"Damn it!"
"When did so many semi-saints start appearing around Orion?"
Zhou Linglong's face turned grim after hearing the courtier's report. This was the most baffling thing to her. Semi-saints were proud beings, rarely bowing to anyone. Orion was nothing but a wastrel unable to cultivate—how could he possibly attract so many powerful semi-saints to follow him?
"By the way, Your Majesty, what about the Sword Sect?"
A courtier cautiously suggested. At this, the entire court's attention snapped to the speaker.
The Sword Sect was the most powerful sect within the Great Zhou Dynasty, renowned for its strength. The sect boasted countless masters, including more than a dozen known semi-saints, and Ling Yunfeng, the current head of the Sword Sect, was a true Saint Realm powerhouse. Moreover, the Empress herself, Zhou Linglong, had deep ties with the sect—she was the granddaughter of Ling Yunfeng, the Holy Realm master of the Sword Sect.
This connection to the Sword Sect was one of the key reasons Zhou Linglong had managed to ascend the throne as the first female emperor of Zhou Dynasty.
Zhou Linglong remained silent for a moment, understanding the implications of the courtier's words. In truth, she had reservations about seeking aid from the Sword Sect. After all, she had always wanted to rely on her own strength to solidify her position as the ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty, not her grandfather's influence.
But now, with the nobles of the court dodging responsibility and no true masters available to her, she found herself with little choice.
"Very well, I will handle the Sword Sect," Zhou Linglong nodded, her tone indifferent but resolute.
Experts could deal with Orion, but the next step was choosing the right legion.
Zhou Linglong's eyes sharpened, her voice crisp and commanding as she addressed the court, "I hereby order the Minister of War, Guo Ming, to lead 300,000 imperial troops to Yizhou to halt Orion's southward march. Additionally, all major prefectures and states are to mobilize their forces to support Yizhou!"
Her tone brooked no argument. Three hundred thousand imperial troops—elite forces that guarded the capital—should be more than enough to crush a small rebellion. But this was just the beginning.
"Furthermore, I decree that the Great Wall Army of the Northern Territory dispatch 300,000 soldiers to attack Orion's forces from the north! This time, Orion will not escape."
Her decisiveness impressed the court, though only flattery followed.
"Your Majesty is wise!" the courtiers chorused, though many exchanged looks of schadenfreude with Guo Ming. The Minister of War, named directly by the Empress, was clearly under pressure. Despite his own considerable strength as a semi-saint, Guo Ming knew all too well the risks of facing Orion.
"Guo Ming, do not disappoint me," Zhou Linglong's cold gaze locked onto him.
Guo Ming forced a smile, bowing in submission. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not fail you."
...
After the court session, Zhou Linglong retired to her chambers. As her attendants helped her change out of her imperial robes and into more casual attire, the weight of her role lifted slightly, revealing the young woman underneath. The stern empress gave way to a girl, youthful and spirited, her noble demeanor softened in private.
Alone, Zhou Linglong sat before a bronze mirror, her thoughts racing. The court might be in disarray, but that chaos was precisely what she needed to assert her control. Yet, there was still something she had to do—a task she had long hesitated over.
Finally, she retrieved a token from within her robes. The simple token bore the inscription "Sword Sect" in bold, vigorous characters. It was a means of long-distance communication, left to her by her grandfather, Ling Yunfeng.
"Just this once... After I deal with Orion, I won't rely on Grandfather's power again," she muttered, her reluctance clear. Activating the token felt like admitting defeat, a blow to her pride. But she had no other choice.
Not long after, a familiar voice filled with warmth and authority came through the token.
"Linglong, what troubles you? Who dares to anger my precious granddaughter?"
Ling Yunfeng's voice was full of doting affection, his tone dismissive of the entire court. As the head of the most powerful sect, he had the authority to back up his words.
"Grandfather..." Zhou Linglong's voice softened as she explained the situation. "Orion, the King of Zhenbei, is leading a rebellion. His forces are overwhelming, and he has several powerful semi-saints under his command. I need help from the Sword Sect to suppress this revolt."
Ling Yunfeng's brow furrowed. "Zhenbei King Orion? The son of that old Lu Qingtian, huh? How dare he rebel! Don't worry, Linglong, I'll send the best of the Sword Sect to aid you."
Relief washed over Zhou Linglong. "Thank you, Grandfather..."
"There's no need to thank me, child!" Ling Yunfeng chuckled, then his tone grew serious. "But remember, even as an empress, you must think about continuing the royal line. It's time to fill your empty harem! I'm still waiting to meet my great-grandson!"
"Grandpa!" Zhou Linglong hastily ended the connection, her face flushing with embarrassment. Her grandfather's bluntness always caught her off guard.
She touched her warm cheeks, still red from the conversation. Though she ruled as an empress, she was still in her twenties—a young woman who, under different circumstances, might have lived a life far removed from the burdens of the throne.
"Harem..." she mused, her expression hardening. "I, Zhou Linglong, will never touch a man in my life! Who among the ordinary men of the world could possibly be worthy of me, the Empress of Zhou?"
Her pride was unshakable. No ordinary man could ever meet her standards. Only someone stronger than her might ever capture her heart.