I Will Control the World's Troops

"Ninth Soul Skill, God-Demon Dual Slash!"

A torrent of crimson energy suddenly erupted around Chen Xin. His eyes turned blood-red, as if he were a god of slaughter emerging from hell.

"Breaking through mid-battle?" Jiang Mian chuckled.

The massive Dharma manifestation placed its sword-wielding hands on the ground and slowly rose behind Chen Xin. Two streams of sword energy, one red and one blue, shot towards Yan with the speed of lightning, as if he were determined to drag Yan down with him even in death.

Crimson King revealed his true form and, in the blink of an eye, arrived beside Yan. He stomped the level fifty-eight Giant Rock Dragon Spirit Master into a pulp with a single foot.

Following that, his three heads simultaneously spewed hellfire, instantly engulfing the two sword lights.

The final strike from a level ninety-seven Spirit Master, facing a rested level ninety-nine powerhouse, naturally posed no effective threat.

"Uncle Jian?" Ning Fengzhi looked at Chen Xin, his eyes filled with confusion. "Why would you cut off your own path to survival?"

"Do you think if we win, they'll let us go?" Sword Douluo Chen Xin, his hair disheveled, let out tears of blood. He raised the Seven Kill Sword, pointing it at the condescending Jiang Mian, and said coldly, "This is just a cruel game of cat and mouse."

"Chen Xin is still lucid," Jiang Mian sighed. "Sword Douluo, why cling to one path? With your strength, if you pledge allegiance to the Spirit Hall, you'll surely be highly rewarded. You'll be above countless people, second only to one."

"A loyal minister would rather die than be disgraced. A true man would never serve two masters!"

"You have no strength left to fight," Jiang Mian advised with a hint of pity.

"Less nonsense, come on!" Sword Douluo Chen Xin's hands trembled slightly even as he gripped his sword. He was truly at his limit; it was a miracle he could still stand.

"Kill him," Jiang Mian said, turning his back.

"Magnificent!"

Crimson King and Bear Lord attacked simultaneously. Under the Sky Rend Claw, both were decapitated.

Chen Xin slowly closed his eyes, his body collapsing with a thud. A hero of his generation had thus met his end.

Crimson King unleashed hellfire, burning their bodies to ashes. It was truly a full-service experience.

Ning Fengzhi and those disciples from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect deserved their fate. Jiang Mian only felt that Sword Douluo Chen Xin's death was a true pity.

"The Seven Kill Sword is now extinguished."

After dealing with everything, Crimson King's face darkened. He looked at Yan, who was still stunned behind him, and roared, "You useless brat, you had no reaction when he attacked? You let yourself become a living target for the enemy?"

"Even if you knew you couldn't dodge, you should have tried your best! Do you really think there will always be experts to back you up?"

"What you don't care about is your life!"

"Master's teachings, this disciple will remember them in his heart." Yan scratched his head guiltily. He didn't know why, but the power of Sword Douluo's attack just now seemed to make his soul leave his body. His legs involuntarily trembled, and he was unable to move.

"You can't blame him for this," Jiang Mian said, leading a few people to stand before Crimson King. He chuckled, "Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword's killing aura can shake the soul. Yan's strength is insufficient, so he was naturally suppressed by the killing aura, rendering him immobile."

"If he can't even resist this bit of killing aura, he's still a piece of trash," Crimson King said, his anger rising. Especially seeing the efforts and talent of that guy Xie Yue, he became even more furious. He grabbed Yan by the ear and said, "When we return tomorrow, I'm going to give you special training!"

"Noooo~" Yan's screams continued. The others found it both amusing and exasperating. Jiang Mian looked in the direction of the Heaven Dou Empire and murmured to himself, "It's time for a change."

Jiang Mian had a subtle feeling and said, "Xie Yue, take the others and follow Elder Ju and Elder Gui back to the Spirit Hall to report. Crimson King, Bear Lord, you're with me to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace!"

Late at night, within the imperial palace's forbidden zone.

Xue Qinghe walked as if he were strolling through a peaceful garden. Behind him were Snake Spear and Pufferfish, two Titled Douluo. The imperial palace was already heavily guarded, impenetrable.

"Qinghe, what are you doing?" Emperor Xue Ye, his hair disheveled and face pale, appeared to be deeply poisoned. He forced himself to sit on his dragon couch, staring at Xue Qinghe with a dignity that defied his weakened state.

"Father, let me call you that one last time," Xue Qinghe laughed heartily. "After tonight, the Heaven Dou Empire will be under my rule."

"You're usurping the throne!" Emperor Xue Ye's lips trembled slightly. He questioned, "You're already the Crown Prince, isn't that enough!"

"Not enough!" Xue Qinghe's expression turned ferocious, his face contorted. He sneered, "You've lived too long, and I don't want to waste any more time."

