"The Emperor heard from Xiao Wanzi that someone dared to assassinate the Empress today, so I came to inquire. Even a dethroned Empress deserves some concern, don't you think?"
Liu Liu's back was straight, her eyes moist, and she spoke indifferently, "Liu'er is fine, thank you for your concern." Her detached tone easily kept him at bay.
Feng Xie's eyes flickered deeply. He smiled without anger. Did this woman really think he cared about her that much? He abruptly stood up. Feng Xie never lacked women. The noble aura around him was chillingly sharp.
"If the Empress needs anything, I fear the Prime Minister would be sad. Since the Empress is unharmed, I am relieved." With that, he left without looking back. Liu Liu stood watching his retreating figure, the afterglow of the sun casting upon him, his back tall and straight.
Hua Qing Palace finally quieted down. Liu Liu reclined on the soft couch to rest. What was all this? Feng Lie actually wanted to marry the Empress. He hadn't proposed when she was waiting for him, and now he openly declared his desire to marry her.
Even if she was an unfavored Empress, it wasn't the Prince's place to marry an Empress. Once one entered the imperial palace, it was like entering the deep sea; it wasn't that easy.
Three days later, she received news that the martial arts convention would be held in Heifeng City. It was rumored that both the righteous and unrighteous factions of the martial arts world would gather. The Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts World had sent out invitations to all renowned figures in the jianghu.
Smaller sects and factions that did not receive invitations could also participate, but they would have to bear all their own expenses.
Those who received invitations were friends of the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts World and could stay at the Alliance Leader's Qinglian Mountain Villa. It was said that Qinglian Mountain Villa was the largest estate in Heifeng City, vast in area, capable of accommodating any number of people.
It was a trivial matter for Dai Mei to obtain such an invitation, so Liu Liu decided to participate in the martial arts convention as the楼主 (louzhu -楼主) of Qixing Tower, aiming to establish Qixing Tower's position in the jianghu. Such an occasion was free advertising for them.
In the imperial palace, these three days were filled with joy. Of course, this joy emanated from Guangyang Palace and Changxin Palace, as the Emperor had favored Concubine Shu and Concubine De.
These two women were triumphant. The news quickly spread throughout the vast harem, even reaching the ears of those in Hua Qing Palace, no doubt intentionally spread by some malicious parties.
Consequently, the young maids in Hua Qing Palace were often found whispering indignantly in corners, lamenting the injustice done to their mistress.
However, Liu Liu had already heard the news. Though her heart ached, she felt more at peace, and even a touch of relief. Since the Emperor favored these two beauties, he likely wouldn't visit Hua Qing Palace again, allowing her to leave the palace for Heifeng City.
Upon hearing that the Empress intended to leave the palace privately without taking anyone with her, the servants in Hua Qing Palace all dropped to their knees. They had not forgotten the assassination attempt on the Empress last time. If anything were to happen to the Empress again, they wouldn't be able to atone for it even if they died several times over.
"Your Highness, why don't you take us with you?" the kneeling servants pleaded in unison. Liu Liu looked at them with amusement. They were all as thin as chicks. If they went with her, could they run or fight? In the end, she would likely have to protect them.
"Alright, stop arguing. I will be fine. Please stay in the palace with peace of mind. This will take at most a month, or at least half a month, and I will be back. So, you must act normally and not panic or reveal any clues, understood?"
Liu Liu's clear eyes were transparent, yet held an irresistible coolness. Her gaze swept over the people in the hall. Those kneeling dared not speak further, only lowering their heads.
"Yes, Your Highness, your servant (maid) obeys." The few people kowtowed. Liu Liu motioned for them to rise and carefully instructed, "While I am away from the palace, you must keep the gates of Hua Qing Palace tightly shut. Unless it is an imperial decree from the Emperor, do not attend to anyone, understand?"
"Your servant obeys." Xiao Anzi and Xiao Wanzi responded bitterly. The Empress had made up her mind, what more could they say? The Empress was all-knowing and could come and go freely within the palace. What could they, as servants, say?
