Xi’an, within the Imperial Court.
Seeing Qin Zheng's refusal, the hearts of the many civil and military officials in the court all breathed a sigh of relief.
If His Majesty had not resisted the temptation and directly sacrificed tens of millions of people from the Great Qin to preserve the Great Qin's Jiangshan and Sheji, then all of them would have become sinners for all eternity.
However, some held dissenting opinions.
"Your Majesty," one official spoke out, "I believe this plan is feasible. Although this plan goes against Heaven's will, it can preserve the Great Qin's Jiangshan for ten thousand years. It is worth a try."
"I second that."
Several officials in the court stood up at this moment, respectfully reporting their opinions. While this plan was harsh, it could preserve the Great Qin's Jiangshan. Since ancient times, it has always been the case that if a monarch demands his ministers' death, the ministers cannot but die. In their ideology, as long as the Great Qin's Jiangshan and Sheji could be preserved, what did it matter if tens of millions of people from the Great Qin were sacrificed? Even if Qin Zheng had already said that this matter should not be brought up again, if it could preserve the Great Qin's Jiangshan, even if His Majesty dragged them away and had them beheaded, what would it matter?
"That is impossible," another official argued. "If Your Majesty truly does this, even if you have preserved the Great Qin's Jiangshan, how will the tens of millions of people of the Great Qin view Your Majesty in the future? This action is akin to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, merely delaying the Great Qin's demise. If we fight to the death, there may still be a chance. If we truly do this, even if we preserve the Great Qin, it will surely perish within a thousand years. Your Majesty, this plan is not advisable."
While there were many who agreed, there were even more who disagreed. For a time, the entire court was in chaos. What's more, some even started to curse at each other, their powerful auras erupting, almost about to fight.
At this time, Qin Zheng was immersed in the suddenly-appeared system, his mind focused on it.
"One million Kill Points," he muttered, frowning slightly as he looked at the only one million Kill Points on his system panel. One million soldiers, in the face of this war, were like a drop in the ocean, simply not enough to change the situation. After all, two great holy lands, three great empires, and some other powerful forces were all coming to attack. The number of their forces were all in the hundreds of millions. The three great empires alone had over two hundred million elite soldiers.
"Summon!" Despite knowing that one million soldiers would be useless, Qin Zheng did not hesitate and chose to summon them. Maybe this late-arriving system could give him a pleasant surprise.
【Summoning Successful…】
【Congratulations, Host: You have successfully summoned one million soldiers of the Xiezhen Army】
【Ding, as this is the Host's first summon, the Host is awarded a special reward: the emergence of Gao Shun, the Xiezhen Army's reward】
...
......
【Troop: Xiezhen Army】
【Quantity: One Million】
【Description: Committed to the Xiezhen, they have death but not life (The more enemies they face, the stronger they become)】
【Details: One Deputy Commander at the Great Saint Realm, One Hundred School Captains at the Half-Saint Realm, One Thousand Thousand-Man Commanders at the Heavenly Person Realm, and all other soldiers are at the Dharma Realm】
"Hiss!" Qin Zheng gasped, his eyes filled with shock as he saw the Xiezhen Army's description. One Great Saint Realm Deputy Commander, one hundred Half-Saint School Captains, one thousand Heavenly Person Commanders, and a million Dharma Realm soldiers... "This is truly the Xiezhen Army."
Qin Zheng had never heard of such a terrifying elite force. Even during the Great Qin's most prosperous period, its strongest elite army only consisted of soldiers at the Golden Core Realm. And between the Golden Core Realm and the Dharma Realm, there were a full three great realms.
"System, check Gao Shun's information."
Still shocked, Qin Zheng immediately asked the system to bring up Gao Shun's information. If the Xiezhen Army was so terrifying, how strong would Gao Shun, the main commander of the Xiezhen Army, be?
【Name: Gao Shun】
【Cultivation: Saint King Seventh Heaven】
【Description: Main commander of the Xiezhen Army. Can gather the Xiezhen Army's might to fight against the enemy. The stronger the Xiezhen's might, the stronger the main commander becomes】
"Saint King Seventh Heaven," Qin Zheng muttered, his pupils contracting slightly as he read Gao Shun's cultivation. This level of cultivation, combined with the terrifying power of the Xiezhen Army… "This system has been held back for thirty years."
Qin Zheng took a deep breath. The heavy stone that had been pressing on his heart finally lifted. He had been reborn into this world for thirty years. The Great Qin had already shown signs of decline at the time of his birth. The many Saint King Realm foundations of the royal family had perished in that battle back then. The remaining ones had also fallen one after another over the years due to their severe injuries, unable to repair them. By the time Qin Zheng ascended the throne at the age of ten, the Great Qin he inherited was even worse than it was now, even more decadent.
"Now, I want to see," he said with a cold glint in his eyes, "what reactions you will have when you see the Xiezhen Army under my command."
After pulling his thoughts back, Qin Zheng's gaze swept across the court, looking towards the border of the Great Qin. His eyes were filled with icy killing intent. "Hmph!"
He let out a cold laugh, then turned his gaze back to the noisy court, his brows furrowing. "Silence!" he commanded.
Boom! Along with his command, an unimaginably terrifying Emperor's Might erupted from his body, filling the entire court!
"Your servant is guilty!" The many civil and military officials, overwhelmed by the Emperor's Might, all turned pale and knelt down.
"I have said that this matter is not to be brought up again," Qin Zheng said coldly, looking at the kneeling officials. "Yet you disobey my orders and still dare to quarrel in the court! The Great Qin has not perished yet! Do you dare to disregard me?"
At these words, the entire court instantly fell into a deathly silence. The many civil and military officials were all trembling, their eyes filled with fear. Those who had been arguing the loudest were particularly terrified, trembling as they said, "Your servant dares not!"
"Hmph!" Qin Zheng snorted coldly. He knew that these officials were all loyal to him, loyal to the Great Qin's Jiangshan and Sheji. These words were just to intimidate them. "I already have a solution," he said, raising his gaze slightly and looking at the many officials. "From now on, anyone who dares to mention blood sacrifice again, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"
The officials in the court, upon hearing Qin Zheng's words, all raised their heads with surprise, so excited that they didn't even notice what His Majesty said afterwards. All they could think about were the four words "I already have a solution."
"Your Majesty," Feng Qingheng, the Left Prime Minister, spoke excitedly, his eyes filled with respect, as he asked cautiously, "Might I inquire about this solution?"
Seeing someone ask, the many officials all raised their heads and looked excitedly at Qin Zheng.
"Gao Shun!" Qin Zheng did not play coy and directly summoned Gao Shun.
The officials were baffled when they heard His Majesty call out the name Gao Shun. Was there a person named Gao Shun in the court? But their bewilderment didn't last long.
The next second, a figure appeared in the court. They all looked towards the source of the voice. They saw a figure clad in black armor, with a determined expression, holding a seven-foot long saber, standing tall. Daoyuan emanated from his body, its terrifying power causing their souls to tremble, leaving them in utter shock.
"Saint… Saint King…."