I... couldn't save everyone... I...

The capital of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty was still engulfed in chaos. Screams for mercy and cries for help echoed through every corner, as the Dark Shadow Secret Unit, disguised as members of the Yin-Yang Demon Sect, spread havoc. Fear gripped the people as they desperately fled for their lives.

Amidst the turmoil, a young girl was being chased by a black-clad man from the Dark Shadow Unit. Onlookers wanted to intervene but were too afraid to move—until...

Li Huang appeared out of nowhere. He swiftly kicked the black-clad man away, saving the girl. The crowd around him was stunned. They couldn't believe their eyes. The emperor, whom they had cursed and scorned daily, had just saved a young girl's life.

Li Huang stood tall, his presence commanding, and shouted with authority, "Yin-Yang Demon Sect! Leave my capital now!"

The black-clad man laughed mockingly, "What can a dog emperor like you do? Have you come to die with your people?"

But Li Huang remained unfazed. He responded with imperial might, his aura radiating powerfully, "Even if I am not as strong as you, I will protect as many of my people as I can!"

His words shocked the onlookers. They couldn't understand why the emperor, whom they had thought of as weak and worthless, was so courageous. Many began to question if their previous judgments had been wrong or if there was more to the emperor than they had believed.

The black-clad man sneered again, "A puppet emperor waiting to die like you has no right to speak here!"

Suddenly, a fierce battle erupted between Li Huang and the Dark Shadow Unit. Though Li Huang was no match for them in sheer power, he used cunning and strategy. When the black-clad man's sword pierced his body, Li Huang took that moment to decapitate the enemy instantly.

Blood poured from Li Huang's wounds, but he stood amid the carnage, his voice weak yet filled with determination, "As long as I am here... no one else will die. I will bear all the pain myself."

The people who witnessed this were stunned. Many began to cry, some weeping uncontrollably. Those who had finally understood the truth began to revere the emperor they had once despised.

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!" The shouts echoed from the people. They gathered their strength and chanted together in unison.

Li Huang turned and smiled gently at them, despite the blood flowing from his body. He continued to walk, helping others wherever he could.

...

Elsewhere in the city, a young boy was being chased by the Dark Shadow Unit. As a blade was about to strike him, the head of the black-clad man suddenly fell from his body. The boy, overwhelmed with shock, cried out and asked, "You won't kill me, will you?"

Another black-clad figure appeared and spoke calmly, "I am part of Emperor Li Huang's secret unit. I'm here to protect everyone from the attack of the Yin-Yang Demon Sect."

The boy cried again, this time in relief. Meanwhile, Li Huang and his Dark Shadow Unit battled fiercely with the imposters from the Yin-Yang Demon Sect. The fight was intense, but the people who saw it shed tears for the emperor they had once cursed.

...

Soon, the battle ended. Afterward, Li Huang sat on a pile of corpses, his body covered in blood. He wept in agony, "I... I couldn't... save everyone..."

Before he could finish, the people around him began shouting in unison.

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

...

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

...

Their voices echoed throughout the city. Li Huang looked at his people, his eyes filled with tears, before his body gave out, and he collapsed.

The people were engulfed in concern for their emperor, but a black-clad man stepped forward, lifting Li Huang's body. He spoke firmly, "I will take the emperor to be treated. The remaining secret units will handle the city."

The black-clad man disappeared into the shadows, carrying Li Huang's body with him. When they reached the palace, Li Huang's eyes opened, and he swiftly dismounted from the Dark Shadow agent's back. He walked into the palace as if he had not been injured in the previous battle.

In the vast, quiet palace hall, Li Huang sat upon the high throne, his gaze sharp and resolute. He listened as the Dark Shadow Unit reported their success in orchestrating the staged battle to gain the people's loyalty. Meanwhile, Li Huang's mind was focused on the system's impending upgrade.

One of the Dark Shadows emerged from the darkness to report, "Your Majesty, we have collected a total of 50,000,000 medium-grade spirit stones from the nobles, generals, and remaining princes. The royal treasury has been restored."

Li Huang nodded in satisfaction. "What is the current situation of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty?"

Another Dark Shadow agent spoke with a firm tone, "Currently, the capital holds about 10 million people, but there are no stationed soldiers. The lands surrounding the capital are no longer part of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. Only the capital remains under your control."

Li Huang showed no sign of concern. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to rebuild everything from the ground up, with his own hands.

He spoke calmly yet with authority, "Announce to the public that most of the nobles and generals were corrupt and stole from the people. Their families will face punishment. Also, announce that some of the princes sold information to the Yin-Yang Demon Sect, and use the memories our Dark Shadows extracted as evidence to pin the blame on them."

He paused briefly before continuing, "And declare that I, Emperor Li Huang, have decided to abolish taxes for one year to alleviate the people's suffering. Use the royal treasury to provide food for the people. Show them that I care and that I am determined to restore the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. If anyone wishes to leave, let them do so for good."

Li Huang rose gracefully from the throne, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. "Also, spread the rumor that I have been oppressed by the corrupt nobles all this time, as well as the empress, who was a spy for the Yin-Yang Demon Sect. That's why I couldn't rule effectively. Tell them I secretly built a force and endured countless humiliations so that when the time came, I could rise up and take back the empire from those traitors. Anything else that can't be explained or seems too far-fetched, just blame it on the Yin-Yang Demon Sect. And when you make the announcement, reveal my true cultivation power to inspire confidence in the people."

The Dark Shadows all bowed in silence, accepting the command before disappearing from the hall. Li Huang watched them leave with satisfaction. His plan was progressing exactly as he had intended.

With the first phase complete, Li Huang walked toward his private chambers. He knew that every move he made from now on was crucial. This was the time for him to consolidate power and grow his influence.

As he stepped into his chamber, the system's voice rang out clearly in his mind.

[System upgrade complete.]