Wen Zhong heard these words and his expression became solemn. His stature was formidable, like a towering mountain, clad in black Xuan Armor, with the Female and Male Dual Whips hanging at his waist, exuding an imposing air. At this moment, he clasped his hands in salute, stepped forward, and loudly declared, "Your old servant is willing to be the vanguard for the King, to brave through fire and water, without a word of regret! I will surely capture Ji Chang's head and present it before the King's horse!"

As Wen Zhong spoke, his voice was like thunder, causing the candle flames within the hall to flicker gently. However, Xu Qing keenly noticed that at the moment Wen Zhong clasped his hands in response, the Heavenly Eye on his forehead discreetly avoided his gaze.

Xu Qing understood well that this fated Thunder Department God had ultimately sensed the swirling Demon Breath inside his own body. That Demon Breath, akin to a beast lurking in the shadows, emitted a dangerous and eerie aura; even though Xu Qing tried hard to conceal it, he still couldn't escape Wen Zhong's all-seeing Heavenly Eye.

In truth, Xu Qing did not know that, as Wen Zhong was the fated Thunder Department God, even if he detected Xu Qing's anomaly, he would not defy Xu Qing's orders, because the Ziwei aura on Xu Qing was unmistakable.

The Thunder Department God was born to serve the Ziwei.

Thus, Xu Qing could still use the Heavenly Demon Skill to perceive Wen Zhong's loyalty to him.

Do not doubt those you employ, and do not employ those you doubt.

Wen Zhong must certainly be used.

…

…

Outside Chao Ge City, Mu Ye stretched vast and boundless.

One hundred thousand Xuan Armor Army stood ready, like a well-trained black tide, neatly arranged. On the Xuan Armor, cold light shimmered, reflecting the soldiers' stern faces.

Bronze chariots were scattered at the forefront of the formation. The Mystic Bird Flags atop the chariots fluttered fiercely, soaked with the blood essence of successive King Yin. Weathered by time, within this oppressive pre-battle atmosphere, the banner emitted an eerie red glow, as if ignited by blood, flaunting the ancient glory and current grimness of the Yin Dynasty.

Xu Qing's coronation attire, embroidered with sun, moon, stars, mountain ranges, dragons, and pythons, shimmered gloriously in the sunlight, emphasizing his majesty. Twelve strands of jade beads hung from the coronet, refracting dreamlike seven-colored halos under the tender caress of the morning light. Yet this splendid halo could not obscure the Ziwei Star Radiance flowing in his eyes. That radiance, as though coming from the mysterious depths of the universe, was profound and vast, exuding a grand aura that commanded the cosmos.

"Long live the King!" Instantly, the soldiers of three armies shouted in unison. The sound waves rolled forth like thunder exploding on flat ground, shaking the earth and sky. This resounding call echoed through the heavens, startling the birds resting nearby, causing them to flap their wings towards the distance.

Amidst the thunderous cheer, Li Qing—Xu Qing's guise—hid within the priest ranks.

He clearly saw that the Heavenly River Sect disciples disguised as Mystic Bird Guards all bore a faint water pattern on their foreheads. That water pattern, like a lively stream, appeared and disappeared under the sunlight, exuding a mysterious aura. Pure Yang Sect cultivators disguised as celebrants had fiery cloud patterns embroidered on their sleeves, resembling burning flames, hot and dangerous, as if they could burst into formidable power at any time.

When Xu Qing's gaze swept over them like a searchlight, those meticulously disguised individuals seemed as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats. Their bodies instantly tensed, spines straightened, and they felt an indescribable reverence for Xu Qing, this strange King Yin.

"Grandmaster." Xu Qing slightly turned, his demeanor noble and dignified. His fingertips gently tapped on the chariot shaft, making a crisp sound. His voice, akin to a gentle breeze, yet enveloped with Heavenly Demon Secret Power, precisely transmitted into Wen Zhong's ear, "Do you notice anything unusual about that Mystic Bird Guard?"

Wen Zhong, this loyal minister through three dynasties, upon hearing this, his expression instantly became stern. The third eye on his forehead suddenly exploded with golden light, resembling a star suddenly shining brightly, its brilliance blinding. Under this potent Heavenly Eye Power, all things in the world were visible without exception.

So many outsiders had infiltrated the court?

Yet, just as he was about to act, Xu Qing's seemingly gentle but power-laden hand steadily rested on his shoulder: "Before the armies, strange troops can be used." Xu Qing's voice was low and firm, and seemed to possess an irresistible magical force.

