The Empress’s Blind Consort: Invincible in Secret

Vol2 – Chapter 32 – Responsibility as a pillar of the nation

Meng Qingzhou couldn't be bothered with the nonsense. He wanted to test his suspicion, so he reached out his hand to touch, but grasped nothing.

"Here," Qiong gently took Meng Qingzhou's wrist and placed it on Pu Lingzi's head.

Pu Lingzi shook his head, his small, white hands slapping away as he angrily said, "Meng Qingzhou, how dare you insult me? If it weren't for Miss Liuli's presence, I would have taken your life!"

Meng Qingzhou's fingers danced, moving from the Baihui acupoint on the top of the head to the Liuyao on the face.

Heaven-grade supreme technique—Dragon-Seeking Bone Toucher.

Although it couldn't measure cultivation levels, it could reveal a person's life trajectory.

"A life destiny of a purple-gold immortal path, a future paved with the bones of contemporaries, destined to ascend to the heavens if not cut short..."

"Speak, who are you?"

Pu Lingzi slapped away Meng Qingzhou's hand and sneered, "Meng Qingzhou, listen well. I am the leader of 'The Mortal World,' one of the three major organizations under the Second Young Master of the Ji family."

The Yin-Yang Elder crossed his arms and mocked, "I am the deputy leader of 'Beyond the Heavens,' another of the three major organizations under the Second Young Master of the Ji family."

A mere puppet Emperor, used by the Empress as a shield, wasn't even worth their attention on normal days.

Meng Qingzhou frowned slightly.

The Second Young Master of the Ji family... that sounded familiar.

The next moment, Meng Qingzhou remembered a late-stage plot organization—Heaven-Watching Pavilion!

The ultimate boss of the entire book, without a doubt!

The Empress of Great Jin was only a mid-stage boss, but Heaven-Watching Pavilion was different. It gathered the most outstanding talents from all over the world, hiding in the shadows, waiting for the right moment. Their ideals were lofty.

Gather all the talents, cultivate a figure like the first Human Emperor, and rule the world!

The Second Young Master of the Ji family—Ji Wushuang, was a core member of Heaven-Watching Pavilion, being groomed as a successor.

If the overpowered protagonist didn't die, the greatest obstacle he would face among his contemporaries would be this Second Young Master of the Ji family!

Even during their first encounter, the overpowered protagonist could only avoid Ji Wushuang, being utterly crushed.

With the help of Heaven-Watching Pavilion, the Ji family of Sky State eventually laughed last and became the overlord of Sky State...

And the three major organizations they mentioned were created by the Ji family and are now under Ji Wushuang's control.

Meng Qingzhou muttered to himself, "The Mortal World is responsible for assassinations, plundering, seizing cities, and inciting conflicts among nations. The Ji family sent the leader of The Mortal World to the Wilderness hundreds of years ago to secretly stir up wars among the countries there."

"Beyond the Heavens is a gathering place for old monsters who practice unorthodox cultivation, proficient in poison, formations, feng shui, and literary energy."

"Ascending to Immortality, where ten young prodigies of the Ji family are stationed, all obeying Ji Wushuang."

These three organizations could be said to be half of the Ji family's foundation.

Meng Qingzhou felt a heavy weight in his heart.

He hadn't expected that even after hiding in a remote village, the Ji family of Sky State could still find him.

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As a member of Heaven-Watching Pavilion, Ji Wushuang must also be gathering young talents from all over the world.

It seemed Ji Wushuang had come for him, offering an olive branch.

"Ah, geniuses are often so helpless. Even if they want to keep a low profile, they can't," Meng Qingzhou chuckled bitterly.

Pu Lingzi and the Yin-Yang Elder exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.

"I thought you were a frog in a well, but you actually know so much about my Ji family. You have some knowledge," Pu Lingzi said with a smile.

The Yin-Yang Elder followed, "Since you know the strength of the Ji family, there's no need for us to say more. To be blunt, we are here on behalf of our young master to propose marriage to Miss Liuli."

"If you are sensible, you should break off the engagement with Miss Liuli now. The Ji family will not treat you poorly. We will ensure your wealth and safety for the rest of your life. Even if a Heaven Supporting Realm powerhouse wants to kill you, the Ji family can protect you."

Pu Lingzi added, "Not only that, as the leader of The Mortal World, I can recommend you for a position in The Mortal World. If you wish to cultivate, The Mortal World will provide resources for you free of charge."

Meng Qingzhou's expression turned cold, "What do you mean by all this?"

Pu Lingzi grinned, "It means our young master wants to propose to Miss Liuli, and you are in the way."

As soon as he said this, the big yellow dog lying at the door immediately stood up, full of killing intent, coldly staring at Pu Lingzi and the Yin-Yang Elder.

