Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots

With a clatter, Ye Quan was the first to throw his weapon to the ground.

With someone leading the way, a series of "clangs" followed as everyone gave up their resistance.

"Tie them all up. I'm going to invite the Princess."

At this moment, in the main hall of the Pacification Commissioners Office, Zhao Xiyao and Mu Sheng sat together, with Mu Qing standing behind Mu Sheng. The three of them remained silent.

Seeing Gao Yuan walk in casually, the bodies of the three couldn't help but tense up.

Who could have imagined that this seemingly frail and delicate pretty boy could be so ruthless, raiding a home and exterminating a clan over a single disagreement?

Ignoring the fear in the eyes of the Mu father and daughter, Gao Yuan bowed to Zhao Xiyao.

"Reporting to Your Highness: Ye Quan, Lin Yang, Ye Fan, Lin Feng, and all of Ye Quan's family members have been captured. I await Your Highness's command."

"This..."

Zhao Xiyao had no idea how to handle this at the moment; she knew that a single word from her could result in hundreds of lives being lost.

After hesitating for a moment, she looked toward Mu Sheng.

"Uncle Mu, what do you think?"

Mu Sheng had also just snapped out of his daze and quickly replied.

"Your Highness, I suggest we only punish the primary culprits. The women and young children should be granted some leniency."

"Uncle's words make sense. County Duke Gao, what is your view?"

Gao Yuan suddenly thought of a historical allusion and flashed a harmless smile.

"Then how about this: any male taller than a carriage wheel shall be killed. Women under thirty will be given to the meritorious soldiers, and those over thirty will be sold as slaves."

Zhao Xiyao exchanged glances with Mu Sheng and Mu Qing before finally nodding.

"Very well, let it be done that way."

"I shall take my leave."

Not long after Gao Yuan went down, a chorus of wails and curses echoed from the courtyard.

The sound made the two girls' hearts leap with fear, making them feel as if they were sitting on pins and needles.

After a while, the screams had not yet ended, and the scent of blood had already filled the entire courtyard. Zhao Xiyao could finally sit still no longer.

When she arrived at the garden, she saw nothing but corpses littering the ground, including even children, which horrified her.

Unable to find Gao Yuan, she called out to Xia Luqi.

"General Xia, didn't Gao Yuan say that males shorter than a carriage wheel could be spared?"

"Your Highness, the Lord did say that, however..."

Xia Luqi pointed toward a carriage wheel that had been laid flat on the ground.

Seeing this, how could Mu Sheng not understand? This fellow had laid the wheel flat to measure heights—wasn't that the same as killing everyone?

Faced with this situation, Zhao Xiyao's small face was completely drained of color, and she couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea.

"Where is Gao Yuan?"

"The Lord said he was fatigued and has gone back to rest."

Zhao Xiyao's expression turned cold as she gave her orders icily.

"I am also fatigued. Let us return. Qingqing, would you accompany me tonight?"

Knowing her friend was in a bad mood, Mu Qing glanced at her father for permission and then followed Zhao Xiyao away.

Watching the Princess's carriage depart, Mu Sheng also felt a wave of unease in his heart.

"I truly don't know if I've invited a wolf into the house... Sigh..."

His greatest worry now was whether he had driven away jackals only to bring in a fierce tiger.

In a side courtyard of the Princesss Residence, Gao Yuan was currently clutching a wooden basin, vomiting until his heart and lungs felt like they were breaking.

Zheng Wan and Song Yao stayed by his side, handing him water and patting his back, their eyes full of heartache.

Regarding tonight's events, Gao Yuan's mood was also poor, but there was no other way.

He knew all too well the lethality of a Child of Fortune. If he showed even a shred of mercy and gave them a chance to survive, he would surely be the one to die in the future.

Once he had nothing left to vomit, Gao Yuan finally sat on the ground, his spirit somewhat dazed.

After the two women finished cleaning up, they sat carefully beside Gao Yuan and asked softly.

"Xiao Yuan, what exactly happened? Weren't you going to suppress a rebellion?"

Gao Yuan didn't turn his head; he just stared at the thin crescent moon in the sky and recounted his choices from today.

