200: Chapter 200 There's a type of person called a 'witch'!

"This is the start. From now on, we must eliminate the experts of this world one by one, and no mistakes can be made at any point."

"If the Gatekeeper detects our presence, none of us should expect to leave alive."

As these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

"Move out." Seeing the intimidation take effect, that person spoke softly.

Everyone nodded and then scattered.

The Divine Capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, deep within the Imperial City.

Empress Wu looked at the suddenly appearing Su Rui, her eyes unable to hide her joy.

"You've come?"

"Since the Empress of Great Zhou invited me, how could I not come?"

"The Fengshan Ceremony will be held tomorrow. Mount Tai is not far from the Divine Capital, about thirty li away. We will set off tomorrow morning and arrive just in time for the auspicious hour."

As she spoke, she personally led the way, taking Su Rui to the Imperial Palace's Rear Garden.

Sikong Qianluo looked around and couldn't help but say, "In Your Majesty's palace, why are there so few people serving?"

"I am the only one living in the entire Imperial Palace, so there is no need to make a grand fuss." Empress Wu replied with a smile, her tone candid.

"I heard that when Your Majesty established the Great Zhou Dynasty, you also followed the example of former Emperors by selecting concubines, but you only chose men?" Yin Luoxia suddenly spoke.

She had already noticed that Empress Wu's attitude toward her Master seemed exceptionally different.

Hearing this, Empress Wu's expression became slightly embarrassed.

"That was something the subordinates handled on their own to please me, saying it was to continue Your Majesty's lineage and stabilize the country."

"But how could ordinary men ever catch Your Majesty's eye?"

Shangguan Waner, who had been following behind, immediately spoke up.

"That's right, I knew exactly what those people were planning." Empress Wu let out a light sigh and nodded with a smile.

"I see." Yin Luoxia nodded slightly.

She understood in her heart that this Empress of Great Zhou had once been her role model.

Even within the entire Jianghu, countless people were captivated by her.

As a woman, to establish a nation through her own ability and strategy—such a legend was something even storybooks wouldn't dare to write lightly.

Rumors said that the Empress of Great Zhou, Empress Wu, was nearly perfect—with peerless beauty, extraordinary grace, an elegant figure, supreme martial arts, unrivaled political skill, and deep calculation, she was the best in the world in every aspect.

Su Rui stood among the group with his hands behind his back, listening to the conversation around him with a calm expression, not saying much.

Empress Wu led him into a small pavilion in the rear garden and then ordered a palace maid to serve fresh tea, its fragrance drifting with the wind.

"This is Spring Orchid Jade Spirit, the first tender buds picked from that old tea tree on the peak of Mount Tai."

Empress Wu introduced with a beaming smile.

"It must be brewed while fresh. Only by pouring boiling water over it can you taste the purest flavor."

"If it sits too long, even the best tea leaves will lose their spirit." She spoke with a hint of regret.

Su Rui took a small sip, his eyes flickering slightly.

"It is indeed extraordinary."

Hearing such praise from him, a surge of joy rose in Empress Wu's heart.

"If you like it, you can come every year. I'll have someone set aside this tea for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Rui gave a faint smile: "Although this tea is good, it is no longer of much benefit to my current cultivation."

Indeed, this tea could calm the mind and aid Qi Condensation, even benefiting one's state of mind, which was extremely rare in Su Rui's past experiences, which was why he had praised it.

Hearing this, Empress Wu took it as a polite refusal. A flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, and she forced a smile, about to speak to cover it up.

"However, the taste is excellent. I will come often in the future."

Her previously low mood was instantly brightened. Light immediately returned to Empress Wu's eyes, and even her breathing became slightly uneven, a fine sweat breaking out on her skin.

With her cultivation, she had long been able to control her body and mind at will. To lose her composure now due to emotional fluctuations was truly rare.

"Your Majesty."

Shangguan Waner called out softly at the right moment.

Empress Wu immediately composed herself and regained her calm posture, a smile on her lips: "I still need to arrange the matters for the Fengshan Ceremony. As for the accommodations, Waner will handle them on my behalf."

"Please proceed, Empress."

