Qian Yuan Sword Saint raised his head in confusion. Despite his late-stage Sea Covering Realm cultivation, he was caught off guard by the Empress’s successful sneak attack.
“The mask… it’s broken.” Qian Yuan Sword Saint looked at the smiling mask shattered in two on the ground, touched his cheek, and his expression subtly changed.
“Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?”
Dongfang Liuli gazed at Qian Yuan Sword Saint, her watery eyes reflecting a remarkably handsome face.
If any villagers were present, seeing Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s appearance, they would undoubtedly be shocked and exclaim, “Holy crap! It’s the ancient version of Zhu Bajie from Gu Yuege!”
“Did I guess wrong…” Dongfang Liuli was momentarily stunned, then used her divine sense to probe Qian Yuan Sword Saint but found nothing unusual.
The civil and military officials in the court, envoys from various countries, and representatives of different factions silently memorized Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s features, with some even secretly sketching his portrait.
Everyone was amazed by Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s handsome appearance, only slightly inferior to Minister Meng Qin, and puzzled by the Empress’s mysterious actions.
“Your Majesty, what are you doing! Qian Yuan Sword Saint is not a citizen of Great Jin. Your behavior is too inappropriate,” Su Qingqiu whispered in shock.
Dongfang Liuli: …
Have I spoiled this girl too much? She doesn’t seem to take me seriously at all.
Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s eyebrows furrowed in anger, and he said, “Empress, please give me an explanation.”
A hint of embarrassment flashed in Dongfang Liuli’s eyes. She first observed Meng Qingzhou’s expression, feeling relieved that he didn’t seem to mind, then lazily reclined and said calmly, “I don’t like people wearing masks in the court. Is that reason enough?”
However, no one noticed that beneath Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s seemingly unaffected exterior, his eyes were slightly hollow.
The Blind Strength System was too domineering, not only sealing his main body but also rendering his avatar blind.
Meng Qingzhou, worried about arousing suspicion, wore a mask. After all, it would be too much of a coincidence for both master and disciple to be blind.
During the previous battle, the avatar had to unleash all its sword sense at any cost, forming a web that covered the entire small world, allowing it to sense every movement within its range.
“Qian Yuan, don’t be rude,” Meng Qingzhou reprimanded.
Upon hearing this, Qian Yuan Sword Saint restrained his anger, waved his hand to restore the smiling mask, put it back on, and respectfully said, “Yes, Master.”
Meng Qingzhou breathed a sigh of relief, not caring about being angry.
Luckily, he had been cautious and didn’t make the avatar look like himself.
As expected, Qian Yuan Sword Saint’s appearance still aroused the Empress’s suspicion, and many experienced individuals present were likely suspicious as well.
Moreover, with the top-tier immortal technique Three Purities One Breath, ordinary methods couldn’t easily detect if it was an avatar.
“Too risky. I should send Qian Yuan Sword Saint away as soon as possible. This identity can’t stay for long.”
With this small episode over, the Empress didn’t catch Meng Qingzhou’s slip and didn’t pursue the matter further.
“Continue,” the Empress waved her hand and said calmly.
As the battle between the Sword Saint and the Seven Supreme Beings concluded, the Empress’s birthday banquet officially began.
The officials and guests took their seats, enjoying the performances and delicious food. The most popular person at the banquet was Qian Yuan Sword Saint, followed by Jiang Canghai and Meng Qingzhou.
As for the Empress, no one dared to toast her.
Qin Fenghuo’s image as a rough and reckless man was deeply ingrained in people’s minds. Those with lower status feared and respected him, while those with equal power and strength disdained the fact that it was just Qin Fenghuo’s avatar sitting there, leaving him isolated.
“So lively…” The Empress held a jade cup, swirling the wine made from fake dragon blood, her drunken eyes gazing down.
“Unfortunately, it seems I’m out of place. This liveliness doesn’t belong to me.”
Su Qingqiu, who was secretly eating crystal grapes, mumbled with her mouth full, “Your Majesty, are you drunk?”
Dongfang Liuli glanced at Su Qingqiu, shook her head slightly, and said, “Silly girl.”
“I’m doing this on purpose. With my realm, it’s too hard to get drunk.”
“Let’s take this opportunity to relax a bit.”
After three rounds of drinks, the guests and officials were slightly tipsy.
Next was the martial competition for cultivators below the Sea Covering Realm, competing for the top ten rewards. Outstanding performers could even receive promotions and imperial rewards.
Countless young and passionate youths, emulating Minister Meng and the Empress, covered their eyes with blindfolds, wielding long swords, and dressing elegantly.
A swordsman in a green robe jumped onto the stage, his eyes covered with black silk, and shouted loudly:
“Blind Sword, mid-stage Cloud Ascension Realm cultivation, please enlighten me!”
Opposite him, a burly man with muscles almost bursting out of his robe, his face turning blue from the strain, also wore a blindfold and responded:
“Blind Fist, mid-stage Cloud Ascension Realm cultivation, please enlighten me!”
Then someone in the audience questioned, “Hey? Aren’t you Lu Ming, the Clairvoyant? When did you go blind?”
The burly man was furious, “Get lost! I was born blind, understand? I’m the Blind Fist King!”
A comical scene unfolded, with over ten thousand participants, nearly half of them pretending to be blind, showing off on the stage.
Many had their blindfolds fall off during the fight, revealing a pair of large, bright eyes.
Many confused guests couldn’t help but ask, “Does the Great Jin Dynasty revere blindness, considering disability beautiful?”
“No! There’s a rumor that the Empress has a special preference for blind handsome men. The participants are trying to attract her attention. But I think it’s just wishful thinking. They should look at themselves before trying to emulate Minister Meng and the Empress’s husband,” someone replied mysteriously.
Qin Fenghuo’s face was dark, his fists clenched and unclenched, his teeth grinding.
How embarrassing!
“Your Majesty, should I go down and straighten things out?” Qin Fenghuo’s temper flared, and he transmitted his voice to the Empress.
Dongfang Liuli, drunk and smiling, said, “No need. The purpose of the birthday banquet is to amuse me, and I find this very interesting.”
Qin Fenghuo: …
Intoxicated, Dongfang Liuli licked her lips with her soft pink tongue, her almond eyes becoming more charming as she looked at Meng Qingzhou, who was still devouring food.
“Come, drink with me.”
A voice transmission reached Meng Qingzhou’s ears. Hugging a large beast leg, he trembled.
Who is this woman harassing a decent man, speaking so seductively, blatantly trying to seduce him!
Who is it!
“My dear minister, come drink with me.”
Meng Qingzhou’s pupils shook violently. Me? The Empress?
The dignified and domineering Empress Qin Liuli had such a side!?
Facing the supreme throne, Meng Qingzhou pointed at himself, silently mouthing, “Me?”
“Yes, you. Come drink with me.”
Dongfang Liuli, growing impatient, reached out and pulled Meng Qingzhou through the red curtains to the emperor’s seat.
The Empress’s face was flushed, her lazy and seductive figure reclining on the chair, her head resting on the dragon throne’s armrest, her black hair trailing on the ground like a painting, her clothes half-covering her body, unable to conceal her allure.
Meng Qingzhou, unable to see, felt completely bewildered.
What’s going on?
Heavens, the Empress is harassing her staff!
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