122: Gathering personnel

"As expected, everything is just beginning."

Situ Jun's thoughts raced.

The envisioned framework for building his power lay before him, but currently, it was almost entirely an empty shell.

The immediate priority was to quickly gather a group of controllable Golden Core or Foundation Establishment Cultivators and firmly grasp the military and political power of Northern Border City in the hands of his own people!

The commercial map also needed to be expanded; this concerned the outposts he would extend outward!

"City Lord!"

The voice of the Guard Commander sounded outside the door, filled with awe:

"A total of twenty-seven people, including all generals above the rank of commander and the heads of the manor's affairs, have assembled in the main hall, awaiting your instructions!"

Situ Jun opened his eyes, and all the fatigue and deliberation in his gaze vanished, leaving only the majesty of a superior and the sharp edge of one who controls everything.

He straightened his slightly dusty black robes and pushed the door open.

"Let's go."

Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Twenty-seven key military and political figures of Northern Border City stood in two rows, silent.

The air was filled with unease, doubt, and a hint of indescribable fear.

The terrifying spiritual energy fluctuations and loud noises coming from the direction of the City Lord's Manor's study last night had already spread throughout the city. This morning, they had even received orders for an emergency lockdown and a summons.

Everyone was speculating—what was the background of this acting City Lord? And where was City Lord Bei Batian...?

When Situ Jun's figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall, everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.

His steps were steady, his black robes fluttered without wind, and the aura of a Half-step Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator was released without reservation!

Like an invisible tsunami, it instantly swept through the entire hall!

"Thud!"

"Thud!"

Under the crushing weight of this pure Realm, several civil officials with weaker cultivation and a few Early Stage Foundation Establishment generals felt their legs go weak and uncontrollably knelt on the ground!

The others, including several Late Foundation Establishment Stage generals, turned pale, their foreheads beaded with sweat, and their bodies stiffened as if pressed down by an invisible mountain, making even breathing exceptionally difficult!

The power of a Half-step Nascent Soul was truly terrifying!

Situ Jun did not speak immediately; his gaze beneath the mask was like cold lightning, slowly scanning every face in the hall. That gaze seemed capable of piercing through their skin to look directly at the loyalty and betrayal hidden deep within their Souls.

Everyone his gaze swept over felt a bone-chilling cold and subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Dead silence! Absolute silence!

Only the sound of heavy breathing and racing hearts could be clearly heard.

Situ Jun walked to the main seat but did not sit down immediately.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze finally landing on a burly general standing at the front of the military officers, whose aura was at the Half-step Golden Core Stage and who had a hideous scar on his face.

This person's name was Lei Bao, a trusted general of Bei Batian who controlled Northern Border City's most elite "Black Armor Guard" and held very high prestige among Bei Batian's old subordinates.

"Lei Bao."

Situ Jun's voice broke the dead silence, flat and emotionless.

Lei Bao's body trembled violently. He forced himself to look up against the immense pressure, cupping his fists with difficulty:

"Thi... This general is here!"

"The City Lord's Manor was attacked last night. As the Vice Commander of City Defense and the lead general of the Black Armor Guard, where were you?" Situ Jun's voice remained flat, yet it carried an invisible sense of judgment.

Lei Bao's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly drenched his undergarments.

He indeed hadn't been in the manor last night, but had gone to his mistress's residence in town... He said urgently:

"Reporting to my Lord! Last night, I was ordered to inspect the outer city's defenses. Upon receiving the alarm from the manor, I immediately led my troops back to help! It's just... just that the intruders' cultivation was too high, and by the time I arrived..."

"Oh? Inspecting the outer city?"

A cold arc curled at the corner of Situ Jun's mouth:

"Then I ask you, at the hour of the Rat last night, which defense section of the outer city were you at? Which squad of soldiers were you with?"

"This..."

Lei Bao was suddenly at a loss for words, his face turning from white to green.

He hadn't been with anyone; his lie was being exposed to his face!

"Dereliction of duty, desertion in the face of the enemy, and filing a false military report!"

Situ Jun's voice suddenly turned sharp, like a cold wind from the underworld:

"According to the Northern Border military law, what is the punishment?!"

Boom!

An even more terrifying pressure, like a physical sledgehammer, slammed hard into Lei Bao!

"Pfft!"

Lei Bao felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow and spat out a mouthful of blood. His knees buckled, and he knelt directly on the ground! He felt his Golden Core vibrating violently under that pressure, as if it could shatter at any moment!

"City Lord, have mercy! I know my mistake! I..."

Lei Bao was terrified and pleaded for his life in a hoarse voice.

"Military law is as unyielding as a mountain!"

Situ Jun's eyes were icy, without a hint of pity.

