A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 93 - 92: The Capital Crime of Rebellion—Ending Your Line Forever

In these times, privately hoarding armor is a grave crime of rebellion; once discovered, the entire family will be exterminated.

If caught engaging in weapon forging or alchemy, it would be the legitimate purge of entire clans.

All family and relatives, parents, wives, and children, would face complete annihilation.

Furthermore, the Daoist Official would seize the living souls, cruelly punishing them, as a warning to others.

"Rebellion is too harsh a word; no one can rebel against the Dragon Court. With the world's spiritual power claimed for oneself, and Immortal Master Daoist Officials gathering like clouds, not to mention the six Profound Mysterious Divine Soldiers suppressing the national fortune overhead."

Zhang the Fifth's insights were superior, far exceeding the caliber of the Water Thieves' chieftain:

"We're merely splashing waves in a small pond; Black River County isn't large, nor truly small, yet it doesn't even have a Government Office.

This shows that, except for the fourteen large provinces with 'Grotto Heavens' and 'Blessed Lands', the Dragon Court doesn't truly care about other places.

You and I rely on a Demon King that devours Thunder Fire, undergoing tribulations and shedding skins, to occupy five hundred li of mountain path; can those County City Daoist Officials really deal with Red Eyebrows?

Heh, they also fear the Turbid Tide; otherwise, why dare they only hide within the prefectures? Even for collecting taxes, it's done by the Pai Bang and minor officials?"

Yang Meng packed away the spirit tablet offered on the long table and slung it behind his back:

"Caring about nothing else, Daoist Officials, Immortal Masters, Dragon Court Emperor, is too far from Black River County, I can't see them even with my neck craned to breaking.

But today is Quan'Er's funeral; I want to see the He Family's blood flow like a river!"

Zhang the Fifth, leading a group of Water Thieves dressed in coarse hemp clothing, dipped two fingers in refined cinnabar, smeared it on their foreheads, and laughed eerily:

"Not just that! Seizing Black River County, the Demon King appears after tribulations, taking at least ten thousand to fill its appetite..."

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"The temple fair is bustling this year!"

He Tai, dressed in brocade, with a robe and arrow sleeves, tied with a jade-embellished forehead wipe, was spiritedly dressed, resembling a gentleman from the high gates of County City.

He should have gone earlier to the Dragon King Temple to join his father in the grand ceremony, but kept training, stuck at the pivotal breakthrough of achieving First Training Great Success.

Thus, he delayed.

"Several theater troupes have entered the city, and there are jugglers and performers... never so many in past years!"

The attendant bent with a smile, caught a glimpse of the mud on He Tai's boots, quickly crouched to wipe it off with his hand.

"Young Master wants to ride a horse? Shall I lead that Chasing Wind for you?"

He Tai waved his hand, stepping out towards the door:

"No need, I'll enjoy with the people! Haven't attended a temple fair in ages, previously always with father, toasting the Master of Chai Market and the local gentry elders as a junior, too dull!"

The Young Master of the Fishery just reached the main gate, only to see a funeral procession with clanging gongs and scattering paper money.

"What damn bad luck, who's so blind? Choosing a temple fair day to meet King Yama?"

The attendant looked closely, approached and said:

"Young Master, it's Yangquan. He's been dead for a while, always hasn't been put in the coffin…"

He Tai slightly furrowed his brows, seemingly not recalling Yangquan:

"Yang Meng's son! I even had father invite him! The name Yangquan feels too unfamiliar… Since they're passing by our residence, go greet them, then provide some condolence silver coins."

The Young Master of the Fishery wasn't impressed by Yangquan, only recognized the old man Yang Meng as once a right-hand ally of his father, thinking this old fellow would soon be consumed, feeling lamentable:

"Pity your son could do nothing, if like Bai Qilang, going downriver and catching Ghost Pattern Fish, then relying on Tongwen Hall as a backing, this funeral would be held by Liang Laoshu's family."

The attendant nodded, took the Young Master's purse from his own waist, and after inquiry, sadly retrieved two hefty bars of silver.

This kind that curves on both ends, resembling a small boat, is official silver.

Its dazzling brightness like snow light, also called "snowflake silver."

