Inside the capital of Chu!
The entire city was under lockdown!
Bloodstains were scattered throughout the city, and corpses lay everywhere.
The elite Qin warriors patrolled the streets, eliminating the remaining enemies of Chu.
As for the corpses, once the Qin forces had secured the city, the logistics units would soon enter to clean up the remains.
The capital of Chu was home to hundreds of thousands of people. As the capital of a nation, it naturally had a large population.
When faced with the fall of their city to the Qin army, countless civilians hid in their homes, shutting their doors and windows tightly, afraid to step outside.
They feared what the Qin army might do to them.
However, as soon as Zhao Feng issued his orders, patrols of Qin warriors began marching through the city, beating drums and making proclamations.
"By order of Lord Wu'an!"
"People of the city, do not panic!"
"The capital of Chu has fallen, the officials have surrendered, and Great Qin now controls the city."
"A decree has been issued!"
"The warriors of Great Qin shall not harm the common people."
…
Throughout the city, Qin soldiers patrolled while loudly proclaiming the orders to reassure the civilians.
Hearing these declarations, the thoughts of the Chu citizens varied.
"It seems the Qin army truly has no intention of massacring the city."
"They haven't broken into our homes."
"The court always said the Qin army was as vicious as wolves, but now it doesn't seem to be the case."
"The Qin army has held the city for so long and hasn't harmed us commoners at all."
"Thank the heavens! If they were the kind of army that slaughtered entire cities, we'd all be dead."
"But our food supply is running low. Now that the city has fallen, can we go out? I doubt the merchants and grain stores have opened their doors."
"Ah… Damn this war…"
The citizens hiding in their homes murmured among themselves. Although the Qin army's proclamations had some effect, the people still saw them as an invading force, and the fear in their hearts remained. Aside from a few bolder individuals, most dared not step outside.
It would take at least ten days or half a month for the city to return to normal.
Inside the Royal Palace of Chu
"The treasury of this Chu palace is the poorest among all the nations."
"No gold, silver, or jade only medicinal herbs and so-called spirit pills."
"Truly fitting for a kingdom dominated by corrupt officials."
After looting the royal treasury of Chu, Zhao Feng felt somewhat disappointed.
He had expected the Chu palace to be poor, but he hadn't anticipated it would be this poor.
Other royal treasuries at least contained weapons and armor.
But in the palace of Chu, even the secret vaults were empty there wasn't a single weapon or piece of armor to be found.
Perhaps the secret vaults, originally meant to be known only to the royal family, had been exposed to the corrupt ministers.
As a result, the likes of Huang Xie and Li Yuan had long since emptied the wealth accumulated by past kings of Chu.
In an era where absolute monarchy reigned supreme, the lack of a wise ruler was a disaster for any nation.
Inside the Royal Palace
"My lord,"
"The military orders have been issued, and the soldiers are actively working to reassure the civilians, but the results are minimal. Most people still fear leaving their homes," Tu Sui reported.
"That is to be expected."
"To these citizens, our Qin army is an invading force, and our hands are stained with blood. If we wished to harm them, they would be nothing but lambs waiting for slaughter. Their fear is natural." Zhao Feng said calmly.
"What should we do, then?" Tu Sui asked.
"We are an army. Our role is to enforce order with military discipline. As long as we refrain from harming the people over time, they will eventually stop fearing us."
"Once the court sends civil officials to govern, the situation will be resolved."
"For now, our priority should be continuing our campaign." Zhao Feng said firmly.
"Your orders, my lord?" Tu Sui immediately bowed.
"Where are those two?" Zhao Feng glanced around.
"Here, my lord!"
Zhang Han and Li You hurried into the grand hall of the Chu Palace.
"Have you tallied the battle results?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Yes, my lord."
"After storming the city, our forces killed over thirty thousand enemies and captured over fifty thousand, though many of the Chu troops managed to flee."
"In this battle, our casualties amounted to over ten thousand, with five thousand dead and the rest wounded."
"Most of our injured soldiers were struck by enemy arrows during the siege," Li You reported.
"The usual protocol."
"Treat the wounded with full effort."
"Report the fallen to the Ministry of Finance and ensure their families receive proper compensation," Zhao Feng instructed.
"Understood, my lord," Li You acknowledged.
"Though the capital has fallen, much of Chu's territory remains, and General Xiang Yan is still at large."
"Issue my command."
"Dispatch our cavalry forces to attack the remaining cities of Chu, bearing the royal seal and forging decrees in the name of the King of Chu."
"At every city they reach, they shall order the local governors to surrender. Those who refuse shall be executed."
