"I am the Emperor of Yu Jing."

Just a moment ago, the young man with an arrogant face was now sitting on the high imperial throne, exuding the majesty of an emperor. Uther couldn't help but sigh. If he hadn't desperately stopped him just a dozen minutes ago, Qin Feng, who was standing calmly behind him, would have probably bear the crime of regicide. Although Qin Feng's mental state, as a sorcerer, should have been stable, she almost went berserk when they fell into a misunderstanding together with the emperor.

Such situations must be prevented in the future.

"I, Yang Jiye, have come to plead guilty." Yang Jiye knelt below the high platform. "I request punishment from Your Majesty."

Sigh, General Yang, this is the second time you have pleaded guilty today. Suppressing the urge to sarcastically comment, Uther decided to watch coldly. But upon careful consideration, General Yang Jiye was quite pitiful.

"General Yang," the young emperor asked, "are you guilty?"

He leaned against the magnificent throne, supporting his chin with one hand. It was the arrogance belonging to an emperor, but it didn't feel out of place on this young emperor.

"You are different from those useless trash," the emperor continued, "you defended Qingyang for forty-seven days. I saw it with my own eyes. Protecting the nation is the duty of a governor. What crime is there for a general like you?"

"Qingyang has been turned into ruins," Yang Jiye said, "I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

"Townships can be rebuilt even if they are destroyed," the emperor sat up slightly straighter, "but if the people are gone, even if it can be rebuilt, it would be meaningless. General Yang, you evacuated the sixty thousand residents of Qingyang at the beginning of the war, preserving the precious population of Yu Jing. 'People are the priority, state next, and the ruler is the lightest.' As long as the people are still here, Qingyang will not be destroyed." He paused for a moment, "So, General, you are not wrong. It is not you who was wrong, it is me."

Upon hearing this, sweat began to form on Yang Jiye's forehead.

"Lord Yang, as a veteran of the previous dynasty, commanding the three thousand elite Qingyang troops, I have to guard against you," the young emperor slowly descended from the throne, took a long sword from the eunuch's attendant. Uther could clearly see that the sword was glistening with cold light and was extremely sharp, probably capable of cutting off a head effortlessly. "However," the young emperor turned the blade around and sheathed the sword, "General Yang, you fought bravely in extremely unfavorable situations, defending Qingyang Island, fully demonstrating your loyalty to Yu Jing." He handed the sword to Yang Jiye, "From today onwards, I allow you to wear a sword in the hall!"

Yang Jiye bowed his head and took the emperor's sword with both hands. When he saw the exquisite decorations on the scabbard, he couldn't help but gasp. It was a Shangfang Sword, and there were only seven of them. Throughout the generations, emperors only bestowed them upon the individuals they trusted the most. Once the emperor passed away, the Shangfang Swords would be reclaimed. And now, he became the first person in the current dynasty to receive the sword. Before this, he was simply a border prefect guarding Qingyang.

"I swear to serve Your Majesty unto death." Yang Jiye knelt again, tears flowing from his eyes.

Beside him, Uther couldn't help but admire the scheming of this young emperor. Just a teenager, yet he managed to cleverly win over military warlords like Yang Jiye. Not to mention now, when there were less than a hundred remaining troops in Qingyang, Yang Jiye's position was precarious. And now, granting him a Shangfang Sword was akin to adding fuel to fire amidst the snow. Although Yang Jiye was talented, he was primarily a warrior, and being able to receive the emperor's sword was enough to make him swear loyalty unto death.

"Uther Nornheim." Suddenly called by name, Uther quickly snapped back to reality.

"Your Majesty," she maintained a humble demeanor, "what are your orders?"

"I have heard about your deeds with your adventurer, during the battle of Qingyang," the young emperor said, "you helped evacuate the last group of residents from Qingyang and brought much-needed supplies to the defenders. It can be said that if not for your shipments, General Yang would not have been able to hold on for forty-seven days. You have rendered a service to Yu Jing, so I want to reward you generously."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Uther bowed.

"Let me think," the young emperor pondered, supporting his chin with his hand, "how about you become my empress?"

"What?" Uther's mouth fell open in shock. Behind her, Qin Feng, dressed as a maid, emitted strong black magical fluctuations. Even the defensive barrier in the hall was activated.

