So strong... yet so fragile.
They’re NPCs, game characters, monsters to grind, animated figures that can be wiped out... Zheng Fan repeatedly hypnotized himself.
Yes, I’m still hesitating, still conflicted. When I used to draw comics, no matter how terrifying, twisted, or depraved the plot and characters were, all I ever sensed was the beauty they encapsulated. But when you stand at someone’s front door, able to determine their family’s fate with just a word, it becomes incredibly difficult to make the decision. Am I being a bleeding heart, or is this just... normal human feeling? Zheng Fan wondered.
"Why hasn’t the Lord issued the order yet?" a soldier below began to question.
An older, seasoned soldier replied, "Why the rush? The more of us gathered at their doorstep, the more panicked and tormented those inside will become. Our Lord is letting them stew in their own fear, savoring their panic. Giving them a quick end would be letting them off far too easily."
"Indeed. The Chen Family has lorded their power over everyone for far too long. Who would’ve imagined this day would come?"
"Damn it! When I think that if I die in battle, my widow and children would be bullied by scum like these, I just want to flay their entire family alive!"
"That’s right! If we want our own families to be safe in the future, we absolutely cannot let this family off the hook this time!"
These grunts might not have possessed great enlightenment, but they understood a simple yet practical truth: there’s safety in numbers. More and more soldiers were gathering upon hearing the news. Surely, if the higher-ups were to investigate and assign blame later, they wouldn’t arrest every single one of them, would they?
Zheng Fan’s palms were slick with sweat. He knew that, in the end, he would issue the order. He had to protect himself, to protect the life and assets he and his seven subordinates had fought so hard to build. But he still wanted to stall, just a little longer, to delay, to wait...
How do those characters in fantasy dramas so easily crush planets with a stomp or obliterate entire realms with a palm strike? Why is it that when it comes to me, just wiping out a single family, I can’t seem to bring myself to do it?
Inside Zheng Fan’s heart, it felt as though a horde of shadowy Zheng Fans were brutally beating a lone, white-clad Zheng Fan.
Finally, just as Zheng Fan drew a deep breath, preparing to raise his hand and give the order—
"The Recruitment Envoy Lord has arrived!!!"
He was here. He had arrived, riding his Pi Beast.
Zheng Fan twisted his neck slightly and looked. Sure enough, he saw the portly Comrade Deep Sea riding that Pi Beast, approaching under the escort of a troop of personal guards.
That Pi Beast truly lived up to its name as an exotic creature. It had to be descended from mythical beasts for at least eighteen generations; otherwise, it would have been crushed to death by Comrade Deep Sea long ago.
The Recruitment Envoy’s prestige was formidable. At least within the bounds of Hutou City, no other high official could compare.
Consequently, the surrounding soldiers began to disperse.
Hui Wenzu, protected by his personal guards, rode straight through the crowd and stopped before Zheng Fan. The scribe was also on horseback at Hui Wenzu’s side.
"Zheng Colonel, you certainly carry yourself with an imperious air!"
Comrade Deep Sea’s lines never seem to change, Zheng Fan thought. This is making me feel quite awkward...
"You, come with me," Hui Wenzu declared. "This official wants to ask you personally why you have acted in this manner. Are you aware that mobilizing troops without authorization and inciting a crowd to rebel are both major crimes?"
Leaving this pronouncement hanging in the air, Hui Wenzu wheeled his horse and rode towards a teahouse opposite the Chen Mansion. The teahouse had already closed for the day. Hui Wenzu’s personal guards had entered ahead of him, clearing out the owner and staff. Then, the guards stood watch outside, sealing the teahouse off from the surroundings.
Zheng Fan took a deep breath, pushed aside the clutter of thoughts in his mind, and, with a composed expression, turned his horse and slowly rode towards the teahouse entrance.
The assembled soldiers watched Zheng Fan with expectant eyes. They naturally hoped he could withstand the pressure and lead them to exact their revenge.
If Zheng Fan wavered, they reckoned their courage would falter as well...
After all, for something , you needed someone of high standing willing to take responsibility and lead from the front for everyone else to truly mobilize.
Two personal guards stepped forward, intending to relieve Zheng Fan of his saber.
Zheng Fan clapped a hand to his saber, refusing to surrender it.
Of course, I don’t think Comrade Deep Sea would actually harm me, he thought. But in front of all these soldiers, I have to make some kind of stand, appear tough. Hui Wenzu should understand, right? Though, this incident might genuinely anger him, considering he is, after all, the current chief official of Hutou City.
Both personal guards were arrogant types. Seeing Zheng Fan refuse to hand over his saber, they both reached out, intending to restrain him.
A dazzling black radiance suddenly erupted from Zheng Fan’s body. This radiance, enhanced by the luminous powder on his armor, was stunningly brilliant.
Caught off guard, the two personal guards were forcefully repelled. The surrounding soldiers, who had been watching intently, were initially stunned, then burst into deafening cheers!
The nearby colonels, as well as the five Centurions Zheng Fan had dragged onto his war chariot, were also astounded. Ninth Rank Martial Cultivators weren’t unheard of, but one this young was truly astonishing!
Indeed, it seemed only the Earl of North Border’s family possessed the resources to nurture such a talent.
Zheng Fan squinted for a moment, not to deliberately bask in the afterglow of his power display. It was simply because the brilliant light was too intense. His eyes were nearly blinded and needed time to adjust. Next time, I’ll have to get Blind to make me a pair of sunglasses. Otherwise, I’d better not use this cheap-looking light effect. If I blind myself before a real fight even starts, what’s the damn point?