The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

Emperor Qing let out a shrill and painful scream. He felt his vast true energy, which he had cultivated for many years, and even his most primal life essence, rushing uncontrollably into Lin Mu's body like a flood that had been released, and being mercilessly devoured and refined by that terrifying vortex.

His body withered and shriveled at a visible rate; his skin lost its luster and became covered in wrinkles; his hair turned gray and brittle; and his once robust frame became hunched and shriveled…

In the blink of an eye, the emperor, who once dominated the world and was the strongest chess player in the land, lost all his power and his life energy was almost depleted. He became a frail old man with nothing but endless darkness and death in his eyes.

Lin Mu casually tossed the Emperor Qing, who was now like a useless piece of trash, onto the cold, broken ground.

"He murdered his brothers, forced his wife and sister to their deaths, framed loyal officials, and for his own selfish desires for power, he regarded the world as a chessboard and the people as straw dogs."

Lin Mu's voice was icy cold, echoing across the deathly silent square, each word striking the hearts of everyone present.

"Li Yunqian, your sins are too numerous to count. Today, they will be settled here."

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold and resolute glint flashed from the halberd in Lin Mu's hand.

"Pfft!"

Li Yunqian's aged head shot into the sky, and scalding imperial blood spurted out, staining a large patch of dazzling and ferocious scarlet on the white jade slabs of the square.

The supreme ruler of the Southern Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qing, perished, being publicly beheaded in the square of his own palace.

The whole place was dead silent, you could hear a pin drop!

Time seemed to freeze.

Whether it was the officials and soldiers of Nanqing who had already surrendered, or the fierce army from Northern Qi under Lin Mu's command, everyone was stunned by this soul-shaking scene, their bodies turned cold, and they couldn't utter a single word.

Only the heavy stench of blood permeated the air, telling the story of the changing of imperial power and its cruelty.

[Ding! Side quest: 'Overthrowing Imperial Power' has been completed. Reward: Muya Crystal +3!]

[Mu Ya Jing: Originating from the Devouring World, it can enable advanced war gods to break through to the planetary level. Planetary level experts who absorb it can enhance their cell activity and genetic energy.]

【Do you want to receive it? 】

[Ding! Side Quest: 'Revenge' Completed. Reward: 1 Ancient Willow Heart!]

【Ten-Thousand-Year Willow Heart: Originating from the Devouring World, it is the essence of the Ten-Thousand-Year Willow King, capable of greatly enhancing physical attributes and mental power.】

【Do you want to receive it? 】

Lin Mu's mind stirred slightly: "Receive it."

In an instant, he clearly sensed that three crystals, each about the size of a fist, emitting a soft white light and containing astonishing life energy, had appeared in his system space.

And a heart-shaped fruit, its entire body a vibrant green, seemingly with green liquid energy flowing slowly inside, exuding boundless vitality and a refreshing aura.

Killing Emperor Qing also completed the side quests for Li Yunrui and Fei Jie, and the rewards were given out together.

Lin Mu moved slightly, soaring into the air as if it were nothing, and stood in front of the palace. His indifferent gaze swept over the pale-faced royal family members and civil and military officials below.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian witnessed his father being defeated with a single punch, having his power drained, and finally being beheaded. He was so terrified that his crotch was soaked, and he let out a meaningless scream before collapsing to the ground like a lump of mud.

Lin Mu was certain that this grandson was definitely acting.

As for the Second Prince Li Chengze, his face was ashen, his body trembled slightly, he took a deep breath, and his eyes were filled with despair and resignation before he slowly closed them.

His gaze swept over the limp Crown Prince and the Second Prince, who lay with his eyes closed awaiting death, and he declared loudly, "Crown Prince Li Chengqian is incompetent and foolish, and he disregards human life. He should be executed!"

With a casual swing of his halberd, a sharp, cold light flashed, and before Li Chengqian could even beg for mercy, his head flew off his neck and rolled to the ground.

Although he usually concealed his true abilities and was actually an eighth-rank martial artist, he was no different from a lamb to the slaughter in front of Lin Mu.

"Li Chengze".

Lin Mu's voice rang out again: "You deserve to die anyway. However, I owe you a favor, so I will spare your life."

"Your imperial status is stripped, you are reduced to a commoner, and you are never to return to the capital!"

Lin Mu ultimately decided to spare the life of the second prince, who resembled an alpaca.

As for the young third prince Li Chengping, he was also stripped of his princely status and banished from the capital.

