People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

She is described as a middle-aged woman, yet she is also like a virgin, quiet and graceful as a secluded orchid.

No wonder my niece, Madam Mingzhu, is so alluring; like aunt, like niece.

Cao Ze sighed inwardly.

I wonder what it would be like if Lady Mingzhu and the Marquis shared a bed.

Are they twin lotus blossoms, or each has its own unique charm, or are they both all alluring and seductive?

Just as Cao Ze was lost in thought, a clear, cold voice came from beside him: "Your mind is in turmoil. What are you thinking about?"

Cao Ze was slightly startled and looked at the Marquis who was still meditating with her eyes closed in surprise.

The Marquis suddenly opened her beautiful eyes, her gaze piercing Cao Ze's mind like sword light.

Anyone with a weak will would already be sitting on the ground, terrified.

Cao Ze calmly said, "There are many skilled bandits among them. Although you, Lord Marquis, are very powerful, it would be difficult for you to capture them all by yourself. I am thinking that we should capture all the bandits with the least possible cost."

He can't exactly say, "I'm thinking about the scenery of you two, aunt and nephew, sharing a room together," can he?

Upon hearing this, the Marquis's gaze softened slightly, becoming somewhat gentler.

"You have a heart."

She valued Cao Ze very much.

The fact that it gained the recognition of both Confucianism and Mohism is enough to prove its ability.

She was confident that her strength was no less than that of any of the strongest among the Hundred Schools of Thought, but in other aspects, she completely lacked the unique advantage of the Hundred Schools of Thought—knowledge.

One person's strength is ultimately limited. If she wants to conquer South Korea, break through to the Grandmaster level, prove the ancient secret techniques, and use the mysterious fortune of heaven and earth to break through the legendary realm of heaven and man, the road ahead is still very long, and she needs rare talents like Cao Ze to assist her.

The Marquis slowly stood up, glancing down the mountain as if she had noticed something.

She said to Cao Ze, "Our Bai family has a history of three hundred years since the Jin Dynasty. During these three hundred years, we have experienced many trials and tribulations, but our Bai family still stands strong. Do you know why?"

Cao Ze didn't care about that.

When it comes to family history, any one of the seven kingdoms would have a history of several hundred years.

He gazed at the Marchioness's graceful figure, her curves perfectly proportioned, full yet slender, just like the white deer that had called out to him earlier.

"Please enlighten me, Your Excellency."

The Marquis slowly turned around, her beautiful hair tied up with a hairpin, and a wisp of her beard hanging down on each side of her face.

This was the first time Cao Ze had seen the Marquis's face directly. Her eyebrows were long and arched like a painting, and her beautiful eyes were clear and bright, with a lively and resolute look in them, just like the eyes of the white deer from before.

This is a skill honed to an extremely high level—the eyes move like a deer's.

Cao Ze took a light breath. Perhaps the Marquis's old injury was not as they had guessed, and had not yet healed.

Perhaps the Marquis's strength is greater than estimated.

If his brother-in-law and his group are too incompetent, he may have no choice but to take matters into his own hands and work with Jing Ni to subdue this woman.

The Marquis was unaware that Cao Ze was plotting how to get back at her.

She said calmly, "Be ruthless to yourself, be ruthless to your enemies."

Cao Ze opened his mouth, but swallowed the words "If you're not ruthless, you can't stand firm."

"This is indeed the way to survive."

The Marquis pursed her red lips, her expression cold and stern: "The way of survival... Heh, you're right. In the seven kingdoms and among the hundred families, who isn't seeking survival?"

Cao Ze's heart stirred slightly as he gazed at the Marquis's exquisite and flawless features. Her eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, resembled phoenix eyes, and her skin at the corners of her eyes was as pink as peach blossoms, exuding a certain charm that made him feel a strange unease.

With such a captivating face, if it weren't for her cold expression and resolute eyes, one could easily mistake her for a promiscuous woman.

"Haven't you seen enough yet?"

The Marquis was somewhat displeased to see that Cao Ze remained silent.

When she was young, she was very unhappy with her fox-like face and practiced ice magic diligently. Even now, no matter how indifferent or cold she is, she still cannot hide the fox-like charm on her face.

Just as Cao Ze was about to say something, Bai Yifei staggered over.

"Mother, they're here!"

The Marquis frowned slightly: "Are you injured?"

Bai Yifei wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "Ji Wuye's external martial arts are extremely difficult to deal with. I accidentally took a blow from his palm."

Cao Ze curled his lip slightly; he didn't believe Bai Yifei's nonsense.

That injury was probably faked; the blood on his body was probably from some unlucky guy.

The Marquis, unsuspecting, asked indifferently, "Are the manpower inside the castle fully arranged?"

Bai Yifei said, "Everything is ready. None of these guys will be able to leave today."

“Very good.” The Marquis’s gaze sharpened as she looked into the forest.

To her, these guys, who were only first- or second-rate in strength, were not a big threat at all. Her only worry was that they would get away.

Cao Ze retreated to Bai Yifei's side without leaving a trace.

