Golden Ranking Appears, My Empress Turns Out to Be Wu Zhao

Bang!

Just as the two Heavenly Human Realm cultivators were locked in an intense battle, fighting fiercely and wholeheartedly.

Suddenly.

Not far from the battlefield.

A flash of a black-clothed shadow streaked past.

It darted forward at incredible speed.

Fast!

Accurate!

Ruthless!

Before the two could even react.

Thud! Thud!

One palm each struck their chests.

Even though they were in the Heavenly Human Realm and quite powerful, they were immediately heavily injured, coughing up blood.

Instantly, both were enraged.

This sneak attacker was simply despicable.

Striking at the moment they were most off guard, leaving them completely defenseless.

"Despicable! Who are you?"

"How dare you ambush us!"

"Ask the King of Hell when you're dead!"

A hoarse voice echoed.

The attacker wore black and concealed his face, even disguising his voice.

Who was this vile coward?

Whether it was the Heavenly Human Realm cultivator of the Stitched Cloth Guard or the one from the Heaven Gate, they both seemed to have a tacit understanding.

They attacked the mysterious black-clothed person together.

"Just a dying struggle!"

The mysterious figure let out a cold laugh.

His figure flickered, and from a bizarre angle, he suddenly appeared before the two.

One palm each.

Instantly knocked them unconscious on the spot.

To be honest, the mysterious black-clothed person wasn't significantly stronger than the two Heavenly Human Realm cultivators.

He succeeded entirely due to his ambush.

A sneak attack.

That's all.

Had it been a fair fight, there's no way he could have captured them so easily.

Then, without wasting any time, he grabbed each of them by the collar and flew off into the distance.

No one knew what his goal was in capturing them alive.

"Hmph!"

"Trying to leave? Did you ask for my permission?"

At that moment.

A cold snort echoed.

Then, on the path ahead where the black-clothed man was escaping, a middle-aged man in luxurious purple robes appeared, calmly blocking the way.

A faint and powerful aura radiated from his body.

"Mythical Realm!"

The black-clothed man's tone became heavy.

"Heh, a mere Heavenly Human Realm dares to try and be the fisherman in a clash of clams? Truly reckless!"

The man in purple robes chuckled with disdain.

==========

At the same time.

Far on the other side of the battlefield.

Zhang Liang and Sima Yi also saw the astonishing changes unfolding on the battlefield.

The two exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes.

Especially Zhang Liang, who was utterly shocked.

He didn't expect Xiong Qi to appear.

At the thought of Xiong Qi, Zhang Liang's expression grew complicated.

Back in the Qin Dynasty, they had once been allies.

Together, they had resisted the tyranny of Emperor Ying Zheng, the most loyal of allies.

But now?

Who would have thought that the missing Xiong Qi had become part of the Stitched Cloth Guard?

He didn't know whether they would become enemies in the future.

For the sake of opposing the Qin Dynasty, or toppling the tyranny of Ying Zheng, he truly hoped he wouldn't have to fight against someone like Xiong Qi, once the greatest opposer of Ying Zheng.

Perhaps in the future, they could still join forces again against the tyrant.

Thinking of this.

Zhang Liang looked at Sima Yi beside him:

"Mister Zhongda, even a Mythical Realm has appeared. It's not safe to stay in this city any longer."

"Let's find a safe place and wait for Her Highness to arrive!"

"Very well!"

==========

"Xiong Qi?!"

"Who would've thought that the once-pathetic Xiong Qi, who was crushed by the Qin Dynasty and ran like a stray dog, has now truly become a dog of the Stitched Cloth Guard. How amusing."

The mysterious black-clothed man's harsh words instantly tore open the deepest wounds in Xiong Qi's heart.

His expression turned grim.

He, once the proud "King of Chu Kingdom", a powerful Mythical Realm cultivator, was now homeless.

Even worse, his life was controlled by the Stitched Cloth Guard.

How could someone as proud as him accept that?

While he harbored hatred and anger toward the Qin Emperor Ying Zheng and the Stitched Cloth Guard.

He also felt a growing murderous intent toward the mysterious black-clothed man who had exposed his pain.

"Sharp tongue! Let me see if you can leave here alive!"

As his words fell.

Xiong Qi suddenly exploded into action.

The power of the Mythical Realm erupted in full.

In an instant, he arrived before the mysterious figure and struck with his palm.

Intent on killing with a single blow.

The mysterious black-clothed man was only at the Heavenly Human Realm. How could he be a match for a Mythical Realm cultivator?

There was no way he could block this fatal attack.

Xiong Qi was extremely confident.

But then, his expression froze.

Shock filled his eyes.

His Mythical Realm strike.

Had passed straight through the mysterious black-clothed man's body.

Without any resistance.

"A shadow?"

"How is that possible?"

"When did he escape?"

"How did I not notice?"

Xiong Qi was both humiliated and furious. A violent aura erupted from him.

A mere Heavenly Human Realm dares to toy with him? Utter humiliation.

He must find out who this person is. If he ever does.

He will make him suffer terribly.

This time, he had let his guard down.

Next time, he wouldn't be so lucky.

About ten miles outside the city, in a secluded location.

Zhang Liang and Sima Yi were hiding in the shadows.

At the same time, the two were also probing each other.

Each trying to find a weakness in the other.

Although the atmosphere between them seemed harmonious, there was tension behind every word.

Just then.

From the distance, a black figure swiftly approached.

In both hands, the figure was dragging two unconscious individuals.

Arriving in front of Zhang Liang and Sima Yi, the figure threw them straight to the ground.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Zhang Liang and Sima Yi bowed respectfully.

They truly hadn't expected that the mysterious black-clothed person from earlier was actually Jiang Yuyan.

And she had actually succeeded.

Capturing two Heavenly Human Realm cultivators in one go.

With a flick of her body, there was a crackling sound.

The black-clothed disguise morphed.

The black garments fell away, revealing the original appearance of Jiang Yuyan.

"You two guard me once again. I need to properly 'interrogate' these two!"

"Let's see what secrets the Stitched Cloth Guard and Heaven Gate are still hiding!"

Jiang Yuyan's Spirit Devouring Demon Exercise not only allowed her to absorb others' cultivation for her own use.

She could also access their memories without obstruction.

These two Heavenly Human Realm cultivators clearly had extraordinary identities.

If she could obtain their memories, the secrets she would gain would be significant.

When dealing with the two great forces in the future, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Zhang Liang naturally understood what was happening.

He glanced at the two unconscious Heavenly Human Realm cultivators on the ground, eyes full of pity.

To think that Heavenly Human Realm cultivators could die such an unjust death.

Jiang Yuyan grabbed the two again and vanished in a flash.

She didn't keep them waiting for long.

Ten minutes later.

Jiang Yuyan returned to the spot, her face full of shock.

At this moment, her aura seemed even stronger than before.

Zhang Liang and Sima Yi both felt a chill in their hearts.

They had heard of demons before, but never seen one.

But now, at the moment they saw Jiang Yuyan.

The word "demon" automatically surfaced in their minds.

This woman had grown to such a level.

Truly terrifying.

Even though they were both advisors who relied on wisdom and schemes.

Seeing Jiang Yuyan now, they couldn't help but feel a wave of dread.

In their hearts, they no longer wished to face such an enemy.

"Zifang, Zhongda, have you heard of the Black Cloth Guard?"

"Black Cloth Guard?!"

Zhang Liang remained calm.

But Sima Yi gasped in shock.

"Your Highness, the Black Cloth Guard were a secret force established by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty hundreds of years ago."

"At the same time, the Stitched Cloth Guard was also created."

"However, the Black Cloth Guard operated with extreme secrecy, making them hard to detect."

"Over time, the world only came to know of the Stitched Cloth Guard, while forgetting the Black Cloth Guard."

"Even now, many aristocratic families in the Han Dynasty treat the Black Cloth Guard as nothing more than folk tales."

