Stubbornness

A sliver of bluish-white appeared on the Southern Region horizon.

The wind blows past the camp, the bells on the eaves ring, and the banners of Yunlan flutter in the wind.

Day after day, until the leaves fall, time flies by in a flash, and the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

"Has the envoy from the Great Yin arrived?"

Qing Lingxi slowly poured tea from the teapot. The tea in the white jade cup was clear and bright, with wisps of steam rising gently. Ye Jinyu asked calmly.

Ye Jinming, Ye Anlan, and the others exchanged glances, but only Ye Anlan forced herself to speak.

"Reporting to the young master, half a month has passed, and the envoy of the new emperor of the Great Yin Dynasty has still not arrived..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jinyu frowned, and her hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the teacup.

With a gentle breath, the tea in the cup rippled, and I paused for a moment, stunned.

"Young Master, should we send someone to Great Yin..."

Ye Jinming naturally noticed this and whispered.

"Wait a minute... He's rather stubborn... Hmph, this young master has some patience. What, does the Ye Clan have to rush to help him?"

"If he doesn't know what's good for him..."

"You all continue preparing. Make sure you have all kinds of resources, pills, Law Artifact, and talismans ready. In this power struggle, what matters most is one's underlying strength."

"Promise..."

Ye Jinyu drank the tea in the cup in one gulp, a deep, dark glint flashing in her eyes.

"The more a drowning person struggles, the faster they sink."

"If no one throws a rope, there's not even a chance to struggle..."

The capital of the Great Yin Dynasty.

Yin Huan knelt and kept vigil for three days at the place where his father had died.

Tai'e stood beside him, its blade humming incessantly, as if weeping and lamenting.

He neither ate nor drank, but simply pondered in silence.

The towering tree fell, and from then on, no one sheltered him from the wind and rain.

What path lies ahead?

What should the Great Yin do next?

The eight hundred armored soldiers below, for the past three days, have been like statues, their silence almost solidified.

He stood holding his weapon, his domineering sword intent lingering around him, burning fiercely like a beacon fire.

The most elite soldiers of the Great Yin, and also the last reliance his father left him.

Their cultivation levels range from the Foundation Establishment Late Stage to the Qi Refinement Late Stage, but each of them is a veteran of countless battles, and each is willing to die for their master.

But a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day!

Uncle Wang, a member of the Great Yin imperial clan, was the youngest brother of the late emperor, Yin Ji.

He personally presented the imperial robes for the coronation and knelt beside Yin Huan.

"The late emperor has passed away, so let us not grieve any longer. We must look forward and strive together to overcome these difficult times!"

"Yin Huan, the enthronement ceremony is ready!"

Yin Huan listened, but did not move.

Upon seeing this, Yin Ji waved his hand behind him.

Before long, countless people gathered below the palace, all of them representatives of the Great Yin Dynasty.

The army, sect leaders within the dynasty, as well as scholars and officials.

They stood silently beneath the city walls, obeying the imperial edict to pay homage to the new emperor, thus gaining the merit of urging him to ascend the throne.

Looking at Yin Huan's young figure and thinking about his style, many people had some complaints and mixed feelings.

However, the Great Yin was known for its strict laws and regulations, its emphasis on authority, and its domineering rule. No one dared to urge them on, and upon arriving at this place, they knelt down on their own.

The meaning is clear: the people are petitioning, urging the Crown Prince to prioritize the well-being of the people and the nation, to ascend the throne, and to overcome these difficult times together!

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, Yin Huan slowly stood up.

He swayed slightly, held the Tai'e sword in front of him, looked down at the dense crowd below, and said in a hoarse voice.

"Uncle Wang... there's no need for a coronation ceremony."

"Given the situation, let's keep things simple. My father passed this sword down to me; having inherited it, I am now the Emperor."

Yin Ji opened his mouth as if to speak in a manner that would be improper, but was glared at and shut up.

After a brief silence, Yin Huan gave the order.

"Imperial decree of my ascension to the throne."

