Chapter 234 - The Miserable God, Jiang Yuyan’s Hatred, Zhu Houzhao’s Scheme, Is The Southern Song Dynasty About to Fall? The Ranking Updated

Han Dynasty Territory.

Inside a mysterious mountain valley.

A black-robed mysterious figure impatiently threw the Stitched Cloth Guard Leader and the Longevity Immortal God onto the ground.

"Lord, I..."

"Trash. I spent tremendous effort and cost to cultivate you into a God Demon Realm cultivator, and this is what you amount to?"

"If I had known earlier, I would have trained another genius instead!"

"Please punish me, Lord!"

The Stitched Cloth Guard Leader didn't try to defend himself and immediately admitted his fault, showing none of the arrogance expected of someone in the God Demon Realm.

He acted more like a servant.

Off to the side, the Longevity Immortal God looked on with disdain.

His expression was that of someone gazing at filth.

He felt utterly ashamed to be grouped together with such a person.

This kind of person, too, had reached the God Demon Realm?

Absurd.

However, in the next instant, he felt a sharp gaze shoot toward him.

"Longevity Immortal God. You're more infamous than impressive. You've really broadened my horizons."

"Surrender to me. Otherwise, today, my subordinates will be collecting yet another God Demon Realm corpse."

The mysterious black-robed figure spoke with a chilling tone.

Then, a blood-red dagger appeared in his hand.

It radiated a bloody, murderous aura.

The Longevity Immortal God instantly felt his scalp tingle.

His eyelids twitched violently.

He might really die.

If that dagger pierced him, there would be no chance of survival.

Surrender?

Impossible.

He was the dignified Longevity Immortal God. How could he possibly submit to someone else?

That was nothing but an insult.

He would rather be taken back and imprisoned by the Demon Lord again than surrender to these two rats.

Immediately, he shut his eyes tightly, and the true essence within his body surged wildly.

He was going to self-destruct. Even if he died, he would not let them get what they wanted.

Perhaps he feared death, and he had indeed pursued immortality for ages.

But to surrender to another?

Never.

Not to these rats, and not even to the Ming Emperor, Zhu Houzhao. He had never once considered submission.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sealed for all these years.

In this world, within the Nine Provinces, no one had the qualifications to make him surrender.

God Demon Realm was not enough.

Even Sage Realm wasn't enough.

"Interesting. I have enough patience."

"You'll agree eventually."

The black-robed man sneered, then slapped the Longevity Immortal God's forehead with his palm.

A wave of darkness swept over him, and he immediately passed out.

If he had been in peak condition, he would not have feared this man at all.

But now, severely wounded and weakened, he was completely unable to resist.

"Lord, this..."

"Don't worry. He's still useful. Killing him outright would be too easy for him."

"There are plenty of methods in the Stitched Cloth Guard. So what if he's in the God Demon Realm?"

"If he lasts a full month, that'll be something to admire."

==========

Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Chambers.

"What you said is true?"

"Replying to Your Highness, it is absolutely true. I used the concealment technique Your Highness taught me and was not discovered."

"So I witnessed the entire battle clearly."

"They were indeed Stitched Cloth Guard."

"The one acting as the leader is the God Demon Realm, but he isn't the strongest. There is someone even more powerful directing him from behind."

"As for whether there's someone even higher behind them, I cannot say."

"The opponent was too powerful. I couldn't keep up and had to return to report to Your Highness."

"Very well. You've done well this time."

"Then start investigating the destroyed estate."

"A manor of that size is bound to leave clues. Don't let any lead slip through your fingers."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

After dismissing her trusted subordinate, Jiang Yuyan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

In the end, this Stitched Cloth Guard was her true enemy.

The one she truly wanted to erase.

What angered her the most was that as her strength increased, her enemy only became more powerful.

Even though she had now reached the Land Immortal Realm, in their eyes, she was still just a slightly larger ant.

However, she would not concede.

Back when she was still in the Innate Realm, she dared to fight for her life.

Now that she had reached the Heavenly Human Realm, she had even less reason to give up.

"Stitched Cloth Guard... hmph. You are the true reason I've fallen to where I am today. I might forgive others, but you, I will hold you accountable no matter what."

"But right now, I'm still not your match."

"Once I reach the Mythical Realm, then the God Demon Realm, I will wipe you out completely!"

"The chess piece you cultivated will be the one to destroy you in the end. That will be a truly spectacular sight!"

==========

Ming Imperial Palace.

Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne in the Imperial Study, holding a brush and continuously sketching something on a blank sheet of paper.

Soon, a vivid portrait of "Empress Wu Zhao" emerged before him.

The painting was lifelike, as if she were about to step out of the paper.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhu Houzhao looked up and gave a slight nod.

"Mm, you're here?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I returned this time specifically to report something important."

"I've found that place."

Zhu Houzhao's body trembled slightly. He had just been about to write a poem on the painting but stopped.

He walked over immediately.

