Chapter 152: Iron Blood Sect

The Iron Blood Sect, a renowned martial sect whose fame spread far and wide, enjoyed immense prestige in Hengzhou. Its disciples numbered in the hundreds, each possessing extraordinary skills and a formidable, imposing aura. In the streets and alleys of Hengzhou, whether ruffians or wealthy merchants, all feared them deeply and willingly paid protection fees to seek the sect’s protection.

The Iron Blood Sect’s wealth was staggering. Beyond vast fertile fields and elegant manors, they owned numerous brothels and taverns within the bustling city. These enterprises brought in massive profits and served as vital symbols of the sect’s influence in Hengzhou.

In Hengzhou, a common saying went: “By day, the Inspector of Hengzhou rules with absolute authority; by night, the Iron Blood Sect’s master, Lu Tong, is the true sovereign.” This alone revealed the sect’s towering status and the profound prestige of its master, Lu Tong.

Of course, Lu Tong, as the underground ruler of Hengzhou, knew well that underground power could never be legitimized—if the Inspector wanted him dead, he would not survive the night; his own trusted men would cut off his head and deliver it to the Inspector to claim reward.

He understood clearly that he was merely a dog the Inspector kept to bite for him; a wild dog without a master could be killed by any beggar.

So when the Revolutionary Army arrived and dragged his master to the tribunal to be executed, his heart filled with terror—others had beaten his master to death; what chance did a dog like him have?

After his master was killed, this wild dog frantically crawled before the man who had killed his master, wagging his tail and begging to become that man’s dog.

But the Revolutionary Army had no intention of taking him as a dog. During this time, they not only seized their lands and manors to distribute among the poor, but also executed several of his sect members, and even forcibly shut down the brothels, arresting all the madams and enforcers inside.

Without these, what were they supposed to do—escort cargo for a living?

Lu Tong’s heart burned with resentment. These fertile lands, these manors, this reputation that echoed through the martial world—all were the fruits of his lifelong struggle, his blood and sweat. To protect it all, he had endured humiliation, even willingly served as a “chamber pot” for the high-ranking officials above him.

When they needed him, he had to step forward and solve their thorny problems; when they no longer needed him, he was discarded like a broken old item, tossed under the bed, forced to endure their disdain and mockery—as if even his breath could make them sick.

Now the Revolutionary Army sought to take it all away. He could not accept it.

“Master, Master! Disaster! Hundreds of soldiers have surrounded the sect—about a thousand of them, each carrying weapons that can shatter iron armor from four hundred paces away, and they’ve brought twelve cannons. As soon as they arrived, they sealed off our entire sect!”

The disciple who rushed in to report, usually calm and composed, now burst in with panic etched on his face. His steps were frantic and unsteady, as if pulled by an invisible force, robbing him of his usual composure. As he crossed the threshold, he tripped unexpectedly, lost his balance, and stumbled forward.

Upon hearing the disciple’s words, Lu Tong could not help but let out a bitter smile. He wondered inwardly: Was it truly necessary to deploy over a thousand soldiers armed with rifles and twelve cannons just to crush a minor sect like the Iron Blood Sect?

A thousand soldiers, each wielding powerful rifles, backed by twelve deafening cannons—this force could sweep entire armies away in a war between nations. Yet now they were deployed against a martial sect, and a weak one at that, with no true experts.

Was this really necessary?

Lu Tong, frantic with urgency, hurried his disciples to the scene. Their eyes met a sight that chilled them to the bone. Outside the gate, over a thousand soldiers stood in perfect formation, each holding a rifle, barrels uniformly aimed at the sect. The posture was unmistakable—any movement would trigger immediate fire.

Even more terrifying to Lu Tong were the twelve cannons placed at a distance, their muzzles pointed directly at the sect’s main gate. These cannons stood like monstrous beasts, radiating a cold, lethal aura, as if ready at any moment to unleash deafening roars and reduce the entire sect to rubble.

Lu Tong swallowed hard and shouted toward the door: “Who is the officer outside? Why have you brought troops to the Iron Blood Sect? Our sect only teaches martial arts to disciples—we are law-abiding civilians! Isn’t your Revolutionary Army supposed to be the people’s army? Why are you pointing weapons at civilians?”

Colonel Kuli Chidu laughed bitterly. He could not believe anyone had the audacity to lie so brazenly, without even blushing.

“Lu Tong, how can you dare call yourself a law-abiding citizen? Don’t sully those two words. You know full well what you’ve done these past years—how many dirty deeds you carried out as the Inspector’s black glove: murder, robbery, extortion. You’ve done more than your share of killing for profit.”

“How many women have you forced into prostitution through your brothels? How many families have you driven to sell their children because of your usury? How many debtors have you beaten to death, their children then sold into slavery? Just recently, our troops uncovered your Iron Blood Sect disciples during a bandit suppression operation—how dare you deny it?”

Hearing Kuli Chidu’s words, Lu Tong forced a smile: “Your Excellency, we did those things before—but under Jin rule. As martial folk, we had no choice but to survive. I swear, over ninety-nine percent of martial sects act the same way. Are you going to wipe out ninety-nine percent of the martial world?”

“Why not?” Kuli Chidu replied.

“Destroying my Iron Blood Sect is easy, but let me tell you—”

Before Lu Tong could finish, Kuli Chidu raised his arm decisively and gave the order. Instantly, the twelve 107mm rocket launchers roared to life like awakened beasts, spewing torrents of searing flame.

As the rockets fired in unison, the entire Iron Blood Sect collapsed in a thunderous roar, reduced to rubble and raging fire. Flames shot skyward, thick smoke billowed, and the glow illuminated the frozen, terrified faces of those watching.

Watching the shattered ruins and blazing inferno behind him, Lu Tong stood frozen, as if bound by invisible chains. This was not merely the fruit of his life’s labor—it was the home of his beloved family and kin. Just moments ago, all of it had been turned to ash by enemy artillery. His family, his home, his entire world—gone with the thunderous explosions, swallowed by rolling smoke.

Lu Tong’s heart overflowed with endless grief and rage. He stared wide-eyed at the burning ruins, as if searching for even a trace of what once was familiar. But all he saw was the sky ablaze and the choking haze.

A fierce hatred surged within him—hatred for the Revolutionary Army and the People’s Government. Without them, he would still be the undisputed ruler of this province, the glorious master of the Iron Blood Sect.