"Those who surrender and present their cities shall be treated with leniency and spared from enslavement." Zhao Feng decreed.
The royal seal was right behind Zhao Feng.
As he spoke, he casually picked it up and tossed it to Zhang Han.
Zhang Han carefully caught it, handling it with extreme caution, as if he were afraid of breaking it.
"My lord, this is the royal seal!"
Zhang Han's voice was filled with nervousness.
"It's just a piece of jade. Don't make such a fuss."
Zhao Feng said impatiently.
If it were the Heirloom Seal of the Realm made after Qin Shi Huang unified the land, engraved with "Mandated by Heaven, may it be eternal and prosperous," then he would indeed treasure it. After all, he planned to use such a symbol of imperial authority in the future.
But as for this mere king's seal from a feudal state, Zhao Feng truly didn't care much.
"You have a grand vision, my lord," Zhang Han chuckled.
"You don't need me to tell you how to forge the royal decrees, do you?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
"I can handle it," Tu Sui immediately responded.
He then walked over to the Chu king's desk and grabbed a stack of blank royal decrees.
"My lord, I will have the cavalry split into groups of five thousand and advance on the Chu cities," Zhang Han said as he gathered dozens of blank decrees and quickly departed.
"Leave fifty thousand troops to guard the capital. The rest of you will lead your forces to capture the remaining cities of Chu," Zhao Feng commanded, looking at Tu Sui and Li You.
"The one who seizes the most shall be credited with the greatest merit in this campaign."
"We obey!" The two men's eyes gleamed as they quickly withdrew.
"Kuaipu."
"Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and draft the war report to submit to the court," Zhao Feng said, looking at Kuaipu.
"My lord."
"I was hesitating... Should we report that the King of Chu was personally slain by you?" Kuaipu said with a wry smile.
He truly didn't know how to phrase it in the official report.
Killing a king…
That wasn't exactly a good thing.
Even though Zhao Feng held immense power, there would surely be officials eager to impeach him for it.
"Report it truthfully," Zhao Feng said flatly.
"Simply state that the King of Chu was resolute and wished to die, so I granted him his wish."
"My lord, there will surely be officials in the court who will impeach you for this," Kuaipu hesitated.
"The King of Chu is already dead. The news will eventually reach Xianyang," Zhao Feng said indifferently.
"I have always acted with an open heart. What I have done, I do not deny."
"If anyone wishes to impeach me, let them."
Zhao Feng chuckled, completely unconcerned.
With the power he now held, he could afford to disregard royal authority.
Although he owed much to the King of Qin, a minor punishment was one thing but if the court attempted a major punishment, like exterminating his entire clan or executing his men, Zhao Feng would not sit idly by.
He had never been one to blindly serve a ruler.
"I understand," Kuaipu nodded.
Yet he did not leave immediately.
"If you understand, why are you still here?"
Zhao Feng frowned slightly.
At that moment
Kuaipu suddenly stepped forward and knelt before him.
"What are you doing?" Zhao Feng asked with a furrowed brow.
"My lord!"
"I wish to become like General Zhang Han and General Tu Sui"
"A true member of your inner circle."
"I seek my lord's complete trust."
Kuaipu knelt, his expression solemn.
"What do you mean by that?" Zhao Feng's expression grew serious.
"I pledge my loyalty to you, my lord. I ask that you accept me."
"Though I am a humble officer in the central army, I swear to follow you to the death."
Kuaipu spoke earnestly.
Zhao Feng observed him for a moment before giving a faint smile.
"You must have seen something, haven't you?"
"I have indeed," Kuaipu admitted openly.
"I saw Generals Tu Sui and Zhang Han wielding inhuman strength, splitting the stone with a single strike."
"That is beyond human capability."
"I know this power comes from you, my lord."
"Then do you understand what it means to serve under me?" Zhao Feng asked gravely.
"My life," Kuaipu answered without hesitation.
"Once you join me, there is no leaving."
"I can see into men's hearts."
"If even a trace of disloyalty appears in you, I will know."
"If your pledge is false, I will see through it as well." Zhao Feng's eyes bore into him.
"I swear, my loyalty is true!"
"If I lie, I accept death as my punishment!" Kuaipu vowed.
"Then I accept your loyalty," Zhao Feng declared.
As soon as he did, a value appeared before his eyes
Loyalty: 88 points.
"It seems…"
"My influence in the Wu'an army is truly considerable."
Zhao Feng could tell that Kuaipu's devotion was near the level of absolute loyalty.
