“Shhh!” Suo Lun swung his sword down in a fierce strike.
The Dragon Gold Sword sliced through the neck silently and smoothly, the cut as smooth as a mirror. Suo Hanyi’s handsome head rolled off soundlessly.
For quite some time afterwards, blood gushed forth.
At the same time, an immensely powerful Dragon Force energy drifted out from Suo Hanyi’s corpse.
The Demon Star vortex spun rapidly, devouring, devouring with all its might…
The entry points of Suo Lun’s entire body’s meridians opened wide, absorbing this terrifying Dragon Force energy.
Although this energy was far inferior to the Dragon Flame imprint, it was complete, the complete Dragon Force of a powerful Dragon Warrior.
Energy like raging waves and stormy seas crashed through Suo Lun’s entire body, causing his skin to begin distorting, as if unable to withstand such tremendous pressure. Blood trickled from his nostrils.
Beside him, Yan Naier was slightly startled. She seemed to sense a strange energy fluctuation, then stepped forward slightly to guard Suo Lun.
A full quarter of an hour passed before the Demon Star’s Dragon Force devouring came to an end.
Suo Lun’s body finally regained movement. In his hands, he still held Suo Hanyi’s head.
And on the small boat nearby, Yang Hongyi had been staring blankly at Suo Hanyi’s headless corpse the entire time, as if her soul had completely left her body.
When she had first woken, she had wished nothing more than to tear her husband Suo Hanyi into ten thousand pieces. But when he truly died, her heart seemed to empty completely. In an instant, all her thoughts turned to ashes, and she could find not the slightest shred of hope to continue living.
Of course, she would not seek death. She was not that fragile. But she truly could not find any purpose.
Once, Suo Hanyi had been her heaven and earth, her everything.
“Suo Lun, after you bury him beside my foster father, I shall keep vigil for them,” Yang Hongyi said.
“No,” Suo Lun said. “Your life is still long. It should not be like this.”
Yang Hongyi shook her head. “You do not understand. For me, my life has already ended. Even if one day I recover my mobility and am no longer a cripple, my life will have no meaning.”
Suo Lun said, “Sister Hongyi, why did the two of you not have a child?”
Yang Hongyi said, “I wanted to, but for some reason, I could never conceive. I do not know if it was my problem or his.”
Suo Lun hesitated slightly and said, “Duke Zhi Ting told me that he had a concubine who was once an admirer of Suo Hanyi. Through Princess Zhi Ning’s machinations, this woman and Suo Hanyi had a night of passion. She is already with child, and by my reckoning, the child should be due soon.”
Yang Hongyi was taken aback, unable to tell whether she felt anger or something else.
Suo Lun said, “This child is of the Suo Clan bloodline. It should not be raised by outsiders. I will find a way to bring this child to you to raise. The bloodline of our Suo Clan is far too thin.”
A slight tremor passed across Yang Hongyi’s face. She glanced at Suo Hanyi’s head, then nodded. “Very well.”
…
Suo Lun rowed the wooden boat, mooring it on the beach.
At this time, the beach was densely packed with Suo Clan city guard cavalry. Seeing Suo Hanyi’s head, many could not help but redden their eyes.
This man had once been their most beloved leader, their idol.
Suo Lun looked at them and said slowly, “Suo Hanyi was a good commander, for he loved his soldiers as his own sons, rewarded and punished fairly, and was invincible in battle.”
At these words, the Suo Clan cavalry finally could not hold back, and tears slid down their faces.
Suo Lun continued, “He was also a good son. When my father was alive, he was the most loyal guardian of the Suo Clan family. But he was not a good vassal, not a good husband, and even less a good disciple.”
Just now, the Suo Clan city guard cavalry had heard everything clearly. Suo Hanyi had attempted to seize power through conspiracy. He had personally killed his own master and attempted to kill his own wife.
Suo Lun said, “He was an invincible commander, a genius warrior, but also a man with a flawed character.”
He was delivering the final verdict on Suo Hanyi.
“He had merits, but even more faults. But he is dead. All is past. Now he has but one identity, a deceased son of the Suo Clan. He shall be buried in the ancestral grave of the Suo Clan, beside my father.”
When Suo Lun spoke to this point, the soldiers present were already weeping uncontrollably.
Suo Lun looked at the soldiers present and said, “At the final moment, Suo Hanyi entrusted you to me. Or rather, one cannot say entrusted, but returned you to me. You were raised on the Suo Clan’s food. The weapons in your hands, the grain and salaries in your homes, all come from my Suo Clan. Now I give you a choice. Either lay down your weapons, armour, and warhorses, and depart from here. Or draw your swords and charge at me to kill me, rebelling against and murdering your lord. Or, kneel down and pledge your loyalty to me anew.”
