Chapter 181 - Is The Qing Dynasty About to Change? Rank 8, Jiang Yuyan's Conspiracy

Qing Dynasty.

Capital City.

Inside an ordinary mansion.

Yuan Suiyun, Lu Xiaofeng, Chu Liuxiang, Hua Manlou, and others had all gathered here.

At this moment.

Hua Manlou's eyes had already regained their luster.

He could clearly see everything around him.

The medicine requested from the Emperor had indeed been extraordinary. In a short time, without any pain, his eyes were completely healed.

Because of this.

Lu Xiaofeng and the others were amazed by the Emperor's capabilities.

They dared not defy his orders even slightly.

To easily cure someone who had been blind for over twenty years, such power was unimaginable.

If they angered him, the result would be worse than death.

So the Emperor's task could not be taken lightly.

"Lu Xiaofeng, Marshal Xiang, how's the task I entrusted to you going?"

Yuan Suiyun looked at Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang and asked.

"Of course. We've already made contact with the Master of Heaven Earth Association Chen Jinnan. They'll cooperate with our actions."

"Who would've thought that the famed Chen Jinnan of the Qing Dynasty was actually one of His Majesty's hidden agents from years ago?"

"When he set this up, wasn't His Majesty still just the Crown Prince?"

"At such a young age, he already had such far-reaching vision. It's laughable that before the Golden Ranking appeared, I still thought he was just an ordinary monarch."

Lu Xiaofeng shook his head with a wry smile.

If he hadn't joined the Azure Dragon Association, he would never have known that the Emperor had planted countless hidden agents across various nations years ago.

"Not just Chen Jinnan."

"Many people on the Qing Imperial Court were secretly supported by His Majesty."

"Even within our Azure Dragon Association, we don't know exactly how many members are truly our own people."

"Even Manchus have been turned by His Majesty."

"His arrangements within the Qing Dynasty are far too extensive."

Chu Liuxiang rubbed his nose, unsure what more to say.

The more he learned, the more terrified he felt of the Emperor.

Thankfully, they had not become his enemies. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"If even the Heaven Earth Association has been infiltrated by His Majesty, then surely the Red Flower Association must also contain his agents."

"I've investigated. Chen Jialuo of the Red Flower Association is not one of His Majesty's people."

"In other words, some of the association's leaders must be His Majesty's."

Yuan Suiyun pondered for a moment, then spoke.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

"Right, Branch Master Yuan, why have you gathered us here today? Do you have a plan?"

Lu Xiaofeng asked curiously.

Yuan Suiyun was just about to respond.

At that moment, a subordinate entered and reported.

"Reporting, Branch Master. Someone is outside requesting to see you. They specifically asked for you!"

"Oh? Who is it? Let them in!"

Yuan Suiyun's eyes moved slightly and he spoke directly.

Soon, a slim woman in black, wearing a bamboo hat, entered.

"I am a member of the Azure Dragon Association's March 11th Branch. Greetings, Branch Master Yuan!"

"Oh? You know me?"

Yuan Suiyun asked in surprise.

"From the moment you entered the capital, we received your information immediately."

"March 11th Branch? Interesting. Where is your Branch Master? Why didn't she come personally?"

"Our Branch Master is currently handling an important task and is personally investigating a major matter, so she sent me instead."

"What is it? Speak."

The woman in the bamboo hat didn't answer. Instead, she took a small bamboo tube from her robe and handed it over.

"All the information is inside. I am only here to deliver the message."

"What to do next is explained clearly within. I will now take my leave."

The woman said nothing more.

After handing the tube to Yuan Suiyun, she left immediately.

Yuan Suiyun gave Chu Liuxiang a meaningful glance.

Chu Liuxiang understood and followed her.

Yuan Suiyun opened the bamboo tube. After reading the contents, his expression changed.

His eyes were full of disbelief.

Without sharing the information with anyone, he channeled his energy and instantly turned the note to dust.

