The pale blue moonlight shone on the ditch.
The ditch was overgrown with weeds, covering the corpse. After a long time, the 'corpse' curled his fingers and grabbed the weeds on the side of the ditch. He struggled and slowly propped himself up.
He gasped for breath for a while before climbing out of the mud bit by bit. His body was covered in blood and mud that fell from the corners of his clothes.
There was a hideous wound on his back, a large hole where flesh and bone were exposed. In the dark of the night, it was a frightening sight.
It was a wound created by Meng Fuyao's last stab. It wasn't actually that big, but the moment he was struck, he had used the momentum to jump into the ditch. The wound on his back wasn't fatal, but Zong Yue's Bone Dissolving Powder had helped spread the wound.
As for why it didn't continue to spread like the other corpses, Zong Yue would understand if he was here and saw the strangely shaped grass at the edge of the ditch.
'Hook grass' was one of the main ingredients of Zong Yue's' Bone Melting Powder '. This kind of grass usually grew on the edge of cliffs, but now it had appeared in this ditch. When the man fell, he crushed the hook grass and the broken grass fell into the water. The water splashed again and rushed into the wound on his back, blocking the effect of the' Bone Melting Powder '.
The Bone Dissolving Powder, which was rarely used, had actually encountered the hook grass. It was rare to find such a plant growing beside a ditch in a shabby alley in a small town. It had also coincidentally saved the Rong man's life, allowing him to escape the net of the massacre. The world was full of miracles, and it could only be said that it was the will of the heavens.
The will of the heavens wanted to tear a hole in the tightly woven web of secrets to create a chaotic world and complete a woman's unparalleled merit.
The Rong man struggled to get up, gasping for breath under the pale moonlight. The clear and crystalline ditch water reflected his face, which was filled with unwillingness and hostility.
He stood up shakily and bent over, holding on to the wall and tree as he inched out of the alley.
Under the moonlight, two lines of footprints, stained with blood and mud, were left on the bluestone pavement of the alley.
= = = =
At the moment of moonlight, Meng Fuyao was supporting Old Hu's wife as they knocked on the door of County Magistrate Su's office. They had originally gone to the Protectorate, but unexpectedly, the magistrate had refused to allow the family to stay there. It required a written order from either the mayor or the county magistrate. Thus, Meng Fuyao had no choice but to bring them to the county office, where she and Zong Yue had originally planned to visit the mayor anyway.
Unexpectedly, the doors of the county government were tightly shut. She knocked on the door for a long time before a bailiff came out lazily. "What time is it? What are you knocking for? If you disturb His Lordship's rest, you'll be in for it! "
Meng Fuyao swallowed her anger, not wanting to argue with this snobbish person. She tried her best to remain calm and said, "Sir, please report that this woman's family has been bullied by the Rong people. Even their house has been burned. She needs help from the Protectorate …"
Before he could finish speaking, the yamen runner's expression changed. He waved his hands and said, "This office will not accept any private fights between Rong and Han. Go back, go back!"
Meng Fuyao was taken aback. "Not accepted? Is this your idea or the City Lord's? "
"Are you out of your mind?" The yamen runner smiled at her curiously. "The City Lord isn't in the county government. He's in his own manor in the east of the city. The county magistrate is in charge of the county magistrate, so this is naturally his idea."
"Then report to the county magistrate."
"Who do you think you are?" The yamen runner squinted at her. "You think I'll report it just because you say so? Let me tell you, Sir Su will never interfere in such matters. Don't be so long-winded and get lost. "
Meng Fuyao looked up at him and suddenly smiled.
Her smile made the old man's family look at the yamen runner as if they were looking at a dead man. This guy didn't know his place. How dare he provoke the God of Death!
Meng Fuyao suddenly turned around and strode to the reporting drum in front of the government office. She grabbed the drumstick and hit it hard.
"Bang!" A loud sound rang out.
The sound was so loud that it was shocking. Like rolling thunder, it instantly penetrated the darkness and scattered the clouds. With a bang, a hole suddenly appeared in the reporting drum. The drumstick flew out of the hole and hit the main door of the government office with a loud bang.
"I've heard that blood will stain the front of the drum with three strikes, but this rotten drum actually broke in one strike. Next, I'll have to knock on the door. Once I'm done, I'll knock on someone's head. I can't guarantee whose blood will stain my clothes then."
