from the distance, aimed straight at him.

Boom!

The energy collided with the spear.

Qi Jiguang felt an immense and overwhelming force crash into him.

His entire body was flung backward uncontrollably.

He crashed heavily into the ground.

Creating a deep crater on impact.

"Cough cough cough!"

Qi Jiguang coughed violently several times before he managed to struggle back to his feet.

A trace of lingering fear flashed in his eyes.

If it had been before, this sneak attack would have surely killed him.

Fortunately, the divine weapon and armor from the Heaven Dao reward saved him.

Even though the assassin's strike was terrifying, 99% of the power had been absorbed by the armor.

Though his body ached all over, there was no threat to his life.

"Assassin!"

"Protect the Marshal!"

"Catch the assassin!"

Luckily, the guards reacted quickly and shouted loudly.

In an instant.

Countless elite Ming Dynasty soldiers rushed in with weapons drawn.

Some surrounded Qi Jiguang tightly to protect him.

Others charged madly toward the assassin.

"Huh, still alive?"

"How is that possible? You, a mere ant not even at the Heavenly Human Realm, actually blocked my killing blow?"

The assassin's face showed disbelief.

He could not accept it.

He was at the Mythical Realm, capable of slaying Heavenly Human Realm cultivators with ease.

Yet he had failed in his assassination of a mere Half-Step Land Immortal?

Ridiculous!

But when he saw the armor on Qi Jiguang's body, he understood.

Heaven Dao armor.

It actually blocked a deadly blow from a Mythical Realm?

This armor was far too powerful.

It seemed the Heaven Dao Golden Ranking greatly favored these so-called renowned marshals!

But if he survived the first strike, could he survive the second or the third?

Armor may be impressive, but strength was the true foundation!

Without hesitation, the assassin stomped forward and unleashed another deadly strike aimed at Qi Jiguang.

Determined to slay him on the spot.

It happened in a flash.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Qi Jiguang.

A palm struck out with great force.

Boom!

The two attacks collided instantly.

A massive explosion echoed.

Terrifying shockwaves spread outward.

Nearby Ming Dynasty soldiers were thrown into chaos.

Many fell to the ground.

Some were even sent flying through the air.

Everyone stared in shock at the two figures clashing.

Especially the soldiers beside Qi Jiguang, who quickly pulled him away to safety.

"Who are you? How dare you interfere with my mission?"

"Did the Ming Emperor send you to protect him?"

"The Emperor really went all out, sending a Mythical Realm as a bodyguard."

"It seems this Rank 10 marshal is very important to him."

"If I do manage to kill him, I'm sure the Emperor's face will be priceless!"

The assassin sneered as he looked at the figure who suddenly appeared.

"Dong Tianbao, for what happened at Shanhai Pass, His Majesty has yet to punish you. Now you're here to assassinate one of Ming Dynasty's marshals, do you truly wish to die?"

"Hahaha, I am the Yuan Dynasty's Golden Wolf Hall Master! I am naturally an enemy of the Ming Dynasty."

"Since this Qi Jiguang is ranked on the Renowned Marshal Ranking, of course, he is a target for us to eliminate."

"And who are you?"

"Hmph, I belong to the Ming Dynasty's Imperial Worship Hall. As for my name, you're not qualified to know it."

"My mission is to ensure the safety of Marshal Qi Jiguang until he reaches the front line."

"Anyone who poses a threat to him is my enemy!"

"Imperial Worship Hall?"

"How can it be?"

"The Ming Dynasty's Imperial Worship Hall actually has a Mythical Realm?"

"Impossible. According to my information, the Imperial Worship Hall is just made up of Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters ants."

"How could someone like you exist?"

"What could your Mongol savages possibly know of the Ming Dynasty's true strength?"

"Leave now, or I will personally kill you!"

"Hmph, arrogant! You and I are both in the Mythical Realm. Do you think you can kill me?"

Dong Tianbao snorted, his anger turning to laughter.

"Fine then, let me test this new technique I just learned from you!"

The Imperial Worship remained calm, his gaze turning predatory.

In the next moment.

He flashed forward like lightning.

Instantly appearing in front of Dong Tianbao.

A beam of piercing light shot through his chest.

The attack was sharper than he had imagined.

"Ah!"

"Impossible! What is this move? You're only in the Intermediate Mythical Realm, how could you defeat me in one strike?"

"I don't believe it!"

Dong Tianbao screamed in disbelief.

Ever since he became the Golden Wolf Hall Master, he had always considered himself invincible.

But now, he had been defeated instantly by both Dark One and the Imperial Worship.

And he was severely wounded.

He was completely dumbfounded.

"Don't believe it? Take another strike, and you'll believe it soon enough!"

The Imperial Worship sneered.

He prepared to unleash a final, deadly blow.

At the brink of death.

Dong Tianbao trembled and fled in panic without hesitation.

"Lord Worship, he escaped. Should we pursue him?"

"No need. He is not meant to die by my hand. Someone else will deal with him later."

The Imperial Worship shook his head.

He glanced at the distant Qi Jiguang and nodded slightly.

Without saying anything more, he vanished into the shadows.

With his identity as a member of Imperial Worship Hall, it was best not to get too close to a marshal.

