Not long after, the southern region of the Heavenly Flame Empire fell into the hands of the Dark Shadow Secret Unit. All 34 cities were taken without resistance. The Dark Shadow Secret Unit executed a cunning plan by infiltrating the cities, silently assassinating nobles and influential figures, and seizing all resources. They claimed to be members of the Yin-Yang Demon Sect and began attacking the cities, threatening the citizens that they would be used for alchemical purposes.
The true Yin-Yang Demon Sect had already been destroyed, but the news hadn't spread, as the Dark Shadow Secret Unit had expertly concealed it under Li Huang's orders. The uninformed citizens were terrified of the supposed power of the Yin-Yang Demon Sect.
After the population had been gripped by fear for a while, the Dark Shadow Secret Unit appeared as "saviors." They defeated the fake Yin-Yang Demon Sect, protecting the people from these impostors. When the battle ended, the citizens of those cities were filled with gratitude, believing Emperor Li Huang had sent people to save them. His reputation as a benevolent ruler who never abandoned his people soared.
The citizens of each city began to believe that Li Huang was the emperor who would restore the Heavenly Flame Empire to its former glory. Stories of the bravery of the Dark Shadow Secret Unit and the righteousness of Emperor Li Huang spread throughout the southern region, instilling deep-rooted loyalty and faith in the hearts of the people.
Meanwhile, in the eastern region, an army of 300,000 soldiers stood in orderly formation outside a city. The atmosphere was tense, with the mansion of the city lord located at the center. General Wei stood within the mansion, preparing to send his son on a journey to the Sword Empire.
"Behave well, son. I will follow soon," General Wei said in a gentle voice filled with concern.
His son smiled confidently as he replied, "I'm not a child anymore, father. Make sure you hurry; mother is waiting for you." With that, he boarded the flying carriage prepared for him, and it began to ascend into the sky.
General Wei watched his son depart with a gaze full of love and worry. He laughed softly as he turned to prepare for the army. However, just as he began to walk away, his expression shifted to one of alarm as the sound of an explosion erupted behind him.
His son's flying carriage, which had been ascending moments before, was now plummeting to the ground. General Wei turned back in shock, his face pale with disbelief. "How is this possible?"
In a burst of speed, General Wei, his cultivation at the Soul Formation Level 9, rushed toward the falling carriage, his aura radiating immense power as he moved to save his son.
When he reached the carriage, he frantically opened the door, but the sight that greeted him made his heart stop. His son's headless body lay inside, blood pooling on the floor. General Wei, paralyzed with shock, muttered in a trembling voice, "No... no... no..."
Before he could react further, multiple blades suddenly shot out from the shadows inside the carriage, piercing through his body in an instant. His body twitched one final time as blood soaked his armor.
"I'm... sorry..." General Wei uttered his final words before collapsing to the ground, his life extinguished.
As General Wei's blood continued to flow, a Dark Shadow agent emerged from the shadows, swiftly decapitating him. The agent, holding the still-bleeding head of General Wei, silently made his way toward the army of 300,000 soldiers standing outside the city.
The soldiers stood in formation, their faces stern as they awaited orders from General Wei. The wind blew in the silence until it was shattered by the appearance of a figure dressed in black on the city walls. All eyes turned toward him, and gasps of shock rippled through the ranks as they saw what he held—the severed head of General Wei, blood still dripping to the ground.
Many soldiers were stunned, some stood agape in disbelief. Suddenly, the Dark Shadow agent unleashed the overwhelming aura of a ninth-level Nirvana cultivator. The sheer power caused many soldiers to cough up blood and collapse to the ground, while others fainted where they stood.
The man in black gazed coldly at the army and spoke in a commanding voice, "After a thorough investigation, we discovered that General Wei had secretly pledged allegiance to the Sword Empire, enemies of the Heavenly Flame Empire. By the Emperor's decree, traitors are to be executed. As for you, his co-conspirators, Emperor Li Huang has shown mercy. You have two choices: surrender or die."
The people within the city were shocked and furious when they learned that General Wei had betrayed them to the Sword Empire, especially since many had lost loved ones to the Sword Empire's invasions. They began cursing his name in rage. The Dark Shadow agents had strategically spread rumors about General Wei's treachery beforehand, painting him as a power-hungry man with unsavory habits. They even went so far as to eliminate certain individuals to lend credibility to the rumors.
One soldier muttered, "Such strength…"
Another added, "This aura... it's more powerful than General Wei's."
Silence overtook the army. Some of General Wei's loyal soldiers, unwilling to abandon their devotion, raised their weapons, prepared to fight despite knowing their opponent's immense power.
The man in black let out a mocking laugh. "If even one of you chooses to resist, all of you will die. Think carefully—will you throw away your life for a dead man, or will you live for yourself?"
The soldiers who had been resolved to fight hesitated. The sound of weapons dropping to the ground echoed as more and more of them laid down their arms.
As silence returned, a voice rang out, "You cowards! Traitors!" A furious man stepped forward, but before he could finish his words, a spear pierced his body with lightning speed. He collapsed, his face frozen in disbelief. "You… you dared…"
The soldier who had thrown the spear, his voice trembling, said, "I don't want to die… I still have my daughter to care for…"
The man's final cry was cut short as more spears followed, piercing through him. Any soldier who tried to resist met the same fate. Even the vice-general, standing at the front, roared in anger, "You ungrateful bastards!" But in the blink of an eye, a barrage of spears ended his life as well.
Fear gripped the army. Most soldiers surrendered to save their own lives, and no further resistance arose. When all had laid down their weapons and knelt, the man in black smirked and spoke coldly, "You have chosen. From now on, your lives belong to Emperor Li Huang."
The remaining soldiers below began to chant:
"Long live Emperor Li Huang! May he live for ten thousand years!"
"Long live Emperor Li Huang! May he live for ten thousand years!"
"Long live Emperor Li Huang! May he live for ten thousand years!"