Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 98 Blood Feast (Please read 4k words)

"Ha, what a fool! Even kneeling down and begging for mercy, they still try to run away. Utterly stupid!"

Zhang Xian sneered, flicked his halberd, and a string of blood splattered down.

Then he clenched his fist and pounded his own armor, shaking his body like a sieve, and countless blood ice particles fell from the armor.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding bandits all buried their heads in the snow, too afraid to look any longer.

What a ferocious person he was! He charged straight into the enemy ranks on horseback, and after his horse stopped, he dismounted and fought on foot, breaking through their encirclement.
The mangled limbs and pieces of flesh scattered on the ground all testify to the brutality of the person before them.

"Hansheng, keep an eye on the surroundings. If anyone tries to run, the first person to do so will be their example!"

"promise!"

Although he missed a hot meal, Huang Zhong, the giant in blood armor, was still filled with excitement when he saw him.

Military generals admire strength the most, and to be able to follow such a lord and realize one's ambitions is truly a great fortune in life!
"Now, everyone stand up!"

Zhang Xian spun around and thrust his halberd upside down, the base of which sank three inches into the frozen soil beneath the snow. The hard frozen soil made a sharp sound, as if metal were striking the halberd's tail.

None of the bandits dared to disobey, and they all stood up from their prostrate positions.

"I know you are no ordinary bandits. Now, we will march in two lines toward Luqi."

Zhang Xian raised his Overlord Halberd, his voice icy beneath his mask.

"Anyone who cannot reach the destination within fifteen li in three quarters of an hour shall be killed without exception!"

"Those who fall behind or become scattered will all be killed without exception!"

"Run now!"

He roared, startling the bandits so much that their hearts skipped a beat, as if someone had struck them directly in the chest with a sledgehammer.

Out of fear, all the bandits obeyed his orders and ran towards Luqi.

Zhang Xian gave a short whistle, and a black horse came galloping by. Both the man and the horse were now stained with blood.

He flipped over and struck the bandit leader in front of him. With a flick of his halberd, the corpse was severed from its head. He hung the severed head on the saddle before riding off to catch up.

The winter wonders of the outskirts of Lüsi.

A group of strong men, dressed in fur coats, ran wildly through the snow, not daring to stop even when their lungs were throbbing with pain.

The people before them had set an example for them. A dozen or so men stopped to catch their breath, but within three breaths, several arrows pierced their throats.

A dozen or so people tried to escape, but arrows rained down on them as they fled from different directions. Only five or six bowstrings were pulled back, but seventeen or eighteen or nineteen people fell.

I originally thought there was only one non-human being, but now I realize that the two riders who came were both non-humans.

Some of the bandits laughed in fear.

What merit or ability do we have to be targeted by both the Overlord and the Stone-Shooting Tiger General at the same time?

Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Their chests felt like they were about to explode, but they dared not stop or scatter.

Although there were many of them, in the eyes of the two riders in front and behind, they were nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.

If we run to Luqi, we might survive. But if we run away now or can't hold on, we'll only face death.

Never underestimate the human will to survive in dire circumstances.
Luqi County Town.

The banquet was held on the spot.

The powerful figures had lost their appetite for the banquet.

They were all restless, sometimes looking out of the banquet hall, sometimes turning their heads to face the people in the seats of honor.

It's been almost half an hour, and there hasn't been a single sound or whisper of news.

What exactly happened?
Did Zhang Xian escape, or did he lose? It couldn't be that he won.

The banquet was also stained with blood; the blood belonged to disobedient servants who tried to force their way in and were left behind.

One hundred and thirty swordsmen guarded the banquet hall thoroughly. Their lord had ordered that not a single powerful figure should be allowed to escape, and therefore, no one should be allowed to leave their protected area.

The other twenty soldiers guarded one of the city gates of Lüchi, the place where their lord had left the city and the retreat route when he returned.

For half an hour, the banquet hall was unusually quiet.

Many powerful family heads have already sensed something; today's scene will be crucial in determining their future power and influence.

Whoever wins takes the whole prize, and whoever loses... well, the outcome is obvious.

Everyone is anxious.

The most serious cases are only the He and Xu families.

They had been exchanging glances frequently, and both could see the unease in each other's eyes.

Something's not right. Why hasn't a messenger arrived yet? With beacon towers, we can easily convey specific messages simply by changing the color of the rising smoke.

Another quarter of an hour passed, and just as some powerful family heads were about to fly into a rage, hurried footsteps approached from outside the gate!

"Report——!"

"The county magistrate is a man of great talent and strategy. He killed seventy-two bandits in battle outside Luqi, and the bandit leader was executed! The bandits surrendered on their knees!"

"impossible!"

Clang!
Before Han Ji could even speak, Xu Ji transformed into a desktop cleaning master, forcefully overturning the table in front of him.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could this be, how could this happen!"

