Chapter 479: The Zhu Que Army Enters the City

The first light of dawn broke, and ten thousand golden rays, like molten gold pouring down, plated the majestic Lingguang Hall with a solemn and sacred brilliance.

In this quiet and grand halo, the entire palace complex resembled an ancient behemoth just awakening, holding its breath as it gazed upon the Shanmen Square.

On the square, five thousand soldiers of the Zhu Que army stood in formation like a mountain.

Clad in crimson armor, they reflected a suffocating luster of iron and blood under the morning light. Five thousand long spears pointed diagonally toward the firmament, their cold tips merging into a red ocean.

Solemn momentum and biting killing intent intertwined and collided in this moment; the air seemed to solidify, and even the wind dared not pass through this forest of steel.

At the very front of the formation, Song Weimin struggled to suppress the surging excitement in his heart and that trace of nervousness he could not hide.

He took a deep breath, swept his piercing gaze over the five thousand resolute faces behind him, then raised his arm and shouted, his voice exploding in everyone's ears: "Move out!"

The order was as weighty as a mountain. In an instant, all five thousand soldiers simultaneously catalyzed the spiritual power within their bodies. The next moment, five thousand crimson pillars of light erupted from the ground, shooting straight into the clouds!

The stationary square instantly transformed into a towering wave of fire. Countless individuals rode their swords into the sky; the flying swords beneath their feet emitted a uniform hum, resembling the roar of ten thousand dragons.

Under the protection of five Battalion Commanders at the Spirit Platform realm, Song Weimin flew at the very forefront. The five thousand soldiers followed closely behind, moving as one, transforming into an unstoppable crimson torrent.

High above, the thick cloud layer was torn apart, leaving only a crimson long shadow spanning the horizon that lingered for a long time without dispersing.

From a distance, the column resembled a soaring fire dragon, like a meteor streaking across the sky, carrying invincible might and solemnity as it surged majestically toward the county seat of Nanxiang County.

"What is happening?"

Such a massive commotion instantly swept over all of Nanxiang County and, with the speed of a tsunami, spread outward.

At this moment, within the jurisdiction of Nanxiang County, whether cultivators or ordinary commoners, everyone immediately looked up at the sky, watching the fire dragon traverse the air.

"It is the Zhu Que army!"

"Such a display... such momentum..."

"It seems that today, the Zhu Que army will fully take over Nanxiang County!"

Some cultivators who were extremely sensitive to the situation gazed at the Zhu Que army formation that looked like heavenly soldiers descending, their faces revealing an expression that said, 'What was bound to come has indeed arrived.'

Some eyes ignited with the light of hope, while others lowered their heads to conceal the terror in their depths...

Wherever the Zhu Que army passed, everything fell into an eerie silence; only the sound of the crimson fire dragon tearing through the sky in the heavens heavily struck everyone's heart.

At the same time, inside the county seat of Nanxiang County, the scene remained ordinary. The marketplace was bustling, and cries of vendors rose and fell, until...

"Look quickly!"

"What is that?!"

A shout filled with shock and uncertainty abruptly pierced the street's clamor. Someone suddenly stopped, pointing toward the southeastern horizon with a face of horror.

At first, it was merely a inconspicuous red glow, yet in just a few breaths, that dot of red light exploded wildly like a spark setting the prairie ablaze.

"The Zhu Que army has arrived!"

Cries of alarm spread through the crowd like a plague. More and more commoners and cultivators stopped what they were doing, stepped out of their homes, and looked up.

The previously bustling marketplace suddenly fell silent in this instant.

Before everyone's eyes, that originally faint red dot rapidly stretched and expanded, and in the blink of an eye, transformed into a majestic, fiery red long dragon spanning the vast sky!

Wrapping rolling heat waves, the fire dragon carried a suffocating sense of oppression, crashing violently into the vision of everyone in the county seat with an unstoppable posture.

The originally clear sky was instantly dyed through by this solemn crimson.

"Is the Zhu Que army coming to attack the county seat?"

Panic-stricken whispers fermented rapidly within the crowd.

In the past, the Zhu Que army always bypassed the county seat without entering, but today, they were clearly heading straight for it.

"What attack?"

"Our Nanxiang County originally belongs under the jurisdiction of the Zhu Que army."

Unrest began to arise within the county seat. Ordinary commoners displayed obvious panic on their faces, and even the cultivators wore grave expressions.

Inside the county yamen, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt suffocating.

Ji Huaice stood by the window, gazing at the crimson torrent approaching ever closer on the horizon. He remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh: "This day has ultimately arrived."

