Da Qin: Conquer all heavens and all realms

Chapter 378 The emperor travels far away, and the three princes keep the road

The moment Ying Zheng's figure disappeared from the Jiuxiao Cloud Palace, the entire Kingdom of Law, and even the entire known universe, seemed to have been paused.

The "sense of existence" emanating from his will, as warm and firm as a star, suddenly disappeared.

For the billions of creatures who had just been awakened and placed all their hopes and faith in him, this was like the sky falling and the earth collapsing.

"Your Majesty...where did Your Majesty go?"

Under the high platform, the ancient god of thunder who had just been enlightened was the first to sense that something was wrong.

He suddenly looked up at the empty Nine Cloud Palace. The enlightenment and excitement on his face were instantly replaced by a huge panic. He stretched out his hand, as if trying to grasp something, but only grasped a cold void.

Soon after, more beings began to notice the abnormality. Ying Zheng's will, like air and water, was everywhere, the cornerstone of their ability to remain "awake."

But now, this cornerstone has disappeared. A chilling feeling, originating from the depths of the soul and re-locked by the "Observer", surges over me again like a tide.

"No! This is impossible!" The mechanical lifeform issued a shrill electronic alarm. "The logic core shows that the 'anchor point' has been lost! We are being assimilated into the 'dream' again! Warning! Warning!"

Panic spread through the crowd like a plague. The thunderous cries of "Long Live the Emperor" just moments ago suddenly turned into hysterical chaos and wailing.

They were like drowning people who had just been pulled out of the water and saw the first ray of sunlight, but were pushed back into the bottomless dark sea by an invisible big hand.

"quiet!"

A loud shout, like thunder from the blue sky, exploded in the chaotic platform.

Meng Tian, ​​like a towering god of war, appeared on the platform. He wore black armor, wielding a tiger-headed dragon-shaped halberd. His eyes, like lightning, scanned the turbulent crowd below.

A pure and domineering evil spirit in the army swept out with him as the center, instantly suppressing all the commotion.

"Your Majesty may be gone, but the laws of the Empire remain! The Imperial cavalry remains!" Meng Tian's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty. "Your Majesty has pointed out the direction for us and paved the way! He has not abandoned us, but has opened up a truly 'real' future for us! If you waver at this moment, it would be the greatest betrayal of His Majesty!"

"Before leaving, Your Majesty issued a decree that Li Si, Wang Jian, and I will jointly govern the country!" Meng Tian declared loudly. "The laws of the empire remain unchanged, and the Daotai remains open! Anyone who attempts to take advantage of this opportunity to stir up trouble will become the public enemy of the empire and a sinner of the entire universe! My spear, Meng Tian, ​​recognizes no gods or demons, only Your Majesty's will and the laws of the empire! Whoever dares to disrupt will die!"

His words were simple, brutal, yet full of power. For these creatures, accustomed to being led by the strong, in this moment of panic and leaderlessness, a stronger, more unquestionable authority was exactly what they needed most.

The commotion in the crowd gradually subsided.

But the fear and uneasiness hidden in their hearts could not be easily erased. They looked up at Meng Tian, ​​their eyes full of awe, but also mixed with a hint of confusion.

This general can suppress the chaos, but he cannot answer their questions about "existence" like Ying Zheng could.

At this moment, Li Si, dressed in the prime minister's official robes, walked calmly onto the platform. He stood beside Meng Tian and bowed slightly to the myriad tribes below.

"Everyone, General Meng is absolutely right. Your Majesty's aspirations are the aspirations of the empire. Your Majesty's path is our path forward." Li Si's voice wasn't as overbearing as Meng Tian's, but it was full of reason and persuasiveness. "Your Majesty is going here to seek a root of truth for us, a source of existence. Until then, what we must do is safeguard the legacy Your Majesty left behind and spread the seeds of awakening to every corner of the universe."

"From today on, the 'Asking the Way Platform' will be renamed the 'Defending the Way Platform.' We are here not to 'ask the Way,' but to 'defend the Way.' Uphold Your Majesty's Way, the Way of Truth!" Li Si's eyes gleamed. "The Empire will dedicate all its resources to analyzing all the laws and texts Your Majesty left behind. We will systematize and theorize Your Majesty's philosophy of 'existence is meaning, choice is freedom,' and spread it throughout the heavens and myriad realms!"

"At the same time, the Imperial Iron Cavalry, led by Grand Marshal Bai Qi and Vice Marshal Wang Jian, will proactively attack. Our goal is no longer conquest, but liberation! We will destroy all Observer nodes and shatter all Dream cages, allowing all slumbering souls the opportunity to hear His Majesty's voice and see the true light!"

Li Si's words were like a shot of adrenaline, injecting a surge of confidence into the chaotic hearts of the myriad races. Unlike Ying Zheng, he didn't offer spiritual enlightenment, but instead provided a clear, actionable plan of action. Fear stems from the unknown; action is the best weapon against the unknown.

"Shou Daotai...liberation..." The creatures of all races chewed on these two words, and the confusion in their eyes was gradually replaced by a firm light.

Yes, His Majesty is gone, but His Majesty's will remains. His Majesty's cause needs them to complete it!

They are no longer lambs waiting to be saved, but warriors fighting for "truth"!

"We are willing to follow the Empire and uphold the truth! Liberate the heavens!" Another cry was heard. This time, the voice lacked the previous enthusiasm, but was filled with a heavy sense of responsibility and determination.

"Guard the Dao! Liberate the Heavens!"

"Guard the Dao! Liberate the Heavens!"

The calls once again converged into a torrent, but this time, it was no longer blind worship, but a legacy of belief.

Li Si and Meng Tian looked at each other and saw solemnity and determination in each other's eyes.

They knew what a heavy burden Ying Zheng had left behind, but they also knew they had no choice.