Chapter 1228 - 488: Intimidating the Ministers

Those razor-sharp eyes seemed poised to pierce through the thoughts of everyone present, leaving no place to hide.

The crowd was cowed by that gaze, bowing their heads one after another, terrified of being singled out.

No one knew, in the eyes of this peerless hero, what they were worth at all.

"My beloved ministers, this operation is of paramount importance; there is no room for the slightest mistake."

Zhang Beixing said in a deep voice, his tone brooking no argument.

"If anything goes wrong, even a little, I’ll have your heads buried with it!"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried a chilling pressure that froze the soul.

The civil and military officials of the court were all horrified, nodding in quick succession.

Afraid that the slightest slackness would cost them their heads.

Richard and Alina, however, remained calm, utterly unafraid.

They knew full well their lord was only speaking thus to rouse morale, not truly intent on slaughtering the innocent.

"Lord, you are wise! With you presiding, what have we to fear?"

Richard’s heroic spirit soared to the heavens, his fighting intent blazing.

Alina’s delicate brows were tightly knit, killing intent sharp and cold.

"Our lord’s great enterprise must not be obstructed by anyone!"

"Indeed!"

Zhang Beixing nodded with satisfaction, the corners of his lips curling slightly.

With these two ferocious generals, and the aid of the Persuasion System, what could possibly be beyond him?

"All of you, listen to me."

He descended the throne at an unhurried pace, hands clasped behind his back.

Golden radiance flowed about him, exuding an unrivaled, tyrannical aura.

"This campaign to exterminate the Demon Race is to rid the people of a great scourge."

"Any who harbor crooked thoughts and obstruct military affairs—kill without mercy!"

At these words, the ministers all bowed in assent, joy lighting up their faces one by one.

In their hearts, their admiration for this enlightened lord grew to utter prostration.

"Lord, your sagacity is divine! What virtue or ability have we, to be allowed to serve you?"

"We can only bow and toil to the very end, laying down our lives if need be!"

Amid the thunderous cries that shook mountains and seas, lord and ministers alike were jubilant.

Zhang Beixing dipped his head slightly, his gaze growing ever more resolute.

Of all things under heaven, the greatest folly is the mantis trying to halt a chariot.

Such a trifling Demon Race, and they dare run rampant before him?

Truly courting death!

Soon, all preparations were complete.

Richard led the elite three armies, setting out in a mighty, surging column.

Alina too stood in gleaming silver armor, murderous intent billowing.

Zhang Beixing stood upon a high platform, watching that dense, black mass of troops, a cold smile touching his lips.

He knew he had taken one more step toward the founding of his hegemony.

[For the Host to lay such a scheme—this truly makes me see you in a new light.]

At that moment, the voice of the Persuasion System sounded again.

[This move is indeed brilliant, but remember to proceed with caution.]

[Sink too deep into demonic ways, and you may well lose control and fall into madness.]

"Hahaha, fall into demonic ways?"

Zhang Beixing threw back his head and laughed to the sky, utterly unrestrained.

"I have cultivated my whole life—when have I ever feared anything?"

"If I truly fall into demonic ways, it will only be because I, Zhang Beixing, am too proud and too lofty!"

In that instant, no one doubted that he could truly accomplish it.

For he was born to be such an existence that looks down upon all under heaven.

...

Three days later, outside Zhongzhou City.

A man draped in a black robe stood atop a cliff.

Staring into the distance, he was like an unmoving statue.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open.

Two beams of sharp light seemed as if they could pierce the vault of heaven.

"Zhang Beixing, you took the bait after all!"

The man gave a chilling smile, madness boiling in his eyes.

"A mere mortal, and you dare show off your petty tricks before me?"

"You simply do not know your own limits!"

With that, he swept his wide sleeve.

In an instant he turned into a streak of black light, shooting into the clouds.

At the same time, in the Great Zhou Military Camp.

Countless soldiers were drilling, their morale sky-high.

Shouts rang out in wave after wave, echoing through the mountain valley.

As though they would shatter the sky and reach the Ninth Heaven.

Alina’s silver armor gleamed coldly, her gaze sharp as torches.

She was personally supervising the troops, not daring to relax for a moment.

"Our lord is wise and mighty, we must exert ourselves to the utmost and not betray our charge!"

Richard too burned with fighting spirit, brimming with confidence.

Yet none of them had imagined.

That this storm of blood and slaughter would arrive so quickly.

"Ah—!!!"

Just as everyone was on high alert, a shrill, miserable scream suddenly tore through the camp.

Right after, countless black shadows appeared out of nowhere.

They surged forth like a tide; wherever they passed, corpses littered the ground.

"Enemy attack! Everyone be on guard!"

Alina’s face changed, and she hurriedly drew her sword to defend.

But even bearing the title of Vampire Princess, she could not block this raging army of Demons.

In the blink of an eye she was already deep in encirclement.

"Quick! Send word to the lord—enemy forces have launched a surprise attack! Our army... is in dire peril!"

Richard flung out a command arrow, shouting himself hoarse.

Yet before he finished speaking, a black shadow pounced and knocked him to the ground.

Blood gushed in an instant, and he could no longer struggle to his feet.

"Hahahaha, Zhang Beixing, you’ve finally walked right into my trap!"

An ethereal voice suddenly rang out over the battlefield.

A streak of black light flashed, and that crane-haired, child-faced man strode forward unhurriedly.

It was the king of the Demon Race!

"Hong... Hongjun?!"

Alina’s pupils contracted, horror flooding her gaze.

"You’re the one who set this bloody snare?"

"You old bastard, I’ll fight you to the death!"

With that, she clenched her silver teeth, sword in hand as she charged.

Swearing to fight this treacherous villain in a battle to the death.

Yet in the next instant, a scene that left everyone dumbstruck unfolded.

Hongjun merely stretched out a hand.

His five fingers hooked, and with a casual squeeze—

Alina felt a tremendous force seize her, her entire body freezing in place.

"Pshhh!"

Blood sprayed; she didn’t even have time to scream.

She was crushed alive into a pile of mangled flesh!

"This... this is impossible..."

Richard stared wide-eyed in disbelief, his whole body trembling.

But Hongjun only gave a chilling smile as he slowly turned around.

"Heh, Zhang Beixing, so these are your two trusted lieutenants—how utterly disappointing."