Not just him
There were countless elite warriors in the Wu'an army who would gladly die for Zhao Feng.
Though they were nominally sworn to the King of Qin, if Zhao Feng were to give the command, they would turn their blades without hesitation and fight for him instead.
This was Zhao Feng's unique charisma.
"When this campaign ends, seek out Zhang Han and Tu Sui. They will train you."
"Thank you, my lord!"
"I vow to serve you until death!"
Kuaipu knelt and bowed deeply, his voice filled with excitement.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, my lord!" Kuaipu said with fervor before withdrawing from the hall.
As he stepped outside
"Hey!"
"Kuaipu, you look unusually happy today."
"Did you find some money?"
A guard teased him.
"From today onward, I am one of you."
"How could I not be happy?"
Kuai Pu let out a hearty laugh, patted the guard on the shoulder, and left with excitement.
Hearing this, the surrounding guards cast curious glances his way, and soon, smiles appeared on their faces as well.
They all knew exactly what it meant to be considered one of their own.
It meant true loyalty to their lord.
Zhao Feng commanded a personal guard of three thousand men, each one required to pledge absolute devotion before being admitted.
Of course, if they counted the elite troops under Tu Sui and Zhang Han's command, Zhao Feng's direct forces amounted to five thousand men.
Every single one of these guards had reached at least the seventh level of the Houtian realm, and many had even stepped into the Xiantian realm.
One could only imagine the sheer power of such a force.
Inside the Hall
Watching Kuai Pu's departing figure, Zhao Feng chuckled.
"This Kuai Pu is quite good he knows how to seize an opportunity."
Accepting Kuai Pu into his ranks was indeed a wise decision.
As a Zhongjun Sima (central army commander), Kuai Pu had some real capability.
In the turbulent times ahead, he would certainly prove useful.
"Now, let's see if I can get something valuable from these."
With all immediate matters settled and no more distractions, Zhao Feng calmed himself, ready to open his treasure chests.
During the previous battle at Qu City, his overall attributes had surpassed seven thousand, rewarding him with six tier-three treasure chests.
Now, after this latest battle, his attributes had increased once more, breaking through the eight-thousand mark.
On top of that, he also received a tier-three treasure chest as a reward for killing the King of Chu.
In total eight tier-three treasure chests.
This was the first time Zhao Feng had obtained so many at once. The rewards were bound to be extraordinary.
A tier-three chest guaranteed treasures of at least the third tier, making them immensely valuable.
"Let's hope for some great rewards this time," Zhao Feng muttered, clasping his hands together in anticipation.
"Open all the chests!" he commanded.
In response
"Executing host's command: Opening all tier-three treasure chests."
Rewards obtained:
One Intermediate Spirit Vein
Heaven-Tier High-Grade Martial Art – Dragon Elephant Fist
Heaven-Tier Low-Grade Weapon – Treasure Carved Bow
Immortal-Tier Low-Grade Item – Spirit Spring Source
One Intermediate Spirit Stone Mine
Immortal-Tier Low-Grade Martial Art – Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin
Heaven-Tier High-Grade Martial Art – Mountain-Crushing Slash
Blueprint for Transmission Jade Talisman
A string of notifications flashed before Zhao Feng's eyes.
"An Intermediate Spirit Vein I can place this in my small world, and it might significantly boost the spiritual energy there."
"Two high-grade heaven-tier martial arts this time."
"And a heaven-tier weapon, the Treasure Carved Bow."
"On top of that, two immortal-tier items the Spirit Spring Source and Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin. Just the name of that last one sounds incredible!"
"With the techniques I've acquired today, my collection of heaven-tier martial arts is growing. And now, I even have an immortal-tier one!"
Zhao Feng was thoroughly pleased.
"No one is to approach without my command," Zhao Feng ordered.
"If anything arises, report it to Zhang Ming."
"Understood!"
His guards responded in unison.
Immediately after, two of them stepped forward and firmly shut the grand doors of the hall.
The entire area was now heavily guarded, ensuring complete security.
"Learn Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin."
"Learn Dragon Elephant Fist."
"Learn Mountain-Crushing Slash."
Zhao Feng issued the commands.
At once
The knowledge of these martial arts began pouring into him.
A profound aura surrounded Zhao Feng as he was immersed in comprehending the techniques.
Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin endless swordsmanship insights surged into his mind.
Dragon Elephant Fist draws upon the power of dragons and elephants, channeling true energy, and unleashing punches infused with beastly might.
Mountain-Crushing Slash is a single strike capable of cleaving mountains asunder.
Zhao Feng's strength was growing ever more formidable.
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