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Chapter 273: The Rebel Selection and Mysterious Treasure Announcement
🕑 Added 2024-12-06 16:41:46 +0000 UTC“Is this information reliable?” Lord Luo's face was marked with visible shock.
“Yes, I have already executed him,” Zhao Xing responded firmly.
Lord Luo's expression turned serious. “Don’t take credit lightly. If a post-event review reveals any falsehood or embellishment, the consequences will be severe.”
“I have complete enforcement records,” Zhao Xing assured. “Three identical copies, including a mirage pearl, echo snail recordings, witness statements from adjunct officers, and confirmation from the Judicial Yin God.”
Lord Luo remained silent for a long moment. The information was simply too shocking.
His understanding of Zhao Xing had clearly fallen behind the reality. He knew Zhao Xing had mastered the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, but he wasn’t aware Zhao Xing had broken records. Not only had Zhao Xing condensed the seven principal spirits, but he had merged them into one in the first layer, capable of splitting his soul into 49,999 instances!
Moreover, although he knew Zhao Xing had sent clones to study at the Xuantian Academy’s Branch and Kunyuan Academy’s Headquarters, mastering top-tier techniques, he didn’t know the extent of Zhao Xing's achievements. He was equally unaware that Zhao Xing’s clones could also perform these top-tier techniques and that Li Boqian had taught him the Kunpeng Transformation and A Step to Infinity.
In Lord Luo’s eyes, Zhao Xing was still a promising young talent, someone capable of survival in the presence of third-rank experts but far from capable of defeating one.
To think that Zhao Xing had slain a third-rank expert? Such a feat was beyond his imagination.
Otherwise, Lord Luo wouldn’t have only granted Zhao Xing the temporary title of Tertiary Inspector for the Five Prefectures of Pinghai Commandery, which allowed jurisdiction over those below the third rank. This reflected Lord Luo’s belief that Zhao Xing still couldn’t handle matters involving higher-ranked individuals.
Now, he was being told Zhao Xing had killed King Tianxia.
How could he not be shocked?
“Understood,” Lord Luo finally said. “Preserve the original records and archive them. I will send someone to collect them later. Additionally, prepare a detailed written report of the events to submit to me.”
“Yes.” Zhao Xing nodded. This was standard procedure for an inspector during law enforcement. The power granted to such positions was immense but came with strict processes to prevent abuse.
“Subordinate has another matter to report and seek judgment on,” Zhao Xing continued.
“Speak,” Lord Luo prompted.
“Now that King Tianxia is dead, may I confiscate his assets? If permitted, how should the seized items be handled? Should they be sent to Tianhe Commandery’s Confiscated Goods Division, or is there another arrangement?”
“Additionally, with many positions vacated in the six counties, may I conduct temporary appointments?”
Zhao Xing was familiar with these procedures—his previous life’s experience had seen him penalized by Elder Liu countless times. However, he was careful not to appear too well-versed, allowing Lord Luo the opportunity to provide guidance.
As expected, Lord Luo immediately replied, “You are not qualified to conduct seizures involving a third-rank rebel king. According to protocol, only a second-level inspector has the authority.”
“However, given the special circumstances, waiting for me to send someone could slow your progress.”
“Let’s do this: I will use the channels of the Lihuo Dao Academy to deliver my royal decree. You will have special permission to conduct the seizure and make temporary appointments.”
“Transport all confiscated items to Tianhe Commandery. I will dispatch personnel to tally them later.”
“Yes,” Zhao Xing responded obediently.
This arrangement effectively legitimized Zhao Xing’s actions under Lord Luo’s name, insulating him from any procedural challenges. Should anyone question the operation, they would have to confront Lord Luo directly.
Lord Luo’s actions were a clear gesture of backing Zhao Xing.
This discussion piqued the interest of Lord Xin (Liu Yong) and Lord Anning (Ji Anming), who were also present.
“Who killed King Tianxia? Was it the Lord of Mingyue Manor?” Lord Xin, intrigued, asked. “I don’t recall the Lord of Mingyue Manor having oversight over military affairs.”
Lord Xin referred to the adjacent Mingyue Commandery. The Lord of Mingyue Manor, Ye Yukong, wasn’t a commandery governor but the dean of the Mingyue Military Academy. Yet, older officials like Lord Xin and Lord Anning habitually addressed him as “Lord of Mingyue Manor.”
