The Great Jin Palace, Minister’s Study.
Empress Dongfang Liuli was reviewing memorials, while Prime Minister Jiang Canghai sat opposite her.
Dongfang Liuli said, “The bandit problem has been mostly resolved, but the losses in various states and counties are significant. Thousands of officials from the sixth to ninth ranks have been captured or killed, leaving a personnel gap.”
“These issues must be resolved quickly.”
Jiang Canghai nodded calmly and said, “I have a list of corrupt officials and sect forces within Great Jin. We can recover the financial losses from them. As for the personnel gap, I propose holding the imperial examinations twice a year, in spring and autumn.”
“I have also instructed the Supervisory Department to create a batch of spiritual treasures to monitor the examination sites and prevent cheating. Once the autumn examination is over, the selected talents will be dispatched to various regions.”
The officials from the Ministry of Rites, kneeling on the ground, were silently amazed by the Prime Minister’s wisdom.
Qin Fenghuo, who stood like a statue, couldn’t help but ask, “Bookworm, did you foresee today’s situation?”
Jiang Canghai replied calmly, “Ever since the Empress’ Husband gave the Sage’s prophecy, I have been on alert and prepared preventive measures. Do you think I just sit around doing nothing?”
Qin Fenghuo sneered, “In the end, you’re still relying on the Empress’ Husband’s prophecy. What use are you?”
“You…” Jiang Canghai was infuriated.
Seeing this, Dongfang Liuli waved her hand and said, “Enough. We’ll proceed as the Prime Minister suggested.”
“Additionally, there have been abnormal fluctuations detected at the border between Great Jin and the Shu Region. I suspect it’s the hiding place of the rebel Zhao Yuhuan. Send someone to keep an eye on it.”
Dongfang Liuli’s eyes flashed with killing intent as she continued, “Qin Fenghuo! I order you to find Zhao Yuhuan within seven days! I want to personally sever his head to honor the innocent lives lost!”
Qin Fenghuo’s playful expression turned serious as he responded, “Yes!”
“Alright, everyone may leave,” Dongfang Liuli said, waving her hand.
At that moment, Su Qingqiu hurried in and whispered in the Empress’ ear, “Your Majesty, the Master has been taken by that demoness, saying they were going out for a stroll.”
The remaining officials, all at least at the peak of the First Rank, clearly heard Su Qingqiu’s words.
“Are you referring to Yu Die, the sixth-rank official of the Ministry of Rites?” Jiang Canghai asked, stopping in his tracks.
Su Qingqiu nodded, “Yes.”
Jiang Canghai frowned, glanced at the Empress, and said, “There’s something suspicious about Yu Die. I suspect someone is impersonating her and has altered their appearance.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress stood up abruptly, her voice filled with anger, “Then why didn’t you report this earlier?”
“I wanted to catch the mastermind behind this,” Jiang Canghai said, kneeling down with a thud. “I am guilty. Please, Your Majesty, investigate Yu Die’s whereabouts immediately!”
The other officials from the Ministry of Rites were terrified, exchanging puzzled glances.
Who was this Master that made the Empress so furious and the Prime Minister so fearful?
Even in the face of rebellion and conflicts with other nations, the Empress had never been this agitated. The Prime Minister, who had just been praised for his achievements, was now kneeling in guilt.
It was clear that the Master mentioned by Su Qingqiu held a significant place in the Empress’ heart.
The Empress closed her eyes, her Divine Sense spreading out to scan the entire Capital.
After half a cup of tea’s time, she opened her eyes and shouted, “There are signs of temporal disturbances at Cool Breeze Mountain, south of the city. The enemy is prepared. Mobilize the army to seal off Cool Breeze Mountain. The rest of you, follow me!”
…
…
“Sword Sense of Time and Space, slash!”
Meng Qingzhou’s expression was indifferent as he pointed his fingers at Sword Elder from a distance.
The Sword Sense of Time and Space reversed, flowing back through the river of time to Sword Elder’s Cloud Ascension Realm period.
In the next moment, Sword Elder’s other arm disappeared, and his cultivation level dropped to the late Mountain Moving Realm!
Wu Die was horrified, involuntarily taking a step back.
This was the most brutal punishment and the most terrifying way to kill!
Reversing the river of time, slashing at the past, and cutting towards the future.
Even if one’s hard-earned cultivation was cut away, they would still foolishly think it was a memory lapse when they came to their senses.
“If you come with killing intent, be prepared to be killed,” Meng Qingzhou said calmly.
Sword Elder stood there, stunned, his ancient bronze sword clattering to the ground. He laughed helplessly, “I’m old and my mind is failing. I’ve spent my life stuck at the late Mountain Moving Realm, never seeing the higher peaks. How foolish to imagine myself as a half-step Sea Covering Realm Great Being.”
