Chapter 51 051 [VIP]

This name, placed at the top of the list, clearly didn't just mean she had sent the invitation and spearheaded the event; it also meant...

she had already secured the top spot.

"That's unbelievable! In terms of seniority, Madam Shi wouldn't be that high up," someone in the teahouse said.

Yes, what right did she have to be in first place?

The Misty Heaven Alliance had indeed grown in prominence recently, purging many scoundrels from the martial arts world. Even figures like Yuan Shisanxian had fallen at her hands. But while she might be called "Madam," she was ultimately a rising star in the martial arts world.

Take the names on this list, for example. Aside from the Huashan Sect's new leader, Gao Yanan, who else had been in the martial arts world shorter than Shi Qingruo?

"It can't be that the owner of Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower really wanted to entrust his inheritance, so he came up with this—"

"Hiss—"

the man cried out in pain, abruptly stopping his words. He looked in anger, his expression suddenly turning into one of shock and doubt.

Just a moment ago, someone had attacked him.

A trace of blood had appeared on his face, as if he had been struck by a divine weapon.

The attacker was a young man dressed in a scarlet arrow robe and pink official boots. He fiddled with his soft sword and gave him a contemptuous smile.

This smile made it suddenly clear that although the person was wearing men's clothing with golden flowers and black phoenixes, beneath the purple and gold crown on his head, he still had a pretty, girlish face.

But what was more awe-inspiring was obviously not the young woman, but the old woman who appeared behind her.

Compared to the young man in his elegant attire, the old lady's attire was far more opulent. Even the dragon-headed cane she held was clad in pure gold, and the orb contained within its mouth was priceless.

Though the injured individual was clearly the one mentioned earlier, he shuddered. "...Old Lady Jin."

Old Lady Jin from Wanfu Wanshou Garden.

She was one of the many names listed below Shi Qingruo on the invitation.

Old Lady Jin was nearly eighty, but her eyes remained sharp. "Lingzhi, my hearing is a little deaf. What were you talking about just now?"

The woman she called Lingzhi was the pretty girl wielding the flexible sword.

She twisted her weapon around her waist, transforming it into a beautiful purple-gold belt. She turned and trotted a few paces, then returned to wrap her arm around the old lady. The fierce aura she had previously displayed was gone, and she looked like a younger generation trying to please the elders. "I heard they say Madam Shi shouldn't be above you."

"Really?" Old Lady Jin's tone was calm, yet an invisible pressure descended upon the place. "I don't have any objections to this, but you guys are so talkative?"

"...Not at all." The man who had spoken earlier wiped the side of his face again, unclear whether he was wiping away sweat or blood.

Old Lady Jin sneered, "Stop speculating here. If you have any integrity, come to the Misty Heaven Alliance and find out for yourself, instead of being so nosy here. If you can accomplish great things like Madam Shi, and make us owe her a favor, just send her an invitation."

She leaned on her cane, unfazed by the teahouse's humbleness, and followed the owner's personal guidance to a corner seat. Jin Lingzhi joined her.

But even after Old Lady Jin sat down, she wasn't finished.

The man with the facial injury was about to quietly leave when a voice rang out from the other end. "You don't even need to wonder if you can find support elsewhere. Li Guanyu of Yongcui Villa was able to escape his demonic obsession thanks to Madam Shi, and the swordsmen he met in his early years have all gathered in the Misty Heaven Alliance. Madam Shi has been a benefactor to the Beggars' Sect and Mount Hua, so even the most prestigious families in the world are willing to yield to her. Those who achieve great things need not worry about their background, or even the most useless qualifications."

"Today, it is I, a good-tempered old lady, who heard your doubts. If you really asked this question in front of the Mi Tian League, I would like to see if you have the ability to live to tomorrow!"

Jin Lingzhi laughed so hard that she fell forward and backward. Seeing the man crawling away, she hurriedly said, "Grandma, you scared him to death."

Old lady Jin did not comment, but said, "Madam Shi is going to do big things. She can't have to deal with a bunch of troubles before she even does anything. We are not interested in watching this kind of thing after we came out of Wanfu Wanshou Garden."

Jin Lingzhi said, "It seems that grandma really likes that Madam Shi."

Old lady Jin glanced at her and said, "If it weren't for her, you, a guy with no experience in the world, would have been deceived by that kid Yuan Suiyun. I am thin-skinned, but I have to accept this favor. Besides, your uncle is a mighty general in the north. Do you think I should help him?"