Given that King Tianxia’s eastern six counties bordered Mingyue Commandery, it was reasonable for them to assume Ye Yukong had taken action. As a third-rank pinnacle expert in swordsmanship, Ye Yukong’s reputation had long surpassed King Tianxia’s.
His self-created Mingyue Sword Technique and Moon Shadow Movement Technique were top-tier methods.
“It wasn’t him,” Lord Luo shook his head. “It was Zhao Xing.”
“Who?!” Lord Xin was stunned, believing he had misheard. “That Zhao Xing?”
“Don’t tell me it’s Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning’s disciple,” Lord Anning added, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“Yes, it’s him,” Lord Luo confirmed. “Honestly, I find it hard to believe, but I doubt Zhao Xing would dare to deceive me about this.”
“How is this possible?!” Lord Xin was dumbfounded.
His impression of Zhao Xing remained rooted in the Dragon Court Ancient Territory Quota Battle, where Zhao Xing had barely reached the fifth rank.
Neither Zhao Xing’s mastery of Derivation of the Divine Spirit nor his acquisition of top-tier techniques were known to Lord Xin. And that battle had only been five years ago, during the 30th year of the Jingxin Calendar.
For Zhao Xing to now slay a third-rank expert—especially someone as formidable as King Tianxia—was beyond comprehension.
“Unbelievable,” Lord Xin muttered.
Lord Anning, however, processed the revelation more quickly. “It seems—”
“What seems?” Lord Xin interjected. “Say it!”
“It’s classified,” Lord Anning smirked, refusing to elaborate.
Lord Xin glared at him, exasperated but helpless.
“This growth rate is astounding,” Lord Anning mused. “If this continues, his accomplishments in the future will be extraordinary.”
Lord Luo nodded. “He hasn’t disclosed everything, but I suspect the truth would be even more shocking.”
Lord Xin could only stew in frustration, watching as the two exchanged cryptic comments.
“You two are unbearable! If you can’t say it, don’t drop hints in front of me!” Lord Xin stormed out, muttering curses.
Lord Anning burst into laughter, while Lord Luo couldn’t help but chuckle as well.
They knew Lord Xin lacked the authority to access classified information about Zhao Xing. The matter of King Tianyan recommending Zhao Xing to study Derivation of the Divine Spirit at the Star Palace was a highly confidential affair. Even Lord Luo and Lord Anning had only been informed on a need-to-know basis.
Back in Tianxia Commandery, Zhao Xing closed the Earth Mirror aboard his Hunyuan Warship. The night sky remained dark, but the ground below was ablaze with activity.
Li Gan, Yao Yuanchun, Zou Yong, and Ouyang Zhen had swiftly begun eliminating the rebel leadership, focusing on fifth- and fourth-rank officials.
With Zhao Xing’s earlier efforts thinning the resistance, the chaos subsided in less than two hours. By dawn, the Tianxia Royal Palace, the commandery capital, and its three garrisoned counties had been pacified.
“Lord Zhao, General Li requests your presence at the palace,” a messenger reported from the sky.
“Understood,” Zhao Xing replied, guiding his fleet of five warships downward while leaving others on aerial alert.
As Zhao Xing landed at the Tianxia Royal Palace gates, he was greeted by Li Gan and his personal troops.
“Sir, all 895 rebels within the palace have been executed,” Li Gan reported. “Additionally, we’ve detained 5,432 family members and servants of King Tianxia.”
“Were there any casualties among the city guard?” Zhao Xing asked.
“Thirteen dead, sixty-six injured,” Li Gan admitted. “This subordinate bears the blame.”
“The palace’s defensive mechanisms were formidable. This is not your fault,” Zhao Xing replied. “When you return, report this to the officials in the prefecture. The city guard’s contributions will undoubtedly be recognized.”
“Thank you, sir.” Li Gan knelt, his eyes filled with admiration. He had never imagined being part of a campaign that culminated in storming a titled king’s palace. It was a memory he and his comrades would recount for a lifetime.
Zhao Xing glanced at the list in his hands, frowning slightly. “Over five thousand family members? Why so many?”
