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

Chu Youwei went berserk and got up, intending to attack Shen Lang.

"Cough cough..."

Just then, two coughs rang out.

Qi Yinshang, the sect leader of Xuanyu Sect, entered the main hall.

"Master!"

When Chu Youwei saw Qi Yinshang, she immediately poured out her grievances to him as if she had suffered a great injustice.

"Master, it was this Shen Lang who killed my husband. Please, Master, you must do justice for your disciple!"

"sit down."

Qi Yinshang's expression remained unchanged despite Chu Youwei's words; he simply gave a cold, stern rebuke.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is now on the same side as us, so how can you be so unreasonable and argumentative?"

Moreover, Xu Jingyan's death was the work of the Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism sect.

At the time of the incident, Fellow Daoist Shen was still dealing with cases in Jiangnan; how could he have had time to kill Xu Jingyan?

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang said meaningfully, "It seems that Sect Leader Qi is truly well aware of my whereabouts."

I really don't understand how you gangsters have so much free time to waste on me.

Qi Yinshang replied, "Fellow Daoist Shen, please don't be offended. The power of the Great Chu court is so great that it has seriously threatened the survival of my sect, which is why I had no choice but to resort to this tactic."

Shen Lang said, "So, framing me for cannibalism and forcing me to turn against the Empress was also a desperate tactic of yours?"

"The appearance of Fellow Daoist Shen has disrupted the balance between the ancestral temples and the martial world. The Heavenly Venerable had no choice but to intervene with this measure. I hope you can understand."

"Ha, Sect Leader Qi is quite outspoken, making it sound so natural to slander someone. But aren't you afraid of retribution for such despicable and insidious methods?"

"In terms of insidiousness, compared to Fellow Daoist Shen's deeds, I am truly a small fry compared to a big fish."

"So, shouldn't I feel superior? Why don't you guys give me a little kowtow to liven things up?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions subtly changed.

"Alright, it was all a joke. Why are you so persistent, Fellow Daoist Shen? Let's sit down and talk."

After gesturing for everyone to sit down, Qi Yinshang continued, "Fellow Daoist Shen, things have come to this point, and there's no use in complaining. Let bygones be bygones."

One should always look forward, especially since you have no way out now. Only by closely following the Celestial Venerable and helping him rule the world can you escape the Empress's pursuit.

After all, no emperor would tolerate someone whose achievements overshadow his own that threatens his position.

"what."

Shen Lang chuckled dryly, turned his face away, and refused to reply.

Qi Yinshang looked at everyone and said, "Gentlemen, the Empress is tyrannical and acts against the natural order. She seeks to break the balance that has existed on the Taiwu Continent since its inception and wants to seize power for herself."

If we retreat, then no sect will have a place to stand in the martial world. The Celestial Venerable calls upon all those with ambition to join us in resisting the Empress.

Only by removing her from the throne and welcoming the Heavenly Venerable to ascend the throne can the world return to its proper order.

Xue Wuying immediately said, "I will follow the Heavenly Venerable forever! Long live the Heavenly Venerable!"

Qingxuan Daoist nun: "I truly regret why I didn't strangle this wicked disciple back then, otherwise the Zixia Sect wouldn't have ended up like this!"

Shen Lang yawned: "Enough with the nonsense, just tell me what you're planning to do, don't waste any more time."

Qi Yinshang nodded: "Fellow Daoist Shen is right. We can't waste any more time. The Heavenly Venerable has decreed that a martial arts tournament will be held in Blackwater City in three days."

We will discuss how to launch a counterattack against the Empress then. The Celestial Venerable has heard about what has happened in the south recently, and he has promised to lead us to seek justice.

After saying that, he looked at Shen Lang and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, whether this plan succeeds or not depends on your performance."

Shen Lang stopped: "You've pushed me to this point and you still want to use me?"

"Do you all think too highly of yourselves, or do you think I, Shen Lang, am easy to get along with? Can you stop being so naive?"

Qi Yinshang's eyes narrowed: "Does Fellow Daoist Shen think he still has a way out?"

Shen Lang: "Whether it's the imperial court or the martial arts world, to be honest, I don't trust anyone now."

I just want to leave the Great Chu territory and go somewhere where no one can find me to live a carefree life. I don't want to deal with your mess anymore.

Qi Yinshang: "If that's the case, then I can guarantee that Fellow Daoist Shen will spend the rest of his life being hunted down."

"Are you threatening me?"

Shen Lang's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

"How about we have a contest to see who lives longer? You can kill me, Shen Lang, but the price will be rivers of blood. Do you dare to try?"

