In the underground dungeon of Carny palace, a group of cultivators was moving.
"How is your arm now, minister Yichen?" A hooded person asked.
"It's getting better, Mr. Mingli. Healing pills are taking their time though. Sigh, we should have an Empyrean doctor in Carny but our Lord would rather spend money on making new brothels, hmph." Yichen spoke while rubbing his right arm.
"That will soon change though. We can make Carny so much a better place after killing Zhang!" Another minister spoke heatedly.
"Indeed. Then we can officially invite Mr. Mingli to be our strategy formation master hehehe. What do you say Mr. Mingli?" Yichen asked.
"I'd be glad to work for Carny. Though I must say, Mr. Howin did a thorough work on this strategy. Such a large intricate one requires years to assemble! I have been continuously tuning it according to your demands but so far, I have only scratched the surface of it! All junctions of it are hidden and I am unable to judge just where this strategy finally ends. It's seemingly too large." Mingli spoke. He was the strategy expert Yichen had invited to tamper with the palatial strategy so that it could provide them support during the upcoming revolution.
"Howin was quite a hardworking genius indeed. Even his combat technique was not bad. I underestimated him and paid for it with a stab in my arm. But anyway, do not mind the range of this strategy. As long as you tune it into something that can boost our combat prowess, that's plenty. Later on, you can explore its entirety at your leisure." Yichen said.
"As you wish." Mingli smiled and continued to work, stopping many times and tuning the hidden nodes and junctions of the strategy.
"Pity, Howin had to die. We can't let Zhang's loyalists live on any further. Revolution demands blood after all." Someone said meanwhile.
"Indeed. Though we will give Howin a proper burial befitting him." Another minister said.
In Zhang's absence, the council had been steadfast & assassinated some important Zhang loyalists. But they could not do away with all the rest as that could prove detrimental. They were yet to obtain intel on Zhang's cultivation base. That would determine the timing and method of revolution. They could not brazenly take over the palace behind Zhang just yet.
-------
Far away on a battlefield, Koldorus was scowling in frustration as 50 blood scythes hovered in air. Koldorus and his elders were gravely injured, save for Plant King.
"Not only his cultivation base is too high but he is revealing trump cards that we were not informed of." Koldorus muttered.
"It seems, Carny council has also been in the dark about Zhang's real prowess." Plant King pointed out.
"So, it's like this…they used us to test him?" Koldorus frowned.
"I'd say, yes. My king, let's retreat for now." Plant King suggested.
"Hmm…yes, let's do so. I'll come back for Xiao later again." Koldorus said and signalled retreat.
Kol army retreated speedily. Carny troops gave chase. The battlefield turned chaotic once again. But Koldorus stayed behind facing Zhang.
"You've got guts, but it's futile. All of you will perish today." Zhang sneered and made his move. The 50 blood scythes surrounded Koldorus once again.
"100 Kills!" Zhang shouted and his scythes moves swiftly, performing the 100 kills move. But with 50 scythes, it became 5000 slashes!
Shink-shink-shinkk-shink-shink! As the scythes stopped, Koldorus turned into minced meat and splattered down on the ground before disappearing.
"!!!" Zhang's eyes opened wide as he realised that he had been in an illusion! Koldorus had retreated with his army. Zhang had been fighting empty air!
"That snakewoman! I must kill…hey wait; she's got potential, and she's sexy." Zhang rubbed his chin. His anger turned into amazement and then lust as he smirked, looking at the last of Kol troops retreating into the safety of their conquered fortified city.
Swoosh! Zhang sprinted rapidly, quickly approaching the city walls.
"Charge! Destroy everything. Kill them all! And bring me that snakewoman!" Zhang roared and attacked, creating a huge hole in the city wall and barging in. The battle continued while Kol kingdom's main troops retreated.
"We have two more cities behind us. The traps we set up in this one should be able to delay Carny troops with aid of some of our soldiers. Let's continue retreating." Koldorus said while nursing his wounds.
--------
Two days later, Zhang stood before a ruined city. Smoke was rising from different areas of it. This was the last city that Kol kingdom had occupied. In their retreat they had lost 2 battalions but their main troops still succeeded in retreating to their homeland. From here onwards Carny would be the aggressor and Kol would have to defend.
"Camp here. And send my message to Koldorus." Zhang spoke with a smirk.
