The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

The citizens of Yushui City, gathered to witness the scene, found it hard to believe their eyes. The young man, clad in a white robe, was the leader of this powerful army? Could someone so young truly command such formidable soldiers?

Among the crowd, Qi Yan, who watched Lin Qian walk along Yushui Avenue towards the City Lord's Mansion, tugged at his grandfather's sleeve and exclaimed, "Grandpa, it's the big brother..."

Before Qi Yan could finish his sentence, Qi Laohan covered his grandson's mouth, his expression serious. He leaned down and whispered, "From now on, never call out to him in front of others. Just pretend you don't know him. Only when you've grown strong through cultivation should you seek to repay him, understand?"

Qi Yan nodded in confusion, not understanding why his grandfather was instructing him this way. However, knowing that his grandfather would never lead him astray, he obediently replied, "I understand, Grandpa. I'll do as you say."

Hearing Qi Yan's response, Qi Laohan nodded in satisfaction. But as he looked at Lin Qian walking down Yushui Avenue, his eyes were filled with a mix of astonishment and concern.

Lin Qian had once told him that he would soon improve the lives of the Qin Dynasty's people, though Qi Laohan had thought it would take decades. Yet, Lin Qian's words had come true far sooner than expected. The day of change had indeed arrived swiftly.

Still, Qi Laohan couldn't help but worry. Would the soldiers under this young emperor truly be different from the city guards of the past? If these powerful soldiers were as corrupt as the former city guards, what hope would there be for the people? After all, these armored soldiers were far stronger and more ruthless in battle. If they behaved like the old city guards, wouldn't life become even more unbearable?

"No, it can't be," Qi Laohan muttered, shaking his head as he tried to dispel his fears. He recalled Lin Qian's kind smile and forced himself to believe that things would be different.

In fact, many of the onlookers shared Qi Laohan's concerns. As they watched the imperial soldiers, a flicker of anxiety crossed their faces.

Lin Qian continued his stride into the City Lord's Mansion, disappearing from the view of the city's residents. Meanwhile, the soldiers who had greeted him took to the skies, positioning themselves atop the tall city walls to maintain vigilance.

As Lin Qian entered the City Lord's Mansion, figures began to appear around him, seemingly out of thin air. They were none other than the scholars of the Ministry of Works. The core of the city's formation lay within the mansion, and Lin Qian needed the scholars to fully convert the formation to serve the Huaxia Empire, connecting it with the formations in Yunshui City and Bishui City.

When Lin Qian had sent troops under Lei Qian and Gao Benli, he had ensured that formation masters accompanied them.

Now that they had taken control of Yushui City, there was more to manage than just the formation. They had to take charge of everything in the city, including the welfare of its people.

As Lin Qian reviewed the records in the City Lord's Mansion, his brow furrowed deeply.

The tax rates in Yushui City were terrifying. It wasn't just a matter of taking 80%—the taxes were fixed. Each household was required to pay 50 lower-grade soul crystals every month, and anything beyond that was taxed at a staggering 80%. The reason for this oppressive tax was simply that the current Qin Emperor needed a vast amount of soul crystals to wage wars against neighboring forces, with no regard for the people's suffering.

Lin Qian couldn't help but think of Qi Laohan's son and daughter-in-law, who had been driven to their deaths by such extortion.

"This is truly evil," Lin Qian muttered sorrowfully as he finished reading the records. He could hardly believe the harsh conditions the city's residents had endured.

The City Lord's Mansion and the city guards wielded absolute power, killing with impunity and taking whatever they desired. Even during weddings, city guards could abduct the bride and have their way with her for a night.

"This world worships power far too much. Strength is valued above all else. People only think of advancing their cultivation, spending their free time in indulgence, without ever considering what they could do for their kin, for the common people," Lin Qian mused as he left the former City Lord's study and stood in the courtyard.

Those with strong cultivation never thought about the fear faced by villages in the mountains, where people lived in constant terror of soul beast attacks. They never bothered to clear the beasts from nearby areas.

With great power comes the responsibility to protect the weaker members of the human race, to shield them from the threat of other races, and to help them live better lives. Instead, the strong treated the common people as nothing more than livestock, feeding off them, drinking their blood.

As Lin Qian stood atop the highest platform of the City Lord's Mansion, looking out over the people of Yushui City, he made a solemn promise.

"Becoming a citizen of the Huaxia Empire means you will have the best life."

"Because the Huaxia Empire will be the strongest and the best, with the greatest power and the best way of life, an empire that others will envy and aspire to."

"I…" Lin Qian paused as if realizing something profound.

The Huaxia Empire was no longer just a fictional empire from his past life's game. The people living within the territory he had now conquered were no longer mere data following pre-programmed routines—they were real, flesh-and-blood human beings.

In front of close friends, perhaps he could simply refer to himself as "I." But in public, during official matters, the proper formalities had to be observed.

He needed to show those who followed him and those who would soon submit to him that he was not an ordinary person.

Lin Qian opened his eyes again, his voice now full of authority.

"I am your emperor!"

The people of Yushui City looked up at the young figure, and in their minds, they recalled the imposing presence of the soldiers who had entered the city with him. The aura emanating from this young man compelled them to kneel in submission. Voices rose from the crowd, echoing through the city.

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Tomorrow, I will have my officials verify the City Lord's records, comparing them with the taxes collected from you in the past. Whatever was unjustly taken will be returned to you. Starting tomorrow, bring your proof to the City Lord's Mansion to receive what is rightfully yours."

With that, Lin Qian descended from the highest platform and returned to the City Lord's Mansion.

The people of Yushui City were left in stunned silence, turning to one another in disbelief.

"Did I hear that right? Or am I dreaming?"

"Was that really what he said? Or am I just imagining things?"

It wasn't until the next day, when the citizens of Yushui City nervously went to the City Lord's Mansion and received their soul crystals, that tears of joy filled their eyes.

Some elderly people were so moved that they knelt before the scholars distributing the wealth, only to be helped up by the imperial soldiers maintaining order.

Qi Laohan, patiently waiting his turn in line, smiled as he watched.

"Yes, it's real. It's really happening."

Suddenly, in the sky above the City Lord's Mansion, formation energy gathered, forming a screen of soul power. On the bright yellow screen, a line of words appeared. When the citizens read the words, the entire city erupted in excitement.