"Even if you kill me, will the armies and ministers of the Heaven Dou Empire obey you!" Emperor Xue Ye roared. "You must understand that the Heaven Dou Empire is still my empire!"

"Old man," Xue Qinghe's entire body erupted in brilliant golden holy light. A woman with skin as fair as jade slowly emerged from the radiance. Qian Renxue no longer had to maintain her disguise painstakingly; she was finally free. "I've been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire since I was young. I've already sacrificed too much."

"You're not Qinghe!" Emperor Xue Ye's pupils trembled violently. He pointed at Qian Renxue, stammering, "Who, who are you!"

"Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue!" Qian Renxue suddenly leaped forward, grabbing Emperor Xue Ye by the neck. Those exquisitely beautiful jade hands had now become a deadly weapon.

"Marshal Ge Long commands the army. Even if you succeed in usurping the throne, you won't be able to hold onto the imperial seat!" Emperor Xue Ye's eyes were bloodshot. Even as he died, he was still threatening Qian Renxue.

"Old man, don't you see?" Qian Renxue casually snapped Emperor Xue Ye's neck. "Is there anyone left in the entire Heaven Dou Empire to help you?"

"The ruler of a dignified empire dies so ignominiously," Porcupine Douluo scoffed. "The Heaven Dou Empire is truly pathetic."

"Pufferfish, Snake Spear, you two immediately go to the military camp and take command. If anyone resists, kill them without mercy," Qian Renxue ordered. "As for the members of the Heaven Dou imperial family, I will handle them."

"Understood." The two Titled Douluo immediately set off for the military camp. Ge Long had immense prestige within the army, so it would be difficult for them to complete their task smoothly.

"Xue Beng, run quickly." Prince Xue Xing pulled the Fourth Prince Xue Beng, and they continuously dodged and hid within the imperial palace.

Qian Renxue walked slowly behind them. He had been lurking in the Heaven Dou Empire for nearly twenty years, with countless followers. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to kill Emperor Xue Ye so rashly today.

"Uncle, we can't escape," Xue Beng looked at the increasingly close Qian Renxue, his legs giving out. He knelt directly on the ground, his eyes rolling back, already seeing his own end.

"No!"

"Marshal Ge Long, we are ordered to take over all command authority of the army. We hope for your cooperation." In the military camp, Snake Spear and Pufferfish, the two Douluo, stood calmly before Ge Long.

"Where is His Majesty's imperial decree?" Ge Long, clad in heavy armor, sat majestically on the marshal's seat and asked calmly.

"His Majesty's verbal command, there is no imperial decree," Snake Spear Douluo She Long frowned. "Please be quick, Marshal. We cannot bear the consequences if the work is delayed."

"As far as I know, you're one of the Crown Prince's people," Ge Long said, resting his chin on his hand. "Without an imperial decree, even if His Highness the Crown Prince himself came here, I would not hand over my military authority."

"You're seeking death!" Pufferfish Douluo was hot-tempered. Seeing that Ge Long refused to comply, he immediately berated him, "You're just a mere Soul Douluo. Who gave you the courage to act like this!"

"You're just an official in the Crown Prince's palace. How dare you speak to this Marshal like that?" Ge Long, though not high in cultivation, exuded an aura that could easily suppress two Titled Douluo.

After all, he was a Marshal who had experienced countless battles. His killing intent was something that Spirit Masters who only focused on cultivation could not compare to.

"So, you're refusing to hand over your military authority?" Snake Spear raised his hand and waved it, and a Snake Lance appeared in his hand. Along with it, nine Soul Rings appeared: two yellow, two purple, and five black.

"Forcefully seize it?" Ge Long leaped up. The soldiers outside the tent shouted in unison, their imposing aura astonishing.

"I've suspected the Crown Prince for a long time. He's planning to usurp the throne." Ge Long kicked the brazier in front of him, roaring, "You traitorous villain! If you act presumptuously today, I'll ensure you two die without a burial place!"

"Tie up these two and take them back to be dealt with by His Majesty," Ge Long commanded loudly. "Resistance will be met with lethal force!"

Snake Spear and Pufferfish Douluo exchanged a glance, their minds made up. Even amidst a million troops, they could still take Ge Long's head!

Just then, Jiang Mian's unhurried voice echoed from outside the tent, "General Ge Long wields quite the authority."

"A friend of the Young Master." Snake Spear grabbed Pufferfish Douluo, clearing a path for Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian, alone, slowly walked into the main tent. "The change of reign is now a foregone conclusion. If General Ge Long is sensible, he might retain his original position. If he remains obstinate, it will be a dead end."

"You have a lot of nerve," Ge Long said with a sarcastic laugh. "With a million troops outside, if you kill me, how can you possibly escape unscathed?"

"A million troops are nothing to me." Jiang Mian chuckled. He said disdainfully, "Since I can walk up to you, I have the ability to walk out."

