Rebel Army Appears!

"Hmph, hmph, hmph~"

Humming a cheerful tune, Ji Mo stepped out of the grand hall where the Queen's private banquet was held. The ring on his hand glowed slightly, and a folding fan appeared in his hand, which he slowly waved.

Fengge sat there eating for a while longer. After all, she was a military general; she needed to eat more to have strong stamina.

The private conversation the two had earlier was not overheard by anyone.

Ji Mo, acting as if nothing was amiss, surveyed the foreign palace. He saw that the halls were connected, each one different, with ornate pools accompanying golden pillars and silver flowers filling the courtyards.

The decorations everywhere were quite luxurious. The corridor Ji Mo was in even featured precious ornaments native to the Women's Country that were hard to find, such as the Tanggu sun-bathing jade, Northern Plains Star Ore, Human Domain Cloud-Enjoyment Silk, and the Western Sea Night Luminescence Ice.

Of course, for Young Master Ji, the most precious scenery was the occasional glimpse of palace maids. Most of them were beautiful, but they moved in a hurry.

Following the sound of laughter, Ji Mo quickly found the Queen's sleeping quarters and called out from outside:

"This Women's Country, the King's sleeping quarters don't even have guards? Can I just walk in?"

He announced his arrival in advance to avoid any potentially embarrassing scenes.

However, as he rounded a back wall adorned with several 'goddess' paintings and passed the screens on either side, the scene before him made Ji Mo's eyes light up.

The first thing he saw was a thick, sturdy tree.

This ancient tree was of an unknown age, likely a rare species from the Great Wilderness. From its roots to its crown, which was covered in pink blossoms, it appeared to be made of jade.

At this moment, the Queen and Brother Bear were sitting on two giant swings, ten zhang long, swinging back and forth under the tree.

The golden sashes surrounding the Queen danced along with her thick, long hair, her laughter clear and joyful.

Whenever she swung forward, her long hair and sashes fluttered behind her, and her shapely, slender legs stretched out before her, a breathtaking sight that made one linger.

When she swung back, her hair and sashes were slightly disheveled, presenting a different kind of charm.

Even Wu Wang, who usually didn't laugh loudly, was laughing continuously at this moment.

This area was originally an open courtyard, with the outer walls of the palace surrounding it on all four sides. The Queen had ordered colorful ribbons to be hung on the outer walls, a thick layer of wooden planks to be laid on the ground, and furniture such as pools, bookshelves, and beds to be placed, thus turning it into the Queen's sleeping quarters.

Ji Mo chuckled and sighed, "If it were raining, sitting under the tree or by the bed to watch the rain would surely be quite an experience... cough, quite the ambiance."

The National Teacher and Ling Xiaolan, sitting not far away by the bookshelf, did the courtesy of turning their heads to look over.

The National Teacher asked, "Why didn't General Fengge come over? She rarely returns to the capital these years, and His Majesty misses her dearly."

"Still eating," Ji Mo curled his lips. "Your Women's Country's great general truly lacks any feminine gentleness."

The National Teacher revealed a hint of a gentle smile. The Grand State Preceptor, full of intellect and maturity, then raised an eyebrow at Ji Mo.

Ji Mo stopped in his tracks and took half a step back.

The National Teacher said softly, "Come sit, Young Master Ji."

"I, I'll just stand."

Ji Mo cupped his hands, trying his best to remain calm as he stood to the side, his right hand behind his back, attempting to regain the composure he had in the Human Domain.

Ling Xiaolan glanced at the National Teacher and Ji Mo with some curiosity, then looked towards Wu Wang and the Queen, a hint of longing in her eyes.

Mom, can I swing on the swing?

Silly child, would falling off dirty your clothes? You'll be going to the Heavenly Origin Mystic Maiden Sect to cultivate at twelve. You need to read more and study scriptures now so you can stand out among your peers in the sect later.

"Fairy Ling," the National Teacher said gently, "I haven't had the chance to ask, besides delivering the medicinal formulas, what else brings you to the Women's Country?"

Ling Xiaolan glanced at Ji Mo and said softly, "We were told that a rebellion is about to occur in the Women's Country, and we were sent to uphold righteousness."

"Oh?"

The National Teacher seemed surprised. "The Human Domain is tens of thousands of miles away from our Women's Country. How did you know a rebellion would happen here? And what kind of rebellion could even occur in our Women's Country?"

"I don't know the specifics."

Ling Xiaolan thought for a moment. "Many senior experts are skilled in divination. Perhaps they saw through the omens that unrest was imminent."

