Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Inside the main hall of the Zixia Sect, Murong Wei and Daoist Qingxuan sat and discussed matters.

"Your Highness, you have been away from Great Yan for some time now. If you do not return soon, it may arouse the Khan's suspicion."

"Sect Master, there is no need to worry. My father has said that as long as I can successfully make friends with sects all over Chu and maintain good relations with them, I will be overjoyed."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the Daoist nun Qingxuan couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Your Highness should also know that Jiang Mengxuan is my personally taught disciple. Now that she has gained power, she wants to extend her reach into the martial arts world. She is truly insatiable."

"The martial arts world and the imperial court have always kept to themselves. Now that the Empress is doing this, it is tantamount to making enemies of all sects in the world. This is truly unwise."

"Alas, what can we do? This rebellious disciple has now gained power and shows no regard for our past master-disciple relationship. Last year, my disciple Xu Jingyan died in the capital."

Although it has been confirmed that the perpetrator was from the Tibetan Esoteric School, and the assailant has been killed, she didn't even bother to come to the Zixia Sect to offer any comfort afterward, which truly chills my heart.

The nun Qingxuan took a sip of tea, her tone revealing a hint of resentment.

He was quite annoyed that a girl who was usually so easy to control had suddenly become so domineering and unreasonable.

Just then, Lu Qinghuan suddenly came to report.

"Sect Master, envoys from the Chu Kingdom's imperial court have arrived!"

Qingxuan Daoist nun and Murong Wei were both taken aback. Why would the imperial court send someone to Zixia Sect at this time?

"Please invite them into the Zhengyang Hall."

As soon as Qingxuan Daogu finished speaking, Murong Wei immediately stood up and said, "Sect Master, I will take my leave now."

"Ah."

……

A moment later, Zhuque led the way, followed by Qu Yi, and led more than two hundred Chu soldiers armed with guns and ammunition into the Zhengyang Palace.

The nun Qingxuan sat in the main seat, looking at the newcomer with a cold and stern expression.

On the left and right sides were Lu Qinghuan and Qingyin.

Zhuque stepped forward and asked directly, "Which one of you is Daoist Qingxuan?"

The nun Qingxuan replied, "That is me. May I ask what brings you here?"

Zhuque didn't say much, but cupped his hands and replied, "Sect Master Qingxuan, I have come today on His Majesty's orders to read out His Majesty's will."

"Divine will? What divine will?"

The Daoist nun Qingxuan did not understand.

Zhuque ignored her and directly took out the Empress's edict, reading it aloud in front of everyone.

"Imperial Edict: Daoist Qingxuan has served as the sect leader of the Zixia Sect for 136 years, but her incompetence in managing her subordinates has led to the sect's decline."

Furthermore, he colluded with foreign enemies to overthrow the court; his despicable behavior disqualifies him from holding the position of sect leader.

Lu Qinghuan, as the eldest disciple of the Zixia Sect, is adept at assessing situations and knows when to advance and retreat. He is truly the best candidate. Effective immediately, I hereby appoint Lu Qinghuan as the new sect leader of the Zixia Sect.

"I hope Sect Leader Lu will fulfill his duty, appease his disciples, and not fail to live up to the Emperor's grace..."

The Zhengyang Hall was deathly silent.

Hearing Zhuque's clear voice ring out in the hall, Lu Qinghuan felt her mind go blank.

Qingyin's eyes widened, and her mouth was so open it could almost fit an egg.

Only Qingxuan Daoist nun's cheeks began to tremble uncontrollably, and her joints cracked as she clenched them.

After Zhuque finished reading, he folded up the imperial edict and looked at Lu Qinghuan: "Sect Leader Lu, why don't you accept the imperial edict and express your gratitude?"

Lu Qinghuan instinctively stepped forward to receive it, as she had longed for the position of sect leader for a long time.

But when she saw the almost tearful eyes of the Daoist nun Qingxuan, she couldn't help but stop her impulse and was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"presumptuous!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Qingxuan Daoist nun slammed her hand on the tea table and stood up abruptly.

"Since when has it become the Great Chu Dynasty's place to interfere in the affairs of the Zixia Sect? Do you even know what the current Emperor's relationship with the Zixia Sect is!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhuque's eyes: "Daoist Qingxuan, this is His Majesty's decree. If you weren't His Majesty's mentor..."

"Given what the Zixia Sect has done, it's not as simple as just replacing a sect leader. Do you intend to defy the imperial decree and witness the Zixia Sect's bloodshed?"

"I don't believe it! I want to go see His Majesty in person and ask him for an explanation!"

The Daoist nun Qingxuan was baring her teeth and brandishing her claws, her emotions completely out of control.

Zhuque turned her back, her hand clenched behind her back, and her clear, cold voice rang out: "His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, how could he possibly make a special trip to see you for such a trivial matter?"

If you know what's good for you, quickly hand over the sect leadership token and pass the position of sect leader to Lu Qinghuan. Then everything can be discussed, and you will still be the master of the Empress of Great Chu.

She will treat you like your own mother, ensuring you enjoy endless wealth and luxury for the rest of your life.

The Daoist nun Qingxuan grinned and said, "What are you going to do if I don't hand over the token?"

"You dare defy the imperial decree?!"

