You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

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what?

Upon hearing Lu Zuo's words, Li Qingmei stood there stunned, greatly surprised.

Why won't you punish me for deceiving the emperor?

You won't hold me accountable for plotting to seize the imperial seal?

even……

Not requiring the Mythic race to pledge eternal allegiance, just three years?

Lu Zuo's words completely exceeded Li Qingmei's expectations.

Based on her past experience and the painful lessons passed down through generations of the Secret Clan, those in power, once they discovered their value, would do everything in their power to control them tightly and exploit them to the fullest extent.

They use poison, prohibitions, coercion, and other means to bind their relatives into obedient tools until they completely lose their value or are sacrificed.

The curse of "not living past forty" that afflicts this branch of the family stems from the legacy left behind by their ancestor being controlled by a powerful force using a secret medicine.

This is why the Secret Clan rarely interacts with the outside world.

He only served the Murong family for a period of time during the reign of Wanqi Mingyao, for various reasons.

Nine years after Yan Fei shattered the void, the Secret Clan was nearly wiped out again, with less than a hundred people escaping.

This is also why Li Qingmei was unwilling to easily reveal her identity.

A deal?

If it were merely a transaction, the Secret Clan would pay three years of forced labor in exchange for the hope of lifting the curse and continuing their bloodline. Although the price was enormous, it seemed acceptable compared to being enslaved for eternity.

After all, it was the only glimmer of hope for the Mystic Clan in thousands of years.

But will he really let the Secret Clan go three years later?

Was he ultimately a cunning and cunning tycoon skilled in disguise, or...?

Who is truly willing to offer relatively fair terms?

There are only two paths before them: one is to die at the hands of a tyrannical ruler, in which case the other members of the Secret Clan can be spared, but the troubles they face will still remain.

Secondly, let's take a gamble!

All members of the secret clan were exposed and served this tyrannical ruler for three years to rid themselves of the trouble.

but……

The cost may be a new means of control.

After all, the Chen royal family doesn't have a very good reputation, and they are said to be skilled in controlling others.

However... many members of the clan are growing old and their lives are coming to an end.

The Secret Clan really can't wait any longer.

After much deliberation, she finally decided to take the gamble and nodded, saying, "Okay, I promise!"

"Very good, those who know when to yield are the wise ones."

Lu Zuo asked, "How many people are left in your Secret Clan?"

Li Qingmei replied, slightly out of breath, "Our branch has lived in seclusion for many years, enduring numerous calamities, and now only about three hundred people remain."

More than three hundred people...

This number is less than Lu Zuo expected, but if they are all capable people, it is enough.

He then asked, "How is your cultivation level?"

"Most of the young and strong men in the clan are at the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm."

Li Qingmei: "Eight people achieved the initial unity of the three elements, but as for the creation of heaven and earth within..."

"There is no one else but me."

Eight elements uniting into one, plus Li Qingmei's inner creation of heaven and earth...

Lu Zuo was overjoyed. Although this force was small in number, its elite level far exceeded his expectations!

In this way, Zhang Zhongjian has basically obtained all the top experts he needs.

At this moment, Li Qingmei could no longer suppress the strange sensation within her body. The tingling and hot feeling made her involuntarily let out a groan, and her body curled up slightly.

She looked up at Lu Zuo, her eyes glistening with tears: "What methods did you use on me? Is there any way to undo this?"

Lu Zuo shook his head and smiled: "This is not a method to subdue or harm the enemy, so there is no need to counteract it."

"It's called Love Massage, and it's a little something to enjoy."

"Take a moment to enjoy this moment, and once your energy and blood have calmed down, you will be fine."

"you!"

Li Qingmei was both ashamed and angry, and almost gritted her teeth to pieces.

……

It wasn't until dawn that Li Qingmei recovered and stood up from the ground, her face flushed.

She glanced at Lu Zuo first, then said, "I have agreed to His Majesty's terms."

"Your Majesty, could you please remove the hidden danger from Qingmei's body?"

Lu Zuo smiled and said, "What's the rush?"

"What I have promised, I will naturally keep."

"But why should I believe that your secret clan won't renege on their promises after taking the benefits?"

"How about this?"

Lu Zuo paused briefly before continuing, "For those aged thirty-five and above, I can first use the Imperial Seal to resolve the potential problems, as a deposit for your clan."

"As for those under thirty-five..."

"Once your three-year term is up, you will have successfully retired, and I will personally eliminate the threat for them."

I knew it would turn out like this!

Li Qingmei sneered inwardly. First, she used the old and weak to keep them occupied, then she used the strong and young to tie them up. She had calculated everything perfectly.

She remained expressionless and scoffed, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; we shall follow Your Majesty's word."

Seeing that she acknowledged it, Lu Zuo changed the subject: "Where are they all?"

Li Qingmei chuckled softly, "Come on, follow me."

Immediately, the two of them headed straight for Jiankang City, one after the other.

.......

Early morning, in a courtyard in Jiankang City.

The courtyard was very ordinary, with blue bricks and gray tiles, some miscellaneous items piled up in the corner, and a few coarse cloth clothes hanging out to dry, no different from the neighbors.

However, the people standing solemnly in the courtyard made this ordinary scene seem unusual.

There were a total of 37 people, both men and women, and they all dressed differently.

There were peddlers carrying loads on their shoulders, their faces weathered by the elements, and restaurant kitchen helpers wearing greasy aprons and exuding the smell of cooking.

