Chapter Nineteen: Words Become Law!

As Jiang Yuan departed from Mount Jin Heng, an air of supreme confidence naturally arose on his face, as if he regarded the world with disdain. He suddenly recalled those brainless novels he had read before transmigrating—stories like "The God of War Returns," where the protagonist finds his daughter living in a doghouse and, with a single command, mobilizes a hundred thousand soldiers. Now, he truly had the power to command a hundred thousand warriors to action at a word. This was the might of the Human Sovereign!

Outside Jin Heng Peak, Jiang Yuan’s expression remained composed and placid, while within, the sounds of slaughter thundered as rivers of blood flowed.

“Ding! Host has massacred the demon race, causing widespread suffering! Though this was a suppression, the demons had clearly lost the will and ability to rebel, yet the slaughter continued. Host is cold-hearted and utterly devoid of benevolence! Behavior aligns with that of a tyrant! Awarding 150 Tyrant Points! Current Tyrant Points: 396!”

A knowing smile crept onto Jiang Yuan’s lips at the system’s timely appearance. The serpent tribe’s rebellion was clearly incited by Ji Meng’s manipulation; Jiang Yuan was well aware of this. Yet, he had still exterminated all the rebellious demons, primarily for the sake of Tyrant Points, and secondarily to instill fear in the other demon clans.

From now on, should any northern barbarians among the demons contemplate rebellion, they would think twice about whether they could withstand Jiang Yuan’s wrath.

“Your Majesty, what is the cause of such happiness?” Daji, who sat beside Jiang Yuan atop the Amethyst Qilin, asked with a seductive charm.

Jiang Yuan chuckled softly and replied, “I am simply pleased that this world still bends to my will.”

Daji’s eyes dimmed at his words. If not for her, the Great Shang would not be beset by enemies on all sides as it was now.

“Your Majesty, I have wronged you…” Daji said apologetically, her heart heavy with guilt.

Jiang Yuan gently tapped her delicate nose and smiled, “Do I seem like the sort of man who blames women for his troubles?”

“But…” Daji knew well the schemes of the sages. No matter how strong and domineering Great Shang appeared now, to them, it was but a final flicker before extinction.

“No more of this,” Jiang Yuan interrupted her, confident and resolute. “Just watch as I restore the glory of my Great Shang!”

As the sun set in the west and dusk fell, the demon clans gathered at Jin Heng Peak were all slain by the soldiers of Shang. Only She Yu remained, standing alone in the distance.

Though he was inclined toward Shang, he was still of the demon race. To witness so many of his kin slaughtered before his eyes filled She Yu with terror. This King Zhou was even more terrifying than the Grand Tutor Wen of old—his very presence inspired dread.

He did not, like Wen Zhong, alternate between leniency and severity, but suppressed rebellion with thunderous force, displaying the cold-bloodedness of an emperor.

With the remnants of the demon race dealt with, the army assembled again in disciplined ranks, each soldier standing tall and proud, for they had achieved a decisive victory. Especially young Yin Jiao, whose head was held higher than all the rest. He had slain many demons in the battle and was eagerly awaiting Jiang Yuan’s praise.

Jiang Yuan merely glanced at Yin Jiao without further commendation; too much praise would only diminish its value and breed complacency in the boy.

“General Zhang, if I’m not mistaken, you are currently at the bottleneck of advancing to the Golden Immortal realm, aren’t you?” Jiang Yuan turned to Zhang Kui, who had just returned to report.

“Your Majesty has keen insight. I am now at the peak of True Immortal, only a step away from becoming a Golden Immortal,” Zhang Kui replied respectfully, somewhat surprised.

He could clearly sense that Jiang Yuan was himself at the Celestial Immortal realm, yet he was able to see through Zhang Kui’s cultivation. Between Celestial Immortal and True Immortal were still two major stages—Primordial Immortal and Profound Immortal!

“General Zhang, you have always been loyal to my Great Shang and came specifically to protect me this time. Is there any reward you desire?” Jiang Yuan smiled.

He held Zhang Kui in high regard—loyal and valiant.

“Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty. These are merely my duties as a subject of Great Shang,” Zhang Kui replied, deeply honored.

Jiang Yuan smiled and continued, “For such merit, reward is due. Since you have no particular wish for a reward, I shall decide for myself.”

Zhang Kui wisely did not refuse further; to do so would be to slight the king.

Jiang Yuan’s face bore a thoughtful look, as if pondering what reward to bestow, but in truth, he was communicating with the system.

“System, if I want to help Zhang Kui break through to the Golden Immortal realm, how many Tyrant Points will it cost?”

“One hundred and fifty Tyrant Points will suffice.”

“Damn it, I knew you, you conniving system, wouldn’t make it cheap!” Jiang Yuan cursed inwardly.

Still, the price was within his expectations, even lower than he had anticipated. After all, it was the Golden Immortal realm, but cursing the system was a pleasure he wouldn’t forgo!

Had Zhang Kui not already been at the peak of True Immortal, who knows how many more points it would have cost.

“So, does the host wish to proceed with the transaction?”

“Of course! Do it—help Zhang Kui break through to the Golden Immortal realm.”

“Ding! 150 Tyrant Points deducted successfully. The host may now help Zhang Kui advance to the Golden Immortal realm at any time! Current available Tyrant Points: 246!”

At the system’s confirmation, Jiang Yuan dismissed his thoughtful look and beckoned Zhang Kui forward.

“General Zhang, come before me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zhang Kui approached, and Jiang Yuan placed a hand on his shoulder. Instantly, the sovereign’s aura and the tyrant’s oppressive might surged forth.

“In the name of Heaven and as Human Sovereign, I bestow upon Zhang Kui the rank of Golden Immortal!”

Zhang Kui felt an ineffable power pour into his being. In that moment, his inner energy surged like a mighty torrent, and the bottleneck that had constrained him for so long shattered at the king’s decree.

This was the authority of the Human Sovereign—his word became law!

Zhang Kui, newly ascended to the Golden Immortal realm, was overwhelmed with emotion and knelt before Jiang Yuan.

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! For Great Shang, I would go through fire and water without hesitation!”

“Rise, General Zhang. It is because of your loyalty that you are thus rewarded. From now on, remain at my side and campaign with me. There is no need to return to guard Mianchi County—it may be a vital place, but to assign you there would be a waste of your talents,” Jiang Yuan said.

“I obey, Your Majesty!” Zhang Kui trembled with excitement.

He was moved to his core. He had long sensed that Great Shang was at the end of its strength, a dying giant, but now things were different. The king had regained his former ambition and, with such divine power on display, a return to Shang’s former glory was not impossible. His chance to achieve greatness had come!

Jiang Yuan, seeing Zhang Kui’s cultivation rise from the peak of True Immortal to Golden Immortal, was deeply satisfied. At last, he had a true master at his side.