From the fake emperor to the concubine

"I was cultivating when I suddenly sensed fluctuations of spiritual energy coming from the patriarch's side, so I came out to check," Su Wanqing said. "Patriarch, you...have broken through?"

"Hmm." Zheng Yi nodded, "Late stage of the Mahayana Realm."

A hint of surprise flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes, followed by a look of joy.

“Congratulations, Patriarch,” she said.

"Thank you." Zheng Yi smiled slightly.

The two stood in the courtyard, bathed in the cool moonlight, and remained silent for a moment.

"Patriarch," Su Wanqing suddenly spoke up, "are you going to Qingyun City tomorrow?"

"Yes." Zheng Yi nodded.

"Can Wanqing come with you?" Su Wanqing asked.

"You want to go?" Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised.

“Yes,” Su Wanqing said. “Wanqing wants to stay by the head of the family's side and help him with some tasks. Besides, Wanqing's cultivation needs practical experience; staying in the manor all the time will slow down her progress.”

Zheng Yi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, you'll come with me."

"Thank you, Patriarch." A hint of joy appeared on Su Wanqing's face.

The next morning, Zheng Yi, along with Su Wanqing, Tieshan, Fengling, and Qingsong, met up and set off for Qingyun City.

The group of six flew south in a grand procession.

Half a day later, they arrived at Qingyun City.

Wang Tianhai personally went to the city gate to greet them. When he saw that Zheng Yi had brought three experts, his face lit up with joy.

"Mr. Dark Night, are these the experts you recruited?" he asked.

“That’s right.” Zheng Yi nodded. “These three are Tieshan, Fengling, and Qingsong. They are all experts at the Integration Realm or above, and can help you deal with the Lu family.”

Wang Tianhai quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, gentlemen. I am Wang Tianhai, the city lord of Qingyun City. I will need your help in the future."

"Lord Wang, you're too kind," Tieshan laughed heartily. "We will certainly fulfill the orders given by Boss Dark Night."

"This old man, Qingsong, greets Lord Wang." Qingsong also bowed in greeting.

The wind chime simply nodded slightly without saying a word.

Wang Tianhai invited everyone into the city lord's mansion, arranged their accommodations, and then had a private discussion with Zheng Yi.

"Sir, I am very satisfied with the three people you recruited this time," he said. "Especially Senior Qingsong, he is actually a master of the early stage of the Mahayana Realm, and is also skilled in formations and alchemy. He is truly excellent."

“Although Senior Qingsong is advanced in years, his strength is considerable,” Zheng Yi said. “You can have him help set up an array to strengthen the defenses of the City Lord’s Mansion.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Wang Tianhai nodded.

"By the way, what's been happening with Lu Yunfei lately?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Still the same old story," Wang Tianhai said. "He wanders around the city every day, gathering information and making contact with various people. But for now, there haven't been any major moves."

"Where is Zhang Wu, the deputy commander of the city garrison?"

“Zhang Wu,” Wang Tianhai’s expression turned grave, “he’s been getting very close to Lu Yunfei lately, meeting him frequently in private. I suspect he’s been bribed by Lu Yunfei.”

“Then we need to be careful,” Zheng Yi said. “Zhang Wu is the deputy commander of the city guard. If he’s been bribed, the Lu family will have planted a spies within the city guard. He might betray you at a crucial moment.”

“That’s what I was thinking too,” Wang Tianhai said. “So I plan to find an excuse to transfer him away and replace him with a reliable person.”

“That’s a good idea,” Zheng Yi nodded, “but we need to be discreet and not let Lu Yunfei find out.”

“I understand,” Wang Tianhai said.

The two discussed some details, and then Zheng Yi returned to his room to continue his cultivation.

After breaking through to the late stage of the Mahayana realm, his strength had greatly improved, but he still needed time to consolidate it. Moreover, there was still some lightning power in the Purple Lightning Stone that he hadn't fully absorbed, and he planned to absorb it all during this period.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, holding the purple lightning stone in his hand, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

The lightning power within the purple lightning stone flowed continuously into his body, slowly merging into his spiritual energy.

After spending a few days in Qingyun City, Zheng Yi decided to return to Tianyuan City.

Things were all arranged for Wang Tianhai. Tieshan was responsible for Wang Tianhai's close protection, Fengling was responsible for gathering intelligence and monitoring Lu Yunfei, and Qingsong began to set up the defensive formations for the City Lord's Mansion. The three of them performed their duties well and cooperated seamlessly, greatly improving Wang Tianhai's situation.

