Chapter 011 Entering the Palace

In the rivers and lakes, among the wilds, there have always been hidden dragons and crouching tigers—many heroic and eccentric figures lying low.

But among them, most have traceable origins.

No one springs forth from a crack in a rock.

As the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Yuchi Zhenjin paid close attention to the movements in the martial world. Although he could not claim to know every expert there like the back of his hand, he could be said to know seven or eight out of ten of them.

Even for those he did not know, he could rely on the court's network of connections to track them down.

But Wang Bo's appearance was somewhat strange.

It was not because Wang Bo was untraceable; in fact, Wang Bo could be traced.

Last night, ever since he learned that the person who had crushed Zhao Wuyan was Wang Bo, all the materials related to Wang Bo had been placed on his desk.

From Wang Bo's birth to his growing up, he knew every single thing that happened, big or small, like the back of his hand.

But there is no record among them of how Wang Bo came to possess such astonishing and unparalleled martial prowess.

And this situation has only two possibilities.

The first is that Wang Bo concealed himself too deeply, so much so that even the methods of the Court of Judicial Review could not uncover the reason.

The second possibility is even more incredible: Wang Bo acquired such terrifying martial prowess overnight.

In the past, Yuchi Zhenjin would have absolutely thought that this was due to the inadequate intelligence capabilities of the Court of Judicial Review.

But now, he dared not be so certain.

Mainly because before Wang Bo, there was another example.

The flower queen of Luoyang, Yin Ruiji!

This woman from the kingdom of Fuyu was not only young and beautiful, but also peerlessly elegant. Whenever she went out, the streets would empty as crowds gathered to see her. Countless people had encountered this Yin Ruiji, either in public or in private.

Many people know Yin Ruiji very well.

They knew that Yin Ruiji was just an ordinary, beautiful woman.

However, not long after Yin Ruiji was elected the courtesan queen of Luoyang, she suddenly displayed a mastery of superb swordsmanship, defeating countless dissolute young men who sought to win her favors.

Among them were even some martial arts masters who had long been famous in the jianghu, or the martial world.

Not a few busybodies even called her the number one female swordswoman under heaven.

After Yuchi Zhenjin heard of this, he even made a trip to Swallow Tower and met Yin Ruiji, the celebrated courtesan of Luoyang.

Truly peerless in grace, exquisite beyond compare.

But what surprised Yuchi Zhenjin even more was that Yin Ruiji was indeed, as the legends said, a supreme swordswoman; in combat, even he was no match for her. Had Yin Ruiji not held back from dealing a fatal blow, he would likely have been killed.

Yuchi Zhenjin reflected that whether in the imperial court or the martial world, he could be considered a top-tier master.

But before Yin Ruiji, he seemed utterly callow.

This dealt a sharp blow to his lofty pride.

Originally he had some fondness for Yin Ruiji, but after she belonged to him, that fondness was torn to shreds. He, Yuchi Zhenjin, would absolutely never marry a woman who wanted to be stronger than he was.

After this incident, he even made a point of looking into Yin Ruiji's background.

He discovered that given Yin Ruiji's background, it was impossible for her to possess such terrifying skills; if she had such martial arts, she would not have ended up in a brothel.

The title of top courtesan may seem lofty, but in the eyes of high officials and nobles, she is still nothing more than a plaything.

And yet with Yin Ruiji's martial skills, even becoming a wandering heroine would be ten thousand times better than being a top courtesan.

After eliminating all impossibilities, Yuchi Zhenjin arrived at an unbelievable result.

Yin Ruiji's martial prowess was very likely forged in a short period of time.

He had originally thought Yin Ruiji was an exception, but who could have imagined that now a Wang Bo would appear as well.

However, one of these two possesses supreme swordsmanship, and the other, supreme hard-style martial arts.

Could there be some connection between these two?

What is even more interesting is that one of these two is the top courtesan of Luoyang, while the other is a well-known libertine in the city. Even if they were to have private contact, it would not arouse anyone's suspicion.

In this troubled autumn, two supreme masters have appeared one after another within Luoyang city; could it be related to that matter?

At this thought, Yuchi Zhenjin's expression could not help but change.

If it is truly connected to that matter, then things could become troublesome.

After pondering for a moment, Yuchi Zhenjin made up his mind. "Someone, help me change my clothes. I must have an audience with His Majesty!"

A cup of tea later, Yuchi Zhenjin, now in a purple robe of the third rank, mounted a swift horse and left the Court of Judicial Review, heading for the imperial palace.

Upon arriving at the imperial palace, Yuchi Zhenjin dismounted, produced the waist token of the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and requested an audience with His Majesty.

Upon seeing the badge, the imperial guards on duty immediately let him pass.

Yuchi Zhenjin proceeded forward, passing through checkpoint after checkpoint, entering the inner palace, where he was stopped by several eunuchs on duty.

Yuchi Zhenjin dared not slight these trusted confidants of the emperor and promptly stated his purpose.

One eunuch said, "Please wait a moment, Lord Yuchi. I will inform His Majesty right away."

Yuchi Zhenjin said politely, “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.”

A moment later, Yuchi Zhenjin met Empress Wu, who was handling state affairs, in the imperial study.

Yuchi Zhenjin was not at all surprised by this. After all, recently the emperor's health had been fluctuating, and all state affairs were handled by Empress Wu—a fact already known to everyone inside and outside the court.

Although the impeaching ministers remonstrated in a steady stream, the emperor placed deep trust in Empress Wu.

More importantly, Empress Wu's handling of state affairs was indeed very astute.

leaving many ministers speechless.

"Yuchi Zhenjin, you are not properly attending to your duties at the Court of Judicial Review. Today you suddenly enter the palace to request an audience with His Majesty—what urgent matter could there be?" Empress Wu sat upright on the dragon throne, clad in a phoenix robe, exuding a natural air of solemn authority.

This bearing was not like that of a motherly figure presiding over the realm, but more like that of one who rules all under heaven, with great power in hand.

Yuchi Zhenjin thought to himself, "No wonder the court officials feel that Empress Wu's authority overshadows the emperor's; she is truly an extraordinary person."

But beyond that bearing, Empress Wu herself had a full figure, a plump and rounded face, long slender eyebrows like crescent moons, lowered eyelids, eyes gazing downward, lips slightly pursed with a hint of a smile, dignified and refined, wise and clear.

Not in the least inferior to that Luoyang courtesan.

But Yuchi Zhenjin quickly came to his senses, realizing that his thoughts at this moment were truly improper, a grave disrespect.

How could Empress Wu, of all people, be placed alongside a mere courtesan?

He quickly reined in his thoughts, lowered his gaze, and said, “Reporting to the Heavenly Empress, the reason I have come to the palace to see His Majesty this time is truly because two strange things have occurred in Luoyang.”

Wu Zetian lifted her eyelids, her phoenix eyes shifting, majestic yet carrying a trace of allure. "Oh, you speak of strange matters—what strange matters are these?"

Yuchi Zhenjin said, “These two strange matters are connected to two people. One is the courtesan queen of Luoyang, Yin Ruiji, and the other is the owner of the Tai'an Tavern, Wang Bo!”