Ming Imperial Palace.
"Dark One pays respects to Your Majesty!"
"Rise. Have matters regarding the Yuan Dynasty been dealt with?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything I was responsible for has been completed. All remaining affairs have been handed over to Lord Pang Tong."
"From now on, he will be in full charge."
"I believe, with Lord Pang Tong's abilities, he will handle things far better than I ever could."
"The current stability and unity within the Yuan Dynasty Territory is the best proof of Lord Pang's competence."
"The Yuan Emperor Temujin, as well as Ogedei and Tolui, have all been surrounded by Lord Pang Tong's confidants. More than one, in fact."
"It seems he's been preparing for this day for many years."
"Perhaps, if Your Majesty gives the order, Lord Pang Tong could destroy the Yuan Dynasty in the shortest time possible."
"And completely annex the Yuan Dynasty Territory into our Ming Dynasty."
"Haha, not bad. I have always trusted Shiyuan's abilities!"
"Now that you have returned, resume your duties in the Dark Guard."
Zhu Houzhao spoke indifferently, then picked up a stack of documents from the desk and threw them into Dark One's arms.
"Verify all the information in those files, and investigate everything about the people listed inside."
"Your Majesty, these people are...?"
"Some vermin hidden within the Ming Dynasty, and all of them are from other dynasties!"
"As my Ming Dynasty grows stronger, the other dynasties have remained silent on the surface, but in secret, they haven't stopped their tricks."
"Some have even dared to interfere in my state affairs. They are simply courting death!"
"It seems I must find a proper time to teach them a profound lesson!"
Upon hearing this, Dark One shuddered inwardly.
He immediately gripped the documents tightly, his expression becoming more serious than ever.
As time passed.
The upheaval across the Nine Provinces became increasingly clear.
The Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty would undoubtedly become the most feared enemies of all other dynasties.
The Vast Sea Dynasty was too mysterious and internally united.
It was nearly impossible to infiltrate.
But the Ming Dynasty was different.
Within the dynasty, ambitious schemers rose one after another.
There would always be more.
Even with minimal effort, one could bring great trouble to Zhu Houzhao and the Ming Dynasty.
If things went wrong.
Even a slight lapse from Zhu Houzhao could cause a disastrous chain reaction.
Why wouldn't they do it?
If not for the timely discovery by Zhu Houzhao's Internal Bureau.
The situation could very well have spiraled out of control.
"Your Majesty, are these people backed by Wei Liao of the Qin Dynasty, and Yuan Tiangang of the Tang Dynasty?"
"While they're dealing with the Song Dynasty, they dare to provoke our Ming Dynasty as well?"
"Isn't that far too reckless?"
"In that case, I have a task for you too."
"Since they made a move, we must respond in kind."
"Dark One, send agents into the Qin Dynasty and Tang Dynasty Territories. Stir up some trouble."
"They are not without weaknesses. With a little effort, many can be uncovered."
"Understood. I know what to do."
==========
Ming Dynasty.
Martial World.
Sun Moon Divine Cult, Black Wood Cliff.
Dongfang Bubai sat on the Sect Master's throne, her gaze falling upon the Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
When she saw that Rank 10 was Yi Lin.
Her body trembled slightly.
A deeply complicated expression appeared in her eyes.
She had made great contributions in the war between the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.
And afterward, she received many unimaginable rewards.
Not only did her cultivation advance significantly, but even the path to future realms had been completely cleared.
As long as she advanced steadily, even the God Demon Realm might be within reach one day.
However, she had also spent many merit points within the Azure Dragon Association.
And uncovered many secrets even she hadn't known before.
Using the intelligence network of the Azure Dragon Association, she had finally discovered the whereabouts of her biological Little Sister.
It was none other than Dongfang Lin, now known as Yi Lin.
Seeing Yi Lin now, having reached the Land Immortal Realm.
She could not help but feel proud and excited for her Little Sister.
But then, a troubling thought arose.
Her Little Sister was now the Sect Master of the Mount Heng Sect. If others discovered that she had a Big Sister who was the leader of a Demon Gate...
Even as Sect Master, her prestige would likely plummet.
She might not even be able to hold onto her position.
If that really happened, her Little Sister would surely hate her.
Thinking of this possibility, Dongfang Bubai felt a rare twinge of fear.
"Yi Lin, if you knew you had a Big Sister who was the leader of a Demon Gate... would you still want to acknowledge me?"
"It seems I'm still too weak, unable to suppress worldly gossip."
"And unworthy of truly protecting you."
"Just wait. When I reach the God Demon Realm, we'll see who dares to use such worldly prejudice to stop us from recognizing each other as sisters!"
"It seems I still need to keep completing missions and earn more merit points. Only then can I get more resources to improve my cultivation!"
"Compared to the Azure Dragon Association, the resources of the Sun Moon Divine Cult are no better than those of beggars."