Instantly, the scene fell into complete silence.
Every soldier present was loyal to the Suo Clan family. Indeed, they had served the Suo Clan family for generations.
From childhood, they had grown up eating the Suo Clan’s grain. Their parents and ancestors had all served the Suo Clan.
Only before this, the object of their loyalty had been Suo Hanyi. They had regarded him as the master of the Suo Clan, and a wise master at that.
Now, Suo Hanyi was dead. Where should they go?
Their feelings towards Suo Lun were extremely complex.
In their impressions, Suo Lun was a good-for-nothing wastrel, a master they would never look up to.
Now, it was clear that Suo Lun was an exceedingly formidable lord. Although his methods were ruthless and unscrupulous, he had earned an astronomical sum of gold coins from nothing and raised an army of more than ten thousand men.
When the true battle began, he had actually abandoned this army of more than ten thousand, entering the heartland of Tianshui City alone. With his own strength, he had thrown Tianshui City into complete turmoil, and finally used strategy to kill the invincible commander Suo Hanyi.
No matter from which angle, he was an exceedingly powerful lord. Although his martial arts were weak, for a lord, martial arts were the least important thing.
With such a lord, Tianshui City need fear no bullying from others. The question was whether it would refrain from bullying others.
Facing such a lord, they did not feel close to him, but were filled with awe.
But what should they do now? Draw their swords and fight Suo Lun to the death?
Impossible. They had served the Suo Clan for generations. Now that they knew the truth of the matter, could they truly rebel and murder their lord?
Then, retire to the fields? Also impossible. They were professional warriors, professional knights. Apart from fighting, they knew nothing else. Leaving Tianshui City, they would become wandering warriors. Would they make their living hunting barbarian heads in the Hundred Thousand Mountains?
Thus, only one choice remained.
Pledge loyalty to Suo Lun, pledge loyalty to their true lord.
“What are you all still standing there for?” Yang Hongyi said coldly, “Do not forget, your Lord Suo Lun still has fifteen thousand troops outside Tianlang Pass. These mercenaries are seasoned veterans of many battles, eyeing your positions with hostility.”
At these words, the two leading thousand-cavalry commanders immediately removed their helmets and knelt on one knee.
“Tianshui City Guard, First Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danchen, greets my lord.”
“Tianshui City Guard, Second Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danyu, greets my lord.”
Like Suo Mu, these two were hereditary vassals of the Suo Clan through the generations, and had long since changed their surnames to Suo.
Only high-ranking knights could serve as thousand-cavalry commanders, and only Dragon Knights could serve as ten-thousand-cavalry commanders. These two thousand-cavalry commanders were both high-ranking knights, the finest cavalry officers.
Suo Lun extended his sword at an angle. The two thousand-cavalry commanders stepped forward to kiss his blade.
From this day forth, these two thousand-cavalry units would be utterly loyal to Suo Lun.
“Two thousand-cavalry commanders, assemble your armies and return to Tianshui Main City,” Suo Lun said. “Before dawn, retake Tianshui Main City.”
“Yes,” the two thousand-cavalry commanders said.
…
Two quarters of an hour later, two thousand cavalry assembled and marched mightily back towards Tianshui Main City. Suo Lun and his party were concealed within these two thousand cavalry.
The distance from the seaside to Tianshui Main City was over three hundred li. By the time they reached the foot of Tianshui Main City, it was completely dark.
Outside the city at this time, the rabble of more than ten thousand had fled without a trace, leaving only corpses strewn everywhere.
“Open the gates,” First Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danchen stepped forward and shouted loudly.
At this time, on Suo Lun’s lion-tiger beast sat a tall figure wearing Suo Hanyi’s golden armour and red robe, with a tiger mask.
Originally, the two thousand-cavalry commanders had wanted Suo Lun to impersonate Suo Hanyi to enter the city, but Suo Lun was unwilling. Thus, they had selected a stalwart man from the cavalry with a build similar to Suo Hanyi’s to impersonate him.
The defenders on the city wall looked down through the firelight and suspected nothing. They shouted loudly, “City Lord Suo Hanyi returns in triumph. Open the gates.”
Rumble, rumble. The massive city gates opened.
Suo Lun mixed in with the two thousand cavalry and entered Tianshui Main City once more.
Instantly, countless refugees beside them knelt in worship, congratulating City Lord Suo Hanyi on his victorious return and his successful defeat of the rebel Suo Lun.
This Suo Hanyi was truly a complex contradiction, both noble and fallen, both powerful and weak.