The yamen runner was stunned. He stared blankly at the originally sturdy drum, but now it was a complete mess. Then, he looked at the copper door, which had a hole in it. With a trembling hand, he touched his head and hurriedly said, "I'll go report, I'll go …"
"There's no need to go!" A cold voice rang out. The door suddenly opened, revealing a sharp-faced old man standing behind it. Behind him was a large group of yamen runners. The yamen runner who was guarding the door hurried over to greet him. "Sir!"
County Magistrate Su's face was ashen. He waved his sleeves and said angrily, "Who dares to act so recklessly! How dare you destroy the reporting drum and humiliate the dignity of a public official! Do you really disregard the Limitless Imperial Court? "
Meng Fuyao glanced at him. 'Is this Old Master Su, the deputy county magistrate? Is this Old Master Su, who has the heavy responsibility of guarding the region? Despite being a Han official, he doesn't care about the tens of thousands of Han people, allowing them to be bullied and humiliated by the Rong people? '
Meng Fuyao stared at him and subconsciously ground her teeth. After a long while, she suddenly retracted her sharp teeth and stepped forward with a smile. She bowed in a cultured manner. "Greetings, Sir Su. I've been rude. "
"Now you know that you've been rude? It's a pity that you can't forgive the crime of disturbing me with just a few words! " County Magistrate Su glared angrily at the arrogant and respectful brat. He was even more certain that he had been subdued by his vast official prestige. He waved his sleeves in a dignified manner. "Men, take him down. He'll be sentenced for three days. Let these unruly people know the consequences of not knowing when to stop!"
The bailiffs responded loudly and went forward to take Meng Fuyao. She squinted her eyes and allowed them to tie her up without any resistance. Zong Yue stood calmly by the side and watched without any intention of interfering. It was only when he saw one of the bailiffs rudely touch her shoulder that his eyes twitched slightly.
Meng Fuyao was shoved inside by a group of bailiffs. The bailiffs' hands firmly gripped her slender shoulders. Zong Yue's eyebrows twitched again and he suddenly said, "Wait."
Meng Fuyao looked back at him resentfully. 'Damn it, you're too impatient. I still want to play.'
Zong Yue ignored her and only waved his hands gently. "Sir Su, it's not convenient for you to sentence this person."
"Huh?" County Magistrate Su frowned at Zong Yue. "Who do you think you are? How dare you point fingers at me in front of this court? "His nose was in the air and he did not even look at Zong Yue. He waved his sleeves impatiently." Take him away … "
He suddenly stopped talking.
Opposite him, a black token lay quietly in Zong Yue's outstretched palm. The golden "De" character was embossed on it, shining brightly.
King De's token symbolized the royal family and the arrival of Prince De.
"My surname is Zong, and my name is Yue." Zong Yue's tone was gentle and polite, as if he was talking to a close friend. "I'm not talented, but His Highness, King De, has bestowed upon me the right to pass through his manor and fief. Not to mention Sir Su's hall, even if it's His Highness' Huwei Hall, I'm allowed to stand in the hall and say a few words."
County Magistrate Su froze on the spot.
Zong Yue!
This was a legendary man who had been deified.
His background was mysterious, and no one knew who he was. Ever since he was young, he had been taught by the Fairy Doctor Valley. His innate talent surpassed his predecessors, and he began to roam the five continents at the age of 20. The five continents revered martial arts, and even the royal family knew martial arts. Thus, injuries and illnesses were unavoidable, and injuries and illnesses would not be avoided just because of one's status. Thus, the status of a physician had always been aloof, not to mention a pinnacle figure like Zong Yue. He was someone that all the monarchs of the five continents wanted to win over. He had long received special permission from all the royal families in the five continents, and he did not need to bow before the monarchs. Even if the nobles wanted to see him, they would have to go around and ask for permission.
If Zhangsun Wuji was a god in the field of politics, then Zong Yue was a god in the field of life. The former reaped territory, power, and human lives, while the latter saved pain, illness, and human lives.
Even someone of County Magistrate Su's status could not even touch the corner of Zong Yue's robe. He stared at the clean and bright young man in a snow-white robe, speechless.
Zong Yue smiled and pointed at Meng Fuyao. "Can you let go of my friend?" he asked politely.
"… Ah, yes, of course!" County Magistrate Su hurriedly waved his hand to let her go.
