Ming Dynasty Territory.
A hidden location.
At this moment, two forces had already gathered.
Around a hundred people in total.
Each person emanated an extremely terrifying aura.
"Yuan Tiangang, you finally came. I've been waiting for you."
"Not too early, not too late, just on time. However, Black Shadow, I'm beginning to doubt your competence. After all, you were captured alive by Hundred Yue City, weren't you?"
"Qin Emperor must have paid a great price to exchange you back, right?"
"The dignified Black Ice Platform Leader, so incompetent, I have to take this operation even more cautiously."
"If this mission fails and the Ming Emperor seizes a weakness, I would be derelict in duty."
Yuan Tiangang looked at the Black Ice Platform Leader from the Qin Dynasty, his tone laced with mockery.
Hearing the disdain in the voice of the Bad Marshal, even though Black Shadow knew he was being deliberately provoked, he couldn't suppress the anger in his heart.
After all, getting captured by the Hundred Yue Queen had been a major embarrassment.
Ying Zheng might not have said anything.
But among the circle of intelligence leaders from various dynasties, he had become a joke.
Even now, though cooperating with Yuan Tiangang, his momentum was clearly inferior.
"Let's skip the small talk and get to the point."
"After the Snow Moon City incident, we planned to test the Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard with a probing siege."
"Especially targeting the leader, Dark One."
"This would allow us to assess the depth of the Dark Guard."
"And at the same time, gauge how many hidden cards the Ming Emperor has."
"But now we have an even better target."
"And it can serve the same purpose."
"Even better, it won't fully enrage the Ming Emperor."
"A few days ago, we unexpectedly discovered an ideal trial stone."
Black Shadow got to the point.
"Trial stone?"
"Are you referring to Yuwen Tuo from Sui Dynasty, Huang Shang from Song Dynasty, or Phagpa from Yuan Dynasty?"
Yuan Tiangang's tone was playful.
"As expected, the Bad Marshal has extraordinary means."
"This time, the Yuan Dynasty National Master Phagpa has launched a significant plan. Even Meng Chixing, Si Hanfei, and Pang Ban have been mobilized."
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
"We can act as the oriole."
Black Shadow said calmly.
"Oriole? Aren't you worried that behind the oriole lies a flower snake, and behind that snake, a hunter?"
"Black Shadow, perhaps I overestimated you."
"While you calculate others, has it occurred to you that others may be calculating you?"
Yuan Tiangang shook his head, his tone full of disappointment.
Black Shadow's expression stiffened, face darkening.
"Enough talk. Let's proceed!"
Hunter?
Hmph, the final hunter would not be Yuan Tiangang.
Nor would it be Phagpa from the Yuan Dynasty.
Nor Huang Shang or Yuwen Tuo.
It would be him, Black Shadow, the Black Ice Platform Leader.
He would use this operation to erase the disgrace he suffered at Hundred Yue City.
Only by achieving a major victory would he regain Ying Zheng's trust.
==========
Meanwhile.
In a luxurious estate in Ming Dynasty Territory.
Huang Shang from Northern Song Dynasty and Yuwen Tuo from Sui Dynasty were seated across a chessboard.
Behind them stood fifty extraordinary individuals each.
"Supreme Master Yuwen, you lost this game."
"Indeed, Director Huang, your skills surpass mine. I admit defeat!"
"In that case, according to our bet, you follow and I lead this operation."
"Very well. You lead, I support."
Yuwen Tuo smiled, showing no discouragement at losing.
Huang Shang frowned slightly at his reaction.
"This time, the Yuan Dynasty's Phagpa, Tang Dynasty's Yuan Tiangang, and the Qin Dynasty's Black Shadow, along with us, three forces in total, will act together. Dark One must be aware."
"What do you think his move will be?"
"Dark One is always unfathomable. One thing is certain: he will have considered the possibility of failure."
"If we underestimate him, we will pay a heavy price."
"Fortunately, the Ming Emperor will not interfere in this plan, which increases our odds."
"Yes. To him, we are merely whetstones."
"The Emperor's perspective and intentions differ from ours. We must just do our parts well."
"Let's move out!"
==========
A remote mountain valley.
Hundreds of black-clad cultivators stood, exuding an oppressive aura.
"Yeyu, explain the target for this mission."
Pang Ban, the Demon Master, glanced at a young man in his twenties and spoke calmly.
"Yes, Master."
"Greetings, National Master and all seniors!"
Pang Ban's disciple, Fang Yeyu, stepped forward and saluted Phagpa, Meng Chixing, and the others.
"Our target this time is the Heaven Mocking Palace, headquarters of the Azure Dragon Association."
"It is the greatest thorn the Ming Founding Emperor left within the Martial World."
"After years of investigation, we confirmed that Heaven Mocking Palace was built using rare heavenly metals over hundreds of years."
"It sits atop a hundred-zhang-high cliff, a true sky fortress."
"The Azure Dragon Association was founded by the first Ming Emperor and is led by seven Dragon Heads."
"Each generation's Emperor symbolically assumes the Great Dragon Head title."
"The remaining six are the Emperor's most trusted confidants."
"The society has always remained hidden and wields unparalleled power in the Martial World."
"Its main objective is to maintain peace and balance in the Martial World and to eliminate any threats to the Imperial Family."
"There are 365 branch halls, representing each day of the year."
"Above them are twelve divisions, named after the months. Each has a specific role."
"January handles reconnaissance. February infiltrates enemies. March relays messages. April manages finances. May oversee punishment."
"June is in charge of training. July and August plan operations. September and October execute missions. November purges traitors. and December conducts assassinations."
