Chapter 336: Since You’re Already Here, You Might as Well Be My Cannon Fodder

As the capital of the Yunhan Dynasty, the Celestial Sea Capital seemed rather desolate these days.

While the affair with the Insect People had little to do with ordinary folk, the spread of the plague most certainly affected them.

While not every home was draped in mourning, an air of desolation hung over the city.

Qi Suian observed all this, his expression never once changing.

He was, in fact, the culprit. But so what? ’If it weren’t for my Spiritual Root gene weapon, even more people would have died.’

After all, the plague targeted Spiritual Roots. Without it to stop them, the Spirit Root Race would have likely initiated their clan transformation ritual. Even those who weren’t turned into sacrifices would have become little more than livestock.

’If I fail, an early death would be a mercy for the common people, sparing them further torment.’

"Your Excellency, what are your impressions of the Celestial Sea Capital?" Luo Yu asked, clearly intending to make Qi Suian feel a pang of guilt.

"Quite nice. Very quiet," Qi Suian said, glancing at Luo Yu, completely unconcerned by his intentions.

Having survived this long, he had long since lost any capacity for empathy.

The slightest bit of compassion would have gotten him killed long ago.

"The Exorcism Order has been issued. Within three days, at most, everyone in the land will know of it."

"The remaining First-Grade Mages will arrive in an hour at most." Seeing that Qi Suian showed no emotional fluctuation whatsoever, Luo Yu knew the man’s heart was made of stone and impossible to move. He thus changed the subject.

"I know," Qi Suian said before asking, "And what of your Emperor’s condition?"

He hadn’t investigated the situation in person, and his reconnaissance network couldn’t get a read on it either. The target was being shielded by some sort of spatial technology.

The Tai Sui God currently lacked modules with the corresponding spatial capabilities, which was why the reconnaissance network came up empty.

Going himself wasn’t a safe bet either; he’d be easily detected. After all, his opponent was indeed far stronger than he was.

That meant Luo Yu was the one who had to do the scouting.

"I was unable to make contact, but I can confirm that the Immortal Spiritual Root’s corruption has likely deepened."

"If you don’t act soon, you will truly have to face an Immortal Mage," Luo Yu urged.

Qi Suian naturally knew what he was thinking. It was a simple ploy to get him to probe the situation before the others arrived.

After all, Qi Suian’s power far surpassed that of a normal First-Grade Mage; he was infinitely close to becoming an Immortal Mage himself.

However, Qi Suian rejected his proposal outright.

"And then what? I get discovered and have to fight an Immortal Mage all by myself?" Qi Suian said coldly.

’This guy puts on a respectful front, but he doesn’t respect me at all. He’s just trying to use me.’

’It’s only because I’m stronger than him that he’s not outright forcing me to be cannon fodder.’

Luo Yu was a First-Grade Mage from the Royal Family—the most powerful Mage Family in the world.

He saw human lives as no more than ants. Whether due to his upbringing or his education, he valued only the orthodoxy of the Yunhan Dynasty. To him, the common people were just a number, and even Mages were merely precious resources.

As long as those numbers and resources could be used for his purposes, he didn’t care about the sacrifices required.

In the past, this was never a problem, as the Royal Family’s power was immense.

Now, however, with their power in decline, his usual methods were thwarted by Qi Suian’s brute force. That was why he acted respectful while still scheming.

’This kind of situation is easy enough to solve. A few more good beatings, and he’ll stop this nonsense of paying lip service while his actions say otherwise.’

"If you can convince your Emperor to regain control of even half his body, I can make my move early. I wouldn’t need to wait for that group of First-Grade Mages to act as cannon fodder," Qi Suian said, not mincing his words.

Of course, he needed cannon fodder. How else was he supposed to buy time?

But Qi Suian’s bluntness made Luo Yu break out in a cold sweat.

Using First-Grade Mages as cannon fodder... the idea was simply too absurd.

"You can speak to me of... ’cannon fodder,’ Your Excellency, but please, do not mention it to them when they arrive," Luo Yu reminded him.

Anyone who could become a First-Grade Mage was, if not impossibly arrogant, at least a regional powerhouse in their own right.

If Qi Suian wanted to use them, he would have to at least keep up appearances.

That was Luo Yu’s line of thinking.

Qi Suian couldn’t be bothered with the political maneuvering of winning some over and suppressing others. He’d just use brute force.

Those who were willing could join. Those who weren’t would find out just how hard Qi Suian’s fists were.

The whole reason he went through such painful upgrades was so he wouldn’t have to play these political games with people like them.

"Don’t worry," Qi Suian said. "I have my ways."

"I guarantee I can persuade them." His tone was calm, but in his mind, he was already calculating how much force he’d need to beat them senseless without causing permanent brain damage.

Hearing this, Luo Yu felt slightly more at ease.

He hadn’t known Qi Suian for long, so his understanding of the man was extremely limited.

Still, he figured that a powerful expert like Qi Suian wouldn’t make empty boasts. He had his reputation to uphold, after all.

Unfortunately, he had overestimated Qi Suian’s capacity for restraint.

"The First-Grade Mages have arrived. I will go to greet them. I wonder, will Your Excellency rest in the hall or accompany me?" Luo Yu asked.

