Pointing to the map conjured by the formation, Lin Qian addressed the gathered officials: "Look at this—why did Yuheng Jiang Kingdom find it so easy to take action against Qingshui Province?"
"Because when I wanted to install soul cannons in Qingshui Province, Zhenyuan Sect, which borders the province, claimed it would make them feel threatened," Lin Qian said with a slight smile. "I naively believed that the Huaxia Empire should coexist peacefully with its neighboring forces, so I didn't set up the soul cannons."
"But what I didn't expect was that when Yuheng Jiang Kingdom attacked Qingshui Province, Zhenyuan Sect not only opened their doors wide for them but even sent some of their own people to join in on the attack," Lin Qian continued, shaking his head in self-reproach.
"I even heard that the citizens of Yuheng Jiang Kingdom are saying that it's good that so many people in the Huaxia Empire died," Lin Qian's voice grew colder as he spoke. "At that moment, I realized that the Huaxia Empire's gentleness should be reserved for its own citizens, for Huaxia people. As for other forces and outsiders…" Lin Qian's eyes gleamed with a golden hue, "they should fear the Huaxia Empire!"
"Qiu Haifeng!"
"Cheng Licheng!"
At Lin Qian's call, the two men immediately stood up and respectfully bowed to him. "Your Majesty!"
Both were governors of provinces bordering Kuanglang Sect and Guiyuan Valley.
"You are to inform Kuanglang Sect and Guiyuan Valley that they must cede half of their territories to the Huaxia Empire as an apology, and they must also pay tribute every year. If they refuse, the Huaxia Empire will declare war on them."
Lin Qian's declaration left the two men exchanging uncertain glances before one of them spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, the other side is unlikely to agree to such demands."
"Whether they agree or not is their concern. I'm notifying them, not negotiating with them. You just need to convey my orders," Lin Qian replied, his tone brooking no argument.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The two men exchanged a brief smile, then nodded in compliance.
"As for Zhenyuan Sect, simply eliminate them. I treated them with kindness, but they repaid us with treachery against the Huaxia Empire—how amusing," Lin Qian said as he rose, addressing the governor of Qingshui Province, "Go inform the sect leader of Zhenyuan Sect that they still have a chance to surrender. Otherwise, they will face the consequences."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Dismissed!"
As Lin Qian uttered the final word, the image on the Soul Vision Machines slowly faded, marking the end of the live broadcast.
At that moment, the citizens of the Huaxia Empire began to discuss the events, astonished by the sheer boldness of their emperor.
They were well aware of the situation in Qingshui Province, and many had harbored anger over it.
However, Yuheng Jiang Kingdom was a formidable power in the Southern Region, and Kuanglang Sect and Guiyuan Valley were also strong forces. With all three challenging the Huaxia Empire, the people had been anxious.
They had only recently begun enjoying their prosperous lives, and the thought of losing it all if the Huaxia Empire fell to these three powers filled them with dread.
Lin Qian's speech, declaring war on Yuheng Jiang Kingdom and making harsh demands of Kuanglang Sect and Guiyuan Valley, was thrilling, but it left them deeply worried about whether the Huaxia Empire could truly triumph over these formidable foes.
After all, these three powers were among the most renowned in the entire Southern Region.
Of course, the citizens of the Huaxia Empire had no idea what kind of terrifying boost in strength Lin Qian's advancement to the Awakening Realm had brought to the empire.
In the capital of Yuheng Jiang Kingdom, within the grand palace adorned with green jade, the emperor, Yuheng the Great, sat on his throne. His delicate, almost feminine features bore a mocking smile as he listened to the report from a subordinate kneeling before him.
"Destroy Yuheng Jiang Kingdom?" Yuheng the Great sneered, his tone dripping with scorn. "The Southern Region once feared those three dominator-level Awakening Realm experts, not him. Does he really think that defeating the Qin Dynasty makes him invincible?"
"I'm curious to see what qualifications this young upstart possesses, and what strength his Huaxia Empire has to back up such arrogance."
In the grand hall of Zhenyuan Sect, the sect leader laughed coldly. "Eliminate Zhenyuan Sect? How amusing. The Huaxia Empire can barely protect itself. Let them survive Yuheng Jiang Kingdom's onslaught first before making such bold claims."
At Guiyuan Valley's main hall, the sect leader and several elders were indulging in wine and laughter.
"The young emperor of the Huaxia Empire demands that we cede half our territory—how audacious," one elder remarked with a chuckle, glancing at the others.
Another elder snickered, "War? Let him try. Youngsters do tend to boast."
"The only thing noteworthy about the Huaxia Empire is that soul cannon. Unfortunately, the young emperor doesn't realize that the entire Southern Region now knows how to counter it," Guiyuan Valley's leader said, raising his wine cup with a grin. "I can't wait to see this young emperor's face when he realizes he's bitten off more than he can chew."
In the grand hall of Kuanglang Sect, the sect leader burst into laughter after hearing from an elder. "Hahaha, Elder Han, what do you think?"
"Easily dealt with, Sect Leader," Elder Han replied with a grin. "There's a weak soul beast called the yellow chick. Its only power is controlling some sand and stones, which is hardly impressive. However, it likes to put on airs, trying to intimidate stronger soul beasts with its shrill cries. Sometimes, it even manages to scare away stronger soul beasts."
"But in the end, the yellow chick is just a golden-skinned, fragile bird—easy to kill, with no real strength."
After hearing Elder Han's analogy, the sect leader nodded in satisfaction. "Indeed. Since Yuheng Jiang Kingdom plans to attack the Huaxia Empire, why not join in and share the spoils? Let's crush this yellow chick."
For Yuheng Jiang Kingdom, Kuanglang Sect, Guiyuan Valley, and Zhenyuan Sect, Lin Qian's words were nothing more than a joke.
As for the method Guiyuan Valley's leader mentioned to counter the soul cannon, Lin Qian was already aware of it—a formation that could create a soul power mirror, reflecting the pure soul power attack of the soul cannon back at it.
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, I can't help but laugh," Zhuge Ming's voice rang in Lin Qian's ears. "Do they really think such a simple formation can stop a soul cannon?"
"Don't mock them, Prime Minister," Lin Qian replied calmly. "We should show a little more care for the feeble-minded."