Mei Chi and Joshua arrived at the gates of Sunset Breeze Pass City, their expressions grim as they surveyed the aftermath of the battle.
The once-imposing city walls were scarred and breached, the gates a twisted mess of metal and wood. The air hung heavy with the acrid scent of gunpowder and burning debris.
Despite the destruction, the city remained eerily silent, the only sounds the occasional whimper of the injured and the distant crackle of fires that had yet to be fully extinguished.
Mei Chi's gaze swept over the battle-worn landscape, her eyes lingering on the fallen, her expression a mask of solemnity.
"The cost was high," she murmured to herself, the gravity of the battle weighing heavily on her.
Joshua nodded solemnly, his eyes scanning the carnage.
Despite their victory, the toll of the battle was clear. The 'Blood Knights' had fought fiercely, their crimson armor now marred by scrapes and dents from the intense conflict.
"See to the wounded," he instructed calmly, his voice carrying over the hushed whispers of the survivors.
"And secure the city."
Joshua's command was met with nods of acknowledgment from the remaining knights. The crimson-armored warriors began to spread out, their movements efficient and methodical as they searched for any hidden threats or survivors in need of aid.
Mei Chi stepped aside, allowing the knights to pass as she took stock of their losses. The sight of the injured fighters was sobering, a stark reminder that even with their enhanced abilities, they were not invincible.
"Report," Joshua barked, his gaze sweeping over the city that now lay in their control.
Nexus the AI bio chip in my head, responded with cold precision.
[No deaths reported among the 'Blood Knights']
[However, over one hundred injuries have been sustained, primarily among the fighter-type knights] Nexus's voice was a stark contrast to the somber silence that had settled over the city, its digital tones echoing in Joshua and Mei Chi's mind.
Mei Chi's brow furrowed as she took in the information, her thoughts racing as she began to formulate their next steps.
"Nexus, compile a list of the most critical city functions that need immediate attention," Joshua ordered, his gaze never leaving the city before him.
"And Mei Chi," he said, turning to the young woman at his side, "I want you to assist in setting up a triage for the injured and ensure the safety of the civilians."
Without a word, she nodded, her expression a mix of determination.
While he on the other hand, walked through the city streets, his black eyes taking in the devastation wrought by the battle. The golden-armored knights followed closely behind him, their eyes vigilant for any signs of remaining resistance.
Joshua's stride was measured as he approached the Weng clan's manor, the grandeur of the building a stark contrast to the destruction outside its walls.
The crimson and black-armored knights had secured the perimeter, their imposing forms standing sentinel against any potential threats.
Meanwhile, Mei Chi worked tirelessly alongside Nexus to establish order amidst the chaos. They directed the knights to secure key locations and set up medical tents for the injured. Nexus's analytical mind quickly identified the most pressing issues: food, water, and shelter for the citizens, as well as repairing the city's fortifications to prevent any retaliatory attacks.
Joshua step inside the hall of the Weng clan manor, his boots clicking on the marble floor, each step echoing through the once-opulent chamber. The grandeur of the space was marred by the smell of fear and the scent of recent battle. He found Weng Kai, the city's former leader, sitting with his head in his hands, surrounded by the remnants of his defeated soldiers.
He also found Wu Teng the head of Wu clan in a similar state, surrounded by his clan members who had not participate in the battle. They had remained neutral and watched the destruction from afar.
"You stand before Lord Joshua, the man who now commands this city," Weng Kai announced, his voice hoarse but steady as he rose to his feet.
Wu Teng's gaze followed Weng Kai's as he too took in the imposing figure of Lord Joshua. His eyes widened with recognition and disbelief as he saw the crimson knights standing outside, their numbers seemingly increased since the last he had seen them.
"The some of these knights are the same knights from the competition," Wu Teng murmured, his voice shaking with a mix of awe and fear.
Joshua's eyes snapped to Wu Teng, his expression unreadable.
"Sir the Wu Clan is also willing to swear allegiance to Lord Joshua," Wu Teng said hastily, his voice quivering as he took in the towering knights that had accompanied them.
"Your allegiance is accepted," he said, his voice as hard as the steel of the knights' armor.
Wu Rei's jaw dropped as he stared at the knights, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"These are the knights from the competition?" he whispered to Joshua, his voice barely audible as he ignore his father proclamation.
Joshua nodded, his gaze unwavering from the two clan leaders.
"Wu Rei, we will talk later," Joshua said, his eyes flicking briefly to the young man before returning to Wu Teng.
He nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Very well," Joshua said, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.
"Mei Chi will announce new rules and organizations for the city," he continued, his voice carrying an unspoken warning.
Weng Kai and Wu Teng exchanged glances, the reality of their new situation sinking in. They had seen the power these knights wielded, and they knew that to oppose them now would be futile.
"As you wish, Lord Joshua," Weng Kai said with a forced bow, his voice a stark contrast to the prideful sneer he had once directed at the black-armored knight.
Joshua nodded curtly before exiting the hall, the heavy silence following him like a specter.
Outside, Mei Chi had already begun to organize the city. The knights had set up a makeshift headquarters in the town square, their crimson and black armor stark against the backdrop of the charred buildings.
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Her voice, once soft and gentle, now carried the firmness of command. She addressed the gathered citizens, her words clear and precise.
"We have come to Sunset Breeze Pass City under the banner of Lord Joshua," Mei Chi began, her eyes sweeping over the weary and fearful faces.
"We are here to bring order and protection, to rebuild and to progress," she continued, her voice carrying a firmness that seemed to cut through the chaos.
Mei Chi's words were met with a mix of skepticism and hope from the citizens, their eyes wide and fearful as they took in the crimson knights standing guard.
Joshua had seen this look before, in the eyes of the people of the Hidden Village, and the people of Escalar, when he had first taken charge.
It was a look of fear and hope, a desperate need for change that was tainted by the horror of what they had just witnessed.
Trust had to be earned, and the citizens of Sunset Breeze Pass City were not easily swayed by words alone. He will create a Government Organization, just like the Escalar, a system that worked to serve the people, not just the powerful.
In the following days, Joshua worked tirelessly alongside Mei Chi and Nexus to implement the changes they had promised.
The knights, served as an elite force under the new government, their crimson eyes a constant reminder of the power that now governed the city.
Joshua's first act was to establish a council comprised of himself, Mei Chi, and some chosen Villagers who had a set of skills and implanted a [Bio Chip].
This council would serve as the central decision-making body, ensuring that the interests of the people were represented alongside those of the military.
The council quickly set to work, creating departments to manage various aspects of the city's governance.
The Department of Defense was placed under the command of the 'Blood Knights', tasked with protecting the city from any external threats.
The Department of Infrastructure was given the monumental task of repairing the city's shattered defenses and buildings.
The Department of Agriculture was established to manage food distribution and aid in rebuilding the farmlands, which had been neglected during the siege.
Lastly, the Department of Commerce was formed to revive the city's economy and foster trade with neighboring regions.
Joshua knew that the key to maintaining order and loyalty lay in the swift and effective implementation of these changes.
He had seen firsthand the transformative power of unity and technology in the Hidden Village, and he was determined to replicate that success here in Sunset Breeze Pass City.
Joshua called upon the engineers and blacksmiths, presenting them with blueprints and ideas that seemed like the stuff of legends to the city's inhabitants.
He spoke of fortifications that could withstand even the most powerful of sieges, waterways that could be used for both defense and trade, and agricultural methods that could yield bountiful harvests even in the most barren of lands.
The citizens listened with a mix of amazement and skepticism, their eyes wide with wonder as he described machines that could till fields with the ease of a hand through water, and walls that could rise from the earth faster than any man-made structure they had ever seen.
Joshua knew he had to be convincing, had to show them that he was not just a conqueror but a leader who cared for their well-being.
He walked among the people, his eyes meeting their wary gazes with a gentle nod or a reassuring smile.
Joshua knew that trust was not something that could be taken or bought; it had to be earned, especially in a city scarred by the ravages of war.
True to his promise, he worked tirelessly alongside the people of Sunset Breeze Pass, his crimson knights leading the charge in the rebuilding efforts.
They worked alongside the local blacksmiths and engineers, sharing their knowledge and skills to construct innovative defenses and infrastructure that surpassed anything the city had ever known.
The city's walls were reinforced with materials that were not only strong but also had the ability to absorb and redirect the impact of siege weapons. The farmlands, once barren and trampled by the hooves of war, began to show signs of life as the knights implemented advanced agricultural techniques that had been lost to the city for generations.
The Department of Commerce flourished under the guidance of the knights, who facilitated trade routes and negotiated with neighboring cities, ensuring that Sunset Breeze Pass City became a hub for commerce once again.
As the days turned into weeks, the changes were undeniable. The city walls stood tall and impregnable, gleaming with a white hue that seemed to pulse with the life of the city itself. The farmlands were thriving, and the markets bustled with activity as goods flowed in and out of the city gates.
