Chapter Forty-Six: The Blue Dream

Boom!

The explosion of the accumulated gunpowder was so fierce that the powerful tremors rippled outward from the blast site and reached the imperial palace, making the earth itself shudder.

"It seems Virus and Electric Eel did a fine job," Firebird said, nodding in approval as though he had anticipated this very tremor. Then he turned, "Your Majesty, we have no intention of waging war against you. Please hand over the Prism to us, or else you may witness consequences too dreadful to speak of."

"Firebird, why are you always so slow?" Before Zhu Zhengxing could reply, a deep male voice echoed from the grand hall. Bai Cinan strode through the doors. "Has our dear emperor still not grasped the situation?"

"You, you..." To be ridden over by just two people—this was an unprecedented humiliation. Anger, once extinguished, now roared anew within Zhu Zhengxing. Confused and furious, he stretched out his hand, intending to curse them as traitors and rebels.

But—

"What were you about to say?" Bai Cinan moved in a flash, appearing before Zhu Zhengxing before anyone could react. His powerful, imposing figure overshadowed everything, and his cold, merciless eyes met Zhu Zhengxing’s as he raised his head.

It was as if, in the heat of summer, someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on him and then hurled him onto the frozen polar ice. In an instant, all his rage vanished without a trace, replaced by the acrid odors of blood and gunpowder flooding his nostrils. Instinctively, Zhu Zhengxing retreated three steps, forcing a nervous smile. "N-nothing—Quick, bring whatever Commander Cinan needs! Hurry, now!"

"Hmph, if you'd done this sooner, it would've saved everyone a lot of trouble." Watching the so-called emperor, now terrified out of his wits—one of the most powerful men on earth—Bai Cinan sneered dismissively. "Firebird, did you record everything earlier?"

"I did, Commander Cinan!" Firebird’s eyes burned with fanaticism. "Commander Cinan has humiliated the Crimson Cloud Empire! Commander Cinan is invincible!"

"Don’t even think about any tricks behind my back." With confirmation in hand, Bai Cinan nodded. "Your Majesty, you wouldn’t want these images copied millions of times, freely distributed for the world to watch, would you?"

"I—I understand." No matter how he cursed the useless Imperial Guards in his heart, or railed against the priests for dereliction of duty, circumstances prevailed. Zhu Zhengxing, who never imagined himself so weak, could only nod feebly. "Everything will be as Commander Cinan commands."

"First, hand over the Prism. And since we’re here, we won’t leave with just the Prism." Bai Cinan smiled. "Firebird, is there anything you want?"

"Nothing! To serve Commander Cinan is Firebird’s greatest honor! Firebird desires nothing else!" Firebird, still recording, snapped to attention and answered with fervor.

"Then let’s get you some gold. I doubt Virus and Electric Eel want anything either, so they’ll get gold as well. And after this operation, you all get some time off. Don’t go dying on me."

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Though it didn’t show outwardly, Bai Cinan was actually quite generous—at least, to those who served him or posed no threat.

So, after such a grand operation, Bai Cinan’s first thought was to bring some rewards back. Having settled his subordinates, he then arranged gifts for his master and junior apprentice.

"My master loves martial arts—bring me a copy of all secret martial manuals and rare medicines in the palace. I’ve heard my junior apprentice has recently taken a liking to antiques from the Lost Empire—bring me a dozen or so of your finest artifacts."

"Have all these ready and loaded onto the ship before sunset," Bai Cinan said, unconcerned with anyone else’s opinions, issuing his orders independently. "Otherwise, you won’t want to know the consequences."

With his words hanging in the air, Bai Cinan left the hall, indifferent to how these weaklings managed their tasks.

...

A triumphant return!

The ship sped across the ocean, horizon aglow under the high-hanging moon. Led by Bai Cinan, the Dreambeast troupe members celebrated an unprecedented victory.

They had no fear of being pursued by the Crimson Cloud Empire’s warships.

First, the Dreamcraft, enhanced by the Lost Empire’s black technology, possessed the fastest speed in the world. Second, all nearby warships had already been sent to the bottom of the sea.

Even if, in the most unlikely event, the Crimson Cloud Empire pulled a fleet out of nowhere and surrounded them, they should know sinking the Dreamcraft would mean nothing.

For the Dreamcraft’s strength lay not in its speed or its firepower, but in those aboard.

Those who had undergone multiple genetic enhancements—warriors wielding magic and martial skill.

And, commanding them all, the invincible Bai Cinan!

"This victory belongs entirely to our unbeatable Commander Bai Cinan!" Firebird raised his glass high in praise. "Commander tore through the Imperial Guard single-handedly, slaughtered every fighter obsessed with secret martial glory and unwilling to blaze new trails. Long live the Commander—Commander, unrivaled!"

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"You all did well too," Bai Cinan encouraged. "Firebird, your footage was excellent—worthy of being used as movie material at the next film festival."

"Virus’s poisonous skills have improved, and everyone else coordinated perfectly, stopping all reinforcements."

"Electric Eel also played his part, detonating all the gunpowder caches in the city. Otherwise, they might have deluded themselves into thinking the fight could continue. You all contributed greatly to this victory!"

"It’s all thanks to the Commander’s glory. We are but stars hidden beneath his brilliance," Electric Eel, a robust, taciturn middle-aged man, complimented, choosing not to dampen spirits on such a joyous day.

"After this, we’ll have gathered nearly half the Prisms. We’re one great step closer to the prophecy’s fulfillment, closer to the Blue Dream!" Firebird drained his cup in celebration. "Never did I imagine I’d live to see the day the Blue Dream comes true!"

"Indeed, the prophecy’s time draws near. Once I am further enhanced, next comes the Moon." Bai Cinan stroked his chest, as if sensing something buried near his heart. "On this day of celebration, there are no ranks—let’s rejoice freely!"

With Bai Cinan’s decree, the Dreamcraft erupted in wild revelry...

Bai Cinan laughed, drinking glass after glass with sincere joy, as if truly delighted at the imminent realization of the Blue Dream.

The Blue Dream?

Ha! The Blue Dream!

If this world has a true sovereign, a ruler who guides humanity forward, a mighty Emperor of the Earth—

That Emperor of the Earth must be me, Bai Cinan!

Certainly not some unknown Blue Dream!

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