After entering the city lord’s manor, Suo Lun had the first thousand cavalry take over the defence of the entire manor, while Suo Mu and one hundred clan warriors took over Suo Lun’s personal protection.
“Pass down the order for all officers of centurion rank and above within Tianshui Main City to come to the city lord’s manor for a meeting.”
“Yes!” the two thousand-cavalry commanders said.
Immediately after, First Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danchen hesitated and said, “My lord, the six thousand city guards within Tianshui Main City are all truly loyal to the Suo Clan family. Should this subordinate offer a slight reminder to the senior officers of the city guard?”
“No need,” Suo Lun shook his head. “We shall speak of matters in a moment.”
“Yes.” Suo Danchen said respectfully, then went out to deliver the order. Suo Lun’s clan warriors would follow them, indicating supervision.
…
Instantly, only Ye Jingyu, Yan Naier, and Yang Hongyi remained in the room.
Ye Jingyu walked excitedly back and forth in the study, saying, “Master, we have finally returned to Tianshui City Lord’s Manor once more. We have truly come home.”
Suo Lun smiled, “Not quite. We must truly take control of all of Tianshui City’s armies and defeat Princess Zhi Ning’s allied forces before we can truly reclaim the Suo Clan’s foundation.”
Ye Jingyu said, “In a moment, when the officers of Tianshui Main City arrive, what do you plan to do?”
At this time, there were ten thousand troops within Tianshui Main City, meaning there were one hundred officers of centurion rank and above.
These ten thousand troops were divided into two parts. Six thousand were city guards loyal to the Suo Clan, all personally trained by Suo Hanyi.
The other four thousand were the rebel troops of Nu Erdan and others.
Suo Lun said, “Execute all rebel officers belonging to Nu Erdan and his ilk. As for the city guard officers of Tianshui City, those willing to pledge loyalty to me shall live. Those unwilling, execute them all.”
At these words, Ye Jingyu trembled and said, “Those rebel officers could simply be made to pledge loyalty to you.”
“I do not trust them,” Suo Lun said. “The Tianshui City Guard’s loyalty to Suo Hanyi is understandable. But the high-ranking warrior lords like Nu Erdan leading troops was naked betrayal.”
Yang Hongyi said, “Suo Lun, but… but are they not also subjects of the Suo Clan? Many who followed Nu Erdan in rebellion may have been forced.”
Suo Lun said, “Sister Hongyi, in this world, no one is innocent. The rebel soldiers were blindly following and may live. But not a single officer of centurion rank and above is innocent. Moreover, I do not have the time to distinguish which of them were coerced. At the latest, the day after tomorrow I must lead the army south to attack Princess Zhi Ning’s allied forces at Tianlang Pass from behind. Therefore, I need to take control of Tianshui Main City in the shortest possible time.”
Yang Hongyi said no more. The Suo Lun before her eyes was no longer the younger brother she had known, no longer the wastrel who peeked at her bathing and was beaten by her every day.
“Suo Lun, you have grown up. If Father could see you like this, he would be greatly comforted,” Yang Hongyi said. Her gaze towards Suo Lun was tender yet complex. Then she said, “Jingyu, I am somewhat tired. Take me to rest.”
“Very well.” Ye Jingyu pushed the wooden wheelchair, and she and Yang Hongyi left the study.
Instantly, only Suo Lun and Yan Naier remained in the room.
Suo Lun stepped forward, taking her small hand and gently stroking the place where she had been struck by the fist light, appearing somewhat dejected.
“I told you, this injury is not serious at all. It will not cost any life,” Yan Naier said.
Suo Lun nodded and said, “In the future, I truly hope you will not need to fight again. You really cannot afford to be injured anymore.”
Yan Naier smiled at him and said nothing.
However, Suo Lun’s hand gradually became somewhat improper. Originally, he was only massaging the area below her shoulder, but it moved lower and lower. The motion also changed from massage to kneading.
Naier’s astonishing peaks were being kneaded, and she trembled as if shocked by electricity. Her delicate body quivered, then she opened her eyes wide and stared at Suo Lun.
“If I do not let go now, you are going to beat me, are you not?” Suo Lun asked.
Naier nodded.
Suo Lun withdrew his hand sheepishly, but Naier instead gently leaned into his embrace.
She very much enjoyed this purely emotional intimacy, while being rather averse to matters like fondling breasts and buttocks. In her view, some things could only be done after marriage.
“Your special method of cultivation cannot be seen by others,” Naier suddenly said.
Just now, when the Demon Star was devouring Suo Hanyi’s Dragon Force, Naier had been close by and clearly sensed the changes in Suo Lun’s body.