"If you kill me, the million troops will not obey a traitorous villain like you who is trying to usurp the throne!" Ge Long roared. "The fine men of my Heaven Dou Empire are all iron-willed and unyielding."

Jiang Mian acted as if he had heard the biggest joke. He clapped his hands, and the figure of Bear Lord flashed by. Ge Long's eyes suddenly widened. He looked at his own neck, and his head slid off directly.

"What a swift blade!"

"You two are taking too long." Jiang Mian stepped forward and picked up Ge Long's head, complaining, "Qian Renxue asked you to handle such a trivial matter, and you're struggling this much?"

Snake Spear and Pufferfish Douluo stood frozen. The two looked at each other. Despite their strength as Titled Douluo, they hadn't even seen who had killed Ge Long.

Jiang Mian ignored the two Titled Douluo who had never seen such a spectacle. He carried the bloody head out of the tent and shouted, "Those who lay down their weapons will not be killed!"

"Marshal Ge Long is dead!"

The military camp immediately erupted. The news spread like wildfire, and soon Jiang Mian, with just one head, had turned the entire million-strong army to his side.

"Listen up, Emperor Xue Ye is dead. From now on, I control the Heaven Dou Empire," Jiang Mian announced from a high position to the still-confused soldiers below. "You all do what you need to do. You are not involved, and your families will not be implicated."

Saying this, Jiang Mian tossed Ge Long's head into the crowd like a ball. "You are still good soldiers of Heaven Dou. If anyone objects, feel free to come and kill me. If your heads are harder than Marshal Ge Long's, I welcome it."

"Long live!"

The million-strong army knelt on the ground, shouting in unison. The sound reverberated through the heavens and the earth, deafening.

"Soldiers are like grass swaying in the wind. In this situation, who would dare to step forward and object?" Snake Spear chuckled. "This move by the Young Master's friend is truly quite clever."

"No one wants to stick their neck out," Pufferfish nodded in agreement. "Handling matters like this is indeed the most convenient."

"We were so hesitant just now. It seems ridiculous thinking back on it," Snake Spear shrugged helplessly.

"It's good that everything was completed successfully," Pufferfish said indifferently.

The night passed without incident. The next morning.

In the Imperial Court of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Qian Renxue looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground and said calmly, "Those who follow me prosper; those who oppose me perish!"

Jiang Mian stood beside Qian Renxue, silent. He stared at the ministers, thinking to himself that if any of them showed defiance, he would break their bones one by one!

"You usurper! How dare you expect us to bow down to you!" From among the ministers, an old man with a white beard and a thin face stood up and cursed, "And you, you pack of jackals! May you all die horrible deaths!"

"Old man, are you trying to achieve fame through death?" Jiang Mian said with his hands tucked away, his tone casual. "So that your unyielding spirit can be recorded in the annals of history for generations to come?"

"Traitor! Shameless wretch!" The old man pointed at Jiang Mian, spittle flying everywhere. "I, Yan Ting, was entrusted with a heavy responsibility by His Majesty. I owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, something that a lackey like you could never understand!"

"A loyal minister, indeed," Jiang Mian chuckled. "Then how about I send you to accompany that old geezer Xue Ye?"

"Hmph, how can I not!" Yan Ting said indignantly, his voice filled with fury. "Even as a ghost, I will not let you off!"

"Drag him away and execute him!" Qian Renxue leaned back on the dragon throne and ordered imperiously, "Since you wish to die, I, the sovereign, shall grant your wish."

"Unjust and tyrannical ruler, executing a loyal minister! In future histories, you will be reviled for all eternity!"

"I have never seen such a shameless person!"

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow slightly. "Make sure his head is chopped into several pieces. Conserve the effort."

As the old man Yan Ting was dragged away, he continued to curse incessantly.

Jiang Mian found it irritating. If it weren't for the formality of the court, he would have ripped out the old man's tongue.

"Are there any other loyal ministers who wish to die?" Qian Renxue asked lazily, resting her forehead on her hand. "Step forward, and I will satisfy all of you."

Yan Ting's screams continued to echo in everyone's ears, lingering for a long time.

The ministers knelt on the ground, their hearts filled with fear. They all shouted in unison, "Your subjects are willing to follow Your Majesty's lead. Long live, long live, long live!"

"Good." Qian Renxue nodded with satisfaction. She waved her hand, exuding queenly charisma. "All incumbent officials shall have their rank promoted by one level. A general amnesty shall be declared, and the entire nation shall celebrate."

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Jiang Mian is enfeoffed as Grand Pillar and Regent King, ranking above the Three Ducal Ministers, and granted the title of Duke Who Guards the Nation."

"Thank you." Jiang Mian knelt on one knee, offering the greatest respect to the new Emperor. "I have one humble request, which I hope Your Majesty will grant."

"Please, speak."

"I wish to command all the armies of the realm!"