Yanmen Commandery.0

Hidden Wind led the forces of Jinnan northward, tearing through Jinbei with unstoppable momentum and arriving swiftly at Yanmen.0

Jinbei had once been cowed into submission by Vermillion Bird’s decisive use of force. But while methods of the jianghu were effective in the short term, they lacked long-term viability. It was never a true conquest, merely a temporary pacification. The moment one’s presence faded, rebellion could rise again at any time.0

In the end, ruling and controlling a land required an intricate system of governance, layers of administration, military presence, and personnel. A single god or demon alone could not maintain rule. Without structure, all one would get was hollow obedience.0

This was also why the Han-Hu War could not be resolved by a simple battle of gods.0

Back then, the Empire had been stretched thin, unable to afford anything beyond expedient measures. The greatest benefit of Vermillion Bird’s campaign had likely been nothing more than gathering grain and funds.0

Yet, to Vermillion Bird’s surprise, as Hidden Wind now stormed northward, Jinbei’s...0