-----
The next day Carny troops retreated. Some of the battalions were left behind to mend the destroyed cities and guard the Carny territory while the main troops marched back towards the capital. The battle had ended in truce. Zhang demanded elder Chloe of Kol Kingdom in exchange of peace. Koldorus agreed. Although he was indignant and his elders still had some hidden trump cards; they had basically lost the war. In front of Zhang's overwhelming power, there were not many options of retaliation.
------
Inside an enclosed wagon, Zhang was sipping wine while a voluptuous woman in her 30s stood in front of him. She had long black hair, exotic brown skin, big natural breasts, a beautiful face and large hips. She was the elder Chloe of Kol kingdom.
"Hmm so you aren't exactly a snake-woman?" Zhang asked with slight disappointment but continued to stare at Chloe, admiring her curves and her thicc thighs.
"N-no my Lord. My Beastial technique is unique grade. It allows me to manipulate beasts and even merge with them. So far I have only been able to merge with pythons and horses." Chloe said while blushing.
"Hmm, this is interesting. Hand over your technique at once." Zhang demanded and Chloe complied. She summoned a scroll from her spatial ring and knelt before Zhang, offering him the scroll respectfully. Since she had been traded off in exchange of peace, it was necessary for her to appease Zhang so that she could at least become his concubine. Otherwise, her fate could be that of a sex slave.
Taking a glance at the content of the scroll, Zhang nodded slightly. It was a great find. He was pleased as he looked at Chloe and smiled perversely.
"Come sit on my lap." Zhang ordered. Chloe complied, immediately getting up and seductively sitting on his lap while blushing. Her performance was flawless. It was hard to believe that she was a warrior and not a prostitute.
Zhang wrapped his left arm around her waist and groped her breasts with his right hand.
"Ahhnn…" Chloe let out a moan. Her breasts were soft and big. Zhang played with them while kissing her neck. Chloe moaned erotically, doing her best to please him.
Soon Chloe's moans became louder and Zhang's grunts could be heard, leaking out of the wagon. Inside, Chloe was bent over on the stuffed bench with Zhang's penis moving back and forth inside her tight vagina.
"Ahhn! Ahhn! Yes, ohh!" Chloe exclaimed aloud as Zhang fucked her hard and spanked her big hips.
Sstak! Sstak! Loud slapping sounds kept echoing. Chloe's hips had turned red already with several hand imprints on them. Zhang grabbed her waist then and picked up the pace, rampaging inside her wet vagina.
Slosh-slosh-slosh-fwap-fwap-fwap! Meaty clapping wet sounds formed an erotic beat.
"Hnnng! Take this!" Zhang yanked Chloe's hair, pulling her head back and making her back arch beautifully while he rammed his penis deep and ejaculating a thick load of semen which flowed right into Chloe's womb, filling it to the brim.
"Ahhh! Uhhhh…" Chloe screamed and moaned, still bent over and panting. But just when she thought it was all finally over, Zhang's penis regained its erection and he shoved it up in her virgin asshole!
"Ahhh?!!!" Chloe's blood curdling scream startled the soldiers who were marching alongside Zhang's wagon.
"Fucking bitch, stop screaming and spread your hips!" Zhang shouted and slapped Chloe's hips too hard.
"Unhhhghhh…!" Chloe bit her lower lip, enduring the pain, and widened her stance, spreading her hips in the process. Her asshole was bleeding but Zhang showed her no mercy. He fucked her savagely nonstop for hours. Chloe wept and wallowed, allowing herself to be raped by Zhang throughout their journey.
----------
Three days later, Carny military reached the capital. Three of its battalions had been stationed in the destroyed cities for reconstruction and security. The rest reached the military camps area and settled down a bit.
Zhang entered his palace with chosen few soldiers who had achieved great merits in the war against Kol kingdom. Loud drums and musical instruments rang, creating a festive mood. Zhang walked into the palace proudly. By his side was Chloe. She was completely naked, her cheeks had several hand imprints, her nipples were chewed off and there were bite marks all over her body. She walked stiffly as her holes were hurting badly. Earlier, she was unsure of what her status would be in Carny; but from the fact that she had been fucked savagely throughout the journey and now had been paraded naked across the capital, it was obvious that she'd be no different than a sex slave to Zhang.
"All hail Lord Zhang!"
"Glory to Lord Zhang!"
"Congratulations upon the victory, my Lord!"
Many people shouted and showed excited expressions. Most of them were faking it; some were trying to fawn over Zhang.
As Zhang eventually sat on his throne, Chloe stood next to it with her head hung low. The ministers were awed by her beauty and felt rather smug when they learned that Chloe is a Kol elder. Her pitiful state boasted & advertised Carny's victory over Kol.
