"Acting Governor!"
"Clan Leader!"
The Yu Family's skilled fighters looked at one another, somewhat at a loss.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian said, "Immediately lay down your weapons. We only punish the chief culprits; the rest will be dealt with leniently. But if there's resistance, there will be no mercy!"
The Dragon Roar Sword in his hand trembled slightly, and a fierce red sword light swept across, leaving a deep sword mark dozens of yards long on the ground.
The sword qi was intimidating, causing many Body Forging Martial Artists and Inner Cultivation Martial Artists to lose their courage.
Body Forging Martial Artists and Inner Cultivation Martial Artists, no matter how powerful, could not contend with something so overwhelming; this was beyond human strength.
"Clang!"
As the first Inner Cultivation Martial Artist dropped his weapon, other Body Forging Martial Artists, manor guests, and even Yu Family members, in despair, all put down their weapons.
Only some of the death warriors hesitated.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian sneered, his Dragon Roar Sword transforming into a stream of light that swept back and forth among the crowd several times, killing hundreds of black-clad death warriors.
At that moment, he knew he couldn't afford to show mercy.
"Well done!"
Seeing this scene, Qi Yi laughed heartily after glancing first. "As expected of my grandson, never hesitating when it's time to act, truly a descendant of my military family!"
Qi Yi's expression was filled with pride, even as his luxurious lapels were stained with blood.
Beside him, Zhang Yi couldn't help but curl his lip. At the same time, he waved his hand, signaling the many guards around him to step forward and assist by confiscating everyone's weapons and moving to control Yu You.
Zhang Jian leaped down towards Zhang Yi and Qi Yi and said,
"Grandfather, Father, I'll leave this place to you. Right now, I'm worried something's happened at the Zhang Family Mansion!
The Qi family's grand residence is also a target of the Yu family's attack; I must hurry there!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yi nodded solemnly and then said,
"You go to the Qi Mansion first. Your mother has gone to Dong Shen Temple to offer incense today; there are currently no other important people at the Zhang Family Mansion. I'm concerned that Yu You might try to reap benefits from the confusion and attack the Qi Mansion to seize hostages!"
Hearing this, Qi Yi's expression also changed.
"Patriarch!"
At this time, from another direction, cries of mourning sounded. Zhang Jian glanced over to see West Wind Swordsman Wang Yuanlang and several Gu Family guards with grief-stricken faces.
The Gu Family's clan leader, Gu Chengyan, lay on the ground face-up, his face ashen, his chest stained with blood, his life or death uncertain.
Glancing at him, Zhang Jian knew the odds of this great Gu clan leader surviving were slim.
But he could not afford to delay here; his figure sped towards the Qi Family Mansion.
On the way, he encountered the main force entering the city to suppress the rebellion. Qi Yuansi, upon learning that Qi Yi and Zhang Yi had been safely rescued from the Commandery Governor's Mansion, breathed a sigh of relief, though he felt regret on hearing that Gu Chengyan's life was uncertain.
Zhang Jian did not linger; after informing Qi Yuansi of the news, he quickened his pace towards the Qi family.
Qi Yuansi also followed closely behind!
Soon, he arrived at Changling Street, in front of the Qi Mansion.
The Qi Mansion was shrouded in thick smoke, with shouts of battle and sporadic resistance visible in the distance.
On the walls, private guards discharged the Nine-Bead Crossbow, launching a rain of crossbow arrows. Outside the Qi Mansion, a row of corpses lay scattered.
"They haven't breached the defense?"
Zhang Jian looked at the thieves still setting fires in the outer mansion, a bit surprised.
The Qi family's internal defenses were stricter than he had imagined.
Zhang Jian did not realize that this was partly due to his warning. After learning from Xuan Jiu about the impending attack on the Qi Mansion, he notified Qi Yi. On the surface, Qi Yi made no reaction, but secretly he fortified the Qi Mansion like a hidden fortress.
Inside, many fortifications had been dug: not only secret tunnels but also hidden bastions, arrow slits, and numerous mechanisms and traps.
Ordinarily, it would be almost impossible for rebels to break in unless they used unconventional means.
However, in the Qi Mansion, with the Dragon and Tiger Qi acting as a suppressor, unconventional methods would struggle to take effect.