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously," the young emperor showed a mischievous smile, "but after five years, when you grow into a beautiful lady, if you want to enter my harem, I can agree at any time." He shifted the conversation, "However, rewarding you with money and other mundane items would diminish my sincerity. I'm afraid you would not find them appealing. So... Grand Monitor, go fetch that thing.""Yes." The eunuch on the side bowed deeply and then left the hall.

After a moment, the eunuch returned, holding an object shaped like a stick, wrapped in black cloth. Yang Jiye looked curiously at the mysterious gift but couldn't tell what it was. However, Qin Feng and Uther could sense the magical reaction beneath the black cloth, their eyes filled with interest.

"This is a precious treasure I found in the royal treasury," the young emperor opened the cloth, revealing a silver magic staff in his hand. It was an exceptionally exquisite magical device, and its value could not be estimated solely by its heritage as a magical artifact. It was truly a priceless treasure. "In Yu Jing, no sorcerer can use this magical device." The emperor played with the staff, "Nobody can even activate it. How about a wager, Lord Uther Noinheim? If you can activate this magic staff, I will give it to you."

Faced with the temptation before him, Uther became cautious.

This bait is too enticing, there must be something fishy.

Could it be that the emperor has already investigated him and now presents the ancient magical staff as bait? What is his purpose?

Although the young emperor was still inexperienced, his motives were unfathomable. Uther felt the pressure.

"Please allow me to refuse," Uther smiled slightly. "Your Majesty, bringing out such a valuable ancient relic right away puts a merchant like me, who travels the four seas, at a disadvantage. It's better to be safe than sorry. 'The innocent need no defense, but one who holds a precious jewel in his hand is a sinner'. If someone sets their eyes on this magic staff, my Explorer will suffer."

A flicker of surprise flashed across the emperor's face.

Well, if it looks like a trap, why not just not jump into it? Uther turned the tables and seized back the initiative, putting the emperor in an awkward position.

"Do Miss Qin want to give it a try?" The emperor smiled and turned his gaze to Qin Feng, who had twice tried to kill him.

"Your servant is incapable, please forgive me, Your Majesty." Qin Feng elegantly apologized with a bow, her black hair falling gracefully down her shoulders, exuding allure.

While Uther firmly refused, Qin Feng understood her master's intention. Although the magic staff was a rare treasure, she had decided to serve the girl in front of her, and that meant they had to face the challenges together.

The young emperor smiled slightly and unexpectedly threw the staff towards Uther.

Instinctively, Uther reached out and caught the flying magic staff. As she grasped it, the magic circuits engraved on the mithril staff were activated, emitting a faint blue light. Even just gripping the staff activated it, unfolding the previously folded front layers to reveal a deep blue Sage Crystal. It was a high-grade material for magic staffs, and judging from its size, the staff itself was also of high quality. Though it hadn't reached the realm of perfection, it was still quite remarkable.

At the same time, the voice of Omniscient echoed in her mind. "Detected magic staff "Silver Moon," initiating tactical connection program."

Uther couldn't help but wryly smile. She lightly tapped the ground with the end of the staff, and a spell formation spread out under her feet. Dancing particles of light formed a white combat suit, replacing her previously strange but comfortable men's clothing.

The white combat suit was designed for mobility, resembling a military uniform. It had decorations similar to rank insignias on the collar and thin yet sturdy mithril armor on key areas such as the shoulders, wrists, and ankles. The only flaw was the airy short skirt, which had the risk of exposing too much. Fortunately, the back of the top was long enough, so it shouldn't be a problem, right? In an instant, Uther transformed from a half-grown tomboy into an elegant young girl. The aura emanating from her gave an indescribable sense of oppression.

"Silver Moon activation confirmed, system integration complete."

Looking at Uther fully armed, Qin Feng respectfully lowered her head. She deeply felt the immense difference in strength between herself and her master once again. Just by activating her combat form, a platinum-like magic power burst forth from Uther. It was an extremely pure magic power, even the most powerful sorcerer would struggle to match its sheer purity. And the total amount of this magic power seemed bottomless like an abyss.

Clap, clap, clap. The silent hall filled with the applause of the young emperor.

"Excellent," he smiled and looked at Uther. "Is this the charm of a Battle Mage? The ancient heritage seems to be more than just the appearance of a magical device.""How much do you know?" Uther looked up. "Your Majesty, the Emperor?"