With bloodshot eyes, he walked step by step toward the Peach Blossom Swordsman who had come to announce his arrival.

The soldier showed no fear, staring coldly into his eyes, his hand already resting on the hilt of his ring-pommel sword.

"Calm down, Patriarch Xu, calm down!"

The surrounding powerful figures were all terrified when they saw the soldier gripping the hilt of his sword. They quickly pulled Xu Ji back and tried to comfort him.

"What is impossible?"

Clang, clang—

Heavy footsteps accompanied a gust of cold wind and a surge of bloody energy, instantly ending the banquet.

The powerful figures looked up and saw a humanoid armored figure, covered in dark red flesh with bloody ridges, carrying a heavy black halberd and emitting a foul stench, walk into the banquet hall.

With each step the armored figure took, a dull thud resounded, and chunks of bloody flesh fell off its body.

Everyone held their breath, including Han Ji, who was sitting at the head of the table.

Looking out, the original powerful men and their servants were all terrified, some even sitting down on the ground.

"Master Xu? What do you mean by impossible?"

The armored figure stopped in the center of the banquet hall, and with a downward slam of his halberd, the carpeted bluestone floor suddenly cracked.

The halberd stood firmly upright, and the armored figure touched its hands together a few times to reveal a pair of tough palms, before touching its head. Just when all the powerful figures thought that it wouldn't be surprising if the armored figure twisted off its own head and threw it to them to play with, the armored figure was still in a state of shock.

With a few swishing sounds, a handsome face emerged from under the helmet.

A few specks of blood made him appear extremely domineering and heroic, and only then did the group of powerful figures realize that the man in front of them was the newly appointed county magistrate!

"Zhang Xian, what exactly do you want?"

Xu Ji gave in; he was afraid, truly afraid. The person before him was completely different from anyone he had ever met before.

Although he still didn't quite believe what the messenger had said, he didn't want to fight anymore. This person was fierce, extremely fierce!
"What Patriarch Xu said is true."

Zhang Xian smiled and walked to the head of the table.

Han Ji had already stood up and given up his seat.

After climbing a few steps, he ran his hands along his waist and abdomen a few times, and the skirt armor below his waist fell to the ground.

Then, the inner side of the forearm under the armpit was grabbed, and the entire shoulder and arm armor fell off with a crash.

He turned to face the group of powerful figures.

Zhang Xian pulled on the hidden buckles on both sides of his chest, and with a splatter of blood, the entire armor was removed from his head.

Armor parts were scattered around the banquet, and none of the powerful figures dared to speak, all waiting for Zhang Xian's next words.

"Phew, that feels much better."

He swept everything off the table with his foot, then sat down with a swagger, letting out a comfortable groan. "Where were we?"

He frowned as if asking a question.

Han Ji, standing beside him, leaned forward and listened intently: "The county magistrate was right about what Master Xu said."

"Oh, I remembered it."

He chuckled and looked at Xu Ji.

"What you're saying, Patriarch Xu, is unacceptable. As the head of the county, it is my duty to protect the territory and ensure the safety of the people. How could you possibly ask for something in return?"

"However, these bandits of Wufeng Mountain are extraordinary. Apart from their well-equipped weapons, even the bandit leader bears a striking resemblance to the Xu family head."

"The subordinates, present the head for the heads of the various families to see, and see if it is indeed the person from this Luqi clan!"

"promise!"

A soldier from Peach Blossom Village trotted in, carrying a severed head in both hands. He then lifted the head by its long hair and presented it to the group of powerful figures.

Many people instinctively closed their eyes, and those who didn't mostly looked at Xu Ji.

The county magistrate was right; this man's appearance did indeed resemble that of the Xu family head.

Inside his sleeve, his fingernails had already dug into his flesh. Xu Ji was filled with grief. Only the most trusted person could take control of the bandits of Wufeng Mountain. The head in front of him was that of his younger brother!
"."

I dared not speak, I could not speak, I must not associate the bandits of Wufeng Mountain with the Xu family, even though everyone secretly already knew!
"The county magistrate is absolutely right. This person does indeed bear a striking resemblance to me. Truly, the world is full of wonders."

Xu Ji forced a smile while suppressing his grief.

Zhang Xian, who was seated at the head of the table, looked surprised: "So it was just a coincidence. I thought this bandit leader had some connection with the Xu family head."

"Hahaha, Your Excellency is joking. The Xu family is law-abiding and would never associate with bandits. Your Excellency should not make such jokes."

"Oh, oh, oh, it's our fault, it's our fault. Such jokes are not to be made."

Zhang Xian apologized profusely, seemingly genuinely believing Xu Ji's words.

