255

Chapter 255: Untitled

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

As expected… Fog lost.

This battle defeated two people at once… which they had conceded from the bottom of their hearts.

Fang Yimo looked up and watched the clouds as they changed. He was reminded of something that Moon Soul had said when Mist died. Back then, he had brushed it off as pure nonsense, but now, looking back at it, he couldn’t agree with it more.

The era of the top ten had passed. The time had come for the new leaders of the Five Regions Continent to be born.

He looked at Meng Fuyao. Standing erect with pride, the lady on the cliff was beautiful like jade. The bright majestic sun rose above her head, as though it had just bestowed upon her the crown of victory. The golden rays of light shone onto her exquisite side profile, carving at the elegant curves on her face.

The sun dyed her robes in a glamorous red, donning her in a battle suit that seemed to tell the story of her eighteen years of blood, sweat, and tears. And today, she had become one of the top ten martial arts practitioners!

He gazed at this eighteen-year-old elite with mixed emotions in his eyes. After a long pause, he broke the silence as he asked, “What would your name be as the eighth of the top ten?”

Meng Fuyao lifted her head up with a smile. Her gaze was warmer than the sunlight, more dazzling than the sun.

She strutted over and dropped two words firmly.

“Nine Heavens!”

Xuanyuan, Zhao Ning Year 12, December 16th. The ranking for the top ten martial arts practitioners finally had a change after thirty years.

The mysterious lady had challenged Fog in Xuanyuan, Zhuling Mountain, and kicked her off of her position. Fang Ximo was there, and Fog had admitted defeat on the spot. When asked of her name, the mysterious lady replied, “Nine Heavens!”

Nine Heavens!

Phoenix beyond the heavens; a mere cry was enough to shake up the entire Five Regions Continent and demand for their allegiance.

The name that the lady had given herself actually superseded the rest of the names that the top ten had given themselves. And from this name alone, the ambitions of this lady was clearly seen.

Fog’s loss and the appearance of Nine Heavens had shattered the invincible image that the top ten had. It had sparked a wave of fear amongst the elites from all around the Five Regions Continent, and even after many days, “Nine Heavens” still remained a hot topic to discuss.

For so many years, the top ten had been glorified as God-like existences. Marital artists didn’t dare to utter a disrespectful word about them, let alone challenge them. But this harsh winter, the legends of their gods were being debunked and then, did they finally come to the realization that the top ten could too, be defeated. They had had their positions for too long. Just as Moon Soul had said, the legends and the time of the top ten was about to pass, and a new era was about to begin.

The birth of the new top ten had sent the various countries into a frenzy as they readied decrees, prepared to present them to Nine Heavens when she arrived. They were all eager to maintain cordial relationships with her. Of course, it would be better if they could hire her as Preceptor of the state. That being said, there were few in the free-spirited top ten that were willing to take up such jobs. Even so, there was no harm in maintaining a good relationship with the top ten.

Unfortunately, this new figure had completely vanished after the battle at Zhuling Mountain without even leaving her real name. The only known facts about her were that she was female and extremely young. But even after looking through all the famous ladies in the Five Regions Continent, they could not find anyone that fit. Someone even suggested that it could be Ya Lanzhu. When the Princess heard this, she laughed to the point where her little braids danced.

“Oh my god, this is so amazing, I am Nine Heavens, I am Nine Heavens—”

She secretly inched closer to the person who came to confirm her identity and whispered into his ear, “Let me tell you, Nine Heavens…”

That person perked up, listening excitedly with sparkling eyes.

“… is someone I don’t know.”

The appearance of “Nine Heavens” was a flash in the pan while the real Nine Heavens had already made her way back to the Xuanyuan empire, waiting to be “saved.”

After defeating Fog, she went to take a look at Zhan Beiye. Seeing that he was now conscious and how Ya Lanzhu was carefully taking care of him, she didn’t disturb them. Afterward, discussing her plans for the future course of actions with Zhangsun Wuji, she returned to Zhuling Mountain to meet Xuanyuan Min and Shadow Blade. When she reunited with the two, Shadow Blade heaved a long sigh of relief. His eyes were filled with anxiety, and in this bitter winter, a layer of sweat actually formed. One could only tell how worried he was.

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Min only had eyes for Lord Yuan Bao. Staring into its eyes, he asked curiously, “You understand what I am saying, right? Right? Say something, say something!”

Lord Yuan Bao covered its ears in the face of this unbearable torture. ‘This damn crossdresser is even more long-winded than that old hag. I understand what you are saying, how many times must I tell you I understand? Why do you not understand that I understand?’

Meng Fuyao snatched Lord Yuan Bao over and shoved it back into her sleeves. With a menacing tone, she warned the crossdresser, “You did not see it, you did not see it. Remember, you did not see it!”

Lord Yuan Bao, with its arms crossed, snorted in much disapproval. ‘What a joke, with my handsome looks and exceptional aura, how would anyone be able to forget about me? You want to clear that crossdresser’s deeply embedded memory of me? How is that even possible?’

Shadow Blade quietly reached his hand over and measured Meng Fuyao’s pulse. Pleasantly surprised at what he found, he said ‘congratulations’ to her.

