Seeing everyone's high morale, Zhang Ning nodded in satisfaction, then said in a cold voice, "Yingtao County is where the 'Yellow Heaven Treasure Trove' left by the Great Virtuous Teacher is located. It is crucial to our Yellow Heaven Great Cause, so not a single word of this matter must be leaked. Zhang Yan, on the day the city falls, kill every citizen in the city. Do not sheathe your blades for three days!"
!!!
"What?!" Everyone was startled, Zhang Yan's expression suddenly changed, and he raised his head in disbelief to look at Zhang Ning.
Her gaze was as cold as ice, seemingly devoid of any emotion.
How could this be? Why would the Holy Maiden say such a thing?
Zhang Yan's heart was filled with doubt.
Xiahou Lan, who was nearby, suddenly changed his expression, and his eyes seemed to hold a hint of hatred.
"Holy Maiden, what did you say? You want... to massacre the city?" Zhang Yan asked in disbelief.
"That's right. Only by ensuring the news doesn't leak can I safely open the Treasure Trove."
"But that's a whole city of people..."
"For the Yellow Heaven Great Cause, sacrifice is unavoidable." Zhang Ning raised her cold gaze, "A'Yan, those who wish to accomplish great things must not be soft-hearted like a woman!"
"But if we do this, we will surely lose the people's support!"
"After the Treasure Trove is opened and we establish a firm foothold in Ji Province, I will issue a proclamation to appease the people," Zhang Ning said, enunciating each word clearly. "Remember, the people of Yingtao County were ordered to be killed by Zhang Chen when he saw the city was about to fall. The culprits are those dog officials of the imperial court!"
As Zhang Ning spoke, no trace of emotion flickered in her eyes.
Zhang Yan lowered his head dejectedly and only replied after a long while, "Your subordinate... obeys!"
Zhang Ning then ordered everyone to withdraw and prepare.
After the few of them came out, Xiahou Lan immediately grabbed Zhang Yan and roared angrily, "A'Yan! What do you mean by this? Is this the benevolent and righteous lord you keep talking about? I originally thought the Taiping Way was truly for the people of the world, but I never expected it to be like this! Such a cruel person, and he wants me to pledge allegiance? Hmph! I won't accompany you any further!"
As Xiahou Lan spoke, he immediately pulled Xiahou Bo and was about to leave.
But Xiahou Bo shook off his hand and said, "Brother, calm down."
Xiahou Lan was slightly taken aback, then said, "Boss, what are you still waiting for? Do you really want to serve such a person?"
Xiahou Bo said, "A'Yan is my junior brother. I believe he would never lie to me. For this matter, I want to hear his explanation."
"Senior Brother, there must be something strange about this matter. The Holy Maiden has always been kind and benevolent; everyone in the sect knows this. Her words today... I was also greatly surprised. I think there must be some hidden reason," Zhang Yan said. "A'Lan, we have been close since we were young. How could I deceive you?"
Zhang Yan then said to everyone, "If you trust me, Zhang Yan, then focus on preparing for battle now. I promise you all that after the city is breached, I will absolutely not obey the order to massacre the city! If the Holy Maiden wants to blame someone, I, Zhang Yan, will bear it alone!"
Xiahou Bo pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhang Yan and said, "You'd better remember what you said."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. If I break my promise, you can kill me with a single strike."
Xiahou Bo looked at Zhang Yan and found his gaze sincere and his words not false. Furthermore, as they had been fellow disciples for many years, he naturally understood Zhang Yan's character. He then said to Xiahou Lan, "Let's trust him this once. If he truly dares to commit an unrighteous act, it won't be too late for us to leave."
"Hmph! Since my brother has spoken, I'll trust you this once. I warn you, if you dare to harm a single citizen, I, Xiahou Lan, will not let you off!"
After saying that, Xiahou Lan left with Xiahou Bo.
"These two are not former members of our Yellow Turban army. I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to be of one mind," a burly man with prominent ribs and a curly beard walked over from behind. It was Zhou Cang, one of the Twelve Divine Envoys.
