Chapter 13: Is there anything special about this Zhou State?

Xiao Mo’s consciousness withdrew from the Book of a Hundred Lives.

For nearly two months, Xiao Mo had been obsessed with "cultivating immortality" every day, basically ignoring all matters of the imperial court.

Whenever Xiao Mo felt hungry, he would have the Imperial Kitchen send over food.

Regardless, as an emperor—even a puppet one—there were always people to attend to his every need.

Xiao Mo felt that even the Wanshou Emperor himself wasn't as much of a shut-in as he was.

"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo called out.

Wei Xun, who was serving outside the palace, heard the voice and hurried inside. "Your Majesty."

At the beginning, Wei Xun had assumed that the Emperor was cultivating the Dao merely to paralyze Yan Shan'ao, and that he was secretly preparing something behind the scenes.

For instance, like a prince of the Chen Kingdom who, after being sidelined by a powerful official, secretly raised death warriors and performed all sorts of acts to lull the official into a false sense of security.

Then, one day, that prince would summon the official into the palace, where his death warriors would lie in ambush, kill him, and reclaim power.

But his own Emperor had truly been cultivating the Dao during this time.

And he would meditate for an entire day at a time.

"Could it be that His Majesty has truly given up on reclaiming power?"

Thinking of this, Wei Xun couldn't help but sigh, feeling a sense of disappointment.

But then, on second thought, it was better if the Emperor gave up.

How could it be easy to kill Yan Shan'ao? He was a cultivator at the Dragon Gate Realm himself.

If there were even the slightest oversight, let alone reclaiming power, His Majesty would likely end up dead within the palace walls.

"Wei Xun, you look so heavy-hearted. Is something the matter?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Replying to Your Majesty, thanks to your concern, what could possibly be wrong with this servant? As long as Your Majesty is well, this servant is well," Wei Xun replied with a fawning smile.

"Alright, alright, stop with the flattery every chance you get. Have someone send some food over; I'm a bit hungry," Xiao Mo said.

"The Imperial Kitchen has already prepared it and is on the way to deliver it to Your Majesty."

Ever since the Emperor began cultivating, Wei Xun had subtly figured out his meal times.

"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded. "During this time, what has been the court's assessment of me?"

"That..." Wei Xun hesitated.

"Speak freely." Xiao Mo looked at Wei Xun. "The truth!"

"..." Wei Xun organized his words in his mind before saying, syllable by syllable, "There are quite a few ministers who have complaints about Your Majesty's cultivation. They feel that Your Majesty should... should..."

"Should focus on state affairs?" Xiao Mo smiled. "Are they still calling me a dim-witted ruler behind my back?"

As soon as Xiao Mo finished speaking, Wei Xun hurriedly knelt before him. "Absolutely no one would dare say such a thing about Your Majesty!"

"Alright, alright, why are you so nervous? I didn't say it was you who said it," Xiao Mo said indifferently. "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun stood up tremblingly and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Those ministers who cursed him were mostly just putting on a show to maintain their image as "loyal subjects."

Who in the court didn't know that Empress Dowager Yan and Chancellor Yan held the power inside and out?

With his power gone, how could he personally handle state affairs?

Besides, if Yan Shan'ao felt he was a threat, that guy might actually replace the emperor.

In the profession of being an emperor, being forced to resign only had one outcome: death.

Therefore, before he had sufficient strength, he had to keep a low profile.

It wouldn't be long before his first life experience in the Book of a Hundred Lives came to an end; he would see what kind of rewards he could get then.

"Your Majesty, the Chancellor requests an audience," a palace maid called out from outside the bedchamber.

"Quickly, invite the Chancellor in," Xiao Mo said.

"Yes." The maid bowed outside the chamber and opened the door. "Chancellor, please enter."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Yan Shan'ao, with a sword at his waist, walked into the bedchamber and bowed to Xiao Mo.

"Why such formality, Father-Chancellor?" Xiao Mo hurriedly climbed off the bed, not even putting on his shoes, and walked forward to welcome him. "Father-Chancellor, why have you come?"

Yan Shan'ao looked at Xiao Mo's Taoist attire. "Your Majesty has been cultivating for nearly two months. I came to check on you and ask how your cultivation is progressing?"

"Hahahaha... it's passable, passable," Xiao Mo said with a laugh. "I find that the affairs of the court are too complex and taxing. Since I began cultivating, my mind has been at ease. It is thanks to you, Chancellor, that the various matters of the court are being handled."

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? Sharing your burdens is my duty," Yan Shan'ao bowed again. "However, Your Majesty, in about a month, Elder Huang of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect will be coming to our Zhou Kingdom. The Ten Thousand Sword Sect is the world's premier sword sect; you will need to personally receive Elder Huang then."

"That is naturally no problem."

The original body didn't know much about the cultivation world, having only vaguely heard the name of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. Beyond that, he knew nothing—he didn't even know the name of the Sect Master.

"Furthermore, Your Majesty is no longer young. I have selected some young ladies to enter the palace. They are all from prestigious families. In particular, my own Yan clan has produced a talented woman named Yan Ruxue, who is both intelligent and beautiful. I believe Your Majesty will surely like her."

"..." How could Xiao Mo not understand the implication? Yan Shan'ao had almost explicitly said, "You must choose Yan Ruxue as your consort." It wouldn't be long before she became the Empress.

"I have long heard of the talented lady of the Yan family. I will certainly keep her in mind!" Xiao Mo nodded, appearing completely obedient.

Seeing Xiao Mo so compliant, the corners of Yan Shan'ao's mouth curled up.

In the past, Xiao Mo would have fought him a little, even attempting to reclaim power, but now it seemed he had completely given up.

This was for the best; otherwise, replacing the emperor would only add unnecessary complications.

"Since Your Majesty is doing well, I shall take my leave."

"Go slowly, Father-Chancellor. Take care of your health as well. Wei Xun, see the Chancellor out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Wei Xun saw Yan Shan'ao off, Xiao Mo's brow furrowed. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—you old turtle, just you wait!"

Ten Thousand Laws World, Qinghe City.

This place was only thirty miles from the border of the Zhou Kingdom.

On the streets of Qinghe City, Elder Huang was followed by two "disciples" wearing the attire of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.

Over the past few days of travel, being with them had made Elder Huang feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Although they were wearing the robes of inner disciples of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, if he truly treated them as such, Elder Huang felt he must be tired of living.

These two people.

One was his own Sect Master, the world's number one Sword Immortal.

The other was the Sword Attendant who served the Sect Master—Qiu Ye.

To be honest, Elder Huang really didn't know why his Sect Master was following him to the Zhou Kingdom.

His mission to the Zhou Kingdom was just a routine matter; he would simply go through the motions and accept the Zhou Kingdom as a vassal state of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.

But he hadn't expected the Sect Master to come along, and to hide her identity by disguising herself as an inner disciple.

Was there something special about this Zhou Kingdom?