Previously, in the world of martial arts, especially in Bianjing, various forces were fighting each other, just waiting to compete for the final winner. How could they have the extra time to care about the affairs of the north?

On the contrary, before being framed and killed by Fu Zongshu's men, Lianyunzhai, the home of the one-armed divine constable Qi Shaoshang, had maintained a dedicated garrison on the border, led by the fifth commander, Guan Zhongyi, known as the "Thousand Wolf Demon Monk."

Unfortunately, during the Lianyunzhai Incident, Guan Zhongyi was killed by Gu Xichao, leaving the imperial court with yet another line of support.

Old Lady Jin, with a son serving as a general at court, had naturally heard the inside story.

Though she was in Jiangnan, she felt a deep concern for him.

Now that the turmoil in Bianjing had come to an unexpected end, and Master Qingruo, the Holy Leader of the Misty Heaven Alliance, was determined to unite the people against the Northern Di, it was undoubtedly a great blessing.

"When that incompetent man was in power, the imperial court lost the five prefectures of Yingyun. They should have been recovered long ago," Old Lady Jin snorted, unwilling to even address the late emperor.

Even if someone had heard such words, they probably wouldn't have dared to trouble her.

Jin Lingzhi understood and continued, "That's absolutely right. Our Jin family has nothing but wealth and numbers. Since Grandma has said so, we younger generations should all come to show our support."

She had also long wanted to meet the master's wife.

It was said that she also wielded a soft sword.

This alone was enough to make Jin Lingzhi have a favorable impression of her before she even met her.

And when this grand feast of martial arts finally arrived, Jin Lingzhi looked at the figure sitting at the head of the table from afar, a flash of shock in her eyes.

"So, this is the Holy Lord of the Misty Heaven Alliance."

What a magnificent figure.

...

"Has your martial arts skills improved again, Senior Sister?" Wenrou muttered.

Tang Lan, with a gloomy face beside her, really didn't want to pay attention to her.

Old Madam Tang from the Tang Clan in Shu was also here today, but it was obvious that she was not here to rescue her from her suffering.

Tang Lan had already defected from the Tang Sect and joined the Azure Dragon Society. To Old Lady Tang, he was a traitor, no longer capable of serving the Tang Sect. Tang Ling, however, despite his unorthodox ways, still needed redemption.

The discussion of terms devolved into idle chatter.

Shi Qingruo, a master of hidden weapons, had a particularly good rapport with the eccentric Old Lady Tang. This conversation reinforced the fact that Tang Lan did not belong to the Tang Sect.

Tang Lan couldn't help but label both Gongzi Yu and Shi Qingruo, cursing them internally.

These two—one a madman and hands-off boss, the other a fussy, ambitious man who exploits his subordinates—couldn't have been more thrilling than Tang Lan.

But even she couldn't deny...

Shi Qingruo, addressed by everyone as "Madam," had long since lost all connection to Guan Qi and become a title uniquely hers, the Holy Leader of the Misty Heaven Alliance.

It had been so before, and even more so today!

Her martial arts had indeed made a qualitative leap. Her long,

deep purple gown with gold accents, with wide sleeves, shone like a stream of purple clouds in the sunlight, yet it couldn't hide her radiant face. Her eyes, like clear snow, were as beautiful as jade without being garish. The first thing that caught people's attention wasn't her appearance, but her footsteps as she stepped onto the stage.

Her stance was incredibly swift and light. Though the martial arts experts present were all top-tier masters, most of them failed to discern her movements.

She only managed to turn her head and smile faintly at a sign in the crowd, as if responding to the leaping Divine Eagle.

The Divine Eagle was also perplexed. Why had it been separated from its companion for only two months, yet the latter's martial arts had advanced so dramatically?

Then, it had been tricked into coming here to serve as a mascot, under the pretext that it "progressed faster outside the mountains." Seeing this, Ah Fei's eyes twitched again, and he naturally accepted the responsibility of caring for the Divine Eagle.

But at this moment, Ah Fei couldn't afford to dwell on it.

"Thank you all for coming to chat," Shi Qingruo said clearly.

The next moment, a ray of purple light emanated from her sleeve. It flashed back and forth, a trace of sword energy surging, and then disappeared again.

But a scroll slowly fell, indicating that her previous sword strike had actually severed one of the ropes binding it.

