Hearing Wei Xun's report, Xiao Mo realized that twenty days had already passed since Wei Xun last reported on the Ten Thousand Swords Sect elder's progress.

Xiao Mo frowned, "Why is the Ten Thousand Swords Sect elder nine days later than expected?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's like this," Wei Xun replied. "I heard that Elder Huang felt he didn't have a proper gift to bring, which wouldn't be appropriate for meeting Your Majesty. So Elder Huang took a small detour to West Beast Mountain to obtain a fourth-grade fierce beast's magic core, specifically to present to Your Majesty."

"I see," Xiao Mo nodded. "Elder Huang is truly thoughtful."

Human and demon cultivators were divided by realms.

While fierce beasts were divided by grades, corresponding to the nine great realms of cultivators.

A fourth-grade fierce beast's strength was comparable to a Nascent Soul realm cultivator.

"Go prepare the imperial procession. I'll go bathe and change clothes. Wait for me at Clear Spring Palace," Xiao Mo waved his hand.

"Yes, Your Majesty. This old slave will prepare immediately," Wei Xun hurriedly prepared to withdraw.

"Wait," Xiao Mo suddenly remembered something and called Wei Xun back.

"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Wei Xun respectfully lowered his eyebrows.

"Vice Censor-in-Chief Wang Can of the Censorate, how is he?"

Wang Can had secretly entered the palace to discuss eliminating the traitor, but was discovered by Yan Shan'ao and subsequently demoted to Lingnan.

Throughout it all, Wang Can had cursed Yan Shan'ao without showing a moment of cowardice.

He was truly a loyal minister.

Moreover, Wang Can's name was the same as the old village chief in the Book of a Hundred Lives.

The old village chief had treated him extremely well, which gave Xiao Mo a special closeness to Wang Can.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Wei Xun's expression was complex. "Lord Wang should have already arrived in Lingnan and taken up his post."

"Mm," Xiao Mo nodded. "Prepare some people to secretly go to Lingnan. Have them stay by Wang Can's side day and night, ensuring his safety. Understood?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured. This old slave understands. If nothing else, I will definitely ensure Lord Wang's life remains safe."

"Mm, go then."

Xiao Mo waved his hand.

Although he was a puppet emperor, this didn't mean he had no one available to use. It's just that most pro-emperor forces had been transferred out of the capital.

However, protecting Wang Can far away in Lingnan was still achievable.

After Wei Xun withdrew, Xiao Mo went to Clear Spring Palace for a bath, then with the maids' service, changed into imperial robes.

When Xiao Mo emerged, Wei Xun had already prepared the dragon palanquin.

"Depart! Leave the palace!"

As Wei Xun's shrill voice rang out, several unicorn red-blood horses pulled the dragon palanquin forward, with two rows of palace maids following behind.

Xiao Mo left the imperial palace. Xuanwu Street already had Jingzhao Prefecture soldiers maintaining order, with all officials following behind the dragon palanquin. Only Yan Shan'ao rode a horse slightly behind and to the side of the dragon palanquin.

Arriving outside the northern gate of the imperial city, numerous officials arranged themselves properly, preparing to welcome the arrival of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect immortal master.

At the same time, less than five li from Zhou Kingdom's imperial capital, Jiang Qingyi and her two companions had descended from the sky.

In the mortal world, there was an unwritten rule.

When sect envoys visited dynasty capitals, if the hosts came out to welcome you, you had to stop five li away, then walk forward to show respect.

Although with Ten Thousand Swords Sect's status as one of the world's ten great sects, even if they ignored this etiquette when meeting a small country like Zhou Kingdom, the other party wouldn't dare say anything.

But Ten Thousand Swords Sect always followed the principle of "propriety first, sword second."

"Sect Master, should you... should you personally lead the mission to Zhou Kingdom?" Elder Huang Wei looked nervously at the veiled Sect Master beside him, speaking hesitantly.

Huang Wei truly couldn't fathom the Sect Master's thoughts.

Huang Wei was just one of many elders in Ten Thousand Swords Sect, thinking to casually recruit a small country as a subordinate to gain some benefits for himself.

Who knew the Sect Master would come along.

It would be one thing if the Sect Master just came along but the Sect Master used a veil to cover her face, pretending to be an inner sect disciple of Ten Thousand Swords Sect coming down the mountain to see the world.

When Zhou Kingdom received him with great ceremony, the Sect Master would be standing to the side.

How could he dare?

"No need," Jiang Qingyi spoke coldly. She had used spiritual power to change her voice, and the veil was also a magical artifact. Unless someone's realm was higher than hers, no one could see her face beneath the veil.

"Do what you should do. I am just an ordinary inner sect disciple. Don't expose my identity. Understand?"

"Yes, Sect Ma, "

Just as Huang Wei was about to bow, he saw the Sect Master's coldly narrowed sword-like eyes, got startled, and quickly changed his words. His strong survival instinct made Huang Wei immediately get into character:

"Rest assured, Jiang Rou, Qiu Ye, you've been cultivating on the mountain all this time. This trip down the mountain for training will let you experience the customs of the mortal world."

Seeing Huang Wei's awkward appearance, Qiu Ye's lips curved slightly.

Jiang Qingyi walked straight ahead, "Then let's hurry."

"Right away!"

Elder Huang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly caught up.

About one incense stick's time later, Huang Wei and his two companions appeared in the sight of Zhou Kingdom officials.

"Your Majesty, the immortal masters from Ten Thousand Swords Sect have arrived."

Yan Shan'ao dismounted, cupped his hands and bowed, respectfully addressing His Majesty in the palanquin.

The reason he lowered his posture was mainly because he needed to put on a show in front of all the civil and military officials.

"Mm," Xiao Mo in the palanquin nodded. "Then let's welcome the immortal master."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yan Shan'ao straightened up and led the civil and military officials quickly toward the Ten Thousand Swords Sect elder.

According to Zhou Kingdom's protocol, it was always the Prime Minister leading the officials in welcome first.

Then the emperor would dismount and meet with them.

"This official pays respects to Elder Huang," Yan Shan'ao stepped forward and quickly bowed, his fawning appearance making other officials somewhat uncomfortable.

It seemed like this Elder Huang was Zhou Kingdom's emperor, while he, Yan Shan'ao, was like a dog wagging its tail before Elder Huang.

"Prime Minister is too courteous," Elder Huang smiled and helped him up. "I arrived a few days late. I hope the Prime Minister won't take offense."

"How dare I, how dare I... Elder Huang not disdaining our Zhou Kingdom's small temple is Zhou Kingdom's fortune," Yan Shan'ao smiled obsequiously, then noticed the two women behind Elder Huang. "These two fairy maidens are?"

"Oh, these are inner sect disciples of our Ten Thousand Swords Sect. This trip down the mountain for training, they happened to come with me to see the mortal world," Elder Huang naturally explained. "Where is His Majesty?"

"His Majesty has personally come to welcome Elder Huang. Elder Huang, this way please," Yan Shan'ao quickly led Elder Huang toward the dragon palanquin.

Just as they approached, several palace maids pulled open the curtain, and with Wei Xun's support, Xiao Mo slowly stepped out.

Originally casual and indifferent, Jiang Qingyi was still thinking about having Zhou Kingdom search for the person she wanted.

But the moment she saw this emperor walking toward her, her pupils suddenly contracted.