He wanted to let her go, but Scoundrel Meng did not comply. She jumped away from the yamen runner who was about to untie her. "Untie what? I still need the shackles, go away! "
"I don't understand! I just don't understand! " Scoundrel Meng nimbly jumped left and right, resolutely refusing to let the yamen runner untie her. "Shackles, shackles me! Let me go! How will the people of Yao City see the consequences of not knowing when to stop?"
As she shouted, she made her way through the main door and down the bluestone path to the inner hall. "Where's the shackles? Where's the cage? Hurry up! Don't waste time! "
The yamen runners looked at her smug face and helplessly let go. They looked to Su Yinghua for help. Su Yinghua was stunned for a while. He angrily stomped his feet and walked forward to personally untie Meng Fuyao. "Little brother, I was rude, please don't take it to heart …"
Meng Fuyao dodged his hand and said sternly, "I'm a good citizen who knows my place and resolutely follow your teachings. If you say the shackles, then we must do it. If you say the cage, then we must do it. I will follow it to the letter."
"You … you … Sigh!" County Magistrate Su's face was ashen. He was stunned for a while before he awkwardly said, "It's my fault … I'll compensate you …"
That was what Meng Fuyao had been waiting for. She turned around with a smile and said, "Are you really going to compensate me, Old Master?"
"It's my fault for being rude …" County Magistrate Su wiped the sweat off his forehead. He had always been a slick and flexible person. Otherwise, he would not have been sent to this complicated place where the Rong and Han people lived together as the assistant of the Rong people's city lord. After he arrived, he found out that the Rong people's city lord, Ashina, was a tough and fierce character. Thus, he became even more humble and subservient, taking the responsibility of 'reconciling' the relationship between the Rong and Han people to the fullest. Whenever there was a conflict between the Rong and Han people, the Rong people would be favored. If there was a Han resistance, the Han people would be subdued in exchange for a peaceful life under Ashina's power. Now that King De's army was only 30 miles away and Zong Yue was an honored guest, he would not dare to offend Zong Yue's friend.
"That's good." Her smile was even more courteous than his. "How could I not accept such a sincere apology from you? Since you're sincere in making amends, it doesn't matter if you let me go or not. Why don't you settle that family first? Once they're settled, I'll be in a good mood. When I'm in a good mood, I'll decide not to be tied up. "
Magistrate Su stared at her resentfully. He entered the hall and wrote a warrant, which he handed to a bailiff and ordered him to settle down the old man's family. Only after watching them leave did Meng Fuyao stretch her body. With two snapping sounds, the ropes that were tightly tied around her body broke and fell to the ground.
County Magistrate Su stared at the ropes that had been broken so easily. His face was ashen, but a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. He quickly smiled and said, "Please, please go to the back hall."
Meng Fuyao stood motionless.
"You don't have to be so courteous, Sir Su. Now is not the time to be courteous." Her expression gradually calmed down, and an awe-inspiring aura appeared between her brows. "Sir, a crisis is imminent, and the people are about to fall into the water and fire. Do you really not have any plans?"
County Magistrate Su was stunned for a moment. He looked her up and down, guessing if she was a Wind Watcher sent by the imperial court. "Well … the Rong people are powerful, and they're fierce and valiant. We can't provoke them. We should take it slow, take it slow …"
Take it slow, my ass! Meng Fuyao's anger rose. She took a step forward and said, "Sir, you can take it slow now, but I'm afraid that when it's your turn to be stabbed in the future, will it be too late for you to take it slow?"
"Little brother, why do you have to be so alarmist?" County Magistrate Su's smile was unsightly. "The Rong and Han families have been living in harmony in Yao City for decades. There's no need to fight …"
"Bah!" Meng Fuyao spat fiercely in her heart, but she forced herself to keep a straight face. She said slowly, "It's up to you if you want to deceive yourself. It's just that you're guarding Yao City. If the Han people there are really in trouble in the future, the imperial court will be furious. You won't be able to absolve yourself from the blame, right?"
County Magistrate Su could no longer laugh. His face darkened. "What does this have to do with you?"
Meng Fuyao stared at him and shook her head. "Nothing."
Without waiting for County Magistrate Su to mock her, she continued, word by word.
"It's just based on a person's basic conscience. Disaster is imminent, and the people are about to fall into the flames of war. Innocent people are being robbed and humiliated. As a human, I can't just sit back and watch."