One by one, all the ministers of the council congratulated Zhang and this scene lasted for a while. Afterwards, Zhang demanded a status report of the palace and capital.
"My lord, in your absence, the palace was infiltrated by assassins and we've lost some important figures such as Mr. Howin." Yichen spoke. "We believe the assassins were sent by Kol kingdom to weaken us." Chloe was startled as Kol kingdom had never sent any assassins over. But she kept quiet, quickly realising that this must be the ploy of the rebel ministers.
"Hmm…I see. Pity. That Howin was a remarkable strategy expert." Zhang said while grimacing. "And…where is that whore of a daughter of mine?"
"Princess Xiao has been in the harem all this while, awaiting you." Yichen spoke.
"She has built up considerable amount of yin chi my lord." Chonglin, the harem administrator spoke with a perverse smile. He was lying. Xiao's yin chi had been extracted by numerous men as they fucked her every day. When news of Zhang's return arrived, Chonglin had force-fed yin pills to Xiao, restoring her yin so that Zhang wouldn't notice.
"Heheh. Good-good." Zhang smiled. Meanwhile Chloe blinked in surprise. Kol kingdom had not obtained any reliable information on Xiao but hearing about her now, she realised that Xiao was an incestuous concubine of Zhang? Chloe had a hard time processing this information.
"Alright, all of my loyal warriors, come forth." Zhang spoke smilingly. "I must reward you for your valour."
There were about 100 soldiers. They were all fanatically loyal to Zhang and thus had outdone themselves in war, killing several enemy soldiers. They were all in Advanced realm and were experienced warriors of different ranks in Carny's army.
At once, the centre of the large council room became crowded as the 100 soldiers stood in proper order. They were wearing their battle armours with their weapons by their sides.
"But before the rewards, you must do one more service for me." Zhang spoke. "Kill all the ministers and their followers in here."
"…!!!"
At once a dreary silence befell the hall. Everyone was shocked silly.
"M-my lord?" Yichen mumbled and fell to his knees.
"My lord, have mercy! What have we devoted subjects done to offend you?" Mengyao cried as she knelt too, placing her hands on the floor and revealing her deep cleavage to Zhang. "Have I not served you wholeheartedly?"
"Hahahah!" Zhang cackled while the soldier turned towards the rows of council members, taking out their weapons. All the ministers were filled with shock and fear.
Meanwhile Yichen, Mengyao and Fang exchanged quick glances. Neither of them knew how to tackle this situation. Was Zhang messing with them? Would the revolution have to begin right now? Zhang was too powerful. The council was yet to discuss things and set their plans right, but they had been taken by surprise.
Zhang let out a powerful gust of energy, revealing his level 4 Master realm cultivation.
"Do you think I don't know about your schemes? I still have some loyal spies hmph! I knew from the beginning that you were all planning a rebellion." Zhang revealed as his gaze shone cruelly. "Die for me now."
"My lord! I am still loyal to you! I did not betray you!" A minister shouted.
"My lord, spare me! I knew nothing about this rebellion! I swear!"
Many ministers and guards pleaded. They indeed were few of Zhang loyalists but Zhang was taking no chances any more. He intended to kill them all and would create a new council afterwards.
Any rebellion or movement requires detailed planning. But Zhang had taken them all by surprise. All the traitors were present in the palace while most of their supporters and defected troops were still in the regiment camp. Zhang had showcased his cunning here.
Shing! Fang unsheathed his sword as he stepped forward.
"To arms! To revolution! To Carny's freedom! Fight to the death!" He roared, fully displaying his level 10 Advanced realm cultivation, encouraging the rebels and declaring the revolution.
"To arms! Fight!" Yichen also shouted and stood by Fang's side. Mengyao meanwhile had stealthily disappeared in the chaos.
A fight broke out. Weapons clashed, chi and energy bursts occurred, people collided, limbs were hacked down, heads rolled, screams and commotion filled the council hall. It was the most underwhelming revolution ever. The council was unprepared and several ministers had already lost their lives.
Fang quickly summoned an emergency beacon and shattered it. It was a signal for his followers to come to his aid.
However, there was already a chaotic skirmish going on in the regiment camp. Troops loyal to Zhang were attacking all the others. They had received orders from Zhang during their journey, regarding this. Blood had already begun to flow. The capital was soon to engulf in utter chaos.
-------
Yingjie was suddenly startled as he sensed that the beacon inside his spatial ring had just shattered. It meant that Fang had crushed the one connected to Yingjie's. As discussed between them in secrecy at some unknown point of time, this was the signal that revolution had begun and Yingjie must mobilize the rebel troops.
