Thinking of this, Lia's eyes turned cold. She had originally intended to deal with them tomorrow, but now it seemed she had been a bit too merciful.
The cruelty and ruthlessness of these Aristocratic Families were far worse than she had imagined.
But then again, her actions were threatening their very lives. No one would be willing to just wait to be slaughtered without resisting.
The assassins' goal was very clear; they were heading straight for her current room. It seemed the location of her room had been exposed long ago.
Lia immediately got out of bed, and the mana in her body instantly wove into a set of armor.
With a 'boom,' as Lia rose from the bed, the entire wooden door shattered, and many fragments flew toward her.
Lia held her sword in front of her, blocking the incoming debris.
Seeing this, several assassins in black shouted 'Kill!' and rushed toward Lia with swords in hand, aiming for her vital points.
Lia looked at the assassins with murder in their eyes. She infused her mana into the blade, and as she swung forward, a Mana Slash sent the nearest assassins flying.
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Chapter 24: It's the Aristocratic Families Again
The assassins were momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected Lia's martial prowess to be so high that she could even release Sword Qi; this was something only a Xiantian Master could achieve.
Seeing this, the assassins already felt like retreating. They were merely a group of Second-rate Experts; how could they be a match for a Xiantian Master?
Lia, however, ignored their hesitation. After launching the Mana Slash, she immediately charged at them, piercing one assassin's heart and then slitting another's throat with a casual flick.
In the blink of an eye, she had killed five or six people.
The assassins were terrified by this scene. They exchanged glances and began to retreat.
The opponent's martial prowess was so high that killing her was now impossible. The priority now was to save their own lives!
Trying to run!
Seeing the assassins planning to flee, Lia naturally wouldn't let them have their way. She immediately gave chase and cut down two more.
The remaining five assassins looked at each other and immediately said,'Split up and run!'
The five assassins instantly scattered in five different directions.
Seeing this, Lia frowned. she could only catch up to one and kill him directly.
When she turned back to look at the other four, they had already run far away, and it was too late to pursue them.
It was only then that the soldiers arrived, hearing the commotion. When they got there, they found a floor covered in black-clad corpses.
"My Lord, this is!" Li Lin and Hua Mulan asked immediately upon seeing the scene.
"Just a few assassins. Unfortunately, a few escaped," Lia said calmly.
"Your subordinate arrived late. I ask for my Lord's punishment!" Li Lin said hurriedly.
"It has little to do with you. I simply didn't expect these Aristocratic Families to be so bold as to send people to assassinate me." Lia shook her head.
If she were just an ordinary person, they might have actually succeeded, and Sun Ce was a prime example.
"Your subordinate will take men to handle this immediately. Mulan, from today on, you will stay by my Lord's side and protect her at all times. There must not be the slightest mishap!" Li Lin said.
"Yes, General Li." Hua Mulan nodded.
"My Lord, your subordinate will take his leave now. I will definitely make those Aristocratic Families pay the price!" Even if Lia hadn't said it, Li Lin could guess it was the work of those families; otherwise, who would try to assassinate Lia for no reason?
"I'm fine without protection, so Mulan should go with you instead. A few assassins just escaped, and I'm afraid they might target you. Having Mulan by your side will protect you," Lia said after a thought.
Her strength was almost at the peak of this current world. Excluding those old monsters who didn't involve themselves in worldly affairs, no one should be her match.
On the contrary, she had too few subordinates. Losing even one would make it difficult for her to arrange manpower later, so it was better to keep them protected.
And Mulan's martial arts were quite good, being at the level of a First-rate Expert, so she wouldn't have much trouble dealing with those assassins.
"Your subordinate obeys your command." Li Lin thought about it and didn't object.
Soon, Li Lin went to deal with the Aristocratic Families, while Lia planned to go back for a nap and handle the rest of the families' affairs tomorrow.
If anyone else had encountered such a thing, they would likely be in a murderous mood, let alone wanting to sleep. Only Lia, relying on her sufficient strength, dared to do so.
While Li Lin took the soldiers to find those families, the quick-acting Aristocratic Families had already reacted. Every one of them had their gates tightly shut, and no matter how the soldiers knocked, they wouldn't open.
"Reporting to my Lord, the Feng Family's gate is tightly shut. No matter how we shout, they won't open. The brothers climbed the walls but were beaten back!" A soldier could only return to report to Li Lin.
Not opening? Do they think they'll be fine if they just don't open the door?
Li Lin sneered. Not only did these Aristocratic Families assassinate his Lord, but they also planned to resist arrest. They were truly bold!
"Go find a log and ram the gate open!" Li Lin said directly.
"Yes!" a soldier immediately responded and went with a few others to find a log.
Without making Li Lin wait long, several soldiers came over carrying a thick log. At Li Lin's signal, they rammed the gate open in just a few hits!
