Wang Xiaoqiang's face flashed with anger, and he struck the general's forehead with a palm. With a cracking sound, the lightning from his palm blew the general's head apart, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

Everyone around trembled briefly; no one expected Wang Xiaoqiang to suddenly strike, and even less did they anticipate that he would dare to attack King Ann's nephew so decisively and cleanly, killing him with one blow.

The general's personal guards drew their swords and surrounded Wang Xiaoqiang, yet none dared to act. They all knew that the disparity in strength between them and Wang Xiaoqiang was too great—acting would only lead to death.

Wang Xiaoqiang completely ignored them, bent down, slipped off the Storage Ring from the general's hand, placed it in his left palm, and condensed a layer of Soldier Aura in his right hand, wiping away the Divine Consciousness Imprint on the ring. Then, he slit his index finger, letting a drop of Blood Pearl fall onto it, and heard the sound of a door opening from within the ring.

After the Blood-Recognition Binding, Wang Xiaoqiang shouted at the ring, "Come out."

Instantly, a pile of items fell out from the ring: a wine pot, beef jerky, clothes, an Immortal Sword, pills...

The last to fall was a girl, with delicate features and a face yet untouched by mature expression, though her physique was fully developed. No wonder the general was overcome with lust; she appeared to be an ordinary farm girl.

The farm girl was so terrified she was stunned silent, unable to cry.

Seeing the farm girl, an elderly couple kneeling on the ground immediately rushed forward to embrace her, overcome with joy and tears, crying, "My Yingzi, mother's Yingzi, you're back. If you had suffered any misfortune, we wouldn't have wanted to live anymore."

Upon reaching her parents' embrace, Yingzi finally recovered, letting out desperate cries of survival.

After crying, the three turned to Wang Xiaoqiang, kowtowing and expressing their gratitude repeatedly, "Thank you, Marshal! Thank you, Marshal!"

Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Alright, rise now and take your daughter home."

The couple quickly stood up and took their daughter back to the village.

The hundreds of soldiers, though they did not act against Wang Xiaoqiang, still harbored hostility in their eyes.

Wang Xiaoqiang cast a cold glance over them, using his force to enhance his voice, thundering, "Before we camped to rest, I explicitly stated to prohibit disturbing civilians, or bear the consequences. Yet, someone disregarded this, showing no respect for my authority as the marshal and behaving lawlessly. If a tiger doesn't show its power, it will be treated as a sick cat... Now I will use their lives for punishment and warning!"

As Wang Xiaoqiang spoke, he pointed at the more than three hundred soldiers, his gaze full of killing intent.

"You dare? Brothers, let's fight him!" The soldiers who disturbed the civilians, seeing the situation unfavorable, immediately shouted to incite all troops to confront Wang Xiaoqiang.

"Fight? What can you fight me with? Not just you few hundred, even with two thousand joining, you are not my match."

Without hesitation, Wang Xiaoqiang wielded the War God Hammer at the more than three hundred soldiers. With a booming sound, a wave of air exploded, sending more than three hundred soldiers flying away.

Their limbs shattered, flesh and blood scattered, unable to even scream before meeting their end in the Western Heaven.

Too cruel!

Witnessing the scene before them, all the restless soldiers felt a chill throughout their bodies, immediately abandoning any thoughts of resistance. Wang Xiaoqiang was right; from his previous group attack, it was clear he had the capacity to kill all twenty thousand soldiers.

Though they were loyal to King Ann, they wouldn't go against their own lives. After all, living is the most fundamental truth.

After dealing with the group of soldiers disturbing civilians, Wang Xiaoqiang soared into the sky, forcing his voice, which roared down like thunder:

"I know you used to be Ann Guochu's soldiers; your allegiance to him is strong. But now, you are my soldiers. I know some of you feel discontent, hold rebellious thoughts, but let me tell you, if you don't wish to die, you better comply. You've fought for years; I know some among you don't fear death, but don't forget you all have families. If you die, how will your families survive?

... Additionally, I need to state, before setting out, there was an imperial decree from His Majesty. This expedition aims primarily to exterminate demons. Those sacrificing in battle are heroes, but those deliberately breaking the law will be deemed as traitors...

Treating traitors not only involves killing them but their families will be seen as accomplices, subjected to imprisonment, permanent detention...

Furthermore, do not think you can stir up a mass plot against me. I know you harbor such thoughts now, but it will do no good. If one person rebels against me, I'll kill one; if twenty thousand rebel, I'll kill twenty thousand. Essential to understand, I have secured absolute support from His Majesty, even if I kill you all, His Majesty will not blame me…"

Before Wang Xiaoqiang could finish, the lower public opinion burst, with soldiers engaging in heated discussions and protests, clearly extremely dissatisfied with such actions,

One person's crime shouldn't implicate their family.

Especially for the empire's soldiers, such severe punishment had never been introduced.

"You think the punishment is severe, right? Let me tell you, I have even harsher punishments. If you don't wish to die, if you want your families unharmed, just behave accordingly!!" Wang Xiaoqiang said in a firm tone: "Of course, where there's punishment, there's reward. For those who obey and follow orders faithfully and fight bravely on the battlefield, they will receive rich rewards. For this expedition, His Majesty dispatched one hundred thousand Superior Pills, intended to reward those individuals. Those with outstanding performances and achievements will have opportunities for promotion...

Do you want to become tarnished traitors, implicating your family, or do you wish to receive Superior Pills, get promoted, and prosper? It's all a matter of a moment's choice. I hope everyone makes thoughtful considerations…"

After Wang Xiaoqiang finished speaking, there was silence below, not a single sound.

All soldiers were pondering internally, hesitating, struggling...

They were ordinary soldiers, young, not wishing for death. They have families to support, from young to old, and were even less willing to drag their families into trouble. Although Wang Xiaoqiang, their new master, was brutal and tyrannical, they really couldn't help but obey him.

"Alright, now everyone continues on the road." Wang Xiaoqiang ordered.

The soldiers immediately flew up, forming into formations, flying forward. This time, no one fell behind, none left the group on their own, maintaining perfect order.

Wang Xiaoqiang flew behind, accompanied by Cheng Jin and twenty elite disciples.

Wang Xiaoqiang's conduct left them in awe. Jiang Yingxue gave him a thumbs up, "Marshal, you truly have a way!"

"Hehe, what's exceptional? You'd find a way too if it were you." Wang Xiaoqiang modestly replied.

However, Cheng Jin said, "Killing is easy, subduing is tough. It's incredibly challenging to make someone who resents you submit, let alone twenty thousand... Sect Leader, you have the demeanor of a great general!"

"Right now I'm not the Sect Leader, I'm the Marshal." Wang Xiaoqiang glared at Cheng Jin, saying.

"Yes, Marshal." Cheng Jin lowered his head.

In the ten-thousand-meter-high sky at night, surrounded by darkness, scenery invisible, they could only use Divine Sense to find the way.

Within the team, Wang Xiaoqiang's Divine Sense was the strongest. His current Divine Sense could rival that of an Immortal King. Upon releasing, it radiates over three thousand miles.

While moving forward, suddenly, Wang Xiaoqiang sensed several unusual power waves ahead,

He had never encountered such power waves, neither Spiritual Power Wave nor Demonic Power Wave nor Corpse Qi Wave; it was a peculiar power wave...

Wang Xiaoqiang's heart tensed, hmm, could it be demon cultivators? (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.