The National Teacher's expression immediately became more serious. He whispered, "Heavenly Emperor Fuxi deduced the innate eight trigrams, and the River Diagram and Luo Book contain endless cultivation methods. The divination arts of the Human Domain are truly not to be underestimated... Could it be that something is indeed going to happen here? But that doesn't make sense. His Majesty is usually diligent in governing, the civil and military officials within the country are harmonious, and the borders are peaceful with the protection of the barrier."

Ling Xiaolan looked at the man and woman laughing unceasingly over there...

Redefining: Diligent in governing.

Ji Mo suddenly let out a laugh. "Brother Bear is the Young Master of the Northern Plains Bear Hug Tribe. If he could marry the ruler of the Western Plains Women's Country, it would be a beautiful tale."

"Oh?"

The National Teacher's eyes lit up. He looked at Wu Wang and the Queen, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and sighed, "If this could become a happy event, then His Majesty's life would be complete. However, if such a marriage were to happen, wouldn't they have to live apart?"

"That's true, I wasn't considering that."

Ji Mo replied with a smile, unknowingly steering the conversation away.

The two people over there had already floated down from the swing. The Queen whispered, "Divine Envoy, would you like to see my private collection over here?"

Wu Wang chuckled, "Why don't I invite Brother Ji and Fairy Ling to join us?"

"Okay," the ruler turned her head towards them and called out, "Everyone, would you like to come over together?"

Ling Xiaolan was about to step forward immediately, but a figure suddenly flew from the side and blocked her path. It was Ji Mo.

Ji Mo shouted, "Fairy Ling said she wanted to play chess with the National Teacher, so we'll just play over here."

Wu Wang glared at Ji Mo, who had already turned around and was winking at Ling Xiaolan.

Ling Xiaolan snorted and sat back into the wide chair with soft cushions, her expression behind the veil carrying a hint of coldness.

"Let's go."

The ruler called out softly from the side, and Wu Wang leisurely followed.

Why is this Brother Ji so eager to play wingman?

The so-called private collection wasn't some gold, silver, or jewelry. It was surprisingly proper—a rather hidden secret room with several wooden shelves filled with all sorts of treasures.

The crystal ball Wu Wang had given the Queen last night was placed on a shelf in a corner, with a small tag underneath that read 'Bear'.

As a prince, Wu Wang naturally wasn't dazzled by the treasures. He could even talk about the origins and anecdotes of some of the treasures, making up little stories on the spot, which filled the Queen of the Women's Country's peach blossom eyes with light.

While admiring the treasures, Wu Wang didn't forget his main objective.

Finding the rebels.

He first asked, "It seems the Women's Country isn't completely cut off from the outside world."

"Of course, we can't sever contact," the Queen said softly. "Only the National Teacher and I know about this. We have some clansmen outside who are responsible for purchasing goods.

Sericulture, weaving, farming, and construction—these were all learned from the Human Domain, or sent from the Human Domain."

Wu Wang asked again, "What has the Women's Country given to the Human Domain?"

"We haven't given anything."

The Queen tilted her head slightly, her voice like the low warble of a lark:

"Actually, in the beginning, it was the Immortals of the Human Domain who actively helped us. They taught us writing, books, and music, and respected our choices, not disturbing the peace here.

These ancient books clearly record this, and it's a mandatory course for the ruler before they ascend to the throne.

When the war between the Human Domain and the gods subsided, many cultivators left the Human Domain and traveled throughout the Great Wilderness.

If any place had humans enslaved, they would step in to rescue them and bring those humans back to the Human Domain.

I remember when I was young, I saw a wandering cultivator from the Human Domain. He brought some medicinal recipes and carried a banner painted with Bagua symbols, wearing a dirty robe. He gave us the recipes and left on his own.

At that time, there was an epidemic in the territory, and it was a great help."

Wu Wang nodded slowly.

He actually had a good idea—the problem wasn't with the Human Domain itself, but with certain high-ranking officials currently in charge of decision-making in the Human Domain.

And one of the main reasons causing these problems was that the successor to the Human Emperor had not yet been decided, leading to instability and the proliferation of demons.

"Has Your Majesty ever been to the Human Domain?"

"No, there are so many things to do every day as the ruler, I can't go at all."

She pouted a little, looking dejected.

"And it's all the same trivial matters. Everyone can discuss and decide, but they still have to make me listen, ask me, and look at it, and then write a comment. I even want to write on their faces."

Wu Wang almost burst out laughing beside her.

His Bear Hug Tribe didn't have such issues. The Clan Leader rode his wolf around every day, setting up camp for a few days wherever he found beautiful scenery.

After admiring the private collection and the library, the National Teacher voluntarily brought out the mythological texts of the Women's Country for Wu Wang to study.

Wu Wang read them with great interest, while the Queen quietly went to a side hall, changed into a warm yellow long dress, and returned, naturally blending into the discussion between Wu Wang and the National Teacher.

Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan exchanged a glance and continued to 'control the chess pieces with qi' in the corner.

"Fairy Ling, is your mind a little unsettled? This game is quite perilous."

"It's just a bit noisy."

Ling Xiaolan said calmly, her almond eyes glancing at Ji Mo, and transmitted, "Have you met the person seeking help?"

"Yes," Ji Mo transmitted back. "Fairy, you will help me, won't you?"

Ling Xiaolan was silent for a moment, her fingers sliding gently, placing chess pieces one by one.

"I have my own judgment. This is a trial for both of us, fellow Daoist Ji. Don't try to interfere with me... I will stand on the side of reason."

"Then I can rest assured."

Ji Mo put on a hearty smile, which was met by Ling Xiaolan's undisguised disdain.

"Can't you learn from Brother Xiong?"

"Learn, what?"

"His eyes," Ling Xiaolan said softly, looking at Wu Wang, "are very clear, without any wicked thoughts, and his smile is quite natural, with an innate sense of closeness."

Ji Mo couldn't help but cover his face with his hand: "Innate... how am I supposed to learn that?"

A hint of a smile flashed in Ling Xiaolan's eyes as she lowered her head, focusing on the chessboard.

Ji Mo subtly raised an eyebrow. This Ling Xiaolan, the pure and chaste Fairy Ling, admired by the younger generation of the Human Domain, seemed, perhaps, possibly... to be experiencing the spring?

Was Brother Bear really that charming?

Ji Mo turned his head and saw Wu Wang happily chatting with the ruler of the Women's Country. However, for some reason, he felt that a faint, hazy light surrounded 'Brother Bear,' making him seem somewhat unreal.

Brother Bear, who exactly are you? Why do I always feel like I don't understand you at all?

"Fairy Ling," Ji Mo asked quietly, "What do you think Brother Bear's personality is like?"

Ling Xiaolan looked a little confused and asked back, "Specifically?"

"For example, your aloofness, my tenderness towards women, how would you summarize Brother Bear in one word?"

"That's a bit difficult for me," Ling Xiaolan thought for a moment. "I don't know."

Ji Mo leaned forward and transmitted his voice: "I don't know either, but I have a way to make Brother Bear let down his guard.

As the saying goes, 'alcohol emboldens the timid.' Every time I go to a pleasure house, I have to drink a little... cough, that's not important.

Fairy Ling, do you have any wine?

Later, we'll secretly inform the Queen and the National Teacher, and together we'll get Brother Bear drunk. Let's see if he can let down his guard and reveal his true self to us.

However, Fairy Ling might be disappointed..."

"Why would I be disappointed?"

Ling Xiaolan let out a soft hum, but her eyes held a spark of light: "I'll go find the wine, you go relay the message."

The two hit it off and parted ways. In addition to the grand banquet they had planned earlier, a small 'drinking party' was added.

However, Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan had clearly underestimated Wu Wang's alcohol tolerance.

After the banquet with the officials of the Women's Country, Wu Wang, who had drunk two pots of the Women's Country's fine wine, looked as usual. His condition was almost the same as Ji Mo and Ling Xiaolan, who hadn't touched a drop.

This caused a few drops of cold sweat to appear on Ji Mo's forehead, and he began to lose some of his courage.

The drinking party that followed was the real battle.

In the Queen's sleeping quarters, under the jade tree, the Queen, the National Teacher, and the Grand General sat opposite Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Ling Xiaolan.

Ji Mo brought out the Human Domain's fine wine and fruit brew, the Queen brought out her treasured immortal brew, and Wu Wang brought out the potent wine from the Northern Plains.

"Let's be clear first, drinking is fine."

Wu Wang said seriously, "If you can't hold it, go to the area we just designated to sleep. We are all people who cherish our reputation, so don't let any stories get out."

They all nodded. The National Teacher even winked at Ji Mo.

Clearly, the National Teacher's goal had become extremely clear.

Wu Wang casually opened a wine jar. "If you're drinking our Northern Plains wine, you must use a big bowl! Come on!"

A surge of heroism!

Ji Mo took a deep breath, secretly activating the two hangover pills he had swallowed earlier, which were wrapped in his magic power. A hint of confidence appeared in his eyes.

It's just that the style of this drinking party was gradually becoming... not right.

"Your Majesty, for someone like the National Teacher who only drinks half a cup when saying 'cheers,' we in the Northern Plains usually say... 'Are you saving it for the fish?'"

The ruler of the Women's Country blinked her bright eyes and playfully chided the National Teacher, "Are you saving it for the fish!"

The National Teacher quickly drank the wine in one gulp, looking quite wronged.

