The summons came abruptly, the Queen Pan Lian orders delivered by a royal envoy at dawn. Lu Sang, fresh from his ascension, was to travel to the remote vilge of Xianlu to collect the overdue tithe—a task seemingly beneath his newfound stature but one that carried unspoken significance.

  Cao Suyin trailed him as they prepared to depart, her demeanor a mix of quiet defiance and reluctant curiosity. “A simple tithe collection? You, a Jing Emperor? Surely Pan Lian has more pressing tasks for her prized weapon,” she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

  Lu Sang’s gaze remained steady as he fastened his armor. “The Queen’s orders are not to be questioned. If she deems this important, then it is.”

  They set off with a small retinue of royal guards. The journey to Xianlu was uneventful at first, the countryside quiet and serene. Yet, there was an undercurrent of tension in the air, a sense that the task at hand was more than it appeared.

  Arrival at XianluThe vilge of Xianlu y nestled in a valley, its humble dwellings surrounded by fields of rice and millet. When Lu Sang and his entourage arrived, the vilgers greeted them with wary eyes. Children clung to their mothers, and elders whispered among themselves, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and resignation.

  The vilge elder, an aged man with a stooped posture and a weathered face, stepped forward. “My Lord, welcome to Xianlu. We are honored by your presence,” he said, bowing deeply.

  Lu Sang dismounted, his golden-bck aura faint but palpable, commanding reverence. “Elder, the tithe is overdue. You know the consequences of defiance.”

  The elder’s expression faltered. “My Lord, we do not defy the Empire. A drought ravaged our fields this year, and bandits took what little we had left. We beg for mercy.”

  Cao Suyin, watching from the sidelines, smirked. “Bandits? Convenient excuse. Perhaps the vilgers simply need to be… reminded of their duty.”

  Lu Sang shot her a warning gnce before addressing the elder. “Where are these bandits? Speak truthfully.”

  The elder hesitated before pointing toward the distant hills. “They hide in the Red Fang Caves. Their numbers are many, and they are led by a fearsome warrior.”

  Lu Sang’s eyes narrowed. “Fearsome or not, they have stolen from the Empire. Prepare a guide. We leave at once.”

  The Red Fang CavesThe journey to the bandits’ ir was grueling, the terrain rugged and unforgiving. As they approached the caves, Lu Sang ordered the guards to remain behind, taking only Cao Suyin and the guide.

  “Why not bring the whole retinue?” Cao Suyin asked, her tone skeptical.

  “A rge force will alert them,” Lu Sang replied. “This requires precision, not brute force.”

  The caves were dark and byrinthine, the air thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and damp earth. The bandits, numbering close to fifty, lounged carelessly, their confidence bolstered by their leader—a towering man cd in patchwork armor, his face scarred and his eyes alight with malice.

  “Who dares enter my domain?” the bandit leader bellowed as Lu Sang stepped into the firelight.

  Lu Sang’s response was swift and uncompromising. “I am General Lu Sang of the Empire. Surrender the stolen tithe, or face annihition.”

  The bandits ughed, their leader stepping forward with a massive axe slung over his shoulder. “You’ve walked into your grave, General.”

  The ensuing battle was brief but brutal. Lu Sang moved with a speed and precision that left the bandits no chance to react. His golden-bck aura fred as he dispatched them one by one, his strikes imbued with the power of his ascension. Cao Suyin watched from the shadows, her expression unreadable.

  When the dust settled, only the bandit leader remained. He dropped his axe, falling to his knees. “Mercy, my Lord! We were desperate…”

  Lu Sang’s gaze was cold. “Desperation is no excuse for defying the Empire.” With a single, decisive blow, he ended the man’s life.

  Justice and MercyReturning to Xianlu, Lu Sang brought with him the stolen goods and a grim message. The vilgers gathered in the square, their faces filled with trepidation.

  “The bandits are no more,” he announced. “But understand this: the Empire’s ws are absolute. Any future deys in the tithe will not be met with such leniency.”

  The elder bowed deeply, his voice trembling. “We are forever in your debt, my Lord. Xianlu will not forget your mercy.”

  As they departed the vilge, Cao Suyin broke her silence. “Mercy, you say? You’ve left them terrified.”

  “Fear ensures loyalty,” Lu Sang replied. “And loyalty ensures survival. The Empire cannot afford weakness.”

  Cao Suyin smirked, but there was a hint of respect in her eyes. “Perhaps you’re not as na?ve as I thought, General.”

  The journey back to the capital was quiet, the tension between them softened but not erased. Lu Sang’s thoughts lingered on the weight of his power and the responsibilities it carried. Pan Lian had entrusted him with the Empire’s future, and he would not fail.

  Lu Sang stood on the edge of the vilge then began making a outpost , overlooking the rolling pins that stretched into the horizon. The vilge below had opened their gates with little resistance , its elders agreeing to supply the tithe as commanded by the Fanism Empire. However, Lu Sang knew that compliance today did not guarantee loyalty tomorrow.

  He turned to his second-in-command, Captain Wei, a seasoned officer who had served alongside him in many campaigns. "Select 1,000 men from our forces," Lu Sang ordered. "They will remain here to fortify the outpost and ensure the vilge's continued cooperation. Ensure that the soldiers understand their mission—no unnecessary cruelty, but absolute control."

  Wei saluted sharply. "It will be done, General. I will also see to it that supplies are rationed carefully."

  Lu Sang nodded. "Good. The vilgers must see us as protectors, not oppressors. Their tithe will sustain the Empire, but their goodwill may one day be even more valuable."

  The soldiers began to unload supplies, constructing barracks and defensive structures under Wei's direction. Lu Sang inspected their progress briefly before mounting his horse. The journey back to the capital would be long, and Pan Lian would expect a report on the mission's success.

  Before departing, Lu Sang addressed the garrison. "You are the Empire's shield in this region. Your discipline and conduct will reflect on all of us. Serve with honor, and the Empire will reward you."

  The soldiers cheered, their morale bolstered by his words. Satisfied, Lu Sang turned his steed toward the road leading back to the capital.

  Return to the Capital

  The journey to the heart of the Fanism Empire was uneventful, but Lu Sang's thoughts were far from peaceful. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on him. The outpost was only a small piece of a rger strategy, and the challenges ahead were many.

  As the towering walls of the capital came into view, Lu Sang's carriage joined the steady flow of traders, nobles, and soldiers entering the city. The air buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the quiet pins he had just left.

  Upon reaching the pace, Lu Sang was immediately summoned to Pan Lian's throne room. The Queen sat in regal splendor, her gaze sharp and calcuting as always. She listened intently as Lu Sang recounted the events of the mission, her expression unreadable.

  "The outpost is established," Lu Sang concluded. "One thousand soldiers remain to secure the vilge and its tithe. The locals appear cooperative for now, but vigince will be required."

  Pan Lian nodded slowly. "You have done well, General. The tithe will strengthen our coffers, and the outpost will serve as a foothold in the region. However, this is only the beginning."

  Lu Sang inclined his head. "I understand, Your Majesty. What are your next commands?"

  A faint smile touched Pan Lian's lips. "Rest for now. You have earned it. But do not grow compcent. The Empire's enemies are always watching, waiting for any sign of weakness."

  Lu Sang bowed and left the throne room, his mind already turning to the tasks ahead. The capital might offer a brief respite, but he knew that peace was a luxury he could not afford for long. The Fanism Empire demanded unwavering vigince, and Lu Sang was determined to meet its expectations, no matter the cost.