Wen Zhong hesitated slightly before immediately understanding.

These people belong to the King?

A flash of realization appeared in his eyes as he slowly released his grip on the dual whips.

The chariot slowly passed the command platform. The wheels crushed the ground, making a dull and rhythmic sound, as if the prelude to drums of war.

Xu Qing suddenly raised his hand, a movement akin to commanding thousands upon thousands of soldiers, carrying an innate kingly majesty. With his hand raised, twelve bronze altars gradually rose behind the royal carriage.

These altars were tall and massive, their surfaces inscribed with mysterious runes. The marks of time made the runes appear even more ancient, exuding a revered aura. Upon each altar were bound multiple Xiqi captives.

The captives' clothes were tattered, their faces pale like paper. In the sunken eye sockets, their eyes were filled with endless despair. They knew well that, according to the ancient custom, which had persisted between Great Yin and Great Zhou for hundreds of years, using captives to offer sacrifices before a campaign was a necessary ritual to pray for celestial protection and victory.

In their eyes, destiny's shadow had thoroughly shrouded them, and the scythe of death might fall at any moment. They huddled their bodies, trembling in the cold wind, each breath carrying a shiver of fear for the unknown.

"I hereby proclaim, from henceforth Great Yin shall have no activities of live sacrifice." Xu Qing's voice was steady and powerful, like the sound of a grand bell, resonating throughout the Mu Ye Battlefield.

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a giant stone was thrown into the calm surface of a lake, causing waves upon waves in the previously solemn and respectful army. For a moment, the entire Mu Ye Battlefield fell into a brief dead silence. Everyone was stunned in place by this sudden declaration.

Then, whispers surged like a tide and quickly spread out. The great nobles of the court, those who enjoyed affluence and controlled vast resources and power in daily life, all showed expressions of astonishment and dissatisfaction.

Living sacrifices, for them, were not only a tradition but also a means of maintaining order and demonstrating authority, intertwined with numerous chains of interest. Now, at this critical moment of the army's expedition, Xu Qing suddenly announced such a decree, undoubtedly a huge blow to their vested interests.

"This... how could this be?" muttered an elderly noble, his beard trembling, unable to believe it, a look of anger and incredulity on his face.

"This action by the King, I'm afraid it will ruin the ancestral rules!" Another noble dressed in luxurious brocade robes complained softly to the person beside him, his brows tightly knitted.

The soldiers also looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment. For a long time, they had been accustomed to this bloody ritual before expeditions, and now hearing it was abolished, there was both unease about the unknown and a faint expectation of benevolence.

Wen Zhong was even more bewildered.

He clearly felt that the King's demonic qi was intense, yet this was something only a great demon could do.

The State Preceptor Bi Gan was instead filled with excitement.

Among the nobles, he was one of the few opposing living sacrifices.

He had always thought the King would not support this, and since the resistance was immense, he never mentioned it, not expecting the King to share his view.

Living people could create countless values, even used as livestock, they were still useful. Once dead, all value is lost.

From this point alone, living sacrifices should not be continued.

Xu Qing's proclaimed decree, as if spoken with the power of law, stirred countless waves within the Chao Ge army.

Of course, there were also many nobles who directly opposed.

This shook their fundamental interests.

The fundamental meaning of living sacrifice was that they had absolute control over slaves.

Undoubtedly, King Yin was challenging this point.

"Since you oppose not using living sacrifices, fine, this time you will be the living sacrifices for the expedition."

The approach of the Supreme Demon Lord was simple and brutal.

If a problem cannot be solved, then solve those who create the problem.

In his view, these nobles of the Yin Ruins Space-Time were nothing more than ants.

His actions were both following his heart and testing the Heavenly Dao of the Yin Ruins Space-Time.

"Grandmaster Wen Zhong."

"I am here."

"Lead these Mystic Bird Guards and capture them all." Xu Qing's gaze landed on the disciples of the Heavenly River and Pure Yang Sects.

His expression was cold and stern, yet he seemed to see through everything.

Of course, the two sects' disciples had no vested interests in this matter, helping King Yin handle internal troubles and quickly preparing for the expedition was also a good thing.

A great purge before the expedition soon unfolded.

"Qingzhu, do not be afraid. This world is too filthy, your father is merely trying to cleanse it." Xu Qing's voice rang in Xu Qingzhu's heart as he witnessed the brutality and bloodshed and was forced to carry on with his tasks.

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