After swiftly dealing with the core members of the royal family, Lin Mu, wielding his halberd, soared through the air into the main hall of the palace, sat on the dragon throne symbolizing imperial power, and proclaimed loudly:

"Emperor Qing was tyrannical and brought disaster to the country and its people. He has now been executed! The reign of the Southern Qing dynasty has come to an end, and its territory has been submitted to the Northern Qi, becoming the Southern Capital of the Northern Qi!"

"The old system shall continue for the time being. Local officials at all levels shall remain in their posts, perform their duties diligently, and maintain local stability. Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to commit evil deeds or oppress the people shall be executed without mercy!"

"To celebrate the unification of the North and South, the people are exempt from taxes for one year, and the whole country rejoices."

Whether the officials and people of Nanqing are willing or not, the die is cast and the fate of the matter is sealed.

Under this overwhelming force, any resistance is destined to be annihilated.

Absolute force is the hardest truth and the fastest way to establish order.

After announcing the decree, Lin Mu walked towards the disabled Ye Liuyun and Chen Pingping in her wheelchair.

Chen Pingping was a little nervous, and subconsciously placed her hands on the wheelchair, probably thinking about whether she should shoot Lin Mu.

However, he ultimately didn't dare to make a move.

It wasn't that he was afraid of death, but rather that he was worried about implicating Fan Xian.

Lin Mu approached Ye Liuyun, whose face was ashen: "On the battlefield before, the enemy and friend were clearly distinguished. I cut off your arm. Do you have any complaints?"

Ye Liuyun said frankly, "I am inferior in skill, so I have nothing to say. I thank General Lin for sparing my life."

"In the end, I was too heavy-handed. You are a Grandmaster, it's a real pity to be crippled like this. I will lend you a hand."

After speaking, Lin Mu put away his halberd, and a soft yet vibrant red light emanated from his palms.

The "Double-Handed" technique is in operation.

A red hand covered Ye Liuyun's severed arm.

Ye Liuyun felt an indescribable tingling and itching sensation coming from the severed arm. His flesh, blood, meridians, and bones were regenerating at a speed visible to the naked eye!

In just a short while, a new arm, completely intact and fully functional, was reborn!

"This... is simply divine skill!"

Ye Liuyun stared in astonishment at his novice, who channeled his inner energy, which flowed smoothly and effortlessly, as if it had never been interrupted.

His gaze toward Lin Mu was filled with disbelief and utter admiration. He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to the ground: "General Lin's kindness in saving me... I will never forget it!"

"The Ye family is willing to die for the general!"

"It's just a small favor. I'm not Emperor Qing, and I don't like playing power games. As long as you do your job well, you can enjoy wealth and honor. But if anyone breaks the law, don't blame me for being ruthless."

After Lin Mu finished speaking, he turned to look at Chen Pingping, whose gaze was intense.

Chapter 101: Planetary Level

Witnessing Lin Mu's almost godlike limb regeneration technique, all the civil and military officials around him were horrified, and then burst into uncontrollable astonishment and uproar.

Flesh and blood regeneration, severed limbs reattached!

For these mortals, how is this any different from a legendary miracle?

Chen Pingping sat upright in his wheelchair, and his usually calm and deep eyes, like a still pool, were now filled with intense ripples.

After more than a decade of disability, the wheelchair has long become a part of his body, but deep in his heart, is there not a trace of longing to stand up again and regain his wholeness?

At this moment, that longing transformed into burning anticipation, focusing on Lin Mu.

[Ding! You have come into contact with the influential figure Chen Pingping, triggering the side quest: Limb Regeneration.]

[Mission Requirements: Within one year, enable Chen Pingping to regenerate his severed limbs, stand and walk, and regain his male reproductive function.]

[Task Reward: One random draw.]

Lin Mu glanced at the system notification.

If one did not possess the extraordinary skill of "Dual Mastery," this mission would be considered defying fate and as difficult as ascending to heaven.

But for him now, it's just a small favor.

He slowly walked up to Chen Pingping and said, "Dean Chen, there is no personal grudge between us. All the past grievances were simply due to our different positions and our different allegiances."

"The unification of North and South is now the general trend of the world, and it is moving forward in an unstoppable manner. I hope that the Dean can understand this and give his full support to maintain stability together."

Chen Pingping, being a man of great stature, instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Lin Mu's words and the olive branch he was extending.

With Emperor Qing dead and Ye Qingmei's revenge fulfilled, any resistance would only result in more bloodshed and would be utterly meaningless.

He nodded slightly: "General Lin is absolutely right. It is an inevitable trend that cannot be stopped by human power. Although I am not talented, I know to follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

"The entire Oversight Council is willing to do its part to help the General stabilize the situation."

