If not for the Empire's trust back then, their Five Great Kingdoms could never have risen above the rest.
And after becoming powerful kingdoms, the first thing they did was destroy the Empire. No one could forgive traitors like that.
Watching his close minister withdraw, Como XIV sat on his throne with one hand propping up his head, lost in thought.
He had never forgotten the painting stored in the Royal Palace, The Emperor of the Empire Receiving the Congratulations of All Nations and Races Under Heaven.
What magnificent grandeur, what solemn majesty.
Every time he looked upon that painting, he was shaken to the core by the scene depicted within it.
And it was precisely because of that shock that a fear lingered in his heart day and night.
The Empire had been too powerful.
Its destruction had come too suddenly, too unexpectedly, leaving the nations and factions of the world with no time to prepare at all.
That was why the aftermath of the Empire's destruction had been dragged out until today.
Now, everyone feared the Empire, yet at the same time wanted to curry favor with it, longing for the flourishing age portrayed in that painting.
Thus, the utterly distorted Grand Council had come into being.
And now, Chen Cheng had given them a tiny shock from the Empire, immediately drawing out the fear of the Empire buried in their hearts.
The Empire had left behind far too many things.
Many of them had even seeped into their bloodlines.
Now that Chen Cheng could control the Great Wall and seal off the Northern Frontier, no one knew what else he might be able to control, before turning the tables on traitorous rebels like them.
Just as Como XIV was gripped by fear, Smog, the leader of the