Xie Wanqing always knew there was no shortage of blood on Lu Ziyuan’s hands, but she never imagined that the General, whom she remembered as protecting the nation, would become a butcher slaughtering civilians.

Indeed, it was most likely all for her.

She recalled what he said; in a previous life, after she died, he went mad, becoming a complete lunatic.

So, is he still sane now?

Previously, Xie Wanqing was certain that her departure was the right choice, that everything would return to its proper course with her leaving.

But now, she began to doubt herself.

His Majesty the Emperor led the imperial expedition, and nearly the entire Great Khan was focused on the Northern Border Battlefield.

War reports continuously spread across every state and county.

Soon, people discovered that the intimidation brought by massacres was direct and palpable.

With the bloody chicken of Da Jin displayed in front of them, the other monkeys became much more docile.

The Qiang Clan at the Southwest Border, and the Wokou who had repeatedly broken the law in the east in recent years, were all shocked into fear by such slaughter.

Not only that, even within the Great Khan’s territory, bandits who previously caused chaos everywhere, after Lu Ziyuan took the throne, did not even require troops to suppress them; they awakened on their own and mended their ways.

Many were directly recruited by the court, transitioning from mountain bandits, who ruled territories, to officials and generals receiving court salaries.

Xie Wanqing couldn’t help but sigh once more, brutality indeed has its benefits.

If a benevolent ruler, reluctant to cause bloodshed, ascended to the throne, how could he stabilize such chaotic times, and how could the Great Khan manage, without spending a single soldier, for bandits across the land to fix themselves?

Soon, the new emperor’s reputation for brutal slaughter gradually faded from public discussion.

At the end of the second year of the imperial expedition, Jin Country’s Capital City fell.

Upon hearing the news, households throughout the Great Khan lit festive lanterns at their doors.

The citizens cheered.

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

Lu Ziyuan, who was supposed to be on the Northern Border Battlefield, now appeared in the Imperial Study Room.

Wearing a dark dragon robe, he sat upright at the Imperial Desk, his eyes slightly closed, meditating quietly. His naturally cold and stern features became even sharper and more terrifying after a year of slaughter.

The sharp lines of his lean jaw were sharp, his brows furrowed unconsciously, appearing somewhat impatient, and at his temples, the gray was already clearly visible.

It was well known that when Miss Xie of the Xie Family died, this cold and ruthless emperor mourned excessively, turning white-haired at a young age.

Some said that when he was the Heir of the Lu Family, although arrogant and unbridled, disregarding others, he still retained some humanity.

And now, His Majesty the Emperor on the golden hall had lost his sense of humanity.

Below, several officials softly reported something, cautiously glancing upwards from time to time, trying to discern whether His Majesty was listening.

After a while, in the empty hall, the officials finished their reports.

Lu Ziyuan slowly lifted his gaze and said, "Dismiss."

The officials exchanged looks, dared not ask more, hurriedly bowed and retreated.

At the door, they coincidentally bumped into Mingjian.

With Lu Ziyuan’s ascension, Mingjian, the follower guard, had already become the Western Expedition General.

While another general, Ming Feng, was still in the Jin Country Capital City, waiting to escort those imperial family members back to the Capital.

Several officials left, and Mingjian walked in.

He glanced at his meditating master, worriedly saying, "You haven’t slept in three days..."

Without raising his eyes, Lu Ziyuan moved his lips, "Speak." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Upon hearing, Mingjian immediately bowed and said, "After investigation, Master Kongjian from Zhen Guo Temple has indeed returned from his travels. According to your instructions, I invited him, but the little monk at Zhen Guo Temple said the master is about to pass away and cannot leave the temple; you need to personally make a trip."