Chapter 161: Subduing Magistrate Song

A roar of anger echoed through the sky, "Bold!"

More than ten Yamen Runners, clad in black uniforms, with iron plaques at their waists and carrying water-and-fire clubs, charged in with fierce momentum. Led by a secretary with a thick handlebar mustache who looked quite imposing, they surrounded Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo.

"Who are you, daring to cause trouble here? Do not be arrogant! Release the Magistrate at once, or I will knock you dead with a single club strike!"

This secretary had just been transferred from Jingcheng and, not understanding the situation, assumed Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others were rioters, so he hurriedly led his men forward to stop them.

He saw only a young man in a white long gown with a handsome face and elegant demeanor, and a rugged man in black leather armor with a fierce look, holding Song Song Yusheng, who wore a red official robe, had a terrified face, and a servile demeanor. Mistaking them for reckless rogues who knew not the height of heaven or the depth of earth, he thought they intended to cause trouble here.

With his single sentence, more than ten Yamen Runners with stern faces, fierce eyes, and killing intent raised their water-and-fire clubs, ready to attack Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Seeing the other side shout so arrogantly, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who was just about to teach Song Song Yusheng a lesson, narrowed his eyes, a flash of cold light passing through them.

"Kill."

As this cold word fell to the ground, the blade light in Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand suddenly surged.

Holding a great blade three feet long and two inches wide, incredibly sharp and radiating cold light, under Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command, he rushed at those Yamen Runners like a mad beast.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's movements were so fast they were almost invisible to the eye; his figure was agile, like a leopard in the jungle, every move precise and lethal. The blade light in his hand carved lines of cold light through the air, each one heralding the end of a life.

After a few dull thuds of flesh being cut, before anyone could react, even the secretary with the handlebar mustache had met Yama in the blink of an eye.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's sword technique was simple and brutal, without any flourish or trickery, possessing only the most direct and effective killing power.

Every strike aimed straight for the opponent's vital points; whether neck, heart, or abdomen, once slashed by him, death was certain.

Thick, foul-smelling liquid splattered in all directions as Tu Tu Kesiluo's blade light continued to dance.

Blood stained the ground and walls, severed limbs and internal organs scattered everywhere, screams and wails rising one after another.

Most terrifying was one short, fat Yamen Runner with an oily face who looked utterly detestable; Tu Tu Kesiluo's single blade strike sliced off half his head.

That half-head flew out, twitching and spurting blood in mid-air, rolling several times on the ground before stopping.

The mouth that had just been cursing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the other froze in an expression of fear and pain.

Watching this scene, Song Song Yusheng's originally arrogant face instantly turned deathly pale. Clad in loose official robes, his phoenix eyes were now filled with fear and despair. His body trembled, his face was pale, and his head was covered in cold sweat; he was nearly so scared he wet his pants.

"You... killing people like this means you must pay with your life!" Song Song Yusheng, terrified and pale, shook like a sieve.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stared at Song Song Yusheng, impatiently saying, "What more nonsense do you need to spout? Quickly produce the official seal for me, or do not blame me for being impolite!" Then he ordered Tu Tu Kesiluo, "Send him on his way!"

His voice was cold, his eyes icy, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

Tu Tu Kesiluo drew his long blade, the cold light gleaming fiercely.

Seeing Tu Tu Kesiluo's blood-stained blade, Song Song Yusheng, whose shoes were already filled with urine, instantly collapsed to the ground.

He wanted to beg for mercy, but his throat could not produce a sound. He wanted to resist, but his strength had completely vanished.

He could only watch helplessly as that knife drew closer and closer...

"I'll lend it, I'll lend it, won't I! You can keep it as long as you want!"

These few short words seemed to exhaust all his strength, leaving him covered in cold sweat.

He had forgotten he was once a towering figure of immense power, glory, and awe; now he remembered only being a humble, pitiful, life-hanging-by-a-thread, pathetic, and laughable little insect.

Song Song Yusheng, trembling as he got up, used the fastest speed of his life to hand the large seal from the table to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu accepted the seal with satisfaction and ordered Tu Tu Kesiluo, "Send the signal; order the main army to enter the city and take over the county camp!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded, sheathing his long blade covered in blood. He untied a signal arrow from his waist, aimed it at the sky outside the door, and pulled the trigger ring.

With a sharp explosion, a fiery red arc cut across the sky. This was the signal Jiang Jiang Mingyu had arranged in advance, meaning he had successfully seized the seal.

Seeing this, the two thousand troops who had been waiting for a long time immediately shouted and charged into the county town, whose gates stood wide open and unprepared.

Clad in black iron armor and wielding sharp blades, their killing intent reached the heavens. They were elite soldiers selected by Jiang Jiang Mingyu, trained rigorously and tested in actual combat. They were loyal to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and willing to face fire and water for him.

Chickens flew and dogs jumped in the city; the common people scrambled to hide.

The surging two thousand troops also charged into the Longteng County Defense Camp. That was the city's last line of defense and Song Song Yusheng's final lifeline. He hoped the defense army could hold off Jiang Jiang Mingyu's attack and give him a chance to escape.

