At the same time.
Inside the Ming Imperial Palace, Zhu Houzhao had no idea that two more women he had caused trouble for were now on their way to find him.
Even if he knew, he would probably only be mildly concerned.
After all, when you owe too many debts, you stop feeling the weight.
He had very thick skin.
Most likely, with a few sweet words, he would coax them into smiles again.
Right now, he was seated on the dragon throne, watching a few figures below him with interest.
"Lu Xiaofeng, how did you know I had a way to restore Hua Manlou's sight?"
"This humble subject heard that Yuan Suiyun of Clashless Manor regained his vision thanks to an elixir granted by Your Majesty."
"Hua Manlou's condition is similar to his. Perhaps he too could see again."
"I beg Your Majesty to bestow the elixir. I am willing to pay any price!"
"Any price? Interesting."
Zhu Houzhao smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor refusing.
"Lu Xiaofeng, I do have a way to heal Hua Manlou, but the price is not that simple."
"I have a task for you."
"Please instruct me, Your Majesty. I will surely fulfill it."
Zhu Houzhao nodded.
With a flip of his right hand, a jade bottle appeared.
He tossed it over.
Lu Xiaofeng caught it and opened the bottle. A fragrant pill lay within.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Don't thank me just yet!"
"Lu Xiaofeng, if you fail to complete this task to my satisfaction, it will be a crime against the Emperor."
"And the price will not be something you can bear."
"By then, it won't just be a matter of a pair of eyes. It will be your life."
As soon as Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, a wave of pressure radiated from him.
Lu Xiaofeng and the others instantly turned pale.
Their breathing stalled.
A chilling terror surged through their hearts.
As if they had taken a trip to the gates of the underworld.
The pressure vanished in a flash.
But to them, it felt like they had endured years of torment in those few seconds.
They looked up at Zhu Houzhao in shock.
A Great Perfection God Demon Realm cultivator. Terrifying beyond belief.
Just a trace of his aura could easily kill them.
Whether it was Lu Xiaofeng, Xie Xiaofeng, Yan Shisan, or Ximen Chuixue, this was their first time experiencing the might of the God Demon Realm.
They were like ants, not even reaching the Heavenly Human Realm, completely unable to resist.
From that moment on.
They were filled with immense desire for the Land Immortal Realm.
Zhu Houzhao had given them a simple lesson, lest they become too arrogant.
If the Emperor wanted to deal with them, it would be effortless.
"Come out."
Zhu Houzhao spoke calmly.
Lu Xiaofeng and the others were momentarily confused.
Then, a black-robed figure wearing a dragon-head mask stepped in.
"Subject, the Fourth Dragon Head of the Azure Dragon Association, greets Your Majesty!"
"Rise."
"This time, the mission in the Qing Dynasty will be handled by them."
"These people have great potential and are worth cultivating. Keep a close watch on them."
"I understand, Your Majesty."
"Good. You will be in charge of the details."
"I only care about the results."
As Zhu Houzhao and the masked figure conversed, Lu Xiaofeng and the others became more and more confused.
The Azure Dragon Association?
This person was actually the Fourth Dragon Head?
Everyone already knew that the Emperor's avatar, Bai Yujing, had been exposed by the ranking as the Grand Dragon Head of the Azure Dragon Association.
But the identities of the other Dragon Heads remained a mystery.
Today, they had stumbled upon this enormous secret. It was clear that if they did not become one of them, they would not be allowed to live.
They had come to the Emperor to request a pill to cure Hua Manlou's blindness.
Their goal had been achieved.
But the price was far higher than they had expected.
Especially for Lu Xiaofeng.
Not only was he now an imperial spy, but also a member of the Azure Dragon Association.
A double identity.
Was this all part of the Emperor's plan?
Even someone as sharp as Lu Xiaofeng could not fathom the Emperor's intentions at this point.
==========
Ming Capital.
Inside a seemingly ordinary manor.
This was one of the Azure Dragon Association's secret bases in the capital.
Lu Xiaofeng and the others followed the Fourth Dragon Head here.
On the way, Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang were particularly curious.
They were dying to uncover the identity behind that dragon-head mask.
They had a feeling this Dragon Head was someone they knew.
Someone very familiar.
The more they speculated, the itchier they felt.
But no matter how they asked, the Fourth Dragon Head gave no response.
Inside the manor's main hall.
"Lu Xiaofeng, Chu Liuxiang, Ximen Chuixue, Xie Xiaofeng, Yan Shisan, Hua Manlou..."
"Interesting. You people sure are bold."
"To dare ask the Emperor for a pill. Luckily, your talent didn't disappoint him. Otherwise, your outcome would have been quite grim."
"Do you really think just anyone can disturb the Emperor's peace?"
"If His Majesty hadn't wanted to see you, you would've died on the way."
"With your impulsive natures, I worry whether you're even capable of completing the Emperor's mission."
"Dare I ask, Lord Dragon Head, does this mean we are to join the Azure Dragon Association?"
Hua Manlou asked cautiously.
"What do you think? The moment you saw me, you were already part of the Azure Dragon Association."
