Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long had actually been living quite comfortably of late.
The reason was simple.
Ever since Ye Zhen had been exiled, Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's plans had proceeded exceptionally smoothly, without any of the previous aggravations.
Previously, Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long had sacrificed Grand Celestial Master Wu Yu, a trusted confidant who had followed him since his days in the princely residence. Joining forces with the Heaven Temple, he had set up Great Zhou's military pillars—King Wei Liu Wubing and Duke Wei Pan Shurong—and created an excellent situation.
But that excellent situation had been ruined by Ye Zhen.
Slaying Devil Race generals and recovering lost territory—it had made Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's teeth itch with hatred.
Yet ever since Ye Zhen disappeared, all of Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's little schemes had gone forward with incomparable ease.
At the slightest move, the armies at the front either suffered losses of troops and commanders, or lost cities and territory.
Over the past half year, Great Zhou's situation had rapidly moved in the direction Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long had envisioned.
Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long not only felt that his youth and vigor had returned, but also saw an imperishable achievement for all ages beckoning to him.
At the current pace, another year or two would see most of the territory lost, and the heavy burden pressing upon him as emperor would likewise be largely reduced.
Then, once he brought out every method at his disposal, seized sole control of heaven and earth, and launched a grand counteroffensive, he could establish an imperial legacy for all ages—and completely shatter the life-bound shackles upon the imperial bloodline.
Thus, Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long had found each passing day more promising than the last.
Of course, there were also things that displeased him.
As an