“Yes,” Suo Lun said, then could not help but kiss her small mouth, shaped like a water caltrop.
As he kissed, he could not help but extend his tongue, entwining and sucking.
Naier went limp in his embrace, unable to bear it.
But then, she suddenly opened her eyes, stopped responding, and stared at Suo Lun.
Suo Lun withdrew his hand from her astonishingly pert and raised buttocks sheepishly.
“I did not do it on purpose. It was completely instinctive,” Suo Lun said, but then greedily pinched his fingers, as if savouring the astonishing smoothness and elasticity from just now.
“When do you plan to marry me?” Naier asked.
This girl, she truly spoke directly.
“Once my father’s mourning period is over, I shall marry you,” Suo Lun said. “In any case, I am no longer bound by any engagement now. Gui Qinshao and I have divorced. You will not despise me for having been married before, will you?”
Naier stared at Suo Lun, then nodded and said, “Somewhat concerned.”
“But I never slept with her,” Suo Lun said.
“It is not because of that.” Naier shook her head. “Very well, let us not speak of this. Do you need to do anything? I shall guard you.”
Suo Lun asked, “Demon Star, how long will it take to refine the body and advance cultivation after devouring Suo Hanyi’s Dragon Force this time?”
“About five hours,” the Demon Star said. “Suo Hanyi’s Dragon Force is very powerful. This advancement will be enormous.”
Then it would be better to wait until tonight’s meeting was concluded before advancing.
…
Over half an hour later.
All officers of centurion rank and above within Tianshui Main City, having received the order from “Suo Hanyi,” gathered in the great conference hall, numbering over one hundred in total.
Before each person’s seat, apart from a pot of tea and a cup, there was nothing.
“Lord Suo Hanyi is still as stingy as ever, not even willing to serve a pot of wine,” a stalwart young man said. His words did not show much respect for Suo Hanyi either.
This man was called Nu Dahai, the biological son of Nu Erdan, and the leader of the rebels within Tianshui Main City.
“The people of the Suo Clan have always been petty,” the officers beside him chimed in agreement.
The officers present were divided into two factions, completely distinct and separate.
The high-ranking lord rebel officers formed one faction, and the Suo Clan city guard officers formed another. They sat facing each other, not exchanging a single word, even glaring coldly at one another.
City Guard First Thousand Cavalry Commander Suo Danchen said coldly, “Do not forget, you are also vassals of the Suo Clan.”
Nu Dahai sneered, “We have had enough of being the Suo Clan’s slaves. We will not serve them anymore. Now that Suo Lun is finished, Tianshui Main City will belong to Suo Hanyi in the future, and the territories below will belong to us, hereditary and perpetual. Let us mind our own business.”
Then, he pounded the table forcefully and said, “What is wrong with this Suo Hanyi? He summons us for a meeting, yet he himself is long overdue. What airs is he putting on? That wastrel Suo Lun has already been destroyed. What is there still to discuss?”
And just at this moment, footsteps sounded.
Then, a young man in splendid brocade robes and a golden crown slowly walked into the great conference hall.
Behind him to the left followed a woman of extreme cold beauty. Behind him to the right was Yang Hongyi, being pushed in a wheelchair.
Without a doubt, this young man was Suo Lun.
Seeing Suo Lun’s appearance, everyone present was completely stunned, completely unable to believe their eyes.
He, was he not already dead, killed by Suo Hanyi?
Suo Lun came before Nu Dahai and said, “You… are Nu Erdan’s son?”
Nu Dahai said disdainfully, “So what if I am? You are that wastrel Suo Lun. What is Suo Hanyi playing at? Why did he not kill you, but instead capture you alive?”
“How can someone so stupid still have the face to live in this world?” Suo Lun said.
Although Nu Dahai was not intelligent, he was a high-ranking warrior in cultivation, far surpassing Suo Lun. Hearing these words, he flew into a rage and was about to strike Suo Lun. In his view, Suo Lun must have been captured by Suo Hanyi, which was why he appeared here.
A phoenix that has fallen from its perch is inferior to a chicken. A wastrel prisoner deserved to be beaten to death.
Immediately after, Nu Dahai discovered that his entire body seemed to be immobilised, completely unable to move.
One of Yan Naier’s jade fingers lightly pressed against the back of his neck, rendering him unable to lift even a single finger.
Suo Lun stepped forward, drew his golden dagger, and plunged it fiercely into Nu Dahai’s neck.
Instantly, the head of this rebel leader’s son was completely pierced through, the dagger emerging from the top of his head.
“Cough, cough, cough…” He trembled, streams of blood pouring from his nostrils and mouth.
In mere seconds, he was completely dead!