"The Jiang Dynasty?!"
Seeing the four large characters on the war banner, Chu Feng's heart tightened involuntarily — this was the first time he had ever laid eyes on the forces of the Jiang Dynasty, the first time he had seen the rulers of the Nine Provinces Continent in person.
There was no denying it: the Jiang Dynasty's army radiated an overwhelming aura that completely eclipsed any faction Chu Feng had encountered before. Setting aside their formidable strength and exceptional discipline, that unique air of authority alone was enough to make anyone tremble.
Chu Feng had heard that the people of the Jiang Dynasty were no ordinary folk. They possessed special bloodlines, extraordinary combat prowess, and exceptional talent — in every regard, they far surpassed common people. It would be no exaggeration to say that everyone within the Jiang Dynasty was a genius. This was precisely why the dynasty had been able to rule the Nine Provinces Continent for so long.
"Strange — why would the Jiang Dynasty's army appear here? Are they heading to my Qingzhou on business, or did they just happen to pass through?"
Chu Feng was deeply awed by the imposing might of the Jiang Dynasty. Although he hadn't yet cowered in fear the way ordinary people did upon seeing their forces, he had to admit that the Jiang Dynasty was truly no simple matter.
"Who cares? You were already planning to leave Qingzhou, and your loved ones have been taken care of. Even if the Jiang Dynasty's people are heading to Qingzhou, it has nothing to do with you," Egg Egg said.
"Mm." Chu Feng nodded, though a thought had already taken root in his mind. If the Jiang Dynasty was merely passing through, then so be it. But if they were actually heading to Qingzhou, it was most likely for the Emperor's Burial. After all, the Kirin Prince's Manor had already discovered the Emperor's Burial. Once they realized they lacked the ability to open it themselves, they would inevitably report the discovery to the Jiang Dynasty. That way, even if they couldn't claim the treasures within, the Jiang Dynasty would at least reward them handsomely.
Still, Chu Feng wasn't worried. He understood all too well how terrifying the Emperor's Burial truly was. Even the Jiang Dynasty's army couldn't venture into its depths — unless they dispatched their absolute strongest experts, there was no chance of extracting any benefit from within.
With that thought, once the Jiang Dynasty's army had departed, Chu Feng soared out from within the white clouds and continued onward in the direction of Qinzhou.
As for where the Jiang Dynasty's army had actually gone, it turned out exactly as Chu Feng had predicted — they headed straight for the Kirin Prince's Manor. However, contrary to Chu Feng's guess, the Jiang Dynasty hadn't been invited this time.
"Quick — go summon the Manor Lord!"
The Jiang Dynasty's army descended from the sky in overwhelming numbers, truly like celestial soldiers and generals sent to the mortal world, striking terror into all who beheld them. The Kirin Prince's Manor — the long-reigning dominion of Qingzhou — had already descended into utter chaos. The once-arrogant members of the manor were each gripped by extreme panic.
"Your subordinate Lin Moli greets the honored lords! I had no idea you would grace us with your presence. I failed to come out and welcome you — please forgive me!"
Even Lin Moli had panicked. If only one or two members of the Jiang Dynasty had arrived, he might have managed to hold himself together. But what had come to his Kirin Prince's Manor was the genuine army of the Jiang Dynasty. He was utterly at a loss, consumed by dread, and couldn't help but feel deeply unsettled.
*Tap.* At that moment, from within a golden war chariot drawn by demon beasts, a man in a golden robe slowly stepped out.
He was a young man, two meters tall, with a powerful build. A golden dragon crown sat atop his head, black hair draped over his shoulders, and his face was pale as snow — yet it gave off an extraordinarily cold impression. His eyes, in particular, radiated a peerless domineering intensity and ruthlessness that made it impossible to meet his gaze.
"L-Lord Jiang Han!" Upon seeing this man, Lin Moli's face instantly drained of all color, turning white as paper. Fear surged uncontrollably in his eyes — it was clear just how terrified he was of this young man who looked far younger than himself.
"Lin Moli, do you know your crime?" The cold-faced man called Jiang Han spoke in an ice-cold tone.
"My lord, what — what do you mean by that? I..." Lin Moli had been frightened witless. Already trembling with anxiety, Jiang Han's question left him completely scatterbrained, unable to think of a proper response.
*Whoosh!* But before Lin Moli could finish speaking, Jiang Han abruptly raised his hand. His palm curved like an eagle's talon, and an immense suction force erupted from within, yanking Lin Moli off his feet in an instant and pulling him beneath Jiang Han's palm.
At this moment, Jiang Han gripped Lin Moli's head with a single hand. No matter how the Heaven Martial Realm expert Lin Moli struggled, he couldn't free himself in the slightest.
Jiang Han swept his frigid gaze across the kneeling, terrified members of the Kirin Prince's Manor and declared: "Manor Lord Lin Moli was entrusted by the dynasty to govern Qingzhou. Yet upon the discovery of a mysterious burial site, he not only failed to report it to the dynasty immediately, but attempted to open the site on his own and seize treasures that rightfully belong to the dynasty. This is a capital offense — he shall be executed at once!"
"Lord, spare me! Please spare my life!" After hearing Jiang Han's words, Lin Moli's face turned purple with terror, and he began to beg loudly for mercy.
But Jiang Han paid him no attention. His single hand clenched abruptly — with a muffled *crack*, right before the eyes of all the Kirin Prince's Manor's people, the head of their Manor Lord, Lin Moli, was crushed to pieces.
"Lord, spare us! Please spare us!"
At that moment, every person present from the Kirin Prince's Manor began kowtowing desperately and begging for mercy. They feared above all else that they would share Lin Moli's fate. Within the Nine Provinces Continent, the Jiang Dynasty was the sole supreme authority — they were the only law of the land. No one dared offend them. To incur their wrath meant only one thing: death.
"Listen well," Jiang Han boomed, his voice like thunder and his tone like ice. "From this day forward, Qingzhou shall be governed directly by the Jiang Dynasty. You may continue to serve the dynasty, but if any of you harbor even the slightest disloyalty, what happened to Lin Moli today will be your fate tomorrow."
"We are willing to serve the dynasty and would never dare harbor the slightest selfish intent!" Relieved and overcome with gratitude, the members of the Kirin Prince's Manor bowed deeply in thanks.
After that, the Jiang Dynasty's army assumed control over everything belonging to the Kirin Prince's Manor. They truly intended to personally govern the land of Qingzhou.
At that moment, inside a lavish palace within the Kirin Prince's Manor, Jiang Han was making preparations, seemingly about to head somewhere. Behind him stood a white-haired, elderly man.
The old man's aura was immensely powerful — clearly another Heaven Martial Realm expert. Yet before Jiang Han, he appeared remarkably humble, and he asked in a respectful tone: "My lord, everything has been prepared. Shall we now go investigate the burial site?"
"No. The burial site has already been contained. We can examine it whenever we wish."
"Having come all the way to Qingzhou, there is one person I must visit." Jiang Han's voice was cold, utterly devoid of emotion — as it was even with his own clansmen.
"Would you like me to accompany you, my lord?" The old man seemed to know exactly whom Jiang Han intended to visit, and he asked submissively.
"That won't be necessary. I'll go alone." Jiang Han waved his hand dismissively. Then, with a sudden gust of wind beneath him, his figure vanished into thin air without leaving the faintest trace behind, already on his way to his destination.