Chapter 522: Rivers of Blood

The Great Ying Dynasty's campaign shocked the entire world.

In just three years, they reclaimed the chaotic lands from an external base without any support—an absolute show of strength.

Countless people speculated whether the Great Ying Dynasty had already ascended to imperial status. After all, the combined fate of the eight major dynasties and nearly a hundred kingdoms should be enough to elevate them.

Indeed, above Xuankin on Tianlang Island, the accumulated fate had reached a staggering level. Layers upon layers of golden light bathed the city, making it shine brilliantly every day.

Under normal circumstances, they would only need to find a celestial imperial seal to merge with the royal seal, perform some specific rituals, and then they could consolidate the fate into a golden dragon, elevating the dynasty to an empire.

But Zhong Shan had no need for that. With the most advanced cultivation method for dynasties, "Forging the Heavenly Court," he didn't need a celestial imperial seal. Now, all he needed was to gather more fate and follow the method in "Forging the Heavenly Court" to nurture a golden dragon of fate amidst the heavenly fortune.

Clearly, nurturing a golden dragon of fate was much more difficult than having one automatically born from a celestial imperial seal. However, once the empire was established, Zhong Shan's empire would be far more powerful than most, potentially even rivaling the heavenly court.

After reclaiming the chaotic lands, numerous decrees were issued. The ministers began organizing the region. Thanks to the frequent imperial examinations held by the Great Ying Dynasty, they had accumulated a vast amount of talent, enabling them to swiftly consolidate their control over the chaotic lands.

With everything stabilized, the next challenge was facing the Daguan Dynasty.

This war attracted immense attention.

Both sides were dynasties, but exceptionally powerful ones. The strength of the Great Ying Dynasty was undisputed, and the Daguan Dynasty was once an empire.

The Ice Army had been destroyed, but did Han Jiguang only have this one elite force? If that were the case, he wouldn't have achieved his former dominance.

In Guangling City, Zhong Shan addressed his troops. The five major generals stood respectfully.

"The Daguan Dynasty, twenty-five cities—massacre them!" Zhong Shan's words were brief.

"Massacre～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"

The troops roared in unison.

Zhong Shan's war proclamation had already spread across the land. Anyone still wishing to align with Han Jiguang would face death. If the common people chose not to leave the cities, Zhong Shan could not be blamed.

The proclamation, filled with nine consecutive "kill" orders, made everything clear. Those who stayed were choosing to die with Han Jiguang.

The Great Ying Dynasty mobilized.

Starting from Guangling City, they deployed ten million soldiers to capture twenty-five celestial cities of the Daguan Dynasty. Small mortal towns were not included.

Various forces and spies eagerly followed the battle, tracking every move.

This war drew unprecedented attention, as both dynasties were immensely powerful, and their leaders were prominent figures in Shenzhou. Naturally, it captivated many.

A feud of life and death, coupled with mysterious legions.

The vast army split into six divisions, advancing north from the chaotic lands to besiege cities.

Zhong Shan's central army was supported by the other divisions on both sides, always ready to respond.

Zhong Shan's proclamation was clear: complete annihilation, leaving no survivors. Rivers of blood!

Mr. Corpse's zombie legion was unmatched. Despite their low individual strength, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

After capturing a few small towns, the army finally faced a celestial city.

On the city wall, the commanders looked at the overwhelming zombie horde approaching, their faces showing fear. The zombies had arrived.

The zombies did not attack the city immediately. Instead, they surrounded it completely, leaving no escape route. In each direction, powerful zombies stood guard, ensuring that even the strongest warriors could not flee.

After surrounding the city, a few zombies flew into the city. Despite the countless arrows raining down from the city walls, as long as their heads were intact, even if their limbs were severed, they showed no sign of pain.

Although most zombies were blocked, as long as a few entered the city, all hope was lost.

The zombies bit anyone they encountered, turning them into zombies as well. In just two days, over half the city's population had become zombies.

Countless people tried to escape, only to find more zombies outside.

"We surrender! We surrender!"

"Don't kill me, I surrender!"

Countless soldiers knelt in terror, begging for mercy.

Mr. Corpse watched coldly, with no intention of stopping the zombies. Kill, kill, kill!

Mr. Corpse knew very well the depth of Zhong Shan's murderous intent. Who would dare to defy the emperor now? Even if Zhong Shan wasn't angry, Mr. Corpse had no mercy to spare.

Lin Xiao was the same. With a powerful assault and hidden forces within the city, he captured a large celestial city. Most of the soldiers were killed or wounded. A small number knelt, begging for mercy.

Seeing the ten thousand soldiers begging for their lives, Lin Xiao felt no pity. Zhong Shan cherished Yinglan, and so did Lin Xiao. Yinglan had grown up under his watch. These people chose to stand with Han Jiguang, so why should he show them mercy? Who would show mercy to Yinglan?