"Of course, you can refuse."
"But the price is not one you can afford."
"Death?" Lu Xiaofeng frowned.
The Fourth Dragon Head gave a half-smile and released another wave of pressure.
The group was once again overwhelmed, struggling even to breathe.
Lu Xiaofeng and the others cursed inwardly.
Damn it.
Why did these Land Immortals always like to threaten people?
Always pressuring others.
So annoying.
Once they reached the Land Immortal Realm, they would definitely use this move to put unruly people in their place too.
"You haven't officially joined the Azure Dragon Association yet, so you're unfamiliar with the rules."
"Once you get used to it, you won't ask such foolish questions anymore."
"You all need a few days to adjust to your new identities."
"Then you'll head to the Qing Dynasty and complete your mission."
"By the way, a few others will be going with you."
"You'll be under their command. For the time being, he will be your Branch Master."
"In the coming days, he may very well be your commander."
The Fourth Dragon Head responded calmly.
"The Azure Dragon Association has 365 branches?"
Lu Xiaofeng was stunned.
Which one would they be assigned to?
"The details of your mission will be explained by your Branch Master."
"I won't overstep my authority."
At that moment, a gentle and refined figure entered the hall.
"Subordinate, Branch Master of the August 15th Branch, greets the Fourth Dragon Head!"
"No need for formalities."
"Branch Master Yuan, these are the people His Majesty personally assigned. For now, they'll be part of your August 15th Branch."
"They'll also accompany you on your mission to the Qing Dynasty."
"I understand and will obey."
"Good. I'll leave it to you then."
==========
"It's you! Yuan Suiyun!"
"So you really are part of the Azure Dragon Association. And you're the Branch Master of the August 15th Branch!"
"Your vision has indeed returned. Was it really because of the elixir?"
When they saw the so-called Branch Master, Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang were both shocked.
Yuan Suiyun, Young Master of Clashless Manor.
It was precisely the news of his restored vision that had driven them to seek an audience with the Emperor.
Now, they had ended up under his command.
Their feelings were very complicated.
Even a bit disgruntled.
In terms of strength, they were no weaker than Yuan Suiyun.
And now, they had to take orders from him?
"Lu Xiaofeng, Chu Liuxiang, we meet again."
"Truly, fate is strange. Who would've thought we'd meet under these circumstances?"
"And now, you're even my subordinates. How amusing."
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
The Fourth Dragon Head, having left Lu Xiaofeng and the others, returned to Zhu Houzhao.
"Have Lu Xiaofeng and the others been arranged properly?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. All preparations are complete."
"Give them a few days of training, then send them to the Qing Dynasty."
"Well done."
"Your Majesty, I have a question I don't understand."
"What is it?"
"Lu Xiaofeng, Chu Liuxiang, and the others are decent, but they haven't even reached the Heavenly Human Realm. Why does Your Majesty value them so highly?"
"They possess a certain quality that is extremely rare across the Nine Provinces."
"I want to see how far they can go."
Seeing that the Fourth Dragon Head was still puzzled, Zhu Houzhao didn't explain further.
Since Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang had the destiny of protagonists, he didn't mind taking them fully under his wing.
He wanted to see how powerful they could become in the future.
In fact, not just the so-called protagonists of the Ming Dynasty. He planned to slowly recruit the protagonists of the other dynasties as well.
Zhu Houzhao was very much looking forward to the surprises they might bring him.
"Alright, let's set aside the matter of Lu Xiaofeng for now."
"How is the Azure Dragon Association's infiltration of the other dynasties?"
"Just waiting for Your Majesty's command. Each dynasty will suffer heavy losses."
"Good work. Continue the infiltration."
"But do not act rashly for now."
"Let the other dynasties fight among themselves. Our Ming Dynasty can simply watch from the sidelines and seize opportunities as they arise."
"Right now, our top priority is the Qing Dynasty."
"It's time for our army to make its move as well."
"The Azure Dragon Association must coordinate with military operations at all times."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will complete the mission."
The Fourth Dragon Head felt a surge of excitement.
It seemed the time had finally come for the Azure Dragon Association to make its grand move.
Just then, Zhu Houzhao looked up at the sky.
The ranking has been updated!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
List of Characters:
Number One Under Heaven ( 天下第一 )
・Zhu Houzhao ( 朱厚照 ) — Emperor of Ming Dynasty
Legend of Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤传奇 )
・Ximen Chuixue ( 西门吹雪 ) — Master of Myriad Plum Manor
・Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤 ) — Famous Detective of Ming Dynasty
・Hua Manlou ( 花满楼 ) — 7th Young Master of Hua Family
Legend of Chu Liuxiang ( 楚留香传奇 )
・Chu Liuxiang ( 楚留香 ) — Famous Thief of Ming Dynasty
・Yuan Suiyun ( 原随云 ) — August 15th Branch Master of Azure Dragon Association
Sword of Third Young Master ( 三少爷的剑 )
・Xie Xiaofeng ( 谢晓峰 ) — Third Young Master of Divine Sword Manor
・Yan Shisan ( 燕十三 ) — Rival of Xie Xiaofeng