The Peerless Emperor (TPE)

Lin Qian, along with Lei Qian and Gao Benli, departed. After they left, Yu Wanli finally breathed a sigh of relief. When he turned around, however, he found Zhao Zhili and Yu Wanyu staring at him with expressions of disappointment.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Sure, he saved you, but who knows if there's something suspicious about him?" Yu Wanli shook his head and sighed. "You two are still too young. That guy named Qian Lin might not be trustworthy."

"Elder Brother, I don't think he's a spy from the Qin Dynasty. The ones chasing us revealed a lot of information," Yu Wanyu said with a sigh, before recounting in detail how she and Zhao Zhili had encountered Lin Qian.

After hearing his sister's account, Yu Wanli was stunned. "You're saying he crushed a fully armed yuan weapon with his bare hands, without using soul power?"

Not only was Yu Wanli shocked, but the other disciples from Triple Extremes Temple who had gathered around were equally astonished and gasped in disbelief.

Particularly after hearing the intel from the scar-faced man, Yu Wanli's expression grew more serious. "Alright, you two stay here and rest. The rest of you, come with me to check it out."

With that, Yu Wanli led the others cautiously to the location the scar-faced man had revealed. Concerned about potential ambushes, he sent the fastest disciple ahead to scout.

Not long after, Yu Wanyu saw her brother and the others return with bloodstains on their clothes, confirming that the scar-faced man had indeed been telling the truth.

"Even so, we can't rule out the possibility that this was all part of a ploy," Yu Wanli stubbornly shook his head when Zhao Zhili suggested bringing Lin Qian back.

Yu Wanyu, knowing her brother's stubborn nature, could only remain silent.

Meanwhile, Lin Qian, along with Lei Qian and Gao Benli, had reached another riverside spot within the watery forests of the two prefectures. There, they caught some soul beasts, started a fire, and began roasting them.

The crops cultivated in the Hua Xia Empire were designed based on Lin Qian's knowledge from his previous life, including spices like cumin and pepper. Lin Qian personally prepared the roasted fish, infusing it with flavors reminiscent of his past life, and the trio enjoyed the meal with great relish.

Lin Qian closed his eyes in contentment, savoring the familiar taste. Being able to enjoy food from his previous life in this world was a rare and precious experience. One of the things Lin Qian found most unsatisfactory about this world was how bland the food was—no seasoning, just throwing ingredients into a pot and calling it a dish!

While the watery forests were a battleground where the younger generation of the Qin Dynasty and the three factions clashed fiercely, the trio leisurely enjoyed their roasted fish by the riverside. If anyone had seen them, they would have been shocked.

"Ever since the boss introduced better food in Línhǎi Prefecture and Qǐshǐ Prefecture, I can't believe what we used to eat," Lei Qian said, tearing off a piece of crispy fish skin covered in chili powder and spices, a look of bliss on his face.

Gao Benli nodded vigorously. "Especially the snacks our junior brother came up with—those things called potato chips are simply delicious. Now, in Línhǎi Prefecture, a small bag of chips sells for five hundred mid-grade soul crystals. And that tofu pudding, with a bit of ground red chili powder, some scallions, and soy sauce—it's unforgettable!"

"Sweet tofu pudding is the best! Your way of eating it is disgusting!"

"What do you know? Salty and spicy is the way to go!"

"Shut up! Sweet is the real deal!"

"Kid, looks like you've grown guts in the past few days. Come on, let's settle this with a fight!"

"Bring it on! Just because you're the boss's senior brother doesn't mean I'm afraid of you!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lin Qian continued to leisurely eat his roasted fish, ignoring the purple lightning and golden sword light flashing around him. He silently mused, "Selling this stuff is really profitable. I originally intended to sell the chips for just ten low-grade soul crystals, just to test the market. I didn't expect the price to skyrocket."

As he thought of this, Lin Qian couldn't help but recall the person who started it all—Ye Xin. When he asked why she had raised the price, her answer left him both amused and exasperated.

"Xiaoqian, you're such a spendthrift. You were going to sell such a treasure for so little? I won't allow it."

Remembering how Ye Xin clung tightly to a large stash of chips, Lin Qian chuckled.

"Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—people in this world focus too much on cultivation. But these things are still fundamental. If used properly, they can generate immense wealth, which can then support cultivation," Lin Qian thought as he continued eating.

After enjoying their meal, it was time to get down to business.

The Qin Dynasty bordered five prefectures in the Southern Sea region, and the lower three prefectures shared a coastline with the Eastern Branch of the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe. However, this area had seen little activity from the Eastern Branch.

The Qin Dynasty hadn't paid much attention to this area, as they believed they had the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe's main branch pinned down, preventing any significant movements.

As for the Eastern Branch, the Qin Dynasty considered it insignificant and not worth worrying about. They had never bothered to send scouts into the seas, or they would have been shocked to discover enormous warships lying in wait beneath the ocean, shielded from the water by barriers.

These metallic warships of the Empire were like slumbering behemoths of war beneath the waves.

Inside the ships, the Empire's troops and War Beast Army were already prepared. The moment Lin Qian gave the order, the ships would rise from the sea, emerging from the waters off the coast of the three prefectures.

Following Yuán Xiáng's advice, Lin Qian had summoned the Hua Xia Army in advance and stationed them here, ensuring that it would appear as though the troops had come from elsewhere, rather than being conjured from thin air.

Danger now lurked right next to the Qin Dynasty, yet they remained blissfully unaware.

The Qin Dynasty would never have imagined that the small, insignificant country they so despised would deliver a blow they would never forget.

However, these forces were to be used only when the war truly erupted. For now, Lin Qian and his companions had other tasks to attend to.

"Your Majesty, I can hardly wait," Zhuge Ming's voice echoed in Lin Qian's mind, his tone filled with excitement. The head of the Ministry of Engineering couldn't contain his anticipation for seeing the enemy's despair when they were obliterated without even understanding what had happened.

As he thought of this, a cold glint flashed in Zhuge Ming's eyes. "Though the Ministry of Engineering doesn't fight like the Imperial Army or the War Beast Army, our true capabilities are not to be underestimated."