Chapter 864: Chapter 457: Assault on the State Mansion
The mysterious masked man did not make a move; he simply confirmed his suspicions and then faded into the darkness.
Su Ping’s avatar also sensed something but similarly did not attempt to make contact with the other.
He guarded the Su Family and killed all the masters who dared to invade.
He then began to hunt down those masters who had entered the county.
Some of these masters intended to lay low and wait for the right moment, while others, having witnessed first-class masters being cut down like vegetables, hesitated and dared not continue with their mission.
However, unwilling to return empty-handed,
their hesitation led them to encounter Su Ping’s avatar, resulting in several more corpses adding to the Chaotic Burial Mound.
No matter how backward the communications in Daxia are,
even the common folk are accustomed to boasting and exaggerated tales.
They are no longer sensitive to talk of Blood-Handed Man Slaughter or Demon Lords of Mayhem.
The corpses at the Chaotic Burial Mound are not something that can be faked.
So many masters went in, only to return as corpses, which was truly shocking.
Even the big figures of the State Mansion gradually admitted that Su Juxia of Changle County might genuinely possess the strength to defeat a thousand men alone.
To deal with him with the power of just one State Mansion seemed futile and thankless.
Moreover, as even the Grandmaster from the State Mansion fell at his hands,
this matter could not possibly be suppressed.
The State Governor gathered his colleagues and jointly submitted a petition to the Capital City.
Relying on a Deputy General with the strength of a first-class master, they made endless horse changes day and night on their way to the Capital City.
In just one day and night, State Governor Sima’s petition was laid before Emperor Yuanwu.
Emperor Yuanwu, now over fifty years old, was once considered a heroic ruler in the first half of his life.
He devoted himself to governance, suppressed rebellions from all around, greatly reduced the power of powerful families internally, and reclaimed the rights to salt and iron mines for the Imperial Family, significantly consolidating royal authority.
However, the good times did not last; as Emperor Yuanwu’s energy waned, his confidants either died or retired.
He was stunned to find fewer and fewer trustworthy and capable people in his vast empire.
He tried to promote new talents, but they either bungled tasks due to incompetence or were too self-serving, leading to unwieldy outcomes even when successful.
With no other options, Emperor Yuanwu had to rely on himself and senior officials to barely maintain governance.
This resulted in increasing difficulties.
After turning fifty, Emperor Yuanwu executed more people, including royal clans and ministers.
Yet the dynasty was declining in many aspects.
Even the monopolies on salt and iron were in name only, awaiting the day for either him or the new emperor to grudgingly abolish them.
Emperor Yuanwu considered himself a heroic ruler and did not wish for this outcome but could not find a solution.
Realizing he could not resolve the issues, he began thoughtfully training the Crown Prince.
Learning from his experiences, he arranged numerous young talents around the Crown Prince, hoping the Crown Prince would have more useful people than he did when he ascended.
At least the key positions could be filled by trustworthy individuals.
The Prefectural Governor of Changle County.
Even Emperor Yuanwu remembered his name, considering him a candidate for a senior minister in the new dynasty.
Therefore, upon learning of his murder,
with such an absurd plot and reasoning,
Emperor Yuanwu’s first thought was to kill.
He wanted to slaughter all the powerful families in Changle County.
Even if this incited a rebellion supported by these families, jeopardizing his other plans, he felt a wave of anger impossible to contain.
Only, as more and more different channels relayed messages to him, he began to feel bewildered.
Did such an event, reminiscent of roaming heroes in stories, truly happen — the assassination of a Prefectural Governor?
A similar event occurred five years ago, right?
Back then, a rebellion erupted in a county strictly enforcing the salt and iron laws, with all officials supporting royal authority hung at the city gates.
Though armies were dispatched to kill the so-called culprits and suppress the rebellion,
the monopolies were effectively dead in practice since then.
Those people were unafraid of death because the subsequent benefits made their risks worthwhile.
But as for Changle County… What was Su Juxia after?
Solely for mental clarity and to vent frustration?
Emperor Yuanwu pondered for a day and a night, yet could not comprehend why Su Juxia would exhaust all avenues.
To leave no pathways for himself and his entire family!
Where could royal power find stability without eliminating such a great villain by executing all nine generations of the family?
Upon seeing State Governor Sima’s petition, two of the three Great Grandmaster tributes of the Daxia Imperial Family were mobilized.
Six out of twelve Grandmaster Guest Elders also gathered.
Additionally, more than a hundred masters from various Great Martial Arts Halls and sects were rallied following orders.
Thus, an elite Demon Slaying Force was formed.
Prepared to annihilate Su Juxia’s entire clan with thunderous might.
After reading State Governor Sima’s petition,
Emperor Yuanwu further cemented his resolve to act swiftly — to set an example for others.
A province with millions of citizens shaken because of one man, leading officials to fear for their lives.
Waiting any longer might result in unrest across the entire Daxia.
Emperor Yuanwu received secret reports from his spies.
Now, even commoners in the capital dare to speak of the empire having no fortune beyond three centuries.
“Deploy three battalions from the Dragon Guard Army and the Huben Army… No, five battalions.”
He stood up and paced a few laps.
Emperor Yuanwu suddenly issued commands once more.
Not long after, a response acknowledging his orders echoed from a dark corner.
Soon enough, all the officials in the capital were aware of Emperor Yuanwu’s decision to deploy forces to Changle County to deal with a single person.
This time, even the censors who typically opposed everything remained astonishingly quiet without frustrating the emperor.