Li Gan replied respectfully, “The rebels gathered their entire extended clan in Tianxia Commandery. This subordinate speculates that King Tianxia had long been preparing for rebellion.”
“No resistance from the detainees?” Zhao Xing asked.
“There was some, but not much,” Li Gan admitted. “The decision to detain them was made under Lord Yao’s orders.”
At that moment, Yao Yuanchun emerged from the palace and cupped his hands toward Zhao Xing in greeting. He explained the situation in more detail, “King Tianxia’s immediate offspring—all of them—were executed. They were complicit and willing participants in his rebellion.”
“As for his grandchildren, about half were executed, while the rest pleaded for their lives, clutching iron-clad imperial pardons.”
“The remaining numbers are primarily from his great-grandchildren, further descendants, and the womenfolk of the family.”
“The clan is proclaiming their innocence, claiming they were coerced by King Tianxia, the patriarch.”
Yao Yuanchun and Li Gan, aware of the stakes, refrained from rash decisions, especially since the detainees were neither resisting nor defying orders. Many had even presented their iron-clad imperial pardons while kneeling for mercy.
Now the responsibility of deciding their fate fell squarely on Zhao Xing.
Handing over the detailed list to Li Gan, Zhao Xing smiled faintly and remarked, “Imperial pardons may absolve lesser offenses, but they hold no sway over treason. King Tianxia’s rebellion warrants the extermination of his entire clan.”
“He’s made it convenient for us by gathering all three branches of his family here,” Zhao Xing added with a smirk.
Li Gan cautiously inquired, “So, does that mean we act now?”
“Following protocol, these individuals should be escorted back to the provincial capital, where we would petition the court for an official decree to execute them on a chosen date. However, we don’t have the luxury of time for such delays,” Zhao Xing replied.
He turned to Yao Yuanchun. “Yao, I’ll need you to summon the three Judicial Yin Gods to witness this matter. Li Gan, activate the Mirage Pearl and Echo Snail to record everything for archival purposes.”
“In summary, we’ll execute the three family branches here and now. If the court later decides to extend punishment to five or nine branches, they can assign the Division of Justice to hunt down the rest.”
Efficiency was key in Zhao Xing’s mind. The foundational principle was clear: rebellion warranted the eradication of three family branches. Any additional actions could follow official procedures later.
“Yes, sir,” Li Gan and Yao Yuanchun responded immediately, rushing back inside to begin preparations.
As soon as they departed, Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen approached Zhao Xing, bearing reports in their hands.
“Lord Zhao, the seizure of the royal estate is complete. We’ve conducted an initial assessment of King Tianxia’s assets,” Zou Yong reported.
“The items have been moved to a separate courtyard within the estate for your review,” Ouyang Zhen added.
“Very well,” Zhao Xing nodded, following the two men to a grand courtyard on the palace grounds.
What awaited him there was staggering. The courtyard, roughly the size of ten football fields, was piled high with wealth and treasures. Zhao Xing’s sharp eyes took in the scene with a faint smile. Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen, ever tactful, stood a hundred meters away, deliberately turning their backs as if to avoid implicating themselves in Zhao Xing’s actions.
Zhao Xing, seeing through their caution, called out with amusement, “Come here, both of you.”
Zhao Xing was anything but covert in his approach. “Let me be clear: I have the full authorization of Lord Tian, the Chief Inspector of the Military Realm, to handle this confiscation.”
“All of you working with me are putting your lives on the line. For your loyalty, I offer this—each of you may select three items from these spoils, except for classified documents or strategic military assets. No whispering, no consulting the Earth Mirror for valuations—it’s all down to luck.”
“Once selected, pack the rest onto the warships and compile an inventory,” Zhao Xing instructed firmly, his gaze locking onto Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen. “Understood?”
The two men exchanged glances, then cupped their hands in deference. “Understood, Lord Zhao.”
Zhao Xing ascended into the air, using his Heavenly Eye to scan the treasure trove. His precise sweep sorted the collection quickly. Most items consisted of jewels, precious artifacts, and valuable paintings—ideal for rewarding officers and soldiers. Other items included rare medicinal herbs, potent elixirs, and finely crafted weapons and armor.
However, nothing among the treasures piqued Zhao Xing’s personal interest. “Plenty of valuable items, but nothing urgent for my needs,” he mused.
