Chapter 475: Chapter 475: Fiercer Than Tigers

A team of horsemen galloped toward the village entrance, followed by a dozen or so carts, exuding a menacing aura.

Among this team were twenty to thirty cavalry clad in uniform armor, armed with sabers and bows, looking rather fierce, while over a hundred infantry in plain clothes sat on the carts, each holding a long spear.

Such a force was more than enough to sweep through the surrounding villages!

A black-armored knight charged ahead, reined in his horse at the village entrance, and shouted loudly, "Where is the Village Chief?"

His strength was not weak, his shout was like thunder echoing throughout the village.

Soon, an elderly man with graying temples hurried to the village entrance, surrounded by a few villagers.

Upon seeing the black-armored knight, he quickly knelt and bowed, saying, "I am Tong San, humbly serving as the Village Chief. May I ask what orders you have, Master?"

The black-armored knight looked down at him and said in a deep voice, "I am under orders from the Governor to requisition village grains for the state government’s use, and I ask Village Chief Tong to cooperate."

His tone was both arrogant and threatening. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Implying an undeniable command!

Tong San, though mentally prepared, showed an expression of extreme distress upon hearing the knight’s words.

He repeatedly bowed his head, begging, "Master, we were just requisitioned last month, our village truly has no grain left, many have already starved to death, please have mercy, Master!"

The Village Chief bowed so forcefully that his forehead bled profusely.

The other villagers followed suit, pleading, "Have mercy, Master!"

"Impudent!"

The black-armored knight was unmoved by their plea and said sinisterly, "Are you trying to defy orders?"

Without waiting for Tong San and the others to reply, he suddenly drew his sword: "Men, search carefully, anyone daring to obstruct will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes!"

The cavalry and infantry responded in unison, swiftly jumping off their horses and carts.

They rushed into the village like ravenous wolves and tigers, faces filled with excitement and greed.

In the next moment, shouts, curses, cries of shock, and screams erupted one after another.

"Master..."

Tong San, his eyes filled with anger, crawled toward the black-armored knight: "This must not be done, this must not be done!"

Suddenly, a long whip lashed through the air, knocking him down.

Fragments of fabric flew as Tong San rolled on the ground, screaming, with a bloody whip mark on his body.

"Old fool!"

The black-armored knight sneered, raising the whip again: "Rejecting a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

"Stop!"

At this moment, Mo Huai’an rode his horse forward, shouting in a deep voice: "You, a dignified Tier Four Martial Artist, bullying an old and weak civilian, what kind of hero are you?"

The black-armored knight was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t expected a young Daoist to appear in this village and righteously reprimand him.

Which sect does this disciple belong to?

The black-armored knight also noticed Zhang Yuan following Mo Huai’an, his pupils slightly contracting.

He wasn’t an ignorant brute; he knew that disciples of Daoist lineages were often accompanied by a Guardian during their travels.

Qualified Guardians were at least Tier Four Martial Artists.

Some were even Tier Five or Six!

The black-armored knight’s mind raced and he immediately lowered his raised whip, smiling and clasping his fists, saying: "May I ask, Daoist Priest, which mountain gate do you hail from?"

He wanted to gauge Mo Huai’an’s background.

However, the Young Mage was not swayed by his approach, angrily shouting: "Order your men to stop everything!"

Oppressive governance is worse than a tiger!

This was a phrase Mo Huai’an read in a certain book, which initially left him untouched.

Now, witnessing the brutality of the grain collection team, he deeply understood its meaning and truth.

Yongzhou had been suffering from drought for consecutive months, leaving the people in dire straits, with countless civilians starving.

In such circumstances, instead of offering any relief, the state government sent people to extort and plunder.

How cruel!

These soldiers, like wolves and tigers, rampaged through the villagers’ homes, looting and destroying, turning the village into a purgatory, the sights unbearable.

Though Mo Huai’an practiced Daoist skills, his heart was filled with righteous indignation, his chest boiling with frustration, prompting him to form a magic formula.

The black-armored knight’s expression changed drastically: "Daoist Priest, I am acting under orders, I advise you not to meddle!"

He thought he had already shown kindness, but was slapped in the face by Mo Huai’an, causing anger to rise.

Disciples of Daoist lineages traveling outside, suffering misfortunes and perishing, were not unheard of!

The black-armored knight, confident in his team’s strength, did not truly regard the young Mo Huai’an as significant.

Clang!

He drew his sword, his eyes filled with murderous intent toward Mo Huai’an.

Psst!

The next moment, a streak of sword aura sliced through the air, instantly passing through the black-armored knight’s neck.

This Martial Artist with Tier Four cultivation didn’t have time to scream as his large head soared into the sky along with hot blood!

The one who struck was Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan wielded his blade, shouting fiercely: "Stop everything!"

However, the soldiers looting the village were mostly unaware of what was happening at the entrance, immersed in their violent frenzy.

Thus, few ceased their actions.

Zhang Yuan shook his head and suddenly leapt from his horse like a Gray Eagle, covering dozens of steps.

The blade shone again, and another head flew.

A merciless slaughter thus unfolded!

The beasts turned into hunted prey in the blink of an eye, the soldiers of the grain collection team falling one by one.

No one could withstand a strike from Zhang Yuan!

He was like a relentless and precise killing machine, swiftly reaping the lives of his targets.

The efficiency was terrifying!

In the short span of an incense stick’s burn, over a hundred cavalry and infantry lay amidst pools of blood.

Not a single one escaped.

The surviving villagers, including Village Chief Tong San, were all petrified.

Many even soiled themselves out of fear.

When Zhang Yuan returned to Mo Huai’an’s side.

The Young Mage gazed at Zhang Yuan, who was surrounded by Evil Qi, unable to speak for a long time!

If someone said Zhang Yuan was an evil spirit descended to the world, he would undoubtedly believe it.

"Let’s go."

Zhang Yuan sheathed his blade, speaking blandly: "Let’s head directly to Yong’an City."

Though killing was satisfying, slaying those representing Daqian’s official power would inevitably bring trouble.

This place was not suitable for a prolonged stay.

Zhang Yuan then told Tong San: "You must run far and never return."

His words concluded, leaving the choice to Tong San; if they continued staying to face death, there was nothing he could do.

Mo Huai’an sighed softly, casting a final complex glance at the blood-drenched village.

Then he followed Zhang Yuan, not looking back as he departed!