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

Chapter 292 Winning Hearts and Minds and Breaking the City
"Boom boom boom!"

It was accompanied by deafening roars.

Smoke and dust swept through, and the earth shook.

"What...what is this?!"

"what!!!"

"Run! Run!"

"What is this!"

"How can it be?!"

"no no……"

……

People are always afraid of the unknown.

This is something I've never seen before.

Terrifying shells streaked across the sky, exploding on the city walls and gates, sending rubble and debris flying everywhere.

Its immense destructive power will destroy everything.

Humans are very fragile. They watched in a daze as shells flew in. The lucky ones might be knocked down by the aftershocks or injured by flying debris. The unlucky ones might have already been swallowed up by the billowing smoke and dust, never to see the future again.

The defenders fled in panic, shouting as they went.

Before Qian Yuan's army had even charged, the entire defending force was already in chaos.

The sturdy city walls were riddled with holes, and the city gates, which the Blood-Clad Army had failed to breach despite countless lives, were also severely damaged.

Smoke billowed, and the pungent smell of gunpowder lingered in the air.

More importantly, the already somewhat volatile morale of the troops was completely destroyed by the terrifying roar of artillery fire.

The cannons weren't firing at the city walls, but at morale.

The terrifying threat that had lasted for seven days finally erupted at this moment, and the fear of an irresistible force swept over the entire garrison.

The Qian Yuan Legion, Ming Chen, Ling Yu... are unstoppable.

Their location no longer guaranteed their safety, yet they were unable to inflict any damage on the enemy.

In such a situation, how can one not be afraid? How can one not despair?

Qian Yuan's army brought with them monster weapons.

How to win?
The opposing team also has Mingchen and Lingyu, how can we win?
The Blood-Clad Army is also their enemy, how can they win?!

There were no reinforcements, no hope.

Tomorrow we will attack the city; those who surrender will not be killed!

The shouts of the cavalrymen who roamed outside the city yesterday still echoed in my ears.

The entire garrison of Xiaoyao City quickly spiraled out of control.

There is no hope ahead.

Their commander could not lead them to victory; they needed to find their own way out.

This cannon has many problems: it is difficult to transport, has extremely poor mobility, takes a long time to prepare, is unsuitable for raids and pursuits, and cannot deal with highly mobile cavalry units. It needs to be carefully protected by well-organized troops; if it is captured by the enemy, it will cause huge casualties to one's own army.

However, under the current circumstances, it is the most suitable weapon.

The enemy was unfamiliar with this.

The devastating weapon could destroy the city walls, destroying the defenders' greatest asset and thus their morale.

"This this……"

"General, what should we do?!"

"Our army is out of control."

"General Zhang, General Liu, the city gates have been opened."

"Don't stay here, it's too dangerous!"

"Let's run away!"

War is a weapon of destruction.

He can destroy everything and ruthlessly erase life.

The deafening roar in my ears felt like a sledgehammer constantly hammering into my heart, and the world spun before my eyes, making me feel like I was about to collapse.

His subordinates, their faces filled with anxiety and fear, kept shouting at Xu Zhongling.

The sounds around me seemed to gradually fade away.

The last glimmer of hope was mercilessly extinguished.

The moment the cannons fired, Xu Zhongling knew he was going to lose.

Irreversible, utterly devastating.

After holding back for so long, Qian Yuan launched his first military campaign, and that campaign was against him.

Let the whole world see the power that Qian Yuan possesses now.

"It shouldn't be like this..."

"It shouldn't be like this..."

Ignoring the advice of the generals around him, he stood there in a daze, his eyes unfocused, muttering the same words over and over again.

Why is this happening?

Why did Qian Yuan send troops to attack him?

This was completely different from what he had imagined!
Everything is ruined.

All his meticulous planning was nothing but a fleeting dream; the fruits of his labor, painstakingly built step by step, vanished in an instant.

What the hell is this?

Why should he face such an opponent? They're not even in the same league.

Isn't this like an adult hitting a child?
This is simply not fair!
He gritted his teeth, his hand, with its severed finger, clenched tightly.

This is simply ridiculous!

Even in defeat, he couldn't accept losing so completely.

