The *Nine Dragons' Anthem* began, and the atmosphere shifted instantly.
On the map, the small red dot representing Dragon Han's territory immediately began to expand outward, instantly dyeing the vast expanse south of the Great Wall crimson.
"The Empress personally led a campaign to sweep away 300,000 Xiongnu cavalry, capturing their royal court and taking 13,482 Xiongnu nobles as prisoners."
"The following spring, the renowned generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing each led an army in a pincer attack from the north and south, slaughtering another 80,000 Xiongnu and securing the Hexi Corridor, which now bordered the western frontier of the Central Continent."
"In the autumn of the seventh year, the Empress personally led 100,000 troops on a campaign against the Seven Southern Kingdoms. Her army swept through the land like a storm, annihilating the seven kingdoms in a single battle and annexing their territories into the Dragon Han Empire."
"In the winter of the eighth year, the Empress dispatched 60,000 troops on a snow-covered expedition to the west. In one battle, they annihilated thirteen nations led by Great Kang, expanding the Dragon Han Empire's dominion deep into the western territories."
"Year nine..."
"Year eleven..."
"Year thirteen..."
As the subtitles flashed across the screen, the Dragon Han Empire's territory on the map expanded at an almost cheat-like rate, dyeing vast swathes of the land red without showing any signs of slowing down.
"Holy shit! That's fucking awesome!"
"So the vast territories of our Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty were all conquered by Her Majesty the Empress!"
"This is so satisfying! I was so frustrated earlier, but now I finally feel vindicated!"
Thirty-two years later, six-tenths of the Central Domain's massive territory was a solid crimson, representing direct imperial control. The remaining area was a lighter shade of red, indicating the Dragon Han Empire's influence.
From then on, the Central Domain was dominated by a single power, and the Dragon Han Empire became the overlord of the entire land.
It also rose to become a first-tier nation among the Nine Realms of Immortal Martial Arts.
Song Yanran stared blankly at the scroll floating in the void, her heart filled with emotion.
She had never imagined she would have achieved such monumental feats in the shadows.
When she first acted, she hadn't thought so deeply. She merely wanted to prove to the world that she, as an Empress, could govern effectively and secure her throne.
Looking at Shen Zhao, Song Yanran's gaze grew even more tender and dreamy.
For the past half-month, Shen Zhao had been locked away in his room, tinkering with something. It turned out he had been meticulously planning such a grand strategy, one that would completely reverse the negative public opinion against her.
Whether in her past life or this one, it was this man who had saved her.
Yet...
As this thought crossed her mind, a pang of guilt surfaced in Song Yanran's heart.
In her past life, she hadn't realized until her death that Shen Zhao was Di Feijing. Otherwise, she would never have allowed Yu Xiyan to harm him even a little.
The Nine Dragons' Anthem, which had been established to commemorate the Empress's glorious achievements, gradually faded into silence.
Then, the scene of tribute from all nations once again unfolded before the eyes of all her subjects.
The grand panorama of the empire—a tapestry of prosperity and splendor—was displayed. The Empress, seated on her dragon throne, exuded calm dignity. Her heroic features were filled with imperial majesty as she accepted the worshipful tributes from envoys of all nations.
Simultaneously, subtitles reappeared. First, the words "Dragon Han Empire" materialized, then the characters for "Empire" vanished, transforming into "Celestial Dynasty."
The Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty now became synonymous with the Central Domain.
It also became the pride of countless citizens, representing the dignity of generations of people living in this nation.
The curtain fell on the Empress's military triumphs.
What followed was the era of civil governance.
A series of measures—such as constructing irrigation systems, reducing taxes, reforming the bureaucracy, promoting agriculture, establishing charitable institutions, organizing poetry gatherings, and abolishing forced labor—infused the nation with vitality.
The resplendent avenues of Yanhuang City, the poetic waterscapes of the South River region, the vast, boundless grasslands of the frontier, and the breathtaking natural wonders of the Northern Territory.
The Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty had become a beacon for its era.
As the final notes faded, the scroll slowly closed.
It had recounted the rise and fall of the land and illuminated the Empress's lifelong devotion.
By this point, even the most foolish of citizens knew they had wronged their sovereign.
*Slap!*
A street vendor suddenly struck himself hard across the face.
"I'm such a fucking bastard! How transcendent is Her Majesty the Empress, and I actually listened to rumors and slandered her in private? I deserve to die! I beg Your Majesty for punishment!"
With that, he knelt and kowtowed repeatedly toward Song Yanran, begging for forgiveness.
"Your Majesty, we are guilty!"
"We are guilty~~"
"We are guilty~~~"
Amidst the thunderous clamor, all the citizens who had witnessed the celestial scroll's revelation fell to their knees, sincerely seeking absolution from Song Yanran.
Witnessing this scene, Song Yanran felt her heart stir profoundly.
Her nose stung, and she felt a warmth trickle down her cheeks—a single tear.
"Empress, I've done everything I could. Are you satisfied?"
Not far away, Shen Zhao waved to Song Yanran with a smile.
"Thank you..."
Song Yanran turned back with a smile, her expression both coolly elegant and tenderly beautiful.