"Even the mere scraps from the Azure Dragon Association are delicacies to other great forces."
"If I relied on the Sun Moon Divine Cult alone, who knows how many years it would take to reach the God Demon Realm."
"In the future, I must devote more time and energy to the Azure Dragon Association."
Though she wanted to reunite with her biological Little Sister Yi Lin, since she now knew Yi Lin was safe, more than safe, even thriving.
Dongfang Bubai decided to endure.
Once she had erased all obstacles, they could reunite without regrets.
==========
Wudang Mountain.
Behind the mountain, in front of a small cottage.
Zhang Sanfeng and Dong Tianbao sat at a stone table. One sipped tea, the other drank wine in big gulps.
"Zhang Junbao, no, I should call you Zhang Sanfeng now, how much longer are you going to keep me locked up here at Wudang Sect?"
"Just because I lost to you before, you think you can control my life?"
Dong Tianbao's face darkened, and he looked at Zhang Sanfeng with deep disdain.
"Tianbao, give it up. I already promised the Ming Emperor that I would never again allow you to cause chaos in the world."
"For what you did in the Ming Dynasty before, you should've died ten, even a hundred times."
"I paid a steep price and pleaded with His Majesty to spare your life."
"If you appear in the outside world and the Ming Dynasty finds you, no one will be able to save you!"
"Do you still wish to return to the Yuan Dynasty?"
"Given the current state of the Yuan Dynasty, its destruction at the hands of the Ming Emperor is only a matter of time."
"Do you really want to perish with the Yuan Dynasty?"
"With your personality, I doubt you're that loyal to the Yuan Dynasty."
"Hmph, Junbao, do you really think the Ming Emperor can cover the skies with one hand across the Nine Provinces?"
"He wants to catch me? Impossible!"
"As long as I have my skills, there's no place I can't go."
"The Vast Sea Dynasty is no worse than the Ming Dynasty. I can still gain power there."
"And if not the Vast Sea Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, even the far-off Qin Dynasty, I'd be perfectly happy."
"Anything is better than staying here in Wudang Sect, imprisoned by you, stripped of my freedom!"
Dong Tianbao snorted coldly.
He had been imprisoned in the Wudang Sect for a long time now.
This pure and tranquil life was unbearable.
Without power, what joy was left in life?
"Very well. This poor Daoist cannot convince you."
"However, if you want to leave, you must defeat me first!"
"Zhang Junbao, do you think I fear you?"
"Let's fight again!"
"This time, I will wash away the shame of my defeat!"
"But you'd better worry more about the rise of the Nine Provinces Buddhist School!"
"As the face of the Daoist sects in the Martial World, if the Buddhist School rises, Wudang Sect will be its first target!"
"When I was still the Hall Master of the Golden Wolf Hall, I saw a classified document."
"The Buddhist School has been secretly plotting for years to weaken and eliminate certain Daoist forces they see as threats."
"And Wudang Sect is first on that ranking."
"Heh, Junbao, you better think about how you'll overcome this crisis."
"Now that the Buddhist Immortal Ranking has emerged, many hidden Buddhist cultivators will surely unite to target the Wudang Sect. If that happens, the Wudang Sect will be destroyed!"
"I once planned to use those Buddhist forces to deal with you."
"Too bad. You got lucky and I missed my chance!"
"But based on my calculations, the Buddhist School's scheme is not far off!"
Dong Tianbao let out a dark laugh, a wicked glint flashing in his eyes.
"I already know of this. The Ming Dynasty's National Master Zhang Yuchu has informed me."
"This calamity is unavoidable for Wudang Sect. But it doesn't mean we cannot survive it."
"If we do survive, then for the next hundred years, Wudang Sect will have nothing to fear!"
"I have long been preparing for this moment!"
Unexpectedly, Zhang Sanfeng showed no fear, but rather a calm and determined expression.
Even a spark of eagerness lit up in his eyes.
He recalled the expression on National Master Zhang Yuchu's face when he told him the news.
The conflict between the Buddhist School and Wudang Sect might well be part of the Ming Emperor's grand design.
On the surface, the Wudang Sect was the main player in this struggle.
But in truth, the Ming Emperor was the true mastermind.
Whether it was the Buddhist School or Wudang Sect, they were all pieces on his chessboard.
Even knowing this, Zhang Sanfeng had no power to resist. He could only play his part as a piece.
If he performs well, the Wudang Sect might flourish even more.
If not.
If he tried to resist too much, it would only bring disaster.
The more he understood the Ming Emperor, the more he feared him.
Deep down, Zhang Sanfeng knew that one day.
Not just Wudang Sect.
But perhaps even the Daoist, Buddhist, Confucian, and Demonic schools...
Would all become pawns in the hands of the Ming Emperor.
Only those who aligned with the Emperor's will would survive.
And possibly, even thrive.
It was a terrifying thought.
Even with his serene state of mind, Zhang Sanfeng once felt deeply uneasy.