Chapter Eleven: The Tyrant's Ruthless Power

Although he said as much, Jiang Yuan was still wary of some desperate great demon seeking him out for a life-and-death struggle! Even a single Ji Meng would be enough to give him a headache in his current state, yet he had no one truly reliable at hand. Zhang Kui was indeed strong, but faced with a great demon like Ji Meng, he still fell short.

So Jiang Yuan thought once again of the system.

“Dog system, are you there?”

The system’s voice, cold yet not devoid of human touch, sounded: “Next time, please do not ask if the system is present. If you have something to say, speak directly.”

“Just who the hell is the master here?” Jiang Yuan couldn't help but curse.

“If the host wishes to acknowledge the system as master, this system has no objection at all.”

Jiang Yuan knew he could never best the system. After all, the system had no physical form; he couldn’t touch it. If this were the age before he transmigrated, the system would be a proper keyboard warrior!

“I want to ask if you have any way to make my subordinates stronger?” Jiang Yuan cut straight to the point.

“Yes.” The system replied with a single, simple word.

“Really?”

“Does the host not find this system impressive?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Jiang Yuan responded excitedly, nodding along.

“As long as the host’s Tyrant Value is sufficient, even a sage can be crushed for you.” The system’s emotionless voice echoed in Jiang Yuan’s mind, making his heart sink.

That damned Tyrant Value again! The system had just tricked him out of the hard-earned hundred points he’d saved up, and now it was eyeing his remaining Tyrant Value!

Jiang Yuan now had barely any left—only twenty points remained.

“Dog system, farewell for now.” Jiang Yuan couldn’t be bothered with it anymore.

After all, he had no Tyrant Value to spare, and honestly, talking to the system really drained it!

By the time Jiang Yuan came back to himself, his party had already arrived at the gates of Chong City, the fief of Northern Marquis Chong Houhu. At this moment, the city gates stood wide open, and Chong Houhu, accompanied by his younger brother Chong Heihu, waited respectfully at the entrance to greet Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan, brimming with imperial majesty tinged with a trace of violence, rode his Purple Jade Qilin slowly toward the two brothers.

He studied them with a calm, indifferent gaze. Neither Chong Houhu nor Chong Heihu could be considered particularly loyal to the Shang Dynasty. Chong Houhu commanded two hundred northern lords—his power was immense. If the Shang Dynasty were not still holding on to its dominance, these brothers would likely have rebelled long ago!

The northern barbarians’ demons had risen in rebellion, and as the northern marquis, Chong Houhu should have dealt with the unrest himself. How would news of it have ever reached Jiang Yuan?

Yet Chong City’s forces had done nothing, allowing the demons to run rampant!

When the brothers saw the aura emanating from Jiang Yuan, they were shaken. Rumor had it the king’s ambition had long since been eroded by wine and women. How could he still possess such astonishing presence? And what was with the violent energy radiating from him? It was enough to make one’s blood run cold!

“Your subject, Chong Houhu, greets the King!”

“Your subject, Chong Heihu, greets the King!”

Jiang Yuan merely nodded slightly, showing no particular warmth. Such was the art of kingship: he could not allow anyone to discern his true intentions.

“Rise.”

After speaking, Jiang Yuan glanced at the two brothers’ status panels.

Character: Chong Houhu
Title: Northern Marquis (Commander of two hundred northern lords)
Realm: True Immortal
Possessions: Thunderaxe, Nebula Umbrella
Cultivation Technique: Skyfire Wild Dragon Tome
Mount: Drunken Luan
Loyalty: 70
Favorability: 60
Tyrant Value obtainable: 800

Jiang Yuan’s heart leapt at this data. Eight hundred Tyrant Value? Were all the regional lords this valuable? Should he consider summoning a few to Chaoge and executing one, just for the points? If he wanted to be a true tyrant, wouldn’t it be fitting to kill a few of the more disagreeable lords?

If Chong Houhu’s power were higher than True Immortal, the Tyrant Value might even break into four digits.

He then looked to Chong Heihu:

Character: Chong Heihu
Title: Younger brother of the Northern Marquis
Realm: Perfection of Profound Immortal (After the Investiture of the Gods war, conferred as the Grand Emperor of Heavenly Revelation of Mount Heng in the South)
Possessions: Red Gourd, Iron-beaked Divine Eagle
Cultivation Technique: Skyfire Wild Dragon Tome
Mount: Fiery-eyed Beast
Loyalty: 50
Favorability: 40
Tyrant Value obtainable: 400

Chong Heihu, in those days, had clearly defected to Xiqi and even betrayed his own brother, though in the end he was slain by the war god Zhang Kui.

“I wonder, what brings Your Majesty here…” Chong Houhu spoke, feigning hesitation.

Jiang Yuan smirked inwardly. Was it not obvious why he had come? Did they really not know?

“So, you’re telling me you never received my decree?”

Chong Houhu immediately responded in panic, “Of course I received Your Majesty’s decree. I simply thought there was no need for the king to personally come; this rebellion is but a minor one among the demons and will soon be quelled by your humble servant. There is no need to trouble Your Majesty.”

“So you mean to say I’ve come here in vain?!” Jiang Yuan erupted in fury.

This sudden royal wrath startled Chong Houhu, who had grown accustomed to a life of luxury in Chong City. He immediately fell to his knees.

“Your Majesty, forgive me—your subject never intended such a thing!”

After all, at least outwardly, he was still a vassal of the Shang Dynasty and could not afford any transgressions.

“Then why have the troops of Chong City remained unmoved until now!” Jiang Yuan unleashed the tyrannical aura granted by the system.

“Ding! Host publicly flies into a rage and rebukes the Northern Marquis, in accordance with a tyrant’s conduct—reward: 16 Tyrant Value. Current Tyrant Value: 36. Tyrant’s Dread activated!”

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan’s anger eased somewhat. So venting his temper could feel this good! He could scold people and gain Tyrant Value—if only it weren’t so little, he’d consider berating his ministers in court every day, if his voice could take it.

Of course, he knew this was unrealistic; doing so would only further erode the unity of the Shang Dynasty.

But what was this Tyrant’s Dread?

Tyrant’s Dread: The awe of a tyrant. Those who are rebuked will feel fear in their hearts! The stronger the host, the more overwhelming the terror!

For a moment, everyone present felt as though an ancient, savage beast stood before them, raging and furious!

Even Zhang Kui was secretly amazed. Although the king’s strength was not yet on par with his own, the king’s imposing presence was something he could never hope to possess.

This was the Emperor of Humanity! The Supreme of the Human Race!

Chong Houhu, struck by the aura, immediately realized the rumors were all false and that he had been utterly misled! He had thought himself beyond the king’s reach, commanding the northern lords, and that even if the king wanted to move against him, he’d have to consider the risk of rebellion.

He had planned to wait until the Shang Dynasty was truly falling before raising the flag of revolt, so that he could do so righteously, rather than let a foolish king plunge the people into misery.

But the king before him showed no sign of being hollowed out by indulgence—his eyes were bright, his presence terrifying, unlike anything Chong Houhu had ever seen from the king!

Chong Houhu’s mind raced, and he immediately submitted, “Your Majesty, forgive me! I had my reasons for acting as I did.”

His cultivation was much higher than Jiang Yuan’s, but the combined effect of imperial majesty and Tyrant’s Dread was not something he could ignore.

“Oh? What reasons? Speak, let me hear them.” Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, his voice cold and indifferent.