"It was you who launched the magic satellite weapon, Hand of God, and heavily damaged the Federation's military supply base, Hundred-Eyed Giant, wasn't it?"

Uther flashed a charming smile and tilted his head slightly. "Who knows?"

"Why didn't you simply sink that ship?"

"Because it seemed like too much trouble," Uther gripped his staff, his white battle attire fluttering in the waves of magic power. "And I don't intend to excessively interfere with this world with my own power. Human history should be written by humans, not by me, who holds this absolute power as an outsider, existing on the border of realms."

"Interesting," the young Emperor walked towards Uther. "So, beautiful Battle Mage, can you do me a favor?"

"Tell me about it," Uther raised his gaze and looked into the eyes of the young man who was a head taller than him.

"Help me kill all the sorcerers in Jade City," whispered the young Emperor in Uther's ear, "leave none alive."

Upon hearing his words, Qin Feng, who stood behind Uther, trembled suddenly.

"Your Majesty," she spoke in a low voice, "is it because of this purpose that you granted me that spider-shaped mechanical familiar?"

"That's right," the young Emperor looked at Qin Feng, "if you want more, I can give you a better one, as long as you help Uther Nornheim annihilate all the sorcerers in Jade City."

"If the master wishes," Qin Feng did not immediately agree, "I will assist with all my strength."

She handed the final decision-making power over to Uther.

Uther, who was pushed to the forefront, felt his palm holding the magic staff sweating.

"Your Majesty," Yang Jiye, who had been standing by his side, came to his rescue, "I don't understand. The sorcerers possess the ancestral magic technology, the foundation of Jade City. Why do you want to annihilate them?"

"The reason is simple," the young Emperor lifted his hand and pointed towards the sky, "because those fools are planning to taint something they should never touch."

Uther followed his finger and looked at the white palace floating in the sky - Penglai.

"General Yang Jiye," the Emperor observed Uther's expression and gave a solemn command, "from today onwards, you will command the ten thousand Imperial Guards defending the capital. Apart from the three thousand troops guarding the Imperial City, all other forces are under your full command to assist Uther Nornheim in eliminating the rebels. No mistakes allowed."

"I will obey the command," Yang Jiye accepted the order.

This was like trying to put a square peg into a round hole! With a thud, Uther lightly tapped the ground with his magic staff. "Activate! Inherent Spell No. 666, Vlad's Thorn." In her tender yet imposing voice, dozens of blood-stained spears emerged from the rotating magical formation, filling the air in the grand hall in an instant.

In the face of the sinister and blood-stained spears, the eunuchs panicked and trembled. Yang Jiye gripped his sword and stood in front of the Emperor, while Qin Feng wore a faint smile and gently brushed her long hair aside. The initial intention of choosing this magic spell was not because of its destructive power, but its visual effect. The oppressive feeling the blood-stained spears gave was superior to others.

"Your Majesty," Uther stood with great dignity in the midst of the spear formation, "to be honest, I am a little angry now! No, very angry! Do you think you can simply lure the fish with bait? Do you think a small favor will make me obedient? If you believe that you can manipulate me with imperial techniques, I regret to inform you that it is impossible. But my main reason for anger is not because you are about to shamelessly use me, but the fact that you deliberately included the core of boundless hatred in the mechanical familiar you gave to Qin Feng earlier, right? To achieve your goals by any means necessary, I do not deny the correctness of such actions, but it is infuriating."

Uther snapped his fingers, and half of the blood-stained spears aimed towards the sides. Two of them shot towards seemingly empty spaces next to the red carpet, shattering the barrier like glass. In the place that was thought to be empty, dozens of Imperial Guards wielding heavy crossbows appeared. The arrows on their crossbows were inscribed with spells capable of piercing barriers, special equipment designed to deal with sorcerers. However, these weak barrier-piercing spells could only be the dreams of fools when it came to breaking through Uther's golden fortress.

The floating blood-stained spears in the air changed their direction again. Each archer was targeted by more than one spear, while the remaining half targeted the Emperor himself. The soldiers of the Imperial Guards took a heavy breath, realizing instinctively that their arrows would not be able to harm the young girl in front of them, while the blood-stained spears floating in the air could easily pierce them like kebabs.The overwhelming power gap almost crushed these professional soldiers.

