When the three Headmasters stepped through the city gate, they realized that the situation inside the city was even more tragic than on Mount Tai Sect.
Those on Mount Tai Sect were either martial arts practitioners, soldiers, eunuchs, or Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards). They could still resist somewhat against the suddenly rampaging Mount Tai Sect disciples.
But the common people within Tai'an City lacked this ability.
The common people lived their lives cautiously; perhaps the biggest conflict they ever faced was a heated argument, a few curses, or a brawl that drew blood from the corners of their mouths.
Facing their suddenly deranged neighbors and relatives, even those who hadn't been infected by Gu Soldiers were instantly tackled to the ground, screaming in agony as they were bitten.
In this era, most houses were made of wood. First, a lamp was knocked over in a civilian house, igniting clothes, and then a massive fire rapidly spread, stopping only when it reached the street.
Heat waves assailed them, and a foul stench permeated the ground.
Blood splattered, and cries of anguish filled the air.
The three Headmasters stepped through the city gate, confronted by this horrific scene.
The three of them had witnessed countless deaths. Although this was their first time facing such a massive scale, they could still maintain their composure to some extent.
Among the disciples of the three sects, some had never seen blood before and immediately began to vomit.
Their vomiting caused the faces of the other disciples to turn pale as well.
Deng Boxuan sneered, turning to look at the disciples inside the gate: “What’s wrong!? Where’s the heroic spirit you had outside the gate!? You’re already giving up!?”
“If you can’t handle it, don’t be a burden! Get out yourselves and wait for me to return!”
After speaking, without waiting for the disciples to reply, he pointed at a few people: “You, you, you! Get out!”
One of them, whose expression hadn't changed, was also called out and was about to argue.
An older disciple beside him immediately covered his mouth, acupunctured him, and threw him directly out of the city gate.
Zhou Yingxue snorted coldly, saying nothing.
She and Zhang Jingfeng clearly understood Deng Boxuan’s intentions.
Their decision to enter the city was made after careful consideration, fully aware of the risks involved.
They knew why they were doing this, what price they would pay, and had prepared to die here before making this choice.
They could bear the consequences of their choices.
But the disciples were merely acting on a momentary surge of adrenaline.
Deng Boxuan intended to preserve a few seeds of their sect’s legacy. However, if he had directly selected people outside, it would have been obvious he was letting them live ignominiously, which would leave flaws in their mental state, hindering their future martial arts progress.
It would also sow seeds of jealousy among other disciples, making them feel he was showing favoritism.
Therefore, he waited until everyone was inside the gate before, using “uselessness” as an excuse, sending out a few talented disciples.
This way, at the very least, they had proven they were not cowards, and were forced to leave the city gate only by Deng Boxuan’s command. Other disciples would not feel resentment; instead, they would feel they were the ‘useful’ ones.
Although this was somewhat cruel, at this moment, Deng Boxuan could no longer afford to consider much else.
That older disciple also understood these matters, which was why he covered the other disciple's mouth, acupunctured him, and sent him out.
Zhang Jingfeng stepped forward and patted Deng Boxuan’s shoulder, not exposing his intentions, but rather following suit, calling out the names of a few disciples and sending them out of the city.
Zhou Yingxue snorted coldly, also imitating him.
Only when the city gate slowly closed before them did Deng Boxuan let out a long breath.
“Let’s go, everyone,” Zhang Jingfeng said.
“I hear a particularly intense sound within the city; the direction points straight to the State Office.”
“The matters within this city will likely be resolved there.”
With that, he used his lightness skill and took the lead.
Deng Boxuan gazed deeply at the city gate, saying nothing, and led the remaining people closely behind.
Meanwhile, at the State Office, Wang Hai and the others were already stretched thin.
During this time, Ming Cult disciples had broken through the defense line several times, entering within one zhang of Little Four.
Among the four present, only Wang Hai, Liu Baiyun, Mei Qinghe, and Gao Ling were first-rate masters, and only these four could break through the flesh of the Ming Cult Gu Soldiers in one attack.
However, in Wang Hai's opinion, even the most skilled Liu Baiyun and Gao Ling, plus Mei Qinghe, were somewhat soft-hearted.
They always had to repeatedly distinguish, only striking deadly blows when they were absolutely certain it was a Gu Soldier.
In a life-and-death struggle, hesitation is the greatest taboo, so the one bearing the brunt of the responsibility here was ironically the young Wang Hai.
Wang Hai crouched down, reached out, and slipped between the legs of the person in front of him, then sharply twisted his hooked blade!