……

As the commander-in-chief, Ling Yu was well aware of the power of the Star Cannon.

Mingchen doesn't attend court to engage in verbal battles; instead, he spends his free time wandering around the Ordnance Bureau, which shows how important the things he cares about are.

This battle was the most powerful rebuttal to the rumors that 'Marquis Jing'an neglects his duties'.

She could also foresee what this bombardment would bring to Xiaoyao City.

The morale of the army was shattered, the defending troops were routed... everything was exactly as she had predicted.

This is a situation where victory is assured.

Under such conditions, even if she were to guard Xiaoyao City, she wouldn't know how to do it.

This is an absolute crushing victory in terms of raw power.

Let alone eight thousand people, three thousand people would be enough.

She raised her hand and shouted, "Attack the city!"

"Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Ling Yu's voice came through.

Several generals, sharpening their swords, had been waiting for a long time.

They held weapons in their hands, commanded their subordinates, and shouted, "Kill!!!"

"Rush!!!"

Xiaoyao City has been defeated. The city walls and gates are in ruins, and the defending troops inside are in chaos and their morale is low.

The city gates had been opened, and some people were waving at them, crying and begging for mercy.

All they had to do was rush into the city, kill the disobedient, and capture the surrendered... It couldn't be simpler.

……

"Capture Xu Zhongling!"

"Don't even think about leading us to our deaths!"

"Xu Zhongling!!! Where are you going!!"

"Charge! Capture Xu Zhongling and surrender to Qian Yuan!"

……

There are tens of thousands of soldiers guarding Xiaoyao City.

The Qian Yuan army that attacked the city numbered only eight thousand.

But, sir, times have changed.

The devastating cannon fire completely destroyed everything, and the already wavering defenders trembled.

Mingchen's previous pre-battle threats, Xu Zhongling's attempt to silence him... everything was burning away Xu Zhongling's credibility, destroying the morale of the defending troops, and leading to the final outcome.

Xu Zhongling was still dressed in plain clothes and wore a white sash, trying his best to maintain the image of loyalty and righteousness that he had always presented to his subordinates.

However, these minor tricks and techniques are meaningless in the face of matters of principle and life and death.

No one will care whether you are a loyal and kind person or a scheming and treacherous villain.

All anyone knows is that you are the supreme leader of the legion.

You have the highest power, but you also need to bear the greatest responsibility.

You have to pay for the results.

If you can't lead everyone to victory, then you must die in their place.

Now, your soldiers have abandoned you.

Nobody wants to die; everyone wants to live.

The entire city's garrison was stretched to its limit.

When the roar of cannons shattered the city, the string had snapped completely, and control was lost.

Whether it was pre-planned or intimidated by the cannons, one after another, Xu Zhongling's generals led their soldiers in rebellion.

Some rebelled too late, and some were even assassinated by their own soldiers.

The entire city of Xiaoyao was in chaos.

The resounding shouts and roars of the Qian Yuan army echoed through the air.

In half a day, they held off the Blood-Clad Army and blocked Wang Huai's Xiaoyao City... and just like that, it fell.

Even more bizarrely, the defending troops rushed to open the city gates to welcome Lord Qian Yuan, surrender to the Qian Yuan army, and pursue and kill the stubborn defenders.

Xu Zhongling, the former supreme leader, has now become the pledge of surrender for the people.

Whoever gets Xu Zhongling's head can undoubtedly redeem themselves through meritorious service and even secure a good job in Qian Yuan.

"What happened?"

"Has Qian Yuan attacked the city?"

A series of deafening roars came from outside the city, shaking the earth and suggesting that something terrifying was happening.

The streets were sparsely populated. Those who had caused trouble in the past few days had either been punished or imprisoned, leaving behind only ordinary people who longed for a peaceful life.

They don't care who's in charge; they just want peace, security, and for their lives not to be destroyed.

Thanks to the previous fear-mongering propaganda, the people in the city now know that Qian Yuan will attack the city today.

Will Xu Zhongling be able to defend the city?
Or will Qian Yuan breach the city and Xiaoyao City change hands?
Time flew by, and the sounds of chaos in the distance left the people somewhat bewildered.

