Volume 9, Chapter 618 – She Alone Slaughters Through Four Nations (Part 5)

Because of her extraordinary talent, Lin Ran had been sent to Poyun Peak since childhood, so Wen Da’s status in her heart far surpassed that of her imperial father, Lin Tu. This shocking news struck her like a bolt from the blue, her mind instantly going blank.

“Your master was murdered, and along with him, the other five great elders of Poyun Peak were also killed.”

Steward Cui’s lips trembled as he repeated the grim news.

“What… what exactly happened? Who killed them?”

Lin Ran grabbed Steward Cui’s sleeve tightly, her pupils trembling violently as tears welled up in her eyes.

“It was the State Preceptor! State Preceptor Li killed them!”

Steward Cui spoke the truth without omission.

“State Preceptor Li?”

Lin Ran hadn’t expected such an outcome. Her mind went blank again, and after a long pause, she asked, half in disbelief, “Are you telling the truth? He bore you no grudges; why would He kill my master?”

Steward Cui dared not lie, so he explained everything in detail.

“Why? Why does everyone important to me insist on trying to kill him?! And why do they all end up killed by him instead? How am I supposed to live with this?”

Lin Ran’s expression turned ashen as she stumbled toward the dragon throne and collapsed into it.

“Junior Sister, what… what do you plan to do?”

After a long silence, Steward Cui cautiously asked.

“What can I do? Those who kill must expect to be killed. I don’t even have the right to seek revenge.”

Lin Ran let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. There was another thing she left unsaid: the fact that her master had been scheming behind her back, using public authority for personal vendettas. As an empress, she found that unforgivable.

Steward Cui hesitated, wanting to say something, but when he thought of Qi Huang’s terrifying power, he wisely shut his mouth in the end, silently praying, “Peak Lord, may you rest in peace. I’ll burn you a few offerings during festivals…”

“How did you manage to escape back here?”

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After a moment, Lin Ran asked weakly.

“He… he let me go. It seems he wanted me to return and deliver this news to you personally.”

Steward Cui confessed truthfully.

“Heh… are you so sure I won’t kill you? Or do you simply believe I can’t?”

Lin Ran let out another bitter laugh. Her emotions had stabilized slightly, and she knew better than to rely on one side’s words alone. She immediately picked up the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube and contacted Qi Huang.

At that moment, Qi Huang was still flying north. Within her Divine Sense, the Western Radiance Dynasty’s main forces were nowhere to be seen, only scattered refugees covering the land, proof that their army had been completely crushed.

Ding ding ding… ding ding ding…

Qi Huang suddenly heard the ringing of the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube. Taking it out, she was surprised to find Lin Ran contacting her.

Qi Huang wasn’t sure if Lin Ran already knew of Wen Da’s death, so she decided to proceed carefully.

“Where are you now?”

Lin Ran’s voice was calm and even.

‘Does she… not know her master is dead?’

Qi Huang was a little puzzled, but she didn’t want to provoke hostility unnecessarily. She replied plainly: “I’ve reached the border. The Western Radiance Dynasty’s army has been crushed by the invading nation. Refugees are everywhere. I’m moving slowly because I’m helping them as I go.”

“…”

On the other side, silence descended.

“Is there something you needed?”

Qi Huang probed.

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“My… my master… was he killed by you?”

Lin Ran’s low, icy voice came through.

“Yes.”

Qi Huang actually felt relieved saying it out loud. Keeping it bottled up had been too suffocating.

“And his Life Soul?”

Lin Ran pressed further.

“Killed as well.”

Qi Huang didn’t hesitate.

“You’re ruthless.”

Lin Ran gritted her teeth as she spoke.

“Ruthless? Steward Cui has told you what happened, hasn’t he? I saved you, yet your master repaid me with enmity, trying to kill me over nothing more than jealousy. If it were you, would you have spared someone so ungrateful?”

Qi Huang’s voice rang with steel.

Lin Ran said nothing. She had no rebuttal.

“And let me tell you something else. Back when I was chosen as an Imperial Consort, your master even sent people to Honghua Sect to kill me. Out of consideration for you, I intended to let him live. But he came after me again. Tell me, should such a man be allowed to live?”

Qi Huang’s tone was sharp.