Qi Yinshang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He had witnessed Shen Lang's strength before. The scene of him injuring Xu Jingyan with a single palm strike at the Zixia Sect was still vivid in his mind. Now, he had no idea what level Shen Lang's cultivation had reached.

If it really came down to a fight, I would be no match for him.

Xue Wuying hurriedly said, "Brother Shen, this is your fault. Didn't we already agree on this before we came? Why did you change your mind again?"

Shen Lang: "Cooperation requires sincerity. Although I, Shen Lang, am currently experiencing bad luck, it does not mean that I can be used as a tool by you."

Qi Yinshang smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen has misunderstood. We sincerely apologize for what you experienced before."

This matter was indeed handled improperly by us, but as long as Fellow Daoist Shen remains by the Empress's side, our sect will never have peace.

"How about this? Once we force the Empress to abdicate, half of the wealth in her treasury will be our compensation to you. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang clenched his fist.

"Half? You actually have the nerve to say you'll give me half? Sorry, whether it works out or not, I want it all."

Qi Yinshang was taken aback, then smiled ingratiatingly: "Alright, I think the Heavenly Venerable shouldn't have any objections."

"Let's stop making empty promises like this; it's disgusting to even hear about them." Shen Lang's expression softened a bit: "Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

"The Celestial Venerable hopes that Fellow Daoist Shen can provide blueprints for the government army's new firearms, and then replicate a batch to equip the major sects in the north."

"It can't be done."

Shen Lang flatly refused.

"Even if we give you the blueprints for firearms, with your current level of understanding, you won't be able to research even a single thing in thirty to fifty years. Just give up. After all, I don't have the energy to explain the concept of technology to a bunch of illiterate people."

Qingxuan Daoist nun was furious: "Shen Lang, you better not be so shameless. The Heavenly Venerable values ​​you and has taken a liking to your firearm blueprints. That is an unparalleled honor for you. Don't be ungrateful."

"Do you even have the right to speak here?" Shen Lang retorted directly. "A piece of trash whose sect was taken over by its disciples, yet you still have the nerve to swagger in front of me? Who gave you the courage?"

"you……"

"Okay, stop arguing!"

Qi Yinshang quickly stopped the impending argument.

"What Fellow Daoist Shen said makes sense, but it doesn't really matter. Whether we create these strange and ingenious skills or not won't affect the overall situation."

"Then please tell me about the defenses of the Jinling Imperial City, Fellow Daoist Shen."

Shen Lang: "If I may ask, how many men do you plan to send to attack Jinling?"

Qi Yinshang said, "The 30,000 elite martial artists of the Northern Sects are at the Heavenly Venerable's command at any time."

"Just thirty thousand corpses," Shen Lang mocked without any politeness. "Even an Immortal Realm expert couldn't last three breaths against firearms."

"Thirty thousand so-called elite warriors are nothing but chickens and dogs before the Central Army. Aside from giving away military merits, I see absolutely no chance of victory."

Chu Youwei snorted coldly: "You're just bragging. Tens of thousands of martial artists could wipe out a great nation. Do you really think those strange and ingenious techniques can stop a martial artist invasion?"

Shen Lang: "The Heavenly Dao Alliance's 20,000 disciples were routed in one battle, and the Blood Fiend Alliance's nearly 10,000 disciples were completely wiped out. Add to that the fates of the major sects in the south..."

They were all trembling in fear because of the strange and ingenious skills you mentioned, so what do you think these 30,000 people could accomplish?

The garrison troops of the three divisions near Nanjing, once deployed to battle, could arrive in less than a day.

We will become fertilizer for the soil. Go ahead and try it if you don't believe me, but please don't drag me into it.

Furthermore, I personally trained those troops; who here is more qualified to speak on their strength level than me?

Everyone was silent when they heard this.

After all, news of various sects in the south being wiped out by the imperial court was coming one after another, so what Shen Lang said was not entirely alarmist.

Shen Lang continued, "To think that you can overthrow the Empress's tyranny by relying solely on the power of the martial arts world is nothing but a pipe dream."

If that's your plan, I advise you to continue obediently waiting to become the government's dogs; that would be much safer.

After all, compliance might offer a glimmer of hope, but if one feels invincible and decides to challenge others, then there's no hope.

Qi Yinshang: "Fellow Daoist Shen's words may be harsh, but they are indeed the truth."

However, Fellow Daoist Shen, the Celestial Venerable possesses far more than just martial arts influence.

"Oh, anything else?"

"Hehehe, you'll know that when you meet the Celestial Venerable."

Qi Yinshang smiled and dodged the question, thus getting away with it.

Shen Lang's heart tightened, and he began to silently analyze the meaning behind Qi Yinshang's words.