Ming Imperial Harem.
Zhao Min Palace.
Ever since her entire family had been slaughtered by Temujin, Zhao Min had harbored a deep hatred for him.
As for the Yuan Dynasty, she hated it just as much, simply because it was related to him.
She could no longer feel any attachment.
The deeper her former loyalty to the Yuan Dynasty, the greater her hatred now for both the Yuan Dynasty and Temujin.
Not long ago, she heard that Zhu Houzhao was finally preparing to launch a massive war against the Yuan Dynasty.
Her heart surged with excitement.
"Princess, do you really plan to go through with this?"
"After all, you are still a princess of the Yuan Dynasty."
"Once the Yuan Dynasty is destroyed, your identity will become extremely awkward, and your status in the Ming Imperial Harem will drastically decline. It won't be worth it!"
The speaker was Zhao Min's maid.
Like her, the maid also came from the Yuan Dynasty.
Naturally, she was well aware of the Ming Dynasty's impending war against the Yuan Dynasty.
Whether for the sake of her nation or Zhao Min's future, she did not wish for the Yuan Dynasty to fall.
"Hmph. The Khan killed my mother and annihilated the entire lineage of Prince Ruyang."
"If His Majesty hadn't intervened in time, even my father and brothers would likely have fallen to Temujin's treachery."
"This blood feud is irreconcilable!"
"Even if my status declines, I will never give up!"
Zhao Min spoke with firm resolve.
"But Your Highness, what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I've already sent word to my Father and Big Brother. They will assist when the time comes."
"My only concern is whether Father and Big Brother will be able to strike when needed!"
"If they truly cannot do it, then I'd rather they not participate in this war between Ming Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty at all."
"In any case, with His Majesty's brilliance and strategy, there will be no shortage of wars against other dynasties in the future."
"Father and Big Brother will still have chances to make meritorious contributions!"
"In that case, Princess, perhaps you should stay out of this as well?"
"No matter what you do, in the eyes of others, it will not end well."
"Even if the Yuan Dynasty is destroyed by His Majesty, the other consorts in the Imperial Harem will accuse you of treason."
"If this reaches His Majesty's ears, it will surely impact you negatively!"
"Don't worry. With His Majesty's magnanimity, he would never treat me that way."
"Besides, I haven't been idle these past few years."
"I've secretly built a powerful force."
"This force has always existed with the sole purpose of destroying the Yuan Dynasty."
"Our understanding of the Yuan Dynasty far surpasses the imagination."
"I hope they won't disappoint me in the upcoming war."
Zhao Min had always carried a burden in her heart.
Only by destroying the Yuan Dynasty could that burden be lifted.
Only then could she wholeheartedly devote herself to His Majesty and serve the Ming Dynasty.
As long as the Yuan Dynasty existed, a chasm would remain between her and His Majesty.
Therefore.
Whether for revenge or her future, she had to take a stand.
==========
Border of Northern Song Dynasty.
The disheveled Sweeping Monk led the remnants of the Shaolin Temple in once again defeating a mysterious force that had come to annihilate them.
Now, even after using every technique at his disposal, including those from Heaven Dao Reward, the Sweeping Monk had exhausted all his strength.
If another group came, they would surely perish.
The Sweeping Monk could not understand it.
Why were so many forces trying to kill them?
They hadn't even offended any of these powers!
Just then.
The Sweeping Monk's expression changed, and a look of despair appeared in his eyes.
He sensed a new group approaching from not far away.
Judging by their aura, they were even stronger than the previous attackers.
He even detected a sense of deadly threat from within.
God Demon Realm!
This time, a God Demon Realm cultivator had been dispatched!
Against such a being, even at his peak, he was no match.
However, no matter what.
Even if he had to give his life, he had to ensure the safe escape of Shaolin Temple's future seeds.
"Everyone, stay alert! More enemies are coming!"
As soon as he finished speaking.
In an instant.
Shadowy figures rapidly flew in from the distance.
They gave the Shaolin monks no time to react.
A well-trained force quickly surrounded them.
However.
Unlike previous assassins dressed in black and masked.
This group bore distinct insignias.
It was immediately clear which force they came from.
"You are from the Secret Intelligence Division?!"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was affirmative.
"Master, you have sharp eyes. We are indeed from the Vast Sea Dynasty!"
Jia Xu replied calmly, with an air of ease.
"Amitabha. I wonder why you have blocked this old monk's path?"
"Hehe, we have come to invite the master and the venerable monks of Shaolin Temple to join our Vast Sea Dynasty."
"This..."
"Dare I ask, benefactor, what will you do if this old monk refuses?"
The Sweeping Monk's expression darkened.
"Does the master think we would attack you?"
"Master, you're overestimating yourselves."
"Although your strength is considerable, it is not enough to make the Vast Sea Dynasty lower its dignity."
"However, I must remind the master of one thing."
"There are many more forces waiting for you up ahead!"
"The only reason they haven't attacked yet is because they are wary of the Vast Sea Dynasty."
"There are only two paths before you. One, submit to the Vast Sea Dynasty."