Under the bright, shining moon, a few wisps of clouds floated leisurely. A crescent moon hung in the sky. The magnificent and majestic imperial palace, the vast starry sky, with stars blinking their eyes, looking down upon all things in the mortal world. A gentle breeze blew, making everything exceptionally clear.
Dewdrops dripped from the branches. The leaves rustled in the wind. Dressed in a white robe, she floated out of the high walls, leaving no trace, like a cloud drifting across the horizon.
Dai Mei and Duanmu were waiting for her by the gate. As soon as they saw her silhouette, they happily led her inside. Dozens of experts stood in the open space in front of the tower, all people they had taken in before.
These people had been maimed and crippled when they were down on their luck. Later, she took them in, provided them with doctors and medicine, and brought them back to life. Therefore, their lives belonged to her.
People of the jianghu were known for their loyalty and gratitude. Despite their notorious reputations, they possessed more loyalty and righteousness in their hearts than others. Upon hearing that she intended to establish Qixing Tower, they naturally threw their full support behind it.
Under the moonlight, everyone was filled with enthusiasm, gazing at their Seventh Night Master, dressed in white, awaiting his arrangements.
Liu Liu paced in circles, assessing these people. Her clear voice rang out, like a demonic incantation in the dark night, seeping into people's hearts drop by drop.
"I know you all sincerely wish to join Qixing Tower, but I must say, once you join Qixing Tower, you are part of the tower. You must unconditionally obey the Master, and you are only responsible for carrying out tasks, regardless of your past. If anyone betrays Qixing Tower, I will skin them alive, dismember them, and scatter their ashes, making them regret ever being brought back from the dead. If you regret it now, it is not too late. I will give you a sum of money to ensure your comfort for the rest of your lives. Do you understand?"
Those people were eager, their spirits high, discussing amongst themselves. "Old man, I've been waiting for this. I don't even care about my life anymore. I've already died once, and I never expected to have another chance." They responded with a resounding chorus.
"Master, just give us your orders. From now on, whatever the Master says, we will do!"
"Good," Liu Liu clapped her hands lightly, her voice melodious, a slight smile gracing her lips. "Since you are all so loyal, what I have to say next is that most of you have no family. Once you join Qixing Tower, this will be your home, and that will never change, not until you die of old age. The tower will arrange for your final rites, and your efforts will be rewarded with considerable remuneration."
As Liu Liu finished speaking, the crowd erupted in an uproar. What astonished them wasn't the reward, but the fact that they could have a place to call home, and that the Master had even considered their affairs after death.
Money was a worldly possession to them. But the thought of a lonely and desolate end sent a chill down their spines. Now that the Master had considered even this, how could they not be moved?
"Master, give us your orders! We will go through fire and water for you from now on!" the shouts echoed through the heavens.
"Good. From now on, Chu Feng, Dai Mei, and Duanmu will be the three chief stewards of Qixing Tower, with Chu Feng as the leader. You dozens of people will be assigned under them and will obey their commands." Liu Liu stood on the white jade steps in front of the tower, gazing at the people under the moonlight.
More than half of these people were former jianghu experts. Among them was the poisonous woman Zhi Gu, who now had only one arm, the other having been chopped off. There was also the madman Wu Lang Jun.
It was said that he had been wounded by love in his early years, making his personality eccentric. He was an anomaly in the eyes of jianghu figures, constantly being pursued by others. Later, he was taken in by Liu Liu. There was also Mo Lao Xie, who was said to be skilled in formations and knowledgeable in the I Ching and Eight Trigrams.
It was perfect to send him to Xiaoyao Island to assist Chu Feng and design Xiaoyao Island to be impregnable, making it so that even a fly entering would find its own demise. Liu Liu mused over this and assigned tasks.
"Zhi Gu, you will lead a portion of the people and obey Dai Mei. Wu Lang Jun will lead another portion to follow Duanmu's command. As for Mo Lao Xie, he will follow Chu Feng. Tomorrow, you will lead all these people back to Xiaoyao Island, leaving only a few to accompany me to Heifeng City for the martial arts convention."