"Sir, are you leaving already?" Wang Tianhai said with some reluctance. "I would have liked to keep you for a few more days."

“There are still some things to take care of in Tianyuan City,” Zheng Yi said. “Besides, I’ve already recruited three experts for you, so there shouldn’t be any major problems in the short term.”

“You’re right, sir.” Wang Tianhai nodded. “Then have a safe journey, sir. I will inform you immediately if anything happens.”

“Okay.” Zheng Yi nodded.

He took Su Wanqing with him, bid farewell to Wang Tianhai and the others, and flew towards Tianyuan City.

Throughout the journey, Su Wanqing remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

"Wanqing, what are you thinking about?" Zheng Yi asked.

"Patriarch," Su Wanqing hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Wanqing is thinking about the Han family."

"The Han family?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Su Wanqing said. “Wanqing knows that the Han family has been causing her trouble. Back in Tianyuan City, Han Feiyang sent people to deal with the family head. Now that the family head has offended the Han family on Wanqing's behalf, Wanqing is very worried.”

"What are you worried about?"

“I’m worried the Han family will retaliate against the patriarch,” Su Wanqing said. “The Han family is one of the nine great families, with immense power and countless experts. If they really want to deal with the patriarch, he will be in great danger.”

Zheng Yi smiled slightly after listening.

“Wanqing, don’t worry,” he said. “Although the Han family is powerful, I’m not someone to be trifled with. If they dare to come, I’ll fight them back.”

"But."

“No buts.” Zheng Yi interrupted her. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. The Han family should think twice before trying to deal with me.”

Seeing Zheng Yi's confident expression, Su Wanqing felt a little more at ease.

“Master, Wanqing believes in you,” she said.

Zheng Yi nodded and increased the speed of the flight.

As evening fell, the two arrived at Tianyuan City.

The setting sun cast its golden rays upon the city walls, bathing the entire city in a vibrant red hue. The city gates were bustling with people, a lively scene of bustling activity. The cries of vendors, the shouts of hawkers, and the clatter of horses' hooves mingled together, creating a vibrant and vibrant urban landscape.

Zheng Yi led Su Wanqing into the city and headed towards the mansion.

Along the way, he noticed several pairs of eyes secretly watching him. Those eyes were hostile, making his back feel cold.

“Someone is following us,” he whispered to Su Wanqing.

Su Wanqing's expression changed. "Are they from the Han family?"

"Very likely," Zheng Yi said. "It seems Han Feiyang is still persistent and has sent people again."

"What should we do then?" Su Wanqing asked nervously. "Don't worry," Zheng Yi said. "Let them come if they want. I'll deal with them when we get to a suitable place."

The two continued walking forward, pretending not to have noticed the person following them.

After walking through several streets, Zheng Yi deliberately turned into a secluded alley.

The alley was flanked by high courtyard walls, covered in moss and looking quite dilapidated. There were few people in the alley, except for a few stray cats sunbathing in the corners. The high walls blocked the last rays of the setting sun, making the alley somewhat gloomy.

Zheng Yi walked to the middle of the alley and suddenly stopped.

"Come out," he said calmly. "Aren't you tired after following me for so long?"

Footsteps sounded behind them, and seven or eight men dressed in black walked in from the alley entrance, blocking Zheng Yi and Su Wanqing's escape route.

At the same time, several men in black appeared at the other end of the alley, forming a pincer movement.

Zheng Yi glanced around and noticed that there were many more people than last time, and they were also stronger.

The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in black robes, with a profound aura, likely at the peak of the Integration Realm. Most of the others were at the mid-to-late stage of the Integration Realm, with the weakest being at the early stage.

"Are you from the Han family?" Zheng Yi asked.

“Indeed,” the middle-aged man in black robes said coldly. “I am Han Tie, the commander of the Han family's guards. I am here on the orders of the Third Young Master to teach you a lesson.”

"A lesson?" Zheng Yi's lips curled slightly upward. "The five people they sent last time, I dealt with them in one move. This time, with you sent instead, do you think the outcome will be any different?"

"Hmph, those five good-for-nothings from last time didn't represent the Han family's strength at all," Han Tie sneered. "Today, I'll show you what happens when you offend the Han family."

"Is that so?" Zheng Yi said calmly. "Then I'd like to see what you're capable of."

He turned to Su Wanqing, "Wanqing, step aside and don't get involved in the fight."