"The city has fallen! The Qian Yuan army has stormed in!"

"The defending troops have all surrendered!"

"Xu Zhongling has escaped! Quick, everyone, go and catch Xu Zhongling!"

"Qian Yuan has won! Liang is finished!"

……

Someone, I don't know who, ran all the way from afar, shouting the latest news.

"What? How much time has passed?"

"How is that possible? Doesn't Qian Yuan only have 8,000 troops? Liang army has 40,000 garrison troops! How is this possible?"

"Where is the Blood-Clad Army? Where is the Blood-Clad Army? My son is still serving in the Blood-Clad Army!"

……

For a moment, everyone's eyes widened in shock.

They had no doubt that Qian Yuan could capture Xiaoyao City, after all, it was a joint attack by two great powers. They also had renowned generals like Ling Yu, Ming Chen, and Wang Huai.

No matter how resilient Xiaoyao City is, it cannot withstand this.

They just hadn't expected that Xiaoyao City would fall so quickly and so easily. The Great Qi had been bogged down here for quite some time.

When Qian Yuan arrived, the problem was solved with overwhelming force; the contrast was simply too stark.

"Xu Zhongling!"

"Xu Zhongling is there!"

A group of trusted followers escorted Xu Zhongling as he fled through the city, trying to leave through another exit.

"Qi Yuan, save me!"

Having witnessed the terrifying, devastating power of Qian Yuan, their last glimmer of hope had been completely extinguished.

Staying behind is tantamount to waiting to die.

Xu Zhongling was somewhat disheveled and desperate, but in the end, she was protected and evacuated by Qi Yuan and his subordinates.

Where there is life, there is hope.

Even if you can't find your way forward, just try to survive.

In any case, being alive is always better than being dead.

But at this moment, the entire city is Xu Zhongling's enemy.

When the people saw him fleeing, they shouted and rushed toward him, while the chaotic army also searched for him.

What isn't yours will never be yours.

Xu Zhongling's army was stolen from General Chen Yue by him; he never shared life and death with them.

The people recruited later were also brought in under the guise of Qian Yuan's name; they weren't after you, Xu Zhongling.

Xiaoyao City is also the city where the Blood-Clad Army rose to power, and you, Xu Zhongling, have not yet won the hearts of the people here.

When one link in the chain breaks, it triggers a chain reaction.

When lies are exposed, when security is threatened.

Enemies are everywhere.

"Puch!"

Blood gushed out, and the head flew into the sky.

The soldiers who had been chasing Xu Zhongling fell to the ground, lifeless. Their blood strangely coalesced, forming swords that fell into a withered hand.

Nearly a hundred guards rushed in from all directions, their bodies reeking of blood. They were expressionless, their skin as pale as a corpse that had been drowning for days, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust, and they exuded a sinister aura. They protected Xu Zhongling and his party in layers as they ran towards another gate of the city.

Blood Lord.

They are ruthless killing monsters, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.

Soldiers and civilians alike were all slaughtered.

"Come on!"

"Come on!"

People will gradually lower their expectations.

Seven days ago, Xu Zhongling still wanted to hold on to Xiaoyao City and try to find a solution.

If we can withstand Qian Yuan's siege, we can see if there's an opportunity to lure the Blood-Clad Army into war with Qian Yuan.

He still held onto hope.

Now that the city has fallen, he has lost everything and is fleeing in a sorry state.

All he wanted was to survive.

If you survive, you'll have a chance.

He was met with the sight of the Blood Lords' wanton slaughter all around him.

His mind was quick, and he came up with new possibilities.

Should we rely on Qi Yuan to develop such a powerful special team?
Anyway, Xiaoyao City has been lost now.

He became a band of bandits, robbing and killing.

They would occasionally launch night raids to harass Qian Yuan, seizing the opportunity to steal a few of those terrifying weapons, study them, and then find another chance to reclaim the throne.

His thoughts became increasingly intense.

A leader must be indomitable and resilient in the face of setbacks in order to achieve great things.

He urged them on impatiently, saying they would be able to escape the city safely soon.

With the hope of escaping within reach, he could seek a new way out.

He escaped the city, protected by these Blood Warriors, and the pursuers behind him should not be able to catch up with him.