However, his hope was quickly shattered. Seeing the Shangmu soldiers with their killing intent, the fewer than three hundred defense troops in Longteng County immediately drew their blades and rushed to meet them.

Though they wore soldier uniforms, they possessed no soldierly spirit.

Though they held weapons, they possessed no will to fight.

Though they had duties, they possessed no loyalty.

They were merely a group of peace-time soldiers who ate, drank, played, accepted bribes, and oppressed the people.

They had never experienced real war nor seen real enemies.

Facing the Shangmu soldiers' charge, they had no power to fight back and could only submit to slaughter.

Half an incense stick later, the Longteng County Defense Camp had become a sea of blood. Corpses lay scattered on the ground, blood staining the earth red. The Shangmu soldiers held their spears and blades high, cheering for victory. Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrived shortly after, looking at the crimson on the ground, and spoke to Song Song Yusheng with a blank expression.

"Magistrate Song, these years you have governed Longteng County quite well." His voice was flat and waveless, as if speaking of something trivial.

"You also voluntarily surrendered the seal." His voice carried a hint of sarcasm and mockery.

"Jiang Mou means that you shall continue to serve as Magistrate here. I wonder if you are willing to cooperate with me, this rebel?" His voice carried a hint of threat and temptation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had no personnel in this regard, thought it over and concluded this was the only option, albeit a desperate one. He needed a puppet capable of controlling the people and officials to work for him behind the scenes. Song Song Yusheng, though weak, incompetent, foolish, ignorant, pathetic, and laughable, was the most suitable candidate.

Looking at the corpses lying seven across and eight down, Song Song Yusheng, who had nearly died of fright, nodded his head frantically.

"Willing, I am willing..." His voice trembled, his eyes filled with fear and despair.

He did not doubt that if he shook his head now, he would instantly become a cold corpse.

The corners of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mouth lifted slightly with a hint of pride. He made a soft "Hmm," seemingly quite satisfied with the current situation.

"Very well, Jiang Mou will temporarily leave Longteng County in your care. However, the two thousand troops I brought will remain in the city, watching you closely at all times. Do not make any moves."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone becoming somewhat stern, "Do you understand?"

In the cold wind, Song Song Yusheng's face was already covered in cold sweat.

He immediately knelt on both knees, suppressing the panic in his heart: "Your subordinate dares not act presumptuously. Even if granted ten thousand boldness, I would absolutely not overstep the slightest boundary." Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression soften slightly, Song Song Yusheng then respectfully spoke: "My Lord is above; please permit your subordinate Song Song Yusheng to kowtow to show his loyalty."

My Lord. The corners of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mouth curled; this title sounded quite pleasing.

He put on a smiling face and said to Song Song Yusheng, who was still kneeling on the ground with his head bowed, "However, as long as you handle affairs seriously, Jiang Mou will also reward you. As for the specifics of how to act, you decide for yourself."

After a round of coaxing and threats, Song Song Yusheng's mood swung wildly, and he had completely submitted.

Seeing that Longteng County had been pacified, Tu Tu Kesiluo asked, "My lord, what should we do next?"

This was the first time Song Song Yusheng had seen Tu Tu Kesiluo in such a manner; he couldn't help but shiver.

But seeing Tu Tu Kesiluo's wary gaze, he quickly suppressed the contempt in his heart, hurriedly found a chair to sit on, and responded respectfully.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat down comfortably, turned to the bowing Song Song Yusheng, and said, "Song Song Yusheng, I recall that Longteng County is the birthplace of the Great Feng Kingdom, correct?" It was precisely because of this that he had once had the opportunity to sell hundreds of thousands of jin of coal to Song Song Yusheng.

The named Song Song Yusheng hurriedly stepped forward one pace and replied with extreme respect, "My lord indeed has an excellent memory. Fifty li east of the county gate lies Longyang Town, the place where the founding emperor of the Great Feng Kingdom rose to power. Nowadays, Longyang Town not only houses the ancestral tomb of the current Your Majesty but also hosts five hundred tomb-guarding soldiers. Since the founding of the Great Feng Kingdom, the founding emperor has forbidden all citizens of the county from cutting down trees, citing fear of disturbing the dragon vein. Had it not been for this, your subordinate would never have had the chance to meet my lord back then." As he spoke, he even flashed a flattering smile.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, his face gloomy, ignored Song Song Yusheng's flattery and simply looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in confusion, "Big brother, why ask about this for no reason? Fei Hou and you are mortal enemies, are you not? Could it be that you intend to go burn candles and offer flowers at his Laozu Sect's grave?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled meaningfully, glanced around once, and then said in a deep voice, "Go? Why wouldn't I? Tu Tu Kesiluo, take three hundred men and follow me. Song Song Yusheng will lead the way; we are heading to Longyang Town now!"

After receiving the order, Tu Tu Kesiluo grew even more confused. Frowning his delicate brows, he asked, "What exactly does my lord intend to do?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder, revealing a cynical smile, "I intend to personally level Fei Hou's ancestral tomb."