Volume One, Chapter 10: Zhao Tieqi, Do You Have the Courage to Fight?
They understood the principle of killing one to warn a hundred. Lu Yunduan made it clear to them that if they wasted any more words, that would be their fate.
“We’ll get it done right away…”
They staggered to their feet, one after another, rushing toward the gate of the city lord’s mansion.
[Fear Level +111]
...
No, seriously, this emotion value increase is really weird.
Lu Yunduan drew his Fangtian halberd and motioned for them to come closer.
“My lord, what are your orders?”
“There are three tasks I need you to carry out immediately.”
They all knelt down, their eyes resolute, always ready.
“First, two of you will go to Shangfang Village and relocate all the villagers to the city.”
“Second, form pairs—two per group, four groups in total. Two groups will sneak into the capital to spread the news that the Marquis of Dongzhou is planning a rebellion. The other two will go to Dongzhou to spread word that the capital intends to dispatch troops to suppress them.”
“Third, the rest will follow me up onto the walls of Yongning City.”
In this world, nothing is more feared than rumors. Every doubt is born from whispers and gossip.
If the Empress of the capital even harbors a seed of suspicion against him, then any slight movement will magnify that doubt endlessly.
At that point, whether the Marquis of Dongzhou’s rebellion is genuine or fabricated won’t matter; she will definitely send troops to crush him.
If the Marquis of Dongzhou tries to fend off the army of Dali alone, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—a futile death sentence.
To survive, the Marquis must find allies. When the time comes, those allies will come to him willingly, no need to beg.
“Understood. We will proceed immediately.”
They dispersed, splitting into three groups, riding off in different directions.
“Luo Yi, take six others and come with me to the city wall.”
Lu Yunduan and his group reached the city gate. Climbing onto the battlements, they looked down to see a thousand ironclad cavalrymen, each holding a burning torch, strong and spirited, their battle fervor palpable.
The shouts echoed like firecrackers across the sky.
“My lord—”
Lu Yunduan was deeply moved by this scene. With these thousand Xiliang iron cavalry, what was there to fear?
Excellent, very good!
For the upcoming great battle, he was already confident of victory.
“Someone, open the city gates to welcome the Xiliang iron cavalry.”
A shadow swiftly moved to the gate and opened it cleanly.
In an instant, thousands of horses thundered into the city.
As they entered, it felt as if all of Yongning City was trembling.
Lu Yunduan followed the momentum to the gate and burst into hearty laughter.
---
“Luo Yi, lead these thousand Xiliang iron cavalry to the city lord’s mansion. Do not take any rash action without my orders.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Luo Yi led the thousand cavalry toward the city lord’s mansion.
At this moment, Lu Yunduan and six others arrived at the Yuelai Inn.
Lu Yunduan stepped inside, where two people approached him.
“My lord, Miss Bai has been settled and is resting in a side room.”
“And Zhao Tieqi?”
“He has awakened and is currently in his room.”
Lu Yunduan motioned for them to wait outside and entered Zhao Tieqi’s room.
“You’re awake, Zhao Tieqi.”
Lu Yunduan sat down, looking at Zhao Tieqi who was now standing, greeting him warmly.
“Thank you for saving my life. I will repay you with all I have.”
Zhao Tieqi cupped his hands and bowed deeply, sincere gratitude in his eyes.
[Gratitude +100]
Lu Yunduan sipped his tea calmly and spoke without hurry.
“You needn’t repay me so grandly. I saved you for a reason. You must understand: in this world, only those of value have the right to live.”
“Of course, if you want me to do something for you, just say it clearly. I will help you accomplish it.”
“I want you to submit to me, to acknowledge me as your lord.”
Lu Yunduan stood, exuding an overwhelming aura, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
Zhao Tieqi sneered coldly. Submit to you?
Impossible. No one could be his master, no one could make him bow.
In this world, the person who could make him bend the knee probably hasn’t even been born yet.
“Impossible. Though you saved my life, you are not worthy of my submission. You don’t have that qualification.”
Zhao Tieqi’s eyes seemed to clearly convey his refusal—impossible, said decisively.
Though he had only one eye, the intensity in that gaze was unlike any ordinary man’s.
The more Zhao Tieqi resisted, the stronger Lu Yunduan’s desire to tame him grew. Gaining Zhao Tieqi would be like gaining an army of a hundred thousand elite troops.
He would not give up.
Lu Yunduan waved his hand arrogantly, placing it on Zhao Tieqi’s shoulder, gripping tightly.
“Qualification? How do you know I don’t have it?”
But Lu Yunduan found he couldn’t move him at all. Zhao Tieqi was like a bronze wall, standing firm before him.
“Is this all the strength you’ve got? If so, then you truly lack the qualification to make me submit.”
---
Damn it, Lu Yunduan refused to believe it. He was a man with a cheat system—how could he not overpower him?
“System, do you have anything that can boost my strength briefly?”
“My system has everything. Only what you haven’t thought of, not what I lack.”
[Grandmaster One-Minute Experience Card: For one minute, your strength reaches that of a Grandmaster.]
Holy hell, how awesome.
A Grandmaster—that was the level of the four great masters in *Joy of Life*.
They were rulers of their realms!
With this power, how could he not crush Zhao Tieqi?
“How much?”
Excited and eager, he asked.
“8,000 emotion points.”
Lu Yunduan: “…”
“What? You’re robbing me? No, you’re robbing emotion points! Eight thousand for a one-minute trial card? You’re a swindler, a big swindler.”
He couldn’t suppress his anger. If this were his previous life, he would have charged at the system already.
“Do you understand? Grandmaster power can destroy heaven and earth. In one minute, you can accomplish a lot. For example, if you strike once every three seconds, that’s twenty times in a minute. Tell me, is that a lot? Is it worth it?”
When he put it that way, it did make sense.
Lu Yunduan was almost convinced by the system’s reasoning, but suddenly felt uneasy.
“Who told you I hit every three seconds? I’m in this for the long haul.”
“Don’t get hung up on details. Are you buying or not?”
Lu Yunduan checked his balance and almost laughed. He seriously suspected the system was doing this on purpose—he had exactly 8,250 emotion points.
“System, was this intentional?”
“It’s just a coincidence. Don’t worry about the details. Hurry up and buy.”
Lu Yunduan didn’t want to argue anymore and bought it outright.
[Grandmaster Experience Card has been credited.]
“Zhao Tieqi, do you have the guts to fight?”
“Hmph—”
“Why hesitate?”
Zhao Tieqi shuddered, then flung him away.