“Halt-“ I waved my hand and focused my energy. The guards were turned to dust at the gate into the city. I easily punched open the gate and killed anyone that came near me as I went towards the plaza.

Once there, I purchased clothing to wear. While I could run around naked, it was about having dignity and respect for oneself. But it was not a serious matter in my mind. A woman was approaching me. She appeared nervous, but I would gain some information from her.

I needed to confirm this city’s location and what day it currently was. The fact that my banner wasn’t flying inside this city was quite annoying. “Greetings Divine Empress,” the woman said in Chinese and kowtowed. At least she wasn’t a westerner or worse, a Yankee.

“What city is this?” At least she knew of me and showed the proper respect.

“The Free City of Hong Kong, Divine Empress,” she replied. At least this woman wasn’t stupid enough to make suggestions or ask me questions. I would have just killed her out of principle at that point. Still, giving the title of Free City to this place felt slightly insulting.

“Your Protector, where is he?” I asked. I was curious to face the man. He would allow me to learn how much I had improved fighting the level 7 monster.

“I do not know Divine Empress. Please spare our city,” the woman begged pitifully. I walked over to her figure kneeling on the ground with her head pressed onto the stones.

“Yet you defied me by demanding independence. Now that I am here, I don’t like your city. What will you do then?” I asked.

“We will submit,” the woman said.

“Submit? Then where is the Protecter?” I asked again.

“I don’t know Divine Empress.” Well, that was disappointing. I kicked out, channeling my energy into her body, she let out a brief blood curdling scream as she exploded from the imparted force.

“Then what use are you?” I spoke out loud. I sensed energy build up and beam attacks were released. Using something like that, pitiful! I easily blocked the attacks with my barrier skills. I then raced off, tracking the location of each beam one by one.

I crushed the skill users without hesitation. I unleashed Imbue Void to dust buildings nearby each and every target. I vented my dissatisfaction on these people. To let them not the price of defiance.

“Spare me please. My child!” A woman cried while holding a child in her arms after I had caught up to them.

“Pathetic,” I waste a single breath on the two while sweep out my hand. Their energy was not able to resist the void type energy I sent into them and they turned to dust just like monsters. Using Imbue Void on the air itself and using that as a weak method of attack was fitting. These people weren’t even worthy enough for me to use my Kung-Fu on. I went to the next group of people and buildings and destroyed them.

There would be no hiding place for the Astrologer here or rebel forces. I was done playing around. Everyone would be crushed in path going forward. No descent, no other factions, nothing but my Empire.

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It was like allowing a weed to grow in one’s garden. If they were not pulled out root and stem, they would just come back. I had no interest in playing mental games any more against the Astrologer and his traps. I would just crush everyone and everything until there was no place left for him to hide.

“Die!” I easily side stepped the slow sword swing and poked the man who had charged with my finger. His chest caved in, and he was propelled against a building, splattering all over the side. I hadn’t been able to do that before.

While my strength had not increased, I was able to direct the force outside of my body much better than before with the new knowledge I had gained. I also didn’t want to change again and traveling in blood soaked clothing was a hassle.

Person after person was killed, until I could only spot some people running away at a distance. I would need to have my army come through here now to clean up. There would no doubt be rebels, but the cities were the key, since they were the only source of food.

Well, I knew where I was, but not how long I was gone, not that it made much of a difference. That lady had recognized me, which was more than enough to make me content for now. I returned to the plaza and purchased a table, chair, a pot and some rice.

I filled the pot with water and some salt, and I then poked the water with my finger. It took a couple of minutes, but soon the water heated up and I boiled a pot of rice right on the table with my own energy. It wasn’t simple or easy to get this kind of control and convert it to a different type of energy without a skill, but that was the benefit of picking knowledge.

The rice was soon done. I drained out the water and put it into a bowl. I then used a pair of chopsticks to eat. I smiled as I ate the rice. It had been so long since I had eaten. I had forced my body to sustain itself from energy, but I was starving.

I drank some water with my rice, while taking my time to eat slowly. I was feeling immensely better. I wouldn’t stuff myself and it would take a little bit of time to recover, but it was no matter. Even if my body had become skinny and a bit weaker, the Body stat more than made up for any issues.

Perhaps that was the fate of all those who looked to join the Heavens. They would become beings of energy and not matter. I considered that as I finished off my meal. The idea did have merit, since people who had more stats had more energy.

In time, I might even shed my physical form, becoming a true immortal. Already my knowledge and practice in manipulating energy was getting better and better. Cooking the pot of rice was proof of my progress.

I stood up after finishing and stretched a bit. The meal had been small but filling. I would need to make sure I ate more going forward. A meal with my son would be quite enjoyable. I would see to his manners and control of his hands.

That would show me his base talent in Kung-fu. While he was being taught, it was just the basics. He would need proper instruction. Well, I had my fun and taught this city a lesson. My armies would easily finish them off. If the Protector hadn’t run off completely, I might get an enjoyable fight as well.

I left the city, content with how things had gone. I would need to sleep soon as well. I did feel tired after eating. I looked forward to my bed. While it was a luxury and a weakness, I felt after battling for an eternity, getting blessed by the Heavens, and reaching enlightenment that a night’s sleep on a comfortable bed was not too much to ask.

Already, I had pushed myself and was continuing to push myself, far more than I should. I was using energy to supplement my body and mind to prevent myself from falling apart. It was amusing, that I felt so weak after battling for so long, but that fight had not been easy or simple.

I had been pushed beyond my limit multiple times. While I had come out stronger in the end, I needed a little bit of time to recover fully. To rest and eat, so my physical body did not deteriorate any more. While restorations were helpful, I had spent too long fighting, and my physical state was held together more by my will than by food and sleep at this point. Both a strong body and mind were needed for Kung-fu.

One could not be strong without the other. I was making my way to the Southwest. I would reach Wuhan and then take the road South to the Forbidden City.