The banners of the Black Dragon Royal Army fluttered against the gray skies, a sight that struck both awe and terror in the hearts of those who beheld it. The time for preparation was over; the kingdom was ready to take its first step toward ascension. Across the breadth of their domain, orders were issued, plans set into motion, and the sound of marching soldiers filled the air. Tian Yu, The Boy King, stood atop the central war pavilion, his piercing gaze fixed on the massive map before him.
This was no ordinary war—it was a calculated campaign of dominance.
The domain consisted of ten minor kingdoms, each ruled by a petty monarch who clung desperately to their dwindling power. Though nominally independent, they were united by mutual distrust, their alliances brittle and their military forces stretched thin. It was a land ripe for conquest, yet one that demanded precision to subdue completely.
Tian Yu's first move was to gather intelligence. The Shadow Lotus Information Agency had embedded operatives in every court, guild, and military camp across the domain. Detailed reports streamed in daily, highlighting weaknesses, troop deployments, supply lines, and internal rivalries.
"The key to victory is division," Tian Yu declared in the war council. His generals, all Nascent Soul cultivators, nodded solemnly as he outlined the plan. "Strike where they are weakest, pit them against one another, and make them beg for protection."
The strategy unfolded in four phases:
1.Phase One: The Whisper of Chaos Shadow Lotus agents began circulating rumors among the ten kingdoms. Tales of secret pacts, betrayals, and impending invasions sowed distrust. Small skirmishes erupted as neighboring kingdoms, blinded by paranoia, turned on one another.
2.Phase Two: The Silent Blade Assassins moved under cover of night, targeting key military leaders and advisors. Without their commanders, the armies of the minor kingdoms faltered. Shadow Lotus spies intercepted messages, altering orders to create confusion in enemy ranks.
3.Phase Three: The Encirclement The Black Dragon Royal Army divided into five divisions, each tasked with subjugating two kingdoms simultaneously. Utilizing their superior logistics and intelligence, they executed precision strikes, cutting off supply lines and seizing strategic locations.
4.Phase Four: The Iron Fist With the kingdoms in disarray, the full might of the Black Dragon Army descended. The Nascent Soul generals led elite units, crushing resistance with overwhelming force. Tian Yu, at the helm of the central army, personally oversaw the siege of the largest kingdom, Tianming.
Tianming was the most fortified of the ten kingdoms, its capital surrounded by towering walls and defended by a seasoned army of 50,000 soldiers. Yet Tian Yu saw opportunity where others saw obstacles.
"Siege warfare is a test of patience and guile," Tian Yu told his generals. "We will not attack the walls; we will make the city destroy itself."
The strategy was ingenious:
1.Economic Strangulation: The Black Dragon Army encircled Tianming, cutting off all trade routes and supply chains. No food or reinforcements could enter the city, and desperation began to creep into its populace.
2.Psychological Warfare: Shadow Lotus agents infiltrated the city, spreading panic and mistrust. Falsified reports of betrayal among the king's advisors caused infighting within the court.
3.Controlled Skirmishes: Small detachments of the Black Dragon Army feigned assaults on the walls, drawing out defenders and depleting their resources. Each attack was meticulously calculated to inflict maximum damage while minimizing losses.
4.The Final Blow: After two months of siege, with the city on the brink of starvation and its defenders demoralized, Tian Yu deployed a daring tactic. Using specialized explosive talismans crafted by alchemists, his forces created a breach in the southern wall. The Black Dragon Army surged into the city, their coordination and discipline overwhelming the exhausted defenders.
Tian Yu entered the royal palace, unopposed. The King of Tianming knelt before him, his crown trembling in his hands. "Mercy, Your Majesty," he pleaded.
"Mercy is earned, not begged for," Tian Yu replied coldly. He spared the king's life but stripped him of his title, appointing a loyal governor in his place.
The conquest of the entire domain took less than eight months. Tian Yu's forces moved like a tidal wave, unrelenting and unstoppable. Each kingdom that fell was swiftly integrated into the Black Dragon Kingdom's structure. Tian Yu offered the conquered civilians five new policies to win their loyalty:
1.Tax Reform: A fair taxation system was implemented, reducing the burden on commoners while ensuring a steady flow of revenue.
2.Land Redistribution: Land was taken from corrupt nobles and distributed to farmers and merchants.
3.Legal Protection: A unified code of law was established, guaranteeing justice for all citizens regardless of their status.
4.Education and Cultivation Opportunities: Public schools and cultivation academies were built, offering free education and training to talented individuals.
5.Infrastructure Development: Roads, canals, and fortifications were constructed, boosting trade and security.
To ensure that no one dared challenge his rule, Tian Yu summoned the ten kings of the conquered kingdoms to a public assembly in the newly built Victory Plaza. Before a crowd of thousands, he declared:
"Your kingdoms are no more. Your armies are disbanded. From this day forth, you serve the Black Dragon Kingdom—or you serve no one."
Three kings, emboldened by pride, refused to kneel. Tian Yu executed them on the spot, their heads displayed as a warning. The remaining kings fell to their knees, their spirits broken.
The Boy King's conquest of the domain was the stuff of legends. His name became synonymous with brilliance and ruthlessness, a leader who wielded strategy like a sword. The Shadow Lotus Information Agency expanded its network, ensuring that Tian Yu's enemies could no longer plot in the shadows. The Black Dragon Kingdom, once seen as a declining power, now stood as the dominant force in the domain.
But Tian Yu's ambitions extended far beyond his borders. As the armies returned home to celebrate their victory, he gazed at the horizon and whispered, "This is just the beginning."
The stage was set for the next chapter of conquest, and the world would soon tremble before the might of the Black Dragon Kingdom.