Chapter 235: City Breached, Massacre!

The originally somewhat peaceful order inside Heroic Peace City was instantly shattered, as firelight and shouts intertwined into a picture of the apocalypse.

And at the center of this upheaval——inside the manor of the Five Great Families——Duke Pei and the others were raising their cups in celebration. "Ladies and gentlemen,"

Duke Pei raised his cup and shouted loudly, "Today we jointly plan a great undertaking and achieve an eternal achievement! The future is long, and we shall share wealth and honor!"

Having said that, he drained his cup in one gulp.

The others also raised their cups in response, their faces brimming with delight and ecstasy.

It seemed as if they could already see their future of overwhelming power and wealth dominating the region.

However, they did not realize that in this game of power, there are no eternal victors.

When they betrayed the Da Qian dynasty, betrayed their own faith and bottom line, they had already sealed a one‑way path.

What awaited them would be a future darker and bloodier than tonight.

As time passed, the Flame King's army surged into Heroic Peace City like a tide.

The heads of the Five Great Families stood on the high ground of their manor, overlooking all this, their hearts full of delight and ecstasy.

They felt as if they had already grasped the authority of the whole world, and future wealth and honor seemed to be beckoning to them.

However, just as they were immersed in the joy of victory, a mournful wail tore through the night sky.

They followed the sound and saw a group of splendidly dressed women and children, faces filled with terror, being driven by the Flame King's soldiers toward a sea of fire.

These were the family members of the Five Great Families; their weeping and shouting echoed in the night sky, piercing the hearts of the five family heads like a sharp blade.

"Flame King! How dare you be so faithless!"

The head of the Li family roared and rushed out of the manor.

The other family heads, as if waking from a dream, followed suit one after another.

But what awaited them was the Red Guard Army's cold smile and chilling blades.

"Do you think that by opening the gates of Qian Prefecture you can stand as equals with the king?"

The leader of the Red Guard Army sneered, "You so‑called noble clans are nothing but ants beneath my feet!"

"Everything you have done tonight is for my hegemony!"

"And now your usefulness has come to an end!"

Having said that, he waved his hand, and instantly flames shot up into the sky, turning the whole of Heroic Peace City into a sea of fire.

The heads of the Five Great Families watched this scene, their hearts filled with despair and regret, but it was already too late.

Driven by power and desire, they betrayed their faith and bottom line, ultimately causing the destruction of their family and kin.

Meanwhile, the Flame King's soldiers, whom they had once considered useful, now stood on high ground, coldly observing everything with faces full of contempt and mockery.

At this moment, the Flame King stood in the Red Guard Army's main camp opposite the Da Qian Pacification Army, looking at the map before him, his gaze finally fixing on the city he had just conquered.

His gaze was cold and profound, as if he wanted to pierce the map before him and reach straight to the hearts of the Five Great Families.

The Five Great Families, those once‑powerful noble clans, had become a thorn in his heart after the fall of Heroic Peace City.

They repeatedly declared their allegiance to him, offering to present the western barrier of Qian Prefecture—Heroic Peace City—as a gift, in order to trap the Da Qian Pacification Army led by Tan Meng Army completely in Yan Prefecture.

However, he well knew these families' deceit and variability; their loyalty was like a thin sheet of paper, punctured at the slightest poke.

In this situation, the people of the Five Great Families are utterly untrustworthy!

How many among them remain loyal to the Da Qian dynasty?

This is an unknown quantity, an unknown that keeps the Flame King from resting easy.

He cannot gamble, nor does he dare to!

The Flame King knows that if he lets the Five Great Families go, they might very well stab him in the back.

By then, all his previous efforts would be wasted, but that would be acceptable.

At most, it's just a minor detachment.

It's merely an idle move; he can afford to lose it.

But this is the only chance for the Flame King to see that he can defeat, even crush, the Tan Meng Army, this pacification force!

Therefore, even if it bears the reputation of treachery and betrayal,

the Flame King also does not want to let this opportunity slip away in vain!

"Issue the order to Heroic Peace City!"

The Flame King suddenly bellowed, "The people of the Five Great Families—not a single one shall be spared!"

At the Flame King's command, the martial‑arts oddities recruited by the Flame King's Manor rushed toward Heroic Peace City.

At this moment, the entire city of Heroic Peace City seemed to be swept up in a bloody, fishy wind.

The manors of the Five Great Families were surrounded on all sides; no man, woman, old or young escaped.

Wails, pleas for mercy, and curses rose and fell, yet none of this could move the iron‑hard hearts of the Red Guard Army soldiers.

The leader of the Red Guard Army stood on the city wall, expressionlessly watching all of this.

He knew what he was doing, and he knew what consequences it would bring.

But he neither retreated nor regretted.

Everything was for the future of the Red Guard Army and the Flame King!

The blood of the Five Great Families flowed like rivers, dyeing the whole city red.

Their wealth, status, and reputation all came to nothing at this moment.

And those who once bowed to them, obeying their every command, now became souls beneath the Flame King's blade.

This is the game of power—cruel and merciless!

The Flame King's action will surely shake everyone in the Da Qian dynasty.

The Flame King does not care about their opinions; he only cares about his own goals and benefits.

He knows that his actions will draw countless condemnations and criticisms.

But he also knew that in this chaotic world, only the strong could survive, and

What he had to do was to be the strongest!

No matter the cost, he would not hesitate!

The massacre lasted a full day and night before it ended.

When the sun rose again, the whole city of Xiong'an had become a deathly silence.

All members of the five great clans had been slaughtered, and their mansions burned to ashes.

And those who survived could only hide in corners, trembling, praying that the Flame King's blade would not fall upon their heads.

The Flame King stood in the great camp of the Chi Yu army, gazing into the distance.

From the moment the five great clans of Lingyang Prefecture decided to open the city and surrender the pass, this massacre was already destined.

The Flame King who had taken Xiong'an City must thoroughly eliminate the five great clans, this hidden danger.

Otherwise, once the five great clans harbored any ill intentions,

This detachment of the Chi Yu army would surely go out and never return.

And the Flame King, who now raised troops in rebellion against the Qian, would not entrust the fate of his great army to a band of rebellious clans.

Therefore, although he knew that this order of his had completely cut off any possibility of negotiation with the Da Qian dynasty.

From then on, he was truly a traitor.

But he felt no regret nor fear.

Because he believed that history is always written by the victors.

As long as he could defeat the Tan Meng army, this punitive force, and then seize the entire Qianzhou.

Then he would be that victor!

And victors need neither explanation nor apology!

The Flame King drew a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

He knew the road ahead would be even more difficult and dangerous.

But he had already prepared himself to face all challenges and difficulties.

(End of chapter)