"That's all that matters. That's all that matters..."
Shen Zhao smiled with relief.
Suddenly, his face paled, and he clapped a hand over his mouth. A trickle of blood seeped through the cracks between his fingers.
"Shen Zhao! What's wrong?"
Song Yanran cried out in alarm, stepping forward to ask.
But before she could reach him, Shen Zhao quickly wiped the blood from his lips and shouted loudly, "Long live His Majesty the Empress!"
"Long live! Long live! May she live ten thousand years!"
The entire city roared in unison, their voices rising in a deafening wave that pierced the heavens.
Song Yanran understood Shen Zhao's meaning. She glanced at him with concern, then strode forward, spreading her arms to accept the people's adoration.
But Shen Zhao could no longer hold on. His vision blurred and faded as he collapsed to the ground.
Though he appeared unharmed, the forced absorption of Xuan Hao Hongye's Imperial Force through three powerful strikes had left his meridians riddled with hidden injuries.
Later, his battle with Darba, his journey to the Xiongnu, his final decisive strike against Xuan Hao Hongye, and the immense effort required to create the video restoring the Empress's dignity...
Over the past month, he had neglected to properly heal these injuries, relying solely on his iron will to suppress the wounds and delay their eruption.
Now, utterly exhausted both physically and mentally, Shen Zhao had reached his limit and finally collapsed.
*If only I could channel even a trace of spiritual energy... I wouldn't have to make such a fool of myself.*
With these final thoughts, Shen Zhao fell into a deep coma.
***
When he awoke again, he found himself in the imperial chambers of Weiyang Palace.
Ji Bingyan and Jun Yutian had been keeping vigil by his side these past few days. Seeing him awake now, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"My Lord, you're finally awake. It's been ten days. I was so afraid..." Ji Bingyan's eyes welled up with tears, clearly worried about Shen Zhao's condition.
Shen Zhao sat up and smiled faintly. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. There's no need to worry."
He then turned to Jun Yutian. "No need to ask. I've already eradicated all of Nine Nether's hidden bases in the Central Domain. I intended to bring Revered Moon before you for judgment, but when he heard he was to meet you, he was so terrified he died on the spot."
Shen Zhao nodded in understanding. Then, he suddenly asked, "Besides Nine Nether's men, have you seen anyone wearing a mask?"
"No," Jun Yutian replied truthfully.
"Ah, never mind. Go tell the Northern Territory Empress that I'm grateful for her help this time. Consider it a debt I owe her."
"Her Majesty asked me to bring you something," Jun Yutian said.
"What is it?"
"She said it would be best if you opened it yourself. We'll take our leave now."
Shen Zhao froze, utterly bewildered. *What is this? What's going on?*
Shen Zhao accepted the package and opened it.
Inside, he found a letter and a nearly transparent, pale yellow undergarment.
Confused, Shen Zhao unfolded the letter.
"Zhao Zhao..."
"Hiss~"
The moment he saw the salutation, Shen Zhao felt a shiver run down his spine.
*What the hell, Zhao Zhao? What did I ever do to you?*
Regaining his composure, he read on.
"Zhao Zhao, it has been several months since we parted at the Jade Cloud Immortal Palace, and I miss you dearly.
Every time I recall our intimate moments together, my heart flutters like a wild deer.
In the nights without you, I am left alone in my empty chamber, filled with melancholy.
If not for the burdens of state, I would have rushed to be by your side long ago, to banish this longing.
Knowing you are in the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty and have come to me with a request brings me some solace.
I trust you miss me as well. To ease your yearning, I have sent you this intimate garment, which Ji Bingyan personally removed when she came to see me that day.
It still carries my scent. Cherish it, and may we reunite soon to relive those precious nights.
With longing for Zhao Zhao,
Mu."
A faint lipstick print was affixed to the bottom.
Shen Zhao felt a wave of dizziness. As he stared at the words on the paper, his mind went blank, and he found himself involuntarily grabbing the bellyband and bringing it to his nose to sniff it.
Indeed, there was a faint, lingering fragrance.
*Holy shit!*
But the next moment, Shen Zhao jolted back to his senses and quickly threw the bellyband away.
*What am I doing?*
*I sniffed it! The hell, I actually sniffed it!*
In an instant, Shen Zhao felt completely toyed with by Mu Qiuyue.
He angrily activated the Southern Brightfire and reduced the letter to ashes.
Then he jumped off the bed and went to the bellyband, unleashing a frenzied assault.
Only after finally venting his frustration did Shen Zhao sit on the edge of the bed, his chest heaving as he glared at the shredded remains of the bellyband. His anger gradually subsided.
"No, to hell with calming down!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Shen Zhao charged back to the bellyband's remains and resumed his frenzied assault until his emotions finally stabilized.
"It seems I'll have to make a trip to the Northern Territory and force that demon Mu Qiuyue to face reality."
"No! You're not going!"
The moment he finished speaking, Song Yanran's voice rang out from outside the hall.
Song Yanran stood there, radiant and radiating the regal aura befitting an Empress.
"You are forbidden to seek out Mu Qiuyue! I will absolutely not allow you to go to the Northern Territory!"
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)