Wei Zhuang, the arrogant king, stood atop a tall tree, holding the Shark Tooth Sword that gleamed with the cold moonlight, looking down at the Marquis by the lake.

A rustling sound echoed through the mountains and forests.

A sinister and eerie black aura spread out, and the six snake-bone chains behind Tianze brandished their claws, ready to devour anyone who might harm them.

Two figures, one in black and one in white, weaved and moved about, one on the left and one on the right, protecting a tall, imposing, and fierce-looking man.

Yingge slowly walked out of the woods, and inadvertently glanced at Cao Ze behind the Marquis. It was a good spot to poke his ass.

A heavy cough sounded, and the King of Poisons, hunched over and leaning on his cane, slowly moved out. The Corpse-Driving Demon lowered his hood and followed slowly behind the King of Poisons.

Han Fei gripped a strange longsword nervously, glancing left and right as if worried about something.

Han Qiancheng, holding a longbow, and the Wolf King, with its iron claws extended, followed behind Han Fei on either side.

Finally, a beautiful woman with a swaying figure appeared, her purple hair flowing gracefully. Her every move exuded charm, and the crimson soft sword she held in her hand made her even more alluring and cold.

The Marquis glanced around and said indifferently, "Is everyone here?"

Outside the forest, shadowy figures loomed, and the shouts of battle grew louder and louder.

Ji Wuye's face was gloomy. The soldiers he brought this time were all his city guards and personal guards.

He suppressed his heartache: "Marquis! I have always admired your prowess in your battle against Lord Wu'an, but you have repeatedly humiliated us and even plotted rebellion. Tonight..."

The Marquis showed a disdainful look and flicked her hand, sending a three-inch-thick and half-zhang-long ice spear at Ji Wuye.

"If you want to fight, then fight. Stop making a fuss here."

Ji Wuye shielded his chest with his arms and took the blow from the Marquis. A thin layer of ice slowly appeared on his body.

He was secretly alarmed. He had chosen to take the Marquis's attack head-on because he wanted to see her true strength.

Unexpectedly, a casually fired ice spear almost broke his defenses.

"Roar!"

Ji Wuye roared, "What are you all standing there for! Attack!"

Wei Zhuang and the others, who had been standing quietly, suddenly made their moves.

Although they had never cooperated, they still had some understanding of the basic strategy of attrition warfare.

Cao Ze took several steps back, glanced at the dozen or so zombies, and without saying a word, turned and disappeared into the forest.

Hidden Bat glanced disdainfully at Cao Ze, who had fled before even engaging in battle, and then bit down on the zombie that pounced on it.

"Pah!" Hidden Bat spat out a mouthful of blood in disgust.

"What a wretch! His death tastes awful!"

The Corpse-Driving Demon looked at Cao Ze, who had fled at the first sign of trouble, and his eyes under his hood held a complex expression.

Can he boast to the King of Poisons that he only needs to wave his hand to summon zombies and make Cao Ze run away in a panic?

In the mountains and forests, Cao Ze was unaware that the Corpse-Driving Demon had become overconfident.

Under the moonlight, Jing Ni noticed Cao Ze approaching. With a light touch of her toes, she flew into the air, landing steadily beside Cao Ze like a startled swan.

Cao Ze looked at Jing Ni's fish-scale soft armor combat suit; the patterns on the chest plate were still pleasing to the eye. Her beautiful legs were faintly visible through the slit skirt, making her even more alluring than before.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you wear this."

Jing Ni's gaze paused slightly as she looked to the side: "The Marquis is very strong; they might lose."

Cao Ze shrugged. "It will take some time before a winner is decided. Let's go inside Snowcloth Fortress now."

What are you going there for?

Jing Ni strode forward with her long legs, her shiny black high heels clicking as she followed Cao Ze like a swift mother leopard.

"Aren't you curious why the Marquis, after being frozen for over a decade, not only fully recovered from her injuries but also saw her strength leap from roughly the same as yours to the peak of the Grandmaster level?"

Jingni remained silent for a long while, then said, "I'm not curious."

"You're curious."

"...I'm really not curious." A helpless look appeared on Jing Ni's pretty face.

Compared to all this nonsense, she was more interested in finishing the fight and going home as soon as possible; putting Xiaoyan to sleep was more fun than looking for things.

Cao Ze gave in, "Fine, I'm curious, okay?"

"Mm." Jing Ni silently followed Cao Ze.

After a brief exchange, they had already arrived outside Snowcloth Castle.

A group of city guards, their faces covered and armor hidden beneath their black clothing, clashed in close combat with the Ice Armor Guards of Snowclothes Fortress.

Cao Ze and Jing Ni avoided the battle and stepped into Snow Robe Fortress through the single-arm chain.

"Where to?" Jingni asked, looking at the vast Snow Robe Fortress.

Cao Ze pondered for a moment; the direction the Marquis had come from that night seemed to be the main hall in the northwest.

"Go over there!"

Cao Ze took the lead and, together with Jing Ni, sneaked into the main hall next to the main hall.