Upon a gleaming golden throne sat a peerlessly beautiful woman in gold-and-blue imperial robes.
Li Yang truly had not expected the sovereign to be a woman.
"Women are born delicate. But since you became the sovereign, you must be one of the rare exceptions who are no weaker than men."
Throughout the history of China, Wu Zetian had been the only female emperor. He was genuinely surprised.
"I thought you would be difficult to invite. I have already met many proud and arrogant people who regard us all as mere natives."
Li Yang shook his head.
"You uphold the righteous path's principles, resist the Demonic Path's invasion, and shelter the common people. I admire you for that. Otherwise, with my dislike of trouble, I certainly wouldn't have come."
"So your coming means you are prepared to let me use you," the Heavenly Origin Empress said. "Or have you already guessed why I summoned you?"
Li Yang shrugged. "There's nothing difficult to guess. You want me to kill people for you, and I'll profit from it too."
The empress smiled. "It seems you're ready to become a sword of the Heavenly Origin Dynasty."
"That doesn't sound very pleasant. But if it means slaying fiends and defending the righteous path, I won't be absent."
Li Yang understood himself clearly.
He was an executioner who slew fiends and defended the righteous path, but an executioner was all he was.
Only people like Ning Qingfeng and the empress before him could truly lead the righteous path, establishing a heart for heaven and earth and a purpose for the lives of the people.
That was why he was willing to become her sword, rather than the shield Ning Xi had once spoken of.
"This is my Dynasty Imperial Seal." The Heavenly Origin Empress turned her