World's First Traitor System (428)

Chapter 428 - A Far-Reaching Scheme

As Xue Susu's words faded, a flower bud on the treetop quietly bloomed.

As the flower unfurled, the space around it warped and twisted.

Three female figures materialized beside Xue Susu.

"A flower, a world," Sage Ruler Jin De said with a smile.

"A tree, a Bodhi," Sage Ruler Miaoyin added.

Empress Yao Guang, standing between the two, looked down from her elevated position at Emperor Jiajing and the three thousand six hundred elite Embroidered Uniform Guards protecting the Great Ming Emperor.

Lu Lun was shocked!

The Embroidered Uniform Guard gathered intelligence from across the realm, and he understood instantly! The reason the Embroidered Uniform Guards had searched the entire island earlier and found no trace of anyone was because of the Brahma Sound Pure Land's divine ability, [A Flower, A World].

Empress Yao Guang, Sage Ruler Jin De, and Sage Ruler Miaoyin had been hiding within that flower all along, patiently waiting for Jiajing's Treasure Ship to dock and for him to disembark!

"Protect His Majesty!"

"Quickly, protect His Majesty!!!"

Lu Lun shouted, his voice strained and weak, but the three thousand six hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards, who had already formed their formations, were at a loss.

How could they protect him?

Attack?

Standing before them was the strongest woman in the world, the founding monarch of the Great Ci Dynasty, Yao Guang! Forget launching an attack; they might not even be able to withstand a single, full-powered blow from the Empress.

A mayfly trying to shake a tree was the most apt description for Lu Lun and the three thousand six hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards.

"Jiajing. I have waited a long time for this day!"

Empress Yao Guang spoke and her voice resounded in all directions. With a single palm raised towards the sky, she sent something soaring upwards.

In an instant, a vast expanse of the sky transformed into a mirror.

The Sky Mirror!

It could project everything happening on the island for the entire world to see!

Lu Lun's face turned ashen.

How ruthless the Empress was!

She had set a trap to lure his Majesty, and she even intended to humiliate him before the entire world?!

A ruler's worry was a subject's shame, a ruler's humiliation was a subject's death.

Lu Lun wished he could fight Yao Guang to the death, to demonstrate his utmost loyalty and uphold the principles of a subject!

Emperor Jiajing, however, simply looked up at the sky, calmly.

He seemed to be admiring the process of the clear blue sky transforming into a smooth, calm mirror, but he did not attempt to stop it.

Once the [Sky Mirror] was fully deployed, Emperor Jiajing finally lowered his gaze.

"Yao Guang, you went to a great deal of trouble arranging a desolate island like this, didn't you?" Emperor Jiajing spoke, his tone surprisingly casual, as if chatting with an old friend.

"I did," Empress Yao Guang admitted frankly.

"The Pure Land treasury is abundant, but spirit roots suitable for transplanting to an island are ultimately scarce."

"I used [Xirang] to lure you into this trap, and I also spared no effort in searching for rare treasures. It took three years to finally disguise this island."

"After that, I waited another three years before a Great Ming fisherman finally stumbled upon the island and picked a spirit fruit to present to you."

As she spoke, a rare hint of pride appeared on the Empress's face.

"Sufficient patience is required to create enough coincidences. Enough coincidences are required to earn your trust, to make you believe that none of this has anything to do with me."

Emperor Jiajing remained silent.

His gaze, however, grew even more somber.

The more somber he became, the brighter Yao Guang's smile grew.

"Jiajing, you are indeed too strong. So strong that I had to set this trap, taking advantage of every opportunity, before daring to fight you!"

As Yao Guang spoke, she cast an approving glance at Xue Susu.

"If any single step of this plan had gone awry, I would have immediately abandoned it and started anew."

"Fortunately, Heaven favors Great Ci. My plans all came to fruition. You are the primary contributor to this victory, Susu. You have worked hard all these years!"

"You truly deserve to be the Painting Sage Ruler of my Pure Land. Who else in the world could have infiltrated Jiajing's side without being discovered?"

Xue Susu, upon hearing this, bowed humbly, indicating that she did not dare to take credit.

Lu Lun, however, was stunned!

How could this be?

The most favored consort of Great Ming was not only Empress Yao Guang's spy, but also a top expert at the Great Vehicle realm?

During the voyage on the Treasure Ship, Lu Lun had even worried that the frail and delicate Consort Rou might not be able to withstand the turbulence of the sea.

Now, his worries seemed utterly ridiculous!?

Yao Guang stared at the people below.

Emperor Jiajing was expressionless, but the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards escorting him was filled with shock.

Although Jiajing's reaction disappointed Yao Guang slightly, Lu Lun satisfied her vanity.

She continued, "Jiajing, Susu has reported your every word and deed, every detail of your daily life, to me. Do you know what this means?"

Emperor Jiajing shook his head. "I do not know."

"It means..."

Yao Guang smiled, her tone uncharacteristically revealing a hint of wanton frivolity.

"Susu spent day and night by your side, just as if I were also by your side. Day after day, I carefully studied every piece of intelligence Susu sent. Finally, I became the woman in this world who understands you best."

As she spoke, Yao Guang let out a series of melodious and proud laughter.

Emperor Jiajing surprisingly asked, "Are you saying this because you want me to reserve a place for you in the harem?"

Yao Guang was not angered by his words. She simply continued her proud explanation.

"I understand you. I know when your patience runs out. I know you will eventually grow restless, leave the palace, leave the capital, and even leave Great Ming."

"Outside the borders of Great Ming, where you cannot use [Pangu's Giant Body], I am waiting for you here."

A bone-chilling coldness swept over Lu Lun.

He was shocked to realize that, if one counted from the time Xue Susu appeared in Great Ming as a courtesan, this was a long and elaborate scheme spanning more than a decade.

Could Empress Yao Guang's intellect and scheming truly reach such depths!?

Lu Lun instinctively looked up at the sky.

The various kingdoms of the world, and countless citizens, were likely witnessing this scene.

Terrifying!

The scheme was terrifying, and the Empress's calculation to use this battle to win over the hearts of the people of the world was even more terrifying!

After this battle, who in the world would be worthy of becoming Empress Yao Guang's opponent?!

Lu Lun was astonished to discover that, in his heart, he seemed to have already accepted his Majesty's defeat?

No!

This was not a thought a loyal subject should have!

His Majesty was still the foremost person in the world, the strongest Great Vehicle Ninth Rank cultivator. His Majesty would not be defeated!

"You seem to have also reached the ninth rank?" Emperor Jiajing suddenly asked.

"That's right, I have," Empress Yao Guang said with a smile.

A simple question and a simple answer, yet it sent Lu Lun plunging into an icy abyss.

The final advantage was gone?

The Empress and his Majesty were now equal in cultivation?

"Very good."

Emperor Jiajing nodded in approval.

"Yao Guang, you are truly the most extraordinary woman of this era. If you had more helpers, you might truly be able to keep me here today."

Lu Lun, listening from the side, twitched his mouth repeatedly.

How could His Majesty help his enemy strategize?

Did he not think the current predicament was difficult enough?

"I do indeed have three helpers. They are on their way."

As if his worst fears were coming true.

Just as the thought crossed Lu Lun's mind, he heard Yao Guang speak.

"Liu Bei of Great Han, Cao Cao of Great Wei, and Sun Quan of Great Wu."

"The three Emperors are on their way, and will arrive within half a day!"