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

[Renowned Marshal Ranking – Rank 3]

[Bai Qi]

[Nation: Qin Dynasty]

[Marshal Rating: Six Stars]

[Military: Super First-Rate]

[Political: First-Rate]

[Strength: Super First-Rate]

[Reward: Half-Immortal-Tier Slaughter God Set (including one Slaughter God Sword and a set of Slaughter God Armor), one Half-Immortal-Tier military formation, and a 15% increase in national fortune for the affiliated nation]

==========

"Bai Qi, huh?"

Yue Fei narrowed his eyes and muttered softly.

Back then, the mass execution of 400,000 Zhao Kingdom troops, which caused Zhao Kingdom to decline from its prime, was Bai Qi's doing and a great merit.

In terms of commanding troops, he was indeed exceptional.

Moreover, he possessed cultivation at the Mythic Stage.

Rank 3 was well-deserved.

Still, Yue Fei was confident that if they ever met in battle, with caution, he would not necessarily lose.

Only through an actual confrontation could victory or defeat be determined.

He clenched his fists slightly, and a strong fighting spirit surged in his heart.

Li Chunfeng, standing beside him, nodded approvingly.

Truly worthy of being a renowned marshal of the Nine Provinces. His mental state was extraordinary.

==========

"Bai Qi? How could it be him?"

"Oh my god, such a bloodthirsty and ruthless man actually made it to Rank 3?"

"Why not? Bai Qi has never lost a battle. In all of the Nine Provinces, who can match him?"

"Hmph, no matter how capable this brutal man is, I will never acknowledge him. He simply doesn't deserve it!"

"Heh, does Monarch Wu'an need your recognition? Who do you think you are?"

"Saying he's unworthy, are you worthy then?"

"You're just a lowly ant who argues with words."

"If that person were to stand before Monarch Wu'an, he'd probably wet his pants in fear!"

The announcement of Bai Qi as the Rank 3 marshal immediately sparked intense debate across the Nine Provinces.

While some opposed it, many others supported it.

The arguments were endless.

Regardless, the fact that he made it onto the Renowned Marshal Ranking was now reality and could not be changed.

==========

Qin Dynasty Palace.

"Monarch Wu'an, congratulations on becoming the Rank 3 marshal on the Renowned Marshal Ranking."

Shang Yang immediately smiled and offered his congratulations.

In contrast, Emperor Ying Zheng wore a heavy expression.

Rank 3?

How could it be third?

Shouldn't it have been first?

Even Wu Qi might not be able to surpass Monarch Wu'an.

Besides, there was still one spot left, meaning there must be another hidden marshal out there.

"Hm? Monarch Wu'an, your complexion has changed. Could it be that your internal injuries have healed?"

"Yes. Just now, a gentle power from the Heaven Dao Reward flowed into me, and my body recovered instantly."

Looking at the black Slaughter God Sword and the set of black Slaughter God Armor in his hands, Bai Qi instantly grew fond of them.

With the Slaughter Set from Heaven Dao Reward, his combat strength had risen again.

If the incident with Zhao Wuling's self-destruction happened again, he might not face death this time.

There was also the military formation, so profound that even he found it hard to comprehend at first glance.

Once he fully understood it, his command ability would definitely improve once more.

The Heaven Dao Reward was truly generous.

If the Rank 3 reward was already this lavish, how incredible would the rewards for Rank 2 and Rank 1 be?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful that he wasn't ranked 1st.

"Your Majesty, your subject requests to immediately return to the front lines and swiftly eliminate the remaining forces of the Six Kingdoms!"

"Now that the Nine Provinces are in chaos, we must act quickly."

"The Ming Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, and Vast Sea Dynasty have all begun to make their moves. If the Qin Dynasty continues to lag behind, the future will be grim."

"Since Monarch Wu'an has recovered, I grant your request. I hope you will eliminate the remaining forces of the Six Kingdoms and bring back Xiong Qi's head!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

==========

Qin Dynasty Territory.

Jiangdong, Xiang Clan Stronghold.

Xiang Liang and Fan Zeng looked up at the sky, their expressions dark.

