I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1199 The Future of the Empire (5K5)

Under the dazzling sunlight, Su Yao floated in mid-air, feeling the surging new power within his body.

It wasn't just a return to the system; it was more like a leap to a higher level of life. His senses became incredibly sharp, allowing him to clearly "see" the energy flowing in the air and even perceive the pulse of every life in the city beneath his feet.

Below, as the violent energy turbulence subsided, Lü Bu, Guan Yu, and the others rushed into the temple, reaching the now-ruined central hall. They looked at Su Yao, who was suspended in mid-air, their eyes filled with awe and excitement.

"Your Majesty! Are you...are you alright?!" Lü Bu's voice boomed, filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Su Yao landed slowly, the golden light flowing around him gradually receding. He smiled slightly and said, "I have never felt so good."

His gaze swept over the crowd, noticing their wounds and exhaustion, but even more so their exhilaration at surviving the ordeal and their unwavering loyalty to him.

“Those demons…” Zhao Yun looked around warily, gripping his silver spear tightly.

“They’ve vanished into thin air,” Su Yao said calmly, his gaze falling on the spot where the “Anchor of Time and Space” had once hovered, where only a charred, shallow pit remained. “They, along with their sinister artifacts, have turned into the dust of history.”

Just then, the system notification sounded again, carrying an unusual fluctuation:

[Special reward unlocked!]

[Location coordinates obtained: "Garden of the Throne"]

[Note: The location of the world's regulator has been revealed to you. Please carefully consider your next move.]

Su Yao's pupils contracted slightly.

An extremely complex flow of information, containing the coordinates of time and space, accompanied by a blurry yet awe-inspiring star map, was directly imprinted deep within Su Yao's mind. It was not a location in the conventional sense, but a mysterious palace that transcended the dimensions of the current world and floated in the endless void.

"The Court of Gods"... The World's Overseer...

So that's how it is. The "master" those black-robed people spoke of is the "overseer" of this world? And he, the "fire thief," this "erroneous existence," is seen as a target that must be eliminated because of the system.

Now that he has destroyed the other party's "anchor of time and space," the system has directly given him the other party's "coordinates" as a reward.

Is this encouraging him... to go straight for the enemy's heart?

"Your Majesty?" Zhang Liao noticed the subtle change in Su Yao's eyes, stepped forward, and asked in a low voice.

Su Yao withdrew his gaze from the void, a golden light flashing and disappearing in an instant, a slight smile curving his lips: "It's alright, it's just... I finally know whose territory to smash up."

He took a deep breath, glanced at the 50,000 experience points in the system and the "Book of Ascension" that was emitting a hazy glow, and suppressed the urge to immediately settle the score.

It's not time yet.

With just a virtual coordinate, he couldn't possibly reach that place now. The "Garden of the Gods" didn't feel physically distant to him; rather, it existed on a higher dimensional level, inaccessible by ordinary means.

"It seems that only by thoroughly digesting this 'Book of Ascension' can one truly be qualified to step into that realm," Su Yao realized.

He turned to the generals beside him and said loudly, "Rome has fallen, and the overall situation is initially settled. However, everything is in need of rebuilding. The subsequent tasks of appeasement and institutional establishment are numerous and complex, and we still need the strong support of all of you, my beloved ministers."

"We would gladly die ten thousand deaths!" Lü Bu, Guan Yu, and the others responded in unison, their voices resounding throughout the world.

The fall of Rome happened almost instantly.

Such a commotion atop the Capitoline Hill could not be kept secret. The earth-shattering golden pillar of light and the ensuing energy storm allowed the entire city of Rome to witness this miraculous event.

The smog that had lingered over the city for months was swept away, and under the dazzling sunlight, this polluted "eternal city" finally ushered in a new life.

The city's will to resist crumbled completely with the destruction of the symbolic, malevolent core and the return of sunlight. The surviving Roman defenders and citizens, who had been bewitched or driven by fear by the black-robed apostles' sorcery, now witnessed firsthand how the "divine protection" they relied on was shattered by the Eastern Emperor with even greater power, leaving them only with endless awe and submission.

As Su Yao, surrounded by fierce generals such as Lü Bu and Guan Yu, walked out of the ruined temple area, the surviving Roman soldiers laid down their weapons and knelt on the ground, not daring to look up at him. The citizens hid behind broken windows or in street corners, secretly observing this conqueror who seemed to have stepped out of mythology with eyes full of fear and curiosity.