Shi Qingruo bowed to those around him and in front of him: "I am so bold today that I dare to take the lead in front of you all and join us

in this righteous cause." The invitation letter she sent out was concise and to the point, and the one on the falling scroll was equally concise.

Even the most unlettered people in the martial arts world could clearly see that there were two big characters written on it, which were - "Dingbei".

Dingbei!

Dingbei, the one that pacified the northern border.

It was difficult to see any expression on Su Mengzhen's frail face below the stage, only the eyes that were quietly looking at the stage were full of support.

But his hands were slowly clenched under his sleeves, as if he wanted to hear the oath he had been waiting for too long.

Shi Qingruo took a step forward, his tone getting harsher: "As long as the north is not at peace, the world will never dare to say the word peace and security. We who practice martial arts do it to strengthen our bodies, to protect our families and careers, and to eliminate evil and punish evildoers, but the greatest heroes serve the country and the people -"

"Master Qingruo is not talented enough, but I am willing to join forces with Jinfengxiyu Tower and Lianyun Village to rebuild the northern border defense. I sincerely ask you to be a witness!"

Old Lady Jin laughed loudly and said, "Madam Master, is it too polite to ask us to be witnesses?"

She knocked the crutch in her hand on the ground and said, "As you said, the greatest heroes serve the country and the people. Since Wanfu Wanshou Garden wants both happiness and longevity, we cannot stay out of it. We have to have money to support us and people to support us!"

Yan Tieshan touched her still round belly. Although her voice was a little sharp, she still had the boldness of a long-time Shanxi resident: "Yes, I, Yan Tieshan, am not from your Central Plains. I have nothing to worry about . Although he held the concept of family, country, and the world, he also knew that a favor must be repaid. "Master Madam saved me from a disaster earlier, and I always feel I haven't repaid you enough. If you're short of money now, the Jewel Pavilion will be more than willing to help."

Li Guanyu reached out and pushed Ling Feige away, still a little weak, but his words were powerful: "The boy is a mischievous child. If he hadn't been discovered by chance, who knows what he would have done to his wife. It's obvious that I've taught him swordsmanship, but not how to behave. It would be better for him to accompany Master Madam north and make some contributions to the border."

He didn't even glance at Li Yuhan's face, which paled instantly after hearing these words, and closed his eyes again to rest.

Without giving Li Yuhan a chance to protest, a loud voice rang out: "How can the Beggars' Sect miss such a lively occasion?"

Having dealt with the troublesome Nangong Ling, Hong Qigong ascended to the position of leader of the Beggars' Sect and was determined to quickly rectify the sect and eliminate the influence left by Nangong Ling. Just before rushing to Bianjing, he had killed the elder known as the White Jade Demon. He then discovered that the Beggars' Sect, deeply influenced by Nangong Ling, had shown signs of a dislike for work.

It would be better to send those individuals to provide logistics support for the Ruffian Feng.

Gao Yanan's voice followed closely behind him: "Disciples of Huashan, we are willing to lend a hand to our Master."

As these voices took the lead, more voices echoed from the periphery.

"...We are willing to go too!"

"Master's wife has led the charge, how can we retreat?"

"..."

Amidst the surging voices, a smile gradually crept onto Shi Qingruo's lips.

She seemed to sense the passion lurking beneath the undercurrents of Bianjing, waiting for just such an opportunity.

All it took was a single, scattered spark to ignite a raging conflagration!

...

So, when the list was presented to Zhu Tang, it included far more than those on the invitation letter that day. It also included names lesser-known in the martial arts world, even handprints that had been made up temporarily.

Zhu Tang looked up at what lay before him, his eyes filled with astonishment. "I never knew there were so many loyal and patriotic warriors among the martial artists of this world."

These names before him were like a moving banner, fluttering in the autumn breeze, carrying the young emperor's heart to the border.

Shi Qingruo suddenly poured cold water on him: "We're not loyal to the emperor, we're just patriotic."

Coming from a later era, she couldn't possibly have much respect for the emperor. She

'd previously habitually asked the Divine Marquisate to handle cases and resolve her problems simply because it was convenient.

As for the others...

Su Mengzhen's legend of Tianquan Mountain might very well be more than just a legend.

Gongzi Yu smirked at the world. He had dared to question the emperor before, and now his arrogant temper hadn't changed.

For example, Guan Qi, who had previously shattered the void and departed, showed absolutely no respect for imperial power. Even gods evolved from humans, let alone emperors. All

they cared about was family and country.

