Chapter 39 - Give Him a Lesson He Will Never Forget

Ming Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, it looks like the World Association is on track to dominate the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

"They might become a future land of destiny."

The Empress glanced at the ranking, her eyes shimmering thoughtfully.

"Your Majesty, do we have any Dark Guard inside the World Association?"

"No." Zhu Houzhao shook his head.

"But in a few key locations, I've already planted some pawns."

"The World Association poses no threat to the Ming Dynasty. On the contrary, it's those hidden Land Immortals that deserve our attention."

"Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Duan Lang all show great potential, but they have yet to reach maturity."

"Should we send someone to recruit them into our service?" The Empress asked.

"The cost far outweighs the gain. It's not worth it. We'd be better off cultivating our own prodigies. That way, we can fully trust and control them."

"However, this Hidden Dragon Ranking..."

Zhu Houzhao still looked puzzled.

If even Qin Shuang could make the ranking, why had the true monsters of the Nine Provinces not appeared yet?

He shook his head and chose not to dwell on it.

After all, the Han Dynasty was too far removed from the Ming Dynasty, with little relevance to their dynasty.

Whether they were strong or weak, it did not concern him.

Instead, what caught Zhu Houzhao's attention was a recent secret report he had just received.

His expression turned grim.

Deep in his eyes, a flash of killing intent surged.

The report was from an undercover agent in the Qin Imperial Palace.

Zhao Gao had set his sights on Su Yue.

He was courting death.

If the Qin Dynasty and the Net Trap wanted to eliminate remnants of the Six Kingdoms or scheme against the Yin Yang School, Zhu Houzhao could turn a blind eye.

But once they involved Hundred Yue, or worse, Su Yue, it became personal.

He had always despised Zhao Gao, that treacherous eunuch.

Now that Zhao Gao had provoked him directly, he would make sure to give him a lesson he would never forget.

"Someone, come!" Zhu Houzhao ordered coldly.

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Tang Dynasty, Taiji Hall.

"Master Yuan, I recall you once said you had sent the Bad People to infiltrate the World Association in the Han Dynasty?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yuan Tiangang replied.

"The World Association was formed by several influential noble families of the Han Dynasty. Xiong Ba himself is a remarkable and ambitious warlord."

"With imperial power weakening in the Han Dynasty, should chaos erupt, someone like Xiong Ba could easily rise to power."

"So I sent the Bad People into the World Association as a precaution. Consider it a pawn on the board."

"If handled well, it might bring great benefit to our Tang Dynasty."

Yuan Tiangang's foresight was truly unmatched. Even a schemer like Xiong Ba had no idea a spy had been placed under his nose long ago.

"Haha, excellent. With Master Yuan at my side, I need not concern myself with martial affairs in the Martial World."

"It's just a pity that none from our Tang Dynasty have made it onto the ranking."

"Instead, the other dynasties have seized the spotlight."

Emperor Li Shimin still looked a little regretful.

"Your Majesty, this is only the first version of the ranking. There is still plenty of time. Our Tang Dynasty will have its chance."

"And if an Emperor Ranking is ever announced, Your Majesty will surely claim the top spot."

"Perhaps only Ying Zheng of the Qin Dynasty could be considered a rival."

"The rest of the Emperors aren't worth mentioning."

In Yuan Tiangang's eyes, the entire Nine Provinces had only a few worthy Emperors. Most were either tyrants or fools.

Compared to Li Shimin, they were laughable.

He was deeply satisfied with the Emperor he had nurtured all these years.

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Qin Dynasty, Xianyang City.

Zhao Gao Mansion.

"Someone, come!"

"At your service, my lord!"

"Send Heaven-Grade Net Trap assassins to the World Association in the Han Dynasty. Recruit Qin Shuang, Duan Lang, Nie Feng, and Bu Jingyun."

"Make sure to bring them back to the Qin Dynasty."

"My lord, what if they refuse?"

"If they will not serve the Qin Dynasty, then what good are they? Kill them without mercy."

"But... my lord, those four have reached the Great Perfection Grandmaster Realm. Even Heaven-Grade assassins may not be able to kill them."

"Fool. They may be strong, but can they avoid constant assassination attempts?"

"Not to mention mere Grandmasters, even Xiong Ba himself would eventually fall under our Net Trap's blade."

"Understood, my lord. I shall see it done."

As his trusted agent left, Zhao Gao smiled darkly.

His expression quickly turned cold again.

Clap, clap, clap!

He clapped softly, and a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

"How is the task I assigned you?"

"My lord, all preparations are complete."

"Good. Immediately activate the death agents inside Hundred Yue City. Work with the assassins outside. Watch closely. Once the opportunity arises, make sure to capture Princess Su Yue."

"My lord... are you sure? How will we explain this to His Majesty?"

"That is not your concern. Just follow orders."

"But my lord, the chances of success are extremely low. Hundred Yue City is heavily guarded, no less dangerous than the Yin Yang School's stronghold. If we act, the Hundred Yue Queen will respond instantly."

"Even if several Heaven-Grade assassins act together, we may not hold out."

"And failure is very likely."

"So what? Even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I will still try."

"As long as Su Yue's life and death are in my hands, both the Eastern Monarch and Hundred Yue City will become my pawns."

"So what if they hate me?"

"That little Princess is far more important than anyone realizes."

"This risk is worth taking."

"And if we fail, we can always shift the blame to His Majesty."

"Then the Eastern Monarch and Hundred Yue's wrath will fall on him instead."

"..."

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Wudang Mountain.

Zhang Sanfeng and Yu Daiyan were both curiously watching the ranking.

"Master, I remember you saying the Han Martial World has long been in decline. Why is it still so powerful now?"

"This World Association is terrifying."

"Even the Ming Cult is nothing compared to it."

Yu Daiyan shook his head in awe.

"Daiyan, you're mistaken. The World Association itself isn't that frightening."

"What's frightening are the old monsters hiding in the shadows!"

"And those few truly peerless prodigies. Even I would be nothing in front of them."

A trace of nostalgia flashed in Zhang Sanfeng's eyes.

He had once traveled through the Han Martial World, and had seen with his own eyes the sheer terror those true cultivators could inspire.

And there wasn't just one or two of them.

They were unlike any cultivators from the other dynasties.

Even Land Immortals had to tread carefully there.

One misstep could mean death.

That was how terrifying it was.

Ever since then, Zhang Sanfeng had secluded himself in Wudang, devoting himself to cultivation.

Never again did he dare claim to be unmatched under heaven.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

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

Great Tang Twin Dragons Legend ( 大唐双龙传 )

・Li Shimin ( 李世民 ) — Emperor of Tang Dynasty

Painting Jianghu ( 画江湖 )

・Yuan Tiangang ( 袁天罡 ) — Master of Bad People

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Ying Zheng ( 嬴政 ) — Emperor of Qin Dynasty

・Zhao Gao ( 赵高 ) — Head Eunuch of Qin Dynasty

Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber ( 倚天屠龙记 )

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

・Yu Daiyan ( 俞岱岩 ) — Third Disciple of Zhang Sanfeng