"Ahhh!!!"
A blood-curdling scream rang out.
After killing another dozen Great Grandmasters, the black-clad man finally let his guard down and was struck by a keen-eyed Great Grandmaster, severing his arm.
The severed arm flew through the air, taking the Myriad Sword Diagram with it.
"Grab it!"
No one cared about the black-clad man anymore, their eyes all locked onto the flying Myriad Sword Diagram.
They scrambled to snatch it, even turning on each other.
The black-clad man's face was filled with resentment, rage, and hatred.
At the final moment, not only did he fail to secure the Myriad Sword Diagram, he also lost an arm.
"Retreat!"
With no hope of reclaiming the diagram, he prioritized escape.
Once he recovered his strength, he would figure out another way to get it back.
Watching the Great Grandmasters tear each other apart, he sneered coldly and vanished into the distance.
As long as no Land Immortal Realm cultivator intervened, mere Great Grandmasters could do nothing to stop him.
"Move!"
At that moment, those hiding in the shadows finally made their move to seize the diagram.
The scene quickly descended into chaos.
==========
Corner of the battlefield.
"Ximen, should we try to grab the Myriad Sword Diagram?"
Lu Xiaofeng looked at Ximen, and also at Xie Xiaofeng and Yan Shisan.
"No need. It's a pointless slaughter."
"Just keep watching."
With their current strength, there was little they could do.
The field was full of Great Grandmasters.
Even Grandmasters were getting slaughtered like cannon fodder.
Jumping in recklessly might cost them their lives.
"Huh? Where did that black-clad foreigner go? He disappeared?"
"That's impossible!"
"I only blinked for a second, and he vanished."
Lu Xiaofeng's eyes widened in disbelief, wondering if he'd imagined it.
"No need to overthink it. A Land Immortal must have stepped in."
"With your level, Lu Xiaofeng, it's impossible to detect a Land Immortal's movement."
"Either the Ming Imperial Court or another nation's agents made a move!"
"The various courts are finally getting involved."
"That means we definitely shouldn't intervene now, or we won't make it out alive."
Chu Liuxiang rubbed his nose and gave a wry smile.
In a power struggle of this scale, small fries like them really had no place.
==========
Elsewhere, the Dark Guard Leader frowned as he looked at the battered and defeated black-clad foreigner, his expression indifferent.
"Leader, should we interrogate him here?"
"No need. Take him back and extract every detail about that island nation."
As soon as the words left the leader's mouth, he struck the man's chest with a powerful palm.
The blow destroyed all of the man's martial arts cultivation instantly, rendering him a cripple.
At the same time, they stripped away every poison and self-destruct mechanism on his body.
This man was still useful and couldn't die just yet.
Once this affair was over, the leader would personally interrogate him with extreme measures.
He would talk. No doubt about it.
"Next, it's time to deal with the spies from other nations."
The leader's gaze turned cold as he looked toward the areas where the spies were hiding.
A cruel smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Since they dared to cause trouble in Ming Dynasty Territory, they had only themselves to blame for what came next.
This was the Dark Guard' home turf, it was time to show them true terror.
==========
Snow Moon City.
Li Hanyi, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, who was currently guarding Baili Dongjun, suddenly sensed something and vanished.
She reappeared atop a tall building not far away.
When she saw the familiar yet unfamiliar figure before her, she trembled violently.
Her breath quickened uncontrollably.
"It's... it's you..."
"What? After all these years, you don't recognize me anymore?"
Zhu Houzhao smiled slightly and slowly walked toward her.
He gently brushed aside her hair with his right hand.
A familiar and nostalgic feeling surged in her heart.
This damn man.
"Why have you come back? Shouldn't you be enjoying your life as Ming Emperor, with your Imperial Harem of three palaces and six courts? Why bother disturbing a humble martial woman like me?"
Li Hanyi said with a face full of grievance.
After what had happened years ago, she hadn't seen him since.
At first, she thought something had happened to him and was worried sick for a long time.
It wasn't until the recent appearance of the Golden Ranking that she realized the man she cared for was actually the Ming Emperor.
With his status and power, there was no way he didn't know what she had gone through.
But he still didn't appear.
He must have been mocking her.
How could she not resent him?
Zhu Houzhao didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward and embraced her gently.
He comforted her with soft words.
"You appeared before me like this, is it also for the Myriad Sword Diagram?"
"I know that for Emperors like you, such things are extremely valuable."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have shown up this early."
Li Hanyi quickly composed herself and glared at him unhappily.
