Chapter 96 - 85: What Is the Name of the Yan Clan Woman Entering the Palace?

"My name is Xiao Mo. From now on, I’m your master. Let me hear you say it."

"Master, Qingyi will definitely become a very, very powerful Sword Immortal!"

"Back where I’m from, we call this a birthday cake. Come on, make a wish. It’ll come true."

"Qingyi, Master wants to go out and see the world. Would you like to come with me?" "Through a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, this disciple is willing!"

"Xiao Mo! Let me go! I can kill them even without that Sword Bone!"

"Qingyi... forgive your master. This is the last time."

Scenes from three thousand years ago surfaced in the woman’s mind.

His voice lingered in Jiang Qingyi’s ears.

Jiang Qingyi gripped the longsword in her hand, her eyes seemingly fixed on the man before her.

As for the figures and voices of everyone else, they had long since vanished from her perception.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Elder Huang of the Wanjian Sect, Xiao Mo finally noticed the two female disciples behind him.

One of the female disciples was staring at him, her gaze never wavering in the slightest.

And for some reason...

Looking at this female disciple, Xiao Mo felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Unfortunately, she wore a veil, making it impossible for him to see her face.

"The three of you must be weary from your journey. We have prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your travels." Xiao Mo averted his gaze from the veiled woman and continued speaking to Elder Huang.

"Then we will impose on Your Majesty," Elder Huang said with a smile.

"It is no imposition. This way, please."

"After you, Your Majesty."

After a few more pleasantries with Huang Wei, Xiao Mo boarded the Dragon Chariot. Elder Huang and the other two were also led to a horse-drawn carriage.

The court officials entered the city in succession.

In the outer hall of the Imperial Palace, Xiao Mo hosted a banquet for Elder Huang of the Wanjian Sect.

Course after course of rare delicacies were served, while carefully selected dancers sang and danced. The court officials were all in attendance.

Everything was arranged to the highest standard.

This was all prepared by Yan Shanao.

It could only be said that Yan Shanao truly placed great importance on this visit from the Wanjian Sect.

’But it makes sense.’

The Zhou Kingdom was currently weak, and the surrounding nations were eyeing it greedily, eager to swallow it whole.

If the Zhou Kingdom didn’t find a powerful backer now, there was no telling when it might be destroyed.

If the Zhou Kingdom fell, even if Yan Shanao betrayed the country for personal gain, he wouldn’t enjoy the comfortable position he held now.

In Xiao Mo’s opinion, it wasn’t a big deal for the Zhou Kingdom to become a vassal of the Wanjian Sect.

’Although the Yan Clan’s control over the Imperial Court would become even more absurd, my future situation wouldn’t be much different from my current one.’

’As for whether Yan Shanao would usurp the throne himself with the Wanjian Sect’s support... I think that’s impossible.’

’First, regardless of whether Yan Shanao has any such intentions, he is a minister of orphanage. If he were to ascend the throne, he would bring eternal shame upon the entire Yan Clan. The Empress Dowager would never allow it.’

’Second, as a Dragon Gate Realm Cultivator with a lifespan of several hundred years, why would he abandon the path to longevity?’

’Finally, the child born of me and that talented woman from the Yan Clan is destined to become the Sovereign of Zhou.’

’At that point, the entire kingdom will rightfully belong to the Yan Family.’

’So they have no need to take such a risk.’

’And right now, I can use the Wanjian Sect’s protection to deter other nations and focus on developing my own strength in peace.’

’Once the time comes to slaughter Yan Shanao, everything will be settled.’

’As for whether the Wanjian Sect would care about Yan Shanao’s death? Heh.’

’They only care if a Mortal Dynasty provides tributes to the Sect, not who provides them.’

The atmosphere at the banquet grew more and more lively.

The court officials fawned over Huang Wei, with Yan Shanao leading the bootlicking. This put Elder Huang in an extremely good mood.

Xiao Mo, on the other hand, just wanted this welcome banquet to end quickly so he could go back and start his next life.

’But then again... ’

Xiao Mo glanced at the veiled woman again. She was still looking at him...

This filled Xiao Mo’s heart with doubt.

’Do I know her?’

’Does she have a grudge against me?’

’Or was it love at first sight?’

Two hours later, the banquet concluded. Under the arrangements of the Ministry of Rites, the three were housed in the guesthouse affiliated with the Honglu Temple.

Although it was called a guesthouse, it was actually a vast estate with several small courtyards inside, specifically used to accommodate envoys from sects and other dynasties.

After entering the estate, Elder Huang had intended to go rest, but was summoned to the front courtyard by Jiang Qingyi.

"Sect Leader, what are your orders?" Elder Huang dispelled the effects of the alcohol, walked into the front courtyard, and bowed to Jiang Qingyi.

Jiang Qingyi sat in the pavilion, watching the fish swim freely in the nearby lake. "How much do you know about the Sovereign of Zhou?"

"Well... Reporting to the Sect Leader, this subordinate doesn’t know much."

"Speak."

"Yes... Sect Leader..."

Elder Huang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, organizing his thoughts.

"This Sovereign of Zhou... his name is Xiao Mo."

The moment Elder Huang’s first sentence left his lips, Jiang Qingyi whipped her head around to look at Huang Wei.

In that instant, it was as if a thousand sharp swords were pointed at Huang Wei’s body.

The piercing Sword Qi and profound Sword Intent made Huang Wei drop to his knees at once. "Sect Leader, every word I’ve said is true! I haven’t spoken nonsense..."

"I never said you were speaking nonsense." Jiang Qingyi retracted her gaze. "An Elder of my Wanjian Sect shouldn’t always be kneeling. Stand up and speak."

"Yes..."

Huang Wei shakily rose to his feet.

’It’s not like I want to be kneeling.’

’It’s just that your Sword Qi and Sword Intent are truly terrifying, Sect Leader...’

"This Xiao Mo... he’s actually a descendant of King Zhongshan. But because the previous Monarch of Zhou left no heir, a successor of both virtue and talent had to be adopted from among the imperial relatives.

"Yan Shanao and his elder sister, the current Empress Dowager, chose Xiao Mo.

"Xiao Mo is really just a Puppet Emperor.

"In the Imperial Court today, whatever Yan Shanao says, goes."

Jiang Qingyi said, "Continue."

"Regarding this Xiao Mo, this subordinate truly doesn’t know much more. However, there is one thing I’ve heard... Xiao Mo has already come of age, but his harem is empty. Yan Shanao has chosen a talented woman from the Yan Clan to enter the palace and be made the Empress.

"I hear preparations for the grand ceremony are already underway.

"That Yan Shanao has been telling his subordinates that they must all celebrate the grand occasion together."

BOOM!

The moment Huang Wei finished speaking, the pond in front of Jiang Qingyi suddenly exploded. Fish were thrown onto the ground amidst a massive splash of water.

"Sect Leader, spare me..." Huang Wei dropped to his knees again.

"You’ve done nothing wrong. Why would I kill you?" Jiang Qingyi looked at Huang Wei.

"This subordinate... this subordinate..."

Huang Wei was on the verge of tears. ’How would this subordinate know why...’

’But seeing how angry you look... the pond was blown up by your Sword Qi! I had no choice but to drop to my knees and beg for mercy.’

"The Empress-bestowing ceremony."

Jiang Qingyi stared coldly ahead.

"The woman from the Yan Clan who is to enter the palace... what is her name?"