"Captain Noinheim," Yang Jiye nervously gripped the hilt of his sword, but did not draw it. "Please reconsider. If you cause havoc here, it will lead to a full-scale war between the Empire and Jade Capital."

"So what?" Uther sneered. "It's not difficult for me to use the Hand of God to sink all the Jade Capital Floating Islands. Being enemies with the world doesn't mean I can't win." This casual remark completely shook everyone present. Each person realized clearly that the beautiful girl in front of them, who didn't seem like a person of this world, was actually an unfathomable monster.

"Everyone, withdraw. I don't want to see anyone bleeding here," the young emperor waved his hand, and all the imperial soldiers holstered their weapons and walked out of the palace through the side door. Now, only the emperor himself remained in this grand palace. Yang Jiye, Uther, Qin Feng, and two eunuchs. "How should I negotiate with the world-destroying sorceress?" the young emperor walked towards Uther. "Or does the great Sorcerer King need me to show more sincerity first?"

"Firstly," Uther said, "I want you to apologize to Qin Feng."

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone froze.

"Your Majesty..." Qin Feng's voice trembled with surprise. "You don't have to..."

"What a joke!" Uther slammed the ground heavily with his magic staff. "This Emperor gave you a Mechanic Familiar that had been tampered with, nearly causing you to kill yourself. Shouldn't she apologize?"

"This..." Qin Feng was at a loss for words. "Actually, I don't have any complaints..."

"Since you are my subordinate, hold your head up high." Uther said. "From the moment you put on this outfit and boarded the Adventurer, you stopped being a sorcerer of Jade Capital and became my subordinate, Uther Noinheim. You have no further relation to Jade Capital. You are mine, a valuable crew member of the Adventurer. Understand?"

"Yes," Qin Feng bowed deeply again. "My Lord."

"Now," Uther's sharp gaze fell on the emperor. "Apologize to me, with sincerity."

Yang Jiye couldn't help but smile wryly. But to his surprise, the young emperor sincerely lowered his head. "Miss Qin, I'm sorry."

At that moment, Yang Jiye felt like his eyeballs were about to fall out.

"That's about right," Uther snapped his fingers, and the blood-stained spear floating behind him turned into particles of light, alleviating the tense atmosphere. "I am a merchant, not an assassin or a mercenary. So, let's proceed with the trade, Your Majesty."

"Noinheim," the young emperor retracted his arrogance. "I hope you can eliminate all the sorcerers of Jade Capital."

"So, what's the price?" Uther sneered. "What do I get?"

"I am willing to share Jade Capital with you," the emperor said earnestly.

"Stop, we won't discuss that." Uther raised his hand to stop him from continuing. You still want me to become your Empress? I won't fall for that plan.

A startled expression suddenly appeared on the young emperor's face, but the black magical energy fluctuations burst out forcefully from Qin Feng again, without any hesitation.

"That's enough joking," Uther hurriedly intervened. "Unfortunately, I have no interest in such worldly things. If I want territory and power, I can take it myself. Do I need you to give it to me?"

"In that case, Uther Noinheim," the emperor asked, "do I have what you want?"

"Of course," Uther smiled slightly. "If I didn't, why would I bother trading with you? Everything comes with a price, and the annihilation of Jade Capital sorcerers can only be done by me, and my price is high."

"I'd like to hear the details."

"Emperor of Jade Capital," Uther said seriously, "what I am asking for is the path to Penglai."

The young emperor's face was instantly filled with astonishment, but after a moment, he nodded. "I will grant your request."

"Additionally, I want one more Mechanic Familiar," Uther glanced at Qin Feng behind him. "But this time, don't do anything to it. I will inspect it carefully, understand?"

"Okay." The emperor nodded again. "I will prepare the best one for you."One hour later, Uther, satisfied, took Qin Feng, whom he had acquired as a new mechanical servant, and left. In the great hall, only Yang Jiye and two eunuchs remained. Yang Jiye suddenly noticed the young emperor gazing at Uther's beautiful figure and tightly clenching his fist.

"Your Majesty?" he asked.

"Uther Nornheim," the emperor said firmly to himself, "I must bring you into the harem. Only you are worthy of the queen's phoenix crown! Just wait and see, hehehe~"

Yang Jiye forced a bitter smile; the young emperor's wish was very dangerous.