Only a Mercury and Lead Daoist mastering alchemy could forge it.

Snowflake silver is extremely precious, each bar is fifty taels, if exchanged for scattered silver coins, it could fetch a premium of two or three more.

He Tai, in a single gesture, gifted two bars of snowflake silver, far exceeding a hundred taels, thus his condolence was extraordinarily generous.

"The Young Master is truly kind-hearted, considerate of the elders of the Fishery, always remembering sentiments."

The attendant puffed his chest, stood in front of the funeral procession, spoke to the mourning-clad Yang Meng:

"Uncle Meng, please be comforted, this is the Young Master's gift, requesting you to take care of your health!"

His voice was loud, deliberately spoken to the surrounding onlookers:

"Take heart? Let the Master take heart."

Yang Meng slowly raised his head, forming three fingers into tiger claws, swiftly reaching out to snap the attendant's throat, then tossing him aside.

Killing a person like slaughtering a chick, twisting the neck decisively.

At this point, He Tai finally saw, Yang Meng's eyebrows were red as if stained with blood.

"Red Eyebrows… no good!"

His heart jumped, urgently summoning the family servants, and himself retreated into the front yard.

Strangling a person in full view, this scene stunned the surrounding villagers, after which incredulous cries echoed:

"Murder!"

"Rebellion! Rebellion!"

"Yang Meng he devour..."

Zhang the Fifth, disguised as Tea Master, smashed open the coffin, seized a steel saber, rushed up the steps in a few strides, and killed a guard wielding a staff with a backhand blow.

Those Red Eyebrow Bandits feigning the funeral procession also each gripping knives, like hungry wolves storming into the sheep pen, charging from outside to inside.

"Yang Meng… are you rebelling against the Master?"

In the front yard, feeling slightly secure surrounded by enforcers, He Tai fiercely shouted:

"The Fishery taught you skills, fed you meals, bestowed upon you wealth! Never thought you'd turn out to be an ungrateful wolf!"

Yang Meng's two red eyebrows trembled, as if hearing an immense joke:

"You He Family truly sees yourself as benevolent hosts like Kaisan Hall? During my tenure as Guard Commander, which shop didn't pay rent, which business didn't have He Wenbing meddle, else they'd face arson by mountain bandits, or be slain by water thieves!

Hehe, only your dead father didn't know, I worked for He Family, also for Heaven-defying Saber, now for Red Eyebrow Bandits!"

He Tai retorted, grim-faced and shouting:

"Stop spewing lies! The Fishery always does open commerce, never directing the Fishery Guard to kill and loot! Yang Meng, when my dad returns, he'll use family law to beat you to death, you old slave!"

Yang Meng's face like tree bark, grinned:

"Alright, I was just thinking of taking you to meet him."

Zhang the Fifth roared wildly, like a giant bell being struck, layers of sound waves exploded suddenly, almost rupturing eardrums.

"Younger Brother Yang, why waste so many words! Capture this little brat, then rob and set fire, cut He the Dog's heart out mercilessly!"

As soon as he made a move, he displayed the formidable strength of the Third Training Level, his feet stomped heavily, and his skin and flesh rippled violently like water waves.

The terrifying strength made the front yard shake, stirring up a sky full of dust, even the roof tiles fell and shattered.

Immediately after, the ten-refined steel saber swung swiftly, like a rolling silver light falling to the ground, flesh flying wherever it passed!

Yang Meng was not far behind, his body like a tiger, his movements like a crane, both hands striking simultaneously, piercing the chests of two strong Fishery guards, killing them instantly.

"Is this what father called the Tiger Crane Ten Extremes Hand? Terrible! The old servant's skills are not shallow!"

Seeing the household guards might not be able to stop Yang Meng and those ferocious bandits, He Tai turned and ran.

"Quickly report! Tell the Owner, have him call for Steward Lei!"

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...

"Owner! There are bandits!"

A blood-soaked servant fell on the stage below, shouting in panic:

"So many bandits! Yang Meng… the ones he brought… killing everywhere!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

He Wenbing frowned tightly, but as the owner of the Fishery, he was accustomed to handling crisis with composure.

