This forces them to be very cautious, while secretly thinking that they must not go against the will of the Immortal. If they truly defy it, I’m afraid their fate will not end well.

After mobilizing the army, it’s safe to say that these seventy thousand men have become a considerable fighting force. As for the subsequent reinforcements, because they arrive one after another, someone has been specially assigned to start brainwashing them.

Of course, the effect of the brainwashing is very average. After all, these people are not like those earlier; they have seen Lin Yi’s divine nature with their own eyes. These people have only heard about it and have not seen it firsthand.

Therefore, while treating Lin Yi as a legend, they hold some skepticism. It’s just that everyone in the army circulates these stories and talks about them, so they don’t have much to say.

But in their hearts, they don’t really believe it.

Finally, under the guidance of the old man, the mighty army of seventy thousand turned around and marched toward the Capital City.

However, there are dozens of cities along this route, so they can’t push to the Capital City all at once.

Soon, they arrived at the first city obstructing their path, and when the garrison of this city saw the arriving troops, then saw soldiers carrying their flags, they had no doubts.

Despite the confusion about why these warriors, who should have been rushing to the front lines, turned around to come back here, they immediately had someone open the city gates.

As for the defenses? There really isn’t any because the leader is their own Grand General, and those following him are all soldiers of their own country.

What suspicion could they have?

After opening the city, things became quite simple, and the entire city was quickly and thoroughly occupied.

Of course, this so-called occupation wasn’t by capturing it but by replacing the original garrison with soldiers from their seventy thousand.

As for the original garrison, they were all stripped of their armor and consolidated in one place.

As for the city’s officials, under the strong deterrence of this army, naturally not a single one escaped, and they were all captured.

What’s more, the treatment wasn’t brutal, but very gentle. They were all put under house arrest in a large courtyard, heavily guarded outside.

Was there resistance during this period? Naturally, there was. Some officials had deep backgrounds, connections deeply intertwined, so when facing these individuals, and the army brought by the old man, they naturally resisted, and what awaited them was a sharp butcher’s knife.

In this regard, Lin Yi had nothing to say. After all, how could there be no casualties in war?

Moreover, this opposed him. These mustn’t be spared.

As for the officials, there is no shortage on his side. Once he occupies here, officials can be gradually cultivated.

As the saying goes, power comes from the barrel of a gun. As long as one holds enough power, enough armies, cultivating a qualified team of officials isn’t a difficult task at all.

At worst, the cities captured now can all be put under military control.

Furthermore, Lin Yi’s subsequent troops are also in action. Leng Yu is carrying out personnel transport as per Lin Yi’s instructions.

He will bring suitable officials from that side to here. One can say, the head officials of the original city will be directly transferred here, while that city will have its deputy directly take over. In this way, it can be said to be a brilliant strategy of one against two.

No matter what, after all, the deputy has been in that position for many years and is quite familiar with local matters. Although many of their duties are not yet familiar, it’s not an issue for them to become the head.

Thus, three or four cities have been taken with ease.

There isn’t even a shred of doubt, making the old man very excited, grinning foolishly in front of Lin Yi, inviting credit.

He also pounded his chest loudly, ensuring the next cities would be taken just as smoothly, like breaking bamboo.

According to the old man, at this pace, within a month the Capital City could be thoroughly occupied.

Based on the old man’s guess, if things continue this way, perhaps only upon reaching the Capital City will there be a siege battle with the city’s garrison, as they are loyal to King Zhao.

And with King Zhao defending inside, it’s likely this battle will be unavoidable.

Even when alone, the old man silently wonders if he had known it would be so easy to capture so many cities, he might have already rallied forces for a counterattack.

With seventy thousand troops in his hand, he could directly force King Zhao to abdicate and become the new King Zhao himself. Wouldn’t that be a delightful affair?

However, he soon realized.

Though they’ve been advancing at a breakneck pace, it’s evident trying by himself to win over the hearts of these seventy thousand troops through brainwashing would be tremendously difficult.

All that is currently happening is because of Lin Yi’s presence.

If Lin Yi wasn’t present, brainwashing them and having them follow him would be exceedingly difficult, almost unimaginable.

Finally, on the fifth day, the city ahead didn’t open its gates like the others but kept them tightly shut, with soldiers ready atop the walls. Though there were less than five thousand troops within, given the current situation, it’s clearly a scenario of vows to defend.

The old man couldn’t help but pause in confusion, wondering what the situation was. According to him, shouldn’t this guy also open the gates to welcome him?

Why is this so?

Why would they treat him this way?

Can’t they see who he is?

Can’t they see the Zhao Country soldiers behind him?

At this moment, a person suddenly appeared atop the wall—it was this city’s Commander. Standing on the rampart in full armor, he fixed his gaze firmly on those below, especially on the leading old man, and with scrutiny, called out:

"May I ask, General, what is your intention? Not fighting at the front lines, why have you returned leading the army?

With this army at the gates, what is your desire?"

Although his speech repeatedly calls him General, there isn’t the slightest bit of respect. Instead, it’s full of scrutiny and disdain.

Only upon hearing this voice did the old man come to realize and speak to Lin Yi on the side, "Your Highness, Old Chen knows this man. He can be said to be at odds with this humble servant; he’s a person of the Third Prince."

This statement immediately enlightened Lin Yi, making it clear the other side is part of the opposing force, no wonder he has such an attitude.

So, directly nodding to the old man, he spoke: "How is this person? How does he treat the populace? Is he an upright official? Has he done any heinous deeds?"

Clearly, Lin Yi’s words expressed his thoughts and attitude. Now he awaits the old man’s response.

In hearing this, the old man’s eyes immediately lit up, and he responded without hesitation, "This guy is not only overbearing but also exploits the townsfolk, a truly heinous corrupt official.

Though his status is prestigious.

His father is the father-in-law of the Third Prince, that’s why despite lacking capability, he’s dispatched here to become the Commander of this place."

[To be continued...]

PS: Seeing brothers commenting on Yuzu makes Yuzu’s heart very comforted, realizing that there are brothers following Yuzu all along.

This directly gives Yuzu the strength to continue writing.