General Jiang Changyong of the Outer Tower Realm met his end in an instant. The token to activate the city’s grand protective array lay within his grasp, yet his hand would never again close around it.

The great crossbow carts that guarded the city stood untouched, their strings taut, never to be loosed upon an enemy. The black nightmare gray jars, capable of extinguishing Dao Yuan, the red fire oil jars, potent enough to consume vital energy… all manner of costly defensive armaments, remained unmoved.

Under the command of Chong Xuan Sheng, the Victory Camp swiftly seized control of the city’s vital points. Before Xi Ming City’s defenses could even stir, the occupation was, in effect, complete.

Liu Da Yong’s emotions were a tangled mess, difficult to articulate. He wasn’t angry—there hadn’t been time for anger; everything was over too quickly. He witnessed the Qi army sweep through the city like dried weeds under a crushing foot, moving with the ease of true masters. He saw the resistance in all of Xi Ming City… it was almost non-existent. Any flicker of defiance was instantly quelled, leaving behind a tranquil sea. The entirety of Xi Ming City was, in truth, a calm and placid expanse.

That young officer, clad in humble attire, was like two entirely different people before and after drawing his sword. His strength was terrifying. Even the City Lord of Xi Ming City had been slain in a single exchange.

Yet, he seemed to have no reason to fear. For that shrewd, stout man appeared to harbor no intention of killing him. Not only was there no intent to kill him, but save for the initial control of the city’s defenses, the Qi army had killed scarcely an extra soul.

Of course, for Xi Ming City’s upper echelons and those Xia army soldiers who bravely resisted and refused to surrender, that stout man had shown no mercy.

Liu Da Yong felt more bewildered than anything else. He had come to serve his country, vowing to slay the Qi invaders, but the Qi invaders were right beside him. Moreover… the Guard General of Xi Ming City had lowered his guard somewhat because of Liu Da Yong himself!

For a fleeting moment, he had yearned to draw his pig-slaying knife and fight to the death. But the very man who had ushered him into the city, that corpulent Qi general, showed not an iota of wariness towards him. Why would he need to be wary?

And this, precisely this, was the root of his bewilderment, his desire to weep tears he could not shed. Extraordinary cultivators sprang from ordinary people, yet before extraordinary armed forces, how limited was the power of ordinary men! His arm’s strength, honed by years of slaughtering pigs and dogs, was pathetically fragile before such might.

That stout man finally gathered all of Xi Ming City’s guard forces… numbering over eight thousand souls in total. These men, driven from various corners of the city, were disarmed and herded onto the drill ground. The Victory Camp soldiers, formed into battle arrays, stood guard with drawn blades. The city’s crossbow carts were transported and aimed directly at them.

“Cough!” The cunning stout general from the Qi realm, gazing upon these leaderless, fearful, and uneasy Xia soldiers, spoke with great authority: “You have two choices: submit to my Great Qi, or say ‘no’ to me!”

The vast drill ground fell silent. The most valiant among them had already perished in the initial resistance. At this moment, no one stepped forward to say ‘no’, nor did anyone step forward to lead the surrender.

Chong Xuan Sheng reasoned with them, stirred their emotions: “The Xia border was originally Qi territory. That year, the Jing realm’s forceful interference was the sole reason for our separation for so many years! My Great Qi’s million heroic troops march east to reclaim our ancient lands, it is the path of righteousness, unstoppable! Min King Yu Li Yang personally guarded Jian Feng Mountain, it fell in a single day. Feng Jie Fu, heavily garrisoned, changed banners in three days. The so-called Town Country Army is already crippled. Wu King Si Jiao personally presided over Tong Yang City, and its protective array couldn’t hold for a single day! The fact that I can fight to this point, you all should understand what it means! Right, after Xi Ming City submits, the entire territory of Lin Wu Fu will already be ours, belonging to my Great Qi!”

“My Great Qi embraces talents from all corners of the world and is always inclusive. All those whose hearts are turned towards Great Qi are Qi people, with no distinction between us and them. If you submit now, you will no longer live in fear as Xia people, but as proud and upright Qi citizens! Not only can you preserve your own lives, but you can also protect your families in these chaotic times!”