Just then, an incredibly fast red light streaked across the sky; it was so small that it seemed no one paid any attention to it.

However, Qi Yuan, who was escorting Xu Zhongling, trembled and stood still, looking up at the city wall in front of him with a furrowed brow.

At the same time, all the Blood Knights stopped in their tracks.

Aside from the last time the Blood Demon Curse was broken, Xu Zhongling had never seen his childhood friend show such an expression before.

"Qi Yuan?"

Xu Zhongling was somewhat confused and kept asking him questions.

However, he did not receive a reply from the other party.

They looked in the direction Qi Yuan was looking.

A small red bird stood quietly on the top of the city wall.

The city is now in chaos, filled with smoke and shouts of pleas, but none of this seems to affect it.

It stood on a high place, tilted its head, and looked at them with great interest through its bright little eyes. It was so intelligent and adorable.

"Sir, please let us leave."

Qi Yuan had no time to pay attention to Xu Zhongling. He simply cupped his hands towards the little bird and said in a rather serious tone.

The cultivator's keen intuition kept warning Qi Yuan.

These seemingly cute birds constantly gave him a terrifying sense of oppression.

This feeling is no less intense than that of the ghosts and spirits in Yueyang City.

He was a cultivator, and he knew that there were many people in this world who practiced strange and unusual methods, as well as some demons and monsters.

He had great awe for it.

This world has all sorts of strange and wonderful supernatural powers and magical treasures. Without a real fight, the outcome cannot be determined solely by aura and personal cultivation.

However, Qi Yuan doesn't have much capital right now, and if possible, he doesn't want to be enemies with them.

Unfortunately, it seems the other party has no intention of letting him go.

"Wow!"

The little bird glanced at him sideways, raised its head, and let out a clear chirping sound.

An invisible pressure suddenly pressed down on everyone's shoulders.

In an instant, people felt as if some majestic and noble presence had appeared. Apart from Xu Zhongling and Qi Yuan, no one dared to look up, as if looking up would mean facing some great fear.

It was as if they were born gods, inherently noble, and high above.

The intense magical power gradually emanated from the little bird's body, and flames seemed to burn fiercely in her eyes.

His gaze swept over the Blood Lords below.

"Forehead……"

Qi Yuan's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he abruptly turned his head to look around.

Suddenly, waves of heat swept over them. Wherever the little bird's gaze fell, an inextinguishable, blazing red flame appeared from the ground, rising from the bottom up, engulfing each Blood Warrior in an instant.

These cold-blooded and ruthless Blood Lords are killing machines, insensitive to pain, impervious to blades and spears, and incredibly resilient; one can fight against hundreds.

However, they were completely powerless against these flames.

In the blink of an eye, all the Blood Warriors he had painstakingly crafted were engulfed in flames, leaving not a trace of ash behind.

Qi Yuan was shocked, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Looking up again, the bright red bird seemed to have changed its appearance in his eyes.

Its body rapidly expanded, its golden crest feathers swayed in the wind, its wings spread wide enough to blot out the sky, and its long tail feathers burned with seven-colored flames, scattering starlight.

Exquisitely beautiful, otherworldly, dreamlike, it seems as if it should not exist on earth.

Phoenix!

This is a phoenix, a legendary deity.

how come?
"Don't move!"

The little bird stood on the city wall, observing the group of people below with great interest.

The feathers on its wings could be controlled; it clenched its fist and pointed at the group of people below who were trying to escape.

Great Wilderness Imprisoning Heaven Finger.jpg
She guards this gate like a bird, preventing anyone from passing through.

Xu Zhongling seems to be a special person; Fuyao can sense a unique aura emanating from him.

She felt this same way with Xiao Xinyue, Hong Lingshuang, and Qin Lou.

However, this guy's aura is very weak right now, and he's not on the same level as those leaders.

Mingchen forbade her from getting involved in worldly affairs, and she hadn't fought in a long time.

If Xu Zhongling escapes on his own merits, then so be it; Fuyao won't make a move against him.

Unfortunately, Qi Yuan made his move.

Qi Yuan has made his move, so she can make hers too.

(End of this chapter)