Chu Jie killed a 16th-rank Grand Supreme Avatar in four moves, achieving instant fame. However, the original 16th-rank Grand Supreme Avatar, whom he had trampled upon to rise to power, was in a bad mood. Martial Qi Avatars are similar to Literary Qi Avatars; when the vatar dissipates, the memories experienced during that time are fed back to the original, including the moment of death. At the time the vatar dissipated, the original was embracing a beautiful woman presented as tribute by his subordinates, enjoying a life of pleasure.

The wine flowed freely, and the atmosphere was just right.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, while inside, the aroma of perfume mingled with the smell of alcohol.

The beautiful woman nestled in the arms of the man at the head of the table, gently pouring him wine.

The crowd below showered him with compliments.

The sixteenth-rank high-ranking official's cheeks were flushed, as if he had no idea what day it was. He had drunk quite a bit; although he had a high tolerance for alcohol, he was intoxicated by his own state of mind, not by the wine. In such a beautiful setting, he used the beauty's lap as a pillow, and his heavy eyelids slowly closed.

The singing and dancing in the hall had not yet ended, and the subordinates under the tent were constantly chatting and laughing.

boom--

Without warning, a powerful aura erupted from the body of the Sixteenth-Rank Grand Master, sending a strong shockwave rippled in all directions. The dancers and entertainers in the hall collapsed to the ground screaming, and the tightly closed windows were smashed to pieces. All the officials fell silent instantly, turning their gazes toward the head of the hall.

The latter's face was so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from his back teeth.

Few words, but an explosion of information.

"Jiang Qianshen is dead."

For a moment, there was complete silence; no one answered.

Who is Jiang Qianshen?

That was a martial artist of the highest rank, second only to their patriarch, a sixteenth-level Grand Master. Even though the patriarch often sneered at him, Jiang Ao's strength was undeniable. How could such a powerful figure die so easily?

The same thought was swirling in everyone's minds—

Who killed him?

A meticulous person would think of another layer.

How did our patriarch know about Jiang Ao's death in battle? Considering that the other party had once released a martial aura avatar to inspect the troops near Chaoli Pass, the answer was obvious—the patriarch's martial aura avatar was intercepted and killed, and the news was brought back by the avatar.

Could the person who killed the patriarch's avatar and the person who slew Jiang Ao be the same person? If so, the opponent's strength is unfathomable!

They exchanged glances, then lowered their eyes and remained silent.

The valiant warrior at the head of the table suddenly stood up and ordered, "Send someone to send the message back to the palace immediately, without fail!"

"Yes, sir!" The subordinate obeyed.

"Patriarch...who exactly killed Jiang Qianshen?"

The person who spoke was sensible and didn't mention the matter of incarnation.

The avatar suppressed the throbbing veins on his forehead and said solemnly, "He's an arrogant brat who doesn't know his own limitations. I've never seen him before. I don't know if that bastard Huang Lie deliberately concealed it or if he's new... Heh, interesting."

He says it's interesting, but his eyes tell him he wants to kill.

"A... young boy? Not very old?"

The avatar said, "He said that he killed Jiang Ao."

At this moment, someone muttered, "Perhaps it's a lie..."

The true self: "Whether I'm lying or not is unimportant."

He didn't care about Shen Tang; his mind was now filled with Chu Jie, who had appeared later. Even though he had sent out a weak avatar, and this avatar required extra martial energy to maintain its form, it was still killed in four moves—a blatant disgrace to his true self. How many trump cards did his opponent have left? Would he pose a threat to his true self?

This thought kept lingering in my mind.

He was so engrossed in thought that he didn't even notice the cold sweat beading on his forehead until his subordinate called him several times. He then awkwardly tried to hide his unease. Seeing this, the subordinate continued, "Master, Jiang Qianshen's death will inevitably cause unrest and have far-reaching consequences… The allied forces are not what they used to be. We… we might… need to make plans soon…"

Before I could finish speaking, I received a murderous glare from the other party.

The avatar, filled with murderous intent, asked, "What do you mean?"

The subordinate bowed deeply: "...It's all for the sake of the patriarch! Jiang Qianshen was sent to Chaoli Pass and died in battle just a few days later. This shows that the strength of Huang Lie's allied forces is no longer what it used to be. Without the natural barrier of Chaoli Pass, they can advance unimpeded...The king will definitely send the patriarch to fight. At that time...I dare to suggest that the patriarch observe the situation again before making a decision?"

The avatar listened attentively and then chuckled.

“No, the battle hasn’t even started yet, and you’re already afraid of the enemy like a jackal. If you really see that dog Huang Lie, are you prepared to open the city gates and surrender, bowing down to him?” He walked up to the pale-faced sycophant, helped him up, and said in a friendly tone, “If this general were really so afraid of death, he would be even worse than that good-for-nothing Jiang Qianshen.”

The subordinate who was speaking turned pale with fright.

Aside from being good at flattering people and having a bit of cleverness, he had no other skills. He assumed that Jiang Ao and the patriarch had both died at the hands of the same person, thus deducing that Huang Lie's allied forces had made up for their lack of elite troops, and that the two armies could now pose a fatal threat to the patriarch. The patriarch's allegiance to Zheng Qiao was solely for fame, fortune, and glory, things that could only be enjoyed if one was alive.

