These ropes were to remind them of their status, rather than to confine them.

In front of these hundreds of people were 200 winged cavalry warriors. With just one charge, the scene would turn into a bloodbath. Earlier, Ren Baqian had let the Golden Ring Residence make a copy of their secret martial arts manuals for them to pa.s.s on. This was a relief to them, and they naturally wouldn't do anything rash.

Zhan Caixian was one of those among this group of people. A few days ago, she was still the daughter of the chief of the Golden Ring Residence and was doted on by everyone. However, she was a prisoner now. This sudden change in status and the experience of fleeing and being captured made her grow up overnight.

She occasionally turned to look at the disciples and noted that most of them looked gloomy.

The hundreds of people just stood there quietly and barely made any noise.

There was a flurry of footsteps, and Zhan Caixian saw Ren Baqian at the entrance of the courtyard.

The last time she met him, he was still the envoy of the Yun Nation, could cook delicious food, and taught her how to play the erhu. She never had contact day and night with a man before and even began to like him.

However, upon seeing him this time around, he was a Dayao official and the husband of the Dayao's empress, Qi Zixiao.

Her family had descended into this situation because of him. It was also due to him that she and her parents had just been reunited and that they didn't have to worry about the likelihood of losing their lives.

This gave her an inexplicable feeling.

This type of feeling was complicated, and she didn't know how to describe it. She didn't know whether or not it was hate because she had never hated anyone before and didn't know what it felt like.

Did he see me? Zhan Caixian seemed to feel the gaze of Ren Baqian lingering on her face for a moment. She was jolted and lowered her head slightly.

Why did he come to the Golden Ring Residence? From Wu City the closest force is Lingshan Sect, the biggest sect in Tianjing Basin. The Golden Ring Residence isn't only the weakest of the eight big sects, but also the furthest away. Why did he come here?" Zhan Caixian lowered her head and started to speculate wildly.

As Ren Baqian's eyes swept over this group of people, he indeed spotted her. His gaze, however, didn't linger on her at all.

To him, this little girl was rather interesting, was innocent to the point of being pitiful, was his only erhu disciple, and at least had good ears to appreciate his music. He thought about the harsh reality of talented people rarely meeting others who could appreciate them, like Bo Ya meeting Zhong Ziqi!

[A model example- Bo Ya's story exemplifies the Chinese ideal of friends.h.i.+p]

He personally came to the Golden Ring Residence just because of her. This was to prevent others from simply wiping out the whole Golden Ring Residence at the slightest provocation.

Therefore, it wasn't incorrect to say that he came here because of her.

He had no romantic feelings for her, and knowing that she was still alive was enough to pacify him.

The development of a bright future for the erhu world depended on her.

"We will go back first while you bring them back to Wu City. Please note that the reinforcements from the Protectorate of the South should be here within these next two days. If there is any resistance or the Protectorate of the South has any problems with their forays, you can send soldiers to help them as required," Ren Baqian said as he walked.

200 people didn't look like a big number, but 200 winged cavalry warriors at the Earth Wheel level could accomplish many tasks.

If they were sent to Wu City as an escort, 50 of them would be enough.

In Tianjing Basin, 50 of them were enough to breach a small city.

"We will comply!" a captain from the winged cavalry replied with cupped hands.

"As for the rations along the way, you can let Zhan Changkong arrange it. I believe he will ensure the delivery."

"One other thing. Since they have surrendered, we may use them in the future. As long as they don't make trouble, just let them be. For those who rebel, kill each and every rebel. If more than half rebel, kill all of them and then report only to me. However, I don't think this will happen." Ren Baqian turned his head to look at the group in the courtyard as he spoke.

"Go back and make arrangements." Ren Baqian waved his hand after talking, and the captain immediately departed.

Ren Baqian led a portion of the troops and rushed to Wu City. There were still many other matters which he needed to attend to.

Setting out at the same time, 50 winged cavalry warriors escorted the captives and the looted items. Their traveling speed was much slower, and they had to split into two columns.

Currently, there were only 100 winged cavalry warriors left in the residence. The others had been sent out two days ago to mop up the smaller sects like the Nine Blade Sects.

…

One week later, Ren Baqian returned to Wu City again. From a distance, he could see the original guards of Wu City manning the top of the city wall. He was surprised and wondered whether something had happened.

When he arrived at the city gate, he discovered that the guards examining the travelers who were arriving and departing were also the original Wu City guards. A few winged cavalry warriors were standing at the top of the city wall with folded arms and hurried to report the arrival of Ren Baqian and the people that he had brought along.