The Vermilion Bird's icy aura instantly permeated every corner of the Zhengyang Palace.

Not only the disciples of the Zixia Sect, but even Qu Yi and the others behind them couldn't help but shudder.

The nun Qingxuan's eyes were bloodshot as she turned to look at Lu Qinghuan and shouted, "Do you want to sit in this sect leader's position or not!"

"Master, I..."

Lu Qinghuan was instantly caught in a dilemma.

She longed for it, she dreamed about it.

But her abilities didn't allow her to compete.

Seeing Lu Qinghuan's hesitant appearance, Daoist Qingxuan's heart sank: "You rebellious disciple, you really have such thoughts!"

"Speak! Did you conspire with the Empress to seize the position of sect leader?!"

"No, Master, I didn't!"

Lu Qinghuan quickly shook her head in denial.

Zhuque's voice rang out again: "Qingxuan Daoist Nun, considering that you were once His Majesty's master..."

I don't want to make things difficult for you. As long as you obediently hand over the sect leader's token, the entire Zixia Sect will be safe and sound. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, what do you want?"

The gaze behind the Vermilion Bird mask suddenly narrowed, instantly revealing a chilling aura.

"His Majesty has decreed that anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy!"

The somber atmosphere instantly intimidated everyone present.

Suzaku addressed everyone: "Those who obey the Emperor's command shall live; those who disobey shall die!"

Qingxuan Daoist nun took a deep breath, her eyes filled with murderous intent: "Fine, then I'd like to see how you manage to kill me!"

Zhuque waved his hand and said, "All generals, listen to my command! Qingxuan, the sect leader of Zixia Sect, has been harboring a fugitive and has no regard for the law. He should be executed immediately."

Instantly, Qu Yi's troops behind him raised their rifles in unison.

The artillery battery outside the mountain gate was also ready, waiting only for the order to unleash a barrage of bombardments.

Qingxuan Daoist nun was furious: "You're just looking for a pretext to accuse me! If you want the sect leader's token, let's see what you've got!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Daoist nun Qingxuan was surrounded by purple energy and struck the Vermilion Bird with her palm.

"Innocent!"

Zhuque let out a soft snort, stomped one foot on the ground, and an invisible aura instantly spread out.

The moment Qingxuan Daoist nun got close, she raised her jade hand to meet her.

Bang~

Click.

The moment their palms touched, the purple aura dissipated, and a crisp sound of bones cracking echoed.

"Pfft~"

Qingxuan Daoist nun felt a backlash from her internal energy, and spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward.

When she landed and sat back in the main seat, her eyes were full of apprehension.

"Master!"

Qingyin and Lu Qinghuan, concerned about her injuries, rushed to her side.

"do not come!"

The nun Qingxuan sternly stopped the two from approaching, then covered her right arm and glanced at it.

In the crook of the arm, a chilling white bone was a shocking sight.

With a single palm strike, Zhuque directly shattered her hand bones.

"The Immortal Realm? Who exactly are you?"

"The First Shadow Guard under the Empress of the Great Palace, Zhuque!" Zhuque replied coldly, holding the sect leader's token that he had taken from Daoist Qingxuan.

Suzaku?

Why had I never heard of this name before today?

Upon hearing the answer, Qingxuan Daoist nun's pupils contracted: "How ruthless! This was all planned long ago, wasn't it? She's been waiting for this day all along, hasn't she?"

"I'll ask you one last time, choose life or death!"

Qingxuan Daoist nun gritted her teeth: "Even if I die, I will not let her succeed. Even if the token is gone, I am still the sect leader of Zixia Sect. This sect belongs to me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuque put his hands behind his back.

A cold wind blew from outside the palace, causing the black hair at her temples to flutter.

A powerful pressure suddenly arose, causing everyone in Zhengyang Palace to breathe rapidly.

"Qu Yi!"

"exist!"

"Anyone carrying weapons shall be considered a traitor and dealt with according to military law without leniency!"

"Yes!"

Qu Yi loudly accepted the order and immediately commanded his men to raise their rifles.

The Daoist nun Qingxuan shouted, "Disciples of the Zixia Sect, heed my command! We swear to defend our sect to the death!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he rushed forward again, disregarding his injuries.

"shooting!"

Bang bang bang bang bang——

At the same time, Qu Yi gave the order, and more than two hundred rifles opened fire simultaneously.

In an instant, the Zhengyang Hall was filled with smoke and blood.

Meanwhile, Daoist Qingxuan and Qingyin attacked Zhuque from both sides, hoping to win by using their wits.

however……

"Get out!"

Zhuque flicked a finger, and Qingyin was sent flying.

At the same time, she gently raised her hand and easily caught the left palm of the Daoist nun Qingxuan.

"you……"

Bang~

Before Qingxuan Daoist could even speak, her wrist was locked by Zhuque's gentle force, and she was thrown backwards, landing face-first outside the gate of Zhengyang Palace.

While in pain, the nun Qingxuan looked up.

A dozen or so light and heavy machine guns were already in position ahead.

"shooting!"

Da da da da——

A burst of frenzied gunfire engulfed a large number of Zixia Sect disciples, who instantly fell into pools of blood.

"How can this be……"

Seeing the scene of blood flowing like a river, Qingxuan Daogu's lifelong belief in the supremacy of martial arts collapsed.