Dongfang Liuli remained silent, her slender fingers rubbing against each other, her expression calm and unruffled.

Qiong covered her mouth and laughed.

"Heh, bad women are really popular, but that's a good thing."

Su Qingqiu, protective of her master, drew her sword in anger, her face turning pale with rage. Wu Die, however, kept her calm, holding back the murderous Su Qingqiu and whispering in her ear, "Calm down, calm down, the Master will handle everything, don't be impulsive."

A group of villagers eavesdropping outside the door, who had been whispering among themselves, fell silent at this moment.

"So it's someone from the Ji family of Sky State. I was wondering how the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets dared to propose to Her Majesty," Lin Lu transmitted with killing intent.

Jiang Canghai looked at Qin Fenghuo, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and transmitted, "The Ji family of Sky State is too powerful; we can't afford to provoke them. The wisest choice is to comply with them."

Hearing this, Qin Fenghuo was furious, glaring with wide eyes, and transmitted angrily, "Old fool! What nonsense are you spouting! Do you really want Her Majesty and the Emperor to divorce and marry a Ji family boy? Such a great humiliation, I can't bear it!"

Jiang Canghai quickly comforted him, "Listen to me. It's unrealistic to expect Her Majesty to submit to Ji Wushuang. The Great Jin owes its current prosperity to Her Majesty. If she is humiliated, it would be akin to the fall of the nation."

"Right now, we can't rely on the Emperor. We can only fight to the death, mobilize the entire nation, and immediately start a full-scale war in the Wilderness. Only by unifying the Wilderness in the shortest time can we have a chance to breathe and the strength to resist the Ji family."

Qin Fenghuo fell silent, his fists clenched, and after a long time, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

He looked at Jiang Canghai with a determined gaze, "I will enter a life-or-death seclusion. Half-step Morning Glow Realm is too weak. I must either break through to Morning Glow or die trying."

"Three days. If I don't come out in three days, it means I'm dead."

Hearing this, Jiang Canghai was shocked and tried to dissuade him, "You were seriously injured not long ago. Forcing a breakthrough now is too risky."

Qin Fenghuo shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "Don't worry about me. After my death, the burden of the nation will fall entirely on your shoulders, which is worse than death, haha... By then, you can curse me all you want; I won't hear it anyway."

With that, Qin Fenghuo strode away without looking back.

He left silently, without informing the Empress or the Emperor, disappearing under the watchful eyes of the court officials.

Qin Fenghuo's life was marked by his reputation as a brute, known as the Big Column Kingdom. Besides his strength to sweep through nations, he had nothing else.

Now, as a half-step Morning Glow, he couldn't support the Great Jin's sky. He was useless to the country and its people. He had to either die or be reborn in the flames.

So no one tried to stop him...

"Old fool, if you dare to go first, I'll chase you to the underworld in a hundred years and beat you up," Jiang Canghai muttered, his voice filled with sadness.

He knew in his heart that Qin Fenghuo's chances of survival were slim, and the likelihood of a breakthrough was very low.

Perhaps, this would be their last meeting.

Jiang Canghai watched Qin Fenghuo's departing figure, wanting to imprint it in his mind.

The court officials were extremely aggrieved but helpless.

The shadow of the Ji family from Sky State loomed over everyone's hearts.

"The Emperor is despised, Her Majesty is proposed to, the Big Column Kingdom is in life-or-death seclusion, and the nation's turmoil has not yet subsided... Why does Heaven treat our Great Jin so?" An old official wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face.

Jiang Canghai looked around at the court officials, seeing their despair, and his expression gradually calmed.

Since no one else would take up the banner, he, Jiang Canghai, would support the Great Jin's sky.

Jiang Canghai said calmly, "Lin Lu, convey the imperial edict, summon the army, and all court officials above the Sea Covering Realm will follow me on the expedition."

"I will personally lead the army to attack the Western Buddhist Kingdom and sweep through it with lightning speed."

"Also, summon all the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works to reforge the Map of Mountains and Rivers, melting all the Emperor Grade spiritual treasures collected from the seven major forces into it."

At this point, Jiang Canghai sneered, "I want to see who can withstand the impact of an Emperor Grade mountain and river continent."

Lin Lu's breath almost stopped, his heart pounding, and he couldn't help but gulp, "Prime Minister... but Her Majesty hasn't issued an edict. Doing this is tantamount to deceiving the monarch, a capital offense!"

Jiang Canghai patted his shoulder, "No matter, I will bear all the blame. If this battle succeeds, I need no reward. If it fails, I will bury myself with the enemy army, preserving the nation's strength."

Lin Lu, with tears in his eyes, could no longer hold back. The great man lowered his head, tears streaming down, and knelt on the ground with a thud, "Prime Minister, even you..."