"Two, be destroyed by the mysterious forces ahead."
"Which path will the master choose?"
"Of course, this is your only chance."
"If you pass it up, no matter how much you beg later, the Vast Sea Dynasty will no longer accept you."
At this point, Jia Xu's tone turned stern.
For him to personally appear to recruit this group of defeated monks was already breaking protocol.
If they refused, it would only prove they lacked discernment.
They couldn't read the situation.
Fools.
Even the strongest fools were nothing more than tasteless scraps.
The Sweeping Monk bowed his head in silent contemplation.
Then he turned to look at the Shaolin Temple Abbot among the group.
They exchanged a glance.
And instantly came to an understanding.
He let out a low sigh.
Though it was said there were two paths.
In reality, there was only one.
"Amitabha. This old monk is willing to lead the disciples of Shaolin Temple in submitting to the Vast Sea Dynasty!"
"From this day forth, we will never betray you!"
"So long as our beliefs are not violated, Shaolin Temple shall follow the Vast Sea Dynasty's lead!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Xu nodded.
He didn't seem surprised by the answer.
"Since the master and Shaolin Temple have joined the Vast Sea Dynasty, you are now completely safe."
"Men, escort the Shaolin monks back to the Vast Sea Dynasty!"
"Details on what to do will be arranged by those sent to receive you."
"Yes, Lord!"
As the Shaolin monks departed, Jia Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Wenhe, why did you suddenly recruit these Shaolin monks?"
"With your standards, they shouldn't be worthy of your attention?"
"Even if the Sweeping Monk is strong, it's not enough to warrant this."
"Do they possess some secrets even I don't know about?"
The speaker was Li Chunfeng.
Even with his God Demon Realm perception, he hadn't noticed anything special about the Shaolin monks.
"Ah, I didn't really want to recruit them either!"
"However, not long ago, I received a decree from His Majesty."
"He instructed me to preserve the roots of Shaolin Temple as much as possible, so long as the Northern Song Shaolin Temple doesn't lose its entire heritage!"
"What? A decree from His Majesty? Why?"
"What about Shaolin Temple is worth His Majesty's attention?"
"I don't know either. But one thing is certain. Shaolin Temple holds some secrets."
"Recently, the Stitched Cloth Guard has been attacking Shaolin Temples across various dynasties."
"The Han Shaolin Temple and the Southern Song Shaolin Temple have already been destroyed."
"If we hadn't intervened, the Northern Song Shaolin Temple would've followed suit."
"Even the Ming Shaolin Temple was almost wiped out. If not for a God Demon Realm cultivator rescuing them in time, it would've been over."
"As for the Tang Shaolin Temple, hehe, judging by Tan Zong's expression, the result was likely the same!"
"All of this clearly indicates that the Shaolin Temple holds a great secret!"
"As for what that secret is... to have attracted His Majesty's attention, it must be something unbelievable!"
"Forget it. Let's set that matter aside for now. The Shaolin Temple mystery involves the Han Dynasty and the mysterious Stitched Cloth Guard."
"It won't be solved any time soon."
"First, let's deal with the Northern Song Dynasty and prepare to welcome the Vast Sea Dynasty's army!"
"Once the Vast Sea Dynasty conquers the Northern Song Dynasty, I will personally investigate the secret of Shaolin Temple!"
"Very well. I'll leave that to you, Wenhe!"
"As for me, I need to go and meet an old friend!"
==========
Ming Dynasty Territory.
Southern region.
Hundred Yue City.
With Emperor Zhu Houzhao's strong support.
The brand-new Hundred Yue City was already more than halfway complete!
It wouldn't be long before it was fully finished.
Yan Lingji, Zi Nu, and the others currently reside in a nearby private estate that the scumbag had specially prepared for them.
"Zi Nu, Fei Yan, Xue Nu, what do you all think?"
"This letter came from Hong Lian and Nong Yu!"
"Hong Lian might be mischievous, but Nong Yu would never joke about something like this!"
"Are we really going to join the war between the Ming Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty?"
Yan Lingji looked at the letter in her hand and gazed at the women beside her with a faint question.
"I agree!"
"Our Hundred Yue City is newly established. Although we have His Majesty's support, if we want to truly integrate, the fastest way is to earn honor and prestige."
"And what could be greater than helping the Ming Army destroy the Yuan Dynasty?"
"As long as our Hundred Yue City makes great contributions, we will officially become part of this land."
"Even if some forces try to exclude us, others with aligned ideals will surely form alliances with us."
"In that case, let's send a force to infiltrate the Yuan Dynasty."
Without hesitation, Yan Lingji, Zi Nu, Yan Fei, and Xue Nu all agreed to the decision.
Of course.
Their greatest motivation was still that scumbag Zhu Houzhao.
Thinking about that scumbag, and the fact that he had these beloved women by his side, he must have had incredible karma in a past life.
"Hmm?"
"The ranking has been updated!"
"Next up should be the God Demon Realm Buddhist Immortals, right?"
"I wonder how many powerful figures exist in the Nine Provinces World!"