In a remote and secluded courtyard, Tang Zi was holding a red-ta.s.seled spear. She threw a cold and fierce look down at the girl in front of her who was dressed in a cyan military robe.

"Your progress has slowed down recently. Although we don"t have the Empress to lead us to fight on the battlefield anymore, the princess"s return does not allow you guys to stay relaxed anymore. If I ever catch someone loafing and not practicing next time, you shall be handled according to the military regulations."

The women in groups lowered their heads and remained silent.

Ling Yun did not dare to make a sound but only looked at the women helplessly.

After all, it was true that these people were wrong in the first place. They had slacked when Tang Zi was not around in the courtyard and she had happened to find out that they were slacking. There was nothing she could do.

Suddenly, Ling Yun"s eyes lit up as she saw Feng Ruqing stepping inside from the courtyard. She hurriedly tugged at Tang Zi"s sleeves and said, "Commander Tang Zi, Master has arrived."

Master?

Tang Zi was stunned for a moment. As she turned, she saw an angry Feng Ruqing making her way in from the courtyard. Her eyes were slightly dazed, she asked, "Master, what happened?"

"Tang Zi, how large is the residual force in the Iron-Blooded army right now?" Feng Ruqing"s eyes looked slightly sunken as she asked coldly.

Tang Zi replied truthfully, "To prevent the army from slacking too much, I often send people out to finish some tasks. We have around forty people present inside the palace now.

"What do you think of their strength?" Feng Ruqing continued.

Upon hearing this, the corners Tang Zi"s lips raised proudly as she replied, "The people in the Iron-Blooded army have reached True Warrior tier while Ling Yun and I have reached advanced True Warrior tier.

In Liu Yun Kingdom, only two people were Spirit Warriors. One was the emperor of Liu Yun Kingdom—Feng Tianyu, and the other was the old general—Master Nalan, who had just advanced to Spirit Warrior tier.

However, the news of Master Nalan reaching a higher tier had not been spread yet, only Feng Tianyu and those three aristocratic families knew. Therefore, as an Advanced True Warrior, Tang Zi did have something to be proud of.

Furthermore, anyone in the Iron-Blooded army had reached True Warrior tier. As for the neighboring countries, such an army implied a mighty force, a great power that would make them afraid.

 Even if Empress Nalan had pa.s.sed away for years, Liu Yun Kingdom had received no threat of invasion.

"Fabulous!" Feng Ruqing smiled slightly and said, "Tang Zi, all of you take up your arms and follow me to the imperial court!"

"…"

Tang Zi was shocked. Bringing weapons to the imperial court? What had jarred the princess?

"Princess, did something happen at the palace?"

Feng Ruqing smirked and said, "It"s nothing actually, but a group of old fools is looking for trouble with my father. Today, I"ll show them who"s the real emperor of Liu Yun Kingdom!"

***

In the imperial court.

Feng Tianyu sat high in the dragon throne. He stared at the two quarreling parties coldly as his eyebrows were starting to reveal his impatience.

"Nalan Zhangqian, how dare you speak to me like that; your father won"t do that to me!" Tan Lin"s face was blue as he screamed angrily, "Ask Master Nalan to come and speak with me if you can, you are still not qualified to talk to me."

Nalan Zhangqian smiled mockingly and said, "If my dad were here, he wouldn"t be speaking to you but he would immediately throw you out of the court."