Qin Yuesheng’s body sank, and the horse he was riding immediately tensed its legs involuntarily, coming to an abrupt halt.

"What’s the matter?" Qin Yuesheng asked.

"Black Mountain City is currently recruiting soldiers, offering high positions to the capable, endless wealth and glory. A commander of ten can be allotted ten taels of silver, a beautiful wife, and a house. I see you are young and skilled in martial arts. If you join Black Mountain City, great achievements await you."

Qin Yuesheng frowned: "Is Black Mountain City under Cao Mengda’s jurisdiction?"

"Mind your language. Lord Cao holds a high position and is destined for greatness. If we loyally follow him now, our future is immeasurable. Even if you are from the martial arts realm, you should show some respect in your address."

It’s no secret among the populace that several in Jiangnan have initiated a rebellion. In the teahouse, Qin Yuesheng listened to storytellers discussing Liu, Wu, and Cao clearly. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Hearing Huang Ke’s words, Qin Yuesheng couldn’t help but sneer. The uprising had barely started half a month ago, yet Cao Mengda’s men were already dreaming grand dreams.

Just as Qin Yuesheng was about to bypass him and continue on, more than a dozen soldiers were already escorting some of the bound citizens over. These people either had wounds with blood flowing or bruises and swelling, obviously from recent resistance—the soldiers had shown no mercy.

"Father!" Several children couldn’t bear to see their fathers being taken away, and they ran shakily over, wailing and clinging to their fathers’ legs, refusing to let them advance further.

A soldier, annoyed at the sight, cursed and kicked one five-six-year-old child, sending him flying like a rag doll. Upon landing, the child could not stop spitting blood.

"Villains! You are all villains!" A little girl wearing a longevity lock frowned and suddenly bit down on a soldier’s leg.

The child’s strength might be small, but her bite was fierce. Plus, with her two canine teeth, it was no different from a fierce dog’s bite, leaving the soldier in sharp pain.

Fury surged within the soldier, who immediately drew his knife and swung it forcefully, showing no intention of holding back.

Thud!

Watching the little girl’s body fall, her head still biting tightly on the soldier’s leg, the surrounding people’s expressions changed instantly, although a few showed smiles.

"My daughter!" a woman, rushing over from not far away, saw the scene and fainted powerlessly to the ground.

"You’ve killed my daughter! I’ll fight you!" A nearby man, captured, had bloodshot eyes and directly threw off the soldier pressing him, striking out with his fist.

But fists aren’t faster than knives. Before he could hit his target, a steel blade pierced through his chest.

"Damn it, if you want death, I’ll grant it." The soldier twisted the steel blade in his hands, laughing grimly.

Huang Ke was expressionless, long accustomed to such scenes.

Black Mountain City, under Cao Mengda’s jurisdiction, was not as prosperous as Yangzhou Prefecture, so its privately maintained forces weren’t vast, unlike Liu Xian’s side.

In his urgency, Cao Mengda recruited soldiers indiscriminately, taking anyone into the ranks, including hooligans, local bullies, and mountain bandits. With such composition, wanton killing was common behavior.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a flash of sword light stunned everyone, dazzling them momentarily. Before a moment passed, the face of the murderous soldier froze, and a clear line of blood appeared on his neck.

Bang!

When his head fell to the ground, the soldier’s body still moved slightly, standing there as if unaware that he was already dead.

Huang Ke turned incredulously toward the direction of the sword light, seeing Qin Yuesheng holding a sharp sword with a cold expression, staring at them.

"You, you..."

Qin Yuesheng said, "A life for a life, leave."

Huang Ke was not highly skilled, but anyone could see the extraordinary nature of Qin Yuesheng’s sword move. If a fight ensued, everyone on Huang Ke’s side would be no match for Qin Yuesheng.

Immediately weighing the pros and cons, Huang Ke quickly turned his horse and shouted, "Withdraw, everyone!"

Having said this, he rode away first to flee the scene.

With their leader gone, the others dared not linger, abandoning their captured civilians to mount their horses and escape quickly, not daring to stay here any longer.

Watching their retreating figures, Qin Yuesheng threw out the Soul-Catching Demon: "Find a deserted place to devour them, wait for me on the way afterward, and I’ll catch up soon."

The Soul-Catching Demon flew through the air due to Qin Yuesheng’s strength, sticking precisely onto the hindquarters of one of the retreating horses, resembling a black adhesive band from afar.

After the soldiers departed, the townspeople dared to run over, embracing their family members as they choked with tears, grateful that they nearly suffered separation this time.

Yet the young girl, beheaded, could no longer enjoy the happiness of family reunions.

Qin Yuesheng’s expression was grim, aware that the situation he just witnessed was not unique, merely a glimpse of the broader issue. Without power, people were easily bullied, unable to resist.

"I am the mayor of this town. Many thanks to you, young hero, for your assistance." An old man wearing a square hat approached, bowing in gratitude to Qin Yuesheng.

Qin Yuesheng’s keen eyes immediately noticed the yellow turban tied around the man’s neck.

"No need to thank me, it was just a small effort." Qin Yuesheng glanced at the little girl’s corpse on the ground, then looked away and continued to lead his horse forward.

"Young hero, please wait!" the mayor suddenly called out.

Qin Yuesheng turned to look back: "What else?"

"I once met a master who gave me two yellow turbans, saying they could avert disaster and prevent calamities. You’ve done a great favor to our town. As I have nothing else to repay you with, please take this yellow turban as a token of gratitude."

Seeing the man take out a yellow turban and offer it, Qin Yuesheng felt puzzled. What was the deal with these yellow turbans? Why were they being distributed among the populace? Previously, it was the same in Cyan Yang City—was there some mystery hidden within them?

Qin Yuesheng reached out, and the yellow turban fell into his hand. Since it was a gift, he accepted it.

"Thank you." Qin Yuesheng cupped his hands in thanks, soon riding his horse away from the mayor’s sight.

...

Looking at the yellow turban in his hand, Qin Yuesheng decided to dissect it to uncover its secrets.

[Dissection successful, obtained ’Exorcism Yellow Cloth x1’ ’Healing Yellow Cloth x1’]

Suddenly, Qin Yuesheng had two small cloth pieces in his hands, each bearing an unfamiliar symbol. The symbols differed on each cloth, indicating exorcism and healing.

"So, the yellow turban isn’t something ordinary; it hides these things. I should have noticed earlier." Qin Yuesheng remarked.

Previously, Su Lanyin’s elder sister had given Qin Yuesheng a yellow turban at Nanyan Treasure Studio. At the time, Qin Yuesheng dismissed it as an insubstantial trick and did not think to dissect it.

Now it seemed he had greatly overlooked its significance.

"Yellow turbans are appearing in numerous places. Is there a force inciting this from behind, using yellow turbans as their symbol?" Qin Yuesheng tucked the pieces into his pocket, realizing the matter was complex and required further investigation. It wasn’t worthwhile to ponder it now, merely a waste of time.

As Qin Yuesheng hurried one more mile westward along the main road, he came across scattered bones strewn in the central road, including humans and horses—the remnants of the fleeing soldiers.

These people did nothing when their colleague murdered an innocent child, so they likely weren’t good people. Qin Yuesheng decided not to let them leave alive, lest they harm others elsewhere.

The Soul-Catching Demon, waiting motionlessly in the road’s center, swiftly leaped into Qin Yuesheng’s hands, which he tucked into his pocket.

He continued his journey, galloping westward.