Submit and Prosper, Resist and Perish

Clip-clop—clip-clop—clip-clop—

The rhythmic sound, growing louder and nearer, with each clip-clop causing the ground to tremble.

As the sound intensified, the tremors in the ground grew stronger, and the leftover wine in the glass rippled.

"Sir, is that... the sound of hooves!?" Concubine Nina Zhao perked up her ears, her face paling. "But—But where would so many horses come from in Anchester?"

"That's right, Anchester doesn't have this many horses..." Justin Zhao muttered, suddenly seeming to realize something. His eyes narrowed, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

"Sir, what's wrong with you?" Concubine Nina Zhao noticed Justin Zhao's odd behavior and shook his arm urgently.

"I—I know what that hoofbeat means now..." Justin Zhao's face went ashen. He shoved Concubine Nina Zhao aside and staggered toward the door.

"Sir, what on earth is going on!?" Concubine Nina Zhao was startled by Justin Zhao's strange behavior and quickly lifted her skirt to chase after him.

Concubine Nina Zhao followed Justin Zhao's silhouette and saw him suddenly stop, standing motionless.

Panting, Concubine Nina Zhao ran up to him, barely able to catch her breath. "Sir, why did you suddenly run off like that...?"

As Concubine Nina Zhao finished speaking, she looked up, and terror instantly flooded her eyes.

She finally understood the reason behind the sound of approaching hoofbeats!

In the darkness all around, at some point, the area had filled with cavalry clad in black armor, each gripping long spears.

These men wore masked helmets, their eyes cold and murderous as they silently encircled Justin Zhao and Concubine Nina Zhao on horseback.

It was none other than the newly appointed King of Qin, the legendary war god—Prince Alexander Hayes!

Justin Zhao had only ever heard tales of Alexander Hayes, but had never seen him in person. He’d grown accustomed to ruling his small domain like a petty emperor, wielding power at a whim and looking down on others, so much so that he’d never truly taken Prince Alexander Hayes seriously.

But now, witnessing the war god Alexander Hayes with his own eyes, Justin Zhao realized those legendary rumors were anything but false!

The Magistrate's Mansion was supposed to be heavily guarded, filled with skilled fighters among the city’s troops. Yet tonight, not even a cry of resistance could be heard; all defenses had vanished into utter silence...

A wave of unprecedented terror washed over Justin Zhao, a fear born from the overwhelming power before him, striking deep into his heart...

"Are you looking for the city guards? Hmph..." A low, deep voice echoed as the black-armored cavalry parted in perfect order, opening a path through their ranks.

Justin Zhao looked up and saw a tall, handsome man riding a pure black steed, standing high on the mountain like a war god descended to earth. His cold, merciless gaze was fixed upon Justin.

That gaze seemed to pierce right through Justin Zhao, making him so frightened that he hurriedly lowered his head.

"Those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish. Every soldier who resisted has been executed on the spot." Prince Alexander Hayes's icy eyes fell upon Justin Zhao. "Justin Zhao, Magistrate of Anchester, is this how you welcome your new master?"

"N-new master...?" Justin Zhao trembled like a leaf in the autumn wind, finally realizing who this war god of a man truly was.

He was none other than the newly appointed King of Qin, the legendary war god—Prince Alexander Hayes!

Justin Zhao had only ever heard of Prince Alexander Hayes’s reputation, never seen him in person. Having long ruled his corner of the world like a petty emperor, manipulating fate at will, Justin had grown used to looking down on others. Over time, this bred a blind arrogance, so he’d never taken Prince Alexander Hayes seriously.

But now, seeing him in the flesh, Justin finally understood that the stories about the war god Prince Alexander Hayes were no exaggeration!

The Magistrate’s mansion was heavily guarded, full of skilled fighters among the soldiers. Yet tonight, not even the sound of resistance or battle cries could be heard—just utter silence as all defenses melted away...

Suddenly, Justin Zhao felt an unprecedented terror—a fear born from the overwhelming power before him, striking deep into his heart...