Even the lone eighth-ranked treasure in the collection, a war chariot, wasn’t of significant use to him. The seventh-ranked weapons and armor were abundant but standard fare for the military realm. Zhao Xing chose to separate strategic military assets, including sixth-ranked airships and complex mechanical arrays, leaving them untouched as per regulations.
“Sort!” Zhao Xing commanded, sending a gust of wind through the courtyard. The strategic items were neatly organized, leaving the remainder available for distribution.
Soon, Li Gan, Yao Yuanchun, Zou Yong, and Ouyang Zhen returned.
“We’ll proceed in batches. Everyone knows the rules?” Zhao Xing asked.
“Yes, Lord Zhao. Thank you for your generosity,” the group replied in unison, bowing deeply.
“Begin,” Zhao Xing waved them forward.
Cheers erupted among the assembled soldiers and officials as they entered the courtyard. Yao Yuanchun, however, remained rooted in place.
“Yao, not interested in testing your luck?” Zhao Xing asked with a smile.
“No need,” Yao Yuanchun replied with a shake of his head. “I’ve no particular needs at the moment.”
His response wasn’t arrogance but genuine contentment. Yao Yuanchun’s equipment was already top-notch, and even seventh-ranked treasures required careful selection. Items of that caliber were classified as strategic military resources, accessible only through official channels, making them unsuitable for personal distribution.
Li Gan, meanwhile, took charge of ensuring order. “Follow the rules—pick three items with your eyes closed! No haggling, no peeking. Any violation, and don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
“No documents, no military assets. Once you’ve made your selection, move out quickly!” he barked, his stern demeanor earning compliance from the crowd.
“Yes, sir!” the soldiers and officials responded eagerly. Many were elated; their salaries and ranks rarely afforded them such opportunities.
As the distribution progressed, Zhao Xing stood back, watching with an amused expression. A few daring individuals even stepped forward to share their fortunes—or lack thereof.
“Lord Zhao, I only ended up with three fourth-ranked pills,” a middle-aged man with a straightforward demeanor admitted, holding up three bottles. “I thought they’d be valuable with names like Divine Grace Pills, but it turns out those alchemists are just marketing geniuses.”
Laughter erupted from the crowd, and even Zhao Xing couldn’t suppress a chuckle.
“Well, did anyone strike it rich?” Zhao Xing asked.
This time, several voices responded enthusiastically, boasting of sixth-ranked items they’d claimed.
“Good,” Zhao Xing nodded, turning back to the man who had spoken earlier. “What’s your name?”
“Wang Ping’an, sir,” the man replied.
“Wang Ping’an,” Zhao Xing repeated with a smile. “Don’t worry about this time’s haul. Opportunities like this will come again!”
“Remember, Tianhe Commandery is crawling with rebels. Our mission is to eliminate them and seize their estates!” Zhao Xing’s voice grew sharp, rallying the crowd. “Tell me, do you want to fight?”
“Yes!” the soldiers roared in unison.
“Kill the rebels! Seize their assets!” they chanted, their fervor shaking the air.
Zhao Xing raised a fist, and silence fell. “You have half a month to rest and prepare. After that, we march to confront the Xinyang Army and confiscate the Xinyang Marquis’s estate!”
“Understood!” the soldiers and officials saluted, their morale soaring.
As Li Gan led his men to rest, Zhao Xing immersed himself in reorganizing Tianxia Commandery’s administration. His personal involvement in the appointments impressed Yao Yuanchun, who observed from the sidelines.
“With minimal cost, he’s galvanized the city guards,” Yao Yuanchun thought, admiration evident. The soldiers Zhao Xing had mobilized included diverse ranks—Inspectors, City Guards, and Justice Division officers. Convincing these disparate groups to cooperate wasn’t an easy feat, especially given their modest salaries and risks involved.
Yet Zhao Xing had successfully transformed their grumbling into enthusiasm, proving his leadership capabilities.
Yao Yuanchun later approached Zhao Xing, curiosity evident in his tone. “Lord Zhao, may I ask something?”
“No need for formality, Yao. Call me by my name in private,” Zhao Xing replied warmly. He held Yao Yuanchun in high regard for his talent and unwavering Fortune, which rarely dipped below Derivation Four or Five—even during their confrontation with King Tianxia.