Jiang Changyong was a good general, and the soldiers he commanded also possessed backbone. Although Chong Xuan Sheng’s words were eloquent, not many were willing to believe him. A few who wavered dared not step forward in such an environment. After all, the Qi army would eventually depart, but their hometowns and families would always remain. Indeed, in the hearts of the vast majority of Xia people today, none truly believed the Qi army could permanently occupy this land.

Chong Xuan Sheng spoke until his throat was dry, but to no avail. He glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, at the crossbow carts.

Soon, someone scrambled out, running and crawling: “I am willing to submit to Great Qi! I am willing!”

With this one taking the lead, five or six hundred people immediately rushed out. Ah, so this was the key to swaying them! Standing beside Chong Xuan Sheng, Fourteen silently moved his heavy sword forward, enhancing its deterrent effect. With a light loosening of his strength, the heavy sword’s tip pressed into the ground, creating a crater!

Chong Xuan Sheng smiled, his eyes narrowed to slits, and pointed: “Those who submit to Great Qi, stand to my left. Those unwilling to submit, remain in your original positions and do not move.”

His words carried a hint of settling accounts. In the past, nearly eight hundred had surrendered. The remaining Xia army soldiers, though they had made a choice, could not avoid some uneasiness.

And Chong Xuan Sheng spoke again: “Those who submit to my Great Qi now will retain their military positions, fields, and properties! Wait until my Great Qi recovers all territories; those unwilling to submit, those who stubbornly resist, will all be reduced to refugees! Without homes, without food, everything starting from scratch! Of course, gentlemen, whether to submit or not is entirely voluntary; this general will absolutely not force it.”

Upon hearing these words, another three hundred or more people walked over.

Chong Xuan Sheng said unhurriedly: “I forgot to tell you something: my name is Chong Xuan Sheng. I have a foster uncle, named—Chong Xuan Chu Liang!”

*Hua hua hua*. The drill ground suddenly surged with a tide of people. Over three thousand people, as if fleeing, went to the side of the submitters. In an instant, the number of submitters reached more than half of Xi Ming City’s guard force.

The reputation of the Fierce Slaughter reached such an extent! Chong Xuan Sheng’s gaze swept over them again; even those who had gritted their teeth and refused to submit felt their hearts tremble!

“Wang Ge Er.” Chong Xuan Sheng’s voice was very calm, almost consultative: “These are all soldiers who have undergone military training, they can fight when they pick up weapons. If they’re unwilling to submit, it will eventually become a big problem. The few of us aren’t well-suited to divide our forces to guard them. What do you say, should we kill them all?”

He had, after all, learned military tactics from Chong Xuan Chu Liang. When speaking of slaughter, not a ripple showed on his face.

“I disagree.” Jiang Wang clearly expressed his stance first, then said: “You also said that benevolence on the battlefield is not for unnecessary killing.”

“Uncle, that year, led a lone army into the border, establishing his prestige through slaughter, killing wherever he went. In the shortest possible time, he pierced through the Xia realm’s vast rear, thereby triggering the Xia army’s complete defeat. But it also led to the fierce resistance the Qi army encountered everywhere after entering the Xia border…” Chong Xuan Sheng sighed: “Whether we are right or wrong, let time judge.”

He waved his hand and ordered: “Concentrate and guard these unwilling men. First fill the prisons, shackle the rest, then tie the remaining with ropes… but do not harm their lives. Because Qi and Xia are originally one clan, and in not long, they will also be people of my Great Qi!”

After Chong Xuan Sheng invoked the name of the Fierce Slaughter, some people had indeed prepared to fight to the death. But unexpectedly, they were merely guarded. For a time, their emotions surged, and their legs couldn’t help but feel weak.

“Qi and Xia are originally one clan?” Jiang Wang was somewhat curious about Chong Xuan Sheng’s words.

“Brothers who have emerged from the shadows and submitted to Great Qi, please follow me!” Chong Xuan Sheng called out.

Then, as he walked, he said to Jiang Wang: “Truly speaking, in ancient times, the human race was originally one body, fighting the demon race together. Where did countries divide? People under heaven were originally one family! But with the advent of the Dao Calendar, the national system has existed for thousands of years, and identities have changed. As far as our Martial Emperor restored Qi, as close as Kang Shao restoring Liang… but there’s no need to speak of those. In this era, our Qi and Xia are one clan, which can be discussed starting from the Yang realm.”

“This is also part of Yan Xiang’s extermination strategy. Our Qi realm and the Xia realm both inherited the legacy of the old Yang realm; it can be said that we inherit the orthodoxy of the old Yang realm. This saying has been spread in the Xia realm for many years… the so-called Qi and Xia are originally one clan. We are here to reclaim our old lands, a blending of kindred people. Elder Yan Xiang, because of his strategy for Xia, also participated; of course, he wants to come and witness this.”

Having said that, he also laughed. He himself found these words quite absurd. When the Xia realm was at its peak, it did indeed span the southeast and eastern domains, but at its earliest, it was merely a small country rising in the southern domain, having no relation to the Yang realm. It just took advantage of the Yang realm’s collapse and rushed up to feast on a few mouthfuls of fat meat… how could it be said to inherit the orthodoxy of the old Yang realm?

The Qi Martial Emperor, in that year, among a crowd of those vying for the title of “old Yang’s orthodoxy,” resolutely drew a clear line with the old Yang realm, declaring that Great Qi was a new country, representing the great trend of the future, with its own glory, no need to stain any ancient country’s glory… how could it now again inherit the orthodoxy of the old Yang realm?

But often, people only need a reason, a flag, even just a fig leaf. Without the saying “Qi and Xia are originally one clan,” certainly not this many people would have submitted this time.

Returning to the point… that year, when the Xia realm contended for hegemony in the eastern domain, the banner it raised was indeed to inherit the orthodoxy of the old Yang realm. The Xia army rampaged through the eastern domain, claiming to restore the grand vision of the great Yang realm and reappear the glory of the ancient empire.

It must be said that history is a cycle, always allowing people to repeatedly don different masks.

Deep roots and a surface floating on water. If you cannot see the stories behind it, perhaps you will only feel it is absurd. Jiang Wang realized that the saying “Qi and Xia are originally one clan” was also a crucial part of this national war. The monarchs and ministers of the Qi realm had been examining themselves for how many days because they were unable to fully swallow the land of the Xia realm that year. This time’s attack on Xia was truly fully prepared in all aspects. Rather than saying Jing Mu’s war gave the Qi realm an opportunity, it would be better to say that the Qi realm had been waiting for an opportunity for a very long time; if not today, then tomorrow.

The Xia realm’s so-called “not forgetting to advance eastward” for thirty-two years was, even more, the Qi realm’s thirty-two years of sharpening its blades!

Thus, it removed its strong allies, severed its diplomacy, killed its body, extinguished its spirit, destroyed its dangerous passes, ruined its strong cities, swallowed ten thousand li of fertile land, and pointed its sword at a thousand-year-old state!

Xi Ming City had a total of four thousand three hundred guard soldiers, who at this time chose to submit. In terms of numbers, they were more numerous than the Victory Camp.

From ancient times, captives have been a difficult problem during campaigns. The more captives, the harder it is to find the correct answer.

Releasing tigers back to the mountain is naturally impossible. Integrating them into the ranks would only affect one’s own fighting strength. Forming a separate army, are you not afraid of them turning on you? Locking them up and wasting grain also requires dividing forces to guard them…

No wonder Jing realm’s famous general Zhong Shan Yan Wen said—

“A valiant general of a hundred battles is not as good as one who is good at using captives.”

It is evident how the handling of captives most reflects a general’s quality.

Chong Xuan Sheng gathered these people, simply arranged them into formation, and directly led the army up the city wall.

“The opportunity, I have already given. The choice, you have already made. Then from now on, I will bind you all with military orders. I believe you brothers are all reasonable people and should not make me bear the name of unjust killing!”

Having spoken these words, surging with killing intent, Chong Xuan Sheng changed to a gentle smile: “Entering my Qi ranks, you are all brothers. Brothers, this city’s protective array is incompatible with my eight characters, making me unable to sleep soundly. Can you all help me resolve this worry?”

He wanted to drive these people to completely destroy Xi Ming City’s grand protective array.

Jian Feng Mountain’s grand array, destroyed that year, could not be restored to its former glory for a year. If Xi Ming City’s grand protective array were destroyed, it could almost be foreseen that it would be impossible to use it again in this war.

This matter would cause almost irreversible harm to the Xia realm.

This could be called an act of allegiance!