“Ah!!!!!!”
Even with the Gu Soldier’s fearless resolve, he couldn't help but cry out in pain, involuntarily kneeling to the ground.
Wang Hai seized this opportunity, reached up and slashed across the person’s face, gouging out an eyeball, then kicked him into the crowd. He let him flail and crash wildly among the crowd, somewhat slowing down the influx of people.
Few Mount Hua Sect disciples remained.
In jianghu struggles, soft-heartedness is a major taboo. In a life-and-death battle, the first move must be decisive.
Not wanting to kill, not wanting to leave disabilities, and still trying to figure out who could be killed and who couldn't, the Mount Hua Sect disciples, holding such a mindset, were often unexpectedly tackled and then poisoned and fell.
The people in the backyard were already piled one on top of another, and the few in the front yard were barely holding on, not knowing when they would fall into danger.
The first to fall into danger was Mei Qinghe.
Among the four, she had the shallowest cultivation and the thinnest internal energy, and she wasn't as ruthless as Wang Hai. Her internal energy was already gradually running out.
But when it rains, it pours. Just as she swept her sword across the crowd in front of her, it bounced off two people.
Two Gu Soldiers had come for her!
And directly behind her was Little Four, with no further obstruction in between.
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With no retreat, Mei Qinghe suddenly turned and glanced, gripping the long sword in her hand tightly.
Then she held her sword across her chest, mustering her remaining internal energy.
Flying Eaves Splashing Snow!
This was a sword technique from bottom to top, disrupting the lower bodies of the two Gu Soldiers and sending them flying off the ground.
Sword Roar Cold River!
Mei Qinghe threw herself forward, thrusting her sword directly into the chest of one Gu Soldier, while her other hand struck the other Gu Soldier.
The long sword pierced through the chest, which Mei Qinghe's internal energy and strength alone could not have achieved.
So she put her entire body weight into it.
Taking the two Gu Soldiers with her, she fell into the crowd.
In mid-air, the Gu Soldier who had been struck by a palm bite Mei Qinghe's arm, holding on tightly, continuously tearing and biting, with blood splattering everywhere.
“Qinghe!” Liu Baiyun cried out in pain, about to thrust her sword to rescue her.
“I’ll go!” Wang Hai shouted, his hooked blades tearing a bloody rain through the crowd.
With the four of them, the current situation could barely be maintained. There was no time for Liu Baiyun to hesitate; this task had to be done by Wang Hai, as he could be ruthless enough.
Mei Qinghe had made this choice because her internal energy was exhausted, and Little Four was behind her, leaving her no retreat.
But if Mei Qinghe were gone, it would truly be difficult to hold on.
Wang Hai continuously fought his way through the crowd, finally reaching Mei Qinghe.
At this point, Mei Qinghe was in a precarious situation; a large section of flesh had been torn from her left arm, which she used to block, and her right hand wielded her long sword, barely forcing back the surrounding crowd.
Wang Hai flashed forward, and Mei Qinghe understood, holding her sword to her side. Wang Hai channeled his internal energy and kicked the sword with sudden force.
Mei Qinghe slid across the ground, reaching Little Four’s side.
Little Four quickly brought the wound on his hand close to Mei Qinghe, and soon, Gu worms crawled out of Mei Qinghe’s mouth and nose, dying after touching Little Four’s blood.
Wang Hai struggled to fight his way out of the crowd, scanning left and right.
“Can’t hold on,” he thought.
With a sudden thought, he was about to turn and flee with Little Four.
The two were of one mind; Little Four looked at Wang Hai and gently shook her head.
Just as Wang Hai was about to disregard everything and flee with Little Four.
Several figures flipped over the courtyard wall with a “swish swish swish,” looked around, and immediately took over Wang Hai’s and Mei Qinghe’s defensive lines.
“Headmaster Liu, how can we let your Mount Hua Sect monopolize the glory! Our Hengshan Sect is also here to join the fun!” Zhang Jingfeng shouted, waving his long sword, and flashed directly to Wang Hai’s side, filling Mei Qinghe’s position.
Zhou Yingxue fought her way to Liu Baiyun’s side, while waving her long sword, she coldly snorted: “What, Headmaster Liu, where’s your prestige from Mount Tai Sect?”
Deng Boxuan gave a wry smile, no longer hesitating, and immediately joined the battle.
Dozens more disciples drew their swords.
It was the forces of Heng Mountain, Hengshan Sect, and Mount Song Sect, finally arriving!