Everyone present was first completely stunned. It had all happened too suddenly. There was almost no time for words before blades were drawn and killing began.
“Clang, clang, clang…”
Immediately after, the high-ranking warrior lord rebel officers drew their swords one after another, preparing to charge at Suo Lun.
And the Tianshui City Guard officers also leapt to their feet, placing their hands on their sword hilts.
“Do not move.” City Guard First Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danchen shouted loudly, “Brothers of the city guard, believe my words and do not move. All of you, sit down.”
Second Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danyu also shouted loudly, “Yes, those who trust us brothers, absolutely must not move.”
Then, over sixty city guard officers all sat back down, though they remained as if facing a formidable enemy.
“Brothers, charge up there and fight them to the death,” the high-ranking lord rebel officers roared loudly.
And just at this moment, over a hundred Suo Clan warriors rushed forward, engaging the rebel officers in fierce combat.
Suo Lun rapidly retreated a dozen or so steps, took the powerful bow handed to him by Ye Jingyu, bent the bow and nocked an arrow, concentrating his spirit to lock onto his target.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”
At this distance, facing a crowd of mid-ranking warriors, Suo Lun’s black gold arrows struck true with every shot.
Moreover, although his clan warriors and the rebel officers were locked in combat together, the scene extremely chaotic, his arrows did not miss by even half a fraction.
The martially strongest Naier did not act, but stood before Suo Lun to protect him.
Suo Danchen and Suo Danyu drew their greatswords and also charged into the fray.
The city guard officers had no idea what was happening, but seeing the two elder brothers Suo Danchen charging forward, after slight hesitation, nearly half of them drew their swords and stepped forward.
In an instant, over a hundred men surrounded and attacked forty men.
This time, both Zhi Ning and Nu Erdan and the others had believed the battlefield would be at Tianlang Pass, so they had taken all the elite forces there. Those left to garrison Tianshui Main City were all people who had risen through connections. Either the son of this high-ranking lord or the nephew of that high-ranking lord, so their combat strength was pitifully weak.
Because in everyone’s view, there would be no fighting in Tianshui Main City.
And Suo Lun’s clan warriors, along with the city guard officers, were all elites. Moreover, it was on average three against one, so the battle was completely one-sided.
In mere minutes, the forty rebel officers were nearly all killed clean.
“Suo Lun, why? Why not even give us a chance to speak?” a high-ranking warrior rebel officer said, “How do you know we would not surrender? I am a high-ranking warrior.”
Only high-ranking warriors could become high-ranking warrior lords.
But not all high-ranking warriors could become lords. At most one in ten could. Thousand-cavalry commanders and thousand-man commanders were the destination for the vast majority of high-ranking warriors.
Therefore, every high-ranking warrior thought highly of himself.
“I do not need to,” Suo Lun said indifferently.
Then, the greatswords in the hands of Suo Mu and four others thrust towards that high-ranking warrior officer one after another.
“Thud, thud, thud…”
In the blink of an eye, he was pierced with countless holes, dead beyond any doubt.
The entire conference hall reeked of blood to the heavens, with corpses strewn across the floor.
…
Suo Lun returned to his own position. Seeing the city guard officers, their faces were filled with confusion and shock.
Half of them had followed Suo Danchen and the others to kill for a while just now, but even now they did not know what had happened. Where had Lord Suo Hanyi gone? Why had Suo Lun appeared here?
“Suo Hanyi is already dead.” Suo Lun’s first words were earth-shattering.
Then, Yang Hongyi opened the wooden box in her hands. Inside was Suo Hanyi’s head.
All the city guard officers present turned pale with horror, instinctively drawing their sharp swords.
“Do not, absolutely do not draw your swords…” Suo Danchen roared loudly.
By now, he had some understanding of Suo Lun. This was a ruthless man, completely lacking in patience, and he was already extremely dissatisfied with the city guard’s loyalty to Suo Hanyi. If these officers were to draw their swords against Suo Lun, there would truly be no chance. He would not hesitate to execute these people.
“Brothers, hear my words. Absolutely, absolutely do not draw your swords.” Suo Danchen stepped forward, standing before Suo Lun to indicate his position, and with the intention of blocking swords for him.
Of course, his blocking swords for Suo Lun did not mean he had any great love for Suo Lun. Rather, this gesture could make Suo Lun show mercy to the city guard brothers.
Suo Lun continued, “Suo Hanyi, colluding with Princess Zhi Ning, Nu Erdan, and others, betrayed the Suo Clan and seized power through conspiracy. He did not hesitate to personally kill his own master, that is, your deputy commander Lord Yan Nu, and his wife Lady Yang Hongyi…”
“Impossible, you lie, you are talking nonsense…” Instantly, a young centurion pointed at Suo Lun and roared loudly, interrupting his words.
Suo Lun did not speak, but simply looked at him indifferently.
This young centurion was ignorant and fearless, still raising his head to refute.
But Suo Danyu was frightened out of his wits. He immediately rushed forward and slapped that young centurion several dozen times with resounding blows, then kicked him to the ground, kneeling.