"Sister Wan, do you think those who achieve great things must be ruthless?"

Zheng Wan and Song Yao were also shocked; they hadn't expected Gao Yuan to be so cruel.

However, regardless of what happened, they still preferred to stand by Gao Yuan's side.

Song Yao organized her thoughts for a moment and spoke to console him.

"Xiao Yuan, your choice wasn't wrong. Our current situation is fraught with danger."

"If you had been soft-hearted and let the Lin and Ye families go, there would surely have been endless trouble in the future."

"Yes, Xiao Yuan. Given the circumstances of those two families, if they weren't eliminated today, they would definitely become a hidden threat later."

Hearing the reasons the two women helped him rationalize, Gao Yuan finally felt a bit better and began to reassure himself in his heart.

"That's right. If I truly want to start building a nation from here, a stable rear base is essential."

After chatting with the two beautiful young women until late at night, Gao Yuan finally took a bath with the help of the maids and fell into a deep sleep shortly after lying on his bed.

He didn't even have the heart to check the system notifications.

Early the next morning, after Gao Yuan finished washing up, he noticed two system notifications had been flashing.

With a thought, he clicked open the system notifications:

Congratulations to the Host for killing a Child of Fortune for the first time. Achievement Reward: Blood Essence Strengthening Card.

Congratulations to the Host for exterminating a Child of Fortune's family for the first time. Achievement Reward: One-time Random Soldier Martial Soul Card x1000.

There was actually an unexpected surprise. Yesterday, Gao Yuan was still feeling frustrated that he had done something major but no event had been triggered.

He didn't expect his luck to turn today, giving him a direct surprise.

Blood Essence Strengthening Card: Can rapidly strengthen the Host's constitution, including but not limited to attributes like Strength and Agility. (Has certain side effects.)

This was absolutely the thing he lacked most.

Although he had begun to practice diligently, his foundation was simply too poor.

With this card, he could at least return to the level of a normal person.

"Not bad, not bad. It was worth it!"

As for the second card, Gao Yuan had just used one, so he was naturally very familiar with it.

Mu Sheng's soldiers hadn't been reorganized yet; this card was truly a godsend.

With an excited heart, Gao Yuan first completed his daily hour of morning exercise.

Then, after having the maids prepare hot water, he opened the system and muttered in his mind.

"System, use the Blood Essence Strengthening Card."

"Host is using the Blood Essence Strengthening Card. Strengthening the body requires a massive amount of energy. Please prepare a large amount of food and water. Countdown: fifteen minutes."

"What the... Why isn't it the kind where I feel pain and ooze black sludge?"

Before he could complain further, Gao Yuan immediately threw open his door and shouted his orders.

"Quickly, go to the kitchen! Have them prepare a large amount of food and water!"

The several maids looked at each other in confusion, but they didn't dare to disobey and could only bow their heads and hurry toward the kitchen.

In the morning, Zhao Xiyao, who was holding back a stomach full of words to demand an explanation, saw a bizarre scene.

At the entrance of Gao Yuan's side courtyard, several maids were carrying portions of rice and chicken soup meant for several people into the courtyard.

After a short while, they came out carrying the leftovers.

Zhao Xiyao made a gesture, and Mu Qing stopped the maids.

Seeing it was Zhao Xiyao, the maids quickly bowed.

"Greetings, Princess Highness."

"Who is in the Consort's courtyard?"

"Replying to Your Highness, only the Consort is there."

"One person?"

Mu Qing cried out in surprise, pointing at several large empty bowls.

"He ate all of this by himself?"

the palace maids looked at each other until finally, one of the bolder ones spoke up.

"After the Consort woke up today, he practiced martial arts as usual, then suddenly said he wanted food... Count... Counting what we just brought in, the Consort has already eaten five chickens, a catty of wild vegetables, and four catties of rice..."

"That much?"

The two girls cried out in alarm, but they quickly regained their composure and waved for the maids to leave.

Once everyone was gone, Mu Qing leaned in close to Zhao Xiyao and whispered.

"Zhao Xiyaos informal address, don't you feel that this Consort of yours has changed a lot recently?"

Zhao Xiyao nodded and said with a hint of loss.

"I find myself understanding him less and less now."