Chapter 826 - 575: The Gate of the Mysterious Female (Part 2)

Standing beside the case was not an ordinary scribe, but Bai Gongming’s old school friend—Li Changhe.

Back in the day, the two entered the county school together, both became scholars, studying tirelessly side by side, discussing the state of the world, originally having a friendship of equals.

A few months ago, when the Supreme Dao raised an army to destroy Li, Bai Gongming resolutely abandoned the pen and devoted himself to the Daoist path.

But Li Changhe, by nature timid and cautious, did not dare to gamble his life and fortune, remaining in the countryside to study diligently, hoping for success in the imperial examinations and an official career.

Who would have thought, in just a few short months, the world changed drastically.

The great Li dynasty was destroyed, and the Supreme Dao Country established its rule over the land.

With his merits in the Daoist path, Bai Gongming suddenly became a Lord of a region.

In the past dynasty, this was unequivocally a high-ranking fourth-grade official, overseeing the military, politics, and people’s livelihood of a region, gloriously unbounded.

Yet Li Changhe’s credentials from the previous dