The submission of Feng Huabin and Jia Gong to Lin Qian was conducted with utmost secrecy, known only to the two sect masters themselves. No one in Fengzhou or Lianshan Province had any idea that they had already become part of the Hua Xia Empire.
A bet is a bet, and since they agreed that if they lost to Lin Qian, their sects would merge into the Hua Xia Empire, they had to honor their word.
In reality, it wasn't just about keeping their promise; Feng Huabin and Jia Gong were truly awed by Lin Qian's strength. When Lin Qian unleashed the twelve-layer soul glow, they were so shocked that they froze in place, unable to continue fighting.
It was only when Lin Qian reminded them to resume the duel that they snapped out of it and continued the match. After the fight ended, both sect masters understood that with Lin Qian's terrifying combat power, even if all the Life and Death Realm experts from Fengzhou and Lianshan Province combined their forces, they wouldn't be a match for him. Any thoughts of going back on their word vanished.
After witnessing the strength of the Hua Xia Empire in Linhai Province, both Feng Huabin and Jia Gong felt a sense of relief that they hadn't followed the Qin Dynasty's orders or tried to renege on their promise.
"Your Majesty, about the resources the Qin Dynasty gave us... please take them back to the empire," Feng Huabin respectfully suggested to Lin Qian in the council hall at the border, offering the storage ring containing the resources.
Jia Gong quickly followed suit, presenting his storage ring with equal reverence.
Both men were careful not to offend Lin Qian. His formidable strength, his imperial charisma, and the overwhelming power of the Hua Xia Empire made them tread lightly, knowing the consequences of provoking him could be dire.
"No need. The empire isn't short on such things. You can decide how to handle them yourselves," Lin Qian said casually, waving off their offers.
Hearing this, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy. The resources from the Qin Dynasty were a significant fortune, and they had assumed Lin Qian would take them. They were pleasantly surprised when he left the wealth in their hands.
"The Qin Dynasty made you swear not to reveal their plan to target us, but they didn't make you swear to actually attack the Hua Xia Empire," Lin Qian remarked with a smile. "That's why your provinces still have a chance. If things had been different, you would have had no choice but to go to war with us. And as for the outcome..."
Lin Qian grinned, showing his teeth as he looked at the two men.
The smile sent a shiver down Feng Huabin and Jia Gong's spines.
"The war between the Qin Dynasty and the four factions is inevitable. You don't need to get involved. Once it's over, you'll have plenty to do," Lin Qian added, patting them on the shoulder before turning to leave the council hall.
As they watched Lin Qian's blazing horse-drawn carriage depart, Feng Huabin and Jia Gong finally relaxed, gazing down at the storage rings in their hands with satisfaction.
"I wonder what kind of background His Majesty has and how the Hua Xia Empire suddenly emerged. If I hadn't visited Victory Sect in Linhai Province before, I'd suspect I had gone to a completely different place," Feng Huabin mused as he put away the storage ring, his eyes fixed on the direction of Linhai Province.
Jia Gong joined him at the entrance of the council hall, looking toward Linhai Province with a longing expression. "High-quality resources are everywhere, and the concentration of spiritual energy is already double that of Fengzhou and Lianshan Province."
"Indeed, and I hear the concentration of spiritual energy will only increase," Feng Huabin nodded, his eyes filled with envy. "I wonder if Fengzhou will ever be like that."
"His Majesty promised us that after the conflict with the Qin Dynasty is resolved, he will send people to plant spirit trees in Fengzhou and Lianshan Province and set up formations," Jia Gong said excitedly. "And once the formations are in place, they'll be connected to the formations in Linhai Province, covering all three provinces. I've only ever heard of such wonders in the Central Domain."
Feng Huabin, though unfamiliar with the Central Domain, had heard enough to respond with a nod. His eyes, too, were filled with anticipation as he imagined what the formations spanning three provinces might look like.
"Brother Jia, I think we've made an incredibly wise decision," Feng Huabin said as he turned to look out over Fengzhou. "I've been stuck at the Life and Death Realm, Soul Stage, for twenty years, barely making any progress. I could already see how the rest of my life would play out."
"I'd take care of Qingfeng Sect, protect Fengzhou, find a worthy disciple to pass on my teachings, and then retire to watch the changes in the sect and the province until the end of my days."
"But now, things are different. The strange potion His Majesty gave us has helped me make progress in my realm after being stuck for twenty years."
"And in such a short time, Linhai Province has undergone a dramatic transformation. For some reason, I feel a strong urge to follow this ridiculously young emperor and see what the future holds."
Feng Huabin's words resonated with Jia Gong. His once fiery, youthful spirit had long cooled, but after meeting Lin Qian, that flame had been reignited.
It was because, when they decided to join the Hua Xia Empire, Lin Qian had said something to them:
"Humanity should be supreme. Help me elevate the Hua Xia Empire to the highest throne on this continent!"
When Lin Qian spoke those words, a golden light had shone behind him, and a vast illusion of mountains and rivers appeared, filled with countless cities and people. Feng Huabin and Jia Gong had been mesmerized.
This was a glimpse of the Hua Xia Empire's destiny, but to Feng Huabin and Jia Gong, it seemed like the future that Lin Qian envisioned.
"Honestly, Brother Jia..."
"What is it?"
"His Majesty looks incredibly impressive when he refers to himself as 'We.'"
"...Indeed!"
Lin Qian, of course, had no idea that they were discussing how impressive he looked. If he had heard them, he might have kicked them both away in exasperation.
Upon returning to Linhai Province, Lin Qian knew there were still important matters to address.
The war between the Qin Dynasty and the four factions had started because of him, and it wouldn't be right for the Hua Xia Empire to stay hidden in the shadows.
The strength of the Imperial Army and the Beast Army was just one aspect of the Hua Xia Empire's power.
Winning a war isn't just about overwhelming force.
For the Hua Xia Empire, this world's soul power system is unfamiliar. Likewise...
This world is equally unfamiliar with the Hua Xia Empire's system!