They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

Luo Qingwei is the epitome of a femme fatale; any man who has seen her true face cannot help but harbor improper thoughts.

Zhao Ji was no exception.

However, Zhao Ji had previously been hesitant to have any improper thoughts due to Luo Qingwei's strength.

But now that Luo Qingwei has come to him of her own accord, how could Zhao Ji possibly let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Zhao Ji not only had to practice the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture, but he also had to master it as soon as possible.

Luo Qingwei said she could only last for six months, which was probably a lie, but Zhao Ji didn't dare to delay.

What if Luo Qingwei really is dead?

Zhao Ji would be at a huge loss.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ji lost all interest in returning to Qihuang Palace to have sex with Empress Qi, and immediately turned to the first page of the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture.

However, Zhao Ji's expression froze when he saw the first line of text on the first page.

"Before cultivating the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture to the minor completion stage, one must not have sexual relations with a woman, otherwise the Yin-Yang energy will be leaked, causing all previous efforts to be wasted."

Thinking that he wouldn't be able to touch the Empress and Consort Chen for a while, Zhao Ji cursed inwardly.

Despite his cursing, Zhao Ji still began to cultivate according to the incantation above.

As long as it wasn't something like "to practice this skill, one must first castrate oneself," Zhao Ji could accept it.

……

The sun rises and the moon sets.

Before we knew it, it was already the second day.

Zhao Ji sat cross-legged on the dragon throne. Although he maintained this posture for a whole night of cultivation, strangely enough, he did not feel tired at all. Instead, he felt a sense of pleasure as if he had entered a state of enlightenment.

"This Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture is truly wondrous..."

When Zhao Ji first started cultivating last night, he didn't quite get the hang of it until he activated the Imperial Dao Nine-Five Heavenly Technique and combined it with the mental techniques and incantations of the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture. Then, a miraculous scene unfolded.

Each time Zhao Ji inhales and exhales Qi, a wisp of Yin-Yang Qi is born within his body.

After the Yin and Yang energies were born, they merged with the Qi in Zhao Ji's body, continuously nourishing Zhao Ji's internal organs and clearing his eight extraordinary meridians.

After a night of cultivation, Zhao Ji had unknowingly stepped into the first level of the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture—Gathering Yin and Yang!

Zhao Ji did not attend court today. After having breakfast at Empress Qi's Qihuang Palace, he went to Consort Chen's Changle Palace to discuss a plan to contain Xiliang.

Consort Chen's plan was good, but some details still needed to be addressed.

With the situation in the northern border region critical, Zhao Ji dared not be careless about this matter.

While Zhao Ji and Consort Chen were discussing the details of their plan to contain Xiliang, something happened at the Pei residence.

Pei Residence.

The guards in the courtyard were all lying dead.

Some of these people were guards from the Pei family, while others were guards sent by the palace to escort Pei Lingxi into the palace.

The guards were killed by a group of masked men in black.

These masked men in black were extremely skilled in martial arts. Even though the number of guards in the Pei residence plus the guards from the palace was twice that of them, they were still all killed by these masked men in black within minutes.

Normally, these people would not dare to break into the Minister of War's residence and kill someone in broad daylight.

However, the capital had just undergone the purge of corrupt officials, and although the situation had calmed down, the capital was not peaceful.

That's why these people dare to take such a big risk.

"Who are you people, daring to trespass into my residence? Do you know that this is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family?"

Pei Yuanwu shielded his wife and daughters behind him, glaring angrily at the group of masked men in black.

Although he was in dire straits, his years of military experience allowed him to remain calm.

"Lord Pei, you hold the position of Minister of War, don't you think it's ridiculous to say such things?"

The masked man in black at the head of the group sneered.

If his master hadn't ordered him to spare the lives of the Pei family members, he would have had his men kill them all long ago.

"What exactly do you want? If you have a grudge against me, take it out on me. It has nothing to do with my family."

