Nie Xiwang’s eyes widened at both the fact he seemingly could use sound transmissions and at the same time that he had so easily seen through her breakthrough.

Her gray eyes with a sprinkle of gold in them turned to him for a moment of surprise but instantly turned away in a similar fashion as a hand touching a scalding hot surface.

His smile widened seeing that, as he recalled the ‘gift’ he left her when she secretly watched him leaving the capital before.

However, what did impress him was that in the time he had not seen her, she rose to the peak of the Mortal Transcendence Realm, reaching the very peak of Nine Mortal Realms.

Their prior encounters and conversations have opened the eyes of the Blade Empress, both to the inherent flaws in her view of the world around, and in her perception of herself.

This, for a Dao Cultivator like Nie Xiwang, was an incredibly powerful enlightenment, which, alongside the rapid improvements in the Spiritual Qi of the Three Continents made her cultivation base rapidly rise.

This, however, coupled with her more adequate governing, as well as more accurate view of the people around, did not bode well with the Palace Ministers, especially the three Chief Ministers who relied on her political incompetence and?selective blindness to thrive in the growing shadows of her rule.

Not to mention that the cultivation of those Ministers and their entourage also experienced a dramatic growth, which gave them some added confidence.

Wu Long could feel those changes by the different atmosphere permeating the palace and even the capital as a whole.

Of course, if Old Yen was with him on this trip he would have learned that far before even entering the palace.

“Greetings, Daoist Wu.

My name is-…”

“I have no interest in your name or listening to your nonsense. There is nothing you can learn from me and nothing to gain.

I spared your lives after your men attacked me in the streets of the capital in my last visit, but do not mistake me for a merciful man, as that was only a courtesy to your Empress, not personal sentiment”

Wu Long cut into the words of the female Chief Minister who froze at his words, the entire room falling into deathly silence after his speech.

Even Nie Xiwang looked at him with wide eyes full of bewilderment. However, there was something there in them besides the shock.

Meanwhile the female Chief Minister was opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water, before finally coming to.

“…! How da-…”

“Spare me your nonsense.

I would cut you down right here, nor would I hesitate to do so for you lot.

However, as we are in the presence of Her Majesty, I will give her face and give you a warning first.

The next time you try to speak with me out of turn, I will bitch slap you into oblivion which would be your second warning. There will be no third.

I came to speak with Her Majesty, not report news from my continent or engage in any other conversations with someone I have no interest in being associated with”

He did not let the middle-aged woman speak, pointing out their goal so they understood that he knew exactly what they wanted.

After the war with Gu Zhen, with the help of Madam Liang’s newly formed Thousand Eyes Palace, Wu Long completely shut off the information flow coming out from the continent, thus leaving the outside world in the dark about any developments.

The trade routes were also screened, and thus even Bahshi Assassination Group’s members could not get through, as a growing excitement and speculation toward what happened was rampant outside.

This meeting’s goal was obviously to leverage Nie Xiwang’s relationship with Wu Long to finally get the news.

His eyes circled the crowd standing around while he spoke, letting them know the woman was not the only one he was talking to.

His tone was calm and collected and not raising his voice, yet his very being showing what the word domineering meant.

His confident and dignified figure as he stood tall among the ministers, none of whom entered his eyes or otherwise disturbed him, reflected in the eyes of the Empress who had slight rosiness appear on her cheeks.

Meanwhile murmurs went through the Throne Room.

Being so rudely rebuked caused the middle-aged woman to tremble in fury, but she didn’t raise her voice, as she saw the clear intention in Wu Long’s eyes and knew what kind of man he was by his previous actions when he visited this country.

“Your Majesty…”

She knew speaking to Wu Long was no longer an option, so she turned to Nie Xiwang, lowering her head and cupping her hands.

The Blade Empress now had an amused smile on her face as she slightly leaned back on her throne, putting one long and graceful leg wrapped in luxurious white stockings with patterns made of golden threads, over another, golden high-heels on her feet accentuating this pose, and elegantly resting her hands on the armrests instead of putting them together on her thighs as she did before while sitting up straight.

“Hmm? What is it Minister Fei?

Were you not the one who told this Empress that my authority had its limits not that long ago standing right where you are now?

And that having strength is not the reason to be arrogant?

This Empress is afraid that if the exalted Chief Minister cannot do anything, my little authority is hardly of any help… and resolving everything with strength seems to be inappropriate as the Minister said…”

Nie Xiwang first raised one eyebrow with a smile, and then turning her gaze to her perfectly maintained nails as she raised her hand and turned it towards herself, sighed with ‘genuine lament’.

“Y-Your Majesty!!! Your subjects are being oppressed in your Court right before your eyes!

And with no hint of decorum or respect, no less!

Is it not an insult to the dignity of the Imperial Throne and you personally?!”

The second Chief Minister lowered his head to the Blade Empress, cupping his hands as the entire side of the room that stood behind him mirrored his motions with the murmur saying “We ask Your Majesty to make a wise decision” coming from their mouths in unison.

“Hmm, but he did give this Empress face by agreeing to let you off with a warning first, didn’t he? Minister Bei?”

Nie Xiwang’s tone was playful as she clearly enjoyed this situation, no more hints of weariness in her appearance or voice.

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