Sub-heading: What in the world do so many of you want?
Qiweiya was furious. She had just woken up and was eating when a commotion from outside, caused by a group of generally Level 6-7 individuals, made it impossible to continue. Yet, this wasn’t the primary cause of her anger; after all, even a horde of Level 12-13 cultivators would make little difference to them, merely requiring a bit more effort.
What truly incensed her was how the City Lord constantly summoned so many powerful Imperial Army members. Did he not take her words seriously? Did he think they were deceiving him? This was utterly intolerable—either they retreated, or they fought!
****
The City Lord was now filled with deep regret. What happened to their agreed-upon discussion? How had it devolved into a physical confrontation? He had merely intended for the Empire to send a few people to bolster his courage; was there truly a need for such extreme tension?
Mei offered an embarrassed laugh. “Ahahaha… My sincerest apologies. Our mistress has a bit of a morning temper, and your sudden arrival in such numbers startled her, causing her to be a little heavy-handed.”
The City Lord and the Imperial Envoy exchanged a glance, then simultaneously wiped sweat from their brows. They looked at the most powerful Imperial Army legion, now lying in tatters on the ground, uniforms shredded and unable to rise. Was this merely ‘a little heavy-handed’? How terrifying would it be if she truly unleashed her full might? Seriously injuring a legion of Level 6-7 powerhouses on the spot – perhaps it would be best if she didn’t bother this small continent any further; it simply couldn’t withstand her power.
The two men locked eyes, silently agreeing to pretend they hadn’t seen anything, and immediately steered the conversation to the main topic.
“My Lord,” the City Lord began, “why are you suddenly concerning yourself with the affairs of common folk? Don’t you deities typically disregard mundane matters that are unrelated to you? Why are you now interfering with the order of the human world?”
Qiweiya cut Mei off, gesturing for her to let her speak. “After all, one of my origins is that of the God of Judgment. You humans were once a race I brought forth, and seeing you continue down this path, you’ll inevitably perish! That is why this deity descended to conduct an incognito investigation into the lives of the people – or rather, to experience civilian life. I never imagined human society could be so chaotic, with the populace suffering and nobles running rampant, acting with utter impunity! It was then that this deity resolved to thoroughly reform human order and restore humanity to its former glory.”
Both the City Lord and the Envoy listened, completely dumbfounded. While they understood the words, this ‘officialese’ style of dialogue, reminiscent of ancient Chinese bureaucrats, utterly shocked them. After a moment, they registered Qiweiya’s mention of ‘God of Judgment’ and ‘Origin,’ and immediately knelt.
“We were unaware that Her Highness, the Ice Snow Goddess, had descended to the mortal realm. Please forgive our disrespect.”
Qiweiya was utterly bewildered. She couldn’t recall ever becoming the daughter of some emperor.
Noticing Qiweiya’s confusion, the City Lord clarified, “Your Highness is a title bestowed because the great Ice Snow Goddess appeared even before the Creator God formed the world. Her seniority surpasses that of the World Grand Ancestor, who thus decided to use this title to honor you.”
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya subtly observed Qiweiya. Qiweiya, for her part, pressed a hand to her forehead. “I truly didn’t expect your human ancestors to go to such unnecessary lengths to give me an honorific. I don’t need these frivolous, empty things. Why do they always insist on such elaborate gestures?” Recalling an unpleasant period dominated by fear from long ago, Qiweiya shivered.
The Envoy, looking eager, interjected, “But this is a sincere expression of our human ancestors’ devotion to Your Highness! Does Your Highness intend to deny the faith of your believers?”
Qiweiya and the others were startled. How had merely not wanting a title escalated into something as terrifying as denying faith?
A flustered Qiweiya nervously asked, “How does not wanting a title become denying faith? They’re clearly two different matters!”
The City Lord shook his head and replied gravely, “Ancestor believes this is the most noble title he derived throughout his entire life, based on your Path of Balance. If Your Highness does not accept it, you would be denying all the efforts humanity has made to survive until today!”