Meng Fuyao smiled. In Shadow Blade’s eyes, her smile was like a flower that blossomed ever so beautifully.

At this point, the troops rushed over. The trio immediately returned to their roles—the weak emperor was weak as usual, the empress that knew of no martial arts still had no knowledge of it, and the obedient servant continued to listen to orders obediently.

They galloped back to the palace. Once they reached the palace, Xuanyuan Min and Meng Fuyao split up. Along the long road back to her residence, she internally recorded down every surprised gaze in her heart. Once she reached her residence, before she even sat down, she asked one of the eunuchs that stayed in the palace, “Are the concubines back?”

The eunuch replied respectfully, “Noble Consort, Consort Shu, and Concubine Tao have made their way back first. The rest are still at Zhuling Mountain Imperial grounds.”

With an uninterested ‘oh,’ she grabbed the teapot on the table and poured herself a cup of tea to quench her thirst. Then, she suddenly paused and ordered, “It’s a little chilly. Take out my coat for me.”

The eunuch followed her order with much compliance. He was also someone that Xuanyuan Min had sent over and had always been under An Zi. In charge of the inner affairs, he was a man of few words; quiet yet reliable.

He soon returned with the coats. Smiling, he politely said, “Your Highness, I did not know which coat you would prefer—both this black fox coat and that silver fox coat seem like good choices.” As he said that, he handed over the coats.

Noticing his hand, Meng Fuyao smiled and took over the silver fox coat.

Suddenly, her hand stretched out and clutched his wrist. With a fling, she threw that eunuch over.

With a cry, he was flung into the air and landed heavily on the wall. The two coats were promptly dropped on the floor.

He looked at Meng Fuyao in terror as he trembled uncontrollably.

Meng Fuyao smiled as she strolled over leisurely. She trampled over the coats and conveniently stepped on the hand beneath the coats.

She did not use much force, but beneath the clothes, the sound of bones breaking could be heard—at her level, she could control her inner energy with ease. Every part of her body was now a weapon. Forget about stepping, even if she were to just breathe, she could end the life of this eunuch.

His whole body convulsed due to the intolerable pain as he bit down his lips without a word. Meng Fuyao leaned over and calmly asked, “I’ve long suspected that there are double agents beside Xuanyuan Min. I finally caught one today. Tell me how many are there? Oh, I believe there are also the Regent King’s people spying on the various concubines? Here, tell me.”

“Your Highness… Your Highness… I do not know… w-what you are talking a-about…” the eunuch stuttered.

“That’s fine, as long as I know. That tea has been touched. Someone had poisoned it. Unfortunately for that person, I have already placed another type of poison in the teapot. Upon contact with the water, the person’s fingernails would change colors. You stirred the tea with your fingers, didn’t you?” asked Meng Fuyao apathetically. “Let me tell you, in front of me, there is no use lying or acting. Whether you try to seem pitiful or put on a brave front, it’s all futile. The smartest way is to be honest.”

He knew she wasn’t lying. He trembled in fear, yet, his mouth remained shut.

“Do you believe that I can make you confess without touching a single strand of your hair?” Meng Fuyao smiled sinisterly.

As the person directed his gaze of disbelief over, she added, “All I have to do tomorrow is to promote you to the head eunuch of my Chongxing Palace and bestow you with gold and jewelry… mhm… if the Regent King were to see that I am healthy and safe, but you are rising in the ranks, what would he think of you? A turned double agent?”

That person looked at her in pure terror. Who could have thought that this lazy, tyrannical, dumb-looking empress could be so vicious?

If she were to really do that, the Regent King would not let him off for sure. And the way he would die would surely be beyond his worst nightmares.

Meng Fuyao smiled cheerily at him. She couldn’t even be bothered to use any of her torture methods—creatures like eunuchs had limited loyalty. There was no need to waste any energy.

He cowered from her gaze. After a while, he collapsed at her feet.

“I’ll confess… I’ll confess…”

Meng Fuyao smiled.

After listening to his confession, she ordered the eunuch to do something. He seemed troubled by her orders, yet he had no choice but to listen to her; he had already confessed, what else could he do?

And then, Meng Fuyao called Tie Cheng to come in. “Contact Little Seven and ask him to do something.”

Tie Cheng sent out the orders. Meng Fuyao stayed in the palace alone, watching the curtains flutter as her lips curled into a smile.

‘Whoever should be pregnant is pregnant. Those who are to be eradicated will be eradicated. If there is once, there will be twice.’ Rather than sitting around to be backstabbed once more, she would rather take action first!

The last battle amongst the Xuanyuan family. She had no interest in letting the two take control of the battle’s pace. She would be the decision maker!

The calm before the storm!

Suddenly, the lights dimmed. Someone had secretly entered the residence, projecting a short shadow on the floor. That person’s footsteps were light and quiet like a cat’s.

Meng Fuyao stayed still as she casually continued sipping her tea.

That person inched closer silently.

Meng Fuyao looked down without moving. Her gaze was icy cold.

‘A sneak attack?

‘You must be looking for death!’

A warm, smooth pair of hands suddenly covered her eyes.

Meng Fuyao’s shoulders stiffened as Destiny Rebellion slipped out of her sleeves. Inner energy was coursing through every part of her body, ready to take action.

“Guess who I am?”