"Xue Qinghe" aimed his second move at the nobility, striking at the interests of many aristocrats.
Even with the efforts of the "elite team" from the Spirit Hall and the Abyss Order, it was still difficult to fully contain the backlash.
In the eyes of the nobility, slaves were nothing more than livestock, raised to serve the aristocracy.
Yet, this newly ascended emperor was now targeting their interests!
Though they harbored such thoughts, they had no choice but to comply, especially the smaller and medium-sized noble families.
They knew that even if they banded together, it would be like an egg striking a stone, utterly futile. Thus, they complied without resistance.
However, for the major noble families, giving up such interests was extremely difficult, as it struck at the very core of their power and threatened their foundations.
Without relying on this system, their wealth would eventually run dry. What then? How would their descendants continue to live a life of luxury and ease as nobles?
If they didn't act for the present, they had to at least ensure the future of their descendants.
Of course, some nobles began to notice something unusual.
The families that had been the most vocal in their opposition suddenly fell silent the next day. Days passed, and there was still no sign of activity.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that these families had been completely wiped out! The methods used were horrifyingly brutal, something rarely seen in the mortal world.
If it had been just one family, it could have been dismissed as an isolated incident. But when the most vocal opponents all met the same fate, it became clear that something deeper was at play.
As the saying goes, "It's never too late to mend the fold after the sheep have been lost." The fence-sitters among the nobility quickly chose a side, leaning toward the stronger force.
In a short time, most of the nobility began to comply. After all, they didn't want to die mysteriously.
Nobles value their lives above all else. The present is what matters most.
Money can always be earned again, but once life is lost, it's gone forever.
The ancestors of these nobles were brave warriors who had made great contributions to the Heaven Dou Empire, which was why they had been granted noble titles.
But as times changed, the nobility developed a mindset that they were inherently superior, first-class, second-class, or even several classes above the common folk. There was no room for equality.
"I'm not asking everyone to share their resources, nor am I demanding that they contribute money or effort. I simply want the common people to live a slightly better life. Yet, they curse me, they rebel against me!"
"Xue Qinghe" sat on the throne, his face dark with anger.
Below him stood the court officials, not one daring to speak.
These officials were all nobles themselves. It was impossible for them not to have their own thoughts on the matter.
But they knew far more than the average noble, which was why they didn't dare to resist. They obediently complied as the second wave of reforms swept through.
"Your Majesty, your decree is truly a blessing for the people. However, the pace might be a bit too fast…"
One minister cautiously spoke, his words carrying a hint of test. He wanted to gauge the thoughts of the former crown prince, now the emperor of Heaven Dou.
If the emperor's resolve wasn't firm, there might still be room to maneuver.
But if the emperor's will was unshakable, then they would have no choice but to comply and wait for someone who might one day overthrow him.
Of course, such a scenario was nearly impossible, unless Zhongli were to die or ascend to godhood.
A powerhouse like Zhongli could easily live for several centuries. The officials knew they wouldn't live to see the day he was gone.
"Too fast?"
"Xue Qinghe" smirked, his eyes cold.
"I only wish it could be faster!"
"If we could speed things up, how many more people could be freed?"
"I know that some of you are paying lip service to my decrees, pretending to comply while secretly undermining them."
"If even you, my court officials, act this way, how can I expect better from the rest of the nobility?"
At these words, the entire court was shaken. Several officials trembled visibly.
They had been so careful in their actions. How had the emperor still discovered their schemes?
"Your Majesty, our loyalty to you is as steadfast as the sun and moon…"
"Enough. Release those people when you return today, and I will let bygones be bygones. But by tomorrow's court session I find that you have not complied…"
"Xue Qinghe" didn't finish his sentence. He believed the officials understood, and indeed, they were no fools. They knew exactly what he meant.
This was both a warning and an opportunity. If they didn't seize this chance to make amends, the consequences would be dire.
Rumors had spread that in some regions, noble families who had shown even the slightest hint of rebellion had been completely wiped out! This new emperor was ruthless when he needed to be.
But it was clear that the emperor couldn't have accomplished all this on his own.
Without a doubt, he had the support of the Geo Archon, Zhongli!
However, in this case, they were mistaken.
When Qian Renxue issued these orders, Zhongli had no knowledge of them.
The people carrying out the tasks were from the Spirit Hall.
As for the Abyss Order, their involvement was purely coincidental.
But the court officials and the people wouldn't see it that way. The only ones close to the new emperor were the Body Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, both of which had the power to carry out such actions.
The more dominant of the two was the Body Sect.
Or perhaps both had participated!
The Body Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan: We've been wronged!
Even Ning Fengzhi was beginning to suspect that the Body Sect might have been behind these actions.
Why hadn't the emperor involved the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? Did he have some grievance against them?
Qian Renxue had her reasons for acting this way. If the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were to clash…
Why would the Spirit Hall assist the new emperor?
As for the Body Sect, Qian Renxue wasn't worried. Zhongli knew her true identity, but she didn't want to bother him with such "trivial matters."
The Body Sect was currently preoccupied with dealing with strange monsters and didn't have the manpower to spare for such tasks.
---
In the underworld, formerly known as the City of Slaughter, within the eighteenth layer of hell.
Tang San was still in the first layer, the Hell of Tongue-Ripping. He was supposed to spend two months in each layer of hell, but due to the effects of an illusion, each layer felt like sixty years.
In two days, he would leave the Hell of Tongue-Ripping and move on to the next layer.
Having already endured nearly sixty years in this layer, Tang San's mind was beginning to falter.
Sixty years was enough to make him forget many things, even his original purpose.
After all, even with two lifetimes combined, he hadn't lived for sixty years.
In his perception, he had truly spent sixty years here.
Once a young man, he now looked aged, with streaks of white in his hair and a gaunt face, as if he had genuinely grown old.
"Who am I?"
"What am I supposed to do?"
"This is the Hell of Tongue-Ripping…"
Tang San was starting to forget why he was here and why he was being punished.
For decades, it had been the same routine every day.
"Kid, in two days, no, two years, you'll move on to the next layer of hell."
"Good luck to you."
Though he said "good luck," the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.