Bai Qi.

He was getting stronger and stronger.

Now he was ranked 3rd on the Renowned Marshal Ranking.

How could such a blood-soaked executioner deserve to be on the ranking?

"The situation in the Nine Provinces has changed drastically. From what I know of Ying Zheng, he will never be content with the Qin Dynasty being restrained by the remnants of the Six Kingdoms."

"He will certainly try everything to eliminate those of us who remain."

Xiang Liang spoke with a hint of worry.

"No matter what, I absolutely will not let Yu'er come to harm."

"Right now, Yu'er has not yet grown into his full strength. He is likely no match for the Qin Dynasty."

"We must prepare for the worst. If the Six Kingdoms' forces are truly destroyed, we must send him to another nation."

"Once the time is right and Yu'er has fully matured in power, he can return to reclaim the nation. It won't be too late."

Faced with the Qin Dynasty's growing strength, even Xiang Liang was deeply concerned.

He wasn't optimistic about Xiong Qi's chances of success.

Still, no matter what, he had to protect Xiang Shaoyu's life.

For the sake of the future.

"The situation has not yet reached the most critical point. We still have hope."

"For now, everything hinges on Xiong Qi."

"These years, he's been scheming in secret. Who knows how much strength he has hidden? Ying Zheng won't be able to wipe him out quickly."

"We must be cautious of Ying Zheng, but even more cautious of Xiong Qi."

"If we are careless, we might be used by him."

"Who knows what his true intentions are?"

Fan Zeng deeply distrusted Xiong Qi.

He believed the man was utterly deceitful and hypocritical.

If not for the fact that only Xiong Qi among the Six Kingdoms had the power to resist the Qin Dynasty, he wouldn't have allowed the Xiang Clan to align with him.

Still, they all harbored their own thoughts.

"We'll just have to wait and see."

==========

Han Dynasty Territory.

At this moment, three figures walked slowly together.

The one in front wore a blue robe and carried a folding fan, looking every bit the image of a refined gentleman.

Beside him was a beautiful woman in white with a cold and elegant demeanor.

In her hand was a sapphire-blue sword, clearly an extraordinary weapon.

Behind them was a middle-aged man of around forty or fifty, with a scholarly and mild temperament.

"Lord, shouldn't we be heading straight to the Ming Dynasty?"

"Why have we come to the Han Dynasty instead?"

The scholarly man asked, puzzled.

"Wu Qi, must you ask something you already know?"

The blue-robed man smiled slightly, speaking with amusement.

Then he ignored Wu Qi and turned toward the woman.

"Long'er, come. Let me show you the unique charm of the Han Dynasty!"

Indeed, these three were Zhu Houzhao, Xiao Longnü, and Wu Qi.

After enjoying a blissful time at Hundred Yue City, since Yan Lingji and the other two weren't returning to Ming Dynasty with him for now, Zhu Houzhao didn't stay long either.

Once he rebuilt Hundred Yue City in the Ming Dynasty, they would reunite again.

As for Wu Qi, he brought him along directly.

Temporarily, he would serve as an attendant.

Whether he was willing or not was not up to him.

Along the journey, Zhu Houzhao kept observing him.

Fame didn't always match reality.

After a period of watching him, Zhu Houzhao found Wu Qi indeed extraordinary.

He also noticed things that others didn't know.

Wu Qi's capture by Hundred Yue City wasn't as simple as it seemed.

It was more like he had deliberately walked into their trap.

Interesting.

Clearly, there was a secret involved.

Zhu Houzhao had plenty of time and didn't plan to dig into it just yet.

Whether he would use Wu Qi or not still needed careful consideration.

As for Wu Qi, he had grown used to Zhu Houzhao's attitude.

Unlike other monarchs who showed him great respect, Zhu Houzhao treated him plainly as a mere servant.

If it were anyone else, Wu Qi would have lashed out long ago.

But Zhu Houzhao was different.

If he dared show the slightest disrespect, Zhu Houzhao would not hesitate to make him suffer.

Possibly even kill him.

