[The Nine Provinces – Renowned Minister Ranking has been officially released]
[A new ranking will commence in three months]
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Ming Imperial Palace.
Zhu Houzhao flipped through the intelligence report that had just been delivered, then casually tossed it aside.
He paid it no further attention.
With the foundation of the Qin Dynasty, eliminating Xiong Qi was never a real problem.
It was only a matter of time.
The key issue was that while Xiong Qi was skilled in petty schemes and intrigue, when it came to actual national warfare, his talents were sorely lacking.
Especially with an opponent like Ying Zheng, failure was inevitable.
What was unexpected, however, was that Xiong Qi had a hidden ace, and just like a cockroach, he managed to survive again.
No one knew which mysterious group had saved him.
They seemed to have been in cahoots with him from the beginning.
But after this battle, even if Xiong Qi had survived by sheer luck, his foundation had been completely exhausted and he no longer posed any threat to the Qin Dynasty.
"Have we identified the origin of those mysterious individuals?"
"Your Majesty, we still don't know exactly who they are. However, after rescuing Xiong Qi, they left the Qin Dynasty and went to the Han Dynasty."
"And then, they vanished without a trace."
"They must have realized someone was tailing them."
"Perhaps they are a force of the Han Dynasty, or maybe they deliberately fled into Han Dynasty Territory to divert attention and cover their escape."
"I will personally keep an eye on this matter."
"There is another issue."
"The Hundred Yue City is about to be relocated into our Ming Dynasty Territory. Be ready to receive them at any time."
"In the future, they will also become a significant force under the Ming Dynasty."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
==========
Border between the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty.
Foot of a mountain.
At this moment, a group of several hundred people was slowly advancing forward.
On a high peak nearby, Bai Qi, Shang Yang, and Black Shadow stood with solemn expressions, watching the convoy below.
"Monarch Wu'an, are we really going to kill them?"
"You should know the relationship between the Hundred Yue Queen and the Ming Emperor!"
"If the Hundred Yue Queen dies, the Ming Emperor will surely fly into a rage. If he personally intervenes, not even His Majesty can save us!"
Shang Yang spoke with a heavy tone.
"Hmph, Qin Dynasty and Ming Dynasty are destined to be enemies."
"If we let the Hundred Yue Queen reach the Ming Dynasty safely, aren't we allowing a future threat to grow stronger?"
"Killing them now is merely removing a hidden danger for the Qin Dynasty."
"As for whether the Ming Emperor will get angry, what does that have to do with me?"
"I actually want to see how powerful this so-called Ming Emperor really is!"
Bai Qi replied proudly.
He showed no trace of fear.
At the same time, the killing aura around him grew even stronger.
"What a battle maniac."
Shang Yang frowned slightly, silently cursing in his heart.
Even the Black Ice Platform Leader, Black Shadow, remained silent.
Monarch Wu'an Bai Qi indeed had great courage, but he was also overly arrogant.
God Demon Realm, how could Mythical Realm cultivators hope to match that?
What's more, the Ming Emperor was known to be invincible even among the God Demon Realm.
In front of him, Monarch Wu'an was nothing more than a slightly larger ant.
He would likely be annihilated in a single strike.
Monarch Wu'an's attitude could only be described as foolishly arrogant.
Does he really believe that having terrifying killing intent makes him invincible?
"Hundred Yue Princess Su Yue and Eastern Monarch Yan Fei must not be harmed."
"As for the Hundred Yue Queen, we'll try to capture her alive if possible."
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not take her life."
"Ming Dynasty and Qin Dynasty may become enemies in the future, but for now, things have not reached a point of no return."
"It's better to exercise some restraint."
In the end, Shang Yang made the decision, putting a stop to Bai Qi's extreme plan.
Especially Princess Su Yue, she was the biological daughter of the Ming Emperor.
A true Ming Princess.
Nothing must happen to her.
If she were to be harmed, the Ming Dynasty and Qin Dynasty would be locked in a death feud.
There would be no turning back.
And it would only bring ridicule from the other dynasties.
The Qin Dynasty was not yet in a position to act recklessly.
It needed to strengthen itself steadily.
Even capturing the Hundred Yue Queen was only a move to extract benefits from the Ming Dynasty.
Not to take her life.
The Hundred Yue Queen and Xiong Qi were two completely different matters.
"They've arrived. Prepare to strike!"
==========
Whoosh!
Monarch Wu'an Bai Qi didn't hesitate. He launched a devastating slash from the sky.
A terrifying surge of energy slammed toward the convoy below.
Boom!
A loud explosion erupted.
People and horses were sent flying in all directions.
"Assassins! Protect the Queen!"
On the other side, Shang Yang and the Black Ice Platform Leader Black Shadow also made their moves.
Their Mythical Realm strength was on full display.
They targeted the central carriage below.
It should have contained the Hundred Yue Queen, Eastern Monarch Yan Fei, and Princess Su Yue.
Crack!
Bang!
The carriage was instantly blown apart.
Moments later, a fire-red, elegant figure emerged.
Surrounded by blazing flames.
Like a goddess of fire.
"Hundred Yue Queen, why are you alone?"
"Where is Eastern Monarch Yan Fei? Where is Princess Su Yue?"
"Why are they not here?"
Shang Yang sensed that something was wrong.
The key figures from Hundred Yue City, aside from the Queen herself, were all missing.
How could this be?
