Ming Dynasty Imperial Court.
The moonlight was clear and bright, with a full moon hanging in the sky.
Ximen Chuixue stood atop the Forbidden City, holding his divine sword.
His white robes outshone the snow, making him appear like a celestial being descended to the mortal world.
The Dragon Guarding Manor, the Divine Marquis Mansion, and the Six Doors kept a close watch on the martial artists passing through the capital.
Anyone daring to stir trouble in the capital was executed without mercy.
In just a few days, many had already perished by their hands.
Of course, several mysterious and powerful individuals also drew near the duel's location.
Until Zhu Houzhao officially closed the net, these people could only be allowed to observe from close by.
"The duel atop the Forbidden City, between the Sword God and the Sword Saint."
"This is truly a grand spectacle for the martial world of Ming."
"Who do you think will win?"
"Brother Lu, what do you say?"
"Hard to tell. Handsome Xiang, your thoughts?"
"Logically, Ye Gucheng has a higher chance of winning, but the result of a sword duel is decided in an instant. No one can say for sure."
"Exactly. Timing, location, and harmony of people, none can be lacking."
"Hmm? Where is Ye Gucheng? It's almost time."
"That guy really knows how to keep people waiting. Maybe he's trying to test Ximen Chuixue's resolve, though he might be disappointed."
As the full moon hung high and time crept closer to the appointed hour, Ye Gucheng remained unseen.
Everyone was puzzled, silently complaining in their hearts.
———
At the same time.
Within the palace, specifically the inner court.
For some unknown reason, the guards were suspiciously lax.
Under the guidance of a eunuch, Ye Gucheng easily entered the inner palace.
The corners of Ye Gucheng's lips curled into a cold smile.
What a worthless emperor.
With such a fool ruling the Ming Dynasty, collapse was only a matter of time.
In that case, it would be better if he took control.
Once the emperor was dead and Prince Nan took the throne in his place, he could later dispose of that puppet.
Then, the entire Ming Dynasty would be his.
He, Ye Gucheng, would become the emperor who unified all of the Central Plains.
Far more powerful than being just a famed swordsman of the martial world.
Imagining this ending made his blood boil with excitement.
"Lord Ye, the emperor is just ahead, in the Empress's palace," said Eunuch Gao, pointing at a magnificent palace ahead with excitement.
"The emperor… and the Empress as well?"
Ye Gucheng's eyes flickered as he asked calmly.
"Naturally. The Empress manages the entire inner court. Even His Majesty shows her considerable respect."
"Nearly half the month, he stays here with her."
"The Empress is not to be underestimated, Lord Ye. You should proceed cautiously."
Eunuch Gao spoke with a serious expression.
"Hmph, just a mere woman."
"Her power comes from the emperor."
"I don't even care about the emperor, so what is the Empress to me?"
Ye Gucheng sneered.
A woman was just a woman.
In his eyes, there were only the strong and the weak.
Everything else was insignificant.
"We're here, my lord."
As they spoke, the two arrived outside the Empress's palace.
Ye Gucheng glanced at the eunuch, motioning for him to announce their presence.
"Reporting to Her Majesty, this servant has an urgent matter and seeks an audience with His Majesty."
Inside the palace.
Zhu Houzhao sat at his imperial desk, practicing calligraphy with a brush.
He wrote the character "sword" in thirty-six different styles.
Each stroke radiated a unique sword intent.
"He's here."
Zhu Houzhao's face remained expressionless, his tone calm.
"The Sword Saint? How laughable."
"Empress, I'll leave this ant to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
The Empress nodded, then curled her lips into a teasing smile.
Her gaze turned icy cold.
Daring to harm her man, this one deserved to be torn apart piece by piece.
Without delay, she said slowly.
"Come in."
Creak.
The moment the words fell, the palace doors opened.
The one who stepped in first was not the eunuch but Ye Gucheng with his sword in hand.
"Who are you?"
The Empress sat calmly at the table, sipping her tea leisurely.
Not the slightest trace of surprise or fear appeared on her face at the arrival of the intruder.
"Heh, you certainly have courage, worthy of being an empress."
"Seeing a stranger like me, shouldn't you be scared and call for help?"
"Where is the emperor? Why don't I see him?"
Ye Gucheng smiled with curiosity.
"A mere traitor like you is not qualified to meet His Majesty."
"A cowardly criminal doesn't deserve to frighten this palace either."
"I once thought the famed Sword Saint's Beyond Heaven Flying Immortal was worth seeing. Now I see it was a complete disappointment."
The Empress shook her head with a sigh.
Ye Gucheng sneered.
"Arrogant. I'll let you witness the Beyond Heaven Flying Immortal now."
He immediately drew his sword.
With a sharp sound, dazzling light illuminated the Empress's palace, turning the surroundings as bright as day.
"The emperor is about to die anyway. How could I let the Empress survive alone?"
The Empress responded with disdain.
"The trap atop the Forbidden City… You must have spent quite the effort setting it up."
"Apart from Prince Nan, are there any other forces involved?"
"Forget it. Judging by your status, you probably don't know."
"You are but a frog at the bottom of a well, a pawn pleased to be played."
Ye Gucheng's pupils suddenly contracted.
His heart began pounding wildly.
An ominous feeling surged within him.
Things were not unfolding as he had expected.
"Enough talk. Die!"
Ye Gucheng leapt into the air, sword aimed directly at the Empress.
Beyond Heaven Flying Immortal.
His form was ethereal, like a celestial descending to earth.
The picturesque sword strike carried deadly killing intent.
Decades of sword mastery were poured into this single strike.
Even the eunuch at the side was stunned in admiration.
No wonder Ye Gucheng was so renowned in the martial world.
After tonight, once Prince Nan's heir replaced the emperor, his own status would soar as well.
With such a pivotal contribution, he would surely rise above the Eastern and Western Factories, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian…
He would surpass them all.
Perhaps, in the future, he would hold supreme power and become the most powerful eunuch in the dynasty.
"The form is very beautiful… It is a shame you turned out to be a traitor."
Facing the deadly sword, the Empress only shook her head in pity.
A traitor?
Once the grand plan succeeded, Ye Gucheng would become the most exalted figure under the heavens.
Who would dare call him a traitor?
Ye Gucheng sneered with disdain.
His will was unshakable, his momentum unstoppable.