So he offered this suggestion, thinking he was being considerate, but now it seems he may have been trying to flatter someone but ended up hurting them.

"Master, head of the family... I have misspoke, please punish me."

The avatar straightened the wrinkles in his clothes and brushed away non-existent dust, saying, "Don't be so afraid. I'm not some thug. It's good that you dare to offer advice. However, although your suggestion is good, don't mention it again in your next life."

The subordinates stared in alarm.

The next instant, he heard a sharp crack of bones breaking, and his gaze turned 180 degrees, revealing the scenery behind him for the first time. His avatar clapped his hands, coldly watching the corpse with its head twisted 180 degrees.

He turned to the crowd and asked, "What are you all trying to say?"

Several timid individuals shook their heads vigorously, while the rest were used to this scene—regardless of what the patriarch coveted from Zheng Qiao, or whether he valued his life or not, these matters could not be discussed openly. Of course, they couldn't be discussed in private either.

Those who think they're clever will die quickly.

"Huang Lie and his ilk are nothing but orphaned chicks, rotten rats, mud pigs, and mangy dogs. Even if they were to defeat Jiang Qianshen by sheer luck, it wouldn't prove their strength, but only confirm that Jiang Qianshen is indeed a useless piece of trash. Your abilities, General, far surpass those of Jiang Qianshen! You will surely sweep them all away!"

These words softened the expression on the avatar's face considerably.

He felt relieved, but Zheng Qiao was furious upon receiving the news. At that time, Jiang Ao's seventh day memorial service had not yet taken place.

A luxurious and extravagant palace.

A terrifying and chilling atmosphere permeated the air.

The energy of heaven and earth within the palace grounds became violent and chaotic. Many officials, under this oppressive atmosphere, were sweating profusely and trembling with fear. The inner shirts under their court robes were soaked with sweat, repeatedly drying and then becoming wet again, clinging tightly to their skin, causing great discomfort.

The source of the aura was King Zheng Qiao.

Some even made sarcastic remarks, saying that this queen, nicknamed "the delicate one," was unpredictable 365 days a year, while an ordinary woman's period only lasted five or six days a month. However, Zheng Qiao's outburst this time had a reason—

Jiang Ao's head was chopped off by Huang Lie's troops!

He was one of only two 16th-rank Grand Masters under Zheng Qiao, and he hadn't even been at Chaoli Pass for a month. Such a huge loss would make anyone furious enough to have a heart attack. However, it was too far from the front lines, and more details would only be available in a few days.

All that is known so far is that Jiang Ao was beheaded by a man with feminine features.

They were new faces and had not appeared in Huang Lie's allied forces before.

Zheng Qiao asked, "Do you know who this child is?"

The court officials dared not utter a sound; they knew nothing about it.

After a while, Zheng Qiao said, "Speaking of men with feminine features who are close to the likes of Huang Lie, I have thought of someone. Not long ago, didn't we hear that Qiu Wenyan's sneak attack on Longwu County failed, and instead, Longwu County took over Sibao County?"

Qiu Cheng spent a fortune to hire Gong Xi Chou, a lowly soldier, to oversee the administration, only to have an absurd scene unfold where generals clashed and attacked each other from behind. Such a plot couldn't even be found in a local folktale. Zheng Qiao initially treated the news as a joke.

Qiu Wenyan, that bastard, died a stupid death!

If the duel between the generals wasn't embellished by folk art, it would mean that Shen Tang and Gong Xi Chou were evenly matched in strength, and information about Shen Tang does indeed mention him having "feminine features." Therefore, the person who killed Jiang Ao was very likely this young man.

This young man was favored by his senior brother, Yan An.

Thinking of this, Zheng Qiao felt a pang of regret.

Back then, Shen Tang didn't come to the palace with Wu Xian and the others to discuss merits and rewards. I should have been wary, but at the time, I only intended for Shen Tang to keep Wu Xian and Gu Ren in check, so I didn't pay much attention to him. Later, Shen Tang held onto Longwu County and Yonggu Pass from the Shiwu, but by then Zheng Qiao had already lost control of the region. Now, Shen Tang has grown quite powerful…

His eyes flashed with danger.

One of the courtiers said, "Does the King suspect it is Shen Youli?"

Zheng Qiao corrected, "It's certain, definitely this child's doing. What are your thoughts on Shen Youli?"

The court officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

"...I only vaguely heard that this person has a good reputation."

"Popular rumors say he is a virtuous gentleman in a corrupt world, valuing both benevolence and righteousness."

"...seems to have a good relationship with the neighbors?"

Except for that great traitor, Qiu Wenyan.

The court officials racked their brains to dig out memories related to Shen Tang, but Shen Tang had kept a low profile all these years, and his territory was in a poor, desolate border region. Apart from a good reputation and a once-famous high-end combat capability, there was nothing else to say about him.

Zheng Qiao said impatiently, "I'm not here to hear your praises of this man's benevolence, but to ask how you intend to deal with him!"