"If Your Highness hadn't mentioned them, I too would have thought they were rural legends."

Jiang Yuyan nodded in response.

"Indeed, the Black Cloth Guard do truly exist."

"And their origins far surpass those of the Stitched Cloth Guard."

"To be exact, the Stitched Cloth Guard established by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was just a branch split off from the Black Cloth Guard."

"The power of the Black Cloth Guard is far beyond that of the Stitched Cloth Guard."

"Even the Stitched Cloth Guard we're dealing with now are merely a minor offshoot of the true Black Cloth Guard."

"A greater force still hides in the shadows."

"Who knows what they're scheming?"

"It seems I've underestimated these people."

"The Han Dynasty is far from as simple as it appears on the surface."

For Jiang Yuyan, this was bad news.

With her current strength, she could still handle the Stitched Cloth Guard.

But facing the Black Cloth Guard behind them, she was definitely no match.

At the very least, she was certain that the Black Cloth Guard had God Demon Realm cultivators.

And there were definitely many Mythical Realm cultivators as well.

Even someone like Xiong Qi just now was merely one of the outer enforcers of the Black Cloth Guard.

And just one of many.

A martial arts myth like him was not even taken seriously or valued.

This showed how extraordinary the Black Cloth Guard were.

"For now, let's put this matter aside and return. We need to plan thoroughly."

Jiang Yuyan had a strong feeling that between her and the Black Cloth Guard, there could only be enmity.

And it would be a deep, irreconcilable one.

Once the Black Cloth Guard truly emerged, they would definitely target her, this demonic consort of the Han Dynasty, as their first sacrificial victim.

At that moment.

Jiang Yuyan immediately raised the threat level of the Black Cloth Guard to the highest.

Surpassing even the Heaven Gate and the aristocratic families of the Han Dynasty.

==========

Northern Song Capital.

A grand official residence.

This was the residence of the Central Secret Institution Vice-Director of the Northern Song Dynasty.

At this moment, in the underground secret chamber of the residence.

The Vice-Director was bowing respectfully to a black-clothed man seated above.

"Subordinate greets Lord!"

"Lord, everything you instructed has been completed."

"Good. I'll record your merit for this time."

"Once our Vast Sea Army conquers the entire Northern Song Dynasty, all rewards will be distributed one by one."

"Thank you, Lord. I've been preparing for this day for a long time."

Who would have thought that the Central Secret Institution Vice-Director of the Northern Song Dynasty was actually a spy of the Vast Sea Dynasty.

No one had expected this.

It wasn't just the Ming Dynasty whose reach extended far.

The Vast Sea Dynasty's hand was just as long.

"By the way, have you found any trace of the Northern Song Dynasty's Dragon Vein over the years?"

"This... Reporting to the Lord, I've investigated thoroughly, but found no clues."

"I suspect that only Emperor Zhao Ji himself knows the location of the Dragon Vein."

"However, I'm certain that there is absolutely no Dragon Vein near the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty."

"Very well. I'll personally look into this matter!"

"Before the Northern Song Dynasty is destroyed, we must find the Dragon Vein. Otherwise, even if we conquer the Northern Song Dynasty, it will not be a complete victory."

"Hmm? A new ranking has appeared."

At that moment, the two of them froze slightly.

In the sky, the Advisor Ranking suddenly trembled.

Then, a new ranking began to appear.

"Lord, with your wisdom, you will surely enter the Advisor Ranking, and definitely among the top ranks!"

"Whether I make it onto the Advisor Ranking means nothing to me."

"Even if I'm not on the Advisor Ranking, I won't fear any of the Advisors ranked on it."

"Because behind me stands the mighty Vast Sea Dynasty."

"No matter how strong the enemy, I'm already in an invincible position."

The mysterious lord spoke proudly.

Clearly, he was extremely proud of being part of the Vast Sea Dynasty.

He didn't care at all whether he made it onto the Advisor Ranking.

[Advisor Ranking – Rank 5]