Chapter 192: How Will You Kill Us? Farewell, Father!

【You looked up to see an elderly man speaking eloquently】

【Du Jing continued: "Third, the Lu Family Army, as the elite of Daqing, accepts the state's salary yet forgets its duty—this is ingratitude, an act of disloyalty."】

【"Fourth, His Majesty is benevolent, upholding the legacy of his ancestors, bringing peace to all under heaven. He favors virtuous ministers and distances himself from flatterers; yet you, Young Protector, dare plot to force the palace—your cause is utterly unjust."】

【"I humbly beg the Young Protector to turn back from error, abandon darkness and embrace light. Do not commit acts of disloyalty and betrayal, lest history record you with a blade!"】

【"My actions are born of desperation—I cannot bear to see you ruined in name and honor, nor can I bear to see the Lu Family Army become an army of infamy."】

【You have the insight to see through men—you know his true thoughts.】

【He came for fame and profit; his mouth speaks of the people and the state, but his heart burns only for wealth and glory.】

【You may insult Lu Chen's name, but you will not defile the name of the Lu Family Army.】

【The Lu Family Army has never begged the court for a single coin. From the moment they were founded, they funded themselves—never once burdening the state.】

【After years guarding the border, how have they become a disloyal and unrighteous army? Countless men have died on the battlefield.】

【The south thrives in song and revelry; the northern frontier is frozen and barren.】

【The truth of the world is not spoken this way!】

【Behind Du Jing, the scholars all wore expressions of righteous indignation.】

【Someone shouted: "This is a traitor to the state—he must be killed!"】

【The soldiers of the Lu Family Army all frowned.】

【Jia Fu's face flushed crimson, his hair bristling with rage.】

【Feng Haiping and others stared coldly.】

【The soldiers of the Lu Family Army glared with fury!】

【Yet not one dared speak.】

【You enforce strict discipline—your officers know orders must be obeyed; silence is required on the march, and violators are punished without mercy.】

【Though the Lu Family Army seethed with anger, they restrained themselves—no sign of violence.】

【Seeing this, Du Jing felt his confidence swell.】

【Though aged, he was well-preserved; his sagging skin bore few wrinkles, and now his face glowed ruddy.】

【He stood with hands clasped behind his back, a look of profound sorrow on his face.】

【Du Jing thought: if you harm these innocent scholars before the Hongwen Hall, you will stand against all scholars under heaven.】

【He believed he had already seized control—the Lu Chen who cultivated for fifteen years on Mount Zhongnan, the Young Protector with divine military genius—neither could escape this trap.】

【The world bustles for profit; the court teems with flies drawn by fame.】

【Who in this world is free from such baseness? Even you, Young Protector, are no exception.】

【After all, public opinion is never held by the people—it is controlled by these men with brushes in hand.】

【Though they wield no swords, their pen's edge can sometimes cut deeper than steel.】

【Among the scholars, you spotted Feng Long, whom you had met at Yuetangjiang.】

【He stood at the center of the crowd; sensing your gaze, his eyes flashed with malice, his face beaming with the smugness of a victor.】

【Feng Long suddenly tore off his upper garment and shouted loudly:】

【"Lu Shenzhou, if you still possess shame, how dare you live in this world? You should kill yourself to atone to all under heaven!"】

【His voice pierced the crowd's clamor, igniting even greater uproar.】

【As Feng Long shouted, more scholars joined in, raising their arms and crying out:】

【"Lu Shenzhou, if you still know honor, you should die to atone!"】

【Upon hearing this, Du Jing's face grew even redder.】

【Not only can scholars' pens kill—they can kill with their tongues too!】

【Lu Yu let out a cold laugh.】

【Jia Fu could no longer contain himself—he reined his horse forward and roared: "Are you all seeking death?!"】

【His roar exploded through the crowd, silencing the scholars instantly—the scene froze.】

【Du Jing seized the moment to study your face—you remained calm, unruffled.】

【He steadied himself, no longer flustered, and spoke slowly: "Scholars call themselves the literati—if we dare not speak truth in great matters, how cowardly we are! We do not fear death!"】

【Du Jing warned: "Daqing has ruled for four hundred years—never has a scholar been killed. Are you, Young Protector, about to break this sacred precedent?"】

【With that, he fell silent.】

【The scholars, shaken from their shock, felt shame for their earlier hesitation—and instead of retreating, they grew even more fervent.】

【They were driven by some unseen emotion; their voices rose again, louder than before: "Then let us die! To die for righteousness is heavier than Mount Tai!"】

【Feng Long stepped forward boldly, taunting loudly:】

【"Lu Chen, if you have the guts, kill me! See how the world judges you!"】

【You did not look at him.】

【Du Jing seized the chance to plead again: "Young Protector, no man is perfect—who has never erred? This journey to the palace ends here!"】

【"If you harbor regret, it is not too late to turn back. Throughout history, countless heroes have turned from error and earned eternal glory."】

【You suddenly smiled and said: "Very well. I agree."】

【Du Jing's eyes lit up instantly.】

【He agreed!】

【Du Jing's smile could no longer be contained—he imagined: if he could sway these tens of thousands of Lu Family soldiers at this critical moment…】

【Not only would he become famous in the capital and win the Emperor's favor, but his name would echo through history—future generations would speak of "Du Jing Shaming Ten Thousand Soldiers into Surrender."】