He needed to establish his authority! He needed to use the most iron-blooded methods to deter all those with ulterior motives! Lei Bao, this die-hard confidant of Bei Batian, was the best candidate for the sacrificial flag!

He didn't act personally, just shifted his intent slightly.

"Clang!"

Standing not far behind Lei Bao, a general with a Late Foundation Establishment Stage aura—this person was a slave general Situ Jun had taken under his command—suddenly unsheathed his blade! The blade's light was like snow, carrying a resolute killing intent. Under everyone's horrified gaze, he unhesitatingly slashed at Lei Bao's neck!

"No—!"

Suppressed by Situ Jun's spiritual power, Lei Bao let out a desperate roar.

Splurt!

Blood soared into the air!

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence! One could hear a pin drop!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden and extremely cold, iron-blooded method!

A fierce general at the Half-step Golden Core Stage, a confidant of Bei Batian, was publicly beheaded just for dereliction of duty and lying!

This acting City Lord's thunderous methods and cold Heart-Nature were instantly etched into the depths of everyone's Soul!

Fear, like a cold tide, submerged everyone.

Situ Jun didn't even look at the corpse and blood on the floor. His gaze slowly swept over the trembling crowd, his voice returning to a flat tone but carrying even more weight than before:

"Bei Batian is seriously injured. From this day forward, Northern Border City will be under my management!"

"Iron Tiger Wang!"

"This general is here!"

Iron Tiger Wang sheathed his blade and knelt on one knee, his voice loud and filled with uncontrollable excitement.

"I promote you to the Grand Commander of the Northern Border City Guard, in charge of all city defenses and the Black Armor Guard!"

"This general obeys! I swear my life's loyalty to my Lord!"

"Zhang Fu!" Situ Jun called another name. It was an official who was quite talented in administrative affairs and relatively upright.

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhang Cheng quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"I promote you to the Chief of Civil Affairs of the City Lord's Manor, to assist me in handling all civil administrative matters!"

"Your subordinate obeys! Thank you for your trust, my Lord!"

A series of personnel appointments were clearly spoken from Situ Jun's mouth.

Those promoted were people he had already secretly checked with the 'Eye of Detection'. And those whose names were called were all extremely excited and bowed to accept their orders.

Those whose names were not called, especially the generals and officials with ill intentions or impure thoughts, all turned ashen-faced, their hearts filled with anxiety, not knowing what kind of fate awaited them.

"As for you all..."

Situ Jun's gaze finally landed on this group of people, his voice carrying a hint of scrutinizing coldness:

"Whether you stay or leave, whether you are promoted or demoted, I will give you three days. Within three days, write down everything you have handled in the past, no matter how big or small, and regardless of whether it was 'compliant' or not, in a written report and submit it to Iron Tiger Wang and Zhang Fu for verification. If there is any concealment or forgery... Lei Bao will be your example!"

"Yes! Your subordinates obey!"

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty, yet they were also terrified, quickly bowing and responding.

This was undoubtedly an opportunity for them to make amends and realign themselves, but the prerequisite was that they must be completely honest and hand over their pledge of loyalty!

"Dismissed."

Situ Jun waved his hand, and the terrifying pressure enveloping the hall dissipated.

Everyone felt a weight lift off them, their backs already soaked in cold sweat.

They didn't dare to stay for a moment longer, retreating from the main hall as quickly and quietly as a receding tide, each with weak steps and lingering fear.

Inside the main hall, only Situ Jun, Iron Tiger Wang, and Zhang Fu remained, as well as the... "Iron Tiger Wang, send someone to clean this place up."

Situ Jun ordered, "Immediately take over the city defenses and the Black Armor Guard, and closely monitor the movements around Northern Border, especially for external Cultivators!"

"Yes! Rest assured, my Lord! I will certainly forge the Northern Border Army into a solid block of iron!" Iron Tiger Wang cupped his fists, his gaze sharp.

"Zhang Fu."

Situ Jun looked at the Chief of Civil Affairs.

"The primary task is to reassure the people, stabilize prices, and restore order in the city. At the same time, secretly inspect the treasury and account books, especially the records of Bei Batian's dealings with various forces, particularly the Xuan Yin Sect! I want to know all the details of their contact!"

"Your subordinate understands! I will not fail my Lord's trust!" Zhang Fu accepted the order solemnly.

"Go."

In the vast main hall, he was finally left alone. He walked to the main seat and sat down, looking at the bloodstains on the floor that were being quickly cleaned by the personal guards, his gaze deep.

Establishing authority through iron and blood was only the beginning. Next, integrating resources, clearing internal troubles, responding to external threats, and developing his power... the myriad threads were just beginning to unfold.