Chapter 208 - Rank 5, Ranked Too Low? Finally Reunited

[Renowned Marshal Ranking – Rank 5]

[Yue Fei]

[Nation: Vast Sea Dynasty]

[Marshal Rating: Six Stars]

[Military: Super First-Rate]

[Political: First-Rate]

[Strength: Super First-Rate]

[Reward: One Ultimate-Tier weapon, one set of Ultimate-Tier marshal armor, one Ultimate-Tier battle formation, and a 10% boost to national fortune]

==========

Yue Fei, huh?

Zhu Houzhao murmured to himself.

In his previous life, Yue Fei had been one of his two favorite historical figures.

Now that he had become Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao in this life, during his journey across the Nine Provinces.

Yue Fei was one of the talents he was determined to recruit.

And over the years, Yue Fei had not disappointed him.

He had achieved great military merits within the Vast Sea Dynasty.

earning countless achievements.

Now, he stood as one of Zhu Houzhao's top generals, far removed from the messy fate of his previous life.

His only duty was to wage war.

In the upcoming Northern Expedition, Yue Fei would lead the second wave of forces.

Only ranked fifth, it felt a bit low.

Zhu Houzhao was a little dissatisfied.

However, upon remembering that other renowned marshals were just as formidable as Yue Fei.

he could only shake his head helplessly.

"Let's go, Long'er, we continue on our journey!"

==========

Vast Sea Dynasty.

Yue Fei Military Tent.

"Congratulations, Marshal, on making it onto the Renowned Marshal Ranking!"

"Ah, if you ask me, our Marshal should've been ranked in the top three."

"Rank 5 is a bit too low."

"Marshal, this armor from the Heaven Dao Reward is truly awe-inspiring."

"With Ultimate-Tier armor and a spear, you will be unstoppable on the battlefield."

"To me, the most precious rewards are the Ultimate-Tier formation and the 10% boost to national fortune."

"Enough chatter. Resume planning our next campaign."

"There is still one last nation that has not surrendered. Once they are dealt with, the entire Southern Region of the Nine Provinces will belong to our Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Even the surrounding seas will become ours."

"We must not allow any mistakes. Understood?"

"Yes, Marshal!"

"Good. Ready the army. We march!"

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

Empress Chambers.

"Yue Fei again, from the Vast Sea Dynasty!"

"It seems the Vast Sea Dynasty will become our Ming Dynasty's greatest threat in the future."

"We must begin treating them with the utmost seriousness."

"Right now, they are overflowing with talent, in both civil and military ranks, and even possess top-tier cultivators."

"Wan'er, have our agents from Netherworld City, who infiltrated the Vast Sea Dynasty, found anything useful?"

"Miss, not yet. Their defenses are extremely tight."

"Most importantly, the entire southern sea region is under the control of the Vast Sea Dynasty navy. We can't break through their encirclement at all."

"A small number of spies is ineffective, and if we send too many, they're immediately exposed."

"It's a serious problem. Not just for us, spies from other nations and forces are equally helpless."

"They can only gather superficial information."

"Even now, we still only have fragments of information about the Vast Sea Emperor himself."

"It seems they're still lying dormant."

"But once they rise, they will undoubtedly shake the entire Nine Provinces."

"Our Ming Dynasty is close to them, and conflict is inevitable."

"Keep digging deeper. No matter the cost, we must not be lax."

"Yes, Miss!"

==========

Temujin Military Tent.

"The Vast Sea Dynasty again?"

Temujin frowned, sensing something ominous.

"Khan, we've just received reports that there are unusual movements in the Southern Region of the Southern Song Dynasty."

"People from the Vast Sea Dynasty are appearing frequently. Their intentions are far from simple."

"Khan, no matter who wins between our Yuan Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty, we will eventually have to clash with the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Send agents to increase surveillance and report immediately."

"We must accelerate our campaign and quickly destroy the Southern Song Dynasty to prepare for any confrontation."

"If we delay, we may be caught between the Vast Sea Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty in a pincer attack."

"Issue orders to Muqali, Boorchu, and Boroqul. Have them increase their speed."

"Wipe out all Southern Song Dynasty resistance. Within three months, we must besiege the Southern Song Capital and capture Emperor Zhao Gou alive!"

==========

Hundred Yue City.

Imperial Garden.

A young girl was holding a wooden sword, practicing each move with care.

Faint golden light would occasionally flicker from the sword.

"No, Yue'er, raise your right arm by one more inch, and move your right toes forward half an inch."

Beside her, Fei Yan watched closely, correcting her daughter's form whenever needed.

"Mother, I'm so tired. Can I take a break?"

Her large eyes sparkled like black gemstones, utterly adorable.

"You've barely practiced for an hour. With your current cultivation realm, how could you be tired?"

