Taiyuan City, as the provincial capital of Shanxi, was now shrouded in an eerie "peace."

Li Yan, a general under Li Zicheng, stationed twenty thousand troops in this area without conducting any plundering or harassment. He simply sealed off the entire Taiyuan city completely, and then, every day sent people to "visit" Prince Jin Zhu Qiugui, politely... "soliciting donations."


Everyone knew this was the calm before the storm. Once the princely fortune rivaling a nation's wealth was drained from Prince Jin's mansion, or if Li Yan lost his patience, this prosperous ancient city would immediately transform into hell on earth.

Meanwhile Prince Jin Zhu Qiugui, the most notorious miser of the late Ming dynasty, was hiding in his fortress-like mansion, clutching his mountains of gold and silver treasures, trembling in fear.

On one hand, he sent people to negotiate with Li Yan, attempting to preserve his life and princely position with minimal financial sacrifice. On the other hand, he secretly contacted the gentry and Ming-loyal commanders in the city, foolishly hoping someone would "come to the king's aid" and stage a dramatic last-stand counterattack.


He was like a stubborn holdout clinging to his ancestral home about to be demolished, still deluding himself that he could receive the highest compensation.

He didn't know that what he was waiting for wasn't an army coming to "support the king."


But rather... a "divine punishment" directed at him.

That day, at the south gate of Taiyuan City, a strange troop arrived.

Only three hundred men, yet they carried the black banner of the "Divine Punishment Army." Leading them was a young man dressed in plain clothes, and a... "strange person" wearing imperial dragon robes with an expressionless face.

The rebel soldiers guarding the city, seeing this tiny force, all displayed looks of mockery.

"Where did this amateur troupe come from? 'Divine Punishment Army'? More like 'Divine Lunacy Army'!"

A minor leader among the city guards arrogantly stepped forward, intending to drive us away.

I ignored him.

I just gave a slight nod toward the Chongzhen Emperor behind me, who stood like a statue.

Chongzhen slowly raised his head.

He did nothing.

He just... looked at that minor leader.

In the next second, that small leader, along with more than a dozen soldiers beside him, instantly turned into grayish-white powder, scattering in the wind.

Atop the city wall, a deathly silence immediately fell.

All the rebel soldiers stared in terror at the "divine demon" wearing dragon robes below the city, unable to even hold their weapons.

"Open the gate."

Chongzhen issued the command in a voice devoid of emotion, yet seemingly resonating in the depths of everyone's soul.

The city gate slowly opened.

Our "Divine Punishment Army" of three hundred men walked unimpeded into Taiyuan city under the watchful eyes of twenty thousand troops.

Li Yan received the news immediately.

In the temporary command post in Taiyuan, this rebel leader with a scholar-general background listened to his subordinate's report with furrowed brows.

"Annihilation with a thought, turning people to ashes?" he muttered, "This... is the 'Obliteration' power of the 'Old Gods.' He has indeed come."

"General, what should we do?" his subordinate asked nervously, "Should we..."

"No." Li Yan shook his head. "Relay my orders: the entire army is to be on alert, but no one is to engage in any conflict with the 'Divine Punishment Army.' Seal off the entire city. Not even a bird is allowed to fly out."

"But, General..."

"This is... a game between 'Gods.'" A flash of fanaticism and awe passed through Li Yan's eyes. "We mortals have no right to interfere. We only need to... quietly watch the show."

"Watch how the 'Old Gods' will 'judge' a... traitor who has long been abandoned by 'humanity.'"

He looked in the direction of Prince Jin's mansion, a cold, gloating smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

And we, the three hundred soldiers of the "Divine Punishment Army," passed through the deathly quiet streets and arrived directly at the entrance of Prince Jin's mansion.

The prince's personal guards were already scared out of their wits. Before we could even speak, they opened the vermilion-lacquered main gate.

We proceeded without any obstacles and arrived at the main hall of the mansion.

In the great hall, Prince Jin Zhu Qiugui, as fat as a pig, was slumped in his golden throne, his face ashen.

"You... you... what are you trying to do?" He looked at us, his voice trembling, "I... I am a descendant of the Great Founding Emperor, the current Emperor's..."

His words were interrupted by Chongzhen.

"Royal Uncle."

Chongzhen slowly walked forward and stood before him.

On his face, half sacred and half abyss, no emotion could be discerned.

"When I, the Emperor, was about to sacrifice myself for the country on Coal Hill, I made a blood oath."

"Anyone who eats the salary of the Ming Dynasty yet is not loyal to the Ming, is a traitor to the country."

"Anyone who enjoys the glory of the royal family yet does not care for the common people, is a traitor to the people."

"Traitors to the country, traitors to the people..."

He reached out his hand and gently placed it on Prince Jin's fat head.

"...must be executed."

There was no scream, no struggle.

Prince Jin Zhu Qiugui, whose wealth could rival a nation, along with the golden throne beneath him, instantly turned into vast gray-white dust.

Inside the great hall, there was complete silence.

As I watched this scene of "sacred" and "righteous" "judgment" before my eyes, I felt not the slightest satisfaction in my heart.

I knew that this was merely the first act of the script that I had written for this grand drama of destiny.

And the real show was just... beginning.