305 The Return (1/2)

”Kill!”

Xu Ting's army was unstoppable and consecutively took down both the Seventh Dawn and the Thousand Scarlet Prefectures.

Originally, prefectures and district towns were not allowed to have a large number of troops and only have a few thousand soldiers at most. As such, there was not much resistance against Xu Ting who had plotted for a very long time and had the backing of the pirates and his private soldiers.

Of course, the scenario would be drastically different if it were to drag on for half a year where the big, influential families would have the time to build their own army.

As of now, Xu Ting seized the opportunity and managed to successively take over the towns.

By the 8th month, he had already conscripted 2,000 new soldiers. His originally five thousand-strong troops were rumoured to have 10,000 soldiers now. News had spread to all places that the soldiers had surrounded the Lanze Prefecture City.

The sight of soldiers clad in armour was frightening to behold.

Xu Ting stood on the high ground. With a beckon, around 10 soldiers with loud voices came forward. ”Listen well, Wang Qiao is a tyrant. It is my general's calling to take him down. If you surrender immediately, you will not lose your riches and honour. If not, we will destroy everything and it will be too late to regret your decision by then!”

”How audacious!”

A person who looked like an official appeared on the wall. He was clad in magistrate's clothing and scolded them immediately. ”Xu Ting, you are just a candidate who had just become a patrol officer, and yet, you call yourself a general. You even attack your fellow countrymen. If this is not a traitorous act, then what is a traitorous act? I, a palace graduate [1] favoured by the imperial court, will defend against you and not let you prevail!”

There was a slight disturbance within the ranks, especially amongst the new soldiers when the magistrate scolded Xu Ting. However, nothing else happened.

Xu Ting could not help but laugh coldly.

He knew that the elites among his troops were his own private soldiers and pirates. Their strength was absolute. There would be no problem even if his own troops were to revolt against him.

Furthermore, in the name of seeking revenge for the young emperor, the soldiers were still dignified regardless of the position of the person who was scolding them.

It would have been dangerous if his troops were made up of normal soldiers and if they did not have a cause to fight.

'However...this magistrate is up to no good as well. On the surface, he appears to be loyal and devoted. However, I have received information that he secretly wanted to set up a regime and had started to amass his troops to stamp out the dissidents...'

His face took on a cold expression. He waved his hand. ”Attack! Take note of this magistrate. Once we have broken into the city, kill his entire family!”

”Understood!”

His army was composed of pirates who were not afraid of anything. They had no qualms about attacking the city and started to push their weapons forward.

When a few catapults were lined up before the city, the magistrate on the wall turned deathly pale and had to be assisted down from the wall.

”Kill!””Kill!””Kill!”

The troops shouted in unison. The attack on the city could take place at any moment.

”If we really attack head-on, even if there are not many soldiers within the prefecture city, the citizens can still be mobilized against me, which put me at a disadvantage! Is the preparation within the city ready?”

Xu Ting asked after he tested out the defense of the city.

”My lord, it has been arranged!”

Kong Luo was dressed in green robes and appeared elegant. There were faint traces of sword essence on his body. ”Huang and Zhang Families have agreed to open up the gates once night falls!”

”Good!”

Xu Ting was very pleased.

The people within the prefecture city were not made of metal and as such, could be bribed.

Otherwise, in ancient times, without the use of proper equipment to besiege the city, it would take many years to breach the defenses of the city even when the supply of food runs out.

”Hmm, you shall lead the army this time. I will provide assistance!”

Of course, things were different due to the existence of divine techniques.

Xu Ting ordered after he moved.

”Understood!”

Kong Luo agreed after he opened his spiritual eye and realized that Xu Ting was not going to experience any tribulations this time based on his fate energy.

Xu Ting was amongst the troops now and his fate energy was closely linked to the generals. If there were any changes, the changes would show themselves. Everything was smooth-sailing as of now.

'Damn!'

As the soldiers praised Xu Ting, a few people from the Xuan Zhen Sect were unhappy as they thought to themselves, 'Instigating these two families were originally our sect's effort, why do we need to split the spoils of war?'

However, who would dare to go against the general's order?

Even if they were to vomit blood, they could only nod their head in agreement.

...

Night fell. Huang and Zhang Families each sent out 200 soldiers, coordinated with the outside effort and betrayed the Lanze Prefecture city. The city's defense fell, the magistrate committed suicide by hanging himself and his who family was executed.

Furthermore, those officials who resisted were executed regardless of their backgrounds. The whole prefecture was shaken by the executions and the people quickly surrendered.

At this moment, many influential families realized that military might was the most important amidst the chaos. It was not time to talk about relationships, feelings, families and the likes with a shining knife dangling above their heads, threatening their lives.

In the 9th month, the magistrate of the Luosong Prefecture, the last remaining prefecture around the Golden Court Lake, brought a few hundred officials to surrender after realizing that the tables had turned.

Xu Ting was pleased. After reporting to Xu Ren, he was appointed as a prefecture magistrate. However, he planted a few trusted aides within the troops everywhere he went.