"You're probably just being lazy."

"Didn't you say you wanted to surpass that scoundrel father of yours?"

"If that's how you train, you'll never surpass him."

Fei Yan said softly.

"Yue'er, if you want to give up on that goal, then you can rest now."

"Hmph! I suddenly don't feel tired anymore. I want to keep training!"

With a snort, Yue'er proudly lifted her chin and resumed her practice with the wooden sword.

Watching her daughter's cute demeanor, Fei Yan couldn't help but smile.

But just then.

her expression changed as if sensing something.

She immediately pulled Yue'er behind her, eyes fixed on the sky in the distance.

"Who's there? Come out! No sneaking around!"

The air trembled.

A black shadow flickered past.

Fei Yan tensed up, ready to strike.

But in the next moment.

when she saw the intruder's face, she froze.

Her whole body trembled.

Her breath grew unsteady.

"How have you been these years?"

Zhu Houzhao slowly approached, gently brushing his hand against Fei Yan's cheek as he spoke softly.

"Hmph! Do you still care how I've been?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you enjoy your life in the Ming Imperial Harem?"

Fei Yan's voice was filled with bitterness.

"Hahaha, I never thought Fei Yan would get jealous!"

Before she could react, Zhu Houzhao stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace.

No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free.

Fei Yan was strong-willed.

But he was even more domineering.

Sensing his heartfelt affection.

Fei Yan's resistance gradually softened.

Eventually, she stopped altogether.

She gave in and let herself enjoy the moment.

A misunderstanding back then had kept them apart for years.

She resented him, hated him.

But she had also missed him, yearning for him.

She once vowed never to see this heartless man again, but now that he was in front of her.

all those emotions melted into tenderness.

She gave in once more, ashamedly.

She must've owed this scoundrel in her past life.

Now she has come to repay the debt.

Being in his embrace made her feel a sense of peace, safety, and comfort she had never known.

She even wished this moment could last forever.

==========

"Mother, is he my father?"

Yue'er looked up at Zhu Houzhao with wide, curious eyes, as if trying to remember him forever.

Fei Yan shuddered.

She had almost forgotten her daughter was right there.

She had gotten so caught up that she completely lost track.

"Yue'er, is it? Hahaha, my daughter truly is remarkable!"

"Not only is she beautiful, but she's also so strong!"

Before Fei Yan could say anything, Zhu Houzhao scooped Yue'er into his arms.

It was his first time meeting his daughter.

A surge of emotion welled up from deep in his blood.

The more he looked at her, the more he loved her.

"Father!"

Yue'er was clever. She sweetly called out to him without hesitation.

She had imagined countless times what her father might be like.

The one her mother, Aunt Zi Nu, Aunt Yan Lingji, and Aunt Xue Nu all spoke of constantly, what kind of man was he?

Now she finally saw him.

Not bad.

Yue'er commented silently in her little head.

Though she didn't quite understand what "handsome" meant yet, she could sense the unusual aura about him.

At least, this father, whom the women often called a "scoundrel", wasn't someone she disliked.

This father, she approved of.

Still, she wasn't about to give up on her goal of surpassing him.

Zhu Houzhao had no idea that in this tiny girl's mind.

countless thoughts had flashed by in just a few seconds.

Clearly, she wasn't as obedient as she looked on the surface.

But Zhu Houzhao didn't care at all.

As he joyfully chatted with his daughter.

Soon, Yan Lingji, Zi Nu, and the others also sensed something and rushed over.

When they saw Zhu Houzhao, each of them trembled.

Zi Nu reacted a little better.

After all, they had spent a few days together in the Ming Capital before.

But it was different for Yan Lingji and Xue Nu.

They hadn't seen him once since they left the Qin Dynasty years ago.

Years of longing made this reunion overwhelming.

They had countless things they wanted to say, but for a moment, none could find the words.

Even Zhu Houzhao felt awkward as he looked at their familiar faces.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

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

Legend of the Condor Heroes ( 射雕英雄传 )

・Temujin ( 铁木真 ) — Emperor of Yuan Dynasty

Return of Condor Heroes ( 神雕侠侣 )

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

Yue Fei Complete Legend ( 说岳全传 )

・Yue Fei ( 说岳 ) — General of Vast Sea Dynasty

Qin's Moon ( 秦时明月 )

・Fei Yan ( 绯烟 ) — Eastern Monarch of Yin Yang School

・Xue Nu ( 雪女 ) — Commander of Mohist School

・Su Yue ( 苏月 ) — Princess of Hundred Yue City

Nine Songs of Moving Heaven ( 天行九歌 )

・Yan Lingji ( 焰灵姬 ) — Queen of Hundred Yue City

・Zi Nu ( 紫女 ) — Elder of Hundred Yue City