Nothing more.

Zhu Tang was stunned, as if he hadn't expected Shi Qingruo to utter such a defiant statement.

But Zhang Furong's expression grew even colder. "If Your Majesty were not a wise ruler, I would be presenting this joint letter today, risking the wrath of ordinary men and spilling blood, rather than telling you we are willing to march north before winter arrives." "

Our answer is to secure the Central Plains, even if we die, without regrets, not blind loyalty to the king."

Yin Xian, stunned, angrily said, "How dare you."

Shi Qingruo gave him a cold look, and Yin Xian felt a piercing chill penetrate his heart and lungs, as if freezing him to the spot. Your Majesty

doesn't possess martial arts skills, so he wouldn't notice. But he could clearly feel that...

this master's wife's martial arts skills were more than just improved.

At this close distance, if she wanted to attack, none of those guarding His Majesty would be able to stop her.

Perhaps... not even the deceased Mi Youqiao could stop her!

Even though the Ziwei soft sword in her hand had been temporarily left outside the palace before entering this place, for a swordsman like this, even plants and trees can be used as weapons, so why should she be so obsessed with a single sword?

"If I were not bold enough, Your Majesty would not have seen what is happening now." Shi Qingruo met Zhu Tang's scrutiny without avoiding his gaze, "There are a few more things I should say clearly first."

"You say."

"Although a team like the Rogue Wind was cultivated early on in Fengyu Tower to assist the border defense, if the court is not interested and only wants to rely on us, then there is no hope of success. We will not rely on our own martial arts skills to go deep into the desert and take the heads of the enemy for Your Majesty. The Khan on the opposite side has died, and other leaders can emerge. This is not the development of events we want to see."

Zhu Tang understood, "Let's say the unpleasant words in advance, and the rest will be easy. No wonder they nominated Madam Shi to be the leader."

Shi Qingruo smiled, "Your Majesty cultivates the sword of the emperor and has a broad mind. He should not mind my words and deeds."

Zhu Tang pondered for a moment and asked, "I can agree to your bottom line, so what can you bring to me?"

Shi Qingruo said with certainty: "Money, people and power."

Money is needless to say. Wanfu Wanshou Garden, the Pearl Treasure Pavilion, and the Jiangnan Hua Family were all renowned wealthy families. Beyond supporting their fellow gang members, the assets of the Qinglong Society, the Mitian League, and the Fengyu Tower had also accumulated substantial wealth. The confiscated Bat Island and Wuzheng Villa had amassed a considerable fortune.

Not to mention the personnel. Those about to embark on the journey north to rebuild the border outposts were all skilled martial artists. They would be a powerful shot in the arm for the already weakened border defenses.

As for the situation…

"It has always been the imperial court that decided whether to go to war. The bitter quarrels between the pro-war and pro-peace factions were a headache for Your Majesty. But now that the situation in the martial arts world is unwavering, and to realize the long-cherished wish of reclaiming the Five Provinces, and to control the martial arts community, shouldn't Your Majesty also go along with it and send troops to support them?"

She smiled faintly, her words speaking volumes.

The martial arts community was known for its impulsiveness. Who knows if the border conflict will escalate far beyond the court officials' expectations?

Rather than this, amidst the widespread advocacy for war, it would be better for the court to mediate and maintain order.

Or perhaps, those martial arts masters could truly pull off some earth-shattering act in the north, carving out a new niche. Then, how could the court afford to send troops? There

's no such thing as sitting back and enjoying the fruits of others' labor.

As the initiator of this matter, Shi Qingruo didn't want to see only the martial arts masters acting with such impulsiveness.

Zhu Tang's smile deepened as he replied, "The whereabouts of those Taoist swindlers, Lin Lingsu and Zhan Bieye, have been confiscated. The wealth accumulated from the Flower and Stone Gang in their early years, as well as the money donated through connections, have all been reclaimed by the imperial treasury. Since the treasury is well-off, it's not a bad idea for the soldiers to march, is it?"

"The financial lord is determined to march south. Even the former Marquis Shentong has allied himself with him. He's only waiting for the country to become prosperous and strong before launching an invasion. Rather than waiting to decide a decisive battle with him on the battlefield, it's better to follow the will of the people and seize the initiative."

Shi Qingruo bowed in thanks, "Your Majesty is wise."

"No, you're wrong," Zhu Tang replied seriously. "It's not that I'm wise, but—"

He was so fortunate to have met such a group of people.