Su Rui nodded in agreement.

"Waner, make sure to host our distinguished guest well."

"Mr. Su will be settled in the Morning Star Palace."

Empress Wu instructed.

Shangguan Waner was shocked, but she reacted quickly and immediately replied, "As you command, Your Majesty."

Empress Wu nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Su Rui for a moment before she turned and left.

"Sir, it is still early. Why don't I accompany the three of you for a walk in the Divine Capital?"

Shangguan Waner suggested to the group.

"That suits me perfectly."

Su Rui agreed, and Sikong Qianluo couldn't hide her excitement.

Yin Luoxia's eyes flickered slightly as she secretly pondered the deep meaning behind Empress Wu's specific arrangement of the "Morning Star Palace."

Inside the Imperial Study, several high-ranking officials arrived one after another upon being summoned.

Seeing Empress Wu with a smile on her face and a relaxed expression, they all knew that the Son of Heaven was in a very good mood today.

Di Renjie had always been good at reading people and saw at a glance that the Emperor was in high spirits.

"Am I?"

Empress Wu laughed softly without saying much, then scanned the crowd.

"Is there any error in the ritual for the sacrifice to heaven at Mount Tai?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything has been properly prepared."

Di Renjie answered concisely.

"Very good."

"An old friend will arrive tomorrow and will ride in the Dragon carriage with me."

"Pass this order down. Do not disturb the court or the public."

Once those words were spoken, the entire hall suddenly fell silent.

"Your Majesty! Even if it is a close friend, it is not appropriate to share the carriage of the Son of Heaven!" An old official immediately stepped forward to advise against it.

"Indeed, such an act easily invites criticism and may cause unrest in people's hearts," another official echoed.

Di Renjie did not rush to object but instead asked in a heavy voice, "May I ask Your Majesty, who exactly is this friend?"

"The decision has been made. There is no need for further discussion. Just follow the order."

Empress Wu waved her hand to interrupt, her attitude firm. Even though the officials had objections, they could only drop the matter.

They knew well that this monarch had always been decisive and headstrong. Once a decision was made, it was rarely changed, so they could only withdraw in silence.

"As for their identity, perhaps you have heard of it. There is no need to speak plainly now; you will find out in the future."

Empress Wu's tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"Then for this Fengshan Ceremony, shall we follow precedent and grant a general amnesty?" an old official asked tentatively.

"General amnesty? Did I release any prisoners when I ascended the throne? Releasing tigers back to the mountains—wouldn't that just harm the common people again?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn.

"This old official understands."

"Is there anything else?"

"These are the ceremony procedures, ritual regulations, and the proclamation to heaven. Please review them, Your Majesty."

Empress Wu took the memorial, glanced through it briefly, and nodded slightly.

"I have seen it. You may all withdraw."

"Yes."

The officials withdrew one by one, leaving her sitting alone at the desk, looking at the thick documents in her hand with a slight frown.

This was already the streamlined version.

The previous itinerary was even more complex, almost making her want to back out.

In the end, it was those civil officials who racked their brains to redraft the procedures without violating ritual laws, resulting in the current form.

Empress Wu sensed slightly and realized that Su Rui's group and Shangguan Waner were no longer in the palace. She understood, figuring that Shangguan Waner had deliberately led them out.

She then stood up and walked into the inner palace, calling for a palace maid to prepare water for a bath.

The magnificent scenery of the Divine Capital, Luoyang, was not at all inferior to Snow Moon City.

What was even more special were the local customs, which had a unique flavor.

On the streets, one could even see many people from a region walking among them.

"These people are the people of a region."

"Back then, Your Majesty went alone deep into the Southern Border and made a region submit, yet still allowed the King of a region to govern the land autonomously without interference."

Su Rui nodded slightly, his expression calm, seemingly indifferent.

"The land of a region does have some strange aspects, especially some secret techniques, which are quite eerie."

Seeing Su Rui's indifference, Shangguan Waner suddenly spoke to explain.

"Over there, there's a type of person called 'Wu'. Their martial arts are not high, but they know many strange arts—they can control fire and ice, raise Gu, drive insects, and even... manipulate corpses!"