Yin Huan's voice was not loud, but it made everyone hold their breath.

"Effective immediately, the entire territory of Great Yin is under wartime mobilization. All cultivators within the territory who have reached the Qi Refinement Refining stage or above, regardless of whether they belong to a sect, Aristocratic Clan, or Rogue Cultivator."

All individuals must register their Cultivation Method, Law Artifact with the imperial court; those who violate this rule will be considered traitors.

"Each major sect and Aristocratic Clan must contribute 70% of their spiritual grains, 50% of their spiritual materials, and 50% of their spiritual pills monthly, which will be centrally allocated by the national treasury."

"Royal family cultivators will be selected and placed under the supervision of supervisory offices in various prefectures. These offices will be responsible for inspecting the Spirit Vein, mines, and medicinal herb fields under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. All spiritual resources produced will be allocated according to demand by the supervisory offices, and private hoarding and sale are strictly prohibited."

"All spiritual fields and resources belonging to commoners, aristocratic Aristocratic Clan, and sects shall be confiscated. The original owners shall be converted into tenants, with 70% of the harvest going to the imperial court and 30% retained by the owners."

"Each prefecture shall establish a military treasury, filled with spiritual grains spirit medicine, exclusively for the army's soldiers and frontline cultivators. If Rogue Cultivator cultivators or aristocratic Aristocratic Clan wish to sell their goods, they must do so to the imperial court, which will then purchase them at 70% of the market price."

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, a low murmur and whispers immediately arose among the crowd below the palace.

The Rogue Cultivator, while the Aristocratic Clan retainer frowned secretly, resentment hidden in his heart.

"Nephew... no, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this edict, Yin Ji, who was standing beside him, suddenly looked up, his voice hoarse as he tried to offer some advice.

Has he lost his mind?! His elder brother's earnest advice—has he not listened at all?

I thought you were just a little naive and stubborn on a regular basis.

I didn't expect you to be so naive!? Is this stubbornness?

However, given the current situation, the emperor's authority cannot be undermined.

I had to hold back for now, intending to have a proper talk with my nephew in private later.

Yin Huan ignored this and simply raised the Tai'e in his hand, shouting loudly.

"My sovereign and father died in Great Void to protect our homeland."

"If this grudge is not avenged, how can the Yin Clan stand in the world?"

"From this day forward, the Great Yin will not pay tribute, sue for peace, cede territory, or surrender."

Fight to the last man.

This cold voice reached every corner.

Then, eight hundred armored soldiers struck their shields with their swords and shouted in unison:

"Your Majesty is willing to go through fire and water, to fight to the last man!"

The shouts rose like a tide, spreading outwards in waves, and everyone below the city had no choice but to voice their opinions... The voices gradually merged into a torrent.

But beneath that torrent, how much fear, how much powerlessness, how much unspoken weariness, resentment, and forbearance lay hidden.

He can no longer turn back.

His domineering nature has always been like this!

He has his own stubbornness! Could he really possibly cooperate with the accomplice of the enemy who killed his father?

Those Cangxuan demons who invaded our land are hateful!

They bear the weight of the people's burdens and shoulder the responsibilities of the world.

We must hold on, or the Great Yin will perish.

Father, I will not let you down!

Afterwards, Yin Huan returned to the ancestral temple alone to offer sacrifices.

Meanwhile, at the ancestral temple, Yin Ji had been waiting for a long time.

He solemnly kowtowed, showing no sign of putting on airs as an uncle.

He spoke earnestly and patiently.

"This is self-destruction! Self-destruction, Your Majesty!"

"Our Great Yin governs the country with tyranny, but there are numerous sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan within the country, and tens of thousands of Rogue Cultivator. Even with the power and prestige of the late emperor, it was not possible to completely control them."

"You have just ascended the throne, and you intend to implement such cruel methods. This is tantamount to making an enemy of all the cultivators in the Northern Region and cutting off your own escape route."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Yin Ji slowly stepped forward and pulled Yin Huan along, tears streaming down his face.

