Is there anything special about this Zhou Kingdom?

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

For nearly two months now, Xiao Mo had been immersed in "cultivating immortality" every day, barely bothering with court affairs.

Whenever Xiao Mo grew hungry, he would have the Imperial Kitchen send over meals.

After all, as the emperor—even if a puppet emperor—he had people attending to his every need, from eating and drinking to relieving himself.

Xiao Mo felt that even that Emperor Wanshou wasn't as reclusive as he was.

"Wei Xun." Xiao Mo called out.

Wei Xun, who had been waiting outside the palace, hurried in upon hearing the voice: "Your Majesty."

At first, Wei Xun had thought His Majesty was only practicing Daoism to lull Yan Shan'ao into complacency, while secretly preparing something in the shadows.

For instance, there was the case of a Chen Kingdom prince who, after being sidelined by a powerful minister, secretly trained death warriors and did all sorts of things to numb the minister's vigilance.

In the end, that Chen Kingdom prince summoned the minister to the palace, ambushed him with hidden assassins, killed him, and reclaimed his power.

But His Majesty had truly been cultivating Daoism this whole time.

And he would sit in meditation for an entire day at a stretch.

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

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

But then he reconsidered—maybe it was for the best that His Majesty had given up.

Killing Yan Shan'ao was no easy task; the man was a Dragon Gate Realm cultivator himself.

If even a single slip occurred, His Majesty wouldn't just fail to reclaim power—he might well die within these palace walls.

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

"In reply to Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's concern, what troubles could this servant have? If Your Majesty is well, then this servant is well." Wei Xun put on a fawning smile.

"Enough, enough. Don't keep flattering me every chance you get. Have someone send over some food—I'm a bit hungry." Xiao Mo said.

"The Imperial Kitchen has already prepared it and is sending it to Your Majesty as we speak."

Ever since His Majesty took up cultivation, Wei Xun had gradually figured out His Majesty's meal times.

"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded. "These past days, what have the court officials been saying about me?"

"Well..." Wei Xun hesitated.

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

"..." Wei Xun organized his words in his mind before speaking one sentence at a time: "Many ministers have voiced some criticism of Your Majesty's cultivation, feeling that Your Majesty should... should..."

"Should focus on state affairs?" Xiao Mo chuckled. "Are they also cursing me as a tyrant behind my back?"

The moment Xiao Mo finished speaking, Wei Xun immediately knelt before him: "Not a single person would dare speak of Your Majesty that way!"

"Enough, enough. Why are you so nervous? I didn't say you said it." Xiao Mo said flatly. "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun rose shakily and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Those ministers who cursed him mostly did so to put on a show of being "loyal subjects."

Everyone at court knew that Empress Dowager Yan and Prime Minister Yan held power—one inside the palace, one outside.

With no authority left, how could he personally handle state affairs?

And if Yan Shan'ao ever felt threatened by him...

That man might very well replace the emperor.

When an emperor was forced to resign from his position, there was only one outcome: death.

So until he had enough strength, he had to lie low.

Before long, his first life experience in the Book of a Hundred Lives would come to an end, and then he'd see what rewards he could get.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience." A palace maid called out from outside the bedchamber.

"Quickly, invite the Prime Minister in." Xiao Mo said.

"Yes." The palace maid outside the chamber bowed slightly, then opened the door. "Prime Minister, 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.

"Father Prime Minister, there's no need for such formality." Xiao Mo quickly got down from the bed, not even bothering to put on shoes, and walked forward to greet him. "Father Prime Minister, what brings you here?"

Yan Shan'ao looked at Xiao Mo's Daoist priest attire: "Your Majesty has been cultivating for nearly two months now. Your subject came to see how Your Majesty is doing and to ask how the cultivation is progressing."

"Hahaha... It's passable, just passable." Xiao Mo said with a smile. "I feel that court affairs are too complicated and too taxing on the mind. Ever since I started cultivating, my mind and spirit have been in excellent shape. It's just that all the various matters of the court have been a burden on you, Prime Minister."

"Your Majesty speaks too kindly. Sharing Your Majesty's burdens is this subject's duty." Yan Shan'ao bowed again. "However, Your Majesty, in about a month, Elder Huang of the Myriad Sword Sect will be visiting our Zhou Kingdom. The Myriad Sword Sect is the number one sword sect in the world, and Your Majesty will need to personally receive Elder Huang."

"That's naturally no problem."

The original body had little understanding of the cultivation world—he had only vaguely heard of the Myriad Sword Sect's reputation, and nothing more. He didn't even know the name of the Myriad Sword Sect's Sect Master.

"Additionally, Your Majesty is no longer young. Your subject has selected some women to enter the palace for Your Majesty. They are all daughters of distinguished families, and in particular, the Yan Clan has produced a talented woman named Yan Ruxue, who is both beautiful and accomplished. I believe Your Majesty will surely be pleased."

"." How could Xiao Mo fail to catch the other's meaning? Yan Shan'ao had practically said outright, "You must choose Yan Ruxue as your consort," and before long, Yan Ruxue would become Empress.

"This Imperial We has long heard of the Yan Family's talented daughter—We will certainly take good note!" Xiao Mo nodded, seemingly following every word.

Seeing Xiao Mo so obedient, Yan Shan'ao's lips curled upward.

In the past, Xiao Mo would still contend with him a little, even trying to reclaim authority, but now it seemed he had completely given up.

That was for the best; replacing an emperor would only stir up unnecessary trouble.

"Since Your Majesty is well in all respects, this minister takes his leave."

"Take care, Imperial Father. Do mind your health. Wei Xun, see the Imperial Father out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Wei Xun escorted Yan Shan'ao away, Xiao Mo's brow furrowed. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—you old turtle, just wait for This Imperial We!"

Myriad Laws Under Heaven, Qinghe City.

This place was only thirty li from the borders of the Zhou Kingdom.

On the streets of Qinghe City, Elder Huang walked behind two "disciples" wearing the attire of the Myriad Sword Sect.

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

Though they wore the robes of inner sect disciples of the Myriad Sword Sect, if he truly treated them as such, Elder Huang figured 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 serving the Sect Master—Qiu Ye.

To be honest, Elder Huang had no idea why his Sect Master was following him to the Zhou Kingdom.

His mission to the Zhou Kingdom was merely a routine matter—going through the motions, accepting the Zhou Kingdom as a vassal of the Myriad Sword Sect.

But he never expected the Sect Master to tag along, and in disguise as an inner disciple at that.

What was so special about this Zhou Kingdom?