Chapter 425: Better to Kill a Thousand by Mistake

Chapter 425: Better to Kill a Thousand in Error

At this point, with a light wave of his hand from the deputy director of the Astronomical Bureau, people behind him began distributing sheets of paper to everyone present.

Li Huowang took one and brought it close for a careful look. He found that some addresses and descriptions of appearances were written on them.

“These are suspected members of the Forgetful Dao. Bring them here—death or life, no matter.”

“If you can identify their true identities, a common Forgetful Dao head will earn you fifty Yangshou Pills and a promotion by half a rank.”

“The heads of San Yuan and Si Xi? Each one brings three hundred Yangshou Pills—and a promotion by three ranks!”

“And whoever kills the most shall personally receive the Three Jiazi Pure Yangshou from Director of the Astronomical Bureau himself!”

Upon hearing these words, all eyes turned to him in a sudden uproar. Such a powerful incentive had never been seen before.

Three Jiazi! A full one hundred and eighty years! Who wouldn’t want to live another one hundred and eighty years? And the Yangshou pills given by the Director of the Astronomical Bureau would not transform anyone into a human-spirit!

Those who had previously harbored secret plans to conceal their strength now discarded all reservations and eagerly prepared themselves for action.

“Go forth, and may you succeed swiftly. May you rise in rank and honor. Oh yes, remember—these Forgetful Daoists are utterly evil, their crimes unforgivable. This campaign against them is a righteous act done for the people, for the realm, and for His Highness. Therefore, better to kill a thousand in error than let even one escape!”

“Boom~!” The four gates of Shangjing—east, west, south, and north—slammed shut with thunderous force.

As war drums echoed, heavily armored soldiers climbed onto the city walls. Their aura was so menacing they formed four towering walls, sealing everything within.

The great crossbows and weapons meant to fight enemies were now turned inward, aimed at the city’s interior.

Snow continued falling, blanketing Shangjing in a vast white expanse. Black dots like ants slowly spread outward from the direction of the Astronomical Bureau.

With furrowed brows, Li Huowang rode his horse, repeatedly striking its flanks to urge it forward toward the eastern corner of the city. Behind him followed five others, each also examining the papers in their hands.

From within the houses, screams and cries already rang out.

A wooden door adorned with guardian gods was shattered open, and a frail woman, cradling her infant, staggered out into the snow.

But as a howl pierced the air, a ghostly blade flew after her from inside the house.

At that critical moment, the baby in her arms suddenly let out a mischievous laugh, his bones contracting, slipping effortlessly from the swaddling cloth.

Then, with a sudden thrust of his tiny limbs, he pushed his mother toward the flying blade while using the recoil to escape.

“Pfft!” The woman was instantly skewered through the heart. Her hot blood melted the pristine snow, revealing dark bricks beneath.

A woman with two scars across her face rushed out of the room, yanking the ghostly blade free and charging after the child running through the snow.

“Damn it! You bastard Forgetful Daoists! Don’t run if you’re tough!”

The corpse of the mother, thrown like a ragdoll in the snow, went unnoticed by all except Li Huowang.

“This night will see many, many deaths!”

Li Huowang clenched his teeth so hard his cheeks bulged.

All around him, scenes of gore unfolded. Both sides were now fighting seriously, making a tremendous commotion.

There were duels, but also cooperation. The entire city of Shangjing was like a pot of porridge boiling over a fierce fire, churning from the inside out.

Before he knew it, he had arrived.

Li Huowang leapt off his horse and crashed into the paper window, bursting into the room.

Seeing the family of three huddled together crying in front of him, when he raised his purple-tipped sword, he could not bring himself to strike.

Suddenly, a flash of cold light shot through the broken window. “Clang!” Sparks flew as Li Huowang blocked it.

“This is mine! Get lost!”

Bloodshot eyes burning, Li Huowang shouted, turning sideways.

He looked back at his wife among the family, sheathed his sword, and pulled out a dagger from the tools at his waist.

“Don’t worry—I won’t kill you. But to confirm you’re not a Forgetful Daoist, I must see your face. Afterward, I’ll heal you.”

After a scream, Li Huowang dropped a silver ingot and walked out of the house with a dark expression.

Good news: the man wasn’t a Forgetful Daoist.

Bad news: the man wasn’t a Forgetful Daoist either!

With a swift kick, Li Huowang stepped onto the windowsill and vaulted onto the snowy roof.

Standing atop the highest point, Li Huowang gazed upon the chaotic Shangjing below. If there were eighteen hells, this place might have matched them.

The Astronomical Bureau and the Forgetful Daoists leaped and darted between rooftops, never once considering the common folk. Why should they?

These unarmed civilians, caught up in the conflict without warning, were doomed regardless of what they did or didn’t do.

Perhaps all it took was blocking a path—and the next moment, their heads would roll.

Li Huowang should have been searching for Xin Su Bei Feng, but seeing such a tragedy unfold before him, his mind buzzed with confusion, unable to stop.

“Boom!” A tall building in the distance exploded into flames, like a giant torch replacing the missing moon, illuminating everything around.

“What is human life to you?! They are people! Living, breathing people!” Li Huowang pointed at the entire city and cursed wildly.

He thought he had become cold enough, yet when such things happened before his eyes, he still couldn’t bear it.

Yet after shouting, a deep sense of helplessness crept into his heart. He couldn’t even manage himself, how could he govern others?

“Waaah... waaah!!” A strange sound came from beside him. Li Huowang turned to see Jinshan Zhao, only half of whose body remained.

He wept blood, his face filled with anguish, pointing at everything with trembling fingers, muttering incomprehensible words.

Then came a cry—this time from a monk, who wept while clasping his palms and chanting "Amitabha Buddha" to comfort the dead.

“Alas! What are you doing, Red Middle Brother! Speed is key! Stop worrying about them—let’s go find Elder Bei Feng quickly!”

Li Huowang looked at Red Middle, his eyes filled with an unfamiliar chill. Then he turned to Peng Longteng, headless and standing like a statue, facing the distant city wall where soldiers stood.

Just as Li Huowang clenched his fists and gave himself two hard punches to calm his restless spirit, three figures charged toward him.

Two women and one man—evidently from different social standings by their attire.

Behind them, six or seven pursuers followed. Upon seeing Li Huowang, their eyes lit up. “Red Middle Brother! You’re here! Quickly, flee—we’ll hold them off!”

They stopped abruptly, resolute, stepping between Li Huowang and the pursuing Astronomical Bureau agents.

(End of Chapter)