"The sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan will never obey! The Rogue Cultivator are disaffected, and the people are filled with resentment. If this law is implemented, the Great Yin will perish not only from Qi, but also from the aggressive advances of the Cangxuan demons, but also from internal strife, Your Majesty!"

Yin Huan lowered his eyes and looked at his Yin Ji.

His gaze was calm, yet utterly indifferent.

His words left Yin Ji speechless, even somewhat disheartened, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

"Those who do not comply."

"Considered as treason."

"Just kill him. Does anyone want to test the sharpness of my Tai'e?"

Yin Ji opened his mouth again, but no sound came out.

Looking at Yin Huan's retreating figure, he suddenly felt that the person in front of him was so unfamiliar, and it was as if something was stuck in his heart.

"Since Your Majesty insists, then this old minister, as the prince's uncle, has a favor to ask of his nephew..."

Yin Huan glanced sideways and nodded slightly.

"If Uncle Wang has spoken, then so be it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yin Ji seemed to have made up his mind, and said each word clearly.

"Your Majesty, I request that you immediately send an envoy to the Southern Region."

"Uncle, you mean... where to?" Yin Huan was suddenly taken aback, then his anger subsided, and his tone grew cold.

"South-Pacifying City, Cangxuan Ye Clan!"

"Does Uncle Wang know what he's saying?!"

"Know."

Yin Ji neither avoided nor retreated, but stared directly at his nephew whom he had watched grow up.

"The Ye Clan is the Cangxuan Clan, and Ye Jinyu is no easy opponent. The fall of the late emperor may have been orchestrated by them."

Going there would be like asking a tiger for its skin, or drinking poison to quench thirst. But...

That's enough.

"Since Uncle Wang already knows, why did he still say it?!"

Yin Huan interrupted, his eyes still somewhat bloodshot, his anger already uncontrollable.

Yin Ji smiled.

"I am useless, unable to protect the younger generation like my elder brother! After many years of cultivation, I'm still only at the Foundation Establishment..."

"But I am a subject of the Great Yin, and I have watched you grow up. I cannot bear to see you die a violent death! I cannot bear to see you ruin the overall situation in a moment of anger!"

"An emperor must endure what ordinary people cannot!"

After a long silence.

"I will not let the Great Yin perish, but I will never bow down to the enemies of Cangxuan!"

"I'll suffer the hardships of sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan, Rogue Cultivator. At worst, I'll bear the infamy myself!"

"The Great Yin's empire, comprising one capital and forty-seven prefectures, will be defended by me personally!"

"If we cannot hold out... then so be it... I will fight to the death!"

"Uncle, I am tired. You may leave."

Yin Huan's voice lowered, and he felt an endless weariness welling up inside him.

Outside the ancestral temple, it seemed as if snow was falling faintly.

Snowflakes are falling heavily as we see our guests off!

Upon hearing this, Yin Ji seemed to have all his energy drained away, and he left like a walking corpse, his steps faltering.

Spirit Kun Sect.

A Foundation Establishment sect with a history of four hundred years, with nearly two hundred and fifty cultivators, it is a relatively well-known sect in the Northern Region of the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

They have served the Great Yin Dynasty for generations with utmost loyalty and are renowned for their expertise in formations and weapon crafting.

Sect Master Cai Yan, in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, was in seclusion when he was awakened by urgent knocking on the door.

Upon opening the door, one sees a disciple holding a decree from the Great Yin, his hands trembling.

"Master... messengers from the imperial court have arrived to summon you..."

Cai Yan received the imperial edict and read it quickly, skimming through it.

After reading it, I remained silent for a long time.

"Your Majesty, why have you gone to such lengths...? Our clan has always been utterly loyal; isn't this bullying an honest person?!"

Cai Yan said in a low, hoarse voice.

"Master, what should we do? Should we fight against the imperial court?"

The disciples were panicked.