"Are you certain it isn't a fake?"

"You once found a fake one in the Qing Dynasty Territory. If I hadn't verified it personally, you might've ruined my plans."

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely genuine."

"The Inner Factory would not make the same mistake twice."

"Moreover, I personally investigated it. There is no doubt."

"Very good. If this is true, your Inner Factory will have rendered a great service. I will not be stingy with rewards."

"Return now and keep monitoring. I'll be heading there soon myself."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes gleamed.

In the Nine Provinces, there were few things that truly intrigued him. But that didn't mean there were none.

Last time, the Qing Imperial Mausoleum's Dragon Vein and National Fortune were of tremendous value to both him and the Ming Dynasty.

Even more wouldn't be too much.

Now, he had found another source.

And it was ripe for the taking.

But before that, preparations must be thorough.

After dismissing the Inner Factory Director, Zhu Houzhao lost all interest in painting.

He left the Imperial Study immediately.

"Dark One!"

"Your Majesty, I'm here!"

"What's the current progress of Temujin's campaign against the Southern Song Dynasty?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, apart from the southern territories which have been taken by the Vast Sea Dynasty, the north has already been completely conquered by the Yuan Dynasty."

"The capital will soon fall. Emperor Zhao Gou and the treacherous minister Qin Hui have only made the situation worse."

"They're not even trying to defend the capital and are already planning to flee."

"At this rate, Prince Ruyang's army from the Yuan Dynasty will reach the Southern Song Capital within a month."

"It will collapse without a fight. Its end is near."

Dark One gave a detailed report on recent developments.

A month?

Zhu Houzhao frowned slightly.

Then he shook his head.

"A month is too long."

"Mobilize your informants. I want Temujin's Yuan Army to break into the Southern Song Imperial Palace within seven days."

"Preferably, they should kill the Southern Song Emperor Zhao Gou and wipe out all his ministers."

"Of course, those few talents useful to the Ming Dynasty are to be spared."

"This... Your Majesty, why?"

"The faster the Yuan Dynasty destroys the Southern Song Dynasty, the worse it is for us, isn't it?"

"Shouldn't we be trying to stop Temujin?"

"Dark One, carry out my orders. I have my own reasons for this."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall obey!"

Zhu Houzhao already had a plan in mind.

The Yuan Dynasty would destroy the Southern Song Dynasty.

Then, the Vast Sea Dynasty would swoop in and eliminate the Yuan Dynasty's forces stationed in the Southern Song Dynasty.

Ultimately, the Vast Sea Dynasty would take full control of the Southern Song Dynasty.

As for the Ming Dynasty, having just destroyed the Qing Dynasty, it still needed time to consolidate.

The Southern Song Dynasty was still a bit too far from its reach.

Let the Vast Sea Dynasty handle it instead.

Meanwhile, the real target for the Ming Dynasty was the Yuan Dynasty, its long-standing rival.

Once the Yuan Dynasty was destroyed, the Ming Dynasty would finally be truly secure.

At that point, it would share a border with both the Southern and Northern Song Territories.

Able to advance or retreat with ease.

No matter what, the Yuan Dynasty was a hurdle the Ming Dynasty must overcome.

It had to be eliminated.

For too long, the Ming Dynasty had been surrounded by foreign dynasties and kingdoms.

The Qing Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty.

With the Qing Dynasty now gone, the Yuan Dynasty was naturally the next thorn in the Ming Dynasty's side.

However, the time to eliminate the Yuan Dynasty was not now.

They would wait until the Qing Dynasty Territory had been fully digested.

For now, the Yuan Dynasty would remain preoccupied with the Southern Song Dynasty.

And later, they would be attacked by the Vast Sea Dynasty.

Once the Yuan Dynasty was thoroughly worn down, that would be the perfect time for the Ming Dynasty to strike.

Even if the Yuan Dynasty wanted to change its fate,

Zhu Houzhao would secretly push events forward,

Guiding them exactly where he wanted them to go.

==========

Yuan Dynasty Military Tent.

Temujin looked at the battle report in his hand with joy on his face.

"Hahaha, good. Prince Ruyang did not disappoint me."

"Among all our forces, only his army has left the others in the dust. He is already close to reaching the Southern Song Capital."

"And what's going on with Bo'er Shu and Chi Laowen?"

"They're dragging their feet. Tell them to pick up the pace!"

"Pass down my military command. The central army is to assemble and set out. The target is the Southern Song Capital."

"It won't be long before the Southern Song Dynasty belongs to me."

"My Yuan Dynasty is in no way inferior to that brat Zhu Houzhao's Ming Dynasty."

"Once I destroy the Southern Song Dynasty, the next target will be the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Houzhao wasn't the only one who saw the Yuan Dynasty as a thorn in his side. Temujin, too, had long viewed the Ming Dynasty as a thorn in his flesh.

He wanted nothing more than to tear it out completely.

