âClan Lord, youâre too humble. We were but a heap of loose sand before you took over the Wang Clan. We would be nobodies trying to make a living by robbing tombs! If it werenât for you, the Wang Clan wouldnât have developed so quickly, and to such a fearsome degree!â the big cousin-brother quickly responded.
Wang Ke frowned as he remembered the first days when he was brought to that planet. The Indestructible Solar Divine Sword made him transmigrate from Earth to that galaxy and planet for some unknown reason. His body had shrunk as though reversing its growth while he shuttled through space, turning into a child around three years old.
He could have ended up becoming a meal for the mountain wolves if it werenât for his foster parents.
And so, Wang Keâs fate was tied to his foster parentsâ clan.
Wang Ke took a deep breath and said, âMom and dad took me under their care back then, giving me the parental love I so cherished. Even if the Wang Clan was but a heap of loose sand, it was a friendly place which granted me a warm childhood. My parents asked me to stay at home and hold dear to the clan when they raided their last tomb. Sigh⌠They were unable to return because of that mining accident! Iâm thankful to everyone present as well as the uncles and aunties who are not here today, for all of the care youâve given me. Thank them for giving my parents a proper burial too! That year, I felt that the Wang Clan couldnât continue with their way of living any longer. Thatâs why I took over the clan with an iron fist! I forcefully centralized control over all the clanâs branches, guiding everyone to the right path towards prosperity!â
âI was reluctant to submit to you back then, and I talked back against you many times. Looking back, I really was foolish!â The big cousin-brother laughed at himself.
Wang Ke turned around and looked at the whole group. âThe Wang Clan is not the same as before. Each of you already has a well-to-do life, while I recently joined an immortal sect! Iâm going to give everyone a choice! Youâre free to leave the Wang Clan I put together and enjoy the rest of your lives from now on. Your descendants, down to a few generations, will never need to worry about making a living! The second option is to follow me and advance into the world of cultivation⌠But this will be very dangerous! The lives of the immortals are not as harmonious as you think; itâs a conflict between the righteous and the demonic factions, each side trying to kill the other! It would be a bloodstained way of living! One choice would take you to simply enjoy the rest of your lives; the other choice is to risk your life while seeking immortality. Let me make one thing clear: thereâs no turning back once you make your choice, without exceptions.â
âClan Lord, all of us believe in you! We will follow you!â Wang Keâs men made their choice and responded with reverential respect.
âAll of you believe in me?â Wang Ke looked at each of their faces.
Little did Wang Ke know that he had earned everyoneâs blind respect.
âYou know me. I created many clan rules!â Wang Ke reminded them.
An elder spoke up, âRest assured, Clan Lord. I will break the leg of whoever transgresses your rules! Weâll make sure that those who bring shame to the clan are punished! Whoever betrays you, Clan Lord, the entire clan will vow to destroy!â
âThird grand-uncle, thatâs more than enough!â Wang Ke smiled back.
The third grand-uncle replied zealously, âNo, thereâs no third grand-uncle here. You are the only authority, my Clan Lord! You donât have to be so courteous toward me! Being the old man that I am, I clearly remember how the Wang Clan used to be looked down upon, as if we were rats. But now, the clan has the influence to even alter an empireâs situation because of you, Clan Lord. Itâs a world of difference! I will give my life to eliminate whoever dares to disrespect you!â
âWe will only serve you, Clan Lord! We are willing to continue advancing under your lead! The clan shall destroy whoever dares to disobey you!â the group of subordinates proclaimed solemnly.
âGood. I shall not speak further then! Third grand-uncle, youâre in charge of setting up a law enforcement branch! Our next endeavors will be increasingly dangerous; we cannot tolerate any mistakes. A catastrophe may befall our whole clan should anyone disobey commands. Our clan can never be wiped out. I previously relied on everyoneâs self-discipline, but now, laws must be enforced!â Wang Ke said.
âYes, Clan Lord!â the old man acknowledged.
âWhen you guys return, relay what I said to all those who were unable to be here today. Have them make a choice too! Third grand-uncle, you will make sure this happens!â Wang Ke looked toward his third grand-uncle.
âYes, Clan Lord!â The old man accepted the orders.
âClan Lord, are we doing something big?â his big cousin-brother asked curiously.
Wang Ke nodded. âZhu Yan destroyed his own future. The Great Qing Empire is going down the drain! â he said.
âAhh?â Everyone was shocked.
While they still were in shock, their eyes glistened with elation.
âClan Lord? Are you⌠Are you going to take over the Great Qingâs territories? And create an empire that belongs to our clan?â the big cousin-brother asked in surprise.
Everyone gulped saliva as they looked toward Wang Ke expectantly.
âCreate our own empire?â Wang Ke shook his head and continued, âNo, I wonât be the one creating an empire! I will choose a batch of our clan members and make them emperors!â
âOur clan members? Emperors? A bunch of them?â Wang Keâs followers were astounded.
âYes, that is correct. The mortal zone is a good place; why do the immortal sects always pick their disciples from the mortal zone? Thatâs because the mortal zone continuously produces unique talents. Why should all these talents be taken away by the immortal sects? Why canât the Wang Clan take them in? We will create an empire and search for all the geniuses in the region to do greater things. The mortal zone will be our base for talent development. We used to do this in the dark⌠Now we are going to do it openly!â said Wang Ke.
âYes, Clan Lord!â
âAnd of course, we wonât only have one base for developing talents; weâll have plenty! And my big cousin-brother will take on the responsibility of becoming emperor!â Wang Ke said.
âMe?â his big cousin-brother asked in shock.
âIndeed. You are the Great Qing Empireâs Great General; you have both the capability and prestige! Once the Great Qing Empire becomes chaotic, youâll be immediately able to create an army, supported by all the branches of our clan. As long as the immortal sects donât interfere, we will surely occupy the majority of Great Qing. Iâll be the support from the immortal sects! Wang Ke said.
âCan I really do it?â his big cousin-brother doubted himself.
The Great General had distinguished himself with courage, ambition, and extraordinary capabilities. But he didnât have the needed boldness to become emperor.
âThat is why, big cousin-brother, I think you still have flaws. You lack the bold spirit that an emperor should possess, the boldness to go ahead fearlessly and do something big!â Wang Ke shook his head.
âThen⌠What should I do?â The big cousin-brother asked. He felt worried.
âThereâs no other choice; some things are innate. The only thing you can do is to hypnotize yourself!â said Wang Ke.
âAhh? Hypnotize myself? How do I do that?â His big cousin-brother was at a loss.
âIâm going to say a few lines. You must repeat them a hundred times every day, and you will improve over the long run! Even though it cannot give you more wisdom, it should bolster your daring nature! That way you wonât be scared by cultivators! And you wonât be easily led astray by those who criticize you!â Wang Ke explained.
âWhat are those?â Everyone looked at Wang Ke and wondered about it.
âI would rather violate the world than to have the world violate me!
âI am the greatest in heaven and earth!â
âMy life is in my hands; Heaven has no hold on me!â
âAh Wei is already dead. You chose⌠Uhhh, forget about this last line. These three should be enough. Recite them aloud with the imposing manner of an antagonist!â Wang Ke instructed.
TL: âAh Wei is already dead, you choseâŚâ refers to a popular line from a Chinese Movie, spoken by the antagonist in a domineering and imposing manner.
âYes, Clan Lord!â his big cousin-brother acknowledged in a daze.