Beyond the Willows, Flowers Bloomed

With Zhao Ji's shrewdness, how could she fail to hear what Ying Xin and the countless Great Qin Empire "assassins" meant? Her expression shifted. She sighed inwardly, then murmured as though talking in her sleep:

"I have grown weary of the struggle for the realm, and I want no part in it! But the rule that Loose Immortals must not enter worldly affairs was laid down by my son. Alas, I lack his power to keep the world in awe. All I can do is turn a blind eye and do my utmost to stop any Loose Immortal from acting as they please and bullying the weak! I would die without regret!"

Her voice was soft, almost dreamlike, yet it reached everyone present with perfect clarity. She placed particular weight on her final sentence.

"Hm?"

Countless people in Hidden Dragon City were puzzled, unable for the moment to fathom what Zhao Ji meant.

"The empress dowager is wise!"

After a moment's thought, Ying Xin secretly breathed a sigh of relief and called out his praise first.

Zhao Ji's words were meant for only two powers—the Great Qin Empire and the Penglai Commerce Association. She had not even included the Huan Kingdom!

Her first meaning was that if the Great Qin Empire had the ability to send eight or ten Loose Immortals to destroy the Huan Kingdom, Zhao Ji would not say another word, much less intervene on its behalf.

Her second meaning was that the Penglai Commerce Association was plainly the side "acting as it pleased and bullying the weak." Even if Zhao Ji died in battle, she would not let the association get its way!

To Ying Xin, it was not the perfect answer, but it was enough!

Zhao Ji waved for Ying Xin and the others to rise,