Chapter 37: The Devil’s Plans for War

The stars above the Crimson Jade Fortress shimmered like shards of destiny. Under their glow, Jin Zhen stood atop the grand tower of his newly-formed inner city, arms crossed behind his back, staring out at his growing dominion.

Below him, torchlight flickered from the market district. Puppet performers juggled glowing spirit fruits while children from nearby villages ran through the gates with baskets of herbs, hoping to barter them for sweets. Spiritual crops swayed gently in the wind, nourished by the irrigation array he had installed days ago.

Peace had taken root.

But peace, Jin Zhen thought, was merely the foundation for the next conquest.

A mechanical hawk screeched as it landed on the tower's rail, its metal feathers rattling. A scroll was tied to its leg, sealed with a strange wax crest.

Yu Lan appeared behind him, still wearing her night robes. "Another one?"

"Yes," Jin Zhen said. He untied the scroll and opened it. A grin spread across his face.

"It's from the Wandering Black Lotus Sect," he said. "They wish to 'join the winning side.'"

Yu Lan raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that the same sect that once called us a 'clown troupe of cursed puppets'?"

"Indeed," he said. "Which is why I'll let them stew a little."

He summoned a crimson flame with a flick of his finger, lighting the scroll on fire.

"They can beg harder."

—

Later that morning, Jin Zhen entered the Throne Hall, where his senior disciples, elders, and puppet officials were gathered.

"Report," he said, taking his seat.

Elder Yuan stepped forward. "Trade routes have expanded. The Spirit Fruit Harvest Festival brought in over 3,000 spirit stones in just two days."

"Good," Jin Zhen said. "And military readiness?"

Elder Hei snorted. "The puppets are multiplying. We've now got over 400 combat units, and I've begun experimenting with dual-core formations."

"Excellent," Jin Zhen said. "Because I intend to march soon."

The room quieted.

"To where?" asked Yu Lan.

He opened his palm, revealing a glowing map projection. A red dot pulsed in the lower corner.

"The Fallen Relic Grounds," he said.

A murmur swept the room. Even the puppets looked hesitant.

"The grounds are cursed," Elder Yuan said. "Sealed off centuries ago. Rumors say an ancient demon cultivator still lurks there."

"Even better," Jin Zhen said. "If there's treasure, I want it. If there's an old monster, I'll subjugate it. And if there's death…"

He leaned forward.

"…I'll rebuild it."

—

Before dawn, Jin Zhen returned to his private chambers.

The system interface pulsed softly.

---

[System Notification]

New Landmark Available: Fallen Relic Grounds (Locked)

Unlock Cost: 1,500 SP

Warning: High Danger.

Estimated Rewards: ???

Recommended Power: Nascent Soul (Mid or Higher)

Accept Exploration?

[Yes] / [No]

—

Jin Zhen grinned.

[Yes]

—

[SP -1,500 deducted. Exploration Unlocked.]

[Side Quest Generated: "Conquer the Fallen Relic Grounds"]

[Objective: Establish Dominance Over the Ancient Grounds]

[Bonus Objective: Discover the Lost Vault of the Blood Demon Emperor]

[Rewards: Randomized Treasure Pool + Reputation + Hidden Artifact]

[Time Limit: None]

—

He stretched his limbs and sat cross-legged, entering cultivation.

The flames of progress burned hot around him.

---

Three Days Later

A grand caravan left the Crimson Jade Fortress.

At the front rode Jin Zhen on a crimson spirit horse, its hooves aflame with ghostfire. Behind him: 50 elite disciples, 300 puppet warriors, and 5 spiritual siege golems dragging large metallic crates engraved with seals.

Villagers and traders lined the roads, waving.

"Is he going to war again?" a child asked.

"No, sweetie," his mother replied. "He's going to make someone else regret breathing."

—

As they traveled south, the land changed. Lush fields gave way to cracked soil, and the sky dimmed unnaturally.

By the fifth day, the air was thick with spiritual pressure.

At sunset, they stood before the gates of the Fallen Relic Grounds.

It was a wasteland of crumbling temples and twisted towers half-buried in ash.

A voice echoed from within:

"Turn back… or be devoured."

One of the disciples shivered. "Sect Master…"

Jin Zhen raised his hand. A puppet beast stepped forward and hurled a spirit flame into the fog.

Nothing.

Then the ground trembled.

Dozens of skeletal warriors rose from the ash, their bodies bound by black chains, eyes glowing with ghostfire.

Jin Zhen cracked his neck. "Ah. Finally."

But he didn't draw a weapon.

He simply looked at Elder Hei. "Let's test the golems."

Elder Hei clapped once.

The metallic crates behind them opened with explosive hiss.

From each, a massive puppet golem stepped forward—twice the height of a man, arms like battering rams, runes glowing across their torsos.

The skeletal warriors charged.

The golems met them with thunder.

—

In mere minutes, bones shattered and ash flew. The golems smashed through the first wave like demons of metal and flame.

Jin Zhen stood in the center of the carnage, hands behind his back, smiling.

He didn't lift a finger.

He didn't need to.

—

Night fell.

They camped inside a ruined stone gate, repurposing it into a temporary outpost.

Jin Zhen sat beside a makeshift fire, reading a manual on ancient formations. Across from him, Yu Lan grilled spirit mushrooms over a slow flame.

"This place reeks of old blood," she said.

"That's why it's perfect," Jin Zhen said. "Old blood means buried power."

Suddenly, a ripple of spiritual pressure passed through the ground.

The fire flickered.

Yu Lan stood immediately. "Something's watching us."

"I know."

Jin Zhen didn't move.

He reached up, scratched his nose, and whispered:

"Come out."

Nothing.

Then, from the shadows of a shattered temple arch, a pair of glowing red eyes opened.

A whisper came, like broken glass grinding together.

"Devil... you seek my throne?"

Jin Zhen looked up.

"Throne? No. That sounds uncomfortable."

He stood and smiled.

"I seek your secrets. And perhaps, your bones. Depends on how cooperative you are."

A roar split the air.

A monstrous, shadow-cloaked figure lunged forward—

And stopped.

An invisible force—Jin Zhen's spiritual aura—slammed into it like a mountain.

The figure dropped to its knees.

"…You… are not normal…"

Jin Zhen stepped forward.

"I'm the Crimson Overlord."

He reached out and tapped the monster's forehead.

Its spirit screamed as his aura swallowed it whole.

Moments later, the figure dissolved into dust.

—

[System Notification]

Sub-Boss Eliminated

Soul Absorbed: Fragment of the Blood Demon Emperor

New Trait Unlocked: [Blood Memory: Demonic Archive]

+500 SP

New Quest Branch Unlocked

—

Jin Zhen's eyes glowed crimson for a moment as the memories flowed in—ancient rituals, lost formations, forbidden alchemy.

He smiled.

The real game had just begun.