Chapter 601 - Cut Them Down

Around noon. At Dazheng Palace.

Hua Chongyang explained the situation in the Divine Capital to the Big Dipper Academy.

Dazheng palace was quiet.

Lu Zhou asked, “Zhou Youcai, any bright ideas?”

Zhou Youcai bowed and said, “The Other Tribesmen spies causing trouble in the Divine Capital is, indeed, a difficult problem. Previously, anyone entering the Divine Capital will be subjected to examinations. The recent coup gave them an opportunity to enter the capital. If we want to solve this, we can only search every household by mobilizing every resource and drag them out from their hiding places.”

Hua Chongyang said, “Although that’s possible, it’s too slow… The Other Tribesmen spies declared that they would kill five civilians every day. I’m afraid this method will take at least three to five days with the size of the Divine Capital.”

Zhou Youcai nodded. “Or… we can drive them out of the city and guard the four gates. Everyone will be questioned to verify their identities when they enter the city.”

“That won’t do. It’s extremely complicated to verify their identities. This needs the cooperation from the court officials… Now that the Nether Sect has taken over the Divine Capital, they’re doing all they can to keep their distance from us,” Hua Chongyang said.

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Sheng struck the floor with his Overlord Spear and cursed, “Those good-for-nothings from the Imperial court. What are we keeping them around for if they’re not doing anything? Let me end them with my spear right now!”

“It’s easy to kill but difficult to make them submit.” Hua Chongyang shook his head and sighed.

“We’ll leave their submission for another day.”

Lu Zhou looked at Zhou Youcai and said, “Zhou Youcai.”

“Yes, Senior Ji?”

“Do you have anyone from your academy to activate the Ten Terminal Formation?”

When he heard this, Zhou Youcai said confidently, “Only Divine Court realm cultivators are needed to guide the Ten Terminal Formation. That can easily be done.”

“Activate nine of them and keep everyone inside the city. Is that possible?” Lu Zhou asked.

“Naturally,” Zhou Youcai replied.

“Good.” Lu Zhou stood up. “Hua Chongyang, how many Nether Sect members are there in the Divine Capital?”

“We have 8,000 members here. They’re evenly divided between the four directions,” Hua Chongyang replied.

“What about the imperial guards?”

“The imperial guards can mobilize 6,000 men.”

Compared to the defenses of the Divine Capital before this, it was indeed much weaker now. It was no wonder the Other Tribesmen were so arrogant.

Lu Zhou’s mind began to turn. Although they were, collectively, weaker, the Ten Terminal Formation could last for two hours. With the help of his disciples, it should not be a problem for them to clear these rats out.

Lu Zhou said coldly, “We’ll flush the spies out this afternoon. Make preparations.”

“Understood!”

The others bowed.

Lu Zhou called out, “Hua Chongyang.”

“Your orders, Senior Ji?”

Lu Zhou suddenly raised a palm. A Critical Heal Card appeared in his palm. He clenched his fist, invoking the card’s power. He pushed his hand forward, and a Buddhist Merciful Ark of Salvation descended on Hua Chongyang like a ray of light.

Hua Chongyang immediately felt warm inside. His internal injuries were being swiftly healed. He was delighted. He did not waste time and fell to his knees and expressed his gratitude. “Thank you, Senior Ji!”

“Get to work.”

…

In the afternoon.

The people inside the Divine Capital were anxious.

“I say we move out. The sooner the better. The Nether Sect is from the Fiend Path, after all. They wouldn’t care about the lives of common folks.”

Someone sighed. “When the Nether Sect attacked Yan Province, they did all they could to protect the people. How could they change after they’ve conquered the empire?”

“That’s what they mean by a leopard can’t change its spots overnight. I bet that the city will be empty in a few days. Are we going to stay here and become livestock for the Other Tribes to slaughter?”

Similar conversations could be heard everywhere in the Divine Capital. Everyone wondered if the Evil Sky Pavilion would do something or release the Deep-eye Tribesman, Lu Li.

The cultivators shook their heads helplessly.

