Chapter 426: Their Crime Warrants Execution

Wanlu Prefecture, Yan Southern Army’s military tent!

Clad in armor, Yan Wuyong stood staring at the officials and generals of the Great Tong Dynasty—now kneeling on the ground before him in their ceremonial court attire. His eyes were filled with suspicion, especially at the sight of the imperial decree of surrender laid before him, which stirred up a storm in his heart.

Emperor Tongchu… surrendered?
Surrendered without the slightest warning?

And now he had secretly sent his court’s civil and military officials to serve as hostages?

“Your Majesty Yan!”

“Please, you must believe us.”

“Though we have come in secret, and this decree of surrender has not been announced to the world…”

“It is because His Majesty himself intends to lead the army and personally slay the demon scourge that has been razing cities…”

At this point, the white-haired Minister Qian shifted tone and continued, “His Majesty also brings a verbal message: if Your Majesty doubts our sincerity, you may send someone to inquire at Four Corners Town.”

“That incident years ago, when one hundred thousand demon troops were buried alive at Four Corners Town—His Majesty worked with the Universal Temple to make it happen.”

“His Majesty said, ‘A great endeavor cannot be halted by a single snake bite that leaves one fearing ropes for ten years… If in the end, you still doubt our sincerity, then perhaps you are not the Heaven-chosen one…’”

“Outrageous! How dare you lecture His Majesty Yan like that—who do you think you are?!”

“Don’t forget, years ago ten thousand of our Yan Southern Army brothers were killed by Emperor Tongchu’s third brother!”

“The last time, that dog of an emperor tried a co-ruling scheme. Now you come playing at false surrender again?!”

A burly general stepped forward and berated Minister Qian harshly.

Yet, Minister Qian didn’t respond to the general. Instead, he kept his gaze firmly on Yan Wuyong.

In his heart, Emperor Tongchu was someone capable of great undertakings—otherwise, why would he have followed the Fifth Prince back then, who had almost nothing, and launched a rebellion? Now, this bold decision by Emperor Tongchu made him believe even more that he had not followed the wrong man.

This spirit of forsaking everything was exceedingly rare.

So now he wanted to see whether this man gifted with divine strength—Yan Wuyong—also had the will to achieve greatness.

Before long, Yan Wuyong looked up and asked, “How many soldiers did Emperor Tongchu take? Where did he go, and how long until he arrives? I ask Minister Qian to explain.”

“Seventy thousand troops—all seasoned middle-aged soldiers. Not a single soldier under thirty was taken. His Majesty said he wished to leave the younger strength to Your Majesty.”

“In addition, His Majesty departed from Great Wu Prefecture three days ago, heading toward Qiuti Prefecture. It should take another seven days on foot to reach there.”

“I recall there’s a demon army of over one hundred thousand stationed near there. With fewer men, how does Emperor Tongchu dare go?”

Yan Wuyong paused, then asked, “Is there… any cultivator among his seventy-thousand-man army?”

At this, Minister Qian fell silent for a moment, then said gravely, “His Majesty obtained some unknown method for refining Ghost Soldiers. Before departing from Great Wu Prefecture, he refined himself and his seventy thousand troops into Ghost Soldiers and Generals…”

“Before he left, His Majesty said that once he became the Ghost Emperor, he was already a dead man. His remaining time in this world would not exceed a month… So please rest assured, Your Majesty—His Majesty will not pose much of a threat to you.”

“If you still do not believe it, you can ask at Four Corners Town.”

Refined into Ghost Soldiers?!

Yan Wuyong truly hadn’t expected Emperor Tongchu to go so far—even refining himself. Though he didn’t fully understand what Ghost Soldiers were, the name alone was enough to know they were not easy to deal with…

Thinking this, Yan Wuyong stood up and said, “If that’s the case, then I’ll trust you this once. Over the next seven days, I’ll dispatch troops to gradually take over the human cities under Great Tong’s jurisdiction.”

“If Emperor Tongchu causes a great stir after seven days, then I’ll order a full takeover of the human cities…”

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials of Great Tong who had come as hostages all bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty Yan is wise!”

…

Luohai Prefecture—once a flourishing city of splendor. From the start of the Great Wu conflict, its prefectural governor had always remained neutral, playing both sides.

He never imagined that the demon army would devour the city before even defeating their main enemies…

Along the main street, the once-grand buildings were now nothing but crumbling walls and rubble.

Blood flowed like rivers down the cobblestone streets—some dried and blackened, some fresh and gleaming with an eerie luster, making everything seem even more grim and terrifying.

The air reeked of blood, scorched wood, and rotting flesh, mingling into a stench that made one nauseous.

Dismembered limbs were scattered across the area—some torn apart by blades, others twisted into grotesque shapes by sheer force.

The entire city was shrouded in a heavy gloom, all vitality lost, leaving only death and desolation…

And the mastermind behind this hellish scene? After venting his bloodlust, he had returned to Qiuti Prefecture, just five hundred li away, to indulge in wine and song…

The demon general in charge of Qiuti Prefecture was called Chili, a transformed jackal demon. He was not to be underestimated in strength, and his forces were mostly jackals—prolific breeders—which explained why he commanded over one hundred thousand demons in this region.

At the moment, to celebrate their triumphant return, Chili was hosting a grand feast, letting his demons revel in food and wine, wildly carousing.

As the celebration reached its peak, a demon soldier suddenly rushed to the drunken Chili and cried, “General Chili! Ten li outside the city—a human army has been spotted!”

“What?!” The wiry Chili snapped to attention. “The Yan Southern Army?”

The demon shook his head. “They fly the banner of the Great Tong imperial court! But when our scouts tried to approach, they were immediately slain! No chance to speak!”

“Brazen fools!” Chili slammed the table in rage, shattering it into splinters. “Emperor Tongchu’s been on that throne too long. Clearly, he’s forgotten his place!”

“Boys!”

“The Great Tong humans have grown bold, daring to come here and stir trouble. Let’s go teach them a lesson! The food and drink can wait!”

“ROAR~~ ROAR~~”

With bestial howls shaking the skies, countless jackal demons reverted to their original forms and charged out of the city.

But when they arrived outside the city, the scene before them made them think they were dreaming.

Above the distant skies, black clouds churned like ink, blanketing the land in darkness and oppression.

Within those clouds, shadowy soldiers emerged—faces twisted, clad in battle armor, wielding long spears, their bodies surrounded by a thick aura of death.

At the front of this ghostly army rode a terrifying figure—clad in black armor, crowned as an emperor, and wreathed in ghostly flame!

Such an ominous army—could it truly be human?

Sensing something was wrong, Chili floated forward, just about to speak—when he got a clear look at the figure’s face and froze.
“Emperor Tongchu?!”

“I am the demon general Chili of Great Tong. You came all this way—why not send word first?”

Across from him, the pale-faced Emperor Tongchu raised a hand and coldly declared:

“Demonic beasts—treacherous, lawless, slaughterers of cities, devourers of people!”

“Your crimes warrant execution!”