"What do you think you're doing? Trespassing on private property is against the law!" After the gate was rammed open, the Feng Family members were all waiting in the courtyard. Seeing the soldiers file in, they immediately cried out in panic.
To be honest, Li Lin really wanted to shout something like 'How dare you assassinate a court official,' but since his Lord was a Rebel Leader, he didn't really have a good excuse.
However, since his current identity was that of a Rebel Leader, he didn't need many excuses. He simply looked cold and said to his subordinates, "Take everyone here away. If anyone resists, kill them without mercy!"
Just as the soldiers were about to step forward and arrest people, several men in black jumped out of the house and directly sent the approaching soldiers flying.
"It really was you behind this. Capture these guys for me!" Seeing these black-clad men, Li Lin's face darkened, and he immediately ordered his subordinates forward.
"Leave it to me, General Li." Hua Mulan stopped the soldiers. Facing several Second-rate Experts, it would be difficult for the soldiers to take them down without sending in a hundred men, and there would be many casualties.
"Fine." Li Lin nodded. Hua Mulan had come here specifically to deal with these assassins.
Hua Mulan didn't show any mercy to these assassins, using her full power from the start.
Seeing how powerful this young girl was, the assassins didn't dare to be careless. Four of them stepped forward to take turns blocking her.
For a time, the five of them were locked in an inseparable fight.
Seeing this, Li Lin frowned. He didn't have time to waste here with these Aristocratic Families. He had to quickly take them down and then interrogate them to find out how many families were involved this time.
A dozen or so Second-rate Experts were not something a single family could provide. Many families must have been involved, or more likely, each family contributed a few Second-rate Experts.
Thinking of this, Li Lin immediately said, "Archers, step forward!"
Dozens of soldiers immediately stepped up, their arrows notched and aimed at the five in combat... no, at the people of the Feng Family.
"If you still want to live, tell those people to stop," Li Lin said to the Feng Family members.
Seeing so many soldiers aiming arrows at them, looking ready to shoot at any moment, the Feng Family Head sighed, knowing they were finished this time.
"Everyone, stop. I am the mastermind behind this event. It has nothing to do with my clansmen. I am willing to take full responsibility, so I ask the General to spare my family."
Chapter 25: She is Not a Rebel Leader at All!
Facing the pleading in the Feng Family Head's voice, Li Lin only said coldly, "I cannot make the decision on this matter, but my Lord will not wrongly kill a good person, nor will she let a bad person go. I hope those in your Feng Family haven't committed any major atrocities in the past."
But was that possible?
If it were possible, the Feng Family wouldn't have wanted to assassinate Lia. It was precisely because they had too much blood on their hands and knew they couldn't escape Lia's cleansing that they took such a risky move.
But since Lia had the bigger fist, they could only accept their defeat when they couldn't win.
After settling the Feng Family's affairs and getting the names of the other families involved in the assassination from the Feng Family Head, Li Lin continued the arrests with his men.
It could be said that with so many soldiers moving about at night, Common People who were already asleep were all disturbed one by one. Looking at the soldiers outside their houses, panic spread for a time.
Seeing so many soldiers outside, they were scared witless and didn't dare to leave their homes. It wasn't until the early morning that the streets finally became quiet.
Looking at the four gates still tightly shut and guarded by soldiers, and thinking about how they hadn't gone to work in the fields for a day, Common People had some grievances in their hearts, but they didn't dare to say anything.
However, Common People were soon drawn by the sound of gongs and drums.
"Extra, extra! Today, the rebel army in the city plans to open the granaries and distribute grain. All Common People can go to the square to receive it!"
"Extra, extra! Today, the rebel army in the city plans to open the granaries and distribute grain. All Common People can go to the square to receive it!"
"Extra, extra! Today, the rebel army in the city plans to open the granaries and distribute grain. All Common People can go to the square to receive it!"
Hearing this, Common People were stunned, unable to believe their ears.
But with the saying 'only a fool doesn't take what's free' in mind, Common People immediately notified their friends and relatives, and a massive crowd headed toward the square.
When these common people arrived at the square, they found the officials and Aristocratic Families who were usually high and mighty all standing on the square, though they looked a bit disheveled.
But no matter how disheveled they were, these people were still dressed much better than the ordinary common people.
While Common People were wondering what was going on, Lia first introduced herself and then listed the crimes of these people. Hearing this, Common People gnashed their teeth in anger.
After all, the things Lia mentioned were not baseless; they were basically things that had happened to Common People themselves. There wasn't anyone who hadn't been bullied by these people.
It could be said that from the Commandery Governor down to the Yamen soldiers, there wasn't a single one who wasn't corrupt. The Aristocratic Families were even worse; every single one of them was exposed, opening Common People's eyes.
Lia handed out punishments according to the degree of each person's corruption. Finally, just like in Wuan Commandery, Lia distributed all the grain to Common People, and each person even received a little bit of money. It could be said that this move by Lia quickly won the support of Common People.
