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

Han Dynasty Territory.

Zhu Houzhao was traveling across the land with Long Bixia, touring and enjoying the sights.

Of course, he had a much greater purpose for this journey.

He wanted to uncover the true situation within the Han Dynasty.

Back when he was still at the God Demon Realm, he had already discovered the existence of an organization called the Stitched Cloth Guard within the Han Dynasty.

However, it had always operated with two completely different faces, one in the light and one in the shadows.

The Stitched Cloth Guard in the open was under the jurisdiction of the Han Imperial Court, but it had completely deteriorated.

It was filled with the descendants of noble families and clans, essentially turned into their private playground.

Not worth mentioning.

But the Stitched Cloth Guard in the shadows allowed the Han Dynasty to continue weakening, even covertly fueling its decline.

At times, it seemed as if the Stitched Cloth Guard had betrayed the Han Dynasty, but in secret, it also seemed to protect it at critical moments.

The contradictions were too great.

This led Zhu Houzhao to suspect that behind the Stitched Cloth Guard was an even more powerful force, deeply tied to the Han Dynasty.

There was absolutely a God Demon Realm cultivator involved.

Years ago, Zhu Houzhao had not dared to investigate too deeply, for fear of alerting the enemy.

But now that his strength had made another breakthrough, it was time to dig further.

Otherwise, in the future, this mysterious power might be the one to strike at him from the shadows.

Moreover, for this matter, he couldn't even send his Dark Guard.

Though the Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard were formidable, this situation was beyond their capacity.

They could very well be used against him.

Only he himself could act.

However.

The force behind the Stitched Cloth Guard was hidden too deeply.

Even after Zhu Houzhao captured the vice-leader, second only to the leader, and used mind control techniques, he still couldn't extract the information he needed.

It appeared that the only one who knew the full secrets of the Stitched Cloth Guard was the leader himself.

And that man was a God Demon Realm cultivator.

According to Zhu Houzhao's investigation, this person was the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader from several hundred years ago.

Too much time had passed, and even Zhu Houzhao had only uncovered bits and pieces.

This showed just how well the man was hidden.

In a nameless valley.

Zhu Houzhao stood before a man dressed in black, collapsed on the ground and was completely unconscious, the Stitched Cloth Guard Vice-Leader .

He wore a helpless expression.

There was nothing useful to be found.

Without hesitation, he raised his palm and reduced the man to dust.

Just like that, a Heaven-tier cultivator died in an unknown corner of the world, without a sound.

This scene left Wu Qi, who had been following him, deeply shaken.

He was both terrified and in awe of Zhu Houzhao's mysterious and ruthless methods.

At the same time, he found it hard to believe the Han Dynasty harbored such hidden depths.

He had never expected that a dynasty on the verge of collapse would still have waters this deep.

Back when he analyzed the power struggles of various dynasties, he had never even considered the Han Dynasty a serious player.

In this regard, he was far beneath the Ming Emperor.

"Your Majesty, should we continue our investigation?" Wu Qi asked, somewhat hopeful.

This man could bow when needed and never dared provoke Zhu Houzhao.

Otherwise, only death would await him.

Zhu Houzhao's methods had inspired in him both fear and respect over the past few days.

Even with centuries of experience and broad knowledge, he did not dare grow careless.

Zhu Houzhao ignored Wu Qi.

This man was still under assessment.

No matter how respectful he acted, Zhu Houzhao simply paid him no mind.

"We can't investigate any further."

"Otherwise, we'll definitely alarm the force behind the Stitched Cloth Guard."

Zhu Houzhao shook his head and murmured to himself.

If he had not reached the Sage Realm, he would've been exposed by now.

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader was surely already investigating the threat behind the scenes.

If Zhu Houzhao had remained at the God Demon Realm, he would have been discovered the moment he set foot in their territory.

Unfortunately for them.

He had already become a Sage.