After half a month, the atmosphere in the city had recovered a little. At the very least, a few people could be seen walking around. However, they walked with their heads bowed and with quick steps, as if they were afraid of attracting attention.

The shops in the city were open, and occasionally, one or two people went in to buy items before leaving hurriedly.

Ren Baqian went to the residence to visit the empress and saw her talking to Xi Wanya. He knocked on the doorsill, strode in, and said, "Your Majesty, your subject has returned."

The empress glanced at him and told Xi Wanya, "You can take your leave now."

Once Xi Wanya had left, Ren Baqian smiled and declared, "Your Majesty, I missed you very much!"

The empress picked up a fruit and asked casually, "How are things going?"

"Everything is going smoothly."

"There isn't any candy left."

"I know. I will go back tonight. Does Your Majesty want to go there to relax?" After speaking, Ren Baqian went closer to the empress and sniffed.

The empress pressed her palm against his nose and asked, "What are you doing?"

"That stench is finally gone." Ren Baqian laughed. The empress's body had regained its original fragrance.

It was fine if Ren Baqian didn't mention it, but the empress grew angry the moment he said it.

If it wasn't for him, would things turn out like that? Every time she thought about it, she felt like stuffing Ren Baqian in a wall with only his head hanging out so that she could give him two smacks at anytime to vent her anger.

"There are many people who were sent here over the last two days, and you can decide what to do with them. Kill those that deserve to be killed," the empress said coldly. She didn't care about the lives of these people, but she could tell from Ren Baqian's behavior that he had some plans for them.

"Let me handle that. I still have some hot pot base ingredients. How about having hot pot for dinner tonight?"

"Great!"

Ren Baqian bade farewell to the empress and went out to gather news about recent incidents.

Indeed, things were happening. The three major factions were rebelling with many sects joining them. This greatly increased the number of Earth Wheel experts that the three factions had available, and some of them were under the charge of the few Spirit Wheel experts.

It was fortunate that Ren Baqian had arranged for people to persuade the Lingshan Sect and some of the other sects to surrender. The areas where these sects were located were calm and peaceful.

Right now, only a small number of cities in the north were rebelling, so this rebellion wouldn't grow too big.

On the contrary, the area south of Wu City was linked together in unity. Some sects understood that rebellion in the northern region wouldn't be sustainable and would only lead to a dead end if they stayed put. After returning from Wu City, they brought their entire sects to the south and joined in to further strengthen the three factions.

After hearing this news, Ren Baqian stood for a long time before asking Qingyun Sword, "Did you know that the three factions are rebelling?"

Qingyun Sword nodded silently.

Ren Baqian continued, "Please arrange contact with those sects. If one person partic.i.p.ates in the rebellion, execute their family line. If more than one third of a sect rebels, wipe out their entire sect and their families. Give them one month to come to Wu City to report. Those who exceed the time limit will not be forgiven. By next month, those who are late by one day will be dead!

This one third measurement is calculated among both the Man Wheel and Earth Wheel experts. As long as a third of either group rebels, the whole sect and their families will be exterminated. If a sect only has three Earth Wheel experts and one of them revolts, the whole sect will be reduced to ashes regardless of whether the other Earth Wheel or Man Wheel experts are involved."

If you want to save your lives, kill the insurgents and come to Wu City to report. I will guarantee your safety and security."

Qingyun Sword raised his head and replied, "This is too harsh and tyrannical! Many sects have people serving in the military, and you are forcing them to die!"

"That's their problem. Otherwise, how am I to know whether they are nasty people who are taking advantage of the situation? Furthermore, I don't want to spend too much time on them because I have to consider all the people of Tianjing Basin. As for these experts, I have given them a lifeline. Whether they grasp this opportunity or not, it's their problem.

Also, if an entire sect joins the rebel army, but one of their members refuses to be a.s.sociated with them and is willing to correct himself, he will also be given a chance. He just needs to bring along the head of another person from the same sect who is at the same level as him. Remember, it must be from the same sect and not from killing any random person.

This is called proof of allegiance!"

Ren Baqian words made Qingyun Sword speechless as he stared at him with hatred and misery.

It was vicious, simply too vicious.

Within a sect, there were bound to be people who wanted to live, whereas others wanted to rebel. It was impossible for everyone to be of one mind. Once this news was released, he could envision the sects splitting up and fellow disciples murdering each other. This would pit masters and their students against each other, relatives against relatives, and friends against friends.