She sneered and glanced at County Magistrate Su. "As the lord of Yao City, I'm very impressed that you're able to remain calm until now."
"Then what do you want?" County Magistrate Su's face turned purple. After a long while, he said angrily, "I'm just a scholar, and I don't even have the strength to truss a chicken. How can I go against the lord of a city who keeps a private army? How can I protect millions of people with my strength alone? "
"There are three ways to deal with an enemy. Intelligence is the most important." Meng Fuyao stared at him and said in a clear voice, "There are actually many ways that you can use."
"Oh?"
"Protect the Han people, gather soldiers and guards, invite the guards to station in the city, and use force to subdue the Rong people. This is a bad plan."
"Ridiculous! Not to mention the fact that I have no right to ask for the Baiting Guards, even if they come, the moment the army enters the city, the Rong people will immediately riot. Then, it will be a pointless war! "
Meng Fuyao glanced at him with a look that said, "So you're not an idiot after all." Then, she said nonchalantly, "In the name of His Highness King De's recruitment, gather the young and strong men of the Han people and train them. This militia is supposed to leave Yao City and join King De's army. The Rong people will definitely not stop them. If necessary, they will become a militia. This is a good plan."
County Magistrate Su did not say anything. His eyes flashed as he stroked his beard and muttered to himself.
"You're tempted just like that?" Meng Fuyao smiled and moved closer to County Magistrate Su. In a low voice, she said, "There's also the best plan to take down the Rong people without sacrificing a single soldier …"
"Oh?"
Meng Fuyao whispered a few words into County Magistrate Su's ear. County Magistrate Su's eyebrows twitched rapidly and his gaze changed. After a while, he said, "You're crazy!"
Meng Fuyao looked at him coldly and did not say anything.
"Ashina's manor is heavily guarded. Ashina himself is also an expert. It's easier said than done to put him under house arrest!"
"That's my problem," Meng Fuyao said coolly. "You don't even need to show yourself. Just lend me a few yamen runners to make up the numbers and get me through."
County Magistrate Su was stunned. His gaze changed as if he was rapidly analyzing the pros and cons of the situation. After a while, he clenched his teeth and stomped his foot. "Fine! Here you go! "
"You care about your people and are willing to take risks. I admire you." Meng Fuyao's eyes lit up and she smiled as she praised him.
"Sigh …" County Magistrate Su sighed and said, "Little brother, you must be dissatisfied with what I did previously. Actually, if I can do what I can, why should I cherish my life? It's just that I've always been suppressed by power and can't do anything about it. " He turned around and beckoned a few yamen runners over. "Follow this brother to the Castellan's manor."
"You can't blame him. He's just biding his time and waiting for the right time. Now that he has the responsibility of saving the people, who else but you can do it?" Meng Fuyao smiled brightly. "In that case, thank you very much for your righteousness."
She bowed lightly and walked past County Magistrate Su. County Magistrate Su subconsciously returned the gesture. Just as he bent down, he felt a chill on his back.
It was as if a hole had been opened in his back and a handful of cold snow had been stuffed in.
He turned his head with difficulty and saw the handsome young man slowly pulling out a black dagger from his back. The dagger was dripping with blood and kept falling to the ground. The young man calmly blew on it gently, blowing away the blood.
'That blood … is my own …'
Before he could finish his thought, County Magistrate Su suddenly felt a tearing pain. The pain was centered on his back and exploded like fireworks. In an instant, it covered the last bit of his consciousness.
He gasped for breath and fell down like a piece of rotten wood.
Naturally, it was' Meng Chuixue ', Lady Meng.
Meng Fuyao calmly looked at County Magistrate Su lying in a pool of blood with his eyes wide open. She kept the dagger and shook her head. "Don't always treat others as fools. Do you think that I'm as stupid as you?"
County Magistrate Su refused to protect the Han people. How could he so readily agree to her bold plan?
How could he let the yamen runners stand aside and listen to such a confidential meeting?
Why did he keep blinking his eyes when he waved for the yamen runners? Was he cramping?
What Meng Fuyao hated the most was the scum who helped the evildoer. Leaving this old fox who was familiar with the yamen and the affairs of the whole city would definitely not stop him from leaking information. It was obvious that he and Ashina shared the same interests. Sooner or later, he would be stabbed by the Limitless Imperial Court. She was more proactive and helped to get rid of him in advance.
Zong Yue's eyes drifted over with a questioning look. Meng Fuyao understood what he meant. "Are you sure you want to take action against the Mayor now?" She nodded lightly. She did not know why she had been feeling uneasy. Although she had killed all the Rong people, she could not stop thinking about the knife that had inexplicably stood up and the figure that had hurriedly squeezed into the crowd of Rong people. It was this figure that kept appearing in front of her like a ghost, stirring up her uneasiness. That was why she wanted to make the first move and gain control of the current situation.
It would be best if County Magistrate Su was willing to help her. If not, she could only send him to eternal rest.
County Magistrate Su turned into a corpse in the blink of an eye, shocking the yamen runners. Meng Fuyao walked over unhurriedly. The Han runners popped a pill into their mouths, while the Rong runners tapped the back of their necks.
"It's a Longevity Supplement Pill." She then giggled and said, "It's nothing. Without the antidote, you guys would really be immortal and have an immortal soul."
"The tap on the back of our necks?" She glanced sideways at the Rong runners, who were obviously unconvinced and had flickering eyes. "It's even less of a big deal. I know you guys aren't afraid of death, but what you're most afraid of is blasphemy against the True God. That's why I'm only cutting off your acupoints. If I don't use a unique method to undo it after 24 hours, I'm sorry, but your minds will be muddled and your minds will be muddled. You might even take a knife to the Mayor, set fire to the city tower, or even pee on your great Ge Ri God."
Meng Fuyao did not look at the ashen faces of the bailiffs. She smiled amiably and waved her hand. "Now, please accompany me to the Castellan's Mansion."
= = =
The night was solemn, and the stars flickered.
A line of black clouds pressed down on a strange manor in the east of the city.
It was strange because the architecture style was similar to that of the inland cities, with layers upon layers of courtyards with white walls and green tiles. A village built entirely in the style of the Rong people had suddenly appeared. Other than the walls and gates of the village, which were still in the style of the Han people, the houses inside were the most primitive houses made of cedar bark. The pillars of the Southern Border's specialty iron thread wood were unadorned, and a lantern in the shape of a cow's horn could be seen swaying leisurely on the eaves, emitting a faint yellow light that dyed the area.
It was obvious that the owner of the manor, which was extremely incompatible with the style of the city, must have been stubborn and persistent. He must have had the deepest faith and worship for his own birth.
It was late at night, and the manor was very quiet. The wind that rose at the end of the green duckweed had yet to blow in this direction.
"My Lord!"
A sobbing howl suddenly broke the silence. Before the sound faded, the brass ring on the door had already been knocked with all his might.
"Who's making a ruckus here?!" Almost immediately, a deep and vigilant shout sounded from within the seemingly serene manor.
There were also some faint black things flashing on the layers of bark buildings. They were heavily guarded and aimed at the midnight visitor.
"This subordinate is Guo Er! The supervisor of the errand team! "The man knocked on the door with all his might." My Lord, something big has happened, something big has happened! "
"My Lord doesn't see guests at night! You've come to disturb us in the middle of the night! "The voice did not let him pass." Go back to Su Yinghua! "
"Lord Su has been assassinated!"
The shout was earth-shattering. The majestic voice inside the gate also paused, as if digesting this shocking news. Immediately after, the sound of footsteps rang out in the manor. After a while, the voice rang out again, but it was not the majestic voice from before. Instead, it was a sharp metallic voice. "What's going on?"
"This subordinate doesn't understand either … there's an assassin … the assassin left a letter on Lord Su's body!" Guo Er took a step away from the door, allowing the light from the door to illuminate his face as he held the letter over his head.
A dot of light slowly emerged from the door, sweeping over Guo Er and the familiar-looking Rong bailiffs at his side before moving away. After a while, someone grunted in a low voice.
The extraordinarily thick door finally opened.
Two horn lanterns floated out, and a middle-aged man walked out with steady steps, escorted by a group of people. According to the customs of the Rong tribe, he was half-naked even in the winter and wore a colorful felt robe. He was not as tall and muscular as ordinary Rong people, but rather of medium height. His eyes were slightly brown, and an ominous glint flashed through them as they turned.
He raised his head and saw Magistrate Su's body covered in a straw mat on the wheelbarrow in front of him. He couldn't help but be startled. "Why did you even bring his body here?"