"Khan, I'm afraid things aren't as simple as they seem."

"Besides the Southern Song Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, our Yuan Dynasty also faces another formidable enemy, the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"In fact, once we destroy the Southern Song Dynasty, the Vast Sea Dynasty will likely, no, definitely launch an attack on us."

"They want the Southern Song Dynasty just as much as we do. They won't give up on such a ripe opportunity."

The National Master, Phagpa, had a heavy expression.

He felt no joy at the imminent fall of the Southern Song Dynasty.

In his view, the Southern Song Dynasty was pitifully weak, without even a few decent cultivators.

They were no match for the Yuan Dynasty at all.

The real threat was the Vast Sea Dynasty.

Not only was their military strength terrifying, but the number of powerful individuals on their side was also far beyond expectations.

If a real confrontation broke out, even the National Master Mansion and the cultivators from the Golden Wolf Hall might not be able to handle them.

Not to mention their military forces.

With generals like Yue Fei, Han Xin, and the still-unseen Li Jing, it was even more difficult to deal with.

"No matter what, we destroy the Southern Song Dynasty first."

Temujin spoke with firm resolve.

He had spent nearly a year preparing to conquer the Southern Song Dynasty.

Countless Yuan Dynasty soldiers had died, and the financial cost was immeasurable.

Only by swallowing the entire Southern Song Dynasty could the Yuan Dynasty recover those losses.

Even if he wanted to retreat now, it was too late.

If they failed, the entire Yuan Dynasty could fall apart.

"Sigh... no one expected the Vast Sea Dynasty to appear midway through."

"To this day, I still can't uncover the background of the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"They were far too well-prepared."

"If not for the Golden Ranking exposing them to the world, our Yuan Dynasty could've been caught completely off guard."

"Even though we now know they have a scheme, we still can't do anything about them."

"Damn it!"

"National Master, let's set that matter aside for now. We'll have plenty of chances to settle accounts later!"

"Full mobilization. March toward the target!"

==========

Southern Song Dynasty Territory.

In a rather ordinary mountain range.

Two figures moved swiftly through the hills.

A man and a woman.

They looked like an immortal couple, the man was elegant and handsome, and the woman was stunning beyond comparison.

He wore blue, and she wore white.

Fortunately, they were in a remote mountain region.

Had they appeared in a bustling city, they would've drawn everyone's attention without fail.

"This time, I really made you follow me to such a remote place. It must've been tough on you!"

Zhu Houzhao held the beautiful woman's delicate hand, revealing a rare touch of shyness.

"As long as I'm with you, anywhere is sweet to me."

"Hahaha, same here!"

"Once this task is done, let's travel together for a while. How does that sound?"

The beautiful woman's eyes lit up instantly.

Her originally cool expression broke into a radiant smile.

Even Zhu Houzhao was momentarily entranced.

After all, as the Ming Emperor, he was constantly surrounded by peerless beauties, Empress Wu Zhao, Long Bixia, Xue Yuan, Murong Qiudi, each one a rare flower in the world.

He had the most discerning eyes when it came to women.

Yet this woman still captivated him, which said everything about her unmatched charm and grace.

Of course, it was also because she had a deep relationship with him.

They already trusted each other fully.

She was also a woman he truly loved.

If she had been a stranger, no matter how beautiful she was, Zhu Houzhao would never have let his guard down like this without a solid relationship.

"Aren't you the Ming Emperor?"

"Don't you have national affairs to deal with?"

The woman asked with curiosity.

"What national affairs? I'm the Emperor. My only job is to know how to use people well."

"I have so many talented individuals under me. If I still had to work myself to death every day, what would be the point of having them?"

Zhu Houzhao responded casually.

"In that case, you must spend more time with me."

"Of course. It's a shame you refuse to enter my Imperial Harem. Otherwise, we could see each other every day."

"Enter the Imperial Harem? Aren't you afraid I'll clash with your Empress?"

The beautiful woman gave a half-smile.

"If that happens, your Imperial Harem will never know peace again."

"To save you the trouble, I'll just stay outside."

"Besides, recently, I've gotten along quite well with Murong Xisheng. I'll just stay at her place from now on!"

"With your current strength, you can reach the Sword Tomb in less than the time it takes for one incense stick to burn."

"If you really want to see me, isn't that simple?"

Zhu Houzhao didn't know how to respond.

A vivid scene immediately appeared in his mind.

Two God Demon Realm women meeting, releasing terrifying pressure that engulfed the entire Imperial Harem.

All his Consorts would be trembling in fear, pale as paper.

Just imagining that terrifying sight made Zhu Houzhao shiver.

Too frightening.

It was better not to let the two God Demon Realm women be in the same place.

Even he, the Emperor, might not be able to handle it!

==========

Hmm?

At that moment, Zhu Houzhao and the woman both looked up into the sky.

Golden light burst forth.

The Demon God Ranking was being updated once more.

Rank 2 was about to be revealed!