There were also merchants dressed in silk robes, with beaming smiles.

There were even women carrying baskets, dressed like ordinary women.

They came in all shapes and sizes, just like the ordinary people you pass by every day in Jiankang City.

The truly wise live in seclusion amidst the bustling city...

Lu Zuo thought to himself, "The secret clan has completely integrated themselves into the everyday life of the city, becoming the most inconspicuous background in this vast city. This is far better than hiding in the deep mountains and forests..."

Immediately, Lu Zuo turned to Li Qingmei beside him and asked, "How can I help you?"

"Your Majesty may temporarily lend the Imperial Seal to Qingmei."

Lu Zuo did as he was told, and under Li Qingmei's surprised gaze, he took out the Imperial Seal of the State from his personal space and handed it to her.

Where did he get it from?

Li Qingmei muttered to herself, but didn't take it too seriously. She focused on activating her inner energy to resolve the internal ailments of those in her clan whose lifespans were nearing their end.

Buzz!

As her true essence flowed into the jade seal, a faint, clear sound suddenly arose!

Suddenly, the Imperial Seal of the State shone with a warm and lustrous light, and streams of golden light flowed out from within the seal.

The light flowed like a stream, precisely disappearing into the crowd in the courtyard, causing everyone to shudder!

Immediately afterwards, the faint gray aura of death that lingered around them melted away slowly under the wash of the golden warm current, like snow meeting the sun.

.......

The process of resolving the potential danger lasted for almost an hour before it ended.

After returning the jade seal to Lu Zuo, Li Qingmei told the clansmen to disperse first, and then went with Lu Zuo to the main hall to wait for the three-element experts of the clan to arrive.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the eight beginners of the Three Elements finally appeared in Lu Zuo's sight.

And Lu Zuo actually knew one of them?

"Yue Qing?"

Upon seeing him, Yue Qing was momentarily stunned, then stepped forward to pay his respects: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

I never expected this, I really never expected this...

This guy is actually a member of the Secret Clan, and he has already entered the Three Realms Realm!

Ha, they really are worthy of being called the 'Secret Clan'. I didn't even notice their ability to conceal their cultivation when I was in Nantong?

Lu Zuo waved his hand and chuckled, "Rise."

"Gentlemen, since I have made a promise, I will certainly keep it."

"When the three-year period is up, I will surely eradicate this scourge from you and your entire clan and restore your freedom."

Upon hearing this, most of the people's eyes flickered slightly, their shrewdness gleaming. Clearly, they did not entirely believe the promise, but the situation was beyond their control, so they had to bow their heads for the time being.

Only Yue Qing showed a hint of joy, clearly trusting Lu Zuo more than the others.

After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "What exactly does Your Majesty require of us?"

"You only need to follow the orders of Zhang Zhongjian, the commander of the Beijing garrison. Do whatever he tells you to do."

As Lu Zuo spoke, he looked at Li Qingmei beside him: "That also includes you and those innate masters in the Secret Clan."

After a few more brief words, the group bowed and took their leave.

……

After leaving the courtyard, Yue Qing and the seven clansmen walked silently toward the military camp outside the city.

"snort."

"A three-year agreement, that sounds nice."

A burly man named Qin Rui scoffed, "Which of those high and mighty figures doesn't make promises they can't keep, only to renege on them later?"

"Haven't we, the Mystic Clan, suffered enough losses? I don't understand why the Mystic Woman would believe him?"

Another woman with a gentle demeanor, named Su Yudie, softly chimed in, "Brother Qin is absolutely right."

"This Chen Shubao has a bad reputation, but he is not a benevolent ruler."

"We have staked the lives and future of our entire clan on this, and it is difficult for us to feel at ease."

Yue Qing, who had been silent all along, looked at his seven companions and said in a deep voice, "I understand your concerns, brothers."

"I spent quite some time with His Majesty in Nantong, and I have seen and heard more than you all."

"Indeed, His Majesty is morally flawed and acts absurdly."

"but......"

Yue Qing then changed the subject: "His Majesty dispatched Lord Lu Zuo to Nantong and Dongyang to equalize land distribution, suppress powerful clans, develop water conservancy, value artisans, and establish primary schools..."

"Every single thing he did was not just for personal enrichment, but rather provided a real way of life for many poor families."

"Would someone who has no regard for the suffering of the people and only knows how to indulge in extravagance do such thankless and even offensive things?"

"Since he was able to give Lu Zuo such an important position, it shows that even though the emperor has flaws in his personal morality, he may still be capable of doing things that are just and righteous."

……

Two hours later...

Lu Zuo received dozens of experts from the Secret Clan who had reached the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm in the courtyard. Only then did the negotiations come to an end. He then turned back towards the palace with Li Qingmei.

As he walked, he pondered to himself.

The Secret Clan's martial arts are best suited for stealth, assassination, and other such methods.

With them around, things should be easier for Zhang Zhongjian, right?

And then...

Ideally, the power of the Lingnan Song Clan and Lady Xian should be completely brought under their control.

"His Majesty……"

Suddenly, Li Qingmei's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lu turned to look at her and saw a faint blush on her cheeks, her eyes glistening with tears, and her voice soft and gentle as she asked, "That, that love massage..."

"After returning to the palace, may Your Majesty use it on Qingmei again?"