"Run!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the old man Nameless instantly turned into a blur and fled swiftly out of the hall.
His speed was like lightning, swift as thunder!
At the same time, the immense disturbance in the imperial palace completely alerted all the imperial guards.
Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the East and West Factories, the Six Doors, the Four Great Constables of the Divine Marquis Mansion, and the Four Grand Spies of Dragon Guarding Manor all rushed to block his escape.
"Since you dared to break into My harem, you should have been prepared to die!"
Zhu Houzhao remained seated where he was.
He cast a glance toward the fleeing old man, his face filled with disdain.
"Not good!"
For some unknown reason, the sense of danger in Nameless's heart hadn't dissipated.
On the contrary, it grew stronger and stronger.
An unprecedented fear surged within him.
It turned out that even in the face of death, he too could feel fear and terror.
Zhu Houzhao lifted his right hand.
A surge of energy burst from his fingertip like a dragon rising from the sea.
With overwhelming might, it chased after the fleeing old man.
"Intent Kill Sword!"
"Intent Kill strikes a thousand miles without mercy!"
Zhu Houzhao's solemn and awe-inspiring voice echoed above the entire palace.
Soon, it spread in all directions.
It quickly rippled throughout the entire capital.
Everyone felt their hearts tremble.
Involuntarily, they looked up to the sky.
The next moment.
A golden dragon-shaped projection, over a hundred meters long, spiraled in the sky.
The terrifying aura it emitted shocked even the top Great Grandmasters in the capital, who dared not move a muscle.
Amid the stunned and disbelieving gazes of countless people.
The golden dragon-shaped energy surged forward at lightning speed and instantly pierced through the old man who was fleeing in panic.
"Seated within the palace, but striking across a thousand miles!"
Zhu Houzhao's voice echoed once again in everyone's minds.
"That's the Emperor. That's His Majesty's voice!"
"How could this be?"
"Was that attack just now released by His Majesty?"
"His Majesty's strength is this terrifying?"
"My god, we really underestimated His Majesty!"
Many who had seen Zhu Houzhao before immediately recognized his voice.
Especially the court officials and leaders of various organizations.
People like Divine Marquis Zhuge, Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian, the Four Embroidered Uniform Guard Leaders, Catching God, and Zhu Wushi were all extremely familiar with the Emperor's voice.
Only now did they realize that they had never truly seen through His Majesty.
That dragon-shaped burst of energy just now wasn't something even Great Grandmasters could unleash.
To manipulate such a powerful attack remotely and slay an enemy from kilometers away.
Such strength was beyond anything they could comprehend.
"Ah!"
"I refuse to accept this!"
The terrifying force rampaged through Nameless's body.
In the end, the energy suddenly exploded.
With a loud boom.
The old man burst apart in midair.
He turned into misty blood and vanished into nothingness.
Not a bone was left.
A Half-Step Land Immortal was miserably slain above the imperial palace.
The sight terrified everyone present.
Even the entire capital was thrown into a state of shock.
His Majesty knows martial arts.
And his strength is unfathomable!
"His Majesty is mighty!"
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"
Someone shouted in excitement and knelt to the ground in worship.
In the next moment.
Like dominoes falling.
All the citizens in the capital followed suit.
They quickly knelt and shouted in excitement and admiration.
Their voices echoed through the skies of the capital.
Majestic and unyielding.
Zhu Houzhao's overwhelming strike had completely dispelled the fear and unrest caused by the Empress's information being revealed.
At the same time, with help from the Dark Guard, the Emperor's authority completely overshadowed everything else.
At least now, no one would worry about the Empress usurping the throne.
Because the Ming Dynasty still had a stronger Emperor.
==========
At Dragon Guarding Manor.
The Four Grand Spies were still stunned.
"Heavens, I always thought His Majesty was just an ordinary man who never practiced martial arts."
"Same here. I thought so too."
"We really underestimated His Majesty."
"Turns out, His Majesty hid even deeper than the Empress. It's terrifying."
The words of Duan Tianya and the others made Zhu Wushi's face change again.
His heart was filled with unease.
From the dragon-shaped energy earlier, he had felt an overwhelming sense of mortal danger.
Even though he was a Great Grandmaster.
If he had faced that dragon-shaped energy, he wouldn't have survived.
He would have been blown apart instantly.
His Majesty had hidden his strength until now, and he had been completely unaware.
Those little secret moves he made in private must have all been seen by his imperial nephew.
On the other side, Cao Zhengchun trembled, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
That was close.
Fortunately, he had always stayed loyal and diligent, never daring to slack off or betray the Emperor.
Otherwise, he might have died without knowing how.
He resolved firmly in his heart to never go against His Majesty's will again.
Only by doing so could he maintain his power and position.
Meanwhile, Yu Huatian, who was also a Supervisor, didn't have such complex thoughts.
In his mind, as long as it was His Majesty's command.
He would give his all to complete it.
He and the West Factory were the Emperor's most loyal blades.
No need to think for themselves. Just carry out orders.
Because of that, he had always received His Majesty's greatest trust and support.
He would continue to uphold that loyalty.
Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Six Doors, while shocked, also felt immense relief.
Now that His Majesty was so powerful, it meant he was well aware of the Empress's affairs.
Surely he had already prepared countermeasures.
He wouldn't allow the Empress to harm the foundations of the Ming Dynasty.
No need to worry about the dynasty falling into chaos.
As for Divine Marquis Zhuge's group.
"Uncle Zhuge, did you already know how powerful His Majesty was?"