Everyone could feel the transformation happening within the city walls. The fear of the 'Blood Knights' began to give way to a grudging respect, and whispers of the council's fairness spread like wildfire. Even the most skeptical of the city's inhabitants had to admit that life under their new rulers was not as oppressive as they had feared.
But beyond the walls of Sunset Breeze Pass City, the tale of the battle was growing into a legend of its own. Travelers and merchants spoke in hushed tones of the mysterious knights that had wiped out Zhao Haoreng's army with such ease that it seemed like a one-sided slaughter.
Some forces have heard the whispers of the battle at Sunset Breeze Pass, and the tale grew more exaggerated with each retelling. Some said it was an elite force of a thousand, others a mere hundred, but all agreed that the knights had emerged unscathed from the fray, their blades painted red with the blood of their enemies.
---
"Your Highness, I have news from Sunset Breeze Pass City."
The young messenger's words cut through the air of the grand hall, bringing the room to a standstill.
The second prince of Long Empire leaned forward, his eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Tell me everything," he demanded, his voice echoing in the grand hall filled with his advisors and generals.
The messenger swallowed nervously before speaking.
He told everything from Zhao Haoreng's army of 1500 soldiers being annihilated to the terrifying knights who had fought with inhuman precision and power. The tale grew more exaggerated with each retelling, the knights' numbers swelling to a legendary force that could not be beaten.
The prince's eyes narrowed as he listened to the messenger's account, the room's tension thickening like the plume of incense that wafted from the ornate burner beside the throne.
The whispers of the knights had reached the very heart of the Long Empire, and the implications were not lost on him. If the rumors were true, this was not just a victory but a declaration of power that resonated through the lands.
He ask if this force is the one that destroyed his 3000-strong army back then, but the messenger can't confirm. The prince's mind raced, piecing together the puzzle of this new and formidable enemy.
"I want more information," the prince's voice was cold, his eyes narrowed into slits as he digested the unsettling report.
"Send out spies, gather every scrap of knowledge about these knights and their leader, this... Lord Joshua."
---
On the land of Zhao Haoreng.
Zhao Haoreng's eyes flashed with fury as he stared at the headless corpse of Luo Yongkang, his once-trusted general, laid out before him on the war table. The smell of blood and the char of burnt flesh permeated the grand hall, a stark reminder of the battle's devastation.
"How dare they?" he roared, slamming his fist on the table, the thunderous echo echoing through the silent room.
The advisors flinched, but none dared to interrupt the Lord's rage. They had seen this fury before, had felt its destructive power, but never had it been directed at them so personally.
"They dare to bring me the headless corpse of Luo Yongkang, as if to say that I am a joke, that my might is a mere trifle to be brushed aside?"
Zhao Haoreng spat, his voice a venomous hiss that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.
The advisors shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the Lord's anger pressing down on them like a physical force.
"They do not insult you, my lord," one brave soul finally spoke, his voice trembling with fear.
"They bring the corpse of General Luo as a warning. A declaration of their power and intent."
The advisor's words were barely a whisper, but they hung in the air like a shout in the stillness of the grand hall. Zhao Haoreng's rage grew with each passing second, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the war table.
"A warning?" he snarled, his eyes sweeping over the assembly of trembling officials.
"They dare to think themselves worthy of giving warnings to me?"
Zhao Haoreng's fury was a tangible force in the room, his breaths coming in heavy gasps as he struggled to maintain his composure.
"What is our next move?" he bellowed, his eyes darting from advisor to advisor, seeking an answer that would satisfy his burning need for retribution.
The room remained silent for a long moment before one of the braver men stepped forward.
"Lord Zhao, we must first understand our enemy," he suggested, his voice quivering slightly.
"Send spies to infiltrate Sunset Breeze Pass City, to learn the truth of these Knights and their enigmatic leader, Lord Joshua. Only then can we plan an appropriate response."
The advisor's words resonated with the Lord's own thoughts. The knights had to be studied, their strengths and weaknesses identified. Only with knowledge could they hope to counter the threat they posed to the Long Empire's dominance.
"Send our best spies and scouts," Zhao Haoreng bellowed, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
----
As days go by, the whispers of the 'Blood Knights' grew into a murmur that spread throughout the land.
The tales of their brutal efficiency and unyielding discipline had piqued the interest of various lords and factions.
Each seeking to understand the enigma that was Lord Joshua and his crimson-eyed warriors.
