<h4>Chapter 522: Rivers of Blood</h4>
The Great Ying Dynasty''s campaign shocked the entire world.
In just three years, they reimed the chaotds from an external base without any support—an absolute show of strength.
Countless people spected whether the Great Ying Dynasty had already ascended to imperial status. After all, thebined fate of the eight major dynasties and nearly a hundred kingdoms should be enough to elevate them.
Indeed, above Xuankin on Tiang Ind, the umted fate had reached a staggering level. Layers uponyers of golden light bathed the city, making it shine brilliantly every day.
Under normal circumstances, they would only need to find a celestial imperial seal to merge with the royal seal, perform some specific rituals, and then they could consolidate the fate into a golden dragon, elevating the dynasty to an empire.
But Zhong Shan had no need for that. With the most advanced cultivation method for dynasties, "Forging the Heavenly Court," he didn''t need a celestial imperial seal. Now, all he needed was to gather more fate and follow the method in "Forging the Heavenly Court" to nurture a golden dragon of fate amidst the heavenly fortune.
Clearly, nurturing a golden dragon of fate was much more difficult than having one automatically born from a celestial imperial seal. However, once the empire was established, Zhong Shan''s empire would be far more powerful than most, potentially even rivaling the heavenly court.
After reiming the chaotds, numerous decrees were issued. The ministers began organizing the region. Thanks to the frequent imperial examinations held by the Great Ying Dynasty, they had umted a vast amount of talent, enabling them to swiftly consolidate their control over the chaotds.
With everything stabilized, the next challenge was facing the Daguan Dynasty.
This war attracted immense attention.
Both sides were dynasties, but exceptionally powerful ones. The strength of the Great Ying Dynasty was undisputed, and the Daguan Dynasty was once an empire.
The Ice Army had been destroyed, but did Han Jiguang only have this one elite force? If that were the case, he wouldn''t have achieved his former dominance.
In Guangling City, Zhong Shan addressed his troops. The five major generals stood respectfully.
"The Daguan Dynasty, twenty-five cities—massacre them!" Zhong Shan''s words were brief.
"Massacre～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
The troops roared in unison.
Zhong Shan''s war promation had already spread across thend. Anyone still wishing to align with Han Jiguang would face death. If themon people chose not to leave the cities, Zhong Shan could not be med.
The promation, filled with nine consecutive "kill" orders, made everything clear. Those who stayed were choosing to die with Han Jiguang.
The Great Ying Dynasty mobilized.
Starting from Guangling City, they deployed ten million soldiers to capture twenty-five celestial cities of the Daguan Dynasty. Small mortal towns were not included.
Various forces and spies eagerly followed the battle, tracking every move.
This war drew unprecedented attention, as both dynasties were immensely powerful, and their leaders were prominent figures in Shenzhou. Naturally, it captivated many.
A feud of life and death, coupled with mysterious legions.
The vast army split into six divisions, advancing north from the chaotds to besiege cities.
Zhong Shan''s central army was supported by the other divisions on both sides, always ready to respond.
Zhong Shan''s promation was clear:plete annihtion, leaving no survivors. Rivers of blood!
Mr. Corpse''s zombie legion was unmatched. Despite their low individual strength, their sheer numbers were overwhelming.
After capturing a few small towns, the army finally faced a celestial city.
On the city wall, themanders looked at the overwhelming zombie horde approaching, their faces showing fear. The zombies had arrived.
The zombies did not attack the city immediately. Instead, they surrounded itpletely, leaving no escape route. In each direction, powerful zombies stood guard, ensuring that even the strongest warriors could not flee.
After surrounding the city, a few zombies flew into the city. Despite the countless arrows raining down from the city walls, as long as their heads were intact, even if their limbs were severed, they showed no sign of pain.
Although most zombies were blocked, as long as a few entered the city, all hope was lost.
The zombies bit anyone they encountered, turning them into zombies as well. In just two days, over half the city''s poption had be zombies.
Countless people tried to escape, only to find more zombies outside.
"We surrender! We surrender!"
"Don''t kill me, I surrender!"
Countless soldiers knelt in terror, begging for mercy.
Mr. Corpse watched coldly, with no intention of stopping the zombies. Kill, kill, kill!
Mr. Corpse knew very well the depth of Zhong Shan''s murderous intent. Who would dare to defy the emperor now? Even if Zhong Shan wasn''t angry, Mr. Corpse had no mercy to spare.
Lin Xiao was the same. With a powerful assault and hidden forces within the city, he captured arge celestial city. Most of the soldiers were killed or wounded. A small number knelt, begging for mercy.
Seeing the ten thousand soldiers begging for their lives, Lin Xiao felt no pity. Zhong Shan cherished Yinn, and so did Lin Xiao. Yinn had grown up under his watch. These people chose to stand with Han Jiguang, so why should he show them mercy? Who would show mercy to Yinn?
"Kill!" Lin Xiaomanded, his eyes wide with anger.
"Wait!" Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted.
A bald monk flew over.
"Who are you?" Lin Xiao red at the monk.
"I am Cheng Guang, the abbot of the Guanglu Temple in this city. Heaven cherishes all life. General, these people are no longer resisting. Why create more bloodshed?" the monk pleaded.
"Bloodshed? Cherishing life? Hmph, monk, you think you can earn merit from me? You''re too naive!" Lin Xiao sneered.
Ignoring the monk, Lin Xiao waved his hand, and ten thousand heads rolled to the ground.
"You!" The monk''s eyes shed with anger.
"You''re the abbot of this city? Hmph, the Great Ying Emperor made it clear in the war promation: anyone who stands with Han Jiguang will be killed!" Lin Xiao''s eyes burned with fury.
"Kill!" Lin Xiao ordered.
A hundred piercing arrows shot through the monk. Even in death, the monk couldn''t understand why this general was so ruthless. Even the demons of the Asura Realm were not as cruel. Was he really going to massacre the entire city, turning it into a river of blood?
"Massacre the entire city, leave no one alive!" Lin Xiaomanded.
"Yes!" the soldiers responded immediately.
Then, the city was filled with the sound of wailing and crying.
War was inherently cruel, but a war filled with hatred was even more so. Kill, kill, kill!
The Great Ying Dynasty''s army was extremely ruthless. Wherever they went, rivers of blood flowed.
Spies from various forces were stunned, witnessing the brutality of the army. They left no survivors. Any of Han Jiguang''s soldiers were killed. The civilians who didn''t flee beforehand also faced death.
The Great Ying Dynasty showed no mercy, ensuring that anyone aligned with Han Jiguang paid the ultimate price.
Zhong Shan intended to drench the entire Daguan Dynasty in blood.
The five main legions, each responsible for one route, advanced like a flood, leaving rivers of blood in their wake. Resistance was futile. Death was the only oue.
Zhong Shan''s army descended like a gue of death, sparing no one.
Of course, wares with casualties. Apart from Mr. Corpse''s zombie legion, the other four legions suffered losses.
As for Zhong Shan''s central legion, their conquest of a city was swift. In fact, it wasn''t even a conquest—the city gates opened as they approached.
The Shadow Guards and Jinyiwei! These two immensely powerful departments of the Great Ying Dynasty''s imperial guard had already taken action.
The Shadow Guards dealt with the powerful figures early on, while the Jinyiwei were ruthless, leaving no survivors in their wake.
The army paused instead of continuing their assault.
The five legions all converged at Zhong Shan''s location.
"Reporting to Your Majesty! No survivors along my route!" Lin Xiao reported.
"Reporting to Your Majesty! No survivors along my route!" Shui Wuhen reported.
Each of the five legions reported the same.
"Rest for ten days, then continue north!" Zhong Shan ordered.
"Yes!" the soldiers responded immediately.
The legionmanders then dispersed.
"Sir, why leave no one alive? Why create such a great sin?" Tiexue asked Yi Yan.
Tiexue had fought in countless battles, but never so bloodily, so brutally. The principle of not harming civilians was ingrained in his mind. This sudden mass ughter was difficult for him to ept.
"Sin? This is His Majesty''s brilliance!" Yi Yan replied.
"Huh?" Tiexue stared in confusion.
"This massacre has multiple benefits. First, intimidation. After this battle, do you think the people in the next cities will dare to stay?" Yi Yan asked.
"Not all, but most will flee!" Tiexue admitted.
"Correct. Most will flee. Daguan can''t stop them from fleeing, or it will cause unrest. Letting them flee spreads fear. One person flees, then a group, then more. When most of the civilians are gone, how much fighting spirit will the soldiers have? Their morale will crumble, intimidating Daguan!" Yi Yan exined.
"The soldiers might also flee?" Tiexue pondered.
"Yes, the soldiers might flee too. It also deters those thinking of aiding Daguan. If we ughter civilians, what mercy will we show to them? This intimidates surrounding forces." Yi Yan continued.
"Indeed," Tiexue nodded.
"Second is revenge. This method not only weakens Han Jiguang militarily but also strikes at his heart. Even if he has elite forces, they won''t perform at their best in subsequent battles. Victory is assured!" Yi Yan stated.
Tiexue looked at Yi Yan in surprise. There were so many advantages to this massacre?
"Third is istion. By encircling Han Jiguang and preventing his escape, we force him to face his downfall day by day. Defeated by the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, he could strategize an escape. But ughtered so ruthlessly by the Great Ying Dynasty, he can''t flee. If he runs, he can never establish a new dynasty. The world won''t ept him. He won''t ept himself. With an emperor''s heart, would he run? He can''t escape!" Yi Yan concluded confidently.