["My name is Xiao Mo. From now on, I am your master. Call me that and let me hear it."]

["Master, Qingyi will definitely become a very powerful sword immortal!"]

["In our hometown, this is called a birthday cake. Come, make a wish, and it will come true."]

["Qingyi, Master wants to go outside for a walk. Do you want to come with Master to see?" "Through thousands of mountains and rivers, this disciple is willing!"]

["Xiao Mo! Let go of me! Without that sword bone, I can still kill them!"]

["Qingyi, forgive Master. This is the last time."]

Scenes from three thousand years ago surfaced in the woman's heart, his voice floated by Jiang Qingyi's ears.

Jiang Qingyi tightly gripped the long sword in her hand, her eyes seeming to see only the man before her.

As for other people's figures and voices, they had long since disappeared for the woman.

After Xiao Mo exchanged pleasantries with Elder Huang of Ten Thousand Swords Sect, he noticed the two female disciples behind Elder Huang.

One of the female disciples had been looking at him, her gaze never shifting even slightly.

And for some reason, when Xiao Mo looked at this female disciple, he always felt a strange familiarity.

Unfortunately, she wore a veil over her face, so he couldn't see her appearance at all.

"The three of you have had a long journey. I have prepared a banquet to welcome and honor you all," Xiao Mo withdrew his gaze from the veiled woman and continued speaking to Elder Huang.

"That would trouble Your Majesty," Elder Huang said with a smile.

"No trouble at all. Please, the three of you."

"Your Majesty, please go first."

After Xiao Mo exchanged a few more pleasantries with Huang Wei, he boarded the dragon palanquin while the three from Elder Huang's group were also helped onto carriages.

All officials gradually entered the city.

In the outer hall of the imperial palace, Xiao Mo hosted a banquet for Elder Huang of Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

Dish after dish of delicacies was served, carefully selected dancers performed, and all officials accompanied them.

Everything was arranged with the highest specifications.

All of this was prepared by Yan Shan'ao.

It could only be said that Yan Shan'ao indeed valued this visit from Ten Thousand Swords Sect very highly but this was understandable.

Zhou Kingdom was currently weak, and several neighboring countries were eyeing it covetously, wishing they could swallow Zhou Kingdom whole.

If Zhou Kingdom didn't find a patron now, who knew when it might fall.

If Zhou Kingdom fell, even if Yan Shan'ao sought glory by betraying his country, he wouldn't have as comfortable a position as he did now.

Actually, in Xiao Mo's view, Zhou Kingdom becoming a subsidiary of Ten Thousand Swords Sect wasn't really a problem.

Although the Yan family's control over the court would become even more outrageous, his own situation compared to now wouldn't differ much.

As for whether Yan Shan'ao would change his allegiance and proclaim himself emperor with Ten Thousand Swords Sect's support, Xiao Mo thought it impossible.

First, regardless of whether Yan Shan'ao had intentions of changing allegiance, as a regent minister appointed on the deathbed of the previous emperor, if he proclaimed himself emperor, he would truly bring eternal infamy to the entire Yan clan, and even the Empress Dowager wouldn't agree.

Second, as a Dragon Gate realm cultivator with a lifespan of several hundred years, how could he possibly give up this path of longevity?

Finally, the child he would have with that talented woman from the Yan family would definitely become Zhou Kingdom's future ruler.

At that time, the entire realm would rightfully become the Yan family's.

So they had no need to take such risks.

And he could now take advantage of Ten Thousand Swords Sect's protection to deter other countries and develop peacefully.

When the time came to eliminate Yan Shan'ao, everything would be fine.

As for whether Ten Thousand Swords Sect would care about Yan Shan'ao's death?

Heh.

They only cared about whether the mortal dynasties provided offerings to the sect, not who provided those offerings.

The atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly lively.

All officials flattered Huang Wei, especially with Yan Shan'ao taking the lead in bootlicking, which made Elder Huang extremely pleased.

Xiao Mo was thinking about quickly ending this welcoming banquet so he could return and start the next life but speaking of which, Xiao Mo glanced again at that veiled woman, she was still looking at him.

This made Xiao Mo very puzzled.

Did he know her?

Did she have a grudge against him?

Or had she fallen in love at first sight?

An hour later, the banquet ended, and under the Ministry of Rites' arrangements, the three were housed in the Honglu Temple's guest quarters.

Though called guest quarters, it was actually a large mansion with several courtyards specifically for sect members and envoys from other dynasties to stay in.

After entering the mansion, Elder Huang wanted to rest, but was called to the front courtyard by Jiang Qingyi.

"Sect Master, what are your instructions?" Elder Huang dispersed the alcohol from his system, walked to the front courtyard, and bowed to Jiang Qingyi.

Jiang Qingyi sat in the pavilion, watching fish swimming freely in the nearby lake, "How much do you know about Zhou Kingdom's ruler?"

"Reporting to Sect Master, this subordinate doesn't know much."

"Speak."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Elder Huang wiped the cold sweat on his forehead, organizing his words mentally.

"This Zhou Kingdom's ruler is called Xiao Mo."

The moment Elder Huang's first sentence landed, Jiang Qingyi suddenly turned to look at Huang Wei.

In an instant, it felt as if thousands of sharp swords were pointed at Huang Wei's entire body.

That sharp sword qi and profound sword intent made Huang Wei immediately kneel, "Sect Master, this subordinate speaks only truth, not a word of lies..."

"I never said you were lying," Jiang Qingyi withdrew her gaze. "Elders of my Ten Thousand Swords Sect shouldn't always be kneeling. Stand up and speak."

"Yes."

Huang Wei shakily stood up.

He didn't want to kneel either.

The main thing was that Sect Master, your sword qi and sword intent were truly frightening.

"This Xiao Mo is actually a descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan, but because the previous Zhou Kingdom ruler left no heirs, they could only select someone virtuous and talented from the imperial relatives to adopt as heir.

Yan Shan'ao and his elder sister, who is now the Empress Dowager, chose Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo is actually just a puppet emperor.

In the current court, everything is decided by Yan Shan'ao."

Jiang Qingyi said, "Continue."

"Regarding this Xiao Mo, this subordinate truly doesn't know much. However, there is one thing, this subordinate heard that this Xiao Mo has come of age but has no one in his harem. Yan Shan'ao selected a talented woman from the Yan clan to enter the palace and wants to make that talented woman empress.

I heard they're already preparing for the grand ceremony.

That Yan Shan'ao insisted that this subordinate must participate in celebrating this grand occasion together."

"Boom!"

Just as Huang Wei finished speaking, the pond in front of Jiang Qingyi suddenly exploded, fish falling to the ground, water splashing everywhere.

"Sect Master, spare my life..." Huang Wei knelt down again.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Why would I kill you?" Jiang Qingyi looked at Huang Wei.

"This subordinate... this subordinate..."

Huang Wei was almost crying. How would this subordinate know why?

But seeing your angry expression, this pond was destroyed by your sword qi. I had to quickly kneel and beg for mercy.

"The empress coronation ceremony."

Jiang Qingyi looked coldly ahead.

"What is the name of that Yan family woman who is to enter the palace?"