“No!” the prince howled. His voice trembled with incomparable grief and indignation, yet he refused to back down in humiliation.

“On your knees!” Yang Qi repeated, increasing the pressure. The light flared brighter and brighter until the prince finally flopped onto his hands and knees like a dog.

“You’re a precious prince of the Mechfolk, with the blood of the imperial house in your veins, yet here you are on your hands and knees in front of me.” Yang Qi laughed. “Since you refuse to offer me your allegiance, I'm going to kill you to convince everyone else of the error of their ways.” He slowly raised a hand above his head as he prepared to deliver the fatal blow.

Yang Qi wasn’t actually as strong as this prince, but with the powers of the Cruiser of Civilization, he could crush him.

In response to Yang Qi’s actions, the patriarchs all began clamoring in sorrow and anger. 

“Don't!”

“Don’t harm our prince!”

“As long as you don’t hurt him,...