The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

They had already witnessed the power of the Huaxia Empire firsthand.

Every time a city was captured, a civil officer would be appointed to manage it, and a garrison would be stationed.

For small cities, two life-stage warriors, a hundred peak sky-stage soldiers, and ten thousand Nirvana-stage soldiers would be deployed.

For medium-sized cities, four power-stage elite life-stage warriors, five hundred peak sky-stage soldiers, and thirty thousand Nirvana-stage soldiers would be stationed.

For large cities, eight soul-stage commander-level life-stage warriors, two thousand peak sky-stage soldiers, and seventy thousand Nirvana-stage soldiers would be garrisoned.

For gigantic cities, like the former Beast Taming Sect's mountain stronghold, twelve heart-stage grand commander life-stage warriors, ten thousand peak sky-stage soldiers, and one hundred fifty thousand Nirvana-stage soldiers would be stationed.

From the beginning, Lin Qian arranged his forces with these specifications.

Many people speculated that soon Lin Qian would run out of soldiers.

After all, just the small cities in the former Jin Hai Sect's territory numbered over a thousand. Did the Huaxia Empire really have a thousand life-stage warriors?

It turned out, to everyone's amazement, they actually did!

The former elders and disciples of the Jin Hai Sect and the Beast Taming Sect went wild with disbelief. They couldn't fathom just how powerful this Huaxia Empire truly was.

It was overwhelming, terrifying.

In the face of such absolute strength, any rebellious thoughts in the hearts of some disciples were utterly extinguished.

Before such an unfathomably strong force, rebellion was a death sentence.

But instead of crushing them, the Huaxia Empire offered them protection, respect, and stability—a safe environment in which to live and cultivate.

Only a fool wouldn't accept such a deal!

Under the rule of the Sheng Tian Sect, life had been miserable, filled with oppression. In comparison, life under the Huaxia Empire was like paradise.

As a result, the integration of the territories formerly held by the Wanxiang Sect, Jin Hai Sect, and Beast Taming Sect proceeded smoothly, with little resistance and minimal need for force.

Everything was progressing according to plan.

In the council chamber, Hai Mingyun and Shen Yunhai, along with the former leaders of the Jin Hai Sect and Beast Taming Sect, had already pledged their allegiance to Lin Qian. They looked toward Qin Wushuang and Mei Yuexia with a hint of pride and satisfaction.

They were confident in their new backer!

Moreover, Hai Mingyun and Shen Yunhai had already been appointed as regional governors of Jin Hai and Beast Taming regions, respectively, with the authority to command the empire's troops within certain limits.

Their authority allowed them to mobilize up to one hundred peak sky-stage soldiers and five thousand Nirvana-stage soldiers but not the life-stage warriors.

According to Lin Qian, if they performed well and contributed sufficiently to the empire, their authority would increase, allowing them access to better cultivation techniques, training elixirs, and other benefits.

However, their power was limited by strict regulations—they could not act against the interests of the empire.

Still, due to the Emperor's domineering charisma, they were unlikely to betray the empire.

As the meeting began, Lin Qian made his intentions clear without any hesitation: he planned to rule the entire Linhai Prefecture.

However, he would grant the Sheng Tian Sect's Xiuling Mountain Range and surrounding territories to the Wanxiang Sect.

He also planned to reclaim the Sword Saint Sect's lands and give them back to Mei Yuexia.

The rest of Linhai Prefecture, Lin Qian stated, would belong to the Huaxia Empire, though he would form alliances with the Wanxiang Sect and Sword Saint Sect.

As long as the two sects did not attack the Huaxia Empire, the empire would not invade their territories.

Hearing this, both Qin Wushuang and Mei Yuexia rolled their eyes.

Who in their right mind would dare attack your empire?

The garrison in just two small cities could wipe out their sects!

Lin Qian also announced his intentions regarding the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, offering to facilitate alliances between the Wanxiang Sect, Sword Saint Sect, and the clan if they wished.

"Junior Brother, you haven't even fought the Sheng Tian Sect yet, and you're already dividing up Linhai Prefecture?" Gao Benli exclaimed, surprised by Lin Qian's confidence.

But then he quickly smacked his forehead. "Oh right, with the strength you command now, defeating the Sheng Tian Sect must be child's play."

"Exactly. It's as easy as a game," Lin Qian chuckled, his tone light. "These past days, we've captured several Sheng Tian Sect spies and fed them false information."

"What's the point of feeding them false information?" Gao Benli asked, popping another piece of edible jade into his mouth. "Are you afraid they'll find out the truth and run away?"

"Precisely. I'm worried that Yuan Wuji and Zhang Dingyun might flee once they learn of the empire's true strength," Lin Qian confirmed, to Gao Benli's surprise.

Lin Qian then pointed to Zhao Wei and revealed Yuan Wuji's true nature, detailing his treacherous deeds.

After hearing Lin Qian's account, everyone in the chamber was filled with righteous anger.

"Despicable and shameless! I never imagined Yuan Wuji would stoop so low!" Gao Benli's usually carefree expression turned grave with fury.

The plight of the human survivors in the Origin State moved the women in the chamber to tears, while even the foreigner Zhang Qi shook his head in sorrow, deeply touched.

To deceive and abandon fellow humans, and then ally with foreign invaders to oppress them—Yuan Wuji's actions were beyond reprehensible.

The former leaders of Jin Hai and Beast Taming regions, who had suffered under the Sheng Tian Sect and the Bone Blade Fish Clan, felt a particular connection to the victims of Yuan Wuji's betrayal.

They were itching to storm the Sheng Tian Sect and eradicate it from existence.

"I've already secretly deployed forces and set up formations along the borders of Linhai Prefecture, with sentries and patrols in place. If anyone tries to flee, we'll detect and stop them immediately," Lin Qian said, his gaze turning cold.

"I want to ensure that Yuan Wuji and Zhang Dingyun have no escape from Linhai Prefecture."

"To deceive, abandon, and oppress fellow humans, colluding with foreign invaders—they don't deserve to be called human. As the saying goes, 'the victor writes history,' but even victory must have a bottom line."

Lin Qian's eyes hardened. "Ordinary disciples and elders of the Sheng Tian Sect may live, but Yuan Wuji, Zhang Dingyun, and those who willingly aided their atrocities must die!"

The chamber fell silent at Lin Qian's decisive words.

Crunch, crunch...

Suddenly, the sound of chewing broke the silence, drawing everyone's attention.

"Hmm?" Gao Benli noticed everyone staring at him, smiled awkwardly, and quickly asked a question to divert the focus. "Junior Brother, what kind of false information did you send to the Sheng Tian Sect?"

"Oh, just that the Huaxia Empire is something I set up for fun, to play emperor. That I'm the emperor, Xin'er is the empress, you're the prime minister, Lei Qian is the general, and the imperial army is made up of Wanxiang Sect's outer disciples."

"..."

Everyone could only imagine the look on Yuan Wuji and Zhang Dingyun's faces when the Huaxia Empire launched its real attack.