Hearing this, Wu Die felt even more terrified, her fair skin breaking out in goosebumps.
Meng Qingzhou continued to point.
The Sword Sense of Time and Space traced back to Sword Elder’s youth.
Sword Elder’s cultivation rapidly declined, a century’s worth of cultivation dissipating in an instant!
Mid Mountain Moving Realm.
Slash!
Early Mountain Moving Realm.
Slash!
Peak of the Cloud Ascension Realm.
Slash!
Late Cloud Ascension Realm.
…
Moments later, Sword Elder had become an early Cloud Ascension Realm cultivator, his sleeves empty, his eyes vacant.
“Have I gone mad? An early Cloud Ascension Realm cultivator coming to kill a peak Cloud Ascension Realm and a… Great Being whose depth I can’t fathom.”
Sword Elder’s previous arrogance was gone, replaced by fear and humility. He knelt down, crying and begging, “Please, spare my life! I don’t want to die. Please!”
Meng Qingzhou said nothing, turning to Wu Die, “The choice is yours. Kill or spare, it’s up to you.”
The reason he spared Wu Die was to reap some benefits from the overpowered protagonist’s luck.
The luck value rewards were too tempting, even for someone as cautious as him.
After all, Wu Die wanted to kill the Empress’ Husband, which had nothing to do with him. Whether the Empress’ Husband lived or died, it didn’t concern Meng Qingzhou.
Sword Elder immediately turned to Wu Die, kowtowing repeatedly, his forehead bleeding, begging humbly, “Please, spare my life! I don’t want to die. Please!”
Wu Die felt like she was in a dream, her head spinning.
The half-step Sea Covering Realm Great Being she had feared a moment ago had become a pitiful early Cloud Ascension Realm junior.
It was too surreal, too unreal.
“I choose…” Wu Die took a deep breath, her eyes turning resolute and cold. “Kill! Keeping him alive would only bring trouble!”
Meng Qingzhou nodded, saying nothing, and waved his sleeve. Sword Elder’s terrified expression froze, his body turning to ash and scattering in the wind.
Watching Sword Elder die, Wu Die deeply felt the cruelty of the cultivation world. No matter how powerful you were, in the eyes of someone higher, you were just an ant to be crushed.
No wonder the Master, despite his strength, chose to hide his identity and live as a mortal.
He must have understood this truth long ago…
After this incident, Wu Die suddenly felt that retreating to a peaceful life wasn’t so bad. She could seek revenge on Zhao Gou after her cultivation improved.
“Smart choice,” Meng Qingzhou said calmly. “Are you feeling uneasy?”
Wu Die nodded honestly, “A bit. Sword Elder was just following orders. He didn’t deserve such humiliation.”
Meng Qingzhou laughed, “Let me tell you something. Don’t blame me for not letting you kill Sword Elder yourself.”
Wu Die tilted her head, curious, “What is it?”
Meng Qingzhou’s smile faded, “Your brother actually died three years ago, killed by Sword Elder himself. Zhao Gou didn’t dare tell you, fearing he’d lose his leverage over you.”
“What?” Wu Die felt like she was hearing things, forcing a smile, “Master, what did you just say?”
“You heard me right. Face the reality,” Meng Qingzhou said. “I know it’s cruel, but to break your false hopes, you need to face the bloody truth.”
“You’ve seen it. I can reverse time and cut through the past.”
“I’ve predicted destinies before, determining the life and death of the King of Longshang with a few words. You know I have no reason to lie and the ability to see the truth.”
Wu Die’s beautiful eyes lost their color, her pupils turning red, a tear of blood sliding down her cheek.
Drip…
She didn’t scream or cry, just stood there quietly, letting the blood tears fall.
“Thank you for telling me, Master. I’ll take my leave now,” Wu Die said, wiping her tears and forcing a smile.
“Do you want to become stronger?”
Meng Qingzhou didn’t stop her, saying, “I have a top-tier Celestial mental divine power. If you learn it, you can seek revenge on Zhao Gou or use it for self-protection.”
“But let me warn you, Zhao Gou has the Mandate of Heaven. Your chances of killing him are very slim.”
Wu Die paused, then suddenly turned and hugged Meng Qingzhou’s waist, unable to hold back her emotions, crying loudly.
Her tears soaked Meng Qingzhou’s clothes.
“Hey, that’s not…” Meng Qingzhou almost blurted out, “Fairy, please mind your manners,” but instead, he patted her back and comforted her, “My condolences.”
“Master, you have shown me great kindness. I am willing to serve you as a slave for life! Just help me cultivate, so I can one day kill that dog Zhao Gou!” Wu Die said, her voice filled with hatred, her teeth clenched.
Meng Qingzhou was about to speak when a cold, authoritative voice interrupted, “Am I interrupting your little moment?”
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