The banners of the Crimson Thunder Army had been torn down, replaced by the sigil of Shao Xian's reign—a simple yet unmistakable mark of dominance. The city of Zhenlu, once a fortress under Gao Zhen's rule, now stood under the shadow of a new master.
Shao Xian stood atop the central fortress, overlooking the vast cityscape below. The streets bustled with soldiers and civilians alike, each moving with newfound urgency, their lives now dictated by an unseen force far greater than any mortal ruler they had ever known.
The throne room, once an extravagant display of Gao Zhen's wealth and vanity, had been stripped of unnecessary excess. What remained was a chamber of absolute authority—spartan, yet imposing.
Zhou Fan knelt before him, his armor still stained with the remnants of conquest. "My Lord, the city's forces have been fully assimilated. The remaining officers have sworn their allegiance, though some still waver."
Shao Xian's golden eyes settled on him. "Waver?"
Zhou Fan hesitated, then lowered his head further. "There are those who served Gao Zhen not out of loyalty, but necessity. They bend the knee now, but their hearts remain uncertain."
Shao Xian stepped forward, the air around him thick with an unseen pressure. "Then they will learn."
Zhou Fan did not question further. He had seen what happened to those who doubted.
At that moment, another figure entered the chamber—a man clad in deep crimson robes, his face marked with the signs of age and wisdom. Minister Han, once an advisor to Gao Zhen, now found himself serving a new sovereign.
"My Lord," Han spoke, his voice even, yet edged with caution. "The noble houses of Zhenlu have sent envoys, seeking an audience with you."
Shao Xian did not respond immediately. Instead, he allowed the silence to stretch, letting the weight of his presence settle over the room.
"They seek to test the limits of my rule."
Han lowered his gaze. "That is their nature."
Shao Xian's lips curled into something resembling a smile. "Then they will find those limits absolute."
The grand hall had been prepared, its opulence now standing in stark contrast to the brutal efficiency of Shao Xian's reign. The noble families of Zhenlu had gathered, their silken robes and bejeweled hands a reminder of the wealth they wielded.
They had ruled from the shadows under Gao Zhen, their influence extending beyond the battlefield. But now, they stood before a man unlike any they had ever encountered.
Shao Xian entered, his every step a proclamation of dominance. The nobles stiffened, some instinctively lowering their heads, while others clung to their pride, their expressions carefully neutral.
One among them, a man of advanced years with an air of quiet authority, stepped forward. Lord Wei, head of the Wei Clan—one of the most influential families in the city.
"My Lord," Wei began, his tone carefully measured. "We welcome your rule over Zhenlu. The noble families stand ready to offer their support."
Shao Xian studied him, his golden gaze unblinking. "Support?"
Wei nodded. "We have wealth, connections, and influence. The people of Zhenlu look to us for guidance. If we are to prosper under your rule, then it would be wise to—"
A sharp, unseen force slammed into Wei's body, driving him to his knees before he could finish his sentence. The hall fell silent, the weight of Shao Xian's will pressing upon every soul present.
The nobles stared in horror as Lord Wei gasped for breath, his body trembling beneath an invisible force.
"Prosper?" Shao Xian's voice was soft, yet it carried the weight of inevitability. "You believe I need your permission to rule?"
Wei struggled, his pride warring with the crushing reality of Shao Xian's power. He gritted his teeth, his voice barely above a whisper. "No… my Lord."
Shao Xian stepped closer, the sheer presence of his being turning the air heavy. "Then understand this—there is no negotiation. There is no alliance. There is only obedience."
The pressure vanished, and Wei collapsed, gasping for air. None dared to move.
Shao Xian turned his gaze to the rest of the nobles. "If you wish to remain, you will serve. If you falter, you will be removed."
There was no need for further discussion. The noble families, once rulers in their own right, had been reduced to mere servants of a higher existence.
And so, the city of Zhenlu was fully claimed.
Night fell upon the conquered city, yet within the halls of the fortress, Shao Xian remained awake. The flickering glow of lanterns cast long shadows against the stone walls, yet none dared to disturb him.
He sat upon the throne, not as a ruler seeking comfort, but as a sovereign contemplating the path ahead.
This was merely a beginning.
The world beyond Zhenlu stretched vast and unclaimed. Other warlords, sects, and kingdoms still ruled with misguided ambition, believing themselves untouchable.
They would learn.
He would carve his name into the bones of this world, his dominion extending beyond mortal comprehension.
For he was not a king.
He was something far greater.