Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 445: The Bloodline Curse, The Fate of Emperor Dajing_1

Emperor Jing was a bit flabbergasted as he looked at the soaring airships, the Steam Air Cannon, the Handheld Air Cannon, the Steam-powered Crossbow, and a series of other such inventions.

Has Dajing deviated from its course?

According to the records, shouldn't King Heaven Equivalent be utilizing cannons and bird guns based on Liu Kou's gunpowder? How did things change to this extent?

Indeed, after becoming a Spirit Master, King Heaven Equivalent has transformed into an even more outrageous version. Emperor Jing felt somewhat relieved at this point. Thanks to his efforts in reorganizing the Court and the Great Families, he was able to witness this upgraded King Heaven Equivalent.

The latter had not adopted the gunpowder-based approach but had instead innovated with a steam-oriented one. This likely related to his Spirit Law; rumor had it that he was aligned with the fire element, but now it seemed to be a combination of fire and water, thus creating steam.

As for gunpowder, Emperor Jing contemplated it for a moment before deciding to remind him later.

"Your Majesty, do you have any doubts?" Wang Linchi asked.

"Wang, you've trained this Iron Wing Army in just a month; that's truly amazing!" Emperor Jing marveled. He thought grandly, If Wang had asked for ten thousand men back then, wouldn't they have been able to sweep across all directions? It seems the likes of the southern Liu Kou and northern Hu Lu are hardly worthy opponents for this King Heaven Equivalent. He needs to unify the world for his talents to truly shine.

"This method is too burdensome for the populace and financially draining; it cannot be used extensively. If we wish to form another such unit, we will require financial support from the Northern Royal Court," Wang Linchi stated, opposing Emperor Jing's notion.

He inwardly rolled his eyes. This guy clearly has no grasp of the situation.

Given Dajing's national strength, their logistics simply couldn't keep up if more were demanded.

Waging war was all about logistics. Wang Linchi had three hundred airships, two hundred of which were designated for transport and supply. The daily fuel consumption alone represented a massive expenditure.

Each airship was equipped with a hundred Steam Air Cannons. To provide covering fire, they would have to fire continuously, meaning the fuel consumption would be relentless and non-stop.

Including regular soldiers, auxiliary troops, logistics personnel, and others, the total force numbered tens of thousands.

Three thousand were combat soldiers, the ones risking their lives. Others were certainly needed to manage various other duties.

It couldn't be just three thousand soldiers charging in, fighting, and then fighting their way back. They weren't NPCs or Players who needed nothing; they were living people.

Emperor Jing also understood and replied, "Your words make sense. In that case, please proceed with the campaign."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wang Linchi agreed, then turned and left.

A hundred airships departed first. The remaining airships would need to stagger their departures to facilitate resupply.

The first batch of airships naturally wouldn't travel at full speed but would maintain a speed of two hundred kilometers per hour. The subsequent airships would travel at full speed, forming a continuous supply line.

After Wang Linchi left, an official stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, such a mighty army, and without a supervising official from your side. If Sir Wang harbors any ill intent on this expedition..." He didn't finish his sentence, as Emperor Jing interrupted him.

"Trust those you employ; do not employ those you distrust." Emperor Jing was fully aware of King Heaven Equivalent's loyalty; why would he needlessly doubt him?

Between an individual whose name wasn't even recorded in the annals of history and a renowned Heroic Spirit from history, Emperor Jing naturally chose to trust the latter.

Even political rivals and enemies who had worked with King Heaven Equivalent for many years praised him unanimously. If I don't empower such a talent, and instead remain wary and restrictive towards him, how then can I elevate my own Heroic Spirit, this Emperor Jing, to the 'Unparalleled in the world' quality? Emperor Jing thought.

The official still seemed unwilling to concede, but upon seeing Emperor Jing's expression, he ultimately didn't dare to continue speaking.

"If there's nothing further, you are dismissed," Emperor Jing stated, then turned and departed.

Leaving behind the assembled court officials, who couldn't help but exchange glances. Murmurs rippled through them:

"The Emperor's trust in him is profound."

"This man has already become a formidable force; I fear we are no match for him."

"Such a favored, yet solitary minister... what weaknesses could he possibly have?"

A cacophony of voices rose and fell, eventually subsiding into a helpless silence.

Attempt to frame him and ruin his reputation? They feared his backlash.

As long as Wang Linchi pacified the Hu Lu and then turned to eliminate the Liu Kou, his prestige would be unparalleled.

If Emperor Jing hadn't placed such immense trust in Wang Linchi, they might have succeeded in provoking discord, leading to Wang Linchi's downfall by playing on the "achievements overshadowing the master" trope. Alas, with Emperor Jing's unwavering trust, there was simply no way to sow dissension.

This left them truly without options.

After listening to the report from the Imperial Guards, Emperor Jing scoffed.