"Issue my decree," Su Yao's calm voice resounded throughout the land, "Rome has fallen to the Han Dynasty, and the ringleader of the evil has been executed. From this moment forward, those who lay down their weapons will be spared death, while those who harass the people and plunder will be executed on the spot. The Emperor of the Han Dynasty, your benevolence spreads throughout the four seas; those who submit will prosper, and those who resist will perish!"

Su Yao's orders were quickly relayed. The sporadic fighting soon subsided, and the surviving elders and garrison commanders eventually gave up resistance, emerging trembling from their hiding places to surrender unconditionally to the Han army.

On the 22nd day of the 12th month of the sixth year of the Kaiyuan era, Rome, the Eternal City, was incorporated into Han territory.

Over the next few days, Su Yao remained at the former Roman palace (now a temporary residence), handling the myriad affairs arising from the conquest of a thousand-year-old imperial capital. Zhou Yu, Jia Xu, and others demonstrated exceptional administrative skills, quickly establishing a temporary governance structure, appeasing the elder nobles, stabilizing public sentiment, and beginning to integrate Rome into the Han Dynasty's ruling system.

During this period, Su Yao also formally received the Roman nobles who had surrendered, led by the remaining senators. Facing this emperor, whose aura was as deep as the sea and whose gaze seemed to penetrate the soul, these former rulers trembled with fear and swore allegiance. Su Yao employed a combination of kindness and severity, preserving some of the nobles' privileges but placing them under the supervision of Han officials, while simultaneously announcing a series of decrees aimed at restoring production and stabilizing society.

Meanwhile, news of Rome's fall, the slaying of the evil spirits, and the display of supreme divine power by the Eastern Emperor spread like wildfire throughout the Italian peninsula and further afield across Europe and North Africa. Upon hearing the news, the remaining Roman forces, still resisting, completely collapsed in morale, either surrendering at the first sign of trouble or scattering like birds and beasts. The advances of Guan Yu's army in North Africa and Cao Cao's army in the Balkans accelerated dramatically, and resistance became negligible.

The empire's territory is being consolidated and expanded at an unprecedented pace.

On this day, Su Yao was reviewing battle reports and government affairs briefings from various parties when he suddenly felt a sense of unease. He dismissed his attendants and went alone to the high terrace of the palace, gazing up at the star-studded night sky. The "Book of Ascension" in his hands emitted a warm glow; his recent studies had brought about a qualitative leap in his understanding of his own power and this world.

But the more he studied and researched, the more he realized his previous shallowness, and he also developed a strong interest in the origin of his power system.

It's not just about plundering through killing; the power of faith can also be transformed. In some aspects, it may even be more refined and immense.

In Rome, the power of faith originally dedicated to gods such as Jupiter and Mars, like a river without a master, began to flow towards Su Yao—the conqueror who performed miracles and ended darkness—as the old idols collapsed and the new order was established.

Su Yao closed his eyes, carefully experiencing this new sense of power. It was different from the direct and violent experience points gained from battlefield combat; it was a gentler, yet continuous stream, originating from complex emotions such as awe, gratitude, worship, and even fear, nourishing his soul and status.

He realized that this was precisely the essential resource he needed to advance to a higher level. It was also the fundamental reason why the world's overseer was so wary of him, even resorting to methods like the "Anchor of Time and Space" to eliminate him!

Because the world's resources are finite. His previous conquests relied heavily on the "killing" mechanism provided by the system, using war to sustain himself and rapidly improve. While this method was undoubtedly swift, it also bore the strong mark of an "outsider," making him vulnerable to rejection and targeting by the rules of this world. "The power of faith," or "the power of will," or "luck," however, is rooted in the world itself, originating from the most fundamental forces within the hearts of billions of living beings. It is the foundation upon which the world's rules are constructed and the divine status is sustained!

The source of that "Regulator's" power is likely built upon his control over the faith and fortune accumulated over the long course of this world. Su Yao's appearance not only challenges this order with force but also subtly begins to divert and even seize the faith that should belong to the "Regulator"! Especially after he began his westward expedition, his theocratic rule and tacit approval of numerous religions venerating him as their sage effectively severed his influence and usurped his fortune!
Based on the principle that he should do the things that the enemy doesn't want him to do, Su Yao had already made up his mind.

He slowly opened his eyes, golden light swirling within them, as if reflecting the entire starry sky. He opened his palm, and the "Book of Ascension," radiating a hazy glow, floated above it, its pages moving without wind, emanating profound fluctuations.

