"Your Majesty, do you know how long I have waited for this moment? Every second of every day, I dreamed of escaping this filthy, ugly empire."
"You are the most useless ruler in history. If not for the vast territory of the Heaven Dou Empire supporting your extravagance, and if not for the prestige left behind by the previous ruler deterring the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire would have long since ceased to exist under your rule."
"You are hopelessly trapped in the beautiful illusion everyone has woven for you. I look forward to the day the Republic Empire replaces the Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Ye, seated upon the dragon throne, was overcome with fury and convulsed violently.
The guards beside him hurriedly attended to him, and he barely recovered.
"Yuwen Huai'an, where have I ever treated you poorly? Why did you betray the empire?"
Xue Ye muttered to himself, anger mingling with a trace of confusion.
He turned his gaze back to the letter.
"Your Majesty, I suppose you must have fainted from rage just now! You must be wondering why I betrayed the empire."
"I will not beat around the bush. The empire did treat me well, and we enjoyed quite a few privileges. But what of it? You trampled on our dignity as you pleased."
"On the surface, I was a noble. In reality? You arranged for members of your imperial clan to restrain me. My every move was under your surveillance, while a woman ground my dignity as a man beneath her feet."
The tone of the letter abruptly shifted. "Hehe, I have said rather too much. Let me remind you of one thing: from beginning to end, I kept this letter beneath my pillow."
"If you had discovered it earlier, perhaps I would not have been able to leave so smoothly."
"Still, this was within my expectations. After all, the woman you placed by my side is nothing but an idiot, an idiot who spends all day indulging in carnal pleasure."
"During the days I have been gone, she must have had a wonderful time with her pack of black-dog daddies!"
"Your Majesty, I wish you good luck in the end!"
The letter ended there, and events unfolded in perfect order according to Yuwen Huai'an's predictions.
Xue Ye sat on the dragon throne with ice-cold hands and feet. "Monster... you are simply a monster!"
Below him, Yuwen Huai'an's wife stood there blankly, her thoughts having drifted far away.
Xue Ye's vicious voice rang out. "Guards, take Xue Qiu away. Execute her tomorrow!"
Xue Qiu was so lost in thought that she did not react at first. Only when the cold armor touched her body did she come back to her senses.
"Brother, what did I do wrong? Why are you killing me?" Xue Qiu's voice trembled with fear.
Consumed by rage, Xue Ye had no intention of explaining anything to her. He merely waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to drag Xue Qiu away.
Xue Qiu's miserable pleas echoed through the resplendent golden hall.
Her begging was destined to bear no result. She had now become an object for Xue Ye to vent his anger upon, and she would have to endure his wrath.
Bai Fan's mighty army arrived at the outskirts of Balak Kingdom as planned.
This time, Bai Fan did not order a fierce assault. He leaped into the air, and Little Golden Dragon's body instantly expanded, carrying Bai Fan up above the city gates.
Within Balak Kingdom, all the high-level Soul Masters surrounded Bai Fan.
Under Bai Fan's command, Little Golden Dragon unleashed Holy Dragon Breath from the sky. Soul Masters below the rank of Soul King were sent flying by the golden shockwave.
"Who speaks for Balak Kingdom?"
The dragon might of the Golden Holy Dragon firmly suppressed everyone atop the city gates. Kundela, ruler of Balak Kingdom, straightened his chest and stepped before Bai Fan.
"I speak for Balak Kingdom. You may call me Kundela."
Bai Fan grabbed Kundela by the collar and brought him onto Little Golden Dragon's back.
The two stood facing each other.
"City Lord Kun, I believe you have learned something about us. I wished to speak with you alone this time because I sincerely invite you to join us."
"Hehe, do you think I would believe your nonsense? Do not think I do not know what you are after. You want me to surrender? Not a chance. At worst, I die."
Bai Fan slightly shook his head and sighed. "City Lord Kun, why be so stubborn?"
"As far as I know, your Balak Kingdom is merely a vassal state of the Heaven Dou Empire, not directly governed by it. In other words, you are a dog of the Heaven Dou Empire—a guard dog. Not only will the Heaven Dou Empire not give you bones, you must even offer them bones as tribute at regular intervals."
Bai Fan's words were sharp, and Kundela fell silent at once.
Bai Fan pressed his advantage. "The replacement of empires and the changing of regimes are the inevitable course of history. Our Republic Empire will create an unprecedented golden age. By then, you will not need to be controlled by others, nor will you need to make regular offerings as you do now."
"That sounds nice, but in the end, we would merely be changing masters."
"Then let me give you a fitting example. If you agree to my decision, you may continue living. If you refuse, Kundela will disappear completely from this day onward."
Seven Soul Rings circled Bai Fan's body, and the powerful pressure brought cold sweat to Kundela's forehead.
"If I agree to your demands, what benefits can we gain?" Kundela endured the pressure and questioned Bai Fan.
"Benefits? So long as you cooperate with us actively, it is not impossible for you to remain the city lord afterward."
Kundela frowned as he considered Bai Fan's words, then let out a helpless sigh.
"Do I have any other choice?"
Bai Fan extended his hand toward Kundela. "I am glad you made the right choice."
"Can you tell me who you really are?"
Bai Fan turned around, leaving only his back to Kundela. "Does it matter? Just do what you are supposed to do."
Little Golden Dragon instantly shrank, and Bai Fan stepped onto the World-Destroying White Lotus as he descended. Kundela, meanwhile, plummeted rapidly from the dragon's back.
The outcome of this negotiation had been decided from the start. Bai Fan's purpose in negotiating was merely to save time and avoid needless casualties.
Balak Kingdom had always possessed a high degree of autonomy. The original work had also mentioned that when the Imperial Fighting Team of Heaven Dou Royal Academy came to Suotuo City, it had been a show of force by the Heaven Dou Empire toward Balak Kingdom.
Bai Fan had merely broken the matter down and explained it clearly to Kundela. After all, being anyone's dog was the same. As long as one could live, one still wanted to live.
The moment Bai Fan left, Kundela felt a constricting sensation in his chest, as though someone were gripping his heart in their hand.
Cold sweat beaded on Kundela's forehead. "What a terrifying opponent. When exactly did he leave a means of control inside my body?"
Bai Fan's voice echoed in Kundela's mind. "I will give you three days to put Balak Kingdom in order. Three days from now, we will come take over."
The vast army began to withdraw. Kundela had no time to rest and hurried off to complete the task Bai Fan had assigned him.
Little did he know that the method Bai Fan had left within him was far more mysterious than he imagined.
Before you continue