NO_NAME
patreon
Chapter 402: Citizen of the Huaxia Empire
🕑 Added 2024-10-09 05:21:03 +0000 UTCIn a secluded forest at the border between the Wei Kingdom and the Autumn Kingdom, illusionary formations surrounded the area, enveloping it in a protective shroud.
Within this forested area stood a simple structure, inside which a number of people were seated.
These people all appeared quite young, without a single elderly figure among them. At the head of the group sat Leng Wuyi, the Hall Master of the Temple of Fate, and Qiu Xian, the Vice Hall Master.
This place was the secret base of the Temple of Fate, and the twenty or so people present were all branch masters from various sub-halls of the temple.
"The strength of the Huaxia Empire has far exceeded our expectations. Even the Qin Imperial Guard was no match for the Huaxia Army. What’s even more surprising is that the three ancestors of the Shuangji Hall, the Xiaoyao Sect, and the Blood Spirit Valley have suddenly become the strongest individuals in the southern region!" Leng Wuyi sighed as he looked at the crowd.
Everyone's expressions were uncertain. The rapid collapse of the Qin Dynasty had been beyond their imagination. Initially, they had hoped that the Huaxia Empire and the Qin Dynasty would severely weaken each other, but reality had dealt them a harsh slap in the face.
Mutual destruction? The Huaxia Empire hadn't even suffered a scratch, while the Qin Emperor had simply fled.
"With those three ancestors backing them, combined with the strength the Huaxia Empire has displayed and the vast territory of fifty-eight states they now control, they’ve likely surpassed the Qin Dynasty and become the eleventh top force in the southern region!" Qiu Xian, sitting beside Leng Wuyi, massaged her temples and sighed. "Such a behemoth could crush us with a single step. If the Huaxia Empire behaves no differently than the Wei Kingdom and the Autumn Kingdom, the common people will have no hope."
Qiu Xian's words made many of the branch masters nod in agreement. A man with six scars on his face voiced his concern: "For now, the people of the Temple of Fate have gone into hiding, so there’s no immediate danger. But the future of the people in the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms is still uncertain."
"This Huaxia Empire is so powerful; the resources they need must be enormous. I fear the people under their rule are also living in misery!" another branch master chimed in angrily, though his eyes betrayed a sense of helplessness. "But there's no way to resist such an empire."
"The Huaxia Empire has already begun deploying imperial troops into the cities of the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms. That Beast Army has also entered the forests, and who knows what they’re up to—they might be searching for us," Leng Wuyi suddenly said in a deep voice. "If they find us, it will likely lead to a fierce battle. Everyone must be prepared."
Qiu Xian, nodding beside him, glanced toward the door. "Branch Master Qiu Ling has already gone to gather information. Let’s hope she returns safely."
At this, Qiu Xian's expression grew tense, and the others shared her concern.
The Beast Army entering the forest to search likely meant they were hunting for the Temple of Fate. The Huaxia Empire might be preparing to eliminate them.
Branch Master Qiu Ling was Qiu Xian and Leng Wuyi's daughter. If something were to happen to her while she was out gathering information...
Bang!
Just then, the door suddenly burst open, and a young woman with eyebrows resembling Leng Wuyi’s rushed in. She grabbed the spiritual tea in front of her father, gulped it down in one go, and then drank all of her mother's tea as well, finally wiping her mouth in satisfaction.
"Qiu Ling... Branch Master Qiu Ling, what has you in such a panic?" Leng Wuyi frowned in worry as he looked at his daughter.
Everyone present anxiously watched Qiu Ling, unsure of what news she would bring.
"Hah!" Qiu Ling exhaled deeply, calmed herself, and then sat down to address the group with a grave and fearful expression. "You would never guess what the Huaxia Empire’s emperor had his forces do after they moved into the cities of the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms."
"What did they do?" Seeing Qiu Ling’s fearful expression, the crowd sensed that the situation might be dire.
Noting the curious yet serious looks on everyone’s faces, Qiu Ling began to explain her experience: "While I was gathering information, I accidentally ran into one of the Beast Army’s giant wolves. Guess what happened?"
Upon hearing that Qiu Ling had encountered one of the terrifying giant wolves of the Beast Army, Qiu Xian’s heart jumped into her throat, despite knowing that her daughter was safe now.
"The giant wolf just glanced at me, spoke in human language, said 'Temple of Fate,' and then turned around and left."
"Later, out of curiosity, I followed the giant wolf for a while and discovered that it wasn’t searching for traces of our Temple of Fate as we had feared, but rather hunting down remnants of the regular armies of the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms."
"And I found that when these giant wolves passed by towns and villages outside the cities, they would kill all the nearby soul beasts, place the beasts’ corpses into their storage bags, and then give them to the townspeople and villagers!"
"What?" Qiu Ling's words left everyone stunned and incredulous.
The fact that the Beast Army wasn’t searching for them allowed them to breathe a small sigh of relief.
They had already witnessed the intelligence of the silver moon giant wolves in the Beast Army. Although the imperial troops and the Beast Army were not true living beings, they were very much like artificial intelligence—possessing intelligence, but without souls.
However, the act of these Beast Army troops killing soul beasts around towns and villages and giving the corpses to the common people was simply unbelievable.
In this way, the common people would benefit without any harm. With the soul beasts dead, there would be no worry of beast attacks, and the gifted soul beast corpses would be a substantial boon.
Cooking and eating the flesh of soul beasts could greatly strengthen the bodies of the common people.
"At that time, I thought the Huaxia Empire might not be hostile toward our Temple of Fate. To test this theory, I made a bold decision and sent some of my branch members directly to the nearby Xiaoling City."
At this point, everyone held their breath, anxiously awaiting Qiu Ling's next words.
"As it turned out, the imperial troops guarding the city recognized us as members of the Temple of Fate at a glance and simply let us pass without any trouble at all." Qiu Ling’s eyes widened as she continued, "At that moment, I was sure that the Huaxia Empire was not as intent on eliminating us as we had feared."
"But what I don’t understand is why the Huaxia Empire would have no defenses against us. We are, after all, an organization formed to resist the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms for the sake of the people. The Huaxia Empire should be wary of us," Qiu Ling said, noticing the same confusion in the others’ eyes.
After a pause, Qiu Ling’s expression changed to one of admiration. "But then I saw what the Huaxia Empire did in Xiaoling City, and I immediately understood. The Huaxia Empire is completely different from the likes of the Qin Dynasty, the Wei Kingdom, and the Autumn Kingdom..."
"No... it’s different from any power I’ve ever known." As she spoke, Qiu Ling took out a jade token and waved it in front of the group. "So now, I am a citizen of the Huaxia Empire!"
Previous Chapter | | Next Chapter
