The Empress

The martial arts marriage contest for the Sword-Wielding Princess had become the talk of the town. The citizens of the capital, well-fed and eager for entertainment, eagerly awaited the announcement of which talented young cultivator would seize the opportunity to join the imperial family and win the heart of the beautiful princess.

The preliminary rounds were chaotic, with a mix of participants of varying skills and backgrounds. Each contestant fought multiple rounds in a single day, leaving them physically and mentally exhausted. By the end of the day, the names and achievements of the top contestants were posted in the bustling marketplace of the capital.

At the top of the list, two names stood out, tied for first place with flawless records:

Xu Wenrui and Xu Jin.

Both hailed from the Marshal’s household, true sons of a military family, living up to their reputation.

“Xu Wenrui, that’s Commander Xu, right? We all know he’s exceptional, but this Xu Jin… Isn’t he the third son of the Marshal’s household? Wasn’t he born with a congenital defect that prevented him from cultivating?” one citizen asked.

“That’s old news. Young Master Xu Jin recovered a few days ago. It was quite the sensation. How did you not hear about it?” another replied.

“A few days ago? So, just a few days ago, Xu Jin was an ordinary person? And now he’s on par with his brother Xu Wenrui? That’s impossible! Commander Xu is the most outstanding young cultivator in the Tian Kun Dynasty,” a skeptic said.

“Maybe it’s a case of a late bloomer surpassing the early starters?” someone suggested.

“I don’t buy it. Something’s fishy here. There’s got to be more to this story,” another added.

“Well, we’ll see soon enough. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be allowed to watch the contest. If Xu Jin is just a paper tiger, he won’t last long. The opponents will only get tougher, and he might even face his own brother. That’ll be a real showdown,” someone concluded.

—

That evening, upon hearing of Qin Gou’s impressive performance in the arena, Liu Fuyun, usually accustomed to a life of luxury, was so delighted that she personally cooked a lavish meal for the family.

Both Qin Gou and Xu Shuangshuang were deeply moved. According to Xu Shuangshuang, it had been years since their mother had been this happy, let alone set foot in the kitchen.

After dinner, Xu Chengfeng called Qin Gou aside and asked, “Did you see your elder brother today?”

“Yes, I saw him this morning,” Qin Gou replied.

“And what did he say? Was he unhappy about you participating in the contest?” Xu Chengfeng asked.

Qin Gou chuckled. “Father, you already know the answer. He didn’t have anything nice to say. First, he made Second Sister cry, then he said he’d teach me a lesson in the arena about what it means to be an elder brother.”

Xu Chengfeng sighed deeply, not pursuing the topic further. “Your victories today—were they due to the support of a benefactor?”

“It seems to be the Emperor’s orders. Chief Eunuch Ji Wu spoke to me, saying the Sword-Wielding Princess favors me, so he’s been helping me behind the scenes,” Qin Gou explained honestly.

Xu Chengfeng frowned. “This honor wasn’t earned through your own skills. Don’t let it go to your head. Remember, your main goal in this contest is to face your brother. But given the vast difference in your cultivation levels, I’ve been worried sick. Perhaps I should speak to your brother and ask him to go easy on you?”

“No need, Father,” Qin Gou said confidently. “I will win.”

“Win?” Xu Chengfeng looked at his son in surprise, unable to comprehend where his confidence came from.

“Moreover, I’ve learned some secrets… Our Tian Kun Dynasty is on the brink of a major event. Father, please strengthen your bonds with your soldiers. Ensure that when the time comes, they will rally to your call. It will be crucial,” Qin Gou said, his tone serious.

Overthrowing the Tian Kun Dynasty wasn’t just about eliminating a few leaders. It required preparing the kingdom for a new ruler—a respected and beloved new monarch. The Xu family, with its long-standing legacy and top-tier reputation, was a perfect candidate. In the cultivation world, which valued freedom and strength, even establishing a female emperor, like the Liang Dynasty, wouldn’t be controversial.

As long as she was obedient.

Xu Chengfeng, puzzled, asked, “What major event? Jin’er, you’re being so vague. I don’t understand.”

“Forgive me, Father, but I can’t say more,” Qin Gou replied, gesturing upward.

Xu Chengfeng didn’t press further, nodding solemnly and taking his son’s words to heart.

—

The next day, Xu Shuangshuang, ever the clingy sister, accompanied Qin Gou to the new arena, eager to see her brother in action.

Upon arrival, Qin Gou noticed that this arena was far superior to the simple stone platform from the previous day. It even had spectator seats, which were already filling up with excited citizens.

“Go, Young Master Xu Jin!” someone cheered as Qin Gou arrived.

Xu Zimu, clad in bright silver armor, approached Qin Gou with an apologetic expression. “Young Master Xu Jin, today’s matches won’t be as easy as yesterday’s.”

“It’s fine. I’m not some frail scholar. I can handle this on my own,” Qin Gou replied nonchalantly.

Xu Zimu laughed heartily, giving Qin Gou a light push on the chest. “You’re joking, right? You’re not the type to rely on others. But don’t worry. I’ve got everything arranged. We’ll stick to the same rules—fair and impartial. You’ll win with honor!”

—

In another arena, Xu Wenrui crushed his opponent’s chest with a single stomp, ending the match swiftly.

“Commander Xu, where are you going? We’ll arrange your next opponent shortly,” a guard said.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon,” Xu Wenrui replied, his tone playful. “I just want to check on my dear brother’s progress. Don’t spoil my fun.”

“Of course, Commander Xu. Such brotherly love,” the guard said, nodding.

“Indeed,” another added.

–