“There… there was such a thing?”

Lin Ran was shocked. She hadn’t known her master had sent assassins to Honghua Sect.

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“Of course. It’s no secret. Investigate it yourself and you’ll find the truth.”

Qi Huang’s conscience was clear.

Lin Ran fell silent. In fact, she didn’t need to investigate, she knew her master well enough to believe it was true. He had both the motive and the courage.

“One last question. Why did you let Steward Cui return to inform me? Was it because you thought I couldn’t kill you?”

Lin Ran asked coldly.

Qi Huang thought for a moment, then countered with her own question: “Would you kill me?”

Lin Ran hesitated, then let out a bitter laugh: “Heh… other emperors call themselves ‘the lonely one’ as a formality, but you truly intend to make me one.”

“I have no such intention. It depends on whether those around you want to make you a lonely one. Keep them under control. I didn’t help you for power or wealth, but for the people’s sake. You know that.”

Qi Huang’s tone was stern, an unmistakable warning. She didn’t want their cooperation jeopardized by meddling underlings.

She wasted no more time and continued northward, spreading her Divine Sense wide enough to cover thousands of miles, searching for the Beiling Kingdom’s army. Specifically the central forces, where the grand marshal usually commanded.

Before long, Qi Huang found her target. The central forces of the Beiling Kingdom were encamped within a small basin. Though fewer in number than the left and right flanks, there were still well over a hundred thousand soldiers. The dense sea of tents stretched endlessly, soldiers bustling about, disciplined and well-armed. A stark contrast to the Western Radiance Dynasty’s gaunt, starving deserters. Most importantly, the command tent stood right at the center.

‘Heh… What a grand setup. So Beiling Kingdom plans to swallow the Western Radiance Dynasty whole. No wonder they beheaded our envoy.’

Qi Huang’s gaze turned cold, murderous intent flashing in her eyes.

Inside the command tent of the Beiling Kingdom army, Grand Marshal Ran Xiong stood before a sand table, discussing the next phase of their campaign with several generals.

“Grand Marshal, the Northern Garrison of the Western Radiance Dynasty has been nearly wiped out. Only scattered resistance remains.”

Left General Du Li reported the current situation.

“Good. Let the men rest for two days, then we march south and take the Western Radiance Dynasty entirely.”

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Ran Xiong waved his hand boldly, his burly frame and full beard giving him a commanding presence.

“Grand Marshal Ran, our commander says we must follow the prearranged plan. According to the agreement, Beiling Kingdom strikes from the northeast, and when we succeed, the ten wealthiest eastern prefectures, including the imperial capital, belong to you. Our Gaosheng Kingdom attacks from the north and claims the central ten prefectures, while the ten western prefectures are divided between the Xueyu Dynasty and the Feisha Dynasty.”

A middle-aged general with a goatee interjected. Though he wore Beiling Kingdom’s standard armor, his tone marked him as Gaosheng Kingdom’s representative.

“And why should you get ten prefectures all to yourselves, while we must split the barren west with Feisha Dynasty?”

“That’s right! Wasn’t the deal that we’d discuss the division after we crushed the Western Radiance Dynasty? Why didn’t you consult us first?”

Two other generals spoke heatedly, clearly from Xueyu Dynasty and Feisha Dynasty.

Hmph. So these four nations had colluded long ago, planning to carve up the Western Radiance Dynasty together.

Qi Huang’s anger burned hotter.

“We agreed to work together to crush their army. But now, we and Beiling Kingdom achieved that victory without much help from you. Why should we consult you?”

The goateed general from Gaosheng Kingdom retorted coldly.

“You acted on your own without informing us!”

“That’s right. If we hadn’t come here by chance, you’d have claimed the entire Western Radiance Dynasty without us knowing!”

“Xueyu Dynasty may not have contributed much to this battle, but over decades of war we’ve drained the Western Radiance Dynasty’s forces considerably. Without us, you wouldn’t have won so easily!”

The generals from Xueyu Dynasty and Feisha Dynasty both snapped back.

‘So, infighting over the spoils already, huh? Unfortunately for you… you’ll end up with nothing. And what you’ve already swallowed? I’ll make you spit it back out, with interest.’

Qi Huang’s cold smile deepened as she soared straight toward the enemy camp.