“What’s on your mind?” Zhao Xing asked.
“We suffered minimal casualties, and you’ve already informed the commandery of your plans to appoint replacements. Why rest for half a month and openly announce our next target? Doesn’t that give the Xinyang Army time to prepare?” Yao Yuanchun asked directly.
Zhao Xing smiled lightly and said, "I won’t be resting for half a month. At the latest, the day after tomorrow, I’ll be leading the troops to depart."
"I won’t actually target the Xinyang Army to the north first but rather the Puyang Army to the south."
Yao Yuanchun’s eyes widened with realization. "Zhao Xing, you said that intentionally, didn’t you?"
Zhao Xing nodded. "Speed is the essence of warfare. The key is to catch the enemy off guard."
"Our actions in Tianxia Commandery can’t be concealed for long. Some deserters and escaped officers will inevitably spread the word."
"So, since they’ll find out anyway, I may as well say that I’m targeting the Xinyang Army."
"The Xinyang Army will likely tense up and focus all their efforts on defense, leaving the Puyang Army less vigilant."
Yao Yuanchun listened carefully, realizing that every word Zhao Xing said carried a deeper meaning. His admiration for Zhao Xing grew even stronger.
But Zhao Xing’s strategy wasn’t born solely from ingenuity; it was also borne out of necessity.
The forces he had gathered, while individually strong, lacked cohesion as a unit. Li Gan’s command barely managed to execute a fourth-tier battle formation effectively.
"If only I were leading the Shenwei Army," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "Even if their overall strength were a tier lower, their combat effectiveness would far surpass this group."
Their training, coordination, and discipline were simply on an entirely different level.
"For now, I’ll make do with what I have. If I had the privilege of commanding the Yuanyu Army, Yuanwei Army, or Yuanhe Army, then I’d have a truly reliable force," Zhao Xing mused.
These three armies had originally been part of the "Tianhe Army."
The Tianhe Army had ranked 460th in the Military Realm, on par with the Shenwei Army. However, during the Shadowy Mountain Battle of Year 33 in the Jingxin Era, the Tianhe Army’s commander and several high-ranking officers were killed in action. The devastating losses forced the army to disband and split into three.
While many mid-tier commanders from the Tianhe Army survived, the lack of leadership caused the army’s eventual downgrade and division.
Returning to the warship, Zhao Xing entered the grand hall housing the golden statue of True Lord Tianyang. He called out, "Ancestor, the arrangements are complete."
"Good," the voice of True Lord Tianyang resonated. "Notify Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying in the prefectural capital to send officials to fill the vacancies in Tianxia Commandery."
"Understood," Zhao Xing responded.
True Lord Tianyang glanced at him and suddenly asked, "Why didn’t you bring my golden statue from Tianxia Commandery with you?"
Zhao Xing froze for a moment. "Ancestor, you have a golden statue in Tianxia Commandery as well?"
"Of course," True Lord Tianyang replied. "Across the 19 provinces, both within the continent and overseas, I have over 170,000 golden statues spread across 54,000 county seats."
"But in commandery-level areas like this, only third-grade golden statues are stationed. Prefectural capitals house the second-grade statues."
Zhao Xing was stunned. He hadn’t been aware of this vast distribution. But upon reflection, it made sense—this era marked the peak of True Lord Tianyang’s influence in the Netherworld.
As the previous Grand Shennong, True Lord Tianyang’s authority was at its zenith after his death, transferring seamlessly to his divine counterpart in the Netherworld. Only when the current Grand Shennong, Li Boqian, passed on his authority would True Lord Tianyang’s power begin to wane.
"Got it. I’ll retrieve the statue immediately," Zhao Xing said as he departed quickly.
The reason for bringing the statue back was simple. When True Lord Tianyang manifested through the golden statue, the energy consumed was that of the statue itself. Having already intervened twice, the second-grade golden statue aboard the ship was nearing its limit and needed replenishment.
Zhao Xing descended to the temple in Tianxia Commandery.
There was no sign of rebellion here—not even a connection to the Netherworld had been opened.
King Tianxia had incited rebellion on his own, without any support from Yin Gods. Lacking even a trace of the Ji clan’s bloodline and without the sanction of King Liang, no Yin Gods followed him into treason.
Although there had been no direct spiritual uprising, some disorder had still occurred.
