The soldiers looked at the ground, finding goblin corpses without heads, and further ahead—behind His Majesty—bodies with flesh so mangled and distorted that it was impossible to discern the cause of death. Did His Majesty... do all this alone? the soldiers wondered in silent awe.
Long Zai Tian looked at Bai Qi and smiled. System notifications had been flashing in his mind, but he had been too occupied with the goblins to check them. Now that he did, he understood the reason for Bai Qi delay. Bai Qi had already subdued Jean Village and rushed here, guided by either the goblins' screams or the people's cheers.
Bai Qi cupped his hands and bowed his head.
"Your Majesty, I salute you. I was delayed because I did not know the exact path and had to conduct reconnaissance rounds until I found the goblin village. It was void of soldiers, so I subdued it in five minutes and ran here within ten. I see that Your Majesty has already handled the situation, and all is well," Bai Qi said with a small, rare smile on his face.
"Yes, Bai Qi. Killing goblins is an easy task, especially with my new strength from cultivation."
"Well done, my Lord. I shall focus on training even harder to reach your level and protect Your Majesty from any danger," Bai Qi said with confidence and pride.
"Hmm, very good. Now, let us head back to the village first, and then we shall go to the goblin village to destroy it."
Long Zai Tian walked at the front, with Bai Qi by his side. The children were jumping around him, laughing. "My Lord, you were amazing! You protected us from the goblins so fiercely," said an 11-year-old boy, looking up at Long Zai Tian with eyes full of admiration.
"Hahaha, it is my duty," Long Zai Tian laughed. "Tell me, children, would you like to join me and the soldiers on a hunting trip?"
"Yes!" "Yes!" the children shouted with excitement.
"Very well, we shall all go hunting. Bai Qi, come here." Bai Qi approached gracefully. "At your command, Your Majesty," he said softly.
"Bai Qi, we are going hunting. Divide the soldiers: five in each group, accompanied by one child and two women. You will come with me along with four other soldiers, and I will take five children and five women with me."
"As you command, my Lord," Bai Qi replied. He began organizing the troops and gave the women the freedom to choose which group of five soldiers they wished to accompany. Once the division was complete, Long Zai Tian turned to the children around him and said, "Now, I will take five of you. Decide among yourselves how you will choose who comes with me..."
He spoke gently, but the children immediately began shouting and bickering over who would get to go with the Emperor. Seeing this, Long Zai Tian smiled and said, "Steady now, boys. We will draw lots so there is no fighting." The children turned to him and nodded in agreement, each one wishing to be the chosen one.
Long Zai Tian began the draw, selecting one name out of every three. After finishing, the ten boys whose names weren't called looked dejected. Long Zai Tian told them, "Do not be sad, boys. I will take you hunting with me in the future, do not worry." Hearing this, the ten boys brightened up and joined their assigned groups.
After the children's draw ended, Mei Lin approached the Emperor with great shyness. "Your Majesty... would you allow me to accompany you?" she asked, her head lowered and her hands nervously playing with her dress.
Long Zai Tian looked at her and smiled. "Mei Lin, you are more than welcome to come with us. I haven't rewarded you yet; we will speak of that later. Now, come, we are moving out." Mei Lin was overjoyed and quickly joined the Emperor's group.
The ten groups then dispersed into the forest, having agreed to return to the village in two hours. Long Zai Tian walked with Bai Qi, while Mei Lin kept shifting closer to him in secret, trying to stay by the Emperor's side. Long Zai Tian noticed this, smiled to himself, and continued his conversation with Bai Qi...
On their way, they spotted two deer grazing on the grass. Long Zai Tian and Bai Qi each drew a bow, aiming steadily at a target.
Twang!
The two arrows flew simultaneously, piercing the heads of both deer.
"Amazing!" "Magnificent!" the boys cheered, leaping toward the deer the moment they fell.
Long Zai Tian smiled and ordered two soldiers to carry the carcasses. As they finished their hunt and headed back to the village, they spent the walk engaged in friendly conversation. Half an hour later, they arrived at the village, where Long Zai Tian saw that some groups had already returned with a bountiful harvest.
"Alright, children, go play with the others," Long Zai Tian commanded. "And you, ladies, go prepare the tools to cook the food."
Li Si and Gao Yuan approached, accompanied by the elderly researchers. They cupped their hands and bowed. "A blessed conquest, Your Majesty. Everything in the village is in perfect order."
"Hmm, good. Welcome, Li Si," Long Zai Tian replied. Within another half hour, all the remaining groups had returned with their prey.
Everyone sat down to prepare the meal; it was truly a blessed and peaceful time. Joy filled the air as people chatted, and an hour later, the food was ready. As darkness fell, the residents gathered around a large central bonfire to eat.
Half an hour into the meal, Long Zai Tian stood up. All eyes turned toward him. Li Si asked, "To the Manor, my Lord?"
"No. I am going to Jean Village to destroy it. I will go alone, taking only Bai Qi with me," Long Zai Tian declared. He turned and, with Bai Qi by his side, vanished into the darkness of the forest.