imperial palace

In a courtyard closest to the imperial palace within Tianwu City:

*Sigh* "I wonder if Mother will be able to bring reinforcements. If she fails, then I might as well kiss my chances of becoming the Crown Prince goodbye."

Holding the intelligence report in his hand, Wu Chengfeng's handsome face contorted in pain, as though he had just swallowed something bitter.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that his once indolent third brother would undergo such a drastic transformation!

Just two days ago, the guy invented something called a cannon! He had no idea how it worked, but somehow, it allowed ordinary people to pose a threat even to postnatal cultivators!

With that invention, Wu Chengqian's reputation soared to new heights, and many ministers who had previously remained neutral swiftly shifted their allegiance to him.

Their father, too, had rushed to visit his third brother's estate the moment the cannon was unveiled, and only left, satisfied, the following day.

"Eldest Young Master, someone from the palace has arrived! His Majesty has summoned you to the central square to greet a special guest!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Chengfeng, who had been pondering how to counterattack, paused for a moment, then excitedly pumped his fist.

He knew—it must be his mother returning! Judging by the scale of this event, she must have brought along some powerful figure!

"Mother, you're amazing!"

...

At the residence of the Third Prince:

Wu Chengqian, who was strategizing how to further boost his fame, also received the same order.

"Well, well, my dear Empress Mother does have her ways! She's actually managed to bring in reinforcements! I wonder, though, what price such a beautiful woman had to pay to secure this?"

Though he had been a researcher before crossing into this world, Wu Chengqian was no stranger to the subtleties of human relationships.

In the eyes of the immortal Cao family, it made little difference who ruled the Tianwu Dynasty. As long as the annual tributes were paid, everything else was of little consequence.

In such a context, if Pei Luoxue wanted to persuade the Cao family to support her son, she would certainly need to offer something of great value.

And as far as Wu Chengqian could tell, the only thing Pei Luoxue had left to offer was her own body.

"What a pity, Mother. Though you are the Empress, you fail to understand the heart of an emperor."

"How could someone who rules over such vast lands ever willingly submit to another's dominance?"

"By opening the gates and inviting the Cao family in, you're not helping your son; you're only pushing him further from the throne."

...

At the central square of the imperial palace:

Under Wu Lingtian's leadership, the royal family's members swiftly gathered. Meanwhile, a massive airship floated into view on the horizon.

The Sword of Heaven's Severance!

The emblem of the Cao family!

And judging by the gold trim on the insignia, the person aboard was a direct descendant of the Cao family!

Seeing this, Wu Lingtian and Wu Chengqian both furrowed their brows. Things were about to get complicated.

"Could it be Cao Ziyan? If it's really him, then what chance do we even have?"

The Tianwu Dynasty had been around for over two thousand years, and truth be told, their power was not weak. Outwardly, they boasted three saint-level cultivators.

Though they were all in the early stages of sainthood, they were still saints nonetheless!

But such strength paled in comparison to the might of the Cao family. Cao Ziyan alone could sweep through the entire Tianwu Dynasty without resistance!

While the royal family stewed in unease, aboard the airship, a rather different scene unfolded—one of indulgence and pleasure.

"Young Master, how was my dance?"

Indeed, the Empress, Pei Luoxue, was performing a pole dance for Cao Wenbin, dressed in a highly suggestive outfit, complete with a high sl*t and grey stockings.

Clearly, along the way, Pei Luoxue had undergone more than a little training.

"Remarkable! I never would have thought you had such a talent for dance," Cao Wenbin chuckled, pulling the Empress into his arms.

At first, Pei Luoxue obediently complied—singing, dancing, allowing his hands to roam without resistance.

But the moment she realized they had entered Tianwu City, she began to struggle.

"Young Master, I see my husband! I must change my clothes! If he sees me like this, there's no way I can explain it, no matter how I try!"

Seeing the anxious look on her face, Cao Wenbin smacked her behind before letting her go.

As a modern man who had received nine years of compulsory education, Cao Wenbin understood the importance of moderation.

He had done plenty of over-the-top things during the journey, and if he kept pushing now, the woman might just lose her mind.

"There's plenty of time. Let's see how long you can endure," he muttered to himself as he walked toward the edge of the yacht.

Originally, he had intended to enjoy the view of the imperial city from the height, but after only a few glances, his eyes locked with those of a young man.

"This one is a formidable opponent."

...