“My lord, this is Suo Linyu. He is still young and does not understand. I beg you to spare his life, spare his life!” Second Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danyu quickly knelt to one side, kowtowing desperately.
“Give me a reason,” Suo Lun said indifferently.
At the same time, Ye Jingyu stepped forward and drew her curved blade. If Suo Lun did not retract his command, this young Suo Linyu was doomed.
No one could interrupt their lord’s speech. No one could offend their lord’s dignity.
“He is only eighteen years old, a martial arts genius,” Suo Danyu said.
Suo Lun shook his head. “I do not need martial arts geniuses.”
Suo Danyu said, “He was found by Lord Suo Hanyi from the rural fields. He counts as Lord Suo Hanyi’s foster son and disciple. Just… just as Count Suo Long took Lord Suo Hanyi out from a thatched hut back then.”
Instantly, Suo Lun’s expression softened. He walked before this Suo Linyu.
At this time, although this young centurion had been beaten black and blue, with blood all over the corner of his mouth, he still looked at Suo Lun with defiance, stubborn and unbowed.
“To you, Suo Hanyi was an idol, an elder brother, a teacher, the best person under heaven. But to me, he is a rebel. To Lord Yan Nu, he is a treacherous disciple.” Suo Lun said indifferently, “Just as I, in my elder sister’s eyes, am the best younger brother. In Ye Jingyu’s eyes, I am the best lord. But in the eyes of many others, I am a villain.”
Suo Lun did not continue to explain. For Suo Linyu, these few sentences of his were already a tremendous favour. If he still could not understand, then killing him would be killing him. Suo Lun was not a man who thirsted for talent.
And at this time, Yang Hongyi was about to speak to confirm Suo Lun’s words and expose Suo Hanyi’s true face, though for her at this moment, this was completely equivalent to tearing open a wound anew.
Suo Lun waved his hand, stopping Yang Hongyi from speaking.
He was the lord. The city guard officers before him were vassals. Suo Lun informing them of the matter was already the utmost benevolence. For him to make explanations was pure wishful thinking.
“Therefore, I killed Suo Hanyi.” Suo Lun explained with the simplest words.
Finally, he looked at all the city guard officers present and said, “I give you half a quarter of an hour. Whether you choose to pledge loyalty to me or choose to fight to the bitter end, it is entirely up to you.”
Then Suo Lun inverted an hourglass in his hand, and the fine sand inside began to trickle down. When all the sand had flowed through, half a quarter of an hour would have passed.
He took this hourglass and left the conference hall. Yan Naier, Ye Jingyu, and Yang Hongyi followed him out.
Yang Hongyi opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately did not speak.
Finally, Suo Lun’s clan warriors also withdrew completely.
Within the entire great conference hall, only the over sixty Tianshui City Guard officers remained, along with Suo Hanyi’s head.
…
“Brother Danchen, is all of this true?” someone could not help but ask.
Everyone looked towards Suo Danchen. He was older than even Suo Hanyi, counting as the elder brother of everyone present, and was deeply trusted by the city guard brothers.
Suo Danchen nodded.
Immediately after, Suo Danyu also nodded and said, “We personally witnessed Lord Suo Hanyi admit it.”
Instantly, Suo Linyu could not help but burst into tears.
Many present felt as if their idol had been shattered and their worldview overturned.
Suo Hanyi was the perfect commander, their idol, even regarded as the sole hope of the Suo Clan in Tianshui City. They had never expected he would do such beastly things as murdering his master and personally killing his wife. The Suo Clan family had shown him immense kindness, yet he had repaid their favour with enmity and seized power through conspiracy.
“Lord Suo Lun is right. Lord Suo Hanyi was the worst husband, the most despicable treacherous disciple, but indeed the best commander, and also the best foster son of Lord Suo Long.” Suo Danchen said, “Because Lord Suo Long is no longer here, Lord Suo Hanyi lost his way and took the wrong path.”
Everyone present was incomparably dejected.
“Lord Suo Hanyi is already dead. He will be buried in the Suo Clan ancestral grave, still a son of the Suo Clan.” Suo Danchen said, “And nearly half of us present bear the surname Suo, having served the Suo Clan family for generations. Suo Lun is our lord. This has never changed. Once we believed Lord Suo Lun was a good-for-nothing wastrel, but… now we know, we were terribly wrong in that.”
Suo Danchen continued, “Suo Danyu and I have already knelt to pledge loyalty to Lord Suo Lun anew. Although he is very cold to us, and will remain cold. But we will use our lives and our loyalty to interpret our hearts.”
Then, Suo Danchen drew his greatsword, and immediately after, Suo Danyu also drew his greatsword.
“Now, all brothers must make a choice. Either kneel to pledge loyalty to Lord Suo Lun, or die beneath my sword, or kill me.” Suo Danchen said, “Even if it is death, I do not wish for you to die by the lord’s hand, but by my sword. After all, we are all brothers.”
Everyone present looked at one another.
Suo Danchen was right. Half of them here had served the Suo Clan for generations. Over ninety percent of them had grown up eating the Suo Clan’s grain since childhood. Their loyalty to the Suo Clan was already completely engraved into their bones.
Before, they had been loyal to Suo Hanyi because they had regarded him as the symbol of the Suo Clan family.
Now Suo Hanyi was dead, and had died dishonourably. Then Suo Lun became the sole symbol of the Suo Clan family.
Or rather, Suo Lun had always been the sole lord of the Suo Clan. They had no choice.
They were not like Nu Erdan and the other warrior lords, most of whom had graduated from the Royal Academy and then taken office in the Tianshui City territory.
The city guard officers were almost without exception cultivated by the Suo Clan through every blade and sword.
After speaking, Suo Danchen and Suo Danyu placed their swords on the table, knelt on one knee, and did not move.
Next came the third, the fourth, the fifth…
Finally, all the city guard officers knelt down in perfect formation, not uttering a sound, including that heartbroken Suo Linyu.
…
Half a quarter of an hour passed. The sand in the hourglass in Suo Lun’s hand ran out, and he re-entered the conference hall.
Instantly, he saw over sixty officers kneeling on the ground in perfect formation, their foreheads pressed against their knees.
He did not speak, but sat in the central seat of the hall. This was the city lord’s seat.
Then, Suo Danchen was the first to step forward, kneeling on both knees, holding Suo Lun’s boot and kissing it. This indicated the most complete loyalty.
It indicated that he was not merely Suo Lun’s officer, but also his servant.
Next, every city guard officer came forward in turn, kneeling on both knees and kissing Suo Lun’s boot.
A full quarter of an hour later, all the rituals were concluded.
From this moment, it signified that Suo Lun had completely gained control of the six thousand Tianshui City Guard, the most elite armed force of Tianshui City.
Suo Lun said, “Within the city at this time, there are still four thousand rebel troops. Before dawn, disarm them completely and capture them utterly. Can this be done?”
“Yes.” Suo Danchen said loudly.
These four thousand rebel troops had been mere militia just over half a year ago. They had been forcibly armed by Nu Erdan with Zhi Li’s money. Though they could not quite be called rabble, they were not much better.
Six thousand elite troops against four thousand such troops, and if they could not take them down before dawn, they would have no face to live.
Suo Lun also said, “Within Tianshui City, there are many secret forces of Zhi Ning, especially her falcon messengers. Uproot them completely and kill them all.”
“Yes.” Suo Danchen said.
“Very well, go and attend to your duties.” Suo Lun said.
Instantly, the over sixty city guard officers withdrew in perfect formation, and several dozen of Suo Lun’s clan warriors also followed closely. For tonight’s tasks, they would keep a close watch.
Suo Lun would rather be excessively suspicious than naive.
Tonight was undoubtedly a sleepless night.
“Very well, it is over.” Suo Lun said to Ye Jingyu, “You take Sister Hongyi to rest.”
“Yes.” Ye Jingyu said.
Suo Lun frowned, very much disliking the smell of blood in the conference room, and also left.
…
In the room, Suo Lun sat cross-legged on the ground, with Yan Naier guarding beside him.
At this time, there were still several hours until dawn, which was perfect for taking this opportunity to refine his meridians and body, and advance his cultivation.
This time, devouring Suo Hanyi’s Dragon Force was the power of a complete Dragon Warrior. His cultivation was considerably higher than Meng Tuoluo’s.
How much he could break through was completely anticipated!
The Demon Star said, “Master, do you intend to advance all attributes, or one or two attributes?”
Suo Lun said, “Only advance strength and agility. Going forward, I shall become a swordsman.”
“Yes.” The Demon Star said.
Then, it began to release tremendous Dragon Force to assault Suo Lun’s entire body.
First the meridians, then the bones, finally the muscles.
Strike, strike, strike.
Suo Lun’s strength and agility increased bit by bit.
When he had devoured part of Meng Tuoluo’s Dragon Force back then, it had already brought a tremendous breakthrough. And this time it was the complete Dragon Force of Suo Hanyi, even stronger than the complete Meng Tuoluo.
This time Suo Lun did not lose consciousness, but clearly felt his body transforming again and again.
His entire body seemed about to burn and burst, yet there was also an indescribable pleasure, as if he were about to float away.
One hour, two hours, three hours…
A full five or more hours passed.
Outside, the sun was already high in the sky.
Suo Lun’s Dragon Force refinement and advancement came to an end, and he opened his eyes.
Naier said, “Suo Danchen and Suo Danyu have been waiting outside for you for quite some time. Matters within Tianshui City have been concluded. The four thousand rebel soldiers have all been dealt with.”
Tianshui Main City had stabilised. Then next came the time for the decisive battle with Zhi Ning’s great army. With attacks from front and rear, Zhi Ning’s allied forces would certainly lose, would they not?
“Demon Star, how much did I advance this time?” Suo Lun asked.