"King Tianxia knew he couldn’t harness the power of the Yin Gods or destroy the temple outright, so he used a formation to seal it instead," Zhao Xing noted as he circled the temple.
Yin Gods without formal summons couldn’t stray far from their temples or act recklessly in the mortal world. For large-scale operations, a priest had to bring the golden statue along.
Destroying the temple would provoke a fierce backlash from the Yin Gods, so sealing it was King Tianxia’s only viable option.
"The seal’s level isn’t high. I can break it with brute force," Zhao Xing concluded.
Raising his hand, Zhao Xing unleashed his Heavenly Thunder Finger, tearing a massive hole in the formation.
He stepped inside the main hall, where another golden statue of True Lord Tianyang stood. Unlike the one aboard the ship, this statue was taller, with a younger and more imposing visage. Its expression exuded the domineering aura of a leader of the Heaven School.
"Disciple Zhao Xing requests the ancestor’s golden statue to leave the temple," Zhao Xing said, bowing deeply.
The statue suddenly came to life. True Lord Tianyang’s younger and sharper features exuded a stern authority. His eyebrows were raised in anger, and his presence was entirely different from the more amicable figure aboard the ship.
"That wretched Li Boqian!" True Lord Tianyang thundered. "Protecting his own students while treating my golden statues as disposable tools! What insolence!"
The furious outburst left Zhao Xing silent and respectful. Each golden statue of a Yin God reflected a different facet of their personality. This one embodied True Lord Tianyang’s stern and commanding side.
"You must relay my words to Li Boqian next time you meet him!" True Lord Tianyang barked.
"Yes, I will," Zhao Xing replied hastily, not daring to hesitate.
"Hmph!" With that, True Lord Tianyang reverted to his statue form, signaling his consent for the statue’s relocation.
Carrying the third-grade golden statue was no small feat. It radiated intense heat like a furnace and was exceptionally heavy. Fortunately, Zhao Xing’s cultivated Dao body granted him the strength to manage it.
Returning to the warship, Zhao Xing carefully placed the statue in the temple onboard.
"Ancestor," he said as he gently set it on the altar.
Laughter echoed in his mind. "Did you get scolded?"
"Your wise words are a great lesson for me," Zhao Xing replied diplomatically.
"Hahaha, you certainly know how to talk," True Lord Tianyang said, amused.
The third-grade golden statue shattered, transforming into a beam of golden light that merged with the second-grade statue. Zhao Xing could sense a subtle change in the statue’s energy, though he couldn’t pinpoint its exact nature.
With no further instructions from True Lord Tianyang, Zhao Xing bowed and excused himself.
Back at Tianhe Prefectural Capital, Zhang Ping stared in shock. "What? King Tianxia has already been executed?"
Wu Xuanying nodded. "It’s true. True Lord Tianyang confirmed it himself. Zhao Xing has cleared out all the rebels in Tianxia Commandery and requested officials from the prefectural capital to fill the gaps."
"Alright, let’s convene a meeting to discuss—" Zhang Ping began, but his words were cut off as golden light flashed from the direction of the prefectural office.
He and Wu Xuanying exchanged glances before rushing toward the source.
The gates of the office swung open with a thunderous rumble, and a scholarly figure emerged, carrying a bloodstained scripture under his arm. Following him were a group of ceremonial officials.
"Greetings, Governor!"
"Greetings, Governor!"
Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying immediately bowed in respect.
It was clear that He Zhengchen had prevailed in the grand deliberation.
As the new governor, He Zhengchen had not disappointed True Lord Tianyang. His appointment ensured that even if Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying were incapacitated, the situation could still be salvaged.
"Governor, how are you holding up?" Wu Xuanying asked.
"I’m fine," He Zhengchen replied, shaking his head. "The rebel leaders, Yu and Wang, are dead, and the remaining traitors have been dealt with."
"Governor, about the current state of the city—" Wu Xuanying began, but He Zhengchen raised a hand to silence him.
"No need to explain. I already know."
Hovering above the prefectural capital, He Zhengchen began to chant softly:
"Forget the thousand woes of the mortal world; let all troubles dissipate into the void."
A powerful aura emanated from him, enveloping the entire city.