"Did you really think I wouldn't be prepared, knowing that Ying Zheng would send someone to ambush me?"
"Then you've underestimated Hundred Yue City!"
"If I weren't trying to avoid letting other dynasties and forces take advantage, I would have given Ying Zheng a serious lesson!"
"Letting him know that Hundred Yue City is not to be trifled with."
Yan Lingji looked at the three of them with utter disdain.
"Could the Eastern Monarch and the others have already departed for the Ming Dynasty?"
Shang Yang's expression grew darker.
They had underestimated their enemy.
"No need to waste words. Capture her and question her thoroughly!"
"As long as we capture the Hundred Yue Queen, the others are irrelevant!"
Bai Qi said coldly.
"Take this strike!"
His blade, filled with a terrifying killing aura, seemed to tear through space as it slashed toward Yan Lingji.
"Courting death!"
Yan Lingji's eyes narrowed. She formed a hand seal.
A golden flame appeared.
It transformed into a lotus of fire and charged forward.
In an instant.
The golden fire lotus collided with the black blade energy.
Boom!
Bang!
A terrifying clash resounded.
The shockwaves of the explosion spread in all directions.
The immense force struck both Yan Lingji and Bai Qi.
Yan Lingji moved gracefully, creating countless afterimages as she effortlessly dodged the shockwaves.
Bai Qi, on the other hand, was not so lucky.
The recoil hit his chest directly.
A surge of powerful force rampaged through his internal organs.
He had no power to resist.
Bai Qi spat out a mouthful of blood.
His body was sent flying.
His legs dragged two deep grooves into the ground.
"Monarch Wu'an!"
Shang Yang and Black Shadow's expressions changed.
Bai Qi was defeated.
And not just defeated, he had no power to resist.
The Hundred Yue Queen was this powerful?
Even though both sides were in the Mythical Realm, the difference was just too great.
"Lord Shang, we must join forces if we want to capture her!"
"No more hesitation!"
"If necessary, we should kill her outright. No need to hold back."
"Alright. We'll follow your lead, Lord Shang!"
Among the three, Shang Yang was the leader.
Whether to kill or capture would be decided by him.
As for the consequences of killing her, they couldn't worry about that now.
==========
"Just the three of you think you can kill me? What a joke!"
"You really think that reaching the Mythical Realm makes you invincible?"
"Where does your confidence come from?"
"Today, I'll show you just how worthless your strength really is!"
Yan Lingji looked at the three with disdain.
The next moment.
She pulled out a mysterious talisman filled with profound energy.
She poured her true essence into it.
Immediately after.
A sword aura projection, brimming with despair and dread, manifested.
Controlled by Yan Lingji's mind.
It split into three.
Each aimed at Shang Yang, Bai Qi, and Black Shadow.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The sharp sword energy shot forth.
As if piercing through space, it raced toward their hearts.
The three turned pale, feeling a fatal crisis wash over them.
No time to think.
Almost instinctively, they twisted their bodies.
The sword energy grazed past their chests.
A wave of excruciating pain surged through their bodies.
They were all flung through the air.
Crashing heavily into the ground.
The violent sword aura ravaged their internal organs.
If not for their Mythical Realm resilience, they would've already died.
But even so, they were severely injured and on the verge of passing out.
"Run!"
Shang Yang bit his tongue hard, forcing himself to stay conscious.
With sheer willpower, he gathered the last of his strength and leapt away into the distance.
He no longer cared about Bai Qi and Black Shadow.
Their survival would be up to fate.
In just a few leaps.
Shang Yang vanished without a trace.
Bai Qi was in even worse shape than Shang Yang.
Already injured, he was now in critical condition.
But as a legendary War God, his willpower was unmatched.
Even in a desperate state, he retained a sliver of reason.
He slashed his own thigh with his blade, the pain jolting him awake.
Then, without looking back.
He fled in the opposite direction from Shang Yang.
Their actions happened in an instant.
So fast that even Yan Lingji was briefly stunned.
But letting two escape was enough.
She could not allow the third to get away.
Since Ying Zheng dared to order her assassination, he would have to pay the price.
Shang Yang and Bai Qi were lucky.
But the Black Ice Platform Leader was not so fortunate.
Just as Black Shadow attempted to flee, Yan Lingji blocked his path.
A terrifying wave of fire surged forth.
Instantly engulfing Black Shadow.
The overwhelming power crashed down.
Black Shadow, already spent, couldn't defend himself.
The flames tore into him.
"Ahhh!"
A blood-curdling scream echoed.
In moments.
A Mythical Realm cultivator was reduced to ash.
The wind blew.
And he vanished into smoke.
Ying Zheng's most trusted Black Ice Platform Leader had perished in a remote, insignificant place.
If Ying Zheng had known this would be the result.
He would surely regret trying to assassinate the Hundred Yue Queen.
No one expected that Yan Lingji possessed a life-saving technique left by Zhu Houzhao.
A sword aura from Zhu Houzhao, how fearsome!
How could Bai Qi, Shang Yang, or Black Shadow possibly match that?
Fortunately for Shang Yang and Bai Qi, they ran quickly.
Or they too would have ended up like Black Shadow.
Watching Black Shadow turn to ashes, Yan Lingji felt no emotion.
This was the price she exacted for being forced to abandon Hundred Yue City and go into exile.
"Men, clean up the battlefield!"
"Then continue the journey!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"