Chapter 77: Fish die, net broken—what makes you think you're worthy of that?

Jia Jing didn't even glance at him again, but instead raised the Imperial Sword high,

He shouted loudly toward the Bashang Daying troops outside the camp gates who were restless and ready to move:

"This is the Imperial Sword bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor, representing the Son of Heaven's authority! I am the Military Governor of Bashang Daying personally appointed by His Majesty!"

"Marquis Linchuan Hu Mei disregarded military law, ruined discipline, left defenses unprepared, acted arrogantly and superiors, offended heavenly majesty, and has already been punished by me on Heaven's behalf!"

"All remaining Bashang troops, quickly return to your own quarters and await my orders! I will only punish the ringleaders; the others are blameless! Do not bring disaster upon yourselves!"「

"Know that pointing a blade at the Imperial Sword is tantamount to treason, punishable by extermination of nine generations!"

Jia Jing's loud shout echoed throughout the camp inside and out, for a moment not only shocking the Jingnan Wuxun inside the camp,

even the ordinary soldiers outside the camp were stunned on the spot, looking at each other, not knowing what to do.

They actually never intended to risk their lives for Marquis Linchuan and the others; they were merely influenced by the surrounding circumstances, felt uneasy, and wanted to draw their swords for self-defense.

Apart from the Jingnan lineage's military officers and personal retainers who had ties of kinship and obligation, the rest of the ordinary soldiers in the camp were not that loyal to Marquis Linchuan and his associates.

After all, Marquis Linchuan and his group frequently withheld pay, abused the troops, and acted recklessly in the camp; moreover, they hadn't issued wages for two months, thus losing the soldiers' hearts.

At this moment, Ma Guocheng outside the camp watched Jia Jing's actions, his eyes widening.

He didn't understand. How did things develop like this in an instant?

I had thought him a timid Military Governor, but I didn't expect him to be so bold, even saying he'd kill Marquis Linchuan at will, with martial prowess and courage so extraordinary.

Upon hearing Jia Jing's shout, his eyes darted quickly, realizing this was his opportunity.

With such a strong, domineering, ferocious Military Governor in Bashang Daying, plus the Imperial Sword personally granted by His Majesty, the Jingnan Wuxun likely no longer have the chance to throw their weight around in the camp as before.

The damned Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin still dare to threaten me; now they've hit a hard nut, they're probably done for!

Ma Guocheng saw Marquis Zhongqin and the others inside the camp, furious to the point of bursting yet daring not to act, and a gleeful smile appeared on his face.

He hurried to the midst of the ordinary soldiers outside the camp and shouted loudly:

"Damn it, what are you all standing around stupid for! Didn't you hear the Military Governor's words?"「

"That damned Marquis Linchuan usually throws his weight around, withholds our brothers' pay, makes them do hard labor for him, and this damned scoundrel has done every evil deed in the camp."

"Now that he's finally gotten his comeuppance, do you still want to throw your lives away for him! The Military Governor is a good official sent by the court to help us!"

"If you still won't obey the Military Governor's orders, then all of you, get back to your quarters and stand by, hurry up! Follow me back!"

Ma Guocheng frequently called out to the soldiers; he himself was a senior military officer in the camp, wielding considerable prestige.

Moreover, his words made the soldiers recall the usual misconduct of Marquis Linchuan and his ilk, causing their expressions to shift uncertainly,

but their expressions relaxed a little, their hearts gradually calmed, and most of the ordinary soldiers actually didn't want to stir up trouble.

Under the urging of Ma Guocheng and his personal soldiers, they hurriedly followed back to their own quarters.

Before leaving, Ma Guocheng also gave Jia Jing a military salute, his attitude respectful.

In a moment, about half of the ordinary soldiers who had been watching around the commander's camp dispersed,

leaving only over a thousand of the Jingnan Wuxun's personal retainers holding knives and spears, their faces shifting, awaiting the orders of Marquis Zhongqin and the others.