For the imperial house, the Zhu Que army taking over the county seat of Nanxiang County meant losing far more than just the administrative rights of a single county; it was a breach in the dam—signifying the formal collapse of imperial authority.

One could imagine that before long, other places would follow suit one after another, and the Chu imperial dynasty would gradually retreat from the stage.

Ji Huaice looked at the cultivators within the county yamen: "Let us go. We shall go together to the city gate to welcome the Zhu Que army into the city."

In an instant, Song Weimin led the five thousand soldiers of the Zhu Que army to hover outside the county city gate.

The dense military formation was like dark clouds blocking the sun, yet there was not a hint of noise. That solemn and dignified momentum surged toward the city like a tangible tide, causing the commoners to feel both awe and, inexplicably, a long-lost sense of reassurance—it was the signal that order had returned.

"Look quickly! It is Lord Song!"

In the crowd, someone was the first to recognize that familiar figure, and a cry of surprise instantly exploded.

The panic and chaos that had permeated the area due to the pressing army vanished in this short moment.

For the commoners of Nanxiang County, the name Song Weimin meant stability.

High in the sky, Song Weimin looked down upon this familiar city. His gaze swept over the commoners looking up and cheering, and his emotions could not help but surge.

After all these twists and turns, he had returned.

Song Weimin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions in his chest, and waved his large hand. The five Battalion Commanders behind him understood immediately; the five thousand soldiers of the Zhu Que army, obedient as limbs to the mind, began to descend in an orderly fashion.

There was no disturbance, no chaos, only suffocating discipline and authority as hard as iron.

At this time, Ji Huaice had already led the cultivators of the county yamen rushing to the city gate.

Ji Huaice knew Song Weimin.

Seeing the Zhu Que army take Song Weimin as their leader, Ji Huaice's heart shook violently—The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall truly knew how to select and employ people, actually choosing Song Weimin to manage Nanxiang County!

"Lord Song, I hope you have been well since we last met." Ji Huaice stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, his tone carrying a hint of complexity.

Song Weimin nodded in return, then got straight to the point: "Lord Ji, by order of the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, effective immediately, the Zhu Que army formally takes over the county seat of Nanxiang County!"

The smile on Ji Huaice's face did not fade as he spoke unhurriedly: "Lord Song, as far as this official knows, Nanxiang City should be governed by the City Lord. Although Lingguang Hall holds a transcendent status, logically it should still obey the orders of the City Lord's Manor. Acting in this manner today is perhaps somewhat... usurping the host's role, is it not?"

Song Weimin looked at him: "The City Lord's Manor has not appeared, so Nanxiang County should logically be taken over by the Zhu Que army. Moreover, those matters you speak of are not our concern."

Ji Huaice restrained his smile, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of probing and warning: "The Nanxiang City Master's token has remained missing to this day. Has Lord Song considered that if this token ultimately falls into the hands of the imperial family, and a legitimate City Master returns, how will you position yourself then?"

Song Weimin's expression remained unchanged: "This official concerns himself only with immediate matters; as for the future... let things take their natural course." Having spoken, he slightly turned his head and cast a glance toward the five Battalion Commanders behind him.

In an instant, the Zhu Que army moved like the wind, swiftly and silently seizing all critical points at the city gates.

Witnessing this scene, Ji Huaice offered no reaction other than silence.

Various factions lurking in the shadows, witnessing the imperial family so readily allow the Zhu Que army to take over Nanxiang County, could not help but feel deeply disappointed.

Many factions had been hoping the imperial family and the Zhu Que army would clash, allowing them to fish in troubled waters amidst the chaos.

Who could have expected that the anticipated conflict never materialized, replaced instead by a nearly flawless peaceful handover.

"The imperial family is certainly showing remarkable restraint this time."

Deep within the clouds, several Spirit Platform realm cultivators whispered among themselves, their tones carrying obvious mockery.

"Even if they lacked the power to stop the Zhu Que army from entering the city, they should at least have sent some people to cause trouble and create a disturbance; why be so cowardly?"

"How do you know they sent no one? More likely, they did send people, but simply dared not make a move."

Someone sneered coldly, slightly lifting his chin and pointing toward the northern sky above Nanxiang County.

Following the sound, everyone looked up to see a fiery red figure standing suspended in mid-air amidst the churning sea of clouds.

That person was surrounded by swirling crimson flames, resembling a blazing sun hanging in the heavens—the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall!

All those who had mocked the imperial family instantly fell silent; with the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall presiding, who would dare to make a move?!