Qing Qiu's Price  

In the Brahma Sound Pure Land, a magnificent palace rose from the earth. To be precise, it materialized like a spirit treasure, similar to Mount Yunmeng. This palace, known as Chao Ge, was a ninth-rank Heavenly-grade treasure.

The Chao Ge Palace, vast and majestic, pulsed with an aura of imperial authority, a sight rarely seen in the mortal world. Even the palaces of the Great Ming, the Great Chu, and the former Han Dynasty paled in comparison.

This palace was a city unto itself, a microcosm of an empire.

At this moment, hundreds of thousands of women who had fled the Great Ming, Great Chu, Wei, Han, and Wu knelt upon the gold bricks of the palace courtyard. These were true gold bricks, not the "imperial kiln gold bricks" crafted from clay and fired using special techniques.

The Pure Land's new citizens were ecstatic.

"The Pure Land is truly a paradise, just as Emperor Yao Guang promised! A heaven for women!"

"Even the Great Ming, the most powerful nation, couldn't offer such luxury! Even Emperor Jiajing couldn't pave his roads with gold!"

"This is true prosperity!"

"Mother, sister, sister-in-law, you refused to come with me! You will regret this for the rest of your lives!"

An imperial figure appeared. Clad in a golden dragon robe and wearing a twelve-beaded crown, she ascended the steps leading to the palace's highest point.

Chao Ge's grandest structure was the main hall, but its tallest was the Deer Terrace. From its peak, one could survey the entire palace.

Yao Guang gazed down at the new citizens she had personally lured to the Pure Land. Her eyes then turned to the distance, as if she could see beyond the Pure Land's borders, towards the lands she had yet to conquer.

Today was just the beginning.

"I hereby declare the founding of a new empire."

"Its name shall be 'Ci', meaning 'benevolence'."

"The era name shall be Yaoguang."

"From this day forward, it is the first year of the Great Ci Yaoguang Era!"

As Yao Guang's words echoed through the air, the hundreds of thousands of women knelt before her, chanting in unison.

"Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!"

The celebratory banquet lasted three days and three nights. The fragrance of spirit wine permeated the air. Exquisite delicacies, half consumed, half wasted, lay scattered across the palace grounds.

The Brahma Sound Pure Land, known for its austerity and frugality, embraced extravagance for the first time.

Inside the main hall, Sage Ruler Jin De bowed before the Emperor.

"Your subject, Jin De, greets Your Majesty! Ten thousand years…"

"Sister, there's no need for formalities," Yao Guang said, gently preventing Jin De from kneeling.

If even Jin De, the first to offer her obeisance, was spared from kneeling, the other Sage Rulers were naturally exempt from such formalities.

Jin De smiled. "Congratulations, sister, on finally becoming Emperor! Now you can rightfully rule all women in the world."

Yao Guang was still gentle. "Silly sister, it's still early. I haven't unified the world yet."

"It's only a matter of time," Jin De laughed.

"Once our citizens are trained, you can personally lead them into battle. Then we'll order the Great Chu, Wei, Han, and Wu to send their armies. With the Five Kingdoms united, the Great Ming's fall is inevitable. Then you can conquer the remaining kingdoms, one by one, unifying the world under your rule."

Yao Guang smiled. "Alright, sister. We have all worked hard to prepare for this grand celebration. You should rest now. Qing Qiu, sister, please stay. I have something to discuss with you."

The other Sage Rulers bowed and took their leave, leaving Yao Guang and Qing Qiu alone in the hall.

After a long silence, Yao Guang spoke. "Sister, I don't know how to thank you. If not for your generosity in revealing the location of the Tomb of King Zhou, I don't know when I would have amassed the resources to found this empire."

Qing Qiu bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, you are too kind…"

"Sister!" Yao Guang rushed forward, taking Qing Qiu's hand.

"We are like sisters. There's no need for formality between us. If you continue to be so distant, it will hurt my feelings. Are you upset that I urged you to reveal the tomb's location?"

Qing Qiu straightened, studying Yao Guang intently. "Elder Sister, you misunderstand. I am not upset."

Yao Guang led her to the dragon throne. "Sister, I am willing to share this throne with you! Since ancient times, women rulers have been an anomaly. I have never been one to follow tradition. Ruling side by side is acceptable to me!"

Qing Qiu's eyes widened in surprise.

"Elder Sister, there's no need. I…"

"I speak from the heart, sister! Please, don't doubt me! I've always known that among the Ten Great Sage Rulers, although you are ranked second to last, your true strength is second only to mine. You are the true Second Sage Ruler!

But you are younger than me. Your future achievements will surely surpass mine! Therefore, this throne is rightfully yours as well, Qing Qiu!"

Qing Qiu stepped back, refusing again. "Elder Sister, there's no need for this. The First Supreme Sage Ruler bestowed her protection upon our people. Revealing the Tomb of King Zhou was merely a way to repay that debt."

Yao Guang, hearing her explanation, relented. Relief flickered in her eyes, but her smile remained. "Sister, though the debt is repaid, our bond as sisters is eternal. In this Great Ci Dynasty, any position or title you desire is yours for the asking."

Seeing Qing Qiu's continued silence, she urged gently, "Don't be shy, sister. The Three Dukes are the most prestigious positions in the court. Grand Commandant, Chancellor, or Grand Censor, any of them are yours."

"But hasn't Jin De already assumed the position of Chancellor?" Qing Qiu asked.

"If you desire the position, I'll have Jin De step down. Don't worry, sister," Yao Guang replied with a smile.

Qing Qiu shook her head, remaining silent. Finally, as Yao Guang's patience wore thin, Qing Qiu spoke. "Elder Sister, may I leave the Pure Land?"

The moment her words left her mouth, she felt an intense surge of killing intent from the Emperor.

The killing intent vanished as quickly as it appeared, and Yao Guang spoke calmly. "Sister, do you merely seek to travel, or do you intend to leave the Pure Land permanently?"

Qing Qiu realized that the woman before her was no longer a benevolent figure but a lioness ready to pounce.

"Only… to travel," she replied, forcing a smile. It was a painful smile, the realization of a cruel truth hidden behind a benevolent facade.

"Silly sister," Yao Guang chuckled. "With your esteemed status, the entire world is your garden. Travel wherever you wish."

"…Elder Sister, then I shall depart in a few days," Qing Qiu said softly.

"Go. Have fun," Yao Guang said, taking Qing Qiu's hand once more. "But don't leave me waiting too long. Come back soon, alright?"

Qing Qiu's story…