"So far, we know only one Great Dragon Head, Bai Yujing, none other than the Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao."
"But he doesn't manage the society's affairs."
"The other six Dragon Heads handle everything, yet none of their identities have been discovered."
"However, we now have a golden opportunity."
"Only one Dragon Head is currently in Heaven Mocking Palace, aided by ten Grand Elders."
"If we can destroy the palace and capture this Head, the Azure Dragon Association will suffer a massive blow."
"At the very least, the Ming Emperor will lose a crucial chess piece."
Fang Yeyu concluded confidently.
"National Master, is it confirmed that Zhu Houzhao is not at Heaven Mocking Palace?"
"If he were there, even with all our forces, we'd be annihilated."
Si Hanfei asked Phagpa with a serious look.
"Confirmed. He is currently in the Imperial Harem, selecting his new Consorts."
"He won't have time to intervene."
Which made this the best opportunity. Thus, so many people were dispatched.
While the court's power was hard to challenge, the Azure Dragon Association, a significant threat that was also neglected by the Emperor, was ideal to target.
Even if they failed.
There were two other forces who wouldn't just stand idly by.
Destroying the Azure Dragon Association was a common goal for the dynasties.
The top three forces on the Martial Power Ranking posed a huge threat to all dynasties.
The top two, Heaven Palace and Earth Mansion, were too elusive.
But the Azure Dragon Association was different.
With a sound plan and united effort.
Destruction was possible.
Its fall would allow agents from other nations to incite chaos.
The Ming Dynasty would plunge into turmoil.
Its national strength would decline.
This was one way to halt the rise of the Ming Dynasty.
In fact, Temujin had already drafted secret plans to weaken the Ming Dynasty.
Inciting the vassals to rebel.
Instigating military coups.
Even if those didn't work, some dirty tricks would.
"Since Zhu Houzhao isn't there, the remaining two Mythical Realm cultivators aren't worth worrying about."
"We destroy Heaven Mocking Palace, eliminate the power structure, and the Azure Dragon Association collapses."
"Once our next phases begin, the Martial World will be in utter disarray."
"Good. If this first step succeeds, the rest will follow."
"Phagpa and Meng Chixing will deal with the Mythical Realm."
"Si Hanfei and I will handle the Heavenly Human Realm ones."
"The rest of you, kill every living soul inside Heaven Mocking Palace."
"Leave no one alive!"
Pang Ban declared coldly.
==========
Atop a grand mountain.
Magnificent buildings sprawled across the peaks.
Majestic and heavenly.
Inside the main hall.
Bai Xiaosheng sat in the Great Dragon Head's seat.
Below him stood Dark One, the Dark Guard Leader.
"This is His Majesty's decree."
"Despite the assault from foreign spy forces, the Emperor will not send reinforcements."
"The Azure Dragon Association must resolve this crisis on its own."
"Let the Emperor see whether we are as capable as claimed."
"If we fail, there is no need for our existence."
"We've consumed enormous resources. If we yield no results, we are no better than trash."
Bai Xiaosheng was taken aback by this.
Such decisiveness.
To discard such a vast organization at will.
What boldness.
Worthy of the Emperor.
Still, with him around, did those petty spies think they could destroy the Azure Dragon Association?
Laughable.
This was also a good time.
To clean house and purge hidden traitors.
"Dark One, tell His Majesty, Bai Xiaosheng will not disappoint."
"This time, we'll give those spies a lasting lesson."
"May the name of Azure Dragon instill fear to the bone."
Bai Xiaosheng said with full confidence.
"Very well. I shall deliver your words."
"They're about to attack. I'll take my leave!"
"I look forward to your success."
Dark One glanced deeply at Bai Xiaosheng and vanished.
==========
"Kill!"
At the mountain where Heaven Mocking Palace stood.
A terrifying black-clad army charged at Azure Dragon disciples.
The disciples fought back fiercely.
Every blade drew blood. Casualties were severe.
But as blood spilled across the land.
The scenery changed.
"No, it's a formation!"
Pang Ban squinted and shouted loudly.
"Everyone, rush to the palace! Kill the Mythical Realm guardians and we win!"
==========
Meanwhile, at the mountain's foot.
Another team watched the scene anxiously.
"Yuan Tiangang, what kind of formation is that? They vanished in an instant."
Black Ice Platform Leader Black Shadow asked with a feigned puzzled look.
"A highly complex formation. A single misstep means annihilation."
"Let's move. Secretly assist the Yuan Dynasty troops."
"Our goal is the same, destroy the Azure Dragon base."
"No infighting until that's done."
"Agreed. We go in. If we encounter the Dragon Head, we kill him together."
"I have a feeling this Dragon Head will be a shocking figure."
"Alright, enter the formation!"
==========
Just like Yuan Tiangang and Black Shadow.
Huang Shang and Yuwen Tuo had similar concerns.
"Enter the formation! Attack the Azure Dragon members with full force!"
"Once they're gone, eliminate the Yuan Dynasty forces."
Then deal with Tang Dynasty's Bad People.
Huang Shang ordered.
"Wait, this formation is dangerous. If we rush in, it could mean certain death."
"So what? Destroying Azure Dragon cannot be delayed."
"Even at a cost, it's worth it."
"Yuwen Tuo, we agreed: I lead, you support!"
"Fine. But if losses are heavy, don't blame me."
"Hmph, I know what I'm doing."
"If we encounter the Dragon Head, you'll handle him."
==========
Soon, the third wave, Yuwen Tuo's and Huang Shang's Imperial City Division, entered the Heaven Mocking Palace formation.
At that moment.
The Golden Ranking in the sky refreshed once again.