Chapter 206 - Murong Qiudi's Expectations, Traveling With Long Bixia, Rank 6, Plotting Against Hundred Yue City?

Ming Dynasty, Imperial Harem.

In Murong Qiudi's chambers, Zhu Houzhao lay comfortably on the couch while Murong Qiudi, face flushed, glared at him with a mix of annoyance and subtle joy.

Truthfully, ever since she entered the Ming Imperial Harem and became an Imperial Consort, aside from the lack of freedom and inability to leave the palace without reason, Zhu Houzhao had treated her very well.

Not only had he never neglected her, he also helped her improve her cultivation.

Now, she had finally broken through her previous realm and reached the Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal, no longer falling behind her rivals or sisters in the Imperial Harem.

In fact, she had caught up and even surpassed them.

This proved that Murong Qiudi's talent was indeed exceptional.

"Qiudi, how is the Heavenly Venerable Organization you once founded in the Martial World?"

"Your Majesty, since I have been focused on cultivation, the Heavenly Venerable Organization is now managed by trusted subordinates."

"In that case, I have a task for you. Take full control of the Heavenly Venerable Organization, issue missions, and send them into Qing Dynasty Territory."

"If they can help the Ming Dynasty break through the Qing Dynasty defenses, I will reward you handsomely."

"Not only your Heavenly Venerable Organization, but all forces in the Martial World may participate."

"The greater the contribution, the greater the reward."

Zhu Houzhao spoke calmly.

"Your Majesty intends to utilize the power of the Martial World?"

"Aren't you afraid they might be blinded by profit and end up helping the Qing Dynasty instead of the Ming Dynasty?"

"That's why unified management is needed."

"Hm, this matter requires further planning."

"But your Heavenly Venerable Organization must be ready."

The war between the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty was not only a conflict between nations but a life-and-death struggle.

Only one side could survive.

Zhu Houzhao naturally wanted to use every force at his disposal.

Although he looked down on the Ming Martial World, he could not ignore their value.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much effort on them over the years.

They might not be decisive in major events, but in minor tasks, they could be more effective than official forces.

This was something he had thought through for a long time.

Not only Murong Qiudi's Heavenly Venerable Organization, but even the Empress's Netherworld City would be mobilized.

And the forces controlled by other Consorts would be included as well.

Anyone who achieved merit would receive generous rewards.

Any person or force that could serve him would be welcomed.

Even Consorts in the Imperial Harem whose loyalty was still questionable were treated the same.

Murong Qiudi was delighted to hear this.

Though she had been less involved in managing the Heavenly Venerable Organization due to her cultivation, she had never given up on building her own power.

It was one of her key forms of protection in the Imperial Harem.

The stronger the Heavenly Venerable Organization, the greater her influence.

The Consorts in the Imperial Harem were all formidable.

A single misstep could put her at a disadvantage.

While she might not be in danger with Zhu Houzhao around, she could still suffer grievances.

She needed both strength and influence.

This national war between the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty was a perfect opportunity to grow the Heavenly Venerable Organization.

Given what she knew of Zhu Houzhao, if the organization made significant contributions, the rewards would be generous.

Compared to minor conflicts in the Martial World, a national war was a real challenge, and a real opportunity.

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Empress Chambers.

At that moment, Empress Wu Zhao was seated at her desk, diligently handling a stack of memorials.

Recently, Zhu Houzhao had fallen into a bout of severe laziness and had thrown all official documents to the Empress to manage.

With the Empress's assistance, he could relax and focus on the war with the Qing Dynasty.

Of course, in his leisure time, he continued to enjoy himself among the various Consorts of the Imperial Harem without restraint.

Naturally, this drew some dissatisfaction from the Empress.

However, Zhu Houzhao wasn't worried about Wu Zhao seizing power.

She possessed exceptional talent in governance, and he saw it as something to be fully utilized.

In fact, in some areas, she handled matters no worse than he did.

==========

Ming Martial World.

By now, Zhu Houzhao had already changed into a blue robe, looking every bit the elegant young noble.

He held a folding fan and was accompanied by a stunning beauty in white.

"Long'er, how do you feel? Returning to the Ancient Tomb must feel good!"

"This time, I'll show you around and let you enjoy yourself!"

Ever since he brought Long Bixia back to the Ming Imperial Harem, she had rarely left the palace.

Inside the Imperial Harem, she only had a few friends.

Zhu Houzhao worried that she would feel stifled if things continued that way.

So, on this journey through the Martial World, he brought her along.

Long Bixia smiled gently without speaking, and instead took his hand.

She was indeed in good spirits.

Every moment spent with Zhu Houzhao was precious to her.

In the entire Imperial Harem, she was perhaps the only one who gave her heart to him without reservation.

Naturally, Zhu Houzhao's affection for Long Bixia was no less than for Empress Wu Zhao.

In some ways, it even exceeded that.

Strangely enough, while the Empress was cautious toward all the other Consorts, she was completely at ease with Long Bixia, her greatest "rival."

She even looked after her particularly well in the Imperial Harem.

Such was Long Bixia's unique charm.

"Husband, I feel much better now. The Ancient Tomb is just like it used to be, unchanged."

"I wonder how Senior Sister is doing now?"

As she spoke, a trace of longing flickered in her eyes.

With the strength of Zhu Houzhao and Long Bixia, it took very little time to travel from the Ming Imperial Palace to the Ancient Tomb Sect in the Song Dynasty.

