Fantasy: Unparalleled Prince, Conquering the Heavens!
Chapter 131: National Sacrifice_1

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: National Sacrifice_1

News of the happenings within the imperial court quickly spread throughout the Qin Dynasty. The announcement of Emperor Qin’s abdication, in particular, struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving many dumbfounded!

What in the world is going on?

Why would Emperor Qin, in the prime of his life, choose to abdicate?

Countless people were puzzled. Some even speculated that the Crown Prince had staged a coup in pursuit of the throne, causing the people’s fondness for Qin Wudao to plummet.

"If he lacks respect for his parents, how can he bring peace to the country?" an old scholar, leaning on his cane, exclaimed furiously, his beard bristling.

The Qin Empire was a nation that traditionally valued filial piety. If Qin Wudao were to seize the throne through a coup, it would not only be considered illegitimate but would also incite public outrage.

Just as public outrage was intensifying, the Emperor issued a royal edict. It stated that the Crown Prince was intelligent and exceptionally capable, a skilled governor with great merit. Therefore, the Emperor was voluntarily abdicating to become Emperor Emeritus, intending to enter seclusion to pursue the Great Dao.

Upon hearing the edict’s contents, the populace calmed down, filled with regret for having misunderstood the Crown Prince.

This storm of sentiment arose and subsided quickly, much like the straightforward nature of the Old Qin people: to admit when wrong and promptly correct their mistakes.

「On the fourth day」

The Ministry of War released its statistics: in the recent war, 170,000 soldiers had perished, and 230,000 were gravely wounded. The losses were catastrophic.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Revenue is preparing the bereavement pensions. They will all be distributed to the families of the martyrs within the next two months!" Li Si reported sternly in the East Palace, his face etched with sorrow.

These cold numbers represented vibrant lives, each with a once-happy family, a wonderful life, and a future full of promise.

But because of the war, their families were shattered, their lives cut short, and all their aspirations turned to regret. It was a tragedy, a harbinger of grief for countless people.

"The court must strictly regulate the distribution of the bereavement pensions and ensure that they reach the families of the martyrs. If anyone dares to misappropriate these funds, their three familial clans will be exterminated!" Qin Wudao narrowed his eyes, unleashing a potent murderous aura that instantly caused the temperature in the hall to plummet.

Wealth corrupts the heart. He knew some would undoubtedly act unscrupulously; only by employing severe punishments could such wicked tendencies be curbed.

Li Si nodded with firm determination.

"By the way, how are the preparations for the state funeral?" Qin Wudao continued to ask, his majestic aura filling the great hall.

"Your Highness, the court has designated a valley, two hundred miles west of the Imperial Capital, as the martyrs’ cemetery. The Ministry of Works has mobilized over three thousand master artisans who are working day and night to carve the inscriptions, ensuring the heroic names of the martyrs are immortalized for generations!" Li Si replied respectfully.

Qin Wudao nodded with satisfaction; he was holding this state funeral precisely to enhance the honor accorded to soldiers.

「Four more days passed.」

Perhaps even the heavens sensed the somberness of the day. Dark, oppressive clouds blanketed the earth, obscuring the sun. A fine, ceaseless rain fell, accompanied by a biting wind that stirred a deep sorrow within people’s hearts.

At the first light of dawn, Qin Wudao led all civil and military officials out of the city, proceeding westward. Along the road, many commoners followed, their faces etched with grief.

These were the families of the fallen soldiers.

Four hours later, the procession arrived before a valley. Before them lay a boundless cemetery. At its forefront stood hundreds of steles, densely inscribed with names.

In the center of the cemetery stood a colossal stele, bearing a line of golden inscription:

Heroes Who Died Defending Their Home and Country: Eternal Glory!

These mere fourteen characters struck a chord in every heart, kindling an inexplicable sense of reverence. A silent cry echoed in their minds: These are heroes! These are heroes!

"Heroes of the Qin Dynasty, I, representing the nation, am here to bid you a final farewell. The great war has ended, and our Qin Dynasty is safe. Your sacrifices, I will engrave in my heart; the imperial court will engrave them in its heart; the nation will engrave them in its heart!"

"Rest assured, heroes, your families will be cared for by the nation. May you rest in peace and fare well on your journey!"

Qin Wudao stood before the stele, his eyes bloodshot. As he spoke, the rain intensified, the wind howled, and the heavens and earth grew dim, as if countless departed souls were passing through.

"Though the heroes have fallen, their spirit shall merge into the very lifeblood of the Qin Dynasty, indelible and eternal!"

"Salute!"

After Qin Wudao finished speaking, to the astonishment of all present, he performed a deep ninety-degree bow.

The Crown Prince of a nation, bowing to common soldiers, bowing to the dead!

Such a scene was unprecedented, truly earth-shattering.

A current of warmth flowed through the hearts of the martyrs’ families, and their eyes, fixed on Qin Wudao, brimmed with gratitude.

Their loved ones had not died in vain!

"Salute!"

Since Qin Wudao had bowed, the officials naturally followed suit. Li Si shouted the command, and all civil and military officials bowed deeply in unison.

WHOOSH!

At that moment, a fierce gust of wind swept through, whipping up sand from the ground, obscuring everyone’s vision, and scattering the clouds above.

Three breaths later, Qin Wudao straightened, as did the officials.

A miraculous scene unfolded: the sky, moments before oppressively overcast, was now clear and vast. Warm sunlight spilled onto the earth, illuminating the puddles in the hollows, which glittered like countless gemstones.

Everyone, including Qin Wudao, was inwardly stunned. Was this a mere coincidence? Or a truly auspicious omen?

In the Great Radiance Domain, within the Sky Water Sect’s Patriarch Hall, all high-ranking members were assembled. The Second Elder, responsible for intelligence, stepped forward. His expression was solemn, yet tinged with surprise. "Sect Master, according to intelligence reports, the one who killed the Third Elder and Ninth Elder was Lv Bu of the Qin Empire!"

"Qin Empire?" Sect Master Blue Feather frowned upon hearing this and asked the assembly, "Have any of you heard of this Qin Empire?"

Many elders shook their heads; the name was entirely unfamiliar. They had utterly forgotten that the Qin Empire was the very power the Third and Ninth Elders had gone to with Wang Tiancheng.

Indeed, as a power from a King-level Dao Domain, they naturally disdained the surrounding Dao Domains, much less the Qin Empire, which merely held sway over one of the Nine Great Dao Domains. The name had barely registered before being completely dismissed from their minds.

"Sect Master, this Qin Empire is no simple matter," the Second Elder explained. "They possess three Saint-realm experts. Moreover, they recently unified the Nine Great Dao Domains and even slew the Impermanence Saint, who had broken through to the Great Saint Level."

What astonished him wasn’t that the Qin Empire had conquered the Nine Great Dao Domains, but their ability to kill a Great Saint Level Martial Artist.

One must understand, the Sky Water Sect’s own patriarch was merely at the Great Saint Level!

"What?"

Blue Feather and the assembled elders were visibly startled, their expressions turning grave. If a Great Saint Level Martial Artist was involved, the situation became exceedingly complex.

The entire Sky Water Sect had only one injured Great Saint Level Martial Artist, who had to remain within the sect to guard against incursions from the Fierce Tiger Sect. Besides him, only Sect Master Blue Feather and the First Elder were Mid-Saint Level Martial Artists.

Although the Qin Empire had only three Saints, their individual strength was formidable.

And while the Sky Water Sect boasted numerous Saints, it was not a given that they were capable of killing a Great Saint Level expert.