174: Chapter 0174 Welcome Reception

Seeing this, the military officers and soldiers present, amidst their astonishment, no longer had the leisure to despise this Lord Jiang.

After all, faced with the charge of such a division of tigers and wolves, many people would be scared to the point of wetting themselves!

"Run!"

Only this single thought remained in the minds of all the defenders!

But before they could turn around and run down the wall, a figure had already fought his way up from the bottom of the gate tower!

Lin Xiao, alone with his blade, left blood shadows and Sky-Burning Blade Fire in his wake, frantically harvesting the defeated defenders.

The stairs were only so wide; the defenders who wanted to go down had nowhere to hide.

Some who were scared out of their wits jumped directly from the gate tower. Even if they didn't break their legs, they would encounter the Zhenbei Army entering the city.

For a moment, many defenders didn't even have the courage to run. They surrendered their weapons directly, raising their hands and trembling.

After entering the city, the Zhenbei Army split into three torrents, forcefully suppressing the defenders on both sides of the gate tower and within the city.

Lin Xiao led a group of soldiers toward the very center of the gate tower.

The defending soldiers felt as if an invisible giant hand was about to crush them!

He was clearly just one person, yet he was more terrifying than a thousand troops and ten thousand horses!

They didn't know that this was the oppressive aura brought by a Great Grandmaster who had entered the Dao through martial arts, with his presence fully unleashed!

They just silently lowered their heads, not daring to meet Lin Xiao's sharp gaze; even a single glance required immense courage!

At this moment, no one dared to doubt it anymore—this was the God of War of the Northern Border!

"General Lin! Don't kill us! We surrender!!"

"We were all forced by Jiang Shengyuan! Please show mercy!"

The Registrar, the adjutants, and a group of officers could no longer hold out. They threw themselves before Lin Xiao, kowtowing and begging for mercy.

Jiang Shengyuan, on the other hand, had calmed down, grinning and chuckling.

"What a great General Lin, indeed exceptionally brave!"

Lin Xiao confirmed it; this was indeed the inspector general, Jiang Shengyuan.

This guy had clearly wet himself from fear, yet now he was putting on an act? Could he have some trump card left?

"inspector general Jiang, this General is in charge of the Northern Border's troops by imperial decree. You have disobeyed the decree, which is rebellion. Do you have anything else to say?"

"The winner takes all; I have nothing to say."

Jiang Shengyuan shook his head but then changed the subject:

"However... Princess Ningxiang, whom the Emperor bestowed upon you in marriage, as well as the Marquis of Linyuan, are still under my 'protection'..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of blade light flickered. Jiang Shengyuan's mouth was still open as his head was separated from his body!

Until the moment of his death, Jiang Shengyuan hadn't even reacted!

I haven't finished speaking! Why did you strike!?

[Kill +1, Cultivation +1, Prestige +150]

Lin Xiao was somewhat disdainful. An inspector general of a province only gave this much prestige?

Looking at his gains from this battle, his prestige had reached 1800, his cultivation points had risen to 4022, and the Black Blade had broken 3000 points.

Though it wasn't much, there was no helping it. A city wasn't like the open water; enemies would scatter in all directions.

"General, that man named Jiang seemed to say that the Marquis of Linyuan and the Princess were captured by him?"

General Wu Jinzhe, who was listening nearby, asked worriedly, "Should I go and take a look?"

He and Xie Yu had a good relationship, a case of meeting late in life, because they both enjoyed woodworking.

Lin Xiao waved his hand. "No need. With the Marquis's status, how could he be controlled by a mere inspector general?"

"He was just trying to disturb the army's morale and intentionally delay for time."

"Take your men to clear the battlefield as quickly as possible, gather craftsmen, and repair the city gates."

"All prisoners will be dealt with according to our Zhenbei Army's rules after their identities are verified."

General Wu Jinzhe naturally didn't doubt him. To this group of generals, Lin Xiao was now their god!

"I obey your command!"

Lin Xiao watched his army quickly take over Yangquan and breathed a long sigh of relief.

To be honest, he had great confidence in himself; after all, his Great Grandmaster strength was right there.

But a single tree does not make a forest. After taking the territory, there still needed to be people to take over and people to guard the city.

Fortunately, after several months of special training, the soldiers of the Zhenbei Army had not let down his expectations.

Through the freezing cold and days of forced marches, they had all pulled through!

As their commander, Lin Xiao felt proud of these soldiers.

They didn't have a system. Being able to fight all the way into Yangquan truly relied on their iron will!

"Xie Shang... Xie Juner?"

Lin Xiao curled his lip. He didn't have much affection for this cheap father-in-law and cheap fiancée.

Especially Xie Juner, who clearly looked down on him. She had acted clever, repeatedly coming to Baishui City in secret to test him.

She wanted to rely on the Northern Trade Alliance to make money, yet she still wanted to put on the airs of a Princess. Ridiculous!

Since everyone was only forcibly tied together by a marriage contract, Lin Xiao wouldn't take this Princess too seriously.

For Xie Yu's sake, he would look after them as much as he could.

But to expect him to negotiate with Jiang Shengyuan for the sake of the Linyuan Marquis Mansion? Wishful thinking!!

Thus, as soon as Lin Xiao heard that inkling, he executed him directly without mercy!

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all five thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers had entered the city, and Yangquan had been completely taken.

General Wu Jinzhe stepped forward and said, "Reporting to the General! All city gates are under our army's control!"

"Our army has over a hundred wounded and thirteen dead!"

"There are 1,772 captured defenders, all in the Northwest military camp, undergoing disarming and investigation!"

"Over a hundred officials, including the Yangquan Chief Secretary and Registrar, are already at the Inspectors Office, awaiting the General to take over Yangquan!"

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. He thought at least two thousand would survive, but only over 1,700 lived?

It seemed his pack of wolf cubs had been pent up for too long; they had killed quite ruthlessly.

However, Lin Xiao could understand. Had the situation been reversed, the other side wouldn't have left a single soul alive!

"The fallen brothers must be buried with honors, their families compensated, and their names recorded on the Hero Memorial Monument."

"Invite all the best doctors in the city to treat the wounded!"

"In addition, send the news of the victory back to Qin Water. Tell the Madam to proceed according to plan!"

Lin Xiao had already discussed with Xiao Qingxuan how to take the entire Cang Province after capturing Yangquan.

Therefore, the woman knew what to do next; he didn't need to worry about it.

The urgent task was to first stabilize all of Yangquan. This was, after all, the provincial capital, far more complex than other prefectures.

And because it was far from Baishui Prefecture, the common people were skeptical about the deeds of the Zhenbei Army.

Even though the storefronts of Northern Cottage and Northern Coal had made a name for themselves, high-quality goods and an army were two different things after all.

On the way to the Inspectors Office, they passed a high-walled grand courtyard. At the entrance were four large characters: 'Linyuan Marquis Mansion'!

Not only that, the main gates were wide open, and red lanterns had been hung up.

A kind and pleasant-looking Old Butler was leading a group of guards and servants, waiting respectfully at the entrance.

As soon as he saw Lin Xiao, he immediately ran down to greet him.

"This humble one is the Marquis Mansion's Butler Huang Xu. By the Marquis's order, I am here to welcome the great General Lin!"

Butler Huang Xu said with a smile, "The Marquis was greatly delighted to learn that the General has taken over Yangquan. He specifically invites you inside for a cup of welcome wine!"