Chapter 339 Putting the Knowledge of Dwarves to Good Use
Wang Jian stood before the heads of the three esteemed families: Liu Zhen, the head of the Liu Family; Xie Wen, the head of the Xie Family; and Hao Liang, the head of the Hao Family. Each family had a distinguished reputation in its respective field, and Wang Jian intended to leverage their expertise with the help of the four dwarves he had brought from the Northern States.
"Liu Zhen, Xie Wen, Hao Liang," Wang Jian began, addressing the leaders with a tone of authority. "I have brought something of immense value to our Empire, something that will undoubtedly elevate our capabilities to new heights." nOve-lb.1n
Liu Zhen, a middle-aged man with a scholarly air, spoke first. "My Emperor, we are honored by your presence. Please, share with us what you have brought."
Wang Jian gestured toward the four dwarves who stood nearby, their expressions a mixture of weariness and submission. "These are the four dwarves I captured during our journey in the Northern States. They possess advanced knowledge and expertise in various fields: smithery, alchemy, and array formation. I intend for your families to work with them, to learn from them and, in turn, to enhance our Empire's armory, alchemical creations, and array defenses."
Xie Wen, a wise-looking alchemist with a long, flowing beard, exchanged intrigued glances with the other heads of the families. "This is indeed a rare opportunity, my Emperor. We will do our utmost to make the most of this knowledge."
Hao Liang, a burly blacksmith with a rugged demeanor, nodded in agreement. "It will be a challenge, but a welcome one. Our Empire's military and defensive capabilities will be greatly bolstered."
Wang Jian's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I knew I could rely on your dedication. These dwarves were initially resistant to cooperation, but I persuaded them otherwise. Now, it's your task to extract their knowledge and incorporate it into our crafts."
Liu Zhen stepped forward, his scholarly demeanor evident. "My Emperor, we shall begin with the dwarves' expertise in array formations. I will assemble a team to work closely with them."
Xie Wen, ever the alchemist, added, "I will gather our finest alchemists to collaborate with the dwarves on improving our elixirs, potions, and pellets."
Hao Liang, the blacksmith, cracked his knuckles with enthusiasm. "And I will personally oversee the integration of their knowledge into our weaponry and armor."
Wang Jian smiled, his trust in the heads of the families unwavering. "Excellent. Your families are the backbone of our Empire's strength, and I know you will make the most of this opportunity. The dwarves will be housed in a specially prepared facility within your respective domains."
As they continued to discuss the details of this collaboration, the heads of the families exchanged ideas and plans. The prospect of working with the talented dwarves excited them, and they were determined to ensure that their crafts reached new heights.
As Wang Jian concluded his meeting with the three heads of the families, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The collaboration between his Empire and these esteemed families promised to bring about significant advancements in various fields, strengthening the Everlasting Mystical Empire as a whole. However, his thoughts soon shifted to a more personal matter, and he rose from his seat, excusing himself from the chamber.
Wang Jian made his way to a secluded office within the palace, designated for his Second Eldest Sister, Wang Ying. The tension between them was palpable, born from a history of animosity and the circumstances that had forced Wang Ying into her current role.
Wang Ying, with her sharp intellect and strong-willed nature, had once led a powerful faction within the Empire, fiercely opposing Wang Jian's ascent. Her faction had posed a significant threat to his rule, and to neutralize it, Wang Jian had resorted to a ruthless tactic – threatening her mother, Luo Qiu, the Second Queen of the Empire.
The memory of that chilling encounter still haunted Wang Ying. Wang Jian had cornered her by threatening to unleash his lustful desires on her mother and to rape her.
And the tragedy was that Wang Ying or even her mother could do nothing but to accept it. There was just no way to go against him.
She had no idea about her mother's secret relationship with him, a degenerate relationship where she willingly acquiesced to his desires, no matter how depraved.
The mere hint of this truth would have broken Wang Jian's resolve and pushed her to the brink of suicide. Well, fortunately she didn't know about it yet.
"Brother," Wang Ying said tersely as Wang Jian entered her office, her eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and fear.