The message was too important. He didn't even tell Lu Xiaofeng and the others.

Though they felt a bit dissatisfied, they could only stand by helplessly.

After all, their ranks were not as high as Yuan Suiyun's.

They could only follow orders.

Moments later, Chu Liuxiang returned.

"Guess who that bamboo-hatted woman was?"

"The maid of the head courtesan of the capital's most famous brothel, Emerald Red Tower!"

Seeing everyone remain silent, Chu Liuxiang glanced deeply at them and spoke.

"What? Courtesan?"

"You mean to say the Master of the March 11th Branch is that courtesan?"

"Although we've only been in the capital for a few days, her fame rings throughout the city."

"Countless sons of officials have spent fortunes just to see her once, and even then may fail."

"Who would have thought she was a Branch Master of the Azure Dragon Association?"

"Incredible. Today, we finally understand just how mysterious and terrifying the Azure Dragon Association is."

Even Yuan Suiyun couldn't help but sigh.

Within the Azure Dragon Association, the Twelve Halls each had their own function. March was responsible for intelligence gathering.

Their hall, August, was responsible for operations.

It seemed this major operation was a joint effort by many branches of the association.

Even the branches didn't know the content of each other's tasks.

This showed just how important secrecy was.

If Chu Liuxiang didn't have such remarkable lightness skills, they wouldn't have learned the true identity of the March 11th Branch.

"Gentlemen, in the coming days, the Qing Imperial Court, the capital, and even the entire world will erupt in chaos. We must act according to the situation."

"Also, with the Yuan Dynasty National Master Phagpa now at odds with Hongli, we need to stir things up even more."

"Make the waters of the Qing Dynasty as muddy as possible."

"I've heard that a Dragon Head has personally come to the Qing Dynasty to oversee this mission."

"We absolutely cannot make any mistakes."

Yuan Suiyun said calmly.

Any Dragon Head of the Azure Dragon Association had strength far beyond theirs.

Maybe not quite at the God Demon Realm.

But at least Mythical Realm.

It seemed His Majesty truly intended to make a move against the Qing Dynasty.

And it made sense.

The situation across the Nine Provinces was changing daily.

Everything was evolving too quickly.

If the Yuan Dynasty conquered the Southern Song Dynasty and absorbed its power, then joined forces with the Qing Dynasty, it would spell disaster for the Ming Dynasty.

Only if the Ming Dynasty destroyed the Qing Dynasty before the Southern Song Dynasty fell could it gain the upper hand in a future war against the Yuan Dynasty.

For this day, the Emperor had prepared for who knows how long.

"Reporting, Branch Master. We just received important news."

"Phagpa of the Yuan Dynasty has killed several of the Qing Dynasty's Heavenly Human Realm cultivators."

"Hongli has bowed his head and admitted defeat."

"The two nations have reestablished friendly relations."

Interesting.

Friendly relations?

How can we let you be friendly?

With us here, even if you want peace, it won't happen.

Just as Yuan Suiyun was about to issue orders and begin the next phase.

In the skies above, the Dao Immortal Ranking refreshed once more.

The eighth name appeared!

[Dao Immortal Ranking – Rank 8]

[True Mortal Nanhua]

[Force: Successor of Zhuang Zhou]

[Cultivation: Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]

[Technique: South Blossom True Scripture]

[Reward: 3x Low-Tier Enlightenment Card (Can be used for enlightenment, increasing comprehension one hundred times, duration one hour!)]

True Mortal Nanhua?!!

In other countries, perhaps he wasn't very famous.

But in the Han Dynasty, he was a legendary figure.

Old Immortal Nanhua!

A true immortal-like being.

Who would have thought he'd be ranked on the Dao Immortal Ranking?

What was most important, he was the successor of Zhuang Zhou.

Zhuang Zhou was one of Daoism's true giants.

Second only to Laozi.

And Old Immortal Nanhua had inherited Zhuang Zhou's teachings.

