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

Ming Dynasty Territory.

Three figures walked slowly along the path.

"We're finally back!"

"Long'er, are you tired? How about I take you to a fun place?"

"Husband, I'm not tired. Your business matters more."

Long Bixia shook her head. As long as she was by Zhu Houzhao's side, she would be content anywhere.

Moreover, traveling with Zhu Houzhao through various nations this time had greatly broadened her horizons.

Even her mental state had improved dramatically.

No doubt, once she returned and reflected, her cultivation would advance again by leaps and bounds.

She was well aware that throughout the journey, Zhu Houzhao had been subtly helping her cultivate.

Her heart was filled with warmth, though she showed none of it on her face due to her quiet nature.

Watching the two of them constantly immersed in love along the way, Wu Qi, trailing behind, was completely deflated.

He had not had an easy time these past days.

Not physically, he wasn't injured, but mentally.

Throughout the journey, a terrifying pressure had been weighing on his spirit at all times.

An invisible force constantly crushed down on his mind.

He knew exactly who was behind it, but he couldn't say anything.

The closer they got to the Ming Dynasty border, the more terrifying that pressure became.

It was relentless.

Not even a moment of relief.

Even as a Mythical Realm cultivator, he found it hard to endure.

"Wu Qi, we're almost inside Ming Dynasty Territory. Is there anything you want to say to me?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I beg for your mercy. I will be forever grateful."

"That's not what I want to hear."

Zhu Houzhao glanced at him and shook his head.

Then, still holding Long Bixia's hand, he continued walking forward.

Wu Qi's expression turned bitter, but he followed nonetheless.

Originally, Wu Qi had planned to offer his allegiance to Zhu Houzhao. But after spending time together, he realized that Zhu Houzhao was far harder to serve than he had expected.

He was already thinking of backing out.

Unfortunately, it was too late now.

Only two paths lay before him.

The path to death.

And the path to life.

There was no third option.

==========

Clang clang clang!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Somewhere in the Ming Dynasty.

Two agile figures clashed again, intense sword intent bursting in all directions.

The two terrifying sword cultivators were locked in battle.

Judging by their sword auras alone, they were among the rare sword talents of the Nine Provinces.

In fact, they had already reached the Land Immortal Realm.

"Xiao Zhuang, you've lost again this time."

A steady voice rang out.

In the next moment, one of them flashed and appeared in front of his opponent.

His long sword rested lightly against the other's neck.

With a single breath of sword energy, he could slice open his throat.

"Damn it. Senior Brother, ever since you entered Ming Dynasty Territory, your swordsmanship has improved faster and faster."

Wei Zhuang's face was gloomy, filled with unwillingness.

He had lost yet another bout.

Logically, after advancing to the Heavenly Human Realm, he should have caught up quickly.

But as time passed, he felt the gap only widening.

Was his sword talent truly inferior to Ge Nie's?

"Oh... Uncle, you won again. That's great!"

"This bad man, hmph, you'll never beat Uncle!"

Not far away, Tianming shouted excitedly.

His face was full of joy.

Every time he saw Uncle Ge Nie defeat the "bad man" Wei Zhuang, he was delighted.

If Uncle hadn't insisted, he wouldn't want to be around that white-haired villain at all.

"Tianming, don't be rude!"

"Oh!"

"Xiao Zhuang, I've only taken a step further on the sword path."

"With your talent, you'll catch up soon enough."

Ge Nie didn't care at all about winning just now.

His goal was to spar with the top sword cultivators of the Nine Provinces.

Those at the Mythical Realm and God Demon Realm were his true opponents.

"Hm?"

"Who's there?!"

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Ge Nie's eyes sharpened.

He instinctively pulled Tianming behind him, guarding a certain direction.

Clap clap clap clap!!

"Such a keen perception. Impressive!"

"As expected of the Sword Saint of Qin Dynasty!"

Zhu Houzhao and his two companions walked over slowly.

He looked at Ge Nie with a cheerful smile.

Behind him, Wu Qi curled his lips.

Just Heavenly Human Realm cultivators, he really didn't understand why Zhu Houzhao was treating two nobodies so courteously.

Even if their talent was decent, could they compare to him?

He, Wu Qi, was a Mythical Realm cultivator and known as the Martial Sage of the Nine Provinces, yet had never received such recognition or respect.

Why should two mere sword cultivators be treated so highly?

"It's you?"

Ge Nie remained calm, but Wei Zhuang, seeing Zhu Houzhao, was visibly shocked.

"The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, Su Yi?!"

"What?"

Ge Nie was stunned.

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, Su Yi?

Wasn't that the Ming Emperor, Zhu Houzhao?

"Ge Nie greets Your Majesty of the Ming Dynasty."

"Sir Ge Nie, no need for formalities. I just happened to pass by and saw an exceptional duel. It was quite impressive."

"Congratulations to both of you for reaching the Heavenly Human Realm."

"Your Majesty flatters me. Compared to you, my sword skills are hardly worth mentioning."

Zhu Houzhao smiled lightly, neither agreeing nor denying.

Instead, his gaze swept toward Wei Zhuang, half smiling.

"Wei Zhuang, it's been a long time."

"Yes, it certainly has."