This trip could be considered Long Bixia's return to her old home.

Though there were few people there, it still allowed her to find closure.

It had been a small effort on Zhu Houzhao's part.

"My lord, let's leave now. Your business is more important."

"Alright, our next destination is the southern Vast Sea Dynasty!"

"Hm?"

"A new ranking has appeared!"

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[Renowned Marshal Ranking – Rank 6]

[Wang Jian]

[Nation: Qin Dynasty]

[Marshal Rating: Six Stars]

[Military: Super First-Rate]

[Political: Super First-Rate]

[Strength: First-Rate]

[Reward: One Top-Tier weapon, one set of Top-Tier generals and marshals armor, one Top-Tier military formation, and a 5% increase in national fortune for the affiliated nation]

==========

Zhu Houzhao's eyes widened.

Wang Jian?

How could it be?

He was only ranked 6th?

Impossible!

He had always held this famous Qin Dynasty general in high regard.

If it weren't for the fact that Wang Jian was impossible to win over, Zhu Houzhao would've made a move long ago.

In Zhu Houzhao's view, Wang Jian's talent in commanding troops was on par with Bai Qi's.

How could he only be ranked 6th?

But then, recalling the talented individuals he had recruited over the years, he fell silent.

With so much effort invested into their cultivation, their talents had fully blossomed.

Compared to their historical selves, they were now far stronger.

In a real confrontation, Wang Jian might not even match any one of them.

With that in mind, he began to accept the ranking.

Then he took Long Bixia by the hand and resumed their journey.

==========

Qin Imperial Palace.

Ying Zheng, Bai Qi, and Shang Yang stood before the ranking in silence.

Wang Jian was only ranked 6th?

How could this be?

In Ying Zheng's eyes, purely in terms of military talent, Wang Jian was not inferior to Bai Qi.

Perhaps only slightly weaker in raw strength.

But this ranking was supposed to be about command ability.

Personal combat power should have had minimal influence.

What criteria was the Renowned Marshal Ranking using?

"Monarch Wu'an, what do you think of this ranking?" Ying Zheng asked with a heavy tone.

At the same time, a feeling of frustration rose within him.

Were there really that many marshals in the Nine Provinces more capable than Wang Jian?

He was not convinced.

"Your Majesty, I believe this ranking is for reference only."

"Just because someone ranks higher doesn't mean they would necessarily defeat someone lower in actual battle."

"The outcome of war depends not only on the main marshal's talent but also on the support of national power."

"General Wang Jian will have the chance to prove himself in the future."

"You are right, Monarch Wu'an. This ranking is just a guide."

"Take Qi Jiguang and Hua Mulan, for example. Even if they rank lower, with the support of the Ming Dynasty's national strength, Wang Jian would still have to approach them with caution."

"We must not underestimate anyone on the ranking, but we also must not overestimate them."

Shang Yang echoed in agreement.

"I'm now very curious. Who are the top five on the Renowned Marshal Ranking, besides Monarch Wu'an?"

"Wu Qi should be one of them?"

"Are there more ancient monsters hiding in the shadows?"

Since Wu Qi had already appeared as a special case, there might be others as well.

If those old legends from the Spring and Autumn or Warring States periods began to emerge, they might indeed dominate the ranking.

"If my guess is correct, the mysterious Vast Sea Dynasty must have several renowned marshals."

"If they already have Zhou Yu for their navy, their land forces will be no less capable."

"Well said."

"It seems we must be even more vigilant toward the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"They may already pose a greater threat than the Ming Dynasty."

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Qin Dynasty Territory.

Land of Hundred Yue.

A white-clad figure darted through the sky, leaving behind faint afterimages.

His destination was none other than Hundred Yue City.

"Hundred Yue City! Today I shall see for myself just how formidable it truly is!"

"Within today's Qin Dynasty Territory, whether among Qin Dynasty loyalists or the remnants of Six Kingdoms, there is no place for me."

"I must find a different path."

"Renowned Marshal Ranking? With my command talent, I absolutely deserve a spot in the top three."

"But my only concern now is that, without a nation or force backing me, the ranking might not even consider me."

"I must find a solution!"

"Hundred Yue City is a fine chess piece."

"I shall use it as a stepping stone to show the Emperors of the Nine Provinces what I am capable of!"

This person was none other than Wu Qi, who had parted ways with Xiong Qi over a fragmented Dragon Essence.

At that time, Wu Qi had taken part of the essence and fled.

After some time refining it, his strength had greatly increased.

His cultivation had advanced further within the Mythical Realm.

Unfortunately, he was neither friend nor ally to the Qin Dynasty.

And due to Xiong Qi, he could no longer work with the Six Kingdoms.

Yet he was unwilling to leave the Qin Dynasty Territory.

In the end, he set his sights on Hundred Yue City.

It was a fine candidate for his game.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

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

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Ying Zheng ( 嬴政 ) — Emperor of Qin Dynasty

・Bai Qi ( 白起 ) — Commander of Qin Dynasty

A Step Into The Past ( 寻秦记 )

・Shang Yang ( 商鞅 ) – Prime Minister of Qin Dynasty

Sword of Third Young Master ( 三少爷的剑 )

・Murong Qiudi ( 慕容秋荻 ) — Master of Heavenly Venerable Organization

Return of Condor Heroes ( 神雕侠侣 )

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

Chronicle of Eastern Zhou ( 东周列国志 )

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