The storms and muddy times of the late emperor's reign inevitably affected the moral climate from Bianjing to the rest of the country. Even if the Happy Forest and the Money Gang were toppled, it would only be a minor victory for righteousness, unlikely to shift the tone of the world. Even the world's greatest knight, after witnessing the tragedies of the martial arts world, would choose to live in seclusion abroad, never again setting foot in the Central Plains.

He once believed that even if there were such a thing as a turning point in this world, it would be at least years away, and it was even more likely that he would have lost his life before that moment arrived.

He never imagined that he would be sitting here today, initiating such a conversation.

"I want to thank Madam Shi for handing me this answer."

Heroes break the law with force. This is what Mi Youqiao, Yuan Shisanxian, Fang Yingkan, and others exemplify.

As the Son of Heaven, wielding imperial power, Zhu Tang was truly hesitant about his stance.

Fortunately, there were others who offered a different answer.

The greatest knights serve their country and their people.

He added slowly, "Blocking a sword with one's own body, spilling blood five steps away, is something the Emperor would not accept. So, Madam Shi, rest assured. While I can't claim to be a wise ruler, I certainly won't go that far."

"Then I'm relieved." That was all Shi Qingruo needed. "My fellow martial artists and I will depart in half a month. As for when Your Majesty's men will arrive, I won't interfere."

The martial world is the martial world, and the imperial court is the imperial court.

She had told Su Mengzhen that she wanted to be the leader of the martial world, not the supreme commander of the imperial army.

With this, she stood up and said goodbye to Zhu Tang.

But before she could leave the courtyard, she heard another sudden, urgent call from behind: "Madam Shi—"

Shi Qingruo paused and looked back. She saw the young man, who had been sitting so solemnly, had risen and rushed to the window, clinging to the edge of the window and peering out, his eyes filled with anxiety.

She asked curiously, "Your Majesty

, do you have anything else to tell me?" "I…" Zhu Tang stuttered. It seemed as if all the composure he had previously possessed as an emperor had been thrown away with that single word.

In his sight, the golden leaves of the entire courtyard fell upon Shi Qingruo's feet. The sunlight filtering through the trees overhead, a dazzling brilliance. It

was as if her purple-gold robe and the layers of golden shadows had merged into one, creating a moment of dizziness and fascination.

The half of her face, tilted to the side, was also illuminated by the golden sunlight, becoming almost transparent, making her look even more like... like an immortal about to ascend upon the wind.

"I don't mean anything else, I just want to ask, can I... can I still come to the Misty Heaven Alliance?"

Shi Qingruo had revealed his previous involvement with the Misty Heaven Alliance to him, even when the plan to capture Fu Zongshu was being formulated.

His busy schedule had indeed prevented him from experiencing life.

But the more he was entangled in the burdens of a dynasty, the more he longed for that purer existence.

"Don't worry," he shouted. "I'm not here to find fault with the Mi Tian Alliance. I just want to get a glimpse of the bigger picture and experience more of the lives of ordinary people..."

"I understand."

Shi Qingruo turned her head and continued walking, but before turning around, she gestured to the little emperor.

Zhu Tang watched her leave with an even more elegant demeanor and fell into deep thought.

He slowly bent his thumb and index finger, imitating Shi Qingruo's movements. "Yin Xian."

"Ah?"

"What do you think she means by this?" Zhu Tang was extremely confused.

He carefully scrutinized his own gestures, making sure the backlight hadn't misread them.

"Does this mean I can continue to visit the Misty Heaven Alliance three more times, or should I stabilize the situation at court and on the border before returning in three years?"

Honestly, Yin Xian couldn't answer.

He was silent for a moment, then replied, "How about asking Madam Shi the next time you see her?"

Perhaps only the person who made the gesture understood his intention.

Yin Xian looked out the window, only to see a field of brilliant gold, not a single leaf crushed by her footsteps, as if no one had ever been there.

That day, during the Misty Heaven Alliance assessment, the phrase "silver saddle illuminates white horses" had been used. Now, with the Saint Lord of the Misty Heaven Alliance arriving at the palace, it seemed as if, as the poem in the poem "The Knight's Song" suggests, "mission accomplished, brush off the robes, depart, concealing merit and fame."

Compared to His Majesty, who was still concerned, she was far more relaxed and decisive.

... Half a month later, carriages and horses rumbled out of Bianjing from the north and headed all the way to the border, never looking back for a moment.