As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 217 Changes in the Bloodstained Robe

"uncle?"

Mingchen raised an eyebrow, watching the two demons with great interest.

He knew that White Wolf had an uncle, but according to him, the uncle was already dead, so he didn't ask any further questions. As for Huang Xiao, he didn't mention anything about the past to him either.

The fact that the wolf and the dog had such a relationship was beyond his expectations.

"Mingchen... this, did you bring this back from the grasslands?"

Huang Xiao rubbed the white wolf's head, recalling the rumors about Mingchen, and kept asking.

He also thought the child was dead, but he never imagined that the child had run off to the Xiongnu grasslands.

Mingchen nodded: "Yes."

Back then, I thought White Wolf was incredibly timid. Despite being a majestic white wolf, he acted like a dog, which made me feel like we were old acquaintances. I never expected that I would actually be connected to a dog.

Mingchen asked him with great interest, "What's going on between you two?"

"Forehead……"

Huang Xiao thought for a moment and said to Mingchen, "It is called White Wolf. It is the descendant of my old friends. They were killed by their enemies and are about to die. I will take care of the child in their place."

Since Bai Lang became intelligent, he had never seen his parents. Call it carefree or ungrateful, but having been born but not raised, he truly had no feelings for these parents he had never met. Thinking about what to eat every day already consumed all his energy; he had little interest in his parents.

So when Huang Xiao told me about his background, I didn't feel anything.

"Unexpectedly, after it grew a bit bigger, it left our cave and ran to the territory of a bear spirit with three hundred years of cultivation on a nearby mountain, and peed on their land..."

Huang Xiao chuckled dryly: "That bear spirit was furious and came knocking, wanting to teach that arrogant little demon a lesson. I stopped him, and we had a magical duel. I was afraid our fight would hurt it, so I told it to run far away. But it fled in disarray and disappeared without a trace. Afterwards, I went to look for it, but I could never find it again..."

It's obviously not a shameful thing for a naughty child to urinate in front of someone's door. Huang Xiao felt a little embarrassed when the topic came up.

Upon hearing this, the white wolf put down its uncle, wagging its tail and looking pitiful.

Mingchen: ...

He said, "Why didn't White Wolf explain in detail when he said he got into trouble? Oh, so that's what happened!"
"When I saw you, you said you had been injured, that it was from fighting with that bear spirit?"

Huang Xiao was seriously injured and nearly died. He was so disoriented that he ended up in Qingzhou, where he was rescued by kind people. After recovering, he was determined to repay their kindness.

Then I met Mingchen, got on a pirate ship, and ended up where I am now.

Upon hearing this, the white wolf sat still, its ears drooping, looking somewhat dejected.

It was its prank that implicated my uncle.

Huang Xiao waved his hand and said, "No, no, it was just a battle of wits with that bear spirit. Neither of us would risk our lives. If I won, we would let it go. If I lost, I would make him pee on me. In the end, I was lucky enough to win, and the bear spirit left dejectedly."

It's just a pee, how could anyone actually fight over it? Why would anyone risk their life for something so trivial?

They'll have a little competition, exchange a few insults, and that's it.

He looked at the white wolf and said helplessly, "I just told it to run far away so it wouldn't get hurt, but it got scared out of its wits and ran off somewhere."

"I've been searching for it for ten years, but I haven't found it."

"The person who fought me to the death later was a snake spirit who had a grudge against me."

"That's it..."

"what?"

"Uncle...this..."

This time, it was White Wolf's turn to be dumbfounded.

So all that was going to be a fight?
Why make such a big fuss?
That black bear spirit in the ditch looked like a mountain, so imposing, but it turned out to be all bark and no bite; he couldn't even beat my uncle.

What about its chaotic escape?
So what about its years of living in fear and hardship on the grasslands, eating raw meat and drinking blood?
So nothing happened at all?!

Uncle, why did you shout so loudly back then?!
Guilt instantly turned into resentment.

Mingchen: ...

Suddenly I don't want to listen to these two's gossip anymore.

"I am grateful that you were able to find it on the grasslands, Lord Marquis."

Regardless, after all the twists and turns, we finally found it. Huang Xiao cupped his hands in thanks to Ming Chen.

"It's alright, it's alright. It's my mount now, you don't mind, do you?"

Mingchen waved his hand.

Although the white wolf and the dog had a close relationship, Mingchen was not prepared to give up his luxury supercar.

The puppy looked pitifully at the yellow dog: "Uncle, the Marquis has cast a curse on me."

It wasn't that it disliked Mingchen; it was just hoping that Mingchen would lift the curse for its uncle's sake.