Wang Jian closed the door behind him and regarded his Second Eldest Sister with a measure of detachment. "Wang Ying," he acknowledged, "I trust you have been diligently overseeing the matters of the clans and associations under your purview."
Wang Ying's lip curled in a bitter smile. "Of course, Brother, I've been dutifully carrying out your orders."
Wang Jian's expression remained impassive as he leaned against the office desk. "I am aware of your lingering resentment, Wang Ying. However, I want you to understand that my actions were necessary to maintain control over the Empire."
Wang Ying clenched her fists, her voice laced with anger. "You blackmailed me, threatened my mother... How can I ever forgive you?"
Wang Jian's gaze bore into hers. "I do not seek your forgiveness, Wang Ying, only your cooperation. Our Empire faces greater threats now, and I need your intelligence and capabilities to ensure our survival."
Wang Ying's shoulders tensed as she fought back tears. She had been forced into this situation, and her mother's continued safety depended on her compliance.
"Very well, Brother," she finally conceded, her voice strained. "I will continue to do what is required for the Empire's sake."
Wang Jian nodded, acknowledging her commitment. "That is all I ask, Wang Ying. Your loyalty to our family and our Empire must prevail above all else."
Their conversation hung heavy with the weight of unresolved tensions and the dark secrets that bound them.
Wang Jian's words dripped with malice as he recounted their shared journey with a wretched and depraved tone. "...It had been a bit difficult to control myself from pushing your mother, Luo Qiu, down and having my way with her while we were on that journey together, but I endured. This was because I trusted that you would accomplish the work on your end. And I guess I was right," he taunted, a sinister glint in his eyes. "It would have been quite convenient if you had been negligent. I could have indulged myself with your mother then."
Wang Ying's anger flared, her face contorted with rage. She saw through Wang Jian's vile intention, knowing he reveled in the frustration he caused her.
"That's enough," she hissed through gritted teeth. "You won't break me with your perverse words."
Wang Jian's grin widened, a grotesque reflection of his true nature. "Good. Remember this fact," he sneered, his tone laden with insinuation. "I might require someone to quench my desires in the coming days. And remember, I won't settle for anyone less beautiful than Miss Luo Qiu."
With those final, disturbing words, Wang Jian left, leaving Wang Ying seething with anger. She understood the implications all too well.
Wang Jian had essentially issued an unsettling demand: find a woman of equal or surpassing beauty to her own mother and send her to his chambers to satisfy his lust, or he would turn his attention to Luo Qiu. Wang Ying was aware that she was the only one who could rival her mother's beauty.
The realization sank in, and Wang Ying knew that her own brother was targeting her. He wanted to possess her, and the sinister intentions behind his words left her with a chilling sense of dread.
As Wang Jian left Wang Ying's office, his thoughts turned to the disturbing exchange he had just shared with his second sister. He knew he had planted the seeds of fear and uncertainty in her mind, and that delighted him. He enjoyed wielding power over those who had once looked down on him.
Meanwhile, in the vast Western Desert, a shocking event was unfolding. Jiang Chen, posing as the Emperor of the Bronze Mirage Empire under the guise of Theodoros, had successfully persuaded the other Western Desert Emperor to join the ongoing war in the Central Region.
Jiang Chen, an ancient devil recently unsealed, possessed a wealth of knowledge that no one else in this era could match. He alone held the key to weakening or destroying an Immortal Dominion. His current target was the Elemental Nexus Immortal Sanctuary, a daunting task that required a methodical approach.
Weakening an Immortal Dominion was not an instantaneous feat; it involved infusing it with foreign elemental laws, such as the devil laws, to gradually erode its power. Another method involved severing the connection between the Immortal Dominion and the Earth Vein from which it drew its strength. Once that connection was disrupted, the Immortal Dominion would rely on its own Immortal Qi, leaving it vulnerable to attack. Jiang Chen planned to exploit this strategy by targeting the Earth Vein to dismantle the Elemental Nexus Immortal Sanctuary.
As a Saint Realm expert with unparalleled experience and knowledge, Jiang Chen was confident in his plan's success. He was determined to bring down one of the Immortal Dominions for good.