"My Lord." Guo Er bent down. "Lord Su was assassinated nearby. He heard that the Han people in the city were acting strangely and rushed over to inform you, but something happened. We had no choice but to …"
Ashina frowned. "Nearby?" He suddenly thought of something and said, "Let me take a look at the wound. Perhaps I can find out where the killer came from."
Guo Er bowed and handed over the letter. Ashina frowned, and a guard beside him immediately scolded, "Don't use your filthy hands to get close to My Lord!" He shoved Guo Er to the side and snatched the letter from his hand. Only then did Ashina take it. He walked towards the wheelbarrow as he opened it. Magistrate Su's deathly pale face was exposed under the moonlight, and his dead fish-like eyes were turned towards the sky. He looked mysterious and cold.
Ashina naturally wasn't afraid of the dead. He unhurriedly opened the letter, but the seal in his hand was tightly stuck. He stared at Magistrate Su's corpse as he unconsciously licked the seal, wet it with his saliva, and tore it open with a whoosh.
The moment he tore open the letter, he also walked over to Magistrate Su's corpse.
He lifted the reed mat covering the corpse, glancing at the thin piece of paper he had pulled out from the letter.
The paper was thin and soft, and the handwriting on it was large and fierce, like dancing dragons and phoenixes.
"Let me take it as a hostage."
Almost as soon as his eyes touched the paper, Ashina immediately came to his senses and reacted very quickly to retreat.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
A pair of hands, a pair of bloody but finely shaped hands, suddenly pierced through Magistrate Su's chest, and in an instant, through Magistrate Su's corpse, strangled Ashina's throat!
The hand was as fast as a flash of lightning, flicking in mid-air. Ashina wanted to avoid it, but suddenly felt suffocated in his chest, and his feet inexplicably softened. With this softening, the hand had already reached his throat and pinched his windpipe like steel.
As soon as the fingers pinched him, Ashina immediately screamed in his heart, "I'm going to die." Although it was only a pair of hands, the stability and strength revealed by the opponent's fingers were as firm as a rock, making people feel that once they were caught, they would never be able to get rid of them.
The fingers flicked, and the flesh flew between the fingers. Then, Magistrate Su's corpse slowly sat up. The moonlight was cold, and the corpse was pale. There was a big hole in the chest of the corpse, and a pair of hands stretched out of the hole, strangling Ashina's neck. No matter how one looked at it, it was a horrible and strange scene.
Some people were already so scared that their legs went soft. With a bang, a horn lantern fell to the ground and quickly burned, but no one scolded or spoke.
In the frightening suffocation, there was a bell-like laughter.
"Zhangsun Wuji's method is good, but unfortunately I don't have the transparent gloves."
In the laughter, Magistrate Su's corpse suddenly fell to the side, and a dark figure sat up from the wheelbarrow, with the hand still stuck on Ashina's throat, and said with a smile, "Thank you, City Lord. You are so generous. I asked you to lend it, and you lent it."
Ashina stared at the strange teenager, and took a deep breath, "Who … are you?"
The teenager did not answer him, but tilted his head and sniffed the corpse odor on his body. He looked fiercely at the darkness in the distance, and said, "Lazy man, I've done the hard work, and you still don't show up!"
Someone laughed softly, and then a white figure appeared, with a faint and gentle smile on his lips. It was Zong Yue.
The teenager was naturally Meng Fuyao. She stretched out her hand and pushed Ashina back. "Come, come, City Lord. It's the middle of the night, why are you eating the wind at the door?"
She pushed Ashina toward the door, swaggered into the room, and closed the door with a flick of her sleeve. She then dragged a piece of paper over and said, "I'll speak, and you write."
She had only said a few words when Ashina's face changed. "No way!" he said angrily.
Just as he finished speaking, a sudden clamor sounded from afar. It sounded like people shouting and howling, rumbling like thunder. From afar, it sounded like the power to uproot a city and split a mountain. Amidst the shouts, there was also the faint clanging of swords.
Meng Fuyao's face changed, and she listened carefully. Zong Yue, who was beside her, suddenly said, "A large group of people is coming this way. Perhaps … the news has been leaked."
Following his words, the sound of knocking on the door sounded like a storm. After a few knocks, the door was pushed open, and a group of colorful men rushed in. The leader was holding a few human heads in his hands, and the blood formed a long line on the ground.