This was the Forgetting Woes Technique, but it differed from ordinary Forgetting Woes Arrays. The technique calmed the fear and unrest caused by the rebellion, allowing the officials to regain their composure and focus.
"All department heads, resume governmental functions immediately. Clear the backlog of work without delay," He Zhengchen commanded, his voice infused with the resonant power of "Jin Sheng Yu Zhen," directly embedding his words into the minds of all officials.
In that moment, the administrative machinery of Tianhe Prefectural Capital began to move again. Even the common folk felt a sense of calm, stepping cautiously out onto the streets to resume their daily activities, though the gates remained closed to prevent anyone from leaving.
After descending, He Zhengchen turned to Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying.
"Why are there so many vacancies in the middle-tier official positions? Did we lose that many fifth-rank officials?"
"Governor, Zhao Xing, the Inspector of Pinghai Province’s five prefectures, requisitioned a group to suppress the rebellion," Zhang Ping explained.
"Inspector Zhao Xing?" He Zhengchen asked, unfamiliar with the details. "He took a thousand people—where to?"
"Tianxia Commandery," Zhang Ping replied.
"What?!" He Zhengchen’s face darkened. "Nonsense! How long has he been gone? Call him back immediately!"
"I’m afraid that’s not possible."
"What do you mean? Is he dead?" He Zhengchen’s expression grew grimmer. "Do you realize his other identity? How could you let him embark on such a reckless mission?"
He Zhengchen quickly accessed the official records through his seal, uncovering more detailed information about Zhao Xing. He learned that Zhao Xing was a disciple of Liu Tianning, connected to Princess You Ruo, and had caught the attention of both Xuanyuan Academy and Kunyuan Academy.
Allowing Zhao Xing to undertake such a risky operation was utterly unacceptable. What would he say to these factions if Zhao Xing didn’t return?
"Calm yourself, Governor. King Tianxia has already been killed by Zhao Xing, and he is safe and sound. This news just arrived," Zhang Ping reassured him.
He Zhengchen’s eyes froze, his pupils dilating slightly.
“Governor, it is exactly as stated,” Wu Xuanying confirmed. “There’s no mistake.”
He Zhengchen suppressed the surge of excitement in his chest, cautious not to make the mistake of asserting, "I already know everything."
“Tell me the full details of Zhao Xing’s actions,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
On February 2nd, Zhao Xing departed the city on February 4th to suppress the rebellion.
By February 5th, he had eliminated the mid-ranking commanders of King Tianxia’s forces, completing this task within a day.
When engaging King Tianxia directly, Zhao Xing deployed the Fire Cage Formation, burning the enemy forces for three days and nights. By the afternoon of February 10th, he began confiscating property from the rebel leaders.
It was on this day that He Zhengchen emerged, personally contacting Zhao Xing to express full support for his actions. He mobilized a large contingent of selected officials to assist in governing Tianxia Commandery. However, He Zhengchen harbored deep concerns for Zhao Xing’s safety, subtly hinting that he should return.
But by then, Zhao Xing had already set off for Puyang Commandery.
On February 13th, Marquis Puyang and his 105 personal guards were all executed.
That same day, Zhao Xing mobilized a grand army of straw puppets, including 97 Myriad Manifestation Incarnations, numbering a total of 40,000 troops, to sweep across Puyang Commandery’s counties.
In the operation, 43,800 rebels identified under the Heavenly Eye Technique were executed on the spot. However, many others, though not sanctioned with the Black Dragon Fortune by King Liang, had committed heinous crimes during the chaos.
Zhao Xing opted for the strictest measures: minor offenses received severe punishments, and serious crimes resulted in execution.
The aftermath saw over 150,000 individuals crippled and more than 40,000 directly executed. The bloody suppression caused the Dragon Fortune of Loucheng to waver visibly in the sky, signaling that its rebellion had been utterly extinguished.
By the evening of February 16th, Zhao Xing arrived in Yuhe Commandery.
At this point, He Zhengchen, in his capacity as Governor, issued orders to the Yuankui Army, Yuanyu Army, and Yuanhe Army, commanding them to follow Zhao Xing’s instructions. With Zhao Xing’s status as Inspector, he successfully assumed command of the 50,000-strong Yuhe Army.