Swoosh swoosh!!
The sword qi from Zhang Jian's Dragon Roar Sword flew out, instantly penetrating the chests of several bandits around the alley and extinguishing their vitality. His expression was cold, a murderous aura evident in his eyes. Amidst the scene, he saw many Qi family servants, maids, and even female relatives who hadn't managed to escape being burnt to death by these Yu family troops.
It was truly appalling.
Among the chaos, there were also the figures of many innocent civilians.
The spreading flames had ignited many of the affluent homes surrounding the Qi Mansion, as well as peasant cottages.
This group of Yu family death warriors were determined to burn the Qi family alive inside.
As the sword light swept over, several Yu family death warriors perished under the golden glow. Zhang Jian soon focused on the figures engaged in a fierce battle inside.
Four figures were fighting intensely.
Yu Fan and another Death Warrior Commander were locked in combat with two of the Qi family's skilled fighters, one being the old housekeeper of the Qi Mansion, the other an honored guest recruited by the Qi family.
All were masters at the Innate Stage or perhaps at the Refining Organ Stage, with invisible qi force unleashed as they fought.
Yu Fan was gritting his teeth as he watched. Yu You had high hopes for their group, yet they had botched the task.
They had been at it for a full two hours and still hadn't breached the Qi Family Mansion.
This Qi family was like a turtle; they had fortified their mansion into a hidden fortress, making him gnash his steel teeth.
The two Refining Organ Stage body-refining experts in front, although weaker, were adept at entangling them, making it difficult to secure a quick victory.
Just as Yu Fan was about to make another push, the sound of Dragon's Roar approached his ears. The celestial sound paralyzed him momentarily, his whole body suddenly chilled, a trace of red light appeared on his forehead, and he fell straight to the ground!
"Commander Yu?"
Witnessing this, the other Death Warrior Commander's face paled, his form stiffened, and he too fell silently to the ground, having been knocked unconscious by Zhang Jian.
Then Zhang Jian's form materialized, and upon seeing him, the two on the opposite side reacted.
"Young Master Zhang Da!"
The two Refining Organ Martial Artists showed joy simultaneously.
Zhang Jian nodded and then quickly asked, "Steward Qi, how are the elders and the other family members?"
Qi Yue replied, "Young Master Zhang Da, the matriarch and most other elders, young masters, and young ladies have already taken refuge in the depths of the hidden bastion; they should be safe!"
Pausing a bit, Qi Yue added earnestly, "The two young ladies from the second branch are also sheltering in the depths of the tunnel; the young master may want to see them!"
Zhang Jian glanced at the Qi mansion steward, knowing he hinted that Qi Yuhua was safe, making Zhang Jian somewhat relieved.
But since he knew everyone was alright, his mind was at ease. He then planned to personally go to Dong Shen Temple to escort Madam Zhang Qi, ensuring her safety.
Although he knew she should be fine at Dong Shen Temple, he still felt a bit uneasy.
"Please convey my regards to the matriarch and all the elders; since the Qi family's rebels have been repelled, I will not linger. I have other matters to attend to, farewell!"
Zhang Jian glanced at the Qi Mansion confines, where the Yu family death warriors, witnessing their leaders slain and captured, had their morale collapse, fleeing in all directions, no longer posing a threat.
At this moment, the sound of hoofbeats thundered; not far away, Qi Yuansi led the County Soldiers back as well.
Zhang Jian knew, at this point, the situation was settled.
The sudden rebellion instigated by the Yu family could no longer make any significant waves.
...
Meanwhile, on the Dragon-locking Dam, two figures observed the changes within and outside Fengyang County.
One was the Bai Shui Dragon Monarch. Seeing the turbulent and chaotic Dragon and Tiger Qi above gradually calming, he said coolly,
"From now on, all of Prince Mian's descendants perish, which also vents my resentment!"
The other figure said,
"For one general's success, countless bones wither. After this battle, the Yu family perishes, the Gu family is severely wounded, the Zhang family rises like the midday sun, and the Qi family, riding their coattails, have almost swept away all the obstacles within and outside the Commandery City. A princely foundation is forming, and great things can be expected!"