"You go. I’ll stay here." Qi Suian couldn’t be bothered. Besides, he needed to prepare a little show of force for these First-Grade Mages.

With that, he turned and headed into the palace behind him.

Upon entering, he brazenly took the main seat and then summoned Fei.

Fei coiled beside Qi Suian, its body radiating the greedy aura of a predator.

’This palace is too small. Otherwise, I’d have Fei fuse with the Mad Cathedral. Its body would be even bigger.’

’The deterrent effect would be better, too. A pity.’

’But it’s fine. Fei is just for show. The real armed coercion has to come from me.’ Qi Suian was only using Fei for a supporting role.

He couldn’t possibly rely on Fei alone.

’If they don’t know what’s good for them, I’ll just let Fei eat them.’

Qi Suian mused that if they didn’t cooperate, he’d give them a VIP seat in the Melting Furnace.

It would also prevent any bizarre complications from cropping up later.

’And what if they betray me halfway through, after being coerced with violence?’

’That’s simple too. I’ll just kill them.’

Qi Suian had already deployed his Floating Cannons. Before the operation began, he would also have his AI brain prep the launch silos. If anything went wrong, he would launch the intercontinental missiles immediately.

And then he would get the hell out of there.

He couldn’t actually fight an Immortal Mage to the death. Qi Suian knew he couldn’t win; his opponent was simply too strong.

No matter how much Qi Suian improved his own power, his upper limit was set. There was nothing to be done about it.

"AI Brain, run some more adjustments. See if there are any other ways to enhance the effect of this show of force," Qi Suian requested.

[Of course. You can...]

The AI brain provided a string of suggestions. After Qi Suian implemented them, the effect was indeed much stronger.

"They’re here. Get ready to give them a nasty surprise," Qi Suian instructed Fei.

A short while later, Luo Yu led a dozen or so First-Grade Mages into the hall.

They had been chatting and laughing, but they stopped abruptly.

They could all feel a suffocating pressure washing over them.

They felt like meat on a chopping block, liable to be minced at any moment.

"A fine show of force, Your Excellency, but you’re using it on the wrong people." A First-Grade Mage snorted. "We are here to help you eliminate a threat. If this is your attitude, then you have no sincerity at all."

But before he could finish his sentence, Qi Suian moved.

Moving at a speed none of the First-Grade Mages could follow, he was instantly in front of the one who had spoken, his hand clamped around the man’s skull.

"Help me? The great Mage Families and the Court rule this land together. If the Immortal Spiritual Root seizes your Emperor’s body, do you really think you’ll have it easy in the future?"

"I’m helping you goddamn idiots."

As he spoke, Qi Suian slammed the Mage’s head into the floor, the impact creating a massive crater in the palace ground.

"And what do I get for it? You morons aren’t just ungrateful, you don’t show me an ounce of respect."

With that, Qi Suian kicked the head of the First-Grade Mage, who was still embedded in the floor.

The immense force sent the man flying. He crashed through several pillars before landing in a heap on the palace floor, unmoving.

"Still dare to question me? What, you think I’m some kind of pushover?" Qi Suian’s gaze swept over the crowd. Fei materialized behind him, eyeing them menacingly, ready to open its gaping, bloody maw.

The expressions of all the First-Grade Mages changed completely.

The entire sequence had happened too quickly. The man had been sent flying before they could even process what was happening.

The calculating looks in their eyes vanished, replaced by a sudden clarity.

This only further convinced Qi Suian of the value in the old saying: "Men fear might, not virtue."

’It doesn’t matter if you lack charisma, as long as you have enough force.’

’Forget schemes, political maneuvering, and suppression. Just go straight to physical persuasion.’

’And if they’re still not persuaded, I have the means for physical cremation. It doesn’t matter if they have a sharp tongue or strong bones; once they enter the Melting Furnace, they’ll be nothing but ash.’

"A misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding," Luo Yu hurriedly interjected, trying to smooth things over.

He truly hadn’t expected Qi Suian to bring the entire situation under control so decisively.

This group of First-Grade Mages was no pushover. On their way here, they had all been thinking about how to carve up the spoils.

Luo Yu had also been prepared to deal with them. But now, with a single punch and a kick, Qi Suian had solved all his problems.

"I hope it is," Qi Suian said, taking the out. "It is your honor that I’ve come to help you solve this crisis. If anyone else has any bright ideas, I’ll beat them to death."

Qi Suian’s threat was plain and simple, but no one dared to argue.

They didn’t even dare to argue with his twisted logic, which had transformed the situation from them helping him to him helping them.

"Since you’re all here, let’s not waste any more time."

"Luo Yu, lead the way. We’re going to deal with the Immortal Spiritual Root," Qi Suian ordered.

The group of First-Grade Mages looked bewildered and astonished. They had only just arrived. Weren’t they at least entitled to a welcome banquet?

"What? Any objections?" Qi Suian’s eyes scanned them, daring anyone shameless enough to speak up so he could beat them to death.

Fortunately, seeing Qi Suian’s absolutely atrocious attitude, not a single one of the First-Grade Mages dared to utter a word of protest.

Every last one of them indicated they had no problem with it.