"Since you desire faith, fortune, and power over this world..." Su Yao's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness, as if declaring to some unseen force:
"Then I shall contend with you!"

Su Yao had a vague feeling.

The so-called regulator never showed up in the end, instead sending three henchmen. This probably wasn't because it didn't value the issue, but rather because at that level, it was difficult for it to directly intervene in the specific affairs of the material world. Just as one cannot easily reach into a basin of water and precisely pick up a specific water molecule, the interference of a higher-dimensional being in a lower-dimensional world is inevitably subject to significant limitations imposed by the rules themselves, requiring the use of mediums like "anchor points" and enormous energy consumption.

This explains why the "anchor of spacetime" requires such a massive amount of blood and souls to power it—it is not only a source of power, but also the price of "dimensional reduction," a necessary sacrifice to forcibly and stably project high-dimensional power into the low-dimensional world.

Conversely, if one day I truly master this "Book of Ascension" and embark on the path of breaking through the void, will I still have a way to turn back and return to this world?
Based on his experience reading countless fantasy novels about cultivation, this kind of ascension often means a complete break from the mortal world. The ascendant will enter a higher dimension and will find it difficult to return easily.

This is probably why the system is advising users to choose carefully.

Go, or aren't you going?

Su Yao looked at the coordinates of the "Divine Throne Court" that the system had unlocked for him once again, and quickly made a decision.

There's absolutely nothing to hesitate about.

He loves this world, a world with his brothers, women, and children.

Therefore, he absolutely could not allow a being harboring deep hostility towards him to manipulate the fate of all beings like a chess piece, or even bring about annihilation at any moment. This time it was the "anchor of time and space," but what about next time? He would never allow everything he cherished to live under the shadow of such a sword hanging over his head!

But at the same time, he couldn't just leave so easily.

With no certainty about whether he would ever return, he had to pave the way and lay a solid foundation for the newly reborn and rising Han Empire.

Therefore, in the following years, Su Yao slowed down the pace of large-scale military expansion and instead focused on consolidating domestic affairs and cultural integration. He established the "Western Protectorate" with Rome as its center, echoing Luoyang in the east.

Su Yao vigorously promoted the Sinicization policy, enfeoffing many of his sons to the distant west, emulating the Ming Dynasty's system of sending princes to govern regions, in order to consolidate the newly acquired territories.

Faced with his godlike power, Su Yao's sons were all honored with the title of "divine sons," becoming an important link between the Han Dynasty and the local area.

Every time a vassal king went to war, Su Yao would order a considerable number of soldiers and civilians to accompany him. These people carried the pride of the Han Dynasty, intermarried and lived among the locals, and spread Han culture far and wide.

At the same time, local elites flocked to the Imperial Academy, making it their lifelong pursuit to visit Luoyang and study at the Imperial University.

Economically, branches of the Imperial Bank were successively established in important cities such as Rome, Carthage, and Athens, and the credit system of the Great Han Treasure Notes linked to gold and silver was gradually accepted by the Western world. Mediterranean shipping and the western section of the Silk Road were completely opened up, and goods such as silk, porcelain, and tea from the East were exchanged with goods such as glass, gold and silver wares, and olive oil from the West on an unprecedented scale and frequency. The huge commercial profits, in turn, nourished this vast empire.

Militarily, Zhou Yu's Western Ocean Fleet completely wiped out pirates and the remnants of the Roman fleet in the Mediterranean, establishing absolute naval power. Cao Cao, Guan Yu, Lü Bu, and other generals were respectively stationed in the Balkans, North Africa, and Asia Minor, suppressing remaining resistance forces while simultaneously cultivating land and training troops, deeply rooting the military presence of the Han Dynasty in this land.

On the level of faith, Su Yao adopted a more subtle strategy. He did not forcibly abolish Rome's polytheistic beliefs, but rather guided them skillfully.

Su Yao tacitly approved of and even encouraged the common people to draw parallels and fusions between his image as "Emperor Su Yao" and the traditional Roman "Invincible Sun God Thor" or "God King Jupiter." Those soldiers and civilians who witnessed his "divine power" on the battlefield spontaneously became propagators of this new belief.

Gradually, within the vast territory of the empire, a new imperial belief began to quietly take shape, with the "Emperor" as the supreme ruler, integrating the Han culture's concept of "Mandate of Heaven" with certain characteristics of deities from Rome, Persia, India, and other places. This belief continuously gathered "faith power" from different races and cultural backgrounds for Su Yao.