"Make a note of them. We'll settle all accounts in due time," Emperor Jing sneered. Do they really think I'm the same Incompetent Emperor Jing from before? He wouldn't even know how to play a trump card destined for Green History, and would just let it go to waste!

He finally understood why the historical King Heaven Equivalent had died. It was undoubtedly due to the instigation and deliberate oppression by these Great Families.

The original King Heaven Equivalent, naturally, did not have such favorable conditions.

The Imperial Guards silently noted down the list of names. These people were doomed. Previously, Emperor Jing might not have cared about such talk. But now that he was planning to revitalize Dajing and already had his chosen candidate, their continued slander was gravely provoking him.

"Your Majesty, this involves the South Zhang North Kong and the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes. Should we..." one of the Imperial Guards carefully reminded him.

"Just note it down for now." Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing felt a headache coming on.

He was not one of the Hu Lu. His foundation was already deeply entangled with the Great Families. Therefore, he couldn't just initiate a massacre as the Hu Lu did when they invaded, slaughtering until these Great Families knelt in submission.

If he truly made such a move, Dajing itself would suffer grievous harm.

Although he already possessed the trump card that was King Heaven Equivalent, this card had only just come into his hand. To exert its full influence, it needed to establish roots within the Court.

Moreover, the current King Heaven Equivalent was still too young. Being a capable fighter didn't necessarily mean he was adept at politics.

He needed ample time for this trump card to become the unwavering pillar of Dajing.

"You may leave," Emperor Jing ordered, dismissing the Imperial Guard.

After the Imperial Guard left, only Emperor Jing remained in the Imperial Study Room.

COUGH.

When alone, he coughed up some black blood.

The bloodline issue of the Dajing Royal Family still cannot be resolved. A touch of helplessness graced Emperor Jing's face.

His previous simulations had all ended due to this bloodline issue.

When Dajing was founded, Taizu rose from humble beginnings and, as Emperor, sealed away the last Devil. Unfortunately, this left behind a hidden affliction.

It caused more talented emperors to have shorter lifespans, a curse akin to one tied to the bloodline.

Thus, in Dajing's two-hundred-year dynasty, twenty-one emperors had reigned. The only emperor with longevity was the incompetent ruler he had replaced.

It's difficult to resolve the repercussions from the Devil. I have at most one year left, Emperor Jing quickly assessed his remaining lifespan.

He had once sought the power of monks to further suppress it.

However, no trace of them was ever found. The only clue had been in Zhenhai City, but that too vanished inexplicably, with no news to this day.

The Devil's curse afflicted the emperors of Dajing, causing their short lifespans. Other members of the Royal Family would not suffer this curse as long as they didn't ascend the throne.

In later times, this curse naturally vanished.

Because Dajing perished when the Hu Lu invaded, no one could become emperor, so naturally, the curse ceased to exist.

Thus, the curse was broken.

I need to quickly adopt a son from the Royal Family and establish him as crown prince. Preferably someone mediocre and willing to delegate power; only then can he best cooperate with King Heaven Equivalent, Emperor Jing began to plan for the future.

Still, I am so unwilling.

Emperor Jing sighed helplessly. If it weren't for the curse, he, of course, would much prefer to claim this glory for himself.

...

"Li Command Envoy, I didn't expect you to be so high-ranking," Wang Linchi teased, looking at Old Li.

The other party couldn't help but give a bitter smile. "If we're talking about high status and power, I'm certainly not comparable to Sir Wang. My role as a shop owner was a false identity, but Sir Wang's background as a Doctor is genuine."

"In just over a year, you've risen to become a first-rank great official. When I see you, I must bow and pay my respects."

Li Command Envoy's real name was Li Zheng. He hadn't paid much attention to Wang Linchi before, as Wang Linchi was merely a minor figure. Unexpectedly, Wang Linchi had become his superior before he even realized it.

Of course, this was related to his having been marginalized by Emperor Jing. A large volume of intelligence bypassed him and went directly to Emperor Jing, so he naturally knew nothing of Wang Linchi's situation.

It wasn't until Wang Linchi became the Number One Scholar, and Li Zheng heard he had achieved the 'triple first,' that he finally recognized him.

"No matter. We'll be working together from now on. You must manage the intelligence dissemination from the Imperial Guards well. There will be reports of victory every day from now on," Wang Linchi said with a smile.

"When it comes to marching and fighting, my Imperial Guards cannot compare to your Iron Wing Army. But in relaying intelligence, if we claim to be second, no one would dare claim to be first," Li Zheng declared without hesitation.

He had been reduced to a mere messenger due to his lack of real power, but the capabilities of his subordinates in the Imperial Guards had not diminished.

"That's good." After speaking, Wang Linchi gazed into the distance. The speed of the airships, in this era of low martial arts, was exceptionally fast—several times faster than those prized steeds said to travel a thousand li in a day.