Those officials all spoke very nicely, but in reality, they were just making empty promises. None were like Lia, who directly gave out physical goods. By comparison, it was clear who was truly doing work.
Although this group of Rebel Leaders had fought their way into Wuxing Commandery, they hadn't stolen grain from Common People. Instead, they killed the corrupt officials and Aristocratic Families who bullied Common People and gave the grain to them.
This group of people aren't Rebel Leaders at all!
After doing the same things as in Wuan Commandery, Lia had Common People collect niter, sulfur, and charcoal. Anyway, she was buying them at market price rather than not paying, so Common People were willing to help.
While things were proceeding in full swing on Lia's side, something felt wrong over in Liang Province.
You could say that in ancient times, information was inconvenient, which was indeed common. But Tuoba Xiu had been out with his troops for five days. Even if he wanted to stay in Wuan Commandery for a while, it would be fine, but news of a successful suppression of the rebels should have been sent back, right?
So, after not receiving any news from Wuan Commandery for five days, Liang Province finally couldn't sit still and immediately sent several people to Wuan Commandery to investigate.
This investigation revealed something incredible.
Not only was Tuoba Xiu, who led the troops to Wuan Commandery, captured, but even Wuxing Commandery had been taken by the Rebel Leader.
Upon hearing this news, the Prince of Leping was shocked. He could only pace back and forth in his manor anxiously, already somewhat at a loss for how to handle this.
Soon, he summoned his Advisor and asked him to analyze the situation and whether he should report it to the Wei State court.
"How do you think this should be resolved? Once it's reported to the Son of Heaven and he hears that a Rebel Leader has appeared under my rule, the entire court will be shaken, and I won't be able to remain the Prince of Leping anymore!" The more the Prince of Leping spoke, the angrier he became.
That Tuoba Xiu is truly a waste. If he had just pressed on with all 5,000 soldiers, it would have been solved. Instead, he had to copy the ancients and duel. Now look what happened!
He was captured along with his horse, and even the 5,000 soldiers surrendered. Thinking of this, the Prince of Leping wished he could just kill Tuoba Xiu.
It truly is a case of one useless general dragging down the entire army!
The Advisor could only bow his body and listen to the Prince of Leping's tirade. When the Prince of Leping had finished cursing, he slowly spoke: "Your Highness, actually, things are not that bad."
"Not that bad? Then tell me, how is it not that bad?" Hearing this, the Prince of Leping took a deep breath and looked at his Advisor.
"As Your Highness said, the failure to suppress the rebels this time was the fault of General Tuoba Xiu and has nothing to do with the other officers. In fact, although Wuxing Commandery and Wuan Commandery are currently controlled by the Rebel Leader, those commanderies themselves don't have many people, so the Rebel Leader shouldn't have many troops either."
"Although there are 5,000 soldiers who originally belonged to our Liang Province, as long as we use reason and emotion, we might even be able to incite them to defect and give the Rebel Leader a head-on blow!"
"What we need to do now is take advantage of the fact that the Rebel Leader hasn't yet established a firm foothold and quickly send out the Liang Province army. We can still settle the matter in one battle! Otherwise, once time passes, it will become troublesome."
The Prince of Leping thought about it and felt that his Advisor's words were indeed correct, so he asked again: "But once the Liang Province army is mobilized, it's impossible for the court not to know about such a large matter. What do you think should be done about that?"
"That's easy to handle. We just tell the truth. It's just a small Rebel Leader, after all; we can solve it ourselves. As long as Your Highness sends some gold, silver, and jewels to those above, this matter will just be a few words."
Hearing this, the Prince of Leping's expression softened considerably.
As long as the court's reaction wasn't too large and they didn't send a grand army, it wasn't a huge problem. Once a grand army arrived, his fate as the Prince of Leping might be to be escorted back to the capital.
Chapter 26: Liang Province's Reaction
"Since that's the case, then make the arrangements quickly. Before the court sends troops, quell this group of Rebel Leaders. I will also submit a memorial to the court to explain the situation clearly so those above don't have to worry."
"Yes, Your Highness." The Advisor hurriedly bowed and left.
After leaving, the Advisor immediately summoned the general for this expedition and arranged the details for suppressing the Rebel Leaders.
"Yes, this general will not fail his mission this time and will definitely bring back the Rebel Leader's head!" The general for this expedition was Tuoba Feng, the Prince of Leping's brother-in-law.
This guy's strength was quite good, having at least the power of a First-rate Expert. The Advisor was also very confident in him.
Although the Rebel Leader's side had some momentum, there were only those few people. Unlike Gai Wu a few years ago, who directly raised an army of hundreds of thousands—that was a real threat.
This time, with the Liang Province troops fully mobilized, even if the Rebel Leader really had tens of thousands of troops, they would be wiped out. These were the elite troops of Liang Province, not some rustic villagers carrying wooden rakes and sticks.
Could those even be called soldiers? It's practically enough to make one die of laughter!