Upon hearing the words ‘Path of Balance,’ Qiweiya knew she was doomed. The subsequent explanation, as expected, left her with no room for rebuttal. She had started this, and now she had to see it through, even if it brought tears to her eyes.
Qiweiya nodded resignedly. “Alright, alright, I will generously accept your title. After all, it’s a good intention, and it’s not something incomprehensible…”
The two men, faces alight with excitement, kowtowed several times. “Thank Your Highness for acknowledging humanity’s faith!”
After accepting their bows, Qiweiya’s expression turned cold. “Since I have accepted the title, it is now time to begin serious matters.”
The two exchanged glances and quickly stood up. The Envoy also nodded earnestly. “Understood, Your Highness! We have indeed wasted much time. However, now that your identity is confirmed, you may state any conditions you wish! We, the human race, will accept them all.”
Qiweiya, Mei, and Bronya exchanged a bewildered look, unsure what her identity had to do with the current situation.
Seeing their confusion, the City Lord clarified, “We humans adhere to all of Your Highness’s commands as our guiding principles. You have bestowed immense grace upon us; you are the absolute faith of our human race, and we uphold the most ancient decrees. Therefore, even if Your Highness commanded our racial extinction, we would not hesitate.”
Qiweiya felt a peculiar emotion, a sense of guilt, and her expression became comical. “Actually, you absolutely don’t need to be like this. It makes me sound like a dictator, and I certainly don’t want to be like Hitler. After all, he’s constantly parodied on Bilibili.”
The Envoy and the City Lord looked bewildered. “Although we do not know who Your Highness refers to as Hitler, Your Highness need not worry about any so-called dictatorship. This is a voluntary devotion from our human race and is unrelated to your will.”
Though Qiweiya still found it somewhat difficult to accept, she was quite willing to resolve matters in such a straightforward and decisive manner.
“In that case, I shall directly state my demands.”
****
Qiweiya proceeded to outline a complete legal framework, much like that of her own country, and even presented a modified version of China’s education system for this other world, humorously wondering why only they should suffer the ‘poison’ of widespread compulsory education. The two men listened intently.
They expressed profound appreciation for Qiweiya’s words, and also deep reverence for their ancestors’ inherited decrees. Their ancestors, it seemed, had truly not misled them; the Ice Snow Goddess was indeed as learned and benevolent as the legends claimed!
Kiana, Mei, and Bronya, listening to all this, struggled to suppress their laughter. To an outsider, their twitching faces might have looked as if they were suffering from a nervous disorder.
Qiweiya, having ‘tricked’ a generation of young children in this other world, downplayed her own involvement, asking them not to reveal that she was the one who promulgated these laws. She suggested they could simply find someone else to take the credit.
The two men were moved beyond measure by Qiweiya’s profound righteousness, believing it was humanity’s greatest fortune to be able to worship her, and marveling at the foresight of their ancestors.
After somewhat misleading the two men, Qiweiya informed them that the Empire’s people should not bother her without good reason in the future, as she would be very busy during this period.
Thus, the two called for people to load the so-called Imperial Army powerhouses onto a large cart. The cart then rumbled away, swaying precariously, from the small wooden cabin where Qiweiya and the others resided.
Then… Kiana was the first to give in, collapsing to the floor and slamming it with her hands. Mei, unable to bear it any longer, began wildly slapping the walls. Bronya, too, allowed a clear smile to grace her lips. Qiweiya, however, maintained a serene expression. “Now, now, we must remain calm. We need to project an image of dignity to our believers!”
Mei composed herself. “Mistress Qiweiya, where shall we travel to next?”
Qiweiya stroked her chin. “Let’s go visit the elves. I want to see if they have any prettier girls after all this time.”
*Swish, swish, swish.* Three piercing gazes fixed coldly on Qiweiya. Qiweiya broke into a cold sweat, watching the three figures approach, rubbing their fists. “You! What are you doing! Are you trying to rebel? How dare you threaten me!”
“We’re going to beat you, you perverted loli!” they chorused three times.
“Ah! Help! Someone, help me! My daughters are beating their mother! What a tragedy for our family, what a tragedy!”