"Hahaha, Peach Blossom, you've become cuter over the years."
Zhu Houzhao laughed heartily.
When Li Hanyi heard the name "Peach Blossom", she instantly flared up in embarrassment and anger.
"I'm Li Hanyi! If you keep this up, I'll drive you out of Snow Moon City!"
"Don't think just because you're the Ming Emperor I won't do anything to you!"
"Am I wrong, though?"
"You're after the Myriad Sword Diagram. Too bad, you'll be disappointed."
"It's already been stolen by a group of black-clad people."
"I had to stay and protect my Senior Brother, or I would've gone after them!"
Li Hanyi couldn't help feeling a bit regretful mentioning the diagram.
But her Senior Brother Baili Dongjun was about to make a breakthrough.
In just a short time, he would take that crucial step and reach the Land Immortal Realm.
"This time, you've misunderstood me."
"Here, take a look at this."
Zhu Houzhao flipped his right hand, revealing the Myriad Sword Diagram.
"The Myriad Sword Diagram?"
"That's not right. Wasn't it taken by those people?"
Li Hanyi asked in surprise.
"Heh, if I personally made a switch, who could notice?"
"Here, it's yours."
Without hesitation, Zhu Houzhao handed the diagram to her.
Li Hanyi hesitated, holding it for a moment.
Then she handed it back.
"Better you keep it. It'll be more useful to the Ming Imperial Court."
"My Senior Brother is on the verge of breaking through, and my Junior Brother Sikong Changfeng is also close."
"With the three City Lords here, Snow Moon City can protect itself just fine."
"No need to grow stronger at all costs."
In the end, her heart still leaned toward Zhu Houzhao. She pretended not to care, but her actions said otherwise.
Zhu Houzhao was delighted.
After all these years, she still held him in her heart.
Compared to Li Hanyi, what did a mere sword diagram even matter?
"This is your and Snow Moon City's Heaven Dao Reward. I won't take what is rightfully yours."
"Enough of these topics."
"Tell me about your life these past years."
"I want to hear it."
Even though he knew all her information, Zhu Houzhao still wanted to rekindle their bond.
Hearing his words, Li Hanyi's heart filled with joy.
So, he hadn't forgotten her after all!
The two found a quiet spot on the rooftop and started talking.
Soon, all the bitterness and resentment in Li Hanyi's heart melted away under Zhu Houzhao's gentle coaxing.
They returned to how they used to be.
Like lovers in the throes of early passion.
Zhu Houzhao's scumbag nature was once again on full display.
==========
Meanwhile, back on the battlefield.
The brutal fighting had intensified even more.
It was as if a mysterious force was stirring things up from behind the scenes.
At first, only cultivators got involved.
Then spies from smaller nations joined the fray.
Eventually, spies from the Qin Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, and Sui Dynasty also entered the battlefield.
Even Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard were dragged into the chaos by "certain people".
The situation had entered a strange stalemate.
==========
Border of Ming Dynasty.
Another fierce battle was unfolding.
This time between Yuan Tiangang of the Tang Dynasty and Yuwen Tuo of the Sui Dynasty.
Not far from them.
Phagpa, Huang Shang, the Black Ice Platform Leader from Qin Dynasty, and others watched intently.
At some point, the leader of Ming Dynasty's Dark Guard had also arrived.
Silently observing from the shadows.
"Yuwen Tuo, you treacherous snake!"
Yuan Tiangang shouted furiously at Yuwen Tuo.
But Yuwen Tuo remained indifferent.
His actions were odd, unnerving even the other spy leaders watching.
Originally, the various spy networks had joined forces to target the Ming Dynasty.
But now.
What were Yuan Tiangang and Yuwen Tuo up to?
No one could figure it out.
Even the Dark Guard Leader paused his plans.
Until the situation became clearer, caution was the only option.
All of these individuals were cunning and formidable.
Whether in strength or intellect, none could be underestimated.
Yuan Tiangang and Yuwen Tuo appeared to be locked in battle, but who could say for sure?
Maybe they were just acting.
Perhaps they were baiting the spy leaders into a trap.
After all, compared to eliminating weaker agents.
Killing a single Land Immortal Realm cultivator would be a massive gain.
That was the real prize.
So not only were Yuan Tiangang and Yuwen Tuo being cautious, everyone else was too.
Even the Dark Guard Leader was on high alert.
He was prepared to defend himself at any moment.
Although the chances were slim, he could not afford to be careless.