Huang Xiao: ...

My dear nephew! You're not tattling to your uncle, are you?

With that yellow dog standing here, is it enough for Mingchen to fart?
Huang Xiao remained calm upon hearing this.

He didn't see any traces of magic on the white wolf, so he figured Mingchen must have tricked the poor kid.

He shook his head at the little wolf: "You should grow up and be more mature. It is your blessing to serve the Marquis."

The legendary mythical beast, the phoenix, is ridden by the Marquis. What's wrong with you, a mere hundred-year-old demon, serving as a mount?
If you're short of food, will you eat it or wear clothes? And you're complaining?

Don't be unaware of your own position.

Huang Xiao had known Ming Chen for a long time. While he might not fully understand Ming Chen as a person, he knew at least one thing: sincerely following Ming Chen would not be a loss. Ming Chen treated his people extremely well, which would bring him many opportunities and chances.

In his opinion, it was good that the white wolf was with Mingchen, so that it wouldn't cause trouble everywhere.

This has only advantages and no disadvantages.

What a deity sees as a mount is just a mount, but once it descends from the immortal mountain, it becomes a demon king.

White Wolf:......

It was a wrong payment after all.

"My lord, I entrust my nephew to you. I beg you to spare his life."

Mingchen waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, don't worry~"

Mingchen glanced at the little white dog with amusement.

The white wolf shuddered and reluctantly lay down on the ground again.

The Gluttonous White Wolf

[To be well-fed and watered, to live a leisurely and carefree life, to live in peace and tranquility—that is all I desire.]

[White Wolf's Devotion: Greedy Wolf Blade, True Word Incantation]

Although he didn't have much status in the Jing'an Marquis's mansion, Bai Lang was actually quite happy.

Eat and sleep all day long, sleep and eat.

All he needed to do was accompany Mingchen on walks and act as his mount when they went on long journeys. Now that he had met the uncle who had taken care of him when he was a child, and that the uncle still had a good relationship with Mingchen, he was finally able to put his mind at ease and accept his new identity.

Mingchen smiled as he received the reward.

It seems this unlucky guy has finally settled down (completely given up).

"Come in, have a seat!"

"It's been so long since we last met."

Demon or human?

If Mingchen approves, then they are friends, and there's no difference between them.

After briefly explaining Bai Lang's identity, Ming Chen led Huang Xiao in, wanting to have a chat with him.

However, at that moment, he seemed to sense something, stood still, frowned, and turned to look eastward.

……

Not everyone can celebrate the New Year with their families in a ritualistic way, like the people in those peaceful and prosperous places.

On the contrary, chaos and battle were the defining characteristics of the era.

The flames of war in the East will not cease with the arrival of the New Year; on the contrary, they will intensify and escalate.

"Your Majesty, the New Year has arrived."

Inside the Blood-Clad Army's tent, a general in full military uniform looked at the imposing figure before him with utmost respect.

"You should take a rest."

On this joyous occasion of the New Year, His Majesty, the most esteemed of men, remained at the forefront of the battle, sharing meals and sleeping alongside his soldiers, leading the charge on the battlefield and bravely fighting the enemy.

How could such a leader not gain the trust of his soldiers?

Wang Huai shook his head, looked up at the somewhat dilapidated city in the distance, his eyes deep, as if he could see the distant Yueyang City through the city.

"What are you resting for?"

He raised his eyebrows, picked up his broadsword, and slowly walked into the army formation: "Gentlemen, today is the New Year, a day for family reunion and joy, but we are fighting bloody battles here. I know you are all tired and longing for your homes."

"However... the world is in chaos, the Chen Kingdom is corrupt, and how many people are still oppressed and living in constant fear? Perhaps our relatives are among them. We cannot give them a chance to breathe. I promise you all that the next ten years, the next hundred years... will all be prosperous years! Today, I urge you all to be courageous."

"I will not retreat, nor will I rest."

Wang Huai raised his broadsword high, the clanging sound carrying far and wide, deafeningly loud: "I stand with you all, let us advance and retreat together, let us take this city in one fell swoop!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"I will stand with Your Majesty through thick and thin!"

"Long live the Great Qi! Long live the Blood-Clad Warrior!"

"I will sacrifice my heroic soul for the peace!"

……

As the supreme leader, Wang Huai naturally commanded the most elite and loyal troops.

The flag bearer vigorously waved the blood-red flag in his hand, and the soldiers stood up in unison, shouting loudly, their eyes full of fervor, their momentum unstoppable.

They were just waiting for Wang Huai's order to fight bravely against the enemy, risking their lives to follow their leader.