"The sect's treasury already has limited Spirit Stone and pills; if half of them are requisitioned..."

"Not half." Cai Yan interrupted him, pointing to a certain part of the imperial edict with his fingertip.

"Look carefully. It's not about conscripting half of them, it's about registering them all and sending them to Korea, with the possibility of returning them later in the war."

The disciple was stunned.

"... all of them?"

Cai Yan remained silent.

He looked out the window. The mountain gate of the Spirit Kun Sect was hidden in the swirling snow. Four hundred years of foundation and the hard work of generations of patriarchs were like a lone lamp in the snow, flickering and about to go out.

After a while.

"Let's open the warehouse."

"Master?!"

"If they all go to the imperial court, what will become of my disciples?!"

The disciple immediately became anxious.

"Look at you, what's the rush?!"

"To refuse to open the storeroom is to defy the imperial decree." Cai Yan's voice was eerily calm.

"Disobeying the imperial decree is treason. Those who commit treason will have their entire family executed, their temple destroyed, and their lineage eradicated."

"We who cultivate the Tao seek longevity and the continuation of our lineage."

"But if we can't even survive today... what's the point of talking about immortality? It's just a collection of wealth and resources..."

As he spoke, he patted his disciple on the shoulder, his words earnest and sincere.

The disciple was speechless.

Before long, the warehouse was opened.

Spirit Stone, elixirs, magical materials, array plates, and artifact prototypes... all the wealth accumulated over four hundred years was brought out.

The imperial envoys were all accepted, their expressions arrogant, and they even had the leisure to flirt with a couple of beautiful female cultivators from various sects.

"Excellent, you have all served the king faithfully! His Majesty will remember your contributions."

He then presented a plaque bestowed by imperial decree to the sect leader Cai Yan.

"This is a personal gift from His Majesty, praising Spirit Kun Sect. It is an honor for the entire sect."

We will certainly enshrine it properly and keep it as proof. Once the court has overcome its difficulties, there will definitely be a reward!

The cultivators of the Spirit Kun Sect stood silently in the wind and snow, watching all of this.

Many people had tears in their eyes and clenched their fists.

But they dared not speak out against it; this was the imperial court!

Many even harbored obsequious intentions.

"Our Spirit Kun Sect! We are willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, without hesitation!"

And such scenes are playing out throughout the entire territory of Great Yin.

The Void Kun Sect offered up the core array plate of its mountain-protecting array, the Void Kun Grand Formation, which is comparable to the Purple Mansion Array.

Profound Brightness Pavilion handed over seven superior-grade magical Law Artifact crafted by its ancestral masters.

The Rogue Cultivator Alliance registered over three hundred Rogue Cultivator, and their cultivation levels, Cultivation Method, and Law Artifact artifacts were all recorded in the imperial archives and conscripted into the army.

Of course, nothing in this world is ever smooth sailing.

Since the imperial decree was issued, there have been a total of forty-seven prefectures in the Northern Region.

Chaos broke out in the ten prefectures. Thirty-seven sects (Foundation Establishment) and eighty-two Aristocratic Clan (Foundation Establishment) jointly defied orders and refused to hand over spiritual items.

It's just a little bit of hardship.

Upon receiving the report, Yin Huan remained silent, only drawing his Tai'e Sword and stabbing it fiercely into the rebellious areas on the map of the Great Yin territory.

That night, fifty members of the royal family, eight hundred imperial guards, and thirty thousand soldiers of the dynasty marched together and crushed thirty-seven clans and eighty-two noble Aristocratic Clan.

Those who defy orders, sect leaders and heads of the Aristocratic Clan families, shall be executed!

Anyone who conceals a spiritual object shall be executed!

Anyone who incites resistance will be executed!

The severed head hung above the ruins of the sect, while the blood of the Aristocratic Clan flowed down, forming streams.

The Northern Region trembled, the Great Yin Dynasty trembled; where the Emperor's decree fell, who dared disobey?

Suppressed anger, however, only needs a spark to ignite a prairie fire.