This Zhou Kingdom, is there something special about it?

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

For nearly two months, Xiao Mo had been immersed in "cultivation" every day, hardly concerning himself with affairs of state.

Whenever Xiao Mo got hungry, he had the Imperial Kitchen send over a meal.

After all, as the emperor—even a puppet emperor—he had people to attend to all his needs.

Xiao Mo felt that even Emperor Wanshou wasn't as much of a homebody as he was.

"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo called.

Hearing him from outside the palace, Wei Xun hurried in. "Your Majesty."

At first, Wei Xun had thought His Majesty was cultivating to lull Yan Shan'ao into a false sense of security, while secretly preparing something.

For example, a prince of the Chen Kingdom had been sidelined by a powerful minister, so he secretly raised a band of assassins and did all kinds of things to fool the minister.

Then one day, the prince of the Chen Kingdom summoned the minister to the palace. The assassins lay in wait, and in the end, they killed the minister and seized back power.

But His Majesty really had been cultivating all this time.

And whenever he meditated, he did so for an entire day.

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

At the thought, Wei Xun couldn't help sighing inwardly, feeling somewhat disappointed.

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

Killing Yan Shan'ao was no easy matter. He was a cultivator in the Dragon Gate Realm, after all.

If anything went wrong, His Majesty wouldn't just fail to reclaim power—he might die right there in the palace.

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

"Your Majesty is kind to ask. What could possibly trouble this servant? As long as Your Majesty is well, this servant is well." Wei Xun smiled obsequiously.

"Enough, enough. Stop flattering me every other moment. Have someone bring me some food. I'm a little hungry," Xiao Mo said.

"The Imperial Kitchen has already prepared it. They're bringing it to Your Majesty now."

Ever since His Majesty began cultivating, Wei Xun had gradually figured out when he liked to eat.

"Mm." Xiao Mo nodded. "What have the court officials been saying about me lately?"

"Well..." Wei Xun hesitated.

"Speak freely." Xiao Mo looked at him. "The truth!"

Wei Xun organized his thoughts, then said carefully, "Quite a few officials have reservations about Your Majesty's cultivation. They think Your Majesty should... should..."

"Should focus on governing?" Xiao Mo smiled. "Are they also cursing me behind my back, calling me a foolish ruler?"

As soon as Xiao Mo finished speaking, Wei Xun dropped to his knees. "Not a single person would dare say such a thing about Your Majesty!"

"Enough, enough. Why are you so nervous? I never said you were the one who said it." Xiao Mo's tone was mild. "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

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

When those officials cursed His Majesty, most of them were just putting on a show of their "loyal minister" act.

Everyone at court knew that Empress Dowager Yan and Prime Minister Yan held power, inside and out.

His Majesty had already lost his authority, so how could he personally manage state affairs?

And if Yan Shan'ao decided His Majesty was a threat—

That man might really replace him with another emperor.

An emperor forced out of his position had only one fate: death.

So until he had enough strength, he had to keep his head down.

His first life in the Book of a Hundred Lives would end before long. Then he would see what sort of reward he could get.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience," a palace maid called from outside the sleeping quarters.

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

"Yes." The maid bowed outside the sleeping quarters, then opened the door. "Prime Minister, please come in."

"Your Majesty." Yan Shan'ao entered the sleeping quarters, a sword at his waist, and bowed to Xiao Mo.

"Father, there's no need for such formality." Xiao Mo hurried down from the bed, not even bothering to put on his shoes, and went forward to greet him. "What brings you here?"

Yan Shan'ao looked at Xiao Mo's Daoist robes. "Your Majesty has been cultivating for nearly two months now. I came to see how you were doing and ask how your cultivation was progressing."

"Hahahaha... It's going all right, it's going all right." Xiao Mo laughed. "I feel that affairs of state are too complicated and exhausting. Since I began cultivating, I've felt clear-headed and refreshed every day. I'll have to trouble you with all the affairs of the court, big and small, Prime Minister."

"Your Majesty, you're too kind. It is my duty to ease Your Majesty's burden." Yan Shan'ao bowed again. "However, Your Majesty, in about a month, Elder Huang of the Myriad Sword Sect will arrive in our Zhou Kingdom. The Myriad Sword Sect is the greatest sword sect under heaven, so Your Majesty will need to receive Elder Huang in person."

"That won't be a problem."

The original owner knew very little about the world of cultivation. He had only vaguely heard of the Myriad Sword Sect, and knew nothing else—not even the name of its sect master.

"Also, Your Majesty is no longer a child. I've selected some women to enter the palace. They're all daughters of distinguished families. In particular, our Yan Clan has produced a talented young woman named Yan Ruxue. She's both beautiful and accomplished. I'm sure Your Majesty will like her."

Xiao Mo could easily tell what he meant. Yan Shan'ao had almost said outright, "You must take Yan Ruxue as your consort." And before long, she would likely become Empress.

"I've long heard of the Yan Family's talented young lady. I'll certainly keep her in mind." Xiao Mo nodded, complying with every word.

Seeing how obedient Xiao Mo was, Yan Shan'ao's lips curled up.

In the past, Xiao Mo had still resisted him a little, even trying to reclaim power. But now, it seemed he had given up completely.

This was for the best. Replacing the emperor would only create needless complications.

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

"Take care, Father. Remember to look after your health, too. Wei Xun, see him out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

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

Myriad Laws Under Heaven, Qinghe City.

The city lay a mere thirty li from the border of the Zhou Kingdom.

On the streets of Qinghe City, two "disciples" dressed in Myriad Sword Sect robes followed behind Elder Huang.

Over the past few days of traveling with them, Elder Huang had felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Although they wore the robes of inner sect disciples of the Myriad Sword Sect, Elder Huang felt that he would have to be tired of living to treat them as ordinary inner sect disciples.

Those two were—

One was the sect master herself, the greatest Sword Immortal under heaven.

The other was Qiu Ye, the Sword Attendant who served the sect master.

Truth be told, Elder Huang had no idea why their sect master was accompanying him to the Zhou Kingdom.

His mission to the Zhou Kingdom was nothing out of the ordinary. He just had to go through the formalities and accept the Zhou Kingdom as a vassal state of the Myriad Sword Sect.

He never expected the sect master to come along too—and to conceal her identity by posing as an inner sect disciple.

Was there something special about this Zhou Kingdom?