This force included nine fourth-grade generals and 3,000 fifth-grade officers, supported by 50 Hunyuan warships, along with military supplies. With these reinforcements, Zhao Xing pressed on toward Xinyang Commandery.
The Xinyang Army, already deeply compromised, numbered 200,000 soldiers, of which fewer than 3,000 were innocent.
On February 20th, the Xinyang Army was completely annihilated.
In this engagement, there were no survivors. The entirety of the 200,000-strong army perished within Xinyang Commandery. This was largely due to the coordinated efforts between Zhao Xing and He Zhengchen, who sealed the borders with the Commandery Boundary Stone, preventing anyone from escaping.
Those who were forced to resist did so because non-compliance meant death at the hands of Marquis Xinyang. By then, even they could no longer be considered innocent.
Ultimately, all 200,000 were killed.
By February 23rd, Zhao Xing led the Yuanyu Army to the base of the fifth stationed rebel force to suppress them.
This operation was the easiest. Upon arriving in Shangdang Commandery, the commandery governor, Qu Xin, had already executed a brilliant strategy through ceremonial deception, luring 16 generals of the rebel Longyang Army into the city and killing them.
When Zhao Xing arrived, the Longyang rebels were still camped outside the city, blissfully unaware of their leaders’ demise.
On March 5th, Zhao Xing reached Jiangwu Commandery.
This marked the bloodiest engagement yet. The suppression efforts had placed immense pressure on three nearby rebel armies stationed around Jiangwu Commandery.
In this battle, Zhao Xing commanded the Yuanyu Army, the Yuankui Army, and an additional force of 30,000 Yin Soldiers and Yin Generals. Together, they annihilated the combined rebel force of 700,000.
By this point, of the eleven stationed armies under Tianhe Prefecture, only two rebel forces remained. However, they were no longer a threat.
Recognizing Zhao Xing’s effectiveness, He Zhengchen had, by late February, transferred Tianhe Prefectural Capital’s City Guard Army, the remaining Yin Soldiers and Yin Generals from the temple, and the Transport Division’s Military Shennong to bolster the campaign.
In Beifeng Commandery, where the land was perpetually battered by fierce gales, a harsh environment had given rise to a formidable army known as the Beifeng Army.
“Why? Why hasn’t the reinforcement army promised by King Liang arrived?” roared Marquis Beifeng, Yang Dang, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Zhao Xing standing outside the city’s defensive array.
“How could you kill King Tianxia? You’re only a fourth-grade Shennong!” Yang Dang’s voice cracked with disbelief. He had barely begun his rebellion, and now, in less than a month, his dreams were shattered.
“Sleep… sleep…”
The faint murmur reached Yang Dang even within the protective array of the city. The month of relentless slaughter had honed Zhao Xing’s Dreamwalking Technique to terrifying heights. Empowered by the massive number of souls derived from the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, its potency far exceeded Zhao Xing’s expectations.
Within moments, Yang Dang faltered.
“Pfft—” Yang Dang severed his remaining leg in a desperate bid to stay awake.
Yet a mere moment later, the overwhelming drowsiness returned.
“I refuse… I refuse to accept this…” Yang Dang muttered to himself. His broken body fell from the sky, slipping into a dream state.
“Thud—” Even as his body hit the ground in a burst of blood, he remained unconscious.
“Huh? This guy, a peak fourth-grade Martial Artist, can withstand this much?” Zhao Xing noted. Even after Yang Dang succumbed to slumber, it took Zhao Xing an entire moment longer to kill him.
“Unbelievable. His soul isn’t just on par with his physical cultivation—it even exceeds it by a significant margin.”
This realization left Zhao Xing uneasy. There was something extraordinary about Yang Dang.
Checking his own fortune panel, Zhao Xing noticed his Fortune had jumped to Derivation Seven.
“Could this be a treasure?” Zhao Xing paused, considering. Combining insights from his fortune panel and spell analysis, he sensed that Yang Dang might indeed hold secrets, potentially even an opportunity valuable to him.
“Breach the city at once!” Zhao Xing commanded.
“Once the city falls, search Yang Dang’s residence thoroughly.”
Energized by the prospect, Zhao Xing unleashed his spells without restraint, simultaneously directing all Hunyuan warships to bombard the defensive array around the city walls.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Under the relentless assault, the city’s defensive array finally collapsed.
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