To avoid arousing suspicion from the Emperor.

Of course.

With his current strength, the Emperor might not care.

But the Imperial Court officials certainly would.

Avoiding unnecessary trouble was wise.

More importantly, there was little common ground between someone like him and a marshal.

He knew nothing of military strategy.

And as for Martial Arts, Qi Jiguang was not yet qualified to discuss it with him.

So, he would simply fulfill his task and ensure the marshal reached the battlefield safely.

"Marshal, are you alright?"

"That assassin was from the Yuan Dynasty's Golden Wolf Hall."

"It seems the Yuan Dynasty already sees you as a threat and is trying to kill you!"

"You must be extra careful in the future!"

"Alright, check everything and continue the march!"

Most of the previous attack was absorbed by the Heaven Dao armor.

He only suffered some minor pain, nothing serious.

They must reach the warfront as soon as possible.

Any delay would only hurt their chances.

==========

Wudang Mountain, a mountain peak.

Two ethereal Daoists sat opposite each other at a large stone table.

Black and white Go pieces were laid across the board.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist. Soon, the Nine Provinces will see the rise of another God Demon Realm cultivator!"

"I must thank you for your earlier teachings. Without that, I wouldn't have reached this point so quickly."

"Even without me, with your talent, you would have achieved it in a year or two at most."

Zhang Sanfeng didn't refute his companion and simply smiled calmly.

The Heaven Dao Reward from his two appearances on the ranking had greatly benefited him.

Breaking through to the God Demon Realm was now no major obstacle.

However, if this had been before, he might have felt ecstatic at such a breakthrough.

But with the Golden Ranking descending, and seeing the true number of God Demon Realm cultivators in the Nine Provinces, he no longer felt so thrilled.

The road to the Dao was long and winding.

He would continue his journey, one step at a time.

The God Demon Realm was no longer something worth boasting about.

Especially since even the Sage level had already appeared.

Who knew if there were even higher realms yet to come?

Compared to those, his current achievements were insignificant.

Even the Daoist before him far surpassed him in strength.

"In any case, I still owe you for your guidance. If you ever need my help, just say the word. If it's within my power, I will not refuse."

"That aside, you must have another reason for suddenly visiting Wudang Sect today, right?"

Zhang Sanfeng smiled lightly and got to the main point.

"Indeed I do. And it's something that concerns you directly."

"Me?" Zhang Sanfeng asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Do you remember Dong Tianbao?"

At the mention of the name, Zhang Sanfeng's body trembled slightly.

A complicated expression appeared on his face.

"Yes. We grew up together, but later became enemies due to differing beliefs."

"I even killed him once."

"Have you seen him, Fellow Daoist?"

"I haven't. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be alive."

"But his recent actions are beginning to cross the Ming Dynasty's bottom line."

"His Majesty is already contemplating eliminating him."

"However, because of his past ties to you, the Emperor has chosen to inform you first."

"Will you deal with him personally, or let the Ming Dynasty eliminate him?"

Zhang Yuchu's face turned serious.

"Recently, many of the uprisings and the White Lotus Cult's schemes were his doing."

"His Majesty has tolerated him repeatedly out of respect for your past contributions."

"But now, Dong Tianbao is interfering in the war between the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty."

"This crosses a true line."

"Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty are locked in a battle of life and death. There is no turning back now."

"Anyone who interferes will be crushed."

"Small matters might be overlooked, but not in this war of nations."

Zhang Yuchu said with determination.

If not for Zhang Sanfeng and Wudang Sect's reputation, Dong Tianbao would have been killed long ago.

Back at Shanhai Pass, Dark One would have ended him.

Even during the assassination attempt on Marshal Qi Jiguang, he would not have been allowed to escape.

Zhang Sanfeng's expression shifted several times.

He finally sighed and said.

"Can His Majesty spare Tianbao's life?"

"Oh? Very well, for your sake, I can promise on behalf of His Majesty."

"We will spare his life, but only once."

"This is only because of your past contributions."

"But you must personally capture Dong Tianbao."

"You have only one chance."

"And you must do it before he commits another major offense."

"With your strength, this shouldn't be difficult."

"The conflict between you and him belongs to the Martial World. It must not involve national or military affairs."

"Otherwise, the nature of this matter will change completely."

"Very well. I will descend from the mountain and go to the Ming Dynasty."

"Someone will contact you with his whereabouts. It shouldn't be hard to find him."

Buzz!!

Just as Zhang Sanfeng was about to get up to inform his disciples and prepare to leave the mountain.

The golden ranking in the sky shimmered faintly.

A new update was about to be announced!

[Renowned Marshal Ranking – Rank 9]

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List of Characters:

Historical

・Zhang Yuchu ( 张宇初 ) — National Master of Ming Dynasty

Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber ( 倚天屠龙记 )

・Zhang Sanfeng ( 张三丰 ) — Founder of Wudang Sect

Tai Chi Master ( 太极张三丰 )

・Dong Tianbao ( 董天宝 ) — Hall Master of Golden Wolf Hall

Sword Stained With Royal Blood ( 碧血剑 )

・Qi Jiguang ( 戚继光 ) — General of Ming Dynasty