Chapter 708

You said you weren't giving it your all, yet the news I, the commander, got is that Wu'an is crawling with Heavenly Lord's followers.

Chen Wuji lifted his eyelids slightly, and that instant's pressure made Cui Yun's face turn a shade paler.

He stammered and hurriedly explained, 'Commander, this matter truly is not my fault.'

Prefect Yu dispatched a large army to handle this; even if I, the subordinate, noticed something wrong, I was alone and unable to stem such a mighty tide.

All I, the subordinate, could do was to delay as much as possible and secretly remind the people to be cautious; only hints, nothing else I could truly do. The perceptive might understand my intentions, but many… merely noticed the miraculous pain‑relieving effect of A Furong's talisman water.

Because of A Furong's remarkable pain‑relieving effect, Wu'an indeed has Heavenly Lord's followers everywhere, yet compared to the two neighboring counties it is actually much better. I, the subordinate, am not boasting; I merely wish to say that I am just a lowly county magistrate, unable to oppose Prefect Yu's large army.

Chen Wuji said lightly, 'I will have people investigate what you said.'

Although Cui Yun appeared sincere and earnest, laying his heart bare, Chen Wuji still judged these matters by the investigation's results.

He could not possibly believe Cui Yun, or all of Wu'an, based on just a few words.

Cui Yun exhaled, his demeanor gradually relaxing.

Are all the village chiefs of Wu'an County present? Chen Wuji asked.

Reporting to the commander, two are missing; these two believed in the Heavenly Lord, consumed too much talisman water, and are now bedridden, unable to move.

Strip them of their village chief posts; if they recover, they will be held accountable!

Yes!

Chen Wuji glanced at the crowd filling the room, 'The harm of the Heavenly Lord Cult has been made clear by Magistrate Cui just now. You are all the parents and officials of the people; shouldn't you do something? There is no army of Yu Ren in Wu'an City now!'

Although Wu'an City lies within Wu'an County, it is essentially a garrison city.

Since its founding, it has been directly under the prefecture's jurisdiction; the county has no authority over it, and even the county office is not located in this city.

Taxes and the like are directly remitted to the prefecture for military funds.

As the head of Wu'an County, Cui Yun again declared: 'Reporting to the commander, before coming here yesterday I had the county's constables lead people to demolish the Heavenly Lord Shrine and related temples, and posted notices to inform the populace, making clear the harm of the Heavenly Lord's yellow talisman.'

Next, I, the subordinate, will personally lead people to each village and hamlet to inform the populace of the dangers, urging them to abandon faith in the Heavenly Lord, and will strictly investigate followers of the Heavenly Lord Cult, imposing heavy punishments to deter troublemakers.

These words were also something he had thought up while waiting outside the door the previous night.

He had laid out each item in a very clear order, and in fact far more detailed than this.

But facing Chen Wuji's mountain‑like pressure, he could not recall some of the details, and the order was not as clear.

Chen Wuji nodded, 'Magistrate Cui has considered things thoroughly; from now on I will judge by the magistrate's results.'

Yes!

Cui Yun's face lit with joy, and he replied loudly.

Upon hearing Chen Wuji's words, he finally let go of his worries completely.

Are Yong'an and Jingbian counties not far from here? Chen Wuji suddenly asked.

Not far, only about a hundred li away. Cui Yun said.

To defend Wu'an City and facilitate supply transport, after Wu'an City was built the three counties adjusted the locations of their county offices, making the distances roughly equal.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, 'It seems I, the Regional Inspector Commander, lack sufficient weight. Magistrate Cui, you probably need to speed up your work on Wu'an affairs, and Yong'an and Jingbian counties will likely require even more of your attention.'

Cui Yun's expression turned solemn; he bowed with clasped hands and said, 'I, the subordinate, will not betray the commander's trust; I will devote myself until death.'

You've been waiting outside all night; I'll have someone find a place for you to rest first, then you may return.

Thank you, commander!

Go!

Yes!

Chen Wuyi! Chen Wuji called out.

Standing stiff as a spear at the doorway with a cold, stern expression, Chen Wuyi strode over and said, 'Family head!'

Take people to Yong'an and Jingbian counties to have a look. If you encounter them on the road, you need not interfere; if they defy my orders, detain and confiscate the property of all county clerks and above. Chen Wuji ordered with a solemn face, 'Remember to bring more troops, in case of trouble.'

Yes!

Chen Wuji simply couldn't understand how a single county dared to openly oppose him.

Did they really think his thirty‑thousand‑strong army was just for show?

The region of Songzhou is quite amazing, as if it could breed an inexplicable confidence in people.

What on earth are they thinking?

Most puzzling of all is this Yu Ren.

He abandoned Wu'an, such a mighty city, yet used the populace to make a name for himself?

Initially, Chen Wuji truly believed Yu Ren had trained the populace into fearless death warriors, but looking now, it seems not quite so.

The populace had not gone mad to the point of fearlessly dying for the Heavenly Lord and a bowl of talisman water.

He couldn't see through it; he truly couldn't see through it now.

After dealing with these chaotic affairs, Chen Wuji stretched lazily, preparing to have someone find him something to eat.

He felt like eating some wild greens.

After days of rushing on the road, he seemed a bit inflamed; he should eat something refreshing.

Report!

A loud shout came rushing in.

Reporting to my lord, a large crowd of civilians has suddenly surged in from outside the city; they are attacking the city.

Chen Wuji stared in shock, 'Attacking the city?'

He truly thought he had hallucinated and misheard the words.

Yes!' the soldiers shouted loudly, 'They are utterly mad; a mob of old men and women wielding various weapons storm the city, killing anyone they see; their bodies seem to have been doused with fire oil or the like, so once wounded they instantly set themselves ablaze, desperately grappling with our soldiers to die together.'

General Lu cannot stop them; please advise my lord, what should we do?

Chen Wuji instantly flared with anger, 'Isn't General Lu good at defense? Pick up your weapons—can civilians who resort to such extreme tactics still be considered civilians? That damned lot are the enemy—kill them!'

"Here!"

Chen Wuji swiftly donned his armor, closely following the soldiers out the door.

Just a moment ago, he was still pondering this matter.

Now he fully understands.

It turns out Yu Ren's hidden move was here; this morning was just a feint.

Xu Zengyi hurried out from the side hall, catching up to Chen Wuji's steps, "My lord, the situation we feared most has occurred."

"There's nothing to worry about; once they pick up weapons, in my eyes they are no longer ordinary civilians, but enemies!" Chen Wuji said coldly.

"Those who deserve death, I will show no mercy; not only will I kill them, I will make them suffer, make them fear!"

He suddenly stopped.

"Issue the order: all Songzhou civilians who believe in the Heavenly Lord shall be executed! One who believes in the Heavenly Lord, the whole clan suffers Collective Punishment!"