At this point, a courtier put forward a bold idea.

Almost every member of Huang Lie's allied forces harbors a deep-seated hatred for Zheng Qiao, and their animosity will only intensify, not diminish. However, Shen Tang is different. From the time he rose to fame until now, he has maintained a clean slate with Zheng Qiao, and there has been no talk of any enmity between them. Not only is there no enmity, but Zheng Qiao has also nominally promoted Shen Tang, appointing the twelve-year-old boy as a prefect of a region.

It should be noted that there were strict requirements for entering officialdom in this era.

Family background, appearance, ability, and talent are all indispensable.

Among these factors, one's background is of paramount importance.

Shen Tang didn't consider any of these things when he took office.

In other words, Zheng Qiao gave the young man the opportunity to enter officialdom and showcase his talents. This act of kindness, though not immense, was not insignificant either. The court officials suggested—secretly promising Shen Tang benefits—to turn him against his cause. Then, with the help of both inside and outside forces, Shen Tang could claim all the credit for eliminating the rebel alliance. A meteoric rise to power, gaining both fame and fortune—why not?

Zheng Qiao lowered her eyes in thought.

It seemed as if they were seriously considering the feasibility of this suggestion.

Other courtiers found it absurd. Shen Tang clearly seemed like a gentleman who valued his reputation above all else—whether a true gentleman or a hypocrite wearing a mask was another matter. Would he really betray his principles for Zheng Qiao's promise?

However, it's really hard to say.

For reasons unknown, Zheng Qiao agreed and even secretly sent an envoy over. Besides Shen Tang, there was another matter to discuss concerning Wei Shou. Previously, Wei Shou had been suspected of defecting, which was why Zheng Qiao had sent Jiang Ao to keep an eye on him.

But Jiang Ao died a few days later.

It's hard to say whether this was a coincidence or premeditated.

Many court officials tended to believe it was a "premeditated plot," and that Wei Shou was highly problematic. Their reasoning was sound: only a few months had passed since Shen Tang and Gong Xi Chou fought to a draw in Xiaocheng. How could they have repeatedly broken through in such a short time? This indicated that the opponent's strength was at most at the fifteenth-level Lesser Upper Realm, while Jiang Ao was at the sixteenth-level Greater Upper Realm. Although there was only a one-level difference, the two were worlds apart.

If Wei Shou hadn't tampered with things, Jiang Ao wouldn't have died so easily, let alone had his head cut off.

Of course, a small number of people are skeptical about this.

Zheng Qiao also belongs to a small minority.

However, Jiang Ao's seven-day mourning period had not yet passed, and his trust in Wei Shou was now low, not high. Entrusting such a controversial figure with Chaoli Pass was unwise. After much deliberation, Zheng Qiao decided to recall Wei Shou and send someone else to garrison Chaoli Pass…

Undercurrents are brewing on all sides.

Shen Tang, on the other hand, only loved dry rice.

Having slept for three days and three nights, she woke up to a rumbling stomach. Clutching her beloved silk quilt, she muttered, "Wu Hui, is there anything to eat? Your lord is starving! If I don't eat soon, I'll really starve to death, starve to death, starve to death..."

It's a repetitive cycle, even more annoying than chanting scriptures.

Chu Yao was still immersed in the joy of Shen Tang waking up. Seeing her wailing and howling, he smiled kindly and said, "Please wait a little longer, my lord. Your favorite food is keeping warm in the pot. It will be delivered in a little while."

He is undoubtedly one of the people who understands Shen Tang the most...

The guards brought the food.

Shen Tang seemed to be a starving ghost reincarnated, wishing she could bury her face in the pot and eat. The tender ribs passed through her mouth, and she spat out a clean bone, leaving not a single piece of meat.

Not satisfied with that, he poured the thick, fragrant pork rib sauce over a bucket of white rice, stirred it a few times with his chopsticks, and then grabbed some to eat. The others arrived after hearing the commotion, and both buckets of rice were empty.

A whole pot of ribs was reduced to bones.

Not a single drop of the broth is wasted.

"belch--"

Shen Tang was not truly satisfied until he burped.

How long did I sleep this time?

Chu Yao said worriedly, "It's been three whole days and three nights."

Shen Tang said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have worried you."

"As long as my lord is safe and sound, I have no other requests."

Shen Tang glanced at the crowd that had rushed over, scratched his nose, and chuckled, "As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Actually, fainting this time was a good thing. Guess what I experienced in my dream? You won't believe it if I tell you!"

She looked at everyone with anticipation.

His face was full of—

Ask quickly, ask quickly, come and ask!

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

Everyone has dreams, and what happens in those dreams...

Does a dream really matter?

Gu Chi spoke up before Chu Yao and the others could.

"Chi, I'm all ears."

Shen Tang clapped his hands: "You're on the right track! Just listen!"

"This dream is related to the various schools of thought during the Warring States period!"

_(:з」∠)_

Happy International Women's Day everyone! Did you receive any gifts today? Oh dear, poor Mushroom was the one who gave a gift, sigh. I also bought a 5.4kg bag of cat food today; my two cats have already finished the bag of food I bought last year during Singles' Day.