He smacked his lips and felt a dry, bitter taste. He replied that the food was good, but it was either bitter or spicy, and the taste was really not flattering.

Han Ji thoughtfully offered a pot of warm wine to Han Ji.

Zhang Xian took a sip and felt much better.

He waved his hand: "Since it has nothing to do with the Xu family, let's end it here for today. Today's banquet has caused you all distress, which is the fault of this county. In a couple of days, I will host another banquet for you!"

"Where, where."

"Your Excellency is too kind. This banquet was excellent, and we are all very satisfied. How could we trouble you further? It is we who should be hosting you."

"."

The powerful figures were busy trying to salvage the situation.

Again?

What kind of good person could withstand today's provocation a second time? Please, no more county magistrates, we've already given up, okay?
As soon as Zhang Xian announced the end of the banquet, all the powerful figures breathed a sigh of relief.

They stood up to apologize, some offered to sell their goods, and some even declared on the spot that they would follow the county magistrate's orders from now on.

In short, all they want now is to leave this place as soon as possible.

Just as everyone was saying goodbye and heading towards the door...

A voice came from the upper side.

"slow!"

The group of powerful figures stopped and turned around.

A hint of grievance appeared on her face.

Again! ?
Turning around and looking up, he discovered that the speaker was not the county magistrate, but the county assistant beside him, Han Ji, who had arrived.

"Oh?" Zhang Xian took another swig of wine and looked at Han Ji in surprise.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

Han Ji bowed respectfully and said, "I have a few questions I would like to ask you gentlemen."

"Well then, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you all to sit down again and hear what our county magistrate has to ask."

Zhang Xian, looking embarrassed, reached out his hand to the group of powerful figures.

They dared not refuse, so they could only force a smile and return to their respective banquet tables.

But I don't want to sit anymore. I'll just stand. I'll just stand and run away when it's time to leave. I don't care about saving face anymore. This kind of stimulation is not something an ordinary person can handle.

Seeing that no one was sitting, Zhang Xian didn't say anything, but just looked at Han Ji.

"What brings you here, sir?"

Han Ji walked down the steps to the center of the banquet hall, bowed to the person at the head of the table, and then took out several wooden tablets from his sleeves.

"Your Excellency is accusing the He and Xu families of embezzling iron mountain mines, illegally forging weapons, colluding with foreign tribes, and raising mountain bandits!"

"Han Ji!"

Xu Ji and He Jin shouted at the same time!
"Are you determined to kill me?!"

"Silence!"

Zhang Xian swept his cold eyes over the crowd, his surging murderous aura silencing them completely.

"Send it up."

He stood up with his legs apart and smashed the wine jug in his hand at Xu Ji, who was still about to bark.

With a muffled thud, the earthenware jar, half-filled with wine, struck Xu Ji with great force, causing him to groan and be unable to utter a single word.

Han Ji bowed and stepped forward, presenting the wooden tablet with both hands.

Zhang Xian took them and scanned them one by one.

The more he looked, the colder his expression became.

He snorted coldly after reading the last wooden tablet!
"Very well, this is how you repay me after I trusted you so much!"

"Xu Ji! He Jin, what excuse do you two have!"

“Zhang County Magistrate! How ridiculous it is to rely on only one person’s opinion! This is a frame-up!”

"Oh! That makes sense!"

Zhang Xian looked at Han Ji with an icy gaze: "Han Ji! Do you know the crime of false accusation!"

"I am aware of this, and therefore I am not making false accusations! I have evidence of the crimes committed by these two families. These places are their secret hiding places for iron products and military supplies. The county magistrate can find out by sending people to investigate!"

As he spoke, Han Ji handed over several more wooden slips.

Two people landed with a thud, and it was seen that both He and Xu were sitting on the ground, unable to get up, their eyes unfocused.

He Jin struggled for a moment, then, as if remembering something, scrambled towards Zhang Xian's feet.

"Lord! Lord! Our family confesses our guilt! Our family has offered up all our wealth! We beg you, Lord, to show leniency! Please show leniency!"

"oh--!"

"So, this evidence is indeed true?"

Zhang Xian looked at He Jin with his hands behind his back.

At this moment, the head of the He family had no face left as a family head, and kept kowtowing: "I admit it! I admit it! I beg the county magistrate to show mercy!"

"madness!"

Before Zhang Xian could speak, Xu Ji sneered.

"Zhang Xian is clearly trying to establish his authority by targeting both of us. Do you think begging for mercy will do any good?!"

He stood up tremblingly and pointed directly at Zhang Xian: "Zhang Xian! A vicious person like you won't live long! Sooner or later, you'll end up like us!"

"You don't deserve to take my life, Xu Ji's life!"

After saying this, Xu Ji rammed his head against a pillar at the banquet and died on the spot!

　I'll think of a reason for the next chapter later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)