On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

After the black fog dissipated, the governor's mansion fell into a brief silence.

Elizabeth wiped the cold sweat from her forehead; the oppressive aura she had just experienced had instilled fear in even a female pirate who had killed countless people at sea.

"Your Highness, are the executors of the Nihilistic Party really that powerful?"

Lin Zhen did not answer, but looked at the distant night sky.

He could sense that the man in black robes hadn't been bluffing. The Nihilistic Party was more complex than he had imagined.

"Whether it's strong or not, you'll only know after you've fought it."

He turned and walked into the mansion. "Tell Yue Fei and the others to speed things up. I want to wipe out all the Nihilistic Party's strongholds in Southeast Asia within three days."

"Yes!"

Elizabeth accepted the order and left.

When Lin Zhen returned to his palace, Murong Yan was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hands.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, a hint of worry flashing in her phoenix eyes.

"Husband, that person just now..."

"He's just a clown." Lin Zhen walked over and sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "Don't worry, the sky won't fall."

Murong Yan leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "I'm not worried that you can't beat them, I'm worried... there's even bigger trouble behind this."

Lin Zhen remained silent for a moment.

He knew Murong Yan was right.

The fact that the Nihilistic Party was able to infiltrate the entire Southeast Asia region in such a short time must mean that there is a powerful force supporting it.

The so-called descent of a god made him even more wary.

"Let's take it one step at a time." He gently patted Murong Yan's shoulder. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Murong Yan didn't say anything more, but buried her head even deeper.

The next day at noon.

The Governor's Mansion's reception room was filled with representatives of major powers in Southeast Asia.

The governor of the Dutch East India Company, Van der Weil, a fat man with a face full of scars, was wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

Carlos, the commander of the Spanish Far East Fleet, was a middle-aged man with a goatee and a professional smile on his face.

João, the Portuguese Director of Trade for the Far East, was a thin old man with shrewd eyes like an old fox.

There was also a representative from the British Navy, a young officer who stood ramrod straight with arrogance in his eyes.

In addition to these Western powers, envoys from the Kingdom of Siam and the Burmese dynasty were also among them.

They were all waiting for someone.

Lin Zhen.

"You guys have been waiting for a long time."

A lazy voice came from outside the door.

Lin Zhen took Murong Yan's hand and slowly walked into the reception room.

He wasn't wearing any fancy robes, just a simple black long gown, but his imposing presence made everyone present afraid to look him in the eye.

Murong Yan was still wearing that black phoenix-themed dress, her beauty otherworldly.

A five-zhang-long (approximately 10 meters) long, dark gold trail swept by, drawing gasps of amazement.

"Your Majesty!"

Van der Wiel was the first to stand up, his face plastered with a fawning smile. “I am Van der Wiel, Governor of the Dutch East India Company. I have long admired Your Highness’s name, and seeing you today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved!”

Lin Zhen glanced at him without saying anything, and went straight to the main seat to sit down.

Murong Yan sat beside him, her phoenix eyes sweeping over everyone present. Her innate majesty made everyone lower their heads.

"Speak, what business do you have with me?"

Lin Zhen's voice was calm, yet it made everyone present feel an invisible pressure.

Van der Wiel swallowed hard and forced a smile, saying, "Your Highness, I have come here on behalf of the Dutch East India Company to discuss matters of cooperation with you."

"Cooperation?" Lin Zhen laughed. "Your Dutch East India Company was an ally of the Nihilistic Party before, wasn't it?"

Van der Wiel's face paled, and he hurriedly waved his hands, "Your Highness misunderstands. We were only coerced by the Nihilists and had no choice but to..."

"Enough," Lin Zhen interrupted him. "I have no interest in listening to your fabricated stories."

He stood up and glanced at everyone present.

"You've come here today simply to see my attitude and see if you can get a share of the spoils from me."

"But I must tell you, the landscape of Southeast Asia has changed from today onwards."

His voice wasn't loud, but it sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"The Nihilists are a thing of the past, and I can't be bothered with you opportunists."

"You can continue doing business in Southeast Asia if you want."

"But the rules must be set by me, the king."

As soon as he finished speaking, the reception room fell into a deathly silence.

Van der Wiel's face turned pale and then red, and his lips trembled for a long time, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Carlos and João exchanged a glance, a hint of helplessness flashing in their eyes.

They knew that Lin Zhen was making a show of force.

Only the British officer maintained his arrogant expression.

“Your Highness, aren’t your words a bit too domineering?” He stood up, his voice filled with dissatisfaction. “Southeast Asia is a free trade zone, not a place where you can make the decisions alone.”

Lin Zhen turned to look at him, her eyes eerily calm.

"What's your name?"

“William Harrison, Royal Navy Captain.” The young officer straightened his back. “On behalf of the British Empire, I express our position to you.”

“The British Empire?” Lin Zhen laughed. “Then go back and tell your queen that from today onwards, this part of the South Seas will belong to the Lin family.”

"Anyone who disagrees, feel free to try."

William's face turned bright red, and he was about to retort when Lin Zhen stopped him with a look.

There was no murderous intent in those eyes, yet they instilled in him a fear that emanated from his very soul.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing and slumped down.

Lin Zhen withdrew his gaze and looked at the others.

"My rules are very simple."

"First, all businesses operating in Southeast Asia must pay 30% of their profits to me annually as protection money."

"Secondly, all trade routes must be approved by this king."

"Third, no force may establish armed forces in Southeast Asia without authorization."

"Those who disobey will be executed without mercy."

His voice was soft, yet it made everyone feel suffocated.

Van der Wiel gritted his teeth and forced a smile, saying, "Your Highness, isn't 30% profit too much?"

"Is it too much?" Lin Zhen countered. "I don't think so."

"How much did you hand over to the Nihilistic Party before? Fifty percent, or sixty percent?"

"I only need 30%, which is already very merciful."

Van der Wiel was speechless.

Everyone else lowered their heads and dared not speak.

They knew that Lin Zhen was establishing his authority.

They have no right to bargain.

"Since no one objects, it's settled then." Lin Zhen waved his hand. "Sign the contract within three days and send it to the Governor's Mansion."

"Yes Yes……"

Everyone responded quickly, afraid of being a step too slow.

Lin Zhen ignored them and turned to leave, holding Murong Yan's hand.

Stepping out of the reception room, Murong Yan couldn't help but smile.

"Husband, you're treating them like easy prey."

"Why not take advantage of them?" Lin Zhen shrugged. "Anyway, they were taken advantage of by the Nihilists before, so it's just a matter of taking advantage of someone else."

"Moreover, I am much more merciful than the Nihilists; at least I will not take their lives."

Murong Yan shook her head, her eyes full of doting affection.

Just then, Lakshmi strode over, a serious expression on his face.

"Your Highness, General Yue Fei has sent word that they discovered something... strange during their raid on the Nihilistic Party's stronghold."

"what?"

“There are altar-like structures covered with strange runes.” Lakshmi paused. “And beneath each altar lies a large number of corpses.”

Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed.

"Take me to see it."