CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: ARRIVAL OF THE FOUR ENVOYS_1

This night, for Duan Yonghui, was unbearably cold, gray, and helpless! He felt like a toy puppet, manipulated by Han Yuquan, who issued various commands based on the Pope’s will, which represented supreme authority, and finally stamped them with the Jade Seal. These commands included building a blood pool and summoning prisoners.

The next day, before the highest echelons of the Holy Fire Sect, Duan Yonghui announced the establishment of the Dali Court. Positioned above all Archbishops, the court was vested with diplomatic, administrative, and military strategy powers, with Han Yuquan as its first Dean. It is no exaggeration to say that the Pope’s power had completely transitioned into the hands of the Dali Court.

A few days later, Eagle, the protector, led one hundred thousand soldiers of the Changeable Mansion to the outskirts of the Holy City. Han Yuquan personally greeted them and allocated the eastern district of the Holy City for the Changeable Mansion to establish a branch. What followed was large-scale construction and the transportation of vast amounts of soil and sand out of the city.

A dark era was dawning upon the Holy Fire Sect; countless people would die because of it.

Ten days later, outside the Imperial Capital, figures moved restlessly. Qin Wudao led a portion of his officials ten *li* out of the city to wait quietly. It was unknown who had leaked the news, but upon learning of Emperor Qin’s return, the city’s people gathered spontaneously, forming a sea of humanity standing behind Qin Wudao.

By midday, an army appeared on the distant horizon, enveloped in a thick, malevolent Evil Qi. This qi condensed into a blood-red mist in the sky, resembling a blood dragon from afar.

As the army arrived, Qin Wudao stepped forward and saluted respectfully, "Father!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty!"

The officials and commoners followed suit, their attitudes profoundly respectful. Even the young children earnestly mimicked their gestures.

The Emperor, dressed in golden armor, had a hint of a smile on his stern face upon seeing the people’s welcome. He waved his hand and said, "My subjects, please rise!"

A gentle force lifted everyone present. Once standing, the people gazed intently at the Emperor, their eyes filled with admiration, devotion, and excitement, as if his figure alone was Eternal between heaven and earth.

Facing his people, the Emperor spoke loudly, his voice laced with profound sorrow:

"Gentlemen, this battle was a great victory! The Holy Fire Sect’s invasion was repelled by our empire’s warriors! We killed ten million enemies and pursued the fleeing remnants for thousands of *li*, demonstrating the might of our Great Qin!

"However, nearly a million of our sons also perished on the battlefield. Their souls have returned to foreign lands, having died for their country..."

Hearing this, a shadow of grief touched the faces of the people, for among the fallen soldiers might have been their kin; yet, they harbored no regrets. In the hearts of the old Qin people, to die for one’s country was a matter of glory.

The Emperor continued, "Some time ago, the Crown Prince discussed the issue of martyrs with me. He believed the court’s compensation was too meager and insufficient to care for the martyrs’ families, so he proposed increasing the standards.

"I fully support this proposal and have decided to establish a new compensation system upon my return to court!

"Here, before the Azure Sky and the Great Dao, before my countless subjects, and before our ancestors, I swear: I will not betray the martyrs who died for our country! They are heroes! They deserve our deepest respect..."

The Emperor dismounted, bowed to the heavens, and loudly proclaimed his oath.

BOOM!

Everyone was shocked. A surge of warmth flooded the hearts of the multitude.

Soldiers are heroes!

The millions of soldiers standing behind the Emperor instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons, proud smiles gracing their faces. Previously, they were ordinary soldiers; from this day forward, they had earned a new title: heroes!

Even Qin Wudao was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected the Emperor to make such a declaration to the welcoming crowd on this significant day of his triumphant return. The matter of increasing compensation for martyrs was something they had discussed when the Emperor visited him after his injuries had healed.

"His Majesty is wise! His Highness the Crown Prince is wise!"

It was unclear who shouted it first, but everyone else chorused in agreement. The sound waves echoed for hundreds of *li* around, lingering long before dissipating. Even the birds in the sky were startled, forgetting to flap their wings and plummeting to the ground in freefall.

HMPH!

Just then, a cold snort resounded from the distant horizon, overpowering the shouts of hundreds of thousands of people. Emperor Qin, Qin Wudao, and the others frowned, their gazes turning towards the distant Void where a menacing aura had appeared.

There, a man as imposing as a god, wielding a war spear, strode forth. His powerful presence permeated the air, bearing down like a towering Male Mountain.

Zhang Gan shouted, "Who dares cause trouble in the Qin Empire?" drawing the sword at his side. Bronze light flashed, and an infinite killing intent billowed out, forming an incredibly sharp Sword Qi that slashed towards the Void. A white cloud, tens of thousands of feet away, was instantly cloven in two.

"Wind Cloud Spear!"

The spear-wielding man’s expression was cold, his body radiating an icy killing aura. His spear gleamed brilliantly, its Spear Aura tearing through the air, piercing all things, and effortlessly shattering the Sword Qi.

BOOM!

Zhang Gan, who had just charged into the Void, was blasted back by the powerful Spear Aura. He stumbled upon landing, retreating more than a dozen steps before barely steadying himself.

Bai Qi and Li Si exchanged a glance. Just as they were about to make a move, they saw the Emperor ascend into the sky, a golden dragon coiling around him. He sternly asked, "Who are you?"

"Peak of the Saint Realm?" The spear-wielding man scrutinized the Emperor, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He quickly regained his composure and stated flatly, "Nie Jinglong, of Gun City, Unrivaled Realm!"

His voice spread, the Spear Aura shimmered in the Void, his divine might unparalleled.

A grave expression touched the Emperor’s face. After unifying the East Ancient Domain, he had turned his attention to the surrounding domains and, through his intelligence network, had learned about the Unrivaled Realm. Among the nine surrounding great domains, the Unrivaled Realm ranked fourth in strength. These nine great domains were the Changeable Realm, the Heavenly Fire Realm, the Wuling Domain, the Azure Dragon Realm, the Unrivaled Realm, the Forest Realm, the Remnant Flower Realm, the Purple Lightning Domain, and the East Ancient Domain.

But before he could speak, three more powerful auras surged from the distant Void.

"By order of my Family Head, I am an envoy to the Qin Empire to discuss important matters!"

"By His Majesty’s command, I am an envoy to the Qin Empire to discuss matters concerning the Heavenly Fire Realm!"

"By order of the Sect Master, I have come to warn the Qin Empire: you are forbidden from occupying the Heavenly Fire Realm!"

Like claps of thunder, three resonant voices boomed across heaven and earth, deafeningly loud. The last voice, especially, carried a heavy threat. As it fell upon the ears of the common people, it caused temporary deafness, bleeding from their seven orifices, and brief periods of unconsciousness.

This made the Emperor’s face extremely grim. Golden light flared around him, his hair whipping about, as the phantom Dharma image of an emperor abruptly materialized behind him, eclipsing the sky.

Anyone who harms the people of Qin shall be killed!

BOOM!

Heaven and earth lost their color. The golden radiance shot ten thousand zhang into the Void, and a blood-red, baleful light made the very world tremble.

Seeking death!

The Emperor clenched his fists and struck forcefully towards the left side of the Void. A golden dragon shot out, roaring at the heavens as it punched a hole through the fabric of space.

"Emperor Qin, you dare to attack me?" a terrified, shrill female voice cried out from the depths of the Void. Space rippled continuously as the Dharma image of an ancient tree appeared. Countless pink blossoms unfurled, releasing life force and forming a pink shield.