For now, everything has stalled.
None of the leaders could spare time for the ongoing melee within Ming Dynasty Territory.
"Dark One, is this your doing? Yuan Tiangang and Yuwen Tuo fighting like this?"
Phagpa from the Yuan Dynasty turned to question the Dark Guard Leader.
No one knew his real name, perhaps only Emperor Zhu Houzhao and the man himself.
To the outside world, he was known only as "Dark One".
"Hmph!"
Dark One merely scoffed in contempt, refusing to answer.
Even if he said yes or no, no one would believe him anyway.
Only he knew, it truly wasn't his doing.
Interesting.
Things were getting more unpredictable than expected.
And in a way, it was helping him.
He had already prepared to be the target of everyone's attacks.
Now, he was suddenly off the hook.
The Dark One looked around suspiciously, but none of their expressions gave anything away.
Then.
Splat!
The fight between Yuan Tiangang and Yuwen Tuo reached a conclusion.
Under Yuwen Tuo's attack, Yuan Tiangang was seriously wounded.
A sword strike landed on his body.
Blood gushed out, he was clearly injured.
It was no act.
Everyone present had sharp eyes. They could tell real wounds from fakes.
They were all stunned.
Then turned incredulous.
Everyone knew Yuan Tiangang's strength.
Yet now Yuwen Tuo had defeated him with ease.
Had he been hiding his strength all along?
Then why reveal it now?
"Hahaha! I still have matters to attend to. Farewell!"
The first to speak was Huang Shang of Northern Song Dynasty's Imperial City Division.
With a loud laugh, he quickly left without waiting for a response.
The others, Phagpa and the rest, also followed suit.
Yuan Tiangang's face twisted with rage. His mind raced with thoughts.
For the first time, things were slipping from his control.
With a snort, he turned and left without another word.
Yuwen Tuo didn't stop him.
He could injure Yuan Tiangang, but killing or capturing him was unrealistic.
Finally, Yuwen Tuo smiled and nodded at the Dark Guard Leader.
Then he disappeared.
Leaving the Dark Guard Leader alone, his expression grim.
All these people were sly beyond belief.
They had sensed something off and retreated early.
And Yuwen Tuo.
Why was his behavior so strange?
What did that smile mean?
This needed to be reported to the Emperor immediately, something unexpected had happened.
==========
Meanwhile.
In a hidden location.
Huang Shang stood quietly, waiting for someone.
Soon, a figure appeared, shocking even him.
It was Yuwen Tuo!
At some point, the two had formed a secret alliance.
"My task is complete. Now it's your turn."
Yuwen Tuo spoke bluntly.
"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten. It's been a pleasure working with you."
"Hopefully we can do it again."
Huang Shang smiled faintly.
"Mm."
Yuwen Tuo nodded.
Then turned and left.
Watching him go, Huang Shang's eyes turned cold and deep.
==========
Elsewhere.
Two other astonishing figures had also met in secret.
"Yuan Tiangang, you messed up this time."
"I'm starting to question whether you're even qualified to work with me."
The speaker was none other than the Black Ice Platform Leader from the Qin Dynasty.
"I underestimated Yuwen Tuo."
"He is very close to breaking through to the God Demon Realm."
Yuan Tiangang said quietly.
He even coughed a few times.
Clearly, his injuries weren't minor.
"Yuan Tiangang, we all underestimated Yuwen Tuo. We need to raise his danger level immediately. Thankfully, we found out in time."
"I've done what I had to. Now it's your turn to perform."
"Don't worry. We Qin Dynasty folk never go back on our word."
With a cold grunt, the Black Ice Platform Leader turned and left.
"Hmph. Bunch of fools."
"If not for the Tang Dynasty being newly founded and still weak, I wouldn't need to play these games with you lot."
Yuan Tiangang sneered.
In an instant, his entire demeanor changed.
Gone was the image of a severely injured man.
Clearly, he had faked the whole thing.
Yuwen Tuo was strong, but Yuan Tiangang was no weaker.
"Yuwen Tuo, huh?"
"Interesting. I doubt my disguise fooled him."
"But he has secrets of his own."
"Looks like Yuwen Tuo will be my real rival from now on."
With hands clasped behind his back, Yuan Tiangang murmured softly.
These old monsters, each more cunning than the last.
One scheme after another, layers upon layers.
One misstep, and you'd fall right into their traps.
Each believed they were in control.
Little did they know, they were all already part of someone else's game.
In the end, it would come down to who played it better.