"Your Majesty... the army's morale is high..."

Beside Wang Huai, the deputy general who had just advised him to rest looked at the group of fierce soldiers before him and couldn't help but sigh.

Wang Huai is their heart and their soul.

Their emperor's heart is broader than the heavens, far surpassing that of the old traitor lurking in Yueyang City. Why should that villain sit in the high position, instead of their emperor?

"Um……"

Wang Huai, however, remained calm, quietly gazing at the dilapidated city in the distance.

The New Year has arrived, and on such a day, everyone wants to rest, but he knows that.

We can't stop now.

There was something else that had been puzzling him.

Somehow, he didn't know where the problem was.

He sensed that the soldiers who had always followed him seemed to have changed.

They remained loyal and brave, still ready to fight and sacrifice for him... but they seemed to have become more arrogant and cruel.

The Blood-Clad Army at the very beginning didn't seem to be like this.

But the people are still the same people.

They fought desperately and made outstanding contributions; he could not let them down.

However... at the very beginning, when the uprising had just started in the south, he clearly raised his arm and received a great response, with countless people even opening the city gates to welcome him.

How come... gradually, no more cities surrendered to them?

The distant city walls were covered in blood, mottled and broken, indicating that some fierce battles had taken place there. Countless people had lost their lives here.

Even... such resolute, such fierce resistance.

Mingchen, what should I do next, brother?

He had no doubt that he could march on the capital, but what would happen after that?

A few days ago, Mingchen sent him a letter. It was a matter that was neither too big nor too small. A county magistrate was one of Mingchen's men and would surrender to them.

Qi and Chen went to war. After passing through the relatively narrow territory of two states, they entered a wide plain. The battle lines spread out, and Wang Huai divided his army into four routes to launch a northward expedition, advancing in all directions and overwhelming the enemy state.

The city wasn't on his marching route; it was under the jurisdiction of another general. He sent a message, so it seemed there shouldn't be any problems.

The New Year has arrived, but no one has been sent to celebrate with Mingchen.

Next year... if we conquer the State of Chen.

Next, they'll become rivals, right?

On this joyous New Year's Day, the sky was overcast with dark clouds, much like the state of mind of the blood-clad monarch, who frowned as he gazed into the distance, his thoughts racing, unable to bear the uncertainty of the future.

……

"Father, you've gone mad!"

"That's the Blood-Clad Army! You want to surrender to the Blood-Clad Army?!"

"The Blood-Clad Army is a bunch of lunatics. Those powerful figures in the city were all killed by the Blood-Clad Army! How can you assume they entered the city?"

Wangyang County
The young scholar stared wide-eyed at his father with a look of fear on his face.

As the world situation became increasingly turbulent, the Dong family usurped the throne, and the Blood-Clad Army launched a fierce northern expedition.

Young Master Zhang Li no longer spoke of passing the imperial examinations, achieving fame throughout the land, or being selfless and devoted to the public good. He wondered if, after leaving Wangyang County, he would be crushed into dust by the surging tide of the times.

He settled down peacefully in Wangyang County, living the life of a county magistrate's son. He would never speak ill of his father again.

At most, he would mutter a few words in the restaurant, such as "Heaven is jealous of talent" and "Great ambitions are hard to fulfill".

The previously strained relationship between father and son gradually eased.

Recently, I overheard my father discussing matters with several officials, and my eyes widened in shock.

After the officials left, he couldn't help but question his father.

Did they lead the Bloodstained Army into the city?

The Blood-Clad Army had previously massacred several wealthy families in the city! Now, their family is the wealthiest in the county!

What should we do next?
Could his father still be a county magistrate?
Is he still the son of the county magistrate?

"Then, according to you, what should we do?"

"The vanguard of the Blood-Clad Army has reached the walls of Wangyang City! My son, are you willing to lead the army in rebellion?"

The world situation changed drastically, and everything was beyond Zhang Boxing's expectations. He never thought that Dong Zhenghong would actually dare to usurp the country, nor did he expect that the Chen Kingdom would collapse so quickly.

He was actually unwilling to surrender to the Blood-Clad Army.

The Chen Kingdom could no longer spare many troops to defend the border, and this Blood-Clad Army had been conquering cities and seizing territories with great success.

However, the rumors about them were not good. News spread that they were committing arson, murder, looting, and all sorts of atrocities, causing widespread fear and panic.

Those people who were already living in dire straits due to the corruption of the old dynasty did not receive the protection of the rebel army; instead, their suffering was compounded by further oppression.