"City Lord, this Han family colluded with outsiders to kill the descendants of our Ge Ri Shen Clan! We've already slaughtered their entire family! City Lord, please send your troops to capture the murderer! "
The head swayed in the hands of the fierce Rong tribe leader. His hair was old, and his face was full of scars. From his appearance, it was the old man from the Hu family.
Meng Fuyao, who had already retreated into the house, saw the head clearly, and her face changed. Zong Yue, who was close to her, could hear her teeth chattering, and her body trembling uncontrollably. Worried that she would lose control of her true Qi in her rage, he gently pressed his palm against her back.
Meng Fuyao did not notice his action. She only felt her body burning hot, and her hands and feet were ice-cold. Her chest felt as if it was being burned by boiling water, and the pain spread rapidly throughout her body, almost tearing her heart apart.
She was the one who arranged for the old man and his family to enter the shelter. She was the one who failed to kill all the Rong people, which led to the old man's family being retaliated against. She was the one who carelessly assumed that the news would not be leaked, causing the old man and his family to leave her protection. She was the one who unintentionally became the murderer!
Killing an entire family, killing three corpses and four lives!
'I didn't kill them, but they died because of me!'
The raging anger caused Meng Fuyao's vision to darken, and she lost control of her strength. Her fingers on Ashina's neck twitched slightly, and Ashina felt the grip on his neck getting tighter and tighter. He struggled with all his might, but to no avail. His face turned purple, and he looked like he was about to suffocate to death.
Zong Yue saw that things were getting out of hand and quickly pointed at Ashina. Meng Fuyao's consciousness lightened, and her grip loosened. Ashina panted heavily, trying his best to breathe. Meng Fuyao turned her head, and her eyes were bloodshot. She looked at Ashina coldly, and her gaze sent shivers down Ashina's spine.
Meng Fuyao spoke slowly, one word at a time. "Is everyone here? Very good. As the host, aren't you going to invite them in? "
= = =
On a chilly winter night, in the 15th year of Wuji's reign, the Yao City of the Southern Territory of Wuji's Yao City welcomed its first turmoil since its founding.
The incident started when ordinary Rong people sought revenge, but because of the intervention of a woman, it led to a massacre. The only Rong person who managed to escape gathered his clansmen and went to the City Lord's Mansion to seek justice. However, the woman waited patiently, killing the county magistrate and holding the City Lord hostage. She then forced City Lord Ashina to summon all the leaders to the manor for a discussion. Out of respect for the City Lord, the Rong people unsheathed their swords and entered the manor. After entering the manor, a few of them were summoned for a private meeting and rushed into the inner room excitedly.
No one knew what happened after that. They only knew that those people disappeared. The last trace they left in this world was many days later, when a servant revealed that at the bottom of the doorsill of the inner room, there were some bright red marks that couldn't be wiped off, as if it had been soaked in blood. The bloodstains on the doorsill were a foot deep from the ground. In other words, unless there was blood that covered the instep of the foot, covered the ground, and soaked the hard wooden doorsill for a long time, then such a clear bloodstain would be left.
How much blood would have been shed?
Whose did the blood belong to?
The mysterious disappearance of the Rong people became an eternal mystery in Yao City's history. Along with a certain thin shadow that walked like the wind with a murderous aura, the sudden appearance and disappearance of the blood-dripping blade, and the large pool of blood on the ground, they were buried by time.
Other than these unlucky people who only knew what happened to them, the others were invited to the main hall to wait for the City Lord. These people envied their companions who were "invited to a private meeting by the City Lord" while talking loudly and drinking tea on the table. They didn't even drink a few mouthfuls before they all fell to the ground.
When they woke up, they were already imprisoned in separate cubicles in the dungeon of the City Lord's mansion together with the honorable City Lord. The headmen shared a common enemy and decided to not yield to the enemy even if they died. Who knew that the enemy wouldn't show up at all and would eagerly send them food and water. The headmen didn't know why they were especially hungry and thirsty. They knew that the enemy didn't want to kill them, so they ate and drank without worry. After eating and drinking, they started to have stomachaches and hurriedly looked for a gong bucket. There was a gong bucket in the dungeon, but unfortunately, the gong bucket was engraved with the statue of Ge Ri, the god they worshiped.