And the techniques of a Sage were something no God Demon Realm power could contend with.

"Han Dynasty, huh?"

"How interesting."

"This is the second time I've come away empty-handed."

"I hope the third time won't let me down."

Zhu Houzhao didn't mind that he hadn't obtained what he wanted.

Still.

This investigation confirmed a vague suspicion that had long lingered in his mind.

Once he gathered more information and organized his findings, he would return again.

This time, he had been insufficiently prepared.

"It's not suitable to stay in the Han Dynasty any longer. Let's leave."

Zhu Houzhao spoke indifferently.

Without waiting for Wu Qi's reaction, he pulled Long Bixia along and left.

From the very beginning, Zhu Houzhao had never underestimated any dynasty.

Especially those ancient dynasties with long histories.

In the Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, and even Song Dynasty, he had never looked down on any of them.

He had some grasp of the secrets behind the Qin Dynasty.

Song Dynasty was not as simple as it appeared either.

But it was the Han Dynasty that he valued most.

This operation only confirmed his judgment.

It seemed he would need to pay more attention to these dynasties in the future.

The foundations of any one of them were not to be underestimated.

This time, Zhu Houzhao's campaign against the Qing Dynasty might even draw out the true depth of the Qing Dynasty's hidden strength.

Only by destroying that foundation would the Qing Dynasty be truly erased.

Right now, the Ming Dynasty's multi-front campaign was just the appetizer.

The real show was still to come.

==========

Border of the Tang Dynasty, at the battlefield against the Turkic Kingdom.

Li Ji, who had ranked on the Renowned Marshal Ranking, was currently clearing the battlefield.

This battle had wiped out nearly fifty thousand Turkic Kingdom troops, yet he didn't feel any joy.

He had paid close attention to the recent military achievements of Yue Fei, Han Xin, Hua Mulan, and other famed generals.

Each of them was extraordinary.

None were inferior to him.

If they truly clashed, he couldn't say for sure he would win.

He had underestimated his opponents.

Unacceptable.

As one of the marshals on the ranking, his military record must not falter.

Otherwise, not only would he lose face personally, he would disgrace the entire Tang Dynasty.

"Report! Marshal, we've just received news, the main force under the Turkic Qaghan has been located!"

"Good! Mobilize the army!"

"This time, we must annihilate the invading Turkic Qaghan and all his barbarian forces!"

"Yes, Marshal!"

==========

Qing Dynasty.

The army led by Qi Jiguang had continued its campaign across the land.

During this time, they had captured many cities and achieved great results.

Some cities had not even resisted.

At the sight of the Ming Army, they opened their gates and surrendered without hesitation.

To the average soldier, this seemed normal.

But Qi Jiguang knew otherwise.

It was the Emperor's long-laid schemes finally bearing fruit.

Years ago, Emperor Zhu Houzhao had already sent many agents into Qing Dynasty Territory.

Now, those years of effort were finally paying off.

Yet Qi Jiguang wasn't satisfied.

It was going too smoothly.

Few enemies had died by his army's hands.

The enemies they did encounter were not particularly strong.

Compared to the trials faced by Hua Mulan, Yue Fei, and Han Xin, his campaign was nothing.

Even his accomplishments were full of water.

In Qi Jiguang's view, these were not his merits.

He accepted them with guilt.

"Marshal, the scouts just reported that Agui, a trusted general under Hongli, is leading 200,000 troops to block us!"

"Agui?"

Qi Jiguang's eyes lit up.

He knew this man.

He was an excellent general, highly skilled in warfare.

When the Emperor had discussed the Qing Dynasty generals with him, Agui's name had come up frequently.

Even more so, the Emperor had praised him repeatedly.

Qi Jiguang dared not underestimate this opponent.

He intended to destroy Agui and the Qing Army.

To prove the might of the renowned marshals of the Nine Provinces.

"Summon all the generals to the command tent for council!"

