Daily Life – 16
###Emperor Meng Tian's Perspective
I am preparing to send a thousand of my elite shadow vampire soldiers to infiltrate the enemy camp before Li Xian's surprise attack. Despite the risk of exposing my secrets, I cannot allow innocent soldiers to die needlessly. Still, I will leave 150,000 enemies on the verge of collapse alive—for now. My army needs training, and what better way than against enemies whose fate is already sealed? I will also take 50,000 as slaves. They may be useful for the labor they can provide. Free workers for the empire are too valuable to waste, though I will keep the numbers within control. I've seen firsthand the dangers of an unruly slave population. In time, I will eliminate them. Some may call it cruel, but mercy toward the enemy is nothing more than a betrayal of oneself. I cannot allow threats, no matter how small, to linger within my empire.
I've decided to visit the battlefield, not officially, but as a spectator. William and Victor are also planning to attend, and Victor intends to summon over 800,000 shadow soldiers. The scene will be nothing short of legendary, but it will never be recorded in history. The name Victor must remain hidden from the world, and I, too, will keep the memory as my personal triumph.
### Night of the Attack
From our vantage point in the mountains, the Li Dynasty camp sprawls beneath us, illuminated by flickering fires. There is a strange sense of calm, almost nostalgic, as if the night itself doesn't know the massacre about to unfold. Seen from above, the camp's torches twinkle like stars in the sky, a fleeting beauty that will soon be stained with blood.
###Emperor Meng Tian's Perspective
I sit atop the mountain alongside William, Victor, and my captain of the imperial guard. Below us, my thousand shadow soldiers kneel in silence, awaiting my command. Their forms, indistinct in the dark, blend into the night like phantoms. In the distance, the Li soldiers patrol the camp, oblivious, their movements resembling ants scurrying in a nest.
When midnight arrives, I raise my hand—the signal for the festival of blood to begin. Like shadows, my soldiers move swiftly, their curved smiles revealing sharp, deadly fangs. They descend upon the camp like lions upon sheep, silent assassins in the night. Blood flows freely, but not a single cry is heard. In just two hours, 800,000 soldiers of the Li Dynasty lie dead, their lives snuffed out before they could even comprehend the cause of their deaths. Only 200,000 remain for tomorrow's battle.
The three generals and five princes, stunned and bewildered, are brought before us at the top of the mountain. They were asleep when my soldiers dragged them here, and now they find themselves bound, lying at our feet. Panic and fear flash in their eyes as they try to comprehend the situation.
"Who are you?" one of the generals demands, his voice trembling.
A dark laugh echoes through the night, low and sinister, emerging from Victor. The sound chills even me, a reminder of the power this boy wields.
One of the generals suddenly gasps, recognition dawning. "Your Majesty—Meng Tian."
The others look up in shock, disbelief written on their faces. They had assumed I would be cowering in the capital, far from the front lines. Yet here I sit, watching their destruction unfold.
I rise slowly, allowing them a moment to digest the truth before I speak. "Surprised, aren't you? You're wondering what has happened. Allow me to explain. Your army—the one million soldiers you brought to crush my empire—has been decimated. Eight hundred thousand of them are already dead. Most of them didn't even know what killed them."
I pause, letting my words sink in before continuing, "You must be wondering why I've spared you. It's simple: I wanted witnesses to this legendary event. I wanted someone besides us to understand the horror of what's to come."
I turn to Victor, giving him a slight nod. He steps forward, his voice carrying across the camp below. "Arise, my immortal shadows."
The fires burning in the camp suddenly shift, turning into black flames laced with golden threads. The sky darkens as thousands of shadow soldiers, their eyes glowing red, rise from the bodies of the dead. The sight is terrifying—a vision from a nightmare made real.
The generals and princes, once proud and confident, tremble with fear. They gaze upon Victor, no longer seeing a mere boy but death itself, a god of destruction in human form. Their regret is palpable. They had underestimated me, underestimated him, and now they realize the gravity of their mistake.
Meng Tian chuckles darkly. "What a scene. I will remember this for the rest of my life."
I turn my gaze toward the prisoners. "As for you," I say coldly, "I'm afraid only death can ensure your silence."
They plead for their lives, promising never to speak of what they've seen. But I do not believe in such empty promises. I unsheathe my sword and, with a swift motion, their heads roll to the ground. In their final moments, regret still lingers in their eyes.
"Deliver these heads to the gates of the Li Dynasty's imperial palace," I order. My message will be clear.
With the task done, we teleport back to the palace for a well-deserved feast and a night of restful sleep.
Author's Note:
This chapter is specially dedicated to Kami12 in advance as thanks. I've removed the emojis from the earlier chapters, but if there are any left, please let me know. Only one chapter tomorrow, so stay tuned. See you soon!