Chapter 1192: First Volume, Chapter 1192: The Datian Village Bandit Massacre

First Volume, Chapter 1192: The Datian Village Bandit Massacre

The women and children all stared with fear in their eyes.

Even though Wu Heli strictly enforced Military Discipline and forbade any of his soldiers from touching women and children, it was still Wu Heli who ordered the massacre of the village's men.

A moment of kindness from the vengeful ghost could not change anything.

They trembled, held their breath, and dared not even sigh.

Wu Heli could not bear to meet the women's despairing, helpless gazes; once the mission was complete, he made no further pause and led his troops away from Datian Village.

Only half a Envoy later did the silent Datian Village gradually drown in heart-wrenching wails.

The women searched the village for their husbands.

Groups of mothers and children either knelt before their fathers or slumped beside their husbands, wailing uncontrollably.

"Mother, why did the imperial court kill Father?"

"What did we do wrong?"

Faced with their children's questions, the women had no answer—they could only hold their children and weep endlessly.

Compared to the innocent children, the women, now mothers, knew perfectly well why the soldiers had carried out the Bandit Massacre.

The reason was simple: there was no reason.

During wartime, the lives of common folk were as worthless as weeds—crushed at will, and who cared?

The women and children of Datian Village had no choice but to drag their dead husbands together and bury them on the wasteland beside the village, then silently return home to pack their belongings.

They had to leave the homes they had lived in for half their lives—not only because they feared the imperial soldiers might return, but because without men, they could not till the land and would starve to death if they stayed.

To survive, they had to either seek refuge with relatives or beg on the roads.

Just a few hours ago, they had lived hard but fulfilling lives; now, in an instant, they had become refugees.

At dusk, the women and children of Datian Village finished packing and prepared to leave the village.

Precisely at this deadline, a rapid clatter of hooves suddenly rang out.

The grieving women and children were instantly swallowed by despair.

"They're back—the damned imperial soldiers have returned."

"It's over—even if that commander spared us, his men are beasts…"

The women cursed themselves for delaying—they should have fled sooner, perhaps still saving their lives.

Now that the imperial soldiers had turned back, all that awaited them was a fate worse than death.

The women instinctively pulled their children close, staring numbly at the village entrance.

Soon, a cavalry unit of over a hundred men appeared in their sight.

Seeing these imperial cavalry, some young children recalled the earlier horror and burst into terrified sobs.

The women panicked, terrified their children's cries would anger the soldiers and get them snatched up and smashed to death…

They clutched their children desperately, knelt on the ground, and bowed their heads to the cavalry, begging for mercy—just let the children live.

The wailing and pleading lasted a long time, yet received no response.

Only when some women lifted their heads did they realize, in shock, that the cavalry stood at the village entrance and had no intention of entering.

Before the women could recover, a heavily armored, broad-shouldered commander rode forward, eyes blazing, bellowing: "When did the rebels leave the village?!"

Rebels?!

The women stared blankly—weren't these imperial soldiers the very rebels who slaughtered without mercy?

Was this Thief Catching Thief?

Seeing the women silent, Zhao Zhenhai roared again: "When did the rebels who attacked Datian Village leave? Which direction did they flee?!"

"Those bastards disguised themselves to smear the imperial court as rebels."

"You need not fear—we are the true imperial soldiers."

The surviving women still dared not speak—who could be sure this wasn't a trap? If they opened their mouths, they'd be branded traitors and face another massacre.

They had lost all trust in the word "imperial court"—all they wanted was to live.

The women refused to cooperate, and Zhao Zhenhai had no solution—until a boy of about ten suddenly asked his mother: "Why aren't they coming in?"

The woman clapped her hand over her son's mouth, terrified he'd say something and get killed.

But the boy's innocent question stirred doubt in the women's hearts.

Yes—why weren't these imperial soldiers entering the village?

At that moment, Zhao Zhenhai spoke gently to the boy: "The Qin Wang has ordered: no imperial troops may enter any village without authorization—violators face military execution."

"Without the Qin Wang's special permission, we dare not enter and disturb the people."

Hearing this, everyone finally understood why the cavalry had lingered at the village entrance and never crossed it.

Liu Cui, the daughter-in-law of the Village Chief, a young woman with two sons and a daughter, wore a face full of sorrow.

She was a bride from afar—her natal home was over Two Hundred Li away.

That distance was an insurmountable abyss for her and her four children.

Neither staying nor leaving was possible; overwhelmed by despair, she gritted her teeth and spoke up.

"Those cavalrymen left more than three Envoy ago…"

"All our village's men were killed—none over thirteen years old survived…"

Saying this, Liu Cui looked at Zhao Zhenhai, tears streaming: "Will the Qin Wang spare us a path to live?"

Before Zhao Zhenhai could answer, another clatter of hooves came from behind.

All present turned—see a force of Three Hundred Beixi Light Cavalry charging toward them.

Zhao Zhenhai instantly recognized the leader: Qin Feng.

Zhao Zhenhai sighed softly and said to Liu Cui: "The Qin Wang has arrived—ask him yourself."

Has the Qin Prince arrived?!

Liu Cui could not believe her ears; she strained her gaze toward the distance and indeed saw that the young man at the front of the Cavalry dressed differently from the rest.

The other Cavalry wore armor to varying degrees, but this young man wore only cloth robes, with a gray overcoat draped over them.

Is this... the Imperial Prince?!

It's just one village that was slaughtered—why would a Prince of the realm come here in person?

Under the puzzled stares of the women, Qin Feng finally reached the entrance of Datian Village. He did not dismount, but fixed Zhao Zhenhai with a piercing gaze.

"Who is responsible for the security around Datian Village? Bring him to me!"