Beacons were pendant-sized artifacts, made by strategy methods. Usually, they came in pairs of twos. If one was crushed, the other would get crushed too, no matter what distance. They were rumoured to have originated from dwarf or elf technology from long distant past. Beacons had different names, shapes and features. But they were all used for similar purposes of sending signals over large distances.
Yingjie had been stationed in the regiment building to train Sui Lu and protect Wind while awaiting instructions from Fang.
"The revolution has begun already?" Sui Lu asked. She was feeding milk to little Wind.
"Yes. This is abrupt but there is no doubt about it!" Yingjie immediately took out a small bugle from his ring and blew on it.
Whoooong!! Its surprisingly loud sound echoed in the entire building and nearby area. It was his signal for the soldiers to gather near the building and march together for revolution. Their target would obviously be the palace. Yingjie then turned to Sui Lu and spoke to her.
"Take the underground passage and leave the capital quickly. You must protect young master Wind! Return here only if you learn concrete news of revolution's success. Otherwise…it'll be up to you to train Wind so he can someday return for revenge and freedom of Carny from Zhang."
"…Yes, I understand." Sui Lu said with sad determination as she stowed Wind into her spatial ring. Then, as Yingjie moved towards the exit, Sui Lu suddenly hugged him from behind.
"…." There was a momentary silence in the room.
Sui Lu silently let go of him and left towards the underground passage. Yingjie sighed and didn't turn around. He and Sui Lu had developed feeling for each other during their time together but in front of their respective duties, love weighed little.
Sui Lu took Wind and escaped while Yingjie took charge of some of the troops and marched towards the palace. Though in his path there would be Zhang loyalist troops and it would take a while to cut a path through them.
-----
"Sparrow steps, sword lotus!" Fang shouted and attacked Zhang again but Zhang remained seated on his throne. Scythes made of his blood were revolving around him, protecting him by cancelling out the incoming attacks.
"Blood reaper, 100 kills." Zhang spoke and the scythes performed numerous slashes in all directions, cancelling out the sword lotus move and attacking Fang and Yichen.
The two of them retreated while defending. They were sweating, panting and already had minor injuries while Zhang had not even left his seat. Their fight had been going on for a few minutes already.
Suddenly, the entire palace began to lightly glow from the inside. Energy wafted off from the glowing walls and seeped into the rebels' bodies, boosting their prowess quickly! Those on their last legs became rejuvenated and attacked the soldiers back. They had managed to gain some respite and footing.
Fang and Yichen also felt their strength increase. Apparently Mingli had succeeded in activating the palatial strategy from a hidden corner in the dungeon. It had taken him time to activate the strategy because not all of it had been modified by him and he didn't have full control & could not activate it remotely.
Regardless, the strategy showed its benefit quickly and several Zhang loyalist soldiers were injured and killed. Even so, the ministers weren't exactly warriors. So what if they gained a lot of chi and some strength boost? Could a politician beat a soldier in fight? They had to gang up to kill even one soldier and later could only huddle together in a defensive manner to bide their time until reinforcement arrive.
"Together." Fang uttered.
"Hmm." Yichen nodded.
"Sword Shredder! Sword Rush! Sword Lotus!" The two of them synced their multiple moves.
Sword shredder move deflected the blood scythes hovering in air, Sword Rush allowed them to get close to Zhang immediately and Sword Lotus was the finishing blow.
At once brilliant sword slashes engulfed Zhang entirely, creating two overlapping lotus images.
As the lotus images disappeared, Zhang's figure was revealed, still intact and unhurt! A thick coat of blood had protected him.
"Blood Reaper Cloak." Zhang uttered his move's name smilingly. His throne had been hacked to tiny pieces while Chloe had barely dodged the sword lotus moves. Zhang remained unhurt but Fang and Yichen had ashen expressions. They had already used all the tricks in the bag and could not inflict a single scratch on Zhang!
Boom! Suddenly Chloe's body exploded! Meat and blood splattered everywhere while her head flew and collided against a wall before dropping and rolling on the floor. She had self-detonated!
"What the…" Zhang, Fang and Yichen uttered in unison as they stared at this scene.
Suddenly there was a flash of light and multiple people teleported into the council hall. They were Koldorus and his powerful generals and elders!
"Koldorus!?" Everyone was astonished.
"Surprise, motherfcuker!" Koldorus shouted and grinned at Zhang. He had successfully infiltrated Carny palace.