“But…” Su Wanqing wanted to say something.

“Listen to me,” Zheng Yi said. “Leave these people to me.”

Looking at Zheng Yi's determined eyes, Su Wanqing finally nodded and retreated to a corner of the alley.

Zheng Yi turned around to face Han Tie and his men.

“Come on,” he said, “let me see what the Han family’s guard commander is really made of.”

Han Tie's face darkened, and he gave a wink to his men behind him.

"Go!" he commanded.

A dozen men in black moved at the same time and pounced on Zheng Yi.

They were fast and coordinated perfectly, clearly well-trained elites. Some attacked from the front, some from the flanks, and some lay in ambush, forming a tight encirclement.

But in Zheng Yi's eyes, their movements were like slow motion.

Since breaking through to the late stage of the Mahayana Realm, his strength has undergone a qualitative leap. These Nascent Soul Realm cultivators are as insignificant as ants in front of him.

He moved with lightning speed, appearing like a ghost in front of the nearest man in black.

Clap it with one palm.

boom!
The man in black had no time to react before he was sent flying by a palm strike, crashing into the wall, spitting blood, and falling unconscious on the spot.

Zheng Yi did not stop and continued his attack.

His movements were as fast as lightning, and with each move, someone fell. Although the men in black outnumbered him, they were utterly powerless against him.

Bang bang bang!

After a series of muffled thuds, more than a dozen men in black collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.

It took less than ten breaths from start to finish.

Han Tie stood there, his face ashen.

He hadn't expected his men to be so easily defeated. This Dark Night was far stronger than he had imagined.

"It's your turn," Zheng Yi said calmly, looking at Han Tie.

Han Tie took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and said coldly, "You do have some skill. But don't think that defeating these small fry means you can deal with me."

The spiritual energy within him began to surge, and a powerful aura erupted from him.

The pressure from the peak of the Integration Realm was like a mountain pressing down on Zheng Yi.

But Zheng Yi stood still, completely unmoved, as if the oppressive aura had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Peak of the Integration Realm?" He shook his head. "Still not enough."

He also unleashed an aura, the pressure of a late-stage Mahayana realm cultivator, like a giant dragon awakening, instantly suppressing Han Tie's aura.

Han Tie's expression changed drastically.

"Late stage of the Mahayana Realm?" he exclaimed in surprise. "When did you break through?"

"Just a few days ago," Zheng Yi said calmly, "What, are you scared?"

Han Tie gritted his teeth. "Hmph, so what if you're in the late stage of the Great Ascension Realm? I, Han Tie, have spent decades at the peak of the Integration Realm. I have rich combat experience; I might not necessarily lose to you!"

He shouted and charged towards Zheng Yi.

He was incredibly fast; his fists whistled through the air, like a small mountain bearing down. Wherever the force of his punches passed, the air itself seemed to vibrate and hum.

Zheng Yi did not dodge, but instead met the punch head-on.

boom!
The two fists collided, producing a deafening roar.

Han Tie felt a terrifying force emanating from his opponent's fist, which made his entire arm go numb. His body involuntarily staggered back several steps, almost falling over.

"What?!" He was deathly pale. "How is this possible?"

He considered himself quite powerful, with virtually no rivals among those in the Integration Realm. But he never expected that this Dark Night's power would surpass his by so much. One punch from him, and he could barely stand.

"This is the difference between the Integration Realm and the Great Ascension Realm," Zheng Yi said calmly. "No matter how strong you are, you can't cross this chasm."

Han Tie gritted his teeth and charged forward again, unwilling to give up.

He threw a series of punches, each one aimed at Zheng Yi's vital points with a determination to kill.

But Zheng Yi simply waved his hand casually, deflecting all of his attacks.

His movements were slow and casual, as if he were playing with a child. But Han Tie felt that every time his attack was blocked, a tremendous force would rebound back, making his arm increasingly numb and his strength increasingly weak.

“It’s time to end this,” Zheng Yi suddenly said.

His figure flashed and appeared in front of Han Tie.

Han Tie was shocked and tried to retreat, but it was too late.

Zheng Yi's right hand, like an iron clamp, grabbed Han Tie's neck and lifted him up.

"Let me go!" Han Tie struggled to say, but his strength was nothing compared to Zheng Yi's.

"I gave you a chance," Zheng Yi said coldly. "Last time I told you to go back and tell Han Feiyang not to come looking for trouble with me again. But you didn't listen and came again." (End of Chapter)