At this moment, the fallen Marquis Zhongqin was helped to his feet by Colonel Huang Bin,

he stared deathly at Jia Jing, his face dark as iron, and roared angrily:

"Jia Jing, even if you are the Military Governor of Bashang Daying, even if you have the Imperial Sword! You have no right to directly behead Marquis Linchuan!"

"He is a martial marquis of the court, holding a Vermilion Charter that exempts him from death, and under Da Han law he could even have his sentence reduced for merit! You are so brutal and bloodthirsty—how will you answer to the court?"

"My Jingnan lineage will certainly not let this rest! I have recorded today's affair; we'll see how it goes!"

Saying that, he intended to greet the Jingnan Wuxun officers present and have them leave.

He realized that today he had completely fallen into a disadvantage, and if they continued to entangle, his side would likely gain nothing good.

After leaving the camp, he would contact the Dukes of Zhao and Cheng and others, then plan revenge later.

By then it will be necessary to go to the palace and impeach Jia Jing for the capital crime of wantonly killing military officers, to avenge Marquis Linchuan.

Jia Jing's expression remained calm; he gave a cold glance at the grim-faced Marquis Zhongqin and said in a cold voice:

"Did I say you could leave?"

Marquis Zhongqin, hearing this, flew into a rage and said;

"Do you really think you'll kill us too! I don't believe you have that guts! At worst, we'll fight to the death!"

Marquis Zhongqin waved his hand, and immediately the surrounding thousands of personal retainers closed in again,

placing Marquis Zhongqin, Huang Bin, and the other Jingnan Wuxun in the middle, with knives facing Jia Jing's personal soldiers, they began to standoff.

Jia Jing's gaze was calm, and he said lightly:

"Fish die, net broken—what makes you think you're worthy of that!"

Having finally gathered these people together for a clean sweep, Jia Jing would hardly let them go easily.

If this group is not eliminated, Bashang Daying will be difficult to truly control.

Jia Jing picked up the Bright Silver Dragon Gall Spear weighing nearly two hundred jin from beside him, stomped his feet heavily on the ground, and leapt into the air.

The spear in his hand was like a black lightning bolt, employing the Mount Tai Pressing Down technique, carrying immense pressure and killing intent as it surged toward the crowd,

"Boom!"

Only hearing a tremendous roar, blood and flesh flew, earth clods scattered in all directions; amidst the smoke and dust, dozens of soldiers vomited blood uncontrollably and collapsed in a heap.

Then another horizontal sweep, the spear in his hand like a dragon emerging from the sea; wherever it passed, dozens of soldiers had their bones broken and tendons severed, flying backward in droves!

In the blink of an eye, the spear whistled through the air again, leaving only a black afterimage, smashing dozens of people to the ground!

And this was merely in the flash of lightning; nearly a hundred people collapsed beneath his spear in that instant!

No one could even approach within five feet of Jia Jing, and even the violent aura radiating from his spear could blow enemy soldiers off their feet.

After another dozen breaths or so, more than half of the Jingnan Wuxun's personal retainers in the camp could no longer stand!

Meanwhile, Jia Jing's personal soldiers, under Zhu Que's leadership, stripped the incapacitated Marquis Zhongqin and several colonels and captains of their armor, seized their seals and weapons, and took them into custody.

"How could it be so formidable!"

The Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence and the others, at this moment, could no longer worry about being captured themselves; each, with shocked expressions, clenched their fists, watching Jia Jing slaughter wantonly like a tiger entering a wolf pack.

Their inner feelings were more shaken than when they had just seen Jia Jing kill the Marquis of Linchuan!

One against a thousand! Sweeping away thousands of troops!

That spear kills on a hit, wounds on a graze.

Moreover, he himself remained completely unharmed!

How can he have such formidable personal martial prowess! Is he still human?

No wonder he could defeat the Qing Army's 150,000 troops!

No wonder he dared to so recklessly kill the Marquis of Linchuan!

No wonder...

A deep sense of fear and regret rose in their hearts.

After three hours, Jia Jing led his personal troops to the drill ground of Bashang Daying.

At that moment, under the flag of the drill ground, a head hung, swaying in the wind—indeed, it was the likeness of Marquis of Linchuan Hu Mei dying with eyes open.