Su Yao could clearly feel that this increasingly powerful force of faith was subtly transforming his body and soul, deepening his understanding of the Book of Ascension and making his control over his own power more refined.

He even began to try to guide this power, not for destruction, but for nourishment—under his intentional or unintentional guidance, the core area of ​​the empire enjoyed favorable weather year after year, with bumper harvests and even minor epidemics were quickly cured.

These "miracles" further consolidated his rule and accelerated the spread of the faith.

Whenever he rode Griffin around his vast territory, he could feel a great deal of power converging upon him.

A warm and powerful force converged from all directions. It was the farmer's gratitude at harvest time, the merchant's prayer upon safe arrival at port, the soldier's cheers upon triumph, and the prayer candle lit by a mother for her child on a long journey. These subtle emotions and beliefs, transcending racial and cultural barriers, ultimately flowed into his body, becoming part of his strength.

Of course, while Su Yao was absorbing more deeply into this world, the supervisor did not sit idly by.

Almost every one to two years, some strange religions emerge in the world with technologies or bizarre powers that are clearly out of step with the times, attempting to challenge the authority of the empire and shake Su Yao's rule.

In the eighth year of the Kaiyuan era, a zombie riot broke out in Egypt, with corpses roaming freely, as if the curse of the Pharaoh had reappeared.

In the tenth year of the Kaiyuan era, in Scandinavia, a cult worshipping the "World Serpent" Jormungandr quietly rose to power. They resided in an ice-bound temple deep within a fjord, claiming to have received the blessing of the "Breath of Extreme Cold," enabling them to summon blizzards and frost giants to attack the Empire's northern trade routes and post stations.

In the twelfth year of the Kaiyuan era, on the Central Asian steppes, a mysterious belief in the "Soul of the Blue Wolf" spread among nomadic tribes. Their shamans could summon phantom wolf packs, granting warriors astonishing speed and berserk power, constantly harassing caravans along the Silk Road.

In the eighteenth year of the Kaiyuan era, the enemy was even more formidable. The Americas, which should have been in a primitive society, had surprisingly developed an advanced civilization. They sent thousands of sailing ships and ironclad warships to land in Spain and launch a full-scale war against the European continent that would later be known as the "Sunset Invasion".

These invaders from the New World called themselves the chosen ones of the Aztec sun god. Their warriors were adorned with colorful feathers, yet wielded firearms no less powerful than the muskets of the Han Dynasty, and piloted ironclad warships far ahead of their time, unleashing fierce cannon fire.

Even more bizarrely, they seem to possess some kind of blood sacrifice sorcery, capable of summoning enormous feathered serpent phantoms on the battlefield, spewing corrosive poisonous mist, and even briefly distorting space, causing Han army artillery to miss their targets.

In this battle, Su Yao once again personally took action after a long absence.

However, with its overwhelming power, it took it three whole years to completely drive these enemies back into the sea.

The brutality of this "Sunset War" was beyond imagination. The Aztecs not only possessed bizarre witchcraft and advanced weaponry, but even more terrifying was their fearless fanaticism. Even when severely wounded, they would shout "Dedicate yourselves to the sun god!" and detonate explosives on their bodies to perish together with the Han army.

In postwar Europe, Spain and Britain were almost completely reduced to ashes, and the fertile plains of France were almost entirely deserted, littered with ruins and unburied corpses. The once bustling port cities of Barcelona and Marseille were now reduced to charred docks and stranded shipwrecks, where countless Han warriors, some familiar to Su Yao and others unfamiliar, perished in the war.

Enraged, Su Yao immediately launched a counterattack against these invaders.

The following year, during the decisive naval battle in the Gulf of Mexico, thunder roared and countless warships sank, their blood staining the sea red.

Su Yao personally led the Han navy to utterly destroy the Aztec main fleet with overwhelming force, and two months later completely destroyed their capital city, Tenochtitlan.

But Su Yao knew that this immediate retaliation could not solve the fundamental problem. As long as that "overseer" remained behind the scenes, similar tragedies would continue to be repeated around the world.

"it's time."

After returning to Luoyang, Su Yao spent a warm and peaceful time with his wives, including Wan Nian and Hong'er, before finally deciding to set off to completely end that persistent and haunting presence.

(End of this chapter)