Even if they were beaten to death, they wouldn't be able to shit on the statue of Ge Ri. Moreover, the gong bucket was very immoral and used the mouth of the statue as an opening. If anyone dared to use the gong bucket, they wouldn't be able to live for the rest of their lives.
Should they do it publicly on the ground in front of everyone? Everyone was a respectable person, but they really couldn't do it. As the saying goes, hunger can be endured, but shit cannot be endured. However, after one day, from Ashina to all the headmen, everyone was tortured until they were on the verge of death.
At this time, a piece of paper was placed in front of them. Someone shouted, "Write according to the requirements, and I'll give you the freedom to shit." Therefore, the headmen who weren't afraid of death or torture but didn't dare to blaspheme the god obediently wrote the order and handed over all the weapons of their clan. If they needed to use them in the future, they would have to be distributed by the county government. They also made a blood oath to the statue of Ge Ri, swearing that they would never have the thought of betrayal again.
The only one who refused to give in was the Lord of the city, Ashina. He squatted in the corner of the wall and didn't move for three days and three nights, afraid that if he moved, the stench of his crotch would leak out. Such perseverance was admirable. Therefore, he continued to sit in the cell, and the headmen continued to run for the freedom to defecate.
A disaster that was originally enough to engulf the whole city and destroy all the Han people in the city was thus eliminated without a trace by this almost shameless method. The instigator, the woman who appeared out of nowhere, quickly announced to the whole city with a document stamped with the official seal of the county magistrate: The Lord of the city is unable to attend to matters due to illness, and the county magistrate has died due to a sudden illness. Now, she is the acting Lord of the city and will be in charge of all the military and civil affairs in Yao City.
This was a small turmoil that occurred in the small city of Yao City in the Southern Border of Wuji. It should have instantly disappeared like a bubble in the long river of history and time. However, just like the edge of a knife, it would not be covered up no matter what. Some of the higher-ups of the seven countries still smelled something unusual from this local turmoil.
"The work of a conspiracy, the edge of slaughter." The Xuanji King, Feng Xuan, reclined in front of a light purple palace lamp in her bedroom and casually played with the tassels hanging in front of the bed as she said this with a smile.
"Acting according to the situation, taking advantage of people and machines. The one who creates trouble is extraordinary." The Prince Regent of Xuanyuan Kingdom carefully read the secret report of his country's winged cavalry and lightly praised.
Fei Yan, the Saintess of Shenkong Kingdom of Xuelun, leaned against the tallest building in Xuelun. Through the fluttering golden curtains and floating clouds, her eyes hazily looked towards the south. After a long time, she raised her finger and a black crystal suddenly appeared on her empty fingertip. She silently looked at the black crystal that resembled an eye. After a while, she softly said, "The will of God is in her direction."
Lie Wang of Tian Sha Nation was riding on horseback in the Geya Desert. Amidst the vast yellow sand, he looked in the direction of Wuji Nation from afar. His eyes, which were darker than ordinary people's, flickered with a dim light at this moment. Blazing and excited flames danced in his eyes, like the eternal burning sun above the desert.
"Woman, is that you?"
Suddenly, he raised his head and laughed loudly. His Highness Lie Wang whipped his horse. The horse snorted loudly, raised its hooves and let out a long neigh. It galloped away like a gust of wind, leaving behind a deep hoof print all the way to the south.
At the city gate of Yao City, a graceful man in a light purple robe smiled as he looked at the notice at the city gate and murmured,
"I'm just a step late, and you've even robbed my city …"
He raised his eyebrows and looked in the direction of the city lord's residence. There, a woman with a smile as bright as the sun, a figure as supple as a spring willow, and a thunderous demeanor. What was she doing now? Was she thinking of someone whom she had abandoned without a greeting?
At that moment, in the city lord's residence, Meng Fuyao, the new city lord, did not expect that Yuan Zhaoxu, whom she had ruthlessly left behind, nor did she expect that the actions of a small city like Yao City would attract the attention of the higher-ups of the seven nations. She was squatting in the dungeon of the city lord's residence, staring in disbelief at the corpse on the ground.
The Big-headed Man, who was revered by tens of thousands of Rong people in Yao City, was the de facto leader of the Rong people in Yao City, and had absolute prestige among them. The former city lord of Yao City, Ashina, was the person who would cause chaos if anything were to happen.
He had suddenly died.
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