"Kill!" Lin Xiao commanded, his eyes wide with anger.

"Wait!" Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted.

A bald monk flew over.

"Who are you?" Lin Xiao glared at the monk.

"I am Cheng Guang, the abbot of the Guanglu Temple in this city. Heaven cherishes all life. General, these people are no longer resisting. Why create more bloodshed?" the monk pleaded.

"Bloodshed? Cherishing life? Hmph, monk, you think you can earn merit from me? You're too naive!" Lin Xiao sneered.

Ignoring the monk, Lin Xiao waved his hand, and ten thousand heads rolled to the ground.

"You!" The monk's eyes flashed with anger.

"You're the abbot of this city? Hmph, the Great Ying Emperor made it clear in the war proclamation: anyone who stands with Han Jiguang will be killed!" Lin Xiao's eyes burned with fury.

"Kill!" Lin Xiao ordered.

A hundred piercing arrows shot through the monk. Even in death, the monk couldn't understand why this general was so ruthless. Even the demons of the Asura Realm were not as cruel. Was he really going to massacre the entire city, turning it into a river of blood?

"Massacre the entire city, leave no one alive!" Lin Xiao commanded.

"Yes!" the soldiers responded immediately.

Then, the city was filled with the sound of wailing and crying.

War was inherently cruel, but a war filled with hatred was even more so. Kill, kill, kill!

The Great Ying Dynasty's army was extremely ruthless. Wherever they went, rivers of blood flowed.

Spies from various forces were stunned, witnessing the brutality of the army. They left no survivors. Any of Han Jiguang's soldiers were killed. The civilians who didn't flee beforehand also faced death.

The Great Ying Dynasty showed no mercy, ensuring that anyone aligned with Han Jiguang paid the ultimate price.

Zhong Shan intended to drench the entire Daguan Dynasty in blood.

The five main legions, each responsible for one route, advanced like a flood, leaving rivers of blood in their wake. Resistance was futile. Death was the only outcome.

Zhong Shan's army descended like a plague of death, sparing no one.

Of course, war comes with casualties. Apart from Mr. Corpse's zombie legion, the other four legions suffered losses.

As for Zhong Shan's central legion, their conquest of a city was swift. In fact, it wasn't even a conquest—the city gates opened as they approached.

The Shadow Guards and Jinyiwei! These two immensely powerful departments of the Great Ying Dynasty's imperial guard had already taken action.

The Shadow Guards dealt with the powerful figures early on, while the Jinyiwei were ruthless, leaving no survivors in their wake.

The army paused instead of continuing their assault.

The five legions all converged at Zhong Shan's location.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! No survivors along my route!" Lin Xiao reported.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! No survivors along my route!" Shui Wuhen reported.

Each of the five legions reported the same.

"Rest for ten days, then continue north!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" the soldiers responded immediately.

The legion commanders then dispersed.

"Sir, why leave no one alive? Why create such a great sin?" Tiexue asked Yi Yan.

Tiexue had fought in countless battles, but never so bloodily, so brutally. The principle of not harming civilians was ingrained in his mind. This sudden mass slaughter was difficult for him to accept.

"Sin? This is His Majesty's brilliance!" Yi Yan replied.

"Huh?" Tiexue stared in confusion.

"This massacre has multiple benefits. First, intimidation. After this battle, do you think the people in the next cities will dare to stay?" Yi Yan asked.

"Not all, but most will flee!" Tiexue admitted.

"Correct. Most will flee. Daguan can't stop them from fleeing, or it will cause unrest. Letting them flee spreads fear. One person flees, then a group, then more. When most of the civilians are gone, how much fighting spirit will the soldiers have? Their morale will crumble, intimidating Daguan!" Yi Yan explained.

"The soldiers might also flee?" Tiexue pondered.

"Yes, the soldiers might flee too. It also deters those thinking of aiding Daguan. If we slaughter civilians, what mercy will we show to them? This intimidates surrounding forces." Yi Yan continued.

"Indeed," Tiexue nodded.

"Second is revenge. This method not only weakens Han Jiguang militarily but also strikes at his heart. Even if he has elite forces, they won't perform at their best in subsequent battles. Victory is assured!" Yi Yan stated.

Tiexue looked at Yi Yan in surprise. There were so many advantages to this massacre?

"Third is isolation. By encircling Han Jiguang and preventing his escape, we force him to face his downfall day by day. Defeated by the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, he could strategize an escape. But slaughtered so ruthlessly by the Great Ying Dynasty, he can't flee. If he runs, he can never establish a new dynasty. The world won't accept him. He won't accept himself. With an emperor's heart, would he run? He can't escape!" Yi Yan concluded confidently.