The Imperial Guard: Cloak of Shadows

"Cuihuan, give the order. Tell them to set aside all other work and focus on forging the standard-issue armor. It must be made exactly according to the designs I've provided!""Understood, Master!"Ronald had long considered outfitting his personal guards, but the lack of silver had prevented him from acquiring such a large number of armaments. Now, with a fortune of 700,000 silver, he could finally put his plans into action.

He intended to build an elite force of Jinyiwei—a shadowy, personal army to uphold his rule. Within his territory, they would enforce the laws; outside, they would be his instruments of war. This unit would differ from the Hunter Corps in that it would not only specialize in covert operations, but also serve as a symbol of his power—an extraordinary force that stood above regular soldiers. It would become the cornerstone of his rule.

As Jinyiwei, their uniforms would be modeled after the ancient Ming Dynasty's elite guards. Designs for the Feiyu robes, Xiu Chun Dao swords, and Mangtian robes were already prepared, just waiting for the silver to begin production.

Inside the Ring World, with the advanced workbenches and the exceptional craftsmanship of the colonists, the equipment produced would surpass anything made in the outside world.

"Cuihuan, instruct them to forge 300 sets of armor as a trial. There's no need to rush, but quality must be assured.""Yes! Don't worry, Master. We will finish the task perfectly!"Ronald gave Cuihuan a light pat on the shoulder. Over time, he'd come to appreciate her dedication. Though she had a tendency to slack off and watch TV, she always delivered on her tasks and managed the base well. If she were in the outside world, she'd undoubtedly be a valuable assistant.But now wasn't the time to take her out yet.

The base within the Ring World had grown to 20 colonists, all recruited from those captured in recent raids. Ronald was particular when choosing, only keeping those with decent attributes. The rest were sold off.

While Ming City was developing, so too was the base within the Ring World. This time, instead of jumping into cultivation, Ronald focused on formulating a detailed development plan for the base's future.

Eight days later, after completing the plan, he handed it to Cuihuan, who was watching TV. After a long discussion, Ronald retreated to his room to begin his cultivation.

Having seen the strength of the Liu siblings, he now felt a sense of urgency. Without a powerhouse backing him, a faction could never truly rise.

Two days later, just as he sank into meditation, a sudden darkness overtook him, and his consciousness returned to his body.

The night had deepened.

Restless, Ronald pushed open his door and stepped out, walking through the quiet halls of the inn. The inn was one of the most famous in Chaos City, known for its high standards and beautiful surroundings.

The early spring night was cool, the air still with the promise of new life. As he strolled along the garden path, the faint breeze made the surroundings feel both warm and chilly.

Up ahead, a figure in purple crouched near the flowerbed, seemingly searching for something.

"Is it her?"

Ronald paused, recognizing the girl's profile instantly. It was none other than Princess Qin Xue of the Yunqin Empire!

He recalled seeing her from a distance years ago, during a diplomatic visit to Yun Capital. Never had he expected to encounter her here, in such a quiet corner of Chaos City.

This princess was known for her spoiled and capricious nature, and Ronald wasn't the type to seek unnecessary trouble.

As he turned to leave, a black cat dashed across the path, creating a commotion.

"Who's there?"

The princess's voice rang out, sharp and inquisitive.

"Human?"

She spun around, spotting Ronald and flashing a mischievous smile. "Just in time! Come here and help me find something."