Pei Yuanwu knew that he had offended many people by being ordered to confiscate their property, but he did not expect these people to be so ruthless and vicious. They had not even started confiscating his property yet, but they had already taken such a cruel action.

"Sir, the city defense troops are on their way here."

At that moment, a masked man in black rushed in.

The masked man in black, who was in the lead, frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Make your move. Proceed according to plan!"

Upon hearing this, a group of masked men in black immediately surrounded Pei Yuanwu's family.

For a moment, screams erupted from the women in the courtyard.

The one who shouted the loudest was Pei Ruolan.

"Scream your mother, and if you scream again I'll strip you naked and fuck you to death right here."

After the masked man in black finished cursing, he slapped Pei Ruolan across the face, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground, completely stunned.

"Please, please release my entire family. I'll do anything you ask."

Pei Yuanwu immediately knelt down.

But the masked men in black ignored him and walked straight toward Pei Lingxi.

Pei Lingxi looked terrified: "What are you going to do?"

The masked man in black did not answer. After capturing Pei Lingxi, he quickly led her away.

"Lingxi, no, you can't take my daughter away. She's the concubine His Majesty specifically requested."

Pei Yuanwu rushed forward to stop him, but was blocked by two long swords.

"You old fool, if you dare to come any closer, I'll kill your whole family."

A masked man in black said coldly.

At this moment, the masked man in black who was in the lead walked over and said calmly, "Lord Pei, don't worry, we will not harm Miss Pei."

"Where exactly are you taking my daughter? She is His Majesty's concubine. If you take her away, His Majesty will not let you off the hook."

"Your Majesty? Haha, Lord Pei, don't try to scare me. I'm not afraid of that tyrannical ruler of Dali. As for where I'm taking Miss Pei, you'll find out in time, and you'll be grateful to me."

After saying that, the masked man in black, who was in the lead, let out a hearty laugh, then knocked Pei Yuanwu unconscious with a chop to the neck, and left with his men.

……

The Imperial Palace, Chang Le Palace.

It was already noon when Zhao Ji and Consort Chen finished their conversation and were preparing lunch when Eunuch Hai suddenly rushed in and whispered a few words in Zhao Ji's ear.

Zhao Ji's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Grandpa Hai immediately knelt down.

Consort Chen, who was peeling grapes for Zhao Ji, was unaware of what was going on, but seeing how unpleasant Zhao Ji's face was, she hurriedly knelt down as well.

As for the palace maids and eunuchs, they all knelt down.

"Have you found the thief's whereabouts?"

Zhao Ji's voice was cold.

He broke into the residence of the Minister of War in broad daylight, killed him, and even abducted his concubine.

This is practically a slap in the face to the emperor.

"It's already under investigation."

Grandpa Hai replied tremblingly.

"You will handle this matter personally, by whatever means necessary, I want the results today."

"This old servant obeys the decree."

Hai Gonggong cursed inwardly, thinking, "Who the hell is causing trouble? Why am I the one who has to take the blame?"

"If you are caught by us, we will make you wish you were dead."

A ruthless glint flashed in Eunuch Hai's eyes, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by a fawning expression as he asked:

"Your Majesty, Minister Pei of the Ministry of War is kneeling outside the palace. Would you like to see him?"

Zhao Ji was in a real bind; it was truly a turbulent time.

"I won't see him. Go and appease him for me, and tell him to do his job properly."

Zhao Ji looked impatient; he had no interest in listening to Pei Yuanwu's complaints.

However, we still need to maintain the proper attitude, since Zhao Ji still needs the other party to do things for him.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Ji pondered all his thoughts.

The abduction of the Pei family's eldest daughter, while somewhat embarrassing for the emperor, also served as a wake-up call for Zhao Ji.

As the emperor, he was completely ignorant of the situation in the capital, and only learned about many things after they happened.

It's time to build our own power.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ji couldn't help but recall many institutions from his previous life that directly obeyed the emperor.

At the same time, a new task came into the system.