The Huaxia Empire under Lin Qian's leadership was vastly different from his previous life. Back then, it was just a game, but now he was genuinely managing a real empire.
Lin Qian felt incredibly fortunate that the Huaxia Empire from his past life had come along with him, and that he had Zhuge Ming and the entire Ministry of Engineering to provide counsel. Without them, he might have been overwhelmed.
With Zhuge Ming and the Ministry of Engineering handling the implementation, Lin Qian only needed to provide his ideas. The specifics were left to the experts, as he knew that this was not his strong suit.
Specialization was important, and Lin Qian understood that he wasn't omnipotent, so he needed to learn how to delegate effectively.
Entrusting these matters to the Ministry of Engineering gave Lin Qian great confidence, and the people from the Temple of Fate, being natives of the Wei and Autumn Kingdoms, also became valuable assets.
In fact, Lin Qian remained in a state of constant excitement. The Huaxia Empire was no longer a game but a tangible reality, free from the limitations of his previous life.
As someone who thrived on growth and development, Lin Qian was eager to seize this opportunity to elevate the Huaxia Empire to its full potential. He couldn't rest until the empire reached its pinnacle in every aspect.
Moreover, Lin Qian's mindset was inherently different, as he wasn't originally from this world. He firmly believed in the wisdom of his predecessors: "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!"
In truth, Lin Qian's series of actions had already caused a noticeable rise in the empire's fortune. In regions like Linhai Province and the Starting Province, the concentration of spiritual energy had significantly increased.
Within the mystical star beneath the Heavenly Mark in his body, the spiritual energy concentration was also steadily rising, as confirmed by the Ministry of Engineering, matching Zhuge Ming's earlier predictions.
Gaining the people's support could indeed enhance the empire's fortune and bring positive changes to the Huaxia Empire.
Lin Qian also believed that the common people were the foundation of the empire. Only when they thrived and grew stronger could the empire as a whole improve.
Seated on the soaring imperial chariot, Lin Qian slowly closed his eyes, breathing steadily as if falling into a deep sleep.
"Lin Qian, wake up!" Suddenly, a voice called out to him, and Lin Qian abruptly opened his eyes, sitting up with a start.
However, when he looked around, he found himself trapped inside a cage.
The cage was rudimentary, made of thick wooden poles crudely fashioned from ordinary trees. The person who had awakened Lin Qian was a disheveled young man.
Lin Qian glanced down and noticed that his own hands were filthy, and he was wearing ragged clothes. His body was much smaller, resembling that of a twelve-year-old.
"Lin Qian, that Demon King He is going to feast again tonight. I wonder who will be taken this time," the disheveled young man said, his teeth chattering as he looked at Lin Qian.
Lin Qian stared blankly at the young man in front of him, pinching himself to see if it hurt.
"Am I dreaming?" Lin Qian muttered, frowning.
"Dreaming? What are you talking about? Did you wake up confused?" The young man looked around at the other people trapped in the cages and continued, "Lin Qian, you're the one with the best ideas. What should we do to avoid being chosen by Demon King He?"
At this moment, the other cages, filled with people of varying ages, were abuzz with whispers, their eyes filled with fear.
Lin Qian gazed at the dimly lit cave, taking in the surroundings that felt eerily familiar. His eyes were full of confusion.
"Prison Island?"
The thought deepened Lin Qian's confusion. "Could it be that I never left Prison Island and that everything I experienced was just a dream?"
Prison Island was the darkest chapter in Lin Qian's life. The Demon King He, whom the young man mentioned, was a death row inmate who had captured them. His feasts involved cannibalism—he would skin his victims and boil their flesh to eat.
Every time Demon King He prepared to feast, he would bring Lin Qian and the others to the table as potential meals, reveling in their terror.
Bang!
At that moment, a white-haired figure burst into the cave and freed them all.
The rescued captives cheered, but Lin Qian stared at the white-haired figure in silence for a long time before suddenly rushing forward, asking to become his disciple.
The white-haired man agreed, and Lin Qian once again became the disciple of the legendary War Emperor, Wei Wushuang.
Lin Qian trained under the white-haired man and discovered that he had awakened his martial spirit—an ancestral-level martial spirit with a black sword body engraved with golden patterns.
Overjoyed, Lin Qian inspected his dantian, where the black sword, Thunder Night, floated silently. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
"My dantian should have a white long sword martial spirit and a white Heavenly Mark as well," Lin Qian muttered as he walked behind Wei Wushuang, frowning in thought. "But what is the Heavenly Mark? And a white long sword martial spirit?"
He chuckled bitterly at the absurdity of the idea. "How could a person possibly have two martial spirits? It's impossible!"
Three years later, at the funeral of his master at the Wanxiang Sect, Lin Qian felt a deep sense of sorrow, but his face also showed confusion. "Why do I feel like I've forgotten so many things?"
"Lin Qian!" Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him.
Lin Qian turned to see his martial uncle, Qin Wushuang, and quickly bowed in greeting.
"Master would have been proud to see you break through to the Nirvana Realm so quickly," Qin Wushuang said, patting Lin Qian on the shoulder. "Don't be too sad. Master had no regrets, knowing he had a disciple like you in his final moments."
Lin Qian nodded silently, staring at his master's coffin. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that Wei Wushuang wasn't truly gone.
A month later, in Bashan City.
Lin Qian stood in the Ye family estate, tearing up a marriage contract and scattering the pieces into the air. He glared at Ye Xin, who looked at him with disdain. "Since you think I'm worthless and unworthy of you, then let's forget this engagement. I won't force it. But, do you dare to fight me?"
As his words fell, Lin Qian's Nirvana Realm aura erupted. Ye Xin, who had been full of arrogance, showed fear and didn't dare to accept the challenge.
With a cold snort, Lin Qian turned and left the Ye family estate, leaving Ye Xin filled with regret.
However, after walking out of the estate, Lin Qian felt an emptiness inside, as if things shouldn't have played out this way.
Despite this, the title of "Young Emperor Lin" soon resounded throughout Bashan City, leaving many in shock.
A year later, war broke out between the Wanxiang Sect and the Shengtian Sect.
Lin Qian, covered in blood, found himself surrounded by hundreds of Nirvana Realm experts. The Shengtian Sect relied on their overwhelming numbers to inflict countless wounds on him.
His white robes were stained red with blood as he looked at the encroaching Shengtian Sect disciples. Something felt wrong—he shouldn't be on the outnumbered side.
"Overwhelmed by numbers..." Lin Qian's breath faltered, and his soul power was nearly depleted. As he gazed at the countless enemies charging at him, his mind erupted like thunder.
"The ones who should have the numbers on their side... should be me!"