Jiang Canghai looked up at the sky, shaking his head, silently reciting the Book of Songs.

After a long time, Jiang Canghai placed his hand on Lin Lu's head, like an ordinary old man, and smiled kindly, "Why cry? Even that old brute Qin Fenghuo is willing to sacrifice himself. Am I not as good as him?"

"The Ji family has set its sights on the Great Jin. The original plan to sweep through the Western Buddhist Kingdom and the Northern World Sect Alliance within three months is no longer enough."

"If we delay any longer, the Great Jin will only have the path of destruction."

"Three months is too long. The current situation of the Great Jin requires us to seize every moment."

The officials were in a daze, looking at the elderly Jiang Canghai, this old man in his twilight years.

The world had always regarded him as the Great Jin's strategist, seeing him as a military advisor.

Who would have thought that in the face of crisis, Jiang Canghai would be so decisive and ruthless?

At this moment, Jiang Canghai was even more resolute than Zhao Yuhuan, who had once knocked on the gates of the Imperial Capital, and more domineering than Qin Liuli, who had once dominated the Wilderness.

The younger officials were deeply shocked, speechless.

"This is the older generation of court officials, this is the Big Column Kingdom." A young civil official, with tears in his eyes, choked with sobs, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably, muttered as if in a dream, "The Big Column Kingdom bears the love of the nation's people and the fate of the nation, sharing its fortunes and its survival."

Lin Lu wiped away his tears, his eyes becoming resolute, and without hesitation, turned and left to summon the various ministers.

Not long after, Lin Lu returned.

"Prime Minister, everything is arranged. The ministers and vassal kings are holding the tiger tally and waiting in the hall," Lin Lu said softly.

Jiang Canghai nodded, and before leaving, he took one last look at the Green Tiles Small House.

"Since the Emperor came and Present Village was established, I often feel like I'm living in a dream. This life is too leisurely, too comfortable, making one reluctant to leave."

"I really can't bear to part with it..."

Lin Lu followed closely behind Jiang Canghai, always silent.

"What, you want to come with me too?" Jiang Canghai saw through his thoughts.

"The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every man. Moreover, I hold the rank of a third-grade general and should have this awareness." Lin Lu smiled calmly, no longer showing any sadness.

"Very well." Jiang Canghai hesitated for a moment, then nodded, leaving Present Village with his hands behind his back.

On the same day, the two Big Column Kingdoms of the Great Jin silently shouldered the nation's fate.

The people outside Present Village didn't know, the people of the Imperial Capital didn't know, and the people of the Great Jin didn't know.

Only a few hundred people, with respect in their hearts, watched the two Big Column Kingdoms leave. Of course, they left Present Village but made a grand entrance on another stage, ready to stir up the Wilderness.

However, in the courtyard of the Green Tiles Small House, they knew nothing of this...

...

...

"Are you kidding?" Meng Qingzhou's face turned completely dark.

Pu Lingzi smiled indifferently and shook his head, "No."

So, after all this time, Ji Wushuang wasn't targeting me but my wife!?

You want to be a homewrecker...

"Qingqiu, see the guests out!" Meng Qingzhou ordered.

Su Qingqiu had long been unable to bear it. She immediately took a step forward, kicked open the courtyard door, ignored the villagers gathered at the entrance, and coldly stared at Pu Lingzi and the others, "Please leave!"

Pu Lingzi's smile froze, his eyes turning cold, and he said harshly, "The conditions offered by the Ji family are generous enough. Don't be ungrateful."

"Besides, who do you think you are? I'm asking Miss Liuli, not you, a mere tool, a live-in son-in-law, a shield. What right do you have to speak?"

"Do you believe I won't kill you right now?"

Dongfang Liuli, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke, "Go ahead and try. The moment you make a move, I guarantee your head will fall."

At the same time, Qiong's voice rang out, "You must not know the meaning of the word 'death.'"

Meng Qingzhou opened his mouth, wanting to say something domineering, but the two women had already spoken, leaving him a bit helpless.

Hey, at least give me a chance to show off.

"I want to know why Ji Wushuang is targeting me. If he wants to offer an olive branch, he could just say so. Using such underhanded tactics is beneath him," Meng Qingzhou was puzzled.

His wife was just a mortal. No matter how beautiful she was, it shouldn't attract Ji Wushuang's attention.

Besides, Dongfang Liuli rarely showed herself in public. When had Ji Wushuang ever seen her?

"Offer you an olive branch?" Pu Lingzi was stunned, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... you are really thick-skinned. What makes you think you are worthy of my young master's invitation?"

"My young master has always been after Miss Liuli!"

"That day, Miss Liuli stood on the Map of Mountains and Rivers, facing the siege of the seven major forces without fear, showing a heroic demeanor. That's what attracted my young master."