Everyone, Draw Your Swords!

The empire seemed to have entered the fast lane in less than two years, following the deaths of Long Yu and Yuan Long.

Yanhuang Calendar, Year 218.

The Imperial Academy of Sciences developed a mighty weapon for the empire: the Star of Light missile.

Yanhuang Calendar, Year 221: the first-generation Fuxi computer was born.

Yanhuang Calendar, Year 223,

The Imperial Academy of Sciences also made a major breakthrough in its years-long research into atomic energy. It was expected that in a few decades, the empire's ultimate weapon would be ready.

As the thirty-year deadline drew ever closer, the vast machine that was the Yanhuang Empire went into full gear. It was as if the empire had earned the favor of heaven and earth, with divine help at every turn.

For a time, the various departments of the Imperial Academy of Sciences made breakthroughs one after another. Their inventions were rapidly brought to completion and put to use among the people.

This transformed the empire beyond recognition.

Skyscrapers sprang up, televisions gradually found their way into ordinary households, and rudimentary mobile phones slowly became commonplace.

Yanhuang Calendar, Year 230. Imperial Capital, before the Imperial City.

Ye Chen stood atop the towering city wall, looking down at the sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see. He could not hide the satisfaction in his eyes.

"This is the empire I built."

Below,

"Xiao Yun, look! It's the Emperor! He's come out! This is the first time I've ever seen him so clearly.

"But he really does look as young as the stories say. He doesn't look like a man over two hundred at all."

Chen Yun stood beside her, holding the empire's Star Flag. Three blue stars were painted on her cheek, and she stared fixedly at the figure on the wall.

Her eyes were full of fervor.

She had grown up hearing stories of Ye Chen. Her bedroom was covered in posters and photos of him, bought at great expense through various channels over the years. Ye Chen was her faith, and now that she was seeing him in person, how could she not be ecstatic?

"Xiao Xin, don't be disrespectful to the Emperor."

Xu Xin's mother heard her daughter's blasphemous remark and immediately smacked her on the back of the head.

"Ow, Mom! I wasn't being disrespectful to the Emperor. I just said he's over two hundred and still looks so young. I'm not wrong!"

Rubbing her sore head, Xu Xin pouted at her mother.

"The Emperor is an immortal deity, of course he doesn't grow old."

As she spoke, Xu's Mother gazed at Ye Chen with a lovestruck expression.

"All right, stop chatting and look! The Kunpeng Squadron is here."

Xu's Father interrupted them, excitedly pointing at the sky.

Several tiny specks appeared in the eastern sky, rapidly growing larger.

At the same time, the announcer's booming voice rang out across the square.

"As you can see, the Imperial Air Force is flying in from the east: the Kunpeng Squadron.

"This is their first public appearance since their formation.

"As the saying goes, 'When Kunpeng spreads its wings, it rides the wind and soars ninety thousand li.' This squadron consists of 108 Kunpeng fighter jets, a number that embodies the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.

"It symbolizes the protection of Yanhuang as it rises to the heavens, accompanied by the stars, with the empire enduring forever..."

"That's so cool! And there's a rainbow, too! Dad, I want to be an imperial pilot when I grow up. Is that okay?"

"If you want to be a pilot, then you'll have to study hard at school, pay attention in class, do your homework, and listen to Mom and Dad at home. Disobedient children can't become pilots."

"Aw! I have to listen to you, too? Never mind, I don't want to be one..."

"You little rascal! Is it really that hard to listen to your dad? You're just asking for a beating..."

As the Kunpeng Squadron made its appearance and flew overhead, a liquid rained down from the sky. A gigantic rainbow of seven colors appeared above the crowd.

Everyone who saw it couldn't help but marvel.

It was a Rainbow Potion, accidentally developed by a researcher in the chemistry department of the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Its only purpose was to create rainbows.

It was purely a spectacle.

On the city wall, Ye Chen wore a black Star Robe, with the Chixiao Sword at his waist. His eyes were as deep as the abyss as he watched the Kunpeng Squadron in the sky.

This was the squadron's first display since its formation. He had to admit, it looked impressive.

He just didn't know how effective it would be in actual combat, though he figured it wouldn't be too bad.

After all, in this era, the squadron was a complete game-changer. It was a crushing technological advantage.

Then Ye Chen looked down at the fervent crowd, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke.

But first, Ye Chen spent some Civilization Points in the system to have it amplify his voice. He wanted an echo, the kind that made him sound like a god.

After all, this was a prewar speech. He absolutely couldn't lose his gravitas. An ordinary loudspeaker just wouldn't do justice to his status as the empire's one and only deity.

With the system's help, Ye Chen's voice rang out like a sound from the heavens, reaching everyone's ears and echoing for a long time.

"Thirty years ago, I set a nationwide war-preparation plan in motion. The empire's countless citizens worked together, and together we built the glory we see today. Now, thirty years have passed. My friends, do you dare to fight?"

"Fight! Fight!! Fight!!!"

Madness and fervor swept through the Imperial Capital. The voices of millions rang out together, shaking the Nine Heavens.

Meanwhile, in outer space above Blue Star,

A Zhui stood over the Yanhuang Empire. Seeing what was happening below, she shook her head helplessly.

"This guy really knows how to brainwash people. And these people are insane—complete fanatics."

As an angel, she had seen countless fanatics who worshipped angels. Their eyes had looked just like those of the people below, utterly irrational.

"Honestly, I don't know how I ended up falling for this smooth-talking liar."

At the thought, A Zhui touched her cheeks, which had grown warm.

Sometimes feelings came out of nowhere, all at once. It had started when Ye Chen suddenly gave in to his lust and secretly kissed her. She had caught him in the act, and somehow, before she knew it, he had broken through the walls around her heart.

Below, in the Imperial Capital,

Ye Chen listened to and watched the crowd's fighting spirit, then burst into laughter.

The next moment, Ye Chen drew the Chixiao Sword and looked at the crowd. "Everyone, draw your swords!"

"Clang!!"

The soldiers below drew the long swords at their waists in perfect unison, while the citizens raised their Star Flags, gazing at him with excitement.

"Greetings, Emperor! Long live the empire!"

Finally, Ye Chen began laying out the plans for what came next.

In the end, the plan was to begin the war in one month.

By the time everything had been arranged, it was already late. After returning to the Imperial Palace, Ye Chen dropped into a chair without a shred of dignity and lifted his tea, gulping it down.