My cultivation method shines upon all heavens.

The Tiger Patrol Battalion marched forward in a grand procession, their torches like dragons, illuminating the long street as if it were daytime.

On both sides of the street, every household kept their doors and windows tightly shut, and no one dared to light a candle.

Having experienced the Yellow Turban Rebellion, these people were already like frightened birds, trembling under their blankets at the mere sound of soldiers and armor.

The government offices and city defense troops remained hidden, seemingly unaware of the situation.

Clearly, they had received advance notice and had completely abandoned this area.

……

The Zhang residence is located in the northern part of the inner city.

A group of Yin Tiger Guards lined up, each holding a torch, the flames casting flickering light on the stone lions in front of the mansion.

The clanging of armor echoed in all directions, startling the night birds on the wall into flight.

Footsteps echoed hurriedly and chaotically inside the Zhang residence, and then the main gate was flung open with a bang.

A tall, thin butler rushed out, his clothes casually draped over his shoulders, his collar loose, and his sideburns slightly disheveled, clearly having been suddenly disturbed in the dead of night.

But there was no panic in his eyes, only overwhelming anger at being offended.

His face darkened instantly when he saw the soldiers lined up in front of the gate, and he immediately cursed:

"A bunch of motherless bastards! Are you blind as can be, daring to act so presumptuously on Zhang family territory!"

He took a step forward, exuding an extremely arrogant aura:

"Dare to offend the masters and young ladies of this manor... not only will you, mere soldiers, not only your parents, relatives, and clansmen, but none of them will live!"

As the second steward of the Zhang family, he had long relied on the power and influence of the Zhang family to act arrogantly in the area.

They have always been the ones bullying others; no one has ever dared to come to the gates of the mansion and openly confront them.

Immediately afterward, dozens of guards from inside the mansion rushed out with knives and lined up to protect their master.

With the support of the mansion's military force, his courage grew even stronger.

His gaze swept coldly over the group of Yin Tiger Guards, his eyes filled with naked contempt.

The Yin Hu Guards looked at each other, their faces showing hesitation.

The four powerful figures in Yinhu County were so invincible that they could stop children from crying at night and destroy countless families.

Those who offend these four families will have their men enslaved for generations and their women forced into prostitution, living a life worse than death.

Now that they know they are dealing with these four families, how can they not be terrified?

"After tonight, the four great powers will cease to exist."

At this moment, Lu Ming's calm voice came from behind, instantly calming everyone's panic.

"Break into the Zhang residence and you will be rewarded with ten merit points. If you have any doubts, cover your face with a cloth. Anyone who sees your face will be killed."

His words were calm, but the coldness and murderous intent within them instantly spread in all directions.

Tempted by the promise of merit and Lu Ming's thoughtful plan, the eyes of all the Yin Tiger Guards lit up.

They finally understood the purpose of the black face towels they had received before setting off.

In the blink of an eye, the Yin Tiger Guards had all covered their faces with veils, leaving only their eyes visible.

At this moment, they had no more hesitation, only greed in their hearts.

If given a choice, who would want to be a dog that's bossed around?

Thinking of the merits, money, and secret manuals promised by Lu Ming... everything was already within reach.

Are powerful and influential families born with a special destiny?

For a moment, their breathing became rapid.

"You...you all..."

Upon seeing this, the tall, thin butler's expression changed drastically, finally realizing that the situation seemed to have spiraled out of his control.

"kill."

Lu Ming raised his eyes and said softly.

"Clang—!"

The Yin Hu Guards drew their longswords, their cold light gleaming like a forest, and charged into the Zhang residence's gate.

The tall, thin butler immediately organized the guards to fight back, but a gaze suddenly shot over.

"Boom!"

It was as if a thousand demonic sounds echoed in my mind, and countless demonic shadows pressed down on me like mountains.

He and his guards froze instantly, feeling weak and powerless, unable even to lift their swords.

What a monster!

In an instant, faced with the ferocious Yin Tiger Guards, they were so terrified that they could only fight and retreat.

Soon, the Yin Tiger Guards, their eyes bloodshot, stormed into the courtyard.

"kill--!"

Amidst the roars, one after another, Zhang family servants and guards fell to the ground, their blood meandering across the blue brick floor.

