The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"Are the people of Qingshan incapable of admitting defeat themselves, needing others to speak for them?"

The eunuchs were also angry, and being martial arts experts, how could they not retaliate when Zhao Douan led the charge?

Even the nearby imperial guards were casting disdainful glances.

"Enough!"

Amidst the clamor, Qi Ye, with eyes covered by a black cloth, suddenly spoke, interrupting the "verbal attacks" of the crowd. He took a step forward and resolutely pushed Chai Keqiao aside.

Then, under Zhao Douan's calm gaze, he held the sword horizontally in front of him, spread his left hand, and fiercely grasped the sword's blade, pressing it from hilt to tip with great force.

Visible to the naked eye, one hand was covered in blood, and bright red droplets fell onto the ground like a broken string of pearls.

The crowd was stupefied, hearing Qi Ye speak in an emotionless voice: "I, a person of Qingshan, can afford to lose. Now, Junior Guardian Zhao, are you satisfied? If not enough..."

He then pushed the blood-stained blade against his chest again, slashing it violently, soaking his torn black garment with blood.

Qi Ye seemed devoid of pain as he "looked" up toward Zhao Douan: "Is this satisfactory?"

Zhao Douan seriously observed this self-harming fellow, then suddenly smiled: "I was just teasing earlier, with some words of disrespect. Since Brother Chai has already apologized, that's enough."

Qi Ye: "..."

Xiao Ran had an odd look in his eyes.

Chai Keqiao took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Then, we'll take our leave."

He paused, adding a meaningful remark: "In half a month, during the formal martial arts contest, I hope to witness Junior Guardian Zhao's skills."

According to tradition, in the following half month, both sides would exchange and spar, with a formal contest before their departure.

"We'll see." Zhao Douan replied nonchalantly.

As the trio departed, a group of Tributors finally realized what had happened and gathered around Zhao Douan, reminiscing about the power of that slash, with some even asking if he had entered the World.

"It was just luck." Zhao Douan smirked, thinking that if he were in the World, he'd have already gone to pester Zhenbao for Dual Cultivation, rather than mingling with a bunch of eunuchs.

Mo Chou looked complicated, gazing at him with gentle eyes, and suddenly said softly: "Before, you only promised not to cause trouble actively, but just now, there was no need to endure so much."

It's not because of you, you big ice block... Zhao Douan thought with a strange expression, staring at her.

He really wanted to say: It's not that I don't want to, I simply can't.

First, he wasn't sure if releasing his Qi Sea could defeat Qi Ye, and losing would be embarrassing.

Second, and more importantly, he remembered Zhenbao's warning. If they weren't ready yet, releasing accumulated Inner Strength prematurely would waste most of the month's hard work and consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

This was the main reason for his unusual retreat, with the promise to Mo Chou being just one of the factors.

Thus, it wasn't until he asked Eunuch Hai whether he could make a move, getting the "Legendary Tributor's" answer, that he finally felt relieved to draw his blade boldly.

"Eunuch, surely you had long thought of using me to break the impasse, right?" Zhao Douan cautiously probed as he approached the Python Robe Old Eunuch, "Forcing me to bear it for a month, was it all for today?"

Eunuch Hai said blankly: "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Just keep pretending... Zhao Douan pursed his lips. Throughout the entire process, Eunuch Hai had remained calm and composed, projecting an unfazed demeanor that one might indeed believe stemmed from an exceptionally advanced Heart Realm, indifferent to glory or defeat.

Seeing that it no longer concerned her, Mo Chou immediately turned and rushed toward the Imperial Study Room, knowing the Empress would surely be concerned about the situation here.

...

...

Imperial Study Room.

When Mo Chou knocked and opened the door, she saw the elegantly and atmospherically decorated room, with Xu Zhenguan, clad in snow-white attire and having cascading black hair, leisurely seated by the window.

A fair, slender hand clutched a pair of scissors, delicately trimming a peach blossom.

"Your Majesty, both parties have met." Mo Chou, entranced for a moment by the figure by the window trimming the peach blossom, lowered her gaze promptly and reported respectfully.

Xu Zhenguan clipped a section of the blossom, not turning his head, and asked gently: "How was it?"

Mo Chou dared not withhold anything and recounted the entire process, from Qi Ye's provocation to Zhao Douan's shocking performance, leaving nothing out.

"Oh, is that so? Not bad, pass on the order to grant each person in the Martial Arts Hall a silver reward." Xu Zhenguan remarked nonchalantly as if unsurprised.

Stunned, Mo Chou lifted her head in astonishment: "Your Majesty, you're not surprised?"

Xu Zhenguan placed the precisely trimmed blossom into a vase and turned, revealing a face as serene as the silver moon, smiling: "Surprised about what?"

"Naturally..." Mo Chou began but suddenly experienced a stroke of insight, her eyes brightening: "Could it be that Your Majesty anticipated this? No... even arranged it in advance?"

Xu Zhenguan chuckled softly: "To best assimilate the medicinal power, one needs a catalyst. Using Qingshan to test the blade, where in this world could you find such a good grindstone?"

Mo Chou opened her mouth, suddenly realizing that the Empress's arrangement for Zhao Douan to enter the palace for rigorous training wasn't without basis. It was a calculated move that included Qingshan's martial arts geniuses as stepping stones for Zhao Douan.

Jealousy twisted her features.

"Isn't Your Majesty worried that the situation could escalate, displeasing Wu Xiankui..."

Xu Zhenguan gently shook his head and smiled: "And if it does? Outside, he may be bullied, but surely not in the Imperial Palace as well."

The "he" referred to here was undoubtedly Zhao himself.

Mo Chou: "..."

Jealousy caused her to be at a loss for words.

"Your Majesty..." Mo Chou forced a change of topic: