Second Only to All Flowers, Queen of Chu Songs

Little Li the Swordmaster was currently in a melancholic mood, genuinely wishing he could light up a cigarette to calm his nerves—lest he lose his composure entirely. Unfortunately, across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, not a single cigarette could be found. He could only take a deep breath of icy air, gradually steadying his emotions.

Seeing Li Mo’s utterly bewildered expression, Ying Bing tilted her head slightly and asked, "Is the nickname not to your liking?"

Li Mo wasn’t quite sure how to explain. "It’s not that it’s bad... It’s just... you wouldn’t understand what it means..."

"One who benefits the masses is called 'Liqun'?" Ying Bing pondered for a moment, as if finding it rather fitting.

"......"

After being stared at for a long while, Li Mo froze briefly before letting out a helpless chuckle. Suddenly, the nickname didn’t seem so unreasonable after all. Why overthink it?

Liqun Swordmaster it is, then...

Once the Hidden Dragon Ranking concluded, the grand and majestic calligraphy above the Meridian Gate shifted into a dazzling display of blooming flowers, each vying for attention. The crowd, packed in layers upon layers, collectively held their breath.

This was the true highlight of the day!

Countless gazes converged on the Meridian Gate as petals were scattered along the path, creating a fluttering rain of blossoms.

[Flower Ranking, 100th]: "Qiao Liuzhu."

[Flower Ranking, 99th]: "Tan Jingqiu."

[Flower Ranking, 98th]: "Wang Ning."

......

As each name was announced, the honored participants descended from their carriages, adorned in resplendent attire, and proceeded through the Meridian Gate amidst ethereal music.

Though it was already midsummer, the entire city seemed enchanted by the riot of blossoms.

"My life is complete just witnessing this."

"No wonder Swordmaster Li spared no expense to acquire the Wanchun Pavilion. If I had the means, I’d mortgage my soul to do the same!"

"Wait, I run a teahouse across from Wanchun Pavilion, and Swordmaster Li is a regular patron of mine..."

The spectacle was unprecedented, setting the imperial capital ablaze with excitement. The clamor of the crowd was deafening.

Despite the efforts of the Sky Patrol Guards and the Imperial Forest Army to maintain order, the scene remained chaotic—largely because even the enforcers seemed too distracted to focus on their duties...

Meanwhile, on the inconspicuous third floor of a teahouse—now under new ownership—the Blood Refining Hall Master, masked in bronze, Luo Yexian of the Hundred Beasts Hall, and the Yin-Yang Hall Master sat around a table, their expressions grave as they scrutinized the scene ahead.

The demonic sect members were unusually attentive, as if engaged in a matter of utmost importance.

"I’d argue that Wang Ning is the epitome of delicate beauty. She shouldn’t be ranked just 98th."

"Nonsense! How is Yu Shiyao any worse? Cuteness is worthless compared to allure!"

"Tu Yan is the real deal. What’s the point of allure without skill?"

The demonic sect disciples bickered fiercely.

As everyone knew, those who walked the demonic path were hot-tempered. A single disagreement could lead to "heartfelt" exchanges—literally. Some were already on the verge of blows.

SLAM!

The Blood Refining Hall Master slammed his palm onto the table with a thunderous crack.

"We are here on behalf of the Ancestral God, for the grand cause of our sect! Deputy Sect Leader Yu Wen is risking life and limb, and yet here you are, wallowing in the mud, ogling women until your eyeballs fall out!"

"Later, we’ll be facing near-certain death, with our heads hanging by a thread!"

As he spoke, he discreetly tucked away a recording stone hidden in his sleeve.

"I..."

"Ahem, Hall Master, keep your voice down. You’ll attract the Sky Patrol Guards."

"If we’re to infiltrate the Flower Banquet, we must... blend in naturally. Anyone who doesn’t stare would look suspicious."

"The Ancestral God’s mission is never far from our minds!"

The disciples murmured excuses, some looking sheepish.

The Blood Refining Hall Master snorted coldly and began outlining their plan.

"Once we’re inside, the moment Deputy Sect Leader Yu Wen makes his move, we must create chaos. And how do we do that? Any ideas?"

"Kill people?"

"Set fires?"

"Steal offerings from the ancestral shrine?"

Each proposed their specialty.

"See? Short-sighted fools."

The Blood Refining Hall Master swept his gaze over them disdainfully.

"Since this is the Flower Banquet, the best way to cause chaos... is to abduct the women on the Flower Ranking!"

"!!"

The disciples were thunderstruck, their eyes glazing over before lighting up with newfound wisdom.

Revelation!

Yes! They could just kidnap the women!

"Into the banquet! Kidnap the women!"

"Into the banquet! Kidnap the women!"

"Right! Aim for the prettiest, the most famous ones!"

Even the Yin-Yang Hall Master was swept up in the fervor, raising his hand dramatically.

"Then, Hall Master, why not go for that one?" A subordinate suddenly pointed out the window.

"Hmph, with but a flick of my wrist—"

The Yin-Yang Hall Master followed the finger, then froze mid-sentence.

After a long silence, he smacked the subordinate’s head.

"That’s Empress Chuge, you idiot!"

The subordinate pouted. Wasn’t she exactly what he’d asked for?

Before the Meridian Gate, a phoenix carriage glided down the street. No one had expected Empress Chuge to pass through the Meridian Gate—whether on a whim or by design.

As the empress arrived, the crowd bowed their heads, but a sudden realization struck them like lightning.

Wait...

The Flower Ranking had just announced the second place.

So who was first?

For those long familiar with the imperial capital, the answer wasn’t hard to guess.

In fact, a name sprang to mind instantly.

"Is the first... Ying Bing?"

"Damn... The Yantian Sect’s ranking is brutally honest. Aren’t they afraid of offending people? Sure, the Crown Prince lost to Li Mo—everyone saw that. But beauty isn’t like martial arts..."

"Exactly! Take me, for instance—I think no one compares to my wife. Right, dear? Ow, ow, my ear’s about to fall off..."

The crowd felt a strange unease.

It wasn’t that they thought the Frost Fairy was inferior to Empress Chuge.

After all, the Frost Fairy’s mastery of music and martial arts was peerless, and she was entering the prime of her youth...

But the empress was the one who embodied the grace of the realm. Ranking her first among flowers was only natural.

Unless the difference in their beauty was so vast that only the blind couldn’t see it.

Could that really be the case?