Soon, Wu Wang started a mini-lesson, and the Queen quickly mastered the art of persuading others to drink, attacking in sync with Wu Wang.

"Brother Ji, deep friendship, one gulp! Shallow friendship, just a lick!"

"Okay, okay, gulp..."

"Excited heart, trembling hand, I'll pour a glass of wine for the General. If the General doesn't drink, he thinks I'm ugly!"

"Your Majesty, I'll drink, I'll drink."

"Clink glasses, connect, strengthen our bond. Cheers, Fairy Ling."

"Mmm~"

It was unclear how long they drank or how much they drank, until Ji Mo collapsed, Ling Xiaolan lay down on the table without bothering to lay down a cushion, and the National Teacher and Fengge slept soundly, snoring loudly.

The Queen, with a flushed face, looked at Wu Wang and whispered:

"Bear, can you stay with me a little longer?"

"Okay," Wu Wang nodded in agreement. "I was planning to leave today, but a few more days are fine."

After saying that, he stood up and agilely jumped to the side: "How about I perform a sword dance for you?"

The Queen responded, but she hugged her knees and slumped down, her eyes slowly closing.

Just as Wu Wang was about to take out the impressive-looking Star Sword, he saw this and shook his head with a smile, admiring the Queen's sleeping posture.

If only I didn't have this strange illness... how good...

Something's wrong.

Wu Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. His body swayed, and he immediately retreated several large steps, his path blocked by the roots of a giant tree. He sat down with a thud.

Something's wrong, this wine is wrong.

He took a sharp breath. A thick layer of ice armor appeared around him. Holding his breath and circulating his internal energy, he slowly lowered his head within the ice armor.

The sleeping chamber fell completely silent.

A moment later, Ji Mo, who had been lying on the ground, slowly got up. He bowed deeply to Wu Wang, who was encased in ice armor, his eyes filled with apology.

Then, Ji Mo raised his hand and flicked out two pills, which flew into Ling Xiaolan and Fengge's mouths. The two gradually opened their eyes.

Clang!

Ling Xiaolan's face was cold. She held a long sword, its tip pointed at Ji Mo.

"Explain."

"Fairy Ling, I couldn't fool Brother Xiong like this. He's smarter than both of us. This was my only option! Regarding the reasons, Fairy Ling, please listen to me later. If I intended to harm you, I wouldn't have given you the antidote!" Ji Mo gave a wry smile. A figure appeared beside him – Fengge, holding a long spear.

Ling Xiaolan immediately understood the cause and effect. She said calmly, "Why do you think he won't help you?"

"I trust Brother Xiong, but he's the Young Master of a Great Clan from the Northern Plains," Ji Mo said. "When he considers things, he might very well stand from the perspective of the King."

Ling Xiaolan looked down at herself, trembling slightly, her breathing a little rapid. But she tried to suppress the strange sensation in her heart.

"Is this endeavor a righteous act?"

Ji Mo said, "It must be a righteous act. I, Ji Mo, guarantee it with the name of my Ji family. General Fengge, don't delay any longer. Once Fairy Ling knows the secret here, she will definitely help us."

Fengge responded with a sound, thrust her spear into the floor, and turned to walk to the side of the Women's Country's King. She lowered her head, picked up the King, and slowly placed her on the bed, covering her with a thin quilt and tucking in the edges.

Fengge turned around, leaped into the crown of the jade tree, and jumped onto the roof of an adjacent palace, gazing at the peaceful capital before her.

Half a day ago, after the noon banquet, in the great hall where only she and Ji Mo remained.

'General Fengge, you summoned Fairy Ling and me here. Your letter said everything was ready. We can't wait here for too long. I've encountered a problem here and must return to the Human Domain as soon as possible to make some corrections, otherwise my Ji family will bear undeserved infamy.'

'Why hasn't the Human Domain even sent an Immortal?'

'Fairy Ling and I are enough. Although we don't have an Immortal, we have Immortal Treasures.'

'How can I believe you?'

'You must believe me,' Ji Mo said calmly. 'You can only rely on us. I have a life-saving charm on me. If I encounter a life-or-death crisis, I can summon the avatar of my grandmother.'

'Then, tonight.'

Tonight.

Tonight!

This country of barriers that should not exist! This twisted Women's Country!

Fengge let out a soft breath and closed her eyes. Her short eyebrows relaxed and then immediately furrowed again. The night wind blew across her armor, ruffling her tied-up long hair.

When she opened her eyes, only determination remained in her phoenix eyes. She casually threw a shuttle into the air, which exploded into a sky full of firelight.

"Imperial Guards, heed my command! Seal the palace immediately! Activate the great formation! We march tonight!"

In the sleeping chamber, within the ice armor beneath the tree, Wu Wang's eyes quietly opened a sliver