Cleaning

The Northern Lands, Ganzhou.

Thirty-six Vassal Lords gathered under one roof, jointly raising King Wu Ji Quan as their overall alliance leader. They sealed their pact with blood and stood against Wu Zhi's mighty army in the south—a truly grand occasion.

Night fell like water.

After the banquet, Ji Quan drank the hangover soup a servant brought him, feeling rather pleased with himself.

Though the thirty-six Vassal Lords were all smiles on the surface and at odds beneath it, with plenty of old grudges between them—they had nearly come to blows the moment they met—he had still managed to force them into an alliance through his own methods, and they had even named him their leader!

Though he had paid a great deal for it, it had all been worth it. At least in name, he was now lord of the Northern Lands!

With legitimacy on his side, it would only be natural to make the Vassal Lords submit in time. Perhaps he might even found a new dynasty and become its founding ancestor!

At the thought, even Ji Quan felt his blood run hot.

"Your Majesty! Urgent news from the south!"

Just then, Chancellor Zhang Jie hurried in, his expression grave. "A great upheaval in the Southern Dynasty! King Ding has deposed the Young Emperor and will soon offer sacrifices to Heaven and ascend the throne!"

"What?"

The news was truly earth-shattering. Ji Quan's hand trembled around his cup. "Is it true?"

"Beyond a doubt!"

Zhang Jie handed over the report. Ji Quan took it and read, drawing in a sharp breath. "The secret edict has been exposed! King Ding has deposed the Son of Heaven! She's purging the old court's officials—not making a peaceful transfer of power..."

Since ancient times, when dynasties changed and powerful ministers usurped the