"Who would have thought that the young man drinking Overlord Wine at Purple Orchid Pavilion in the capital of Han Kingdom would turn out to be the Ming Emperor."

"Even more unexpected, a legendary Land Immortal."

Wei Zhuang spoke in a deep voice, his tone somewhat strange.

"Hahaha, I was just traveling the Nine Provinces back then, hoping to see the sights."

"I never expected to meet someone as interesting as you. It made the trip to the Han Kingdom well worth it."

Wei Zhuang sneered coldly at those words.

Well worth it?

After stealing the hearts of Zi Nu, Nong Yu, even Hong Lian, then vanishing without a word and leaving them longing for years, he actually had the nerve to say that?

As for Zhu Houzhao's strength, even Wei Zhuang had to admit it was formidable.

But he couldn't stand the way Zhu Houzhao played with the hearts of those dear to him.

Had it been others, he might have let it pass. But this guy had fooled his close friends.

That was unacceptable.

If he weren't clearly outmatched, he would have already drawn his sword to teach him a lesson.

"Shall we find a place to sit and talk?"

==========

A private room in a fine tavern.

"What? You want to recruit me and my Senior Brother to lead troops against the Qing Dynasty?"

"Do you even know what you're saying?"

Wei Zhuang looked at Zhu Houzhao in disbelief.

Even Ge Nie was watching him curiously.

"You two trained under the Ghost Valley lineage of the Qin Dynasty. Your skills aren't limited to swordsmanship, are they?"

"Weren't Sun Bin and Pang Juan, as well as Zhang Yi and Su Qin, all from Ghost Valley?"

"Their achievements weren't confined to the Qin Dynasty. Even across the entire Nine Provinces, they were renowned."

"Don't you want to surpass them?"

"The current Nine Provinces are in an age of great conflict. Would you really pass up such a moment?"

Zhu Houzhao chuckled.

He wasn't worried in the slightest that they would refuse. Just by the light in their eyes, he could see what they were thinking.

They were moved.

Even Ge Nie.

To finally realize their ideals and showcase all they had learned in Ghost Valley.

To prove their worth.

Unfortunately, within the Qin Dynasty, they had been pushed into the world of wandering sword cultivators.

There was no longer a place for them in the Imperial Court.

All the positions were held tightly by Qin Dynasty people.

Especially Ge Nie, who was reduced to being a sword guard for Ying Zheng.

Completely incomparable to the treatment of Sun Bin, Pang Juan, Zhang Yi, or Su Qin.

"Could we have some time to consider?"

"Gentlemen, the opportunity is right before you. Do you still need to think?"

"As future great generals, you must never miss any opportunity."

"A single moment of hesitation could mean missing the key to victory in a war."

"Consider? In the midst of true battle crises, where is there time to consider?"

"Ge Nie, Wei Zhuang, if you don't even have that much courage, then, well..."

Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang exchanged glances.

They both nodded.

"May we ask how Your Majesty intends to employ us?"

Now that they had decided to serve under the Ming Emperor, their attitude became respectful.

"You two have been in the Ming Dynasty for some time, so you must know about the Ming-Qing War."

"I'm assigning each of you 30,000 troops. You will join this campaign to destroy the Qing Dynasty."

"How far you rise, or whether you fall into obscurity, will depend entirely on yourselves."

Zhu Houzhao poured tea and took a small sip.

"By the way, this is Wu Qi. You must have heard of him."

"He will be the main marshal of the Ming Dynasty's Third Army against the Qing Dynasty. You will serve under his command."

Zhu Houzhao pointed to Wu Qi and smiled.

Wu Qi was stunned.

"Your Majesty, I have not yet agreed to join the Ming Dynasty. How could I take up the position of main marshal?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes narrowed, a flash of danger appearing.

"Wu Qi, it seems the lessons I gave you along the way weren't enough."

"Ever since you broke into Hundred Yue City, your true target was me, wasn't it?"

"You've got some nerve. Did you really think I'm someone you can scheme against?"

"If not for your extraordinary talent, I would've killed you long ago."

"Do you really think a mere Mythical Realm cultivator would catch my eye?"

"One final question. Will you accept it or not?"

"There is only one chance."

"Think carefully."

Zhu Houzhao stared at Wu Qi, sending chills down his spine and drenching him in cold sweat.

He felt the threat of death.

"This time, making you the main marshal of the campaign against the Qing Dynasty is your chance to redeem yourself."

"Success is the only option. Failure is not allowed."

"Is Your Majesty not afraid that I might deliberately throw the battle and then flee?"

"You're welcome to try. I guarantee that before your plan even begins, your head will already be on my imperial desk."

Zhu Houzhao sneered.

As for Wu Qi, Zhu Houzhao intended to use only his talent. Everything else could wait until after the unification of the Nine Provinces.

Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang exchanged glances again.

Should they really join?

But once they did, what would become of their sword path?

These were two entirely different roads.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )

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

Chronicle of Eastern Zhou ( 东周列国志 )

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

Return of Condor Heroes ( 神雕侠侣 )

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

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Wei Zhuang ( 卫庄 ) — Master of Quicksand

・Ge Nie ( 盖聂 ) — Imperial Bodyguard of Qin Dynasty