In the crowd, there was an original city guard officer who at this moment gritted his teeth and said: “If this is done, there may be no turning back! General Chong Xuan, how can I be sure that your earlier promises to us are reliable?”

Chong Xuan Sheng laughed heartily and pointed to the side: “You may all know who this person is?”

“In the year 3919 of the Dao Calendar, the Chief of the Yellow River. Great Qi’s Qing Yang Zi, a third-grade gold melon warrior, a fourth-grade blue card captor, Jiang Wang! To save a friend, he once ventured alone into a *mi* realm, killing sea creatures until he reached the sea merit list. For a promise, he once contended with my Great Qi’s army god’s disciple Wang Yi Wu in a life and death struggle, winning consecutively, first at Teng Long, then in the inner palace! The Mirror World Platform accused him of colluding with demons, and the Three Punishment Palaces proved his innocence.”

“This man’s credibility is known throughout the world!”

“I promise you all, as long as you are truly loyal to Qi. You will all retain your military positions, retain your fields and houses, and can exempt your families from the disasters of war. These words are witnessed by Jiang Wang!”

“He and I are close friends, like brothers. Even if I don’t care about you all, I will cherish his reputation.”

“Like this, do you still have doubts?”

Jiang Wang stood in front of the crowd, silent. But that city guard officer looked at him for a while, said not a word, then walked towards the nodes of the grand protective array—he himself was familiar with this array. These people had first surrendered, then submitted, having gone through several rounds of tests of obedience, fundamentally already accustomed to Chong Xuan Sheng’s commands.

With someone taking the lead, soon the entire branch of surrendered troops moved forward.

*Ping ping pang pang* sounds soon echoed on the city walls, both high and low. Those who formerly guarded the city were now destroying it. If the grand protective array had a spirit, it would also taste the inexpressible difficulty.

To Chong Xuan Sheng, it seemed nothing was unusable. As small as Liu Da Yong from a remote mountain village, the name of the Feng Jie Fu aid army leader encountered on the road, as large as the entire situation of the Qi and Xia battlefield…

Reputation, of course, was also a weapon. Chong Xuan Chu Liang’s fearsome name was like this, and Jiang Wang’s credible name was also like this.

He utilized almost everything that could be utilized, which is why this kind of relaxed city capture resulted. But this was merely the beginning.

Now was the time for Chong Xuan Sheng to display his talents. He supervised throughout, ensuring the grand protective array was thoroughly destroyed, then reorganized these surrendered soldiers. Those who worked hardest in the process of destroying the array were promoted and assigned various positions. Guarding prisons, patrolling the city, guarding gates… everything was in order without chaos. Who did what, how serious, nothing could escape his eyes.

Having completed this matter, which consumed an immense amount of mental effort, with great ease, he then handed over the responsibility of Xi Ming City’s defense and guarding the captives to these surrendered soldiers. The Victory Camp, newly concentrated, ensured its fighting strength.

An army that can form an array is a world apart. If Xi Ming City’s eight thousand guard army could have formed an array and fought, Chong Xuan Sheng and his men would have had to retreat thrice. But in the current situation, completely scattered throughout various locations, he and Jiang Wang alone were sufficient to complete the slaughter.

“What were you chatting about just now?”

Jiang Wang, who had not been concerned with anything else, returned from his cultivation and looked at Chong Xuan Sheng, who had walked close by, opening his mouth to ask.

Chong Xuan Sheng, who had been busy for half a day, spoke in a relaxed tone: “Of course, I was looking at the city’s communication system.”

“Uh, wasn’t the communication system cut off?”

“I mean those flying beasts, like carrier pigeons and such.”

“Who do you want to contact?” Jiang Wang’s expression was strange: “The Bao family brothers, Chong Xuan Zun, Xie Bao Shu… I can’t think of anyone who would come to help you.”

Speaking of which, he truly didn’t quite understand why Chong Xuan Sheng didn’t attack the northern line but instead attacked the eastern line. Under Privy Council Doctor Xie Huai An, it seemed they were all somewhat incompatible people!

“What are you thinking? Look at the military uniform on your body. We need to contact, of course, the Great Xia Fu army!” Chong Xuan Sheng said excitedly: “We fought so tragically in Xi Ming City, the grand protective array was all destroyed by the Qi thieves, the soldiers risked their lives, and we just repelled the enemy! Shouldn’t we ask for aid?”