Seeing that Chen Pingping was so pragmatic, Lin Mu said no more.

He extended his right hand, palm facing upwards, and the red life energy of the "Double Perfect Hand" surged instantly, radiating a warm and magnificent vitality that completely enveloped Chen Pingping's lower body.

"Uh……"

Chen Pingping's body trembled violently, and she let out a suppressed groan.

He felt a surge of warm, pure energy flowing into his lower limbs, which had atrophied for many years. Wherever it passed, the parched meridians were instantly nourished and widened, like a long-parched riverbed receiving sweet rain.

The withered muscle fibers frantically absorbed life energy, expanding and becoming full and elastic at a visible speed.

Even more incredibly, from that damaged area, a tingling and itchy sensation emanated, and new flesh, veins, and even the male essence were regenerating under the great power of creation!

This process is not without pain, but compared to the immense joy of being reborn, the pain is insignificant.

A flush appeared on Chen Pingping's aged face, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he clenched his teeth, and his eyes shone with excitement and disbelief.

After a short while, the red light gradually faded.

Chen Pingping trembled, her hands instinctively gripping the armrests of the wheelchair.

He tried to put one foot on the cold ground.

A solid, tactile sensation came through!

Then came the other foot!

He took a deep breath, exerted force with his arms, and slowly, actually stood up!

My legs are firmly supporting my body; this feeling is both strange and distant, like a lifetime ago.

He looked down at his intact, powerful legs, feeling an unprecedented sense of completeness in his lower body. Decades of hidden pain and loss were suddenly restored. Even with his composure and temperament, he couldn't help but shed tears, his emotions overwhelming him.

[Ding! Side Quest: 'Limb Regeneration' Completed. Reward: 10 Millennium Willow Hearts!]

……

As Lin Mu received his award.

Chen Pingping has gotten used to walking again, and her voice has become a little rougher.

After the initial excitement subsided, Chen Pingping suddenly turned around, faced Lin Mu, and knelt down on the ground with a resounding thud: "Chen Pingping... thanks General Lin for giving me a second chance at life!"

"This kindness is like a second birth, and Pingping will never forget it! From this day forward, the entire Oversight Council, including this old man and his remaining life, will follow the Lord's lead without hesitation, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire!"

He paused for a moment, then almost instinctively uttered his signature line: "It's getting cold, this old man will put a coat on the general right away..."

Lin Mu gently raised his hand, and a gentle force lifted Chen Pingping up: "Dean Chen, there's no need for that. I have no interest in imperial power. In the future, I will still need to rely on the Dean and the ministers for political affairs."

"Your greatest support to me is simply to do your duty and manage the Overwatch Council well."

This almost miraculous method not only cured Chen Pingping, but also completely won over everyone present.

Ye Liuyun stroked the newborn arm, his eyes filled with awe.

Generals like Ye Zhong were completely convinced.

The Ye Family Army and the Surveillance Bureau, two pivotal forces, were now under Lin Mu's control, becoming the solid foundation for his efforts to stabilize the new order and implement his will.

After gaining complete control of the situation in Kyoto, Lin Mu appointed Chen Pingping, Fan Jian, Lin Ruofu, Ye Zhong, and others to form a temporary council to maintain order during the transition period, restore stability to people's livelihoods as soon as possible, and handle matters such as the resettlement of surrendered officials.

After making the arrangements, Lin Mu's figure flashed, transforming into a streak of light, and flew straight towards Mount Daito outside of Kyoto.

He chose this place for seclusion because it was the epicenter of a nuclear explosion. Although many years have passed, the residual nuclear radiation energy is still far greater than elsewhere, which is extremely beneficial for cultivation.

Upon arriving deep within Mount Dadong, Lin Mu scanned the area with his spiritual power and discovered that there were still many wild beasts mutated by radiation in the mountains. Most of them were large in size and ferocious in nature, but their strength was generally around the sixth or seventh rank, posing no threat to him.

Through the historical rewinding ability of the Golden Eyes, Lin Mu saw scenes from even further back in time.

Once upon a time, this place was inhabited by more than one colossal mutated beast king with a terrifying aura, comparable to a grandmaster. They ravaged the area and even threatened the lost civilization from ten thousand years ago.

Ultimately, the temple sent messengers and paid a considerable price to eliminate these top threats, leaving only these relatively weak mutated species.

With a wave of his hand, Lin Mu unleashed a barrage of sharp energy, wiping out all the mutated beasts within a radius of several miles and creating a quiet place for cultivation.