How incredible was his fortune?

Though now he was only at Great Perfection Heavenly Human Realm, his future was limitless.

Reaching Mythical Realm would be no challenge.

He might even ascend to the God Demon Realm.

Especially with three Enlightenment Cards from the Heaven Dao, it probably wouldn't take long for him to break through.

Another Mythical Realm cultivator would soon rise in the Nine Provinces!

Many stuck at bottlenecks within the Heavenly Human Realm couldn't help but feel envy, jealousy, and resentment.

==========

Han Dynasty.

Julu City.

This was the main base of the Yellow Turban Army.

Zhang Jiao looked at the ranking in the sky, his gaze flickering.

The "Supreme Peach Technique" in his hand had been gifted to him by Old Immortal Nanhua during a fateful encounter.

He had placed hope in him, wishing he could teach the will of Heaven and save the people.

But unfortunately, the Yellow Turban Army he had built had strayed further and further from that hope.

It had even become a source of disaster for the world.

If Old Immortal Nanhua saw what he had done, he would surely be filled with regret.

As for this predecessor who had given him such a great opportunity, Zhang Jiao no longer knew how to face him.

Still, no matter what.

He had to continue down this path.

He could not give up halfway.

Even if he couldn't fulfill his ideals, he would leave a glimmer of hope for those who came after.

Zhang Jiao looked away, his heart filled with determination.

==========

Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Chambers.

Jiang Yuyan saw the ranking and quickly summoned her trusted confidant.

She asked for information about this so-called True Mortal Nanhua.

Once she understood what kind of figure this so-called old immortal was, her eyes lit up.

Perhaps, this was someone she could rope in.

With the right plan, she might succeed.

If she could turn him into a pawn, she could maneuver between Heaven Gate and the Stitched Cloth Guard.

As for whether she could truly control him, Jiang Yuyan wasn't worried at all.

She had recently created a secret technique that could control people.

As long as the target wasn't of the God Demon Realm, even a Mythical Realm cultivator could be controlled, so long as she had the opportunity.

And this True Mortal Nanhua was the perfect candidate.

Positioned right between Heavenly Human Realm and Mythical Realm.

Not too low, not too high.

Perfect for her current needs.

"Find out immediately where True Mortal Nanhua is located. Don't alert him. Report back as soon as possible."

"Yes, Consort Yu!"

She was now planning to strengthen her secret forces.

Ready at any time to strike back at Heaven Gate and the Stitched Cloth Guard.

==========

Qin Dynasty, Dao School Heaven Sect.

Bei Mingzi looked at the ranking, and his heart stirred.

Successor of Zhuang Zhou?

It seemed this man had ties with his Dao School lineage.

If there was an opportunity in the future, he might pay a visit.

Especially with the inheritance of Zhuang Zhou in his hands, even he couldn't help but desire it.

He hadn't expected that the ancestor had also left arrangements across the Nine Provinces.

If he had known, he should've spent more time traveling the land.

Perhaps he would've found a great opportunity too!

With a sigh, Bei Mingzi once again returned to seclusion.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Legend of Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤传奇 )

・Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤 ) — Famous Detective of Ming Dynasty

・Hua Manlou ( 花满楼 ) — 7th Young Master of Hua Family

Legend of Chu Liuxiang ( 楚留香传奇 )

・Chu Liuxiang ( 楚留香 ) — Famous Thief of Ming Dynasty

・Yuan Suiyun ( 原随云 ) — August 15th Branch Master of Azure Dragon Association

Xiao Yu'er and Hua Wuque ( 小鱼儿与花无缺 )

・Jiang Yuyan ( 江玉燕 ) — Illegitimate Daughter of Jiang Biehe

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Bei Mingzi ( 北冥子 ) — Former Master of Dao School Heaven Sect

Romance of the Three Kingdoms ( 三国演义 )

・Zhang Jiao ( 张角 ) — Master of Supreme Peace Path