In the midst of chaos, Zhang Boxing did his best, and while he didn't become extremely wealthy, he managed to govern the area quite well. He had no idea what the consequences would be if the Blood-Clad Army stormed in.

But now he has no choice.

He did indeed keep some troops privately, but while these troops could wipe out the wealthy families in the city, they would be like an egg hitting a rock if they were to fight against the massive army of thousands of soldiers in blood-stained clothes.

Fortunately, he had communicated with the new Qian Yuan, and Ming Chen and Xiao Xinyue's replies reassured him somewhat.

I don't know how Mingchen's plans are regarding the Blood-Clad Army, but they're probably going to be useful.

"I……"

Zhang Li hesitated: "I am a scholar, how can I go into battle to kill the enemy?"

"Snapped!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a slap landed on his face.

The father, who was usually expressionless, looked at him coldly with a stern face this time: "In a life-or-death situation, even a child can kill! What's wrong with you being a scholar?"

"You are a scholar, what have you done?"

"Were those soldiers who risked their lives born to die?"

"All that high-sounding talk! Are you really doing this for the city, or for yourself?"

"You...you hit me!"

Looking at his son, who was covering his face and looking terrified, Zhang Boxing sighed helplessly.

His wife died young, and he was busy with affairs, neglecting to discipline his son. This resulted in the boy growing up to be the way he is.

Empty talk about ideals, detached from reality.

They only know how to fantasize and raise questions, but they don't focus on the present and solve the problems.

They use grand pronouncements to mask their cowardice and incompetence.

If the world is at peace, he will raise this child for life.

But now there's a whole host of messy things going on, and he really can't let this kid run wild anymore. As a father, he's willing to accept his child's incompetence, but he can't let him carry on his long-standing vanity and interfere in other people's business.

"Now that things have come to this, I'll tell you."

"The Li family, the Lu family, the Yang family, the Zhao family... were all destroyed by my men, not by the Blood-Clad Army."

Some clever people could see it, but his self-important son couldn't. Zhang Boxing was quite helpless.

"Ah? This..."

Zhang Li's worldview was somewhat shaken. He stared blankly at his corrupt father, feeling that the other man was a stranger.

That's several hundred people!
This person was wiped out so easily...?

"Think carefully about what is right and wrong!"

Ignoring his stunned son, Zhang Boxing sighed and hurriedly left to attend to his business.

……

"Should we...surrender to the Blood-Clad Army?"

"Lord Zhang has posted a notice saying that people should not go out unless absolutely necessary starting in three days!"

"Sigh... It's almost Chinese New Year, how can we not go out?"

"The Blood-Clad Army is no pushover! Have you forgotten about the Li family? I'll listen to Lord Zhang, I won't go out."

"You actually believe that?! There was no Blood-Clad Army back then. Would the Blood-Clad Army just kill rich people for no reason?"

"Huh? Who is that?"

"It cannot be said...it cannot be said..."

"Lord Zhang is too spineless. Why did you surrender to those bandits and robbers of the Blood-Clad Army?"

"We're just a small town with no soldiers, how can we possibly stop the Blood-Clad Army?"

……

Snowflakes fluttered down, a time for joyous New Year reunions, yet somber news circulated throughout the city along with posted notices.

The people had various expressions and were discussing the matter.

With the Blood-Clad Army approaching, in order to minimize casualties, Magistrate Zhang Boxing decided to open the city gates and surrender to them. The people in the city were advised to stay home as much as possible and not go out.

At some point, news about Zhang Boxing's corruption gradually decreased and ceased to circulate.

After all, most of the powerful and wealthy families in the city were dead. There wasn't much left for Zhang Boxin to embezzle.

Time changes many things; it allows true gems to shine from the dust. It can also turn black into white and change people's perceptions.

In the midst of chaos, the slow-witted common people seemed to gradually come to their senses. Compared to those in other cities suffering from hunger and cold, living hand to mouth, they seemed to be doing relatively well.

Their taxes are low, their cities are well-developed, and they don't have any instances of bureaucratic oppression of the people...

Life may not be extravagant, but at least there's something to look forward to. As long as you work hard and find a way to make a living, you can live a good life in a relatively fair environment.

And what is the reason for all of this?
Perhaps it was the county magistrate who had been rumored to be corrupt for the past five years, yet remained silent.

No matter how the people imagine it, their fate rises and falls in the world, and they have no control over their own destiny.

Snowflakes are falling heavily; it's the day the New Year arrives.

In the biting cold wind, a thin figure with a goatee stood quietly in front of the city gate.

A vast army, thousands of horses and soldiers, roared in from afar.

The New Year has arrived, and so has the Bloodstained Army.

(End of this chapter)