His legendary talents hadn't yet made the splash he expected in the eyes of the Ming Emperor.

Especially when he saw Bai Qi ranked 3rd on the Marshal Ranking.

A fire ignited in Wu Qi's heart.

Among the top two, he was sure he would have a place.

He was eager to see how the Ming Emperor would treat him once his name appeared.

As for Zhu Houzhao, even if he knew Wu Qi's thoughts, he wouldn't care.

All he cared about was accompanying Xiao Longnü and enjoying life.

In food, drink, and play, he was a true cultivator.

Unlike the Ming Dynasty, the customs of the Han Dynasty were strikingly different.

"Sigh, the Han Dynasty is getting more and more chaotic."

"The Yellow Turban Army is rampant, warlords grow increasingly powerful, and the noble families are corrupt with greed and ambition."

"The Han Imperial Court is still engaged in internal strife."

"Interesting, very interesting!"

Along the way, the three of them saw firsthand the suffering of common folk in the Han Dynasty.

Through their hardships, Zhu Houzhao noticed many deeper, hidden truths.

He even discovered a very interesting secret.

The future of the Han Dynasty would certainly be eventful.

"I see a great dark hand behind the scenes in the Han Dynasty, slowly driving all of this."

"Today's chaos might have roots in ambitious schemers and the noble families."

"But at its core lies this hidden hand!"

Wu Qi sighed softly, then calmly offered his opinion.

==========

"Damn it!"

"Bai Qi is still alive? That useless Zhao Yong not only failed to kill him, but also cost me the Dragon Essence!"

"Now I'm completely on the back foot."

Inside a secret base.

Xiong Qi was filled with anger. Especially after the loss of the Dragon Essence, his mood had never recovered.

"And the secret forces I've built over the years, how did the Qin Dynasty discover them?"

"In a short time, several have already been destroyed!"

"At this rate, the Qin Dynasty will cut them down one by one!"

"No, I must make one final move."

Damn it.

His plans were not yet fully in place!

One wrong move, and everything could be lost.

"Tian Guang, we must act now, or it will be too late!"

Xiong Qi looked meaningfully at Tian Guang.

"Are you sure about this?"

"The chances of success are slim."

"Then we'll unite the remaining Six Kingdoms' forces, along with some of the Hundred Schools of Thought!"

"What if they refuse?"

"Heh, they'll agree. I've already prepared everything."

Xiong Qi gave a sinister smile.

He hadn't spent all these years in the shadows for nothing.

His methods extended far beyond what had been shown.

"Very well. My Agricultural School will follow your every command."

Tian Guang was completely loyal to Xiong Qi.

But the Agricultural School alone wouldn't be enough.

He needed more allies.

This time, he planned to go all in.

Even if he had to suffer, he wouldn't let anyone else get off easy.

Be it Ying Zheng or the Six Kingdoms' forces.

He didn't care anymore.

"What a pity about Wu Qi. If not for the Dragon Essence incident, he could've been a valuable chess piece."

"Now, he's escaped."

Thinking of Wu Qi, Xiong Qi felt immense regret.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Ying Zheng ( 嬴政 ) — Emperor of Qin Dynasty

・Bai Qi ( 白起 ) — Commander of Qin Dynasty

・Xiang Liang ( 项梁 ) — Master of Xiang Clan

・Fan Zeng ( 范增 ) — Advisor of Xiang Clan

・Xiong Qi ( 熊启 ) — Last King of Chu Kingdom

・Tian Guang ( 田光 ) — Master of Agricultural School

Return of Condor Heroes ( 神雕侠侣 )

・Long Bixia ( 龙碧霞 ) — Heir of Ancient Tomb Sect

Chronicle of Eastern Zhou ( 东周列国志 )

・Wu Qi ( 吴起 ) — Prime Minister of Chu Kingdom

Painting Jianghu ( 画江湖 )

・Li Chunfeng ( 李淳风 ) — Imperial Observatory of Vast Sea Dynasty

Yue Fei Complete Legend ( 说岳全传 )

・Yue Fei ( 说岳 ) — General of Vast Sea Dynasty