Unwavering Slaughter! . . .
[White flag?]
[What? What's happening?]
Others were baffled and somewhat amused. [This guy has actually prepared a white flag before going to battle? Is he planning to surrender the moment he becomes a commander here?]
However, Cha Eun Xiao's orders were followed by some, though many still refused. This was reasonable, as a good portion of the troops consisted of his own men.
After a short while, a massive vat was placed in front of the main flag, and a large white flag was on its way. This flag was unique, as it should be the largest in the army, but this white one was even larger than the main flag—three to four times bigger.
It was entirely white, resembling freshly fallen snow.
The others couldn't help but feel uneasy at the sight of the white flag.
[This is just too ominous!]
"Everyone seeks good omens before marching into battle. Look at that white flag. It's anything but a favorable sign!"
Cha Eun Xiao remained composed and spoke calmly, "No foolish actions are to be repeated three times. I'll give you one more chance. Who said they won't follow my orders?"
"Call it kindness all you want! We don't need it! I said it!"
"I did too! What's the matter?!"
"Count me in!"
"Me too!"
"I'm not following this nonsense!"
...
Before Cha Eun Xiao could finish speaking, these young men from influential families stepped forward, glaring fiercely at him. It was evident that they believed they could stand up to him.
"Very well! I've given you two chances, and you didn't accept either one. Fine. There's nothing more to say!" Cha Eun Xiao nodded. "We are about to embark on a battle, and yet some of you violated my orders and incited unrest within my army. Their punishment is beheading! Go! Seize them all and don't let a single one escape!"
Suddenly, a group of men, armed with axes and swords, emerged from the crowd and advanced toward the young men without hesitation.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"How dare you!"
"Cha Eun Xiao, how dare you bind me?"
"Insolence! How dare you!"
...
The execution group consisted of no more than two hundred men, less than half of the young men who had been shouting against Cha Eun Xiao. However, each of them possessed a cold-blooded and ruthless demeanor. They stood as immovable as mountains but moved like the wind.
Some were aware that they were the assassination group from Ling-Bao Hall.
The group's leader was none other than Liu Changjun.
They were the executioners now, as well as Cha Eun Xiao's private troops.
Liu Changjun donned a military uniform, exuding a valiant and heroic, yet cold and ruthless aura befitting an assassin.
Anyone who dared to resist him was swiftly knocked to the ground.
Although the young men outnumbered the execution group, they couldn't withstand a single blow from a group of skilled assassins. In no time, they were all tied up and lay on the ground. Still, they were not resigned and continued to hurl insults at Cha Eun Xiao.
"Commander!" Liu Changjun respectfully reported, "All the offenders have been captured. Please issue your orders!"
"Disturbing the army and disobeying my orders. There's nothing more to be said. Behead them all!" Cha Eun Xiao said calmly as he stood tall.
The onlookers couldn't believe it. They stared with wide eyes.
This act was far more shocking than what he had done just moments ago!
Behead them all?
Just like that?
Over four hundred and sixty young nobles, some of whom were the only sons of their families!
[How could you give such an order?]
[How dare you?]
Everyone was in shock.
Beside the king, Zuo Wuji was left speechless.
He knew what Cha Eun Xiao was going to do when he took down all these young men. However, he couldn't say anything to stop him. All he could do was silently pray, [Oh, please, great Ye Xiao. Don't do this! This is no joke...]
Not only Zuo Wuji but also the king were taken aback. The king's hand instinctively reached for his own beard...
Intrigued, the king leaned forward slightly, silently questioning, "Is he genuinely planning to execute them, or is he merely bluffing?"
But the assassins didn't wait for further contemplation; they moved with precision. Unlike the hesitant onlookers, they were resolute and had a job to do.
Liu Changjun humbly acknowledged, "As you command."
Without hesitation, he seized a young man beside him and swiftly unsheathed his long sword. In an instant, a flash of cold steel and a swift slash severed the young man's head, which landed on the floor with a disconcerting thud. Warm blood spurted from the severed neck, pooling in a large vat placed nearby.
The other assassins followed their leader's lead. The glint of cold steel from their swords filled the air as head after head rolled to the floor. The blood erupted from the severed necks, filling the vat to the brim.
In mere moments, the vat was overflowing with blood, creating a small, gruesome mound on the floor. Without exception, all 465 young men from influential families had met their end.
It was an unflinching slaughter, executed swiftly and without remorse. In mere seconds, it was all over, and no one had been able to intervene during that short span.
Liu Changjun and his men were seasoned assassins, some of the most skilled in their trade, and killing was a routine part of their lives. They cut down about two men each, which was as easy for them as any everyday task. Their hands did not waver, nor did they hesitate.
The scent of blood suddenly permeated the surroundings, leaving everyone else in the vicinity pale-faced and trembling.
[He actually did it...]
The king's complexion turned ashen.
[Cha Eun Xiao is... too audacious!]
[This is beyond daring!]
[These young men come from influential backgrounds! Noble-born!]
[Executing one or two of them to set an example would have been one thing, but he wiped them all out!]
[This has escalated too far!]
The Minister of the Penalty Ministry was making his way toward the king, prepared to argue that it wasn't solely one person's fault and that the law couldn't punish numerous offenders. But before he could finish his statement, he watched in disbelief as his own son was seized and beheaded on the spot. His son's head rolled onto the floor, lifeless.
The Minister of the Penalty Ministry was left in shock, his body trembling like a falling leaf. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Cheng-Er... Ah..."
Then, he collapsed to the ground.
He wasn't the only one; all the other nobles in the vicinity began crying out their sons' names.
The king himself was shaking, his heart aching as the collective cries filled his ears and weighed on his soul.