The Empress’s Gigolo

There was one more matter that needed to be dealt with properly before setting out.

It concerned that “Handsome.”

According to the information, this person’s movements were rather bizarre and it was uncertain whether he was the one who sent the letter.

Whether this was the case or not, the palace needed to prepare for it.

If the true dragon blood was actually stolen this time, it would be a joke.

With so many experts around, letting a thief come and go without anybody finding out would enrage the empress.

The true dragon blood was taken out and placed in the palace by itself with guards outside. This was to show the other party that it was there so that he wouldn’t enter the imperial treasury again.

It was said that this guy only aimed for his target and wouldn’t touch the other stuff around it even if they were more precious.

From this action, it could be deduced that the other party was stealing to announce himself. A normal thief certainly would not ignore the more valuable treasures beside their target.

This guy had never failed in more than ten years of activity in Great Xia, had been chased by the number one tracker, and still managed to move around unhindered. He must have some tricks that were beyond the imagination of others.

This was definitely the case or else his reputation wouldn’t be so great.

Due to this reason, Ren Baqian didn’t dare to risk it even though there were experts all over Lan City.

There weren’t many traps set up in the palace, and these had probably been used by others before. This guy had committed crimes so many times that he probably knew all the methods necessary to avoid such traps.

In addition to Xin Zhe and a row of guards stationed outside the hall, there were numerous infrared alarms inside.

As for the device to signal the theft, it was put under the table where the true dragon blood was kept.

The roaring emperor was in a tunnel under the table with 20 marine loudspeakers installed inside the hall.

The combined volume of the roaring emperor and 20 marine loudspeakers was 240 decibels. Anyone nearby, even a deaf person, would be half dead for the rest of their life due to the sonic output.

It must be mentioned that the launch of a rocket is about 150 decibels and can permanently deafen ordinary people or even kill them.

The explosion of an ordinary volcano is only 180 decibels.

An attack of 240 decibels… Ren Baqian wondered whether the corpse would still be whole.

Therefore, even the guards outside the hall were positioned far away.

“Remember, when anyone, no matter who, triggers the infrared alarms, you have to play your part.” Ren Baqian patted the head of the roaring emperor to remind him.

“If you do well, I will find some female Man Wheel level squirrels for you!” Ren Baqian promised.

“If you perform poorly, say goodbye to your little bird!”

When dealing with people or animals, the carrot and stick approach is effective.

“Go down.” Ren Baqian removed a stone slab below the table. Underneath was a tunnel dug by the roaring emperor with alarms and amplifying equipment inside.

He went out of the hall and reminded Xin Zhe repeatedly, “During these next few days, nobody is allowed to enter this hall. Any violator will be beheaded!”

“Yes!” Xin Zhe replied and asked, “What if the other party enters the hall?”

“Let him in and just stay on guard outside. When the time comes, use a hanger to fish him out to prevent his corpse from rotting.”

When he arrived at Yaohua Palace Hall, the empress was putting a piece of paper on the table.

Upon seeing him, she gestured with her lips and said, “The name list is there. These days, there are many people appearing in the northern region.”

“This is as anticipated,” Ren Baqian said as he picked up the paper. He browsed it and noted that the names were of people who had reputations.

About a dozen of them were ranked from the top 100 to the top ten.

These people didn’t hide their tracks and swaggered into Dayao.

“The deterrence of Li Fu isn’t enough. With the world’s most powerful expert seeking help from the martial arts community, so many people are fishing in troubled waters! ” Ren Baqian folded the paper and put it into his bosom.

“Since the world’s most powerful expert is asking for help, it can be seen that the benefits and difficulties are huge. In this case, it’s natural for highly skilled people to come here.”

“If it doesn’t work out, they can just go back. If it takes about two to three months, can Li Fu kill them all?

“Supposing they were to succeed… A Spirit Wheel expert needs many years of cultivation to advance slightly. Who would give up the chance to advance in just one step?” the empress mused languidly.

“That’s true!” Ren Baqian nodded in agreement.

If he were to get stuck in his cultivation and fail to advance much after many years, he would also grab the opportunity, wherever it was.

“It looks like the number of fish will be higher than expected.”

This was a good thing, but having too many people was messy. There was a need to select.

He didn’t want a few villains to sneak in.

…

One night passed by. The next morning, the winged cavalry were stationed outside the palace, ready for action.

2,400 Earth Wheel experts plus the Minister of War, Qin Chuan; the Minister of Works, Tong Zhenye; the Minister of Justice, Zhuo Yan; the Minister of Rites, Xiong Yaohe; and the officials of the various departments were there. Over ten Cardinal Heaven experts were present. It was frightening to stand there even without them saying a word.

Only Tie Yan, the secretary of the Department of Inspection, led his people and the two sword masters to Great Xia. Most of the other officials in Lan City, who had nothing better to do, were there.

Over 100 third and fourth year students from the academy were also present.

Not far away were some wagons pulled by cattle with people inside. This included Li Fu, Qingyun Sword, Zuo Cheng of Lingshan Sect, and Li Yuanzhu with one companion.

Ren Baqian had expected Li Yuanzhu to go on her own because going together with the Dayao officials would have some impact on Genuine One Sect.

Surprisingly, Li Yuanzhu said, “There’s nothing to hide! If that thing is as you say, then does it matter what they think? If you deceive me, I will find you. Why should we care about the opinions of others?”

Ren Baqian felt like taking a group photo of their team, which included the top ranked expert in the world, the third ranked expert, the fourth ranked expert, two Spirit Wheel experts, more than ten Cardinal Heaven experts, and 2,400 Earth Wheel experts.

It wasn’t easy to gather them.

However, when he realized that their team might be even bigger when they came back, he decided to take a group photo later.

After the imperial carriage left the palace, the whole team filed out from the west gate and headed northwest.

Not long after setting off, Ren Baqian jumped to Li Yuanzhu’s wagon, parted the curtain, and asked, “Your Holiness, do you want to play the game ‘Fight The Landlord?’”

“What?” Li Yuanzhu, who was sitting cross-legged, opened her eyes and looked puzzled.

“Do you want to play cards? Doesn’t Great Xia have a type of flower card? It’s something like that, but the way of playing is different.”

“Zhao Prince Consort, thank you very much, but I haven’t done my work for today and can’t entertain you.” Li Yuanzhu closed her eyes after replying.

Li Yuanzhu was a boring person.

He turned around to look and saw that the others didn’t invite the empress. Maybe he should play Connect Four with the empress.

He might as well not play since the empress was better at playing it… He was also unable to beat her at chess… He could try military chess!

He went back to play military chess!