"Otherwise, how could you have remained so calm?"
"Uncle, what was the level of that strike just now?"
"Could you unleash something like that?"
The Four Great Constables looked at Zhuge Zhengwo, eyes full of curiosity.
Zhuge Zhengwo didn't know how to answer.
Just then, a palace eunuch walked over.
"Imperial decree from His Majesty!"
"Divine Marquis Zhuge, Ruthless, Iron Hand, Life Catcher, Cold Blood, receive the decree!"
"His Majesty summons you five to the palace immediately. Do not delay. Thus decrees His Majesty!"
The five quickly accepted the order and followed the eunuch toward the palace.
Soon, they arrived at the Imperial Study.
This was where Zhu Houzhao usually received his ministers.
The room had been expanded and was especially spacious.
At the same time, many other high officials had already gathered.
All second-rank officials and above were present.
Also arriving were Iron Courage Divine Marquis and the Four Grand Spies, Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian, Catching God, the Four Embroidered Uniform Guard Leaders, everyone important.
==========
"We respectfully greet Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Enough, all of you, rise!"
Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne, scanning all the officials present.
"You should know why I've summoned you."
"The Golden Ranking has appeared, and the Empress's power and identity were revealed, which has stirred unease among many."
"Now I must tell you… Put away your petty thoughts."
"Focus on doing your duties. Don't foolishly walk into death."
"As long as I'm here, whether gods or demons, monsters or ghosts, all must behave."
"Anyone who dares to challenge Me or the Ming Dynasty, I shall destroy without mercy!"
As his words fell, Zhu Houzhao released a terrifying pressure that instantly weighed down on everyone present.
Even the Great Grandmasters felt their expressions change.
An unspeakable fear lingered in their hearts.
Cold sweat flowed.
The aura came swiftly and vanished just as fast.
Though it lasted only a moment.
It felt like a thousand years to them.
That moment would be etched in their minds forever.
They would never again question the Emperor's authority.
As for the Empress, she was quickly forgotten.
Seeing their expressions, Zhu Houzhao nodded in satisfaction.
Now that the Golden Ranking had appeared, his strength and information would soon be revealed anyway.
No need to keep hiding.
It was better to win over hearts early.
Who knew what kind of chaos might erupt otherwise?
He wasn't afraid, but it would be a hassle.
It would disrupt his peaceful lifestyle.
Better to give them a warning now.
==========
Buzz!
At that moment, the ranking in the sky burst forth with radiant light.
The first place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking was about to update.
Whether it was Zhu Houzhao or everyone present, their hearts stirred.
Who would be named first?
All eyes turned curious.
The next moment.
Lines of golden text appeared on the ranking:
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 1]
[Zhu Houzhao]
[Identity: Emperor of the Ming Dynasty! (Avatars: Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi, Longevity Sword Bai Yujing, etc!)]
[Cultivation: Land Immortal Realm]
[Technique: Azure Lotus Immortal Scripture (Created by combining and refining multiple martial arts!)]
[Reward: Holy-Grade Pill – Chaos Pill. After consuming, it can transform the physique and achieve the Chaos Physique]
[Hidden Dragon Ranking is now fully updated. One month from now, the Martial Force Ranking will be released]
[All martial sects in the Nine Provinces will be ranked based on the strength of their leader, scale, luck, number of members, achievements, and more]
==========
In the Imperial Study, everyone stared in disbelief at the ranking in the sky.
Were their eyes playing tricks on them?
First place… Zhu Houzhao!?
Wasn't that their own Emperor!?
Land Immortal Realm!
Good heavens!
They almost cursed out loud in shock.
One by one, they stared at the Emperor seated on the throne.
They never expected that their seemingly idle and carefree ruler would be hiding such terrifying strength.
And he was only 22 years old!
He had already stepped into the Land Immortal Realm. It was unimaginable.
Such talent was exceedingly rare in the Nine Provinces.
Before this, they worried the Empress might disrupt the court with her strength.
Looking back now, how laughable.
A mere Half-Step Land Immortal?
In front of the Emperor, she was still but an insect.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on reaching the Land Immortal Realm!"
A quick-witted official knelt and congratulated him.
Others quickly followed suit.
They offered congratulations with smiles on their faces.
At least now, with such a powerful Emperor.
The Ming Dynasty had a solid foundation and would not easily fall.
"Alright, get up. This matter ends here!"
"Everything continues as before!"
"Just do your jobs well!"
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, feeling slightly impatient.
"We obey Your Majesty's decree!"
"Good. Dismissed!"
"We respectfully take our leave!"
==========
Outside the palace.
All the departing officials remained unusually silent.
Each deep in thought.
This time, the Emperor's strength and information had completely shocked them.
Especially the leaders of martial affairs.
Zhu Wushi, Divine Marquis Zhuge, and the others.
They didn't know much about Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi.
But the name Longevity Sword Bai Yujing was legendary in the martial world.
He turned out to be one of the Emperor's avatars.
Rumor had it Bai Yujing was the secret master of Azure Dragon Association, the most powerful martial force in Ming.
If true, then the Azure Dragon Association was founded by the Emperor himself.
It had 365 branches.
Each one coded after the day of the year.
The sheer scale of it was terrifying.
Before, people wondered how the imperial court allowed such a powerful organization to exist.
Now, they finally understood.
Azure Dragon Association was part of the imperial court all along.
No wonder.
Compared to Azure Dragon Association, those so-called righteous and demonic sects of the martial world were nothing.