Lu Ming strolled through the Zhang residence with his hands behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping over the various parts of the mansion.

Wherever they went, the Yin Tiger Guards seemed to have divine assistance, while the Zhang family members were trapped in a quagmire, unable to even take a step to escape.

Fan Wu followed closely behind, watching Lu Ming's retreating figure with a look of admiration in his eyes.

He knew that after this battle, the Tiger Patrol Battalion would have no way out.

Whether it's the lure of merit or the seemingly helpful advice from a masked man, once these people are stained with the blood of powerful and influential families, they will have no choice but to follow Lu Ming down this dark path from now on.

"When did this kid become so cunning?"

He picked up his pipe, took a few puffs, and his old eyes were full of satisfaction.

At this moment, Lu Ming's strolling steps paused slightly:

"It seems that the core members of the Zhang family have already left."

He glanced at Fan Wu and chuckled softly:

"These people have a really keen sense of smell."

Fan Wu smiled helplessly, slowly exhaling smoke from his mouth:

"How could someone who has dominated Yinhu County for hundreds of years be an easy opponent?"

He looked at Lu Ming with a serious expression:

"Leaving a snake alive will bring endless trouble... So what do you plan to do now?"

Lu Ming closed his eyes slightly and chuckled softly:

"It's alright, the night is long, I have plenty of time to play with them."

Then, he turned to Fan Wu:

"Fifth Uncle, you shall lead your men to guard this treasury for me, and prevent anyone from embezzling it."

Fan Wu was taken aback and immediately realized that Lu Ming was worried about the dangers ahead and didn't want him to take any risks.

He was deeply moved, and a surge of pride welled up within him.

But soon, his face fell.

Those who are family know their own situation. With his limited abilities, he should be grateful if he doesn't become a burden to Lu Ming.

"Why--"

He sighed deeply, looking at Lu Ming with concern in his eyes:

"Never underestimate Wang An. His strength is unfathomable; even Liu Zhiyuan has been secretly suppressing him out of fear—"

"Do you know that ever since the relationship between the prefectural government and the four powerful clans deteriorated, Liu Zhiyuan has never left the county government office, nor has he returned to his residence!"

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Despite his low strength, Fan Wu managed to survive for decades in this chaotic world.

His cautious and meticulous nature, typical of a nobody, was something he dared not underestimate.

The information revealed in that sentence instantly sparked many speculations in him.

"Yes, I'll be careful."

He nodded in response, then stepped outside.

Soon, the Zhang residence was completely under control.

"Commander Fan and his men stay behind... the rest of you come with me!"

Lu Ming stood with his hands behind his back at the door and shouted loudly.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

As the sound of armor clashing rang out, the members of the Tiger Patrol Battalion quickly assembled in front of the gate.

Their faces were flushed with excitement, their eyes filled with a gleeful, bloodthirsty gleam.

The once high and mighty tyrants could only howl pitifully before them.

That thrill completely awakened their bloodlust, and the beasts that had been dormant for so long began to stir.

Lu Ming's gaze swept over the crowd, and everyone lowered their eyes and stood still.

He made no attempt to stop it.

Lose your humanity, lose many things; lose your animality, lose everything.

In chaotic times, this is the only thing that can protect them.

"Walk!"

He gave a cold shout and walked out first.

The Yin Tiger Guards followed in neat rows behind him, their hearts pounding with excitement, yet they dared not show the slightest disrespect in front of Lu Ming.

They knew very well who had given them all this.

Lu Ming led the Tiger Patrol Battalion through the streets and alleys, and soon swept away the Lin family and the Hong family.

But he knew that the key figures in both families had already been moved away.

After leaving Chen Rui and another trusted squad leader to guard the Lin and Hong families, he led the rest of his men toward the Wang family.

He knew very well that with Liu Zhiyuan's methods, not even a mosquito could escape Yinhu County.

The only place these people could go was to seek refuge with the Wang family.

Soon, he led the Yin Tiger Guards to White Tiger Street, where the Wang family was located.

Just as he was about to head straight for the Prince's mansion, a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

He looked up and saw that at the exit of the narrow alleyway, one after another, the elderly, women and children were being roughly pushed and dragged out by Wang family guards dressed in blue.