==========

Ming Dynasty Territory.

Two graceful figures had arrived in the imperial domain.

It was none other than A Qing and Shang Xiuxun, who had left the Sui Dynasty.

"The Ming Dynasty is truly different from the other dynasties."

"It hasn't fallen into total chaos."

"That scoundrel may be insufferable, but his ability to govern is truly not to be underestimated!"

"He really is born to be an Emperor!"

Shang Xiuxun sighed softly.

"Xiuxun, are we going directly to the palace next?"

"No. Let's travel around the Ming Dynasty for a while first."

"With that guy's ability, he'll surely notice our presence soon enough."

"If he truly cares, he'll come find us himself."

"If we go to him first, wouldn't that lower our worth?"

Shang Xiuxun shook her head and rejected the idea.

Though she did miss that heartless man, she couldn't let go of her pride.

This was the last bit of dignity she could maintain before him.

"Xiuxun, I want to visit Snow Moon City and witness the swordsmanship of the Snow Moon Sword Immortal. Will you come with me?"

A Qing was extraordinary in swordsmanship.

Aside from that annoying Zhu Houzhao, the only person who interested her was the Sword Immortal of the Ming Dynasty.

The most famous of them was Li Hanyi, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal.

She wanted to personally witness the woman's sword skills.

Today, Li Hanyi has become the symbol of martial arts in the Ming Dynasty.

Any cultivator from other nations who came to the Ming Dynasty would instinctively make Snow Moon City their first destination.

All eager to witness the legendary swordsmanship of the Snow Moon Sword Immortal.

And with her striking beauty and elegant presence, she quickly gathered a large and devoted following across the Nine Provinces.

People sang her praises without end.

Because of this.

Li Hanyi, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, was famous throughout the Nine Provinces.

"Very well, let's go!"

"I've heard that this Snow Moon Sword Immortal has quite a close relationship with that scoundrel. Maybe we can learn something about him from her."

"Perfect! Let's go!"

==========

Ming Imperial Palace, Imperial Harem.

Empress Chambers.

"Miss, this is intel just sent from the spies of Netherworld City!"

"Oh? A Qing? Another female Sword Immortal has come to the Ming Dynasty!"

"And she's already sought out the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyi!"

"Continue monitoring them!"

Empress Wu Zhao ordered directly.

She took Li Hanyi very seriously.

She had discussed the female Sword Immortal with the Emperor many times and noticed his unusual expression each time.

Without a doubt, there was something between them.

Clearly, another beauty.

And likely a very close one.

Wu Zhao paid great attention to all the women around the Emperor.

She would never harm any of them outright, for fear of crossing the Emperor's bottom line and inciting his resentment.

But necessary caution was still required.

She needed to distinguish who was truly devoted, and who was scheming.

Those who were loyal, she wouldn't interfere with.

But those harboring ill intent or seeking to harm the Emperor, she would never tolerate.

Necessary measures must be taken.

As for Wu Zhao's little schemes, Zhu Houzhao naturally knew.

But of course.

He simply turned a blind eye.

He had great confidence in his charm.

Any woman he acknowledged would never betray him.

As for Wu Zhao's jealous behavior, Zhu Houzhao actually found it rather amusing.

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List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

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

Sun Moon In The Sky ( 日月当空 )

・Wu Zhao ( 武曌 ) — Empress of Ming Dynasty

Chronicle of Eastern Zhou ( 东周列国志 )

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

Legend of Tang ( 说唐 )

・Xu Shiji ( 徐世勣 ) — General of Tang Dynasty

Sword Stained With Royal Blood ( 碧血剑 )

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

Sword of Yue Maiden ( 越女剑 )

・A Qing ( 阿青 ) — Sword Teacher of Yue Kingdom

Great Tang Twin Dragons Legend ( 大唐双龙传 )

・Shang Xiuxun ( 商秀珣 ) — Master of Flying Horse Ranch