【A joy beyond words surged within him—he already saw the day of his glory.】

【Feng Long, however, looked resentful—this was too easy for you.】

【He gritted his teeth and sneered: "Young Protector, you truly know when to yield!"】

【The scholars behind him wore smiles of triumph, as if the honor were their own.】

【Zou Lin, watching nearby, felt dread—he moved to intervene, but the young officer Jiang He swiftly blocked him.】

【Jiang He's face was grim. He whispered: "Old Master, don't go."】

【"The Young Protector is furious. Not even you—no one today will live if they stand in his way."】

【Zou Lin's eyes remained fixed on the scene—he knew the tension was unbearable!】

【The two scholars, fat and thin, noticed the change in your expression. Earlier, in the temple, your face had been calm and gentle—but today, your coldness was like ice, chilling to the bone.】

【In the crowd!】

【The scholars had been reveling in triumph—some beamed, others already scheming over the rewards they would claim.】

【Du Jing was ecstatic, pressing: "Young Protector, you truly mean this?"】

【You replied coldly: "Of course I mean it."】

【The moment you spoke.】

【Du Jing's smile could no longer be hidden.】

【You said softly: "You all wish to die."】

【"I grant your wish."】

【Du Jing's smile froze.】

【He realized—you had agreed to their death.】

【The scholars doubted their ears—stunned, their faces twisted in shock.】

【Du Jing could not believe it: "Young Protector, you jest, surely?"】

【Your voice was icy: "You demand death? Then you shall have it."】

【Du Jing did not retreat—he straightened his back, solemn: "Are you truly willing to cut yourself off from all scholars under heaven?"】

【His tone carried accusation—he could not fathom your decision.】

【The scholars echoed him, as if hearing the greatest joke of the age.】

【Feng Long laughed uncontrollably: "Young Protector, do you dare?"】

【"My head is here—in front of the Hongwen Hall, where all scholars of the world pay homage. Lu Shenzhou, do you dare kill me?"】

【One said: "The last Shunzong Emperor was so enraged by our scholars' rebukes he could barely breathe—but still dared not touch us. What can you, a mere Young Protector, do?"】

【Some came from noble families; others were child prodigies from prefectures, licentiates, even Metropolitan Graduates who refused office—they held themselves above all.】

【They believed the Hongwen Hall represented all scholars of the land—an entity no one dared offend.】

【The common folk watching from rooftops and balconies now sensed the tension.】

【They whispered among themselves.】

【One asked curiously: "Do you think the Young Protector will really dare touch these scholars who think themselves above heaven?"】

【"Hard to say," replied another, voice tinged with resignation. "This world fears most the scholars' tongues and pens—they can kill without a blade."】

【"Even Daqing's greatest emperors ruled alongside these scholars!"】

【The people of the capital murmured in waves—they dared not step into the streets, but watched from their rooftops.】

【They were curious—wondering how this storm would end.】

【The capital's nobles held their breath.】

【Most shared the same belief—you would not act.】

【In their eyes, offending scholars was like setting fire to oneself—even the Son of Heaven could not withstand the storm of public condemnation.】

【Scholars wielded their pens as swords—they could manipulate the people's hearts. This was a power no one could ignore.】

【You spurred your horse forward, stopping before Zou Lin.】

You said coolly, "What if I kill you all?"

"What have you added to the world?"

You spurred your horse forward!

The words had barely left his lips.

A flash of cold light appeared from the side!

Jia Fu had long been unable to contain himself; he galloped forward and slashed off Du Jing's head.

The head, its hair white and face frozen in horror, rolled to the ground without warning, blood spraying everywhere, staining the Confucian scholars' robes in splatters.

They never imagined Lu Chen would truly kill them!

This scene came too suddenly; everyone froze, then was overcome with boundless terror.

They had no time to react—before them, armored warriors advanced step by step, their weapons glinting with icy cold light.

Feng Long's face turned deathly pale; he realized in horror that his eyelashes were coated with still-warm blood.

He looked around and saw the Confucian scholars beside him falling one by one, the ground now a pool of blood.

Dozens of wide, terrified eyes—his mind shattered completely.

Feng Long was afraid—utterly, thoroughly afraid!

Feng Long fell to his knees, trembling as he begged for mercy, but it was already useless.

"Spare me, spare… me!"

Feng Long's voice trembled violently, now thick with sobs and choked tears.

The outcome was irreversible.

At this moment!

A massive monk, wielding a great blade, galloped toward them, radiating fierce menace.

"You're the one who shouted the loudest? When you reach the netherworld, don't forget to name my Buddha's title!"

"Save…"

Feng Long's eyes flashed with silver light, followed by unprecedented agony—in an instant!

With all his strength, he turned his head, trying to fix his gaze on the man.

But the man had already ridden away.

Only a back view remained.

The man rode at the very front, as if he hadn't even glanced this way!

"Damn it!"

Zou Lin saw this scene and quietly closed his eyes.

The fat and thin scholars were truly terrified, their limbs cold—they finally recognized the middle-aged man inside the temple as the famed Shaobao.

Outside Wumen!

With the arrival of the Lu family army, the palace gates opened of their own accord.

Liu Wen and Wei Gao had already bowed from afar on the city wall.

At the Wumen entrance stood an old man, slightly hunched, wearing light armor, his appearance resembling the two of you, his gaze calm.

Only when he saw the two of you did his eyes brighten.

You and Lu Yu's faces lit up with joy.

Look—the sun has passed its zenith!

Today, everything will be resolved.

(End of Chapter)