"Your Majesty, you... why have you co?"
Jin City, the largest city closest to the Imperial Capital, has the Northern Canal and is a major city connecting Northern comrce. For the past twenty years, it has been the most prosperous capital outside of the Capital City.
But now, as the Emperor looked around, the desolation struck him. In broad daylight, there were barely any businesses open. The Emperor rembered that his family had established their fortune in Jin City, and as a child, he used to follow his sister around to play here; it was bustling then.
Especially at the docks, where one sailor after another helped transport goods. At that ti, the world was still plagued by rampant demons, and rchants returning from the Northern Territory were most prone to encountering those man-eating Sea Monsters. Even in that situation, it was not as desolate as it is now.
"Has the dock been deserted for long?" the Emperor asked lightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the official replied honestly. "The demons in the North rampage, and most Northerners either fled to Jiangnan or sought refuge in the Capital City’s four lands. The docks connecting to the canal were abandoned long ago. Who would still venture North for business?"
Indeed, now the North is barren for miles on end, filled with wild demons. Who would be foolish enough to do business there?
anwhile, comrce in Jiangnan primarily centers around the Border City in the Southwest Corner, which is unrelated to our affairs here. Even there, business is tough. In these tis, many Noble Families have drifted away, and the Capital City’s four lands are mostly crowded with refugees who can barely eat. Where would comrce co from?
"Is that so..." The Emperor gazed at the desolate surroundings, deeply conflicted inside.
Recently, he heard from his elder sister about Jiangnan. She said that Jiangnan was still flourishing, bustling with life, which made others quite envious.
Sotis he felt jealous of Chen Qing. He had to sacrifice many citizens to gain power, while Chen Qing could enjoy all the benefits.
Securing prosperity and stability for his forces, while simultaneously gaining such imnse power in a short ti.
The Heavenly Dao said that he was the son of destiny, but is that really the case?
"What are you thinking?"
A familiar voice ca, and the Emperor was not surprised. They shared the sa birth mother and had always been attuned to each other. Previously, when he lacked power, he could easily find his sister within a city. Now, at this level, they could sense each other even from ten thousand miles away.
"I am contemplating whether everything I have done up to now is right or wrong."
"Are you confused?" His Imperial Sister was not surprised. Her intuition was often stronger than that of her brother, especially since she had been in Jiangnan recently.
She rembered when they were children, her brother had grand ambitions to free the Human Race from the fear of demons, to eradicate that insecurity from people’s hearts. That’s why he initially allied with the King of Qin, who could defeat demons, and later betrayed him without hesitation when he realized the King of Qin would still let demons devour humans.
Now, the Jiangnan controlled by Chen Qing was the world he longed for as a child. In contrast, the lands he governed were terrifyingly desolate, with billions in the North perished, and panic spread throughout the Capital City’s four corners. People’s eyes reflected numbness and fear, perhaps even more so than when they were children.
Given these circumstances, how could he not be confused?
"We are not wrong..." his Imperial Sister said softly. "The rules of this world are such that if we do not follow this path, we will never gain the power to change everything. Chen Qing succeeded because he grasped rules unknown to us, nothing more."
"But he succeeded."
"Indeed..."
"I was thinking, if Chen Qing can continue to succeed, I... am actually willing to accept it..."
His Imperial Sister turned to look at the Emperor, and he felt a bit apprehensive facing her for the first ti.
His sister had been strict since childhood, almost like a mother. Saying such unaspiring words now, he feared being scolded.
"Alright..."
"Hmm?"
The Emperor was taken aback; he did not expect her to say that.
"Don’t look so surprised. You’re grown-up now; do you think I would still beat you with a bamboo stick?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was first stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh.
The Princess Royale saw that familiar smile on his face, one she hadn’t seen since they were young...
---------------------------------------------
"These days are so boring..."
In the North, humans from several major cities began to disperse and settle into Northern cities that had been desolate for ten years. With guidance and protection from the great Buddhas, life began to spring forth.
But the terror of those ten years is not so easily erased. Although hope is visible ahead, everyone’s eyes still carry a deep-seated fear, as if dreading that such days could return at any mont.
For the Victorious Fighting Buddha, used to war, these peaceful days were truly uncomfortable.
When the four ancients revived, especially at the beginning, things were interesting, with plenty of conflicts, big and small. But now, it’s so boring he can’t help but yawn, wishing he could continue to sleep.
"You should be grateful for these days," Old Liu sighed slightly, reading the intelligence reports.
"I’m not interested!" the Victorious Fighting Buddha huffed, "I’m not afraid of that so-called Queen; she’d better co quickly so I can test her skills!"
"You..." Old Liu chuckled bitterly, glancing skyward. Despite having a year left, he could already feel the pressure.
That heavy, irresistible pressure, stemming from having witnessed future confrontations, he could clearly sense that familiar, terrifying power.
It’s unimaginable how to face such a monster again.
Looking at the intelligence reports, even after forming an alliance, the Human Race remains a resilient species. After surviving significant calamities, once given a slight breathing space, they grow rapidly like wild grass, marvelously tenacious.
The people here are very much like those in reality. Such a resolute race perishing at the hands of their own is truly lantable.
"Old Liu, do you think Chen Qing will succeed?"
"He might..." Old Liu responded, his eyes complex as he gazed into the distance, "It’s just a matter of how he succeeds."
"What do you an..." the Victorious Fighting Buddha questioned, confused.
Old Liu did not further elaborate, as so answers cannot be revealed yet. From the agent of the Heavenly Dao, now known as Pu YunChuan, he had learned certain things.
In confronting that monster’s future battles, the Main World has won eight tis, relying solely on Chen Qing in each instance.
But in all eight instances... Chen Qing betrayed.
Pu YunChuan said that the predictions of the Main World might all be within Chen Qing’s own predictions. Presently, Chen Qing is no longer the Chen Qing of the past. His identity... is more terrifying than any of you could imagine.
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