Soon, the entire trapped camp and the Beifu Army had completed their equipment replacement.
As the last soldier adjusted his new armor, the atmosphere around them shifted dramatically. Before, they were already a formidable force—but now, they exuded an aura of even greater elite prowess. Though their numbers were just over 50,000, their presence felt like a million-strong army, radiating an unstoppable energy.
Orion, standing tall, watched the transformation with pride swelling in his chest. This was his army—powerful, disciplined, and loyal.
"Gao Shun! Xie Xuan! Step forward!" Orion's voice cut sharply through the air.
"At your command!" both men responded immediately, stepping forward, fists clasped, their faces set with determination.
"Although we now hold Chang'an, much of the vast Zhou Dynasty remains outside my control. I order you to raise the army and conquer in all directions. Bring the entire Zhou Dynasty under my banner!" Orion's gaze was intense as he addressed them, his words carrying the weight of an empire.
"Do you have the confidence?" he asked, his tone demanding.
"Yes! We will not fail you!" Gao Shun and Xie Xuan shouted, their faces flushed with excitement. The chance to expand their territory—every general's dream—was within their grasp.
"Then go! I wish you victory in your conquests," Orion said with a broad smile, his voice booming with enthusiasm.
The Zhou Dynasty was vast, its territory spanning thirteen states, but Orion had conquered only two and a half so far. The remaining lands would soon be his.
However, there was a reason Orion had sent the trapped camp and the Beifu Army rather than his more powerful Dragon Cavalry or Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. The system that governed their world imposed restrictions, reducing the value of his victories based on the strength of his troops. Thus, he could only send armies with lower cultivation levels to maximize the rewards. Even so, the trapped camp and the Beifu Army were more than enough to crush any opposition from the Zhou Dynasty's forces.
"Ye Bai, follow them," Orion said to the Green Lotus Sword Emperor standing by his side. "Stay hidden, and don't interfere unless absolutely necessary. Handle any unforeseen challenges that might arise."
"Yes, my lord," Ye Bai replied, bowing deeply. A powerful emperor-level warrior, Ye Bai's presence ensured that no emergency would go unresolved.
Orion's careful planning didn't stop there. He also sent word to the Valley of the Medicine King, where twenty Half-Saints remained. They would covertly accompany Gao Shun's army, protecting the troops and playing a crucial role in key assaults.
Once the arrangements for the army were complete, Orion turned his attention to Zhou Linglong, the Empress of the Zhou Dynasty. She had been listening quietly to everything, her face impassive.
"How does it feel to hear all this, my Lady Empress?" Orion asked with a smirk. "Do you think the lords of your states will stay loyal when they face my elite soldiers?"
A mocking smile tugged at his lips as he watched Zhou Linglong's reaction. She clenched her jaw and shot him a furious glance. Despite her defiance, Orion could sense her uncertainty. She wasn't sure if her city lords would remain loyal. After all, people are self-serving, and in the face of life and death, few choose loyalty.
With a huff, Zhou Linglong didn't reply, her silence betraying her inner turmoil.
Orion chuckled softly, knowing this was just the beginning of her descent into despair. Soon, he would break her completely.
Turning away from her, Orion's expression grew colder. "Yuxiang," he said sharply, "have you found the master painter I requested?"
Yuxiang, sensing the tension, quickly bowed. "Yes, my lord. The painter is being escorted here as we speak."
"Good," Orion replied, nodding with satisfaction. A strange glint appeared in his eyes as he looked back at Zhou Linglong. His revenge wouldn't stop at taking her empire; he would destroy her reputation in the most humiliating way possible.
Soon, Orion and his entourage arrived at the opulent palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Haha! This palace is something else!" Orion exclaimed, taking in the grandeur of his surroundings. "It's almost comparable to the Forbidden City from my past life."
As he admired the palace, he was keenly aware of its significance. It had stood as the face of a dynasty for nearly ten thousand years, a symbol of its power and glory. But now, Orion was the master of it all.
However, he wasn't here to admire the architecture. There was still much to do.
In the Fengtian Hall, the remaining courtiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty had been forcibly gathered by the Shadow Guards. Their numbers were far fewer than before, with many vacant positions left behind by those who had already met their end.
The air in the hall was thick with dread. The ministers, heads bowed, barely dared to breathe, like lambs awaiting slaughter. Some had tried to resist, but their corpses, headless and bloody, were a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience: death.
"Impressive, Shadow Guards. You've gathered them quickly," Orion's voice echoed through the hall as he entered.
The ministers looked up in terror, their faces pale at the sight of him. The already oppressive atmosphere became even heavier, and not a single soul dared to meet his gaze.
While Zhou Linglong might hesitate to execute them, Orion had no such reservations. He would kill anyone who displeased him.
Orion surveyed the room, amused by the sight of these once-powerful officials trembling before him.
So these are the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty, he thought with disdain. Cowards, every last one of them.
He had no interest in their thoughts, though. Their fate had been sealed the moment they stepped into this hall.