He raised his hand with great dignity, slowly calming the noisy commotion:

"Everyone, don't panic. Even if the sky falls, I, Mr. He, will hold it up!

Ah Si, don't rush, explain clearly, what happened to Yang Meng?"

The young servant who escaped from the He household had been slashed twice, but the cuts were not deep. He gasped, telling the Owner the situation:

"Yang Meng led a group of bandits into the big house, setting fires and robbing things! Also, the Outer City, those exiled laborers somehow are flocking into Black River County… The Young Master asked you to quickly call Steward Lei to intervene!"

He Wenbing's eyelids twitched violently, cheeks tight, a fierce light burst like devouring eyes:

"Yang Meng? He beat us to the punch! Ah Da, quickly find Lei Xiong! Tell him, take Yang Meng's head, I'll give him an additional tribute of one thousand taels each month!"

Master Song Lin of Chai Market, sitting leisurely in a yellow rosewood armchair, approached at this moment:

"Brother Wenbing, need help? Brother Hu is listening to opera in the Scattered Garden, I'll send a message, have him lend a hand to clear the Fishery's gates?"

Suppressing his raging anger, He Wenbing squeezed words through gritted teeth:

"No need, Brother Song, my Fishery supports so many, not just to eat idle rice. Yang Meng can't stir up waves!"

The Fishery Owner flicked his hand, scholarly prayers and rites scattered like paper money blown far by the night wind, falling into Black Water River.

"Send the message!"

He Wenbing waved his hand.

Boom!

A flash of fire rushed into the night sky, exploding into fireworks like iron trees and silver flowers visible from miles away.

"Return to the city!"

...

...

"Uncle Meng… you've followed my father for many years, why reach this point!"

He Tai's face was white, cold sweat beads on his forehead, his right arm severed at the root, showing bare white bone.

"Calling me 'Uncle' now is a bit late, Young Master."

Yang Meng bent down, grasping He Tai's nape, dragging him like a dead dog, walked toward the He family's main gate.

His feet stepped on blood-stained ground, the corridor hung with maidservants whose clothes were torn, already lifeless maids, sliced into sections, attendants with rolling heads...

Among them, there might be familiar faces, now all cleansed by the burning and looting of Water Thieves.

"Not enough, these won't make the Owner's heart ache!"

Yang Meng expressionless, dragging the powerless He Tai, spoke to Zhang the Fifth, who was in high spirits from killing:

"Almost there, Dragon King Temple should see the commotion, Outer City is ablaze, Inner City is in chaos, He Wenbing, Song Lin will rush here.

Next, all hands should regroup, collectively defeat the experts of the three big families, take Black River County, if not, we'll retreat by water route."

Zhang the Fifth wiped a flushed face, hearty laughter:

"Good good good! I'm planning to recommend you to the Fourth Head! Younger Brother Yang, you've achieved great merit this time, once the Heads grant the Divine Pill, you'll break through to Third Training in one fell swoop!"

Yang Meng licked his lips, since boarding this burglar ship, there's nothing to worry about.

Whether demon or magic, as long as living and living better, is fine!

"Oh right, Younger Brother Yang, I owe you two life debts, don't I, Liang Laoshu and Bai Ah Qi, right? Later, I'll speak to the Fourth Head about finding them!"

Assembling the triumphant Water Thieves, Zhang the Fifth followed Yang Meng, straight towards Donglai Tower.

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...

About half a stick of incense later, on the wide long street, blood-scented Water Thieves faced off fiercely with the Fishery's adept fighters.

Cold wind howled, bringing smoke and lament, also stirring fierce anger and killing intent.

"Tai 'Er!"

Seeing the blood relative with an arm severed, He Wenbing roared like a tiger, mustache and hair bristling.

"Yang Meng, you deserve a cruel fate!"

Finally arriving at this moment after dragging He Tai through most of the Inner City, Yang Meng laughed heartily, with immense satisfaction:

"Owner, now you feel what I went through?

Claims have heads, debts have masters! Quan'Er died on Ghost Pattern Fish! I have no son to send off, your He family will end too! We're even!"

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ps: After midnight, it's my birthday, hehe, hope everyone joins me in celebrating~