“Although the Nether Sect is powerful, the Other Tribes are still running rampant. If they aren’t dealt with, it’ll only lead to chaos. When that time comes… we’ll all be subjugated.”

Was that not the objective of the Other Tribes?

The people were still caught in a heated discussion when someone pointed at the Imperial city.

“He’s out! The Evil Sky Pavilion’s Patriarch has come out!”

“He’s out?”

“Let’s go have a look!”

…

At this moment, many cultivators and civilians were gathered in front of the Imperial city. More and more cultivators flew toward them from a distance. Without the Imperial guards, the flying restriction in the Divine Capital was no longer in effect.

Lu Zhou stood on the city wall with his hands on his back as he looked down at the others.

Duanmu Sheng, Ye Tianxin, Zhao Yue, Zhu Honggong, Little Yuan’er, and Conch stood behind him.

Lu Zhou spotted a few spies among the people, but he was not in a hurry. When he was satisfied with the size of the crowd, he waved his hand.

With this signal, Hua Chongyang stepped forward. He released a soundwave as she said, “Spies are wreaking havoc inside the Divine Capital. They go against moral conduct and rob innocent lives. The merciful Senior Ji is giving you a chance to surrender yourselves now. Anyone who does so will be left with an intact corpse.”

Some of the civilians kneeled and kowtowed as they said, “Please do something, patriarch!”

“Please do something, patriarch!”

Hua Chongyang scanned the faces of the cultivators hovering in the air. “At a time like this… I hope we can all set aside our differences for once and purge the city of spies.”

One of the cultivators hovering in the distance said, “Easy for you to say… Those spies are among us, how are we going to tell them apart? I want to kill them more than you do!”

Spies were not allowed to live under Great Yan’s skies. Moreover, they had treated the lives of others like hay.

“Senior Ji… We’ve always been fearful and respectful of the Evil Sky Pavilion. We have always admired you. We fully support you and agree with your decision to take out the spies”

A voice came from below. “Senior Ji, please think about the bigger picture. Release the five spies and ensure our safety. We can flush the spies out slowly!”

Lu Zhou looked down at the person. He was a Deep-eye Tribesman. He did not rush to action. The others did not know that he was a Deep-eye Tribesman so it was not appropriate for him to act now.

At this moment, an academy disciple flew over. He bowed and said, “Senior Ji, the preparations are complete.”

Lu Zhou looked at the cultivators before him and calmly said, “I’ve given you a chance… Activate the Formation.”

The academy disciple shouted, “Activate the Formation!” His voice resounded through the Imperial City.

The expressions of the spies from Roulians, the Deep-eye Tribesmen, and Lou Lan grew fiercer.

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!

The sound of thrumming energy resonated through the entire city.

Soon enough, a curtain-like barrier appeared in the sky! The four city gates in the Divine Capital and the city walls were instantly covered by the barrier as well.

The civilians and cultivators inside the Divine Capital who knew nothing about this came out and looked up at the skies in confusion.

At the peak of the imperial city, Zhou Youcai led ten Big Dipper Academy disciples to complete the Ten Terminal Formation.

Lu Zhou ordered, “Bring Lu Li and the others here.”

“Understood!”

Shortly after, Lu Li and his four companions were brought before the imperial city and placed near the civilians.

Lu Zhou said indifferently, “I hate being threatened the most. Cut them down!”

The executioner did not hesitate and brought his blade down.

The heads were lopped off, and they rolled toward the people.

The civilians and cultivators widened their eyes.

“Senior Ji… You… Won’t you anger the spies? What… what should the people do?”

“Isn’t this… too rash?” someone muttered.

Lu Zhou said in a clear voice, “The Other Tribesmen spies have caused trouble and trampled on the lives of the people. How can I boost their morale by diminishing my courage?” When he saw the people keeping quiet, he added, “If I let them live, how am I supposed to face the people who died?”

He was right! The spies were acting too arrogant!

Lu Zhou knew that even without the meager reward of merit points, he had to cut the spies down in front of the people. If he did not do this, how was he supposed to intimidate the Other Tribes?