"Brother Zhang," Zhou Cang looked at the departing Xiahou brothers and patted Zhang Yan's shoulder.
"Brother Zhou."
"I received the dying command of the General of Heaven to assist the Holy Maiden. I know deeply that the Holy Maiden is absolutely not a cruel person," Zhou Cang said. "But ever since the Holy Maiden came out of seclusion, her temperament has changed drastically. I think her current changes might be related to cultivating The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven!"
"I feel the same way," Pei Yuanshao also said. "The Holy Maiden's gaze when she looks at people is now as cold as ice, completely unlike before."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's brows immediately furrowed tightly.
What exactly happened during the time I was away?
He knew about the Holy Maiden using Zhang Chen's hand to weaken Guan Hai's influence. But in the battle in the valley, the entire army of 100,000 was annihilated. Wasn't that a bit too much?
If she truly wanted to weaken Guan Hai's influence, getting rid of a few of his loyal subordinates would have been enough. Why lose all 100,000 soldiers to the enemy?
With Zhang Ning's ability, she could have completely preserved those soldiers. Even if there were losses, it wouldn't have resulted in total annihilation!
Could it be that from the beginning, she wanted to completely eradicate Guan Hai's influence?
When did she become so ruthless?
Zhang Yan couldn't believe it. He turned and walked directly towards Zhang Ning's residence.
At the door of the room, two maids were standing outside.
"Your servants greet the Upper Divine Envoy." Seeing Zhang Yan arrive, the maids quickly bowed.
Zhang Yan said, "Dispense with the formalities. I have an urgent matter to see the Holy Maiden about. Go and inform her quickly."
Upon hearing this, the maids' faces immediately showed panic. "Miss... Miss is not feeling well," they stammered. "She... she said she won't see guests."
Hmm?
Zhang Yan couldn't help but feel suspicious. She was fine just now, so why is she not feeling well now?
Zhang Yan looked at the two maids and saw them clutching the corners of their clothes, heads lowered, their eyes filled with panic.
Seeing their appearance, Zhang Yan knew there must be something fishy.
"Get out of the way!" Zhang Yan snapped and was about to push the door open and enter.
"Upper Divine Envoy, you can't! Miss said..."
"Get lost!"
Zhang Yan roared and burst through the door with a "bang".
Inside the room, Zhang Ning was lying on the ground, and there was actually a pool of fresh blood in front of her!
"A'Ning!" Zhang Yan was greatly alarmed. He rushed over in a stride and helped Zhang Ning up.
He saw that Zhang Ning's breath was faint, her face pale, as if she had suffered a severe internal injury.
"Miss!"
Seeing this, the two maids couldn't help but cry out in alarm.
"Get out! Guard the door well, and no one is allowed to approach!" Zhang Yan said decisively. "Not a single word about the Holy Maiden's condition is to be revealed, or else, watch your heads!"
Upon hearing this, the two maids were so frightened that they quickly retreated outside the door. Zhang Yan then scooped up Zhang Ning and placed her on the bed in the inner chamber.
Zhang Yan reached out and felt her pulse, his brows furrowing deeply.
Zhang Ning's pulse was chaotic, and there seemed to be two streams of internal energy clashing within her body.
How could this be?
Zhang Yan didn't have time to think. He quickly circulated his energy, placed his hand on Zhang Ning's back, and slowly sent out a stream of gentle internal energy.
After a long while, Zhang Ning let out a soft breath and slowly woke up.
Zhang Yan quickly supported her body, letting her lean against the edge of the bed.
"A'Yan, did you save me?" Zhang Ning looked at Zhang Yan beside her and said softly.
"A'Ning, what exactly is going on? Are you injured? Who did this? Could it be... Guan Hai?"
"Alas," Zhang Ning sighed softly. "You must have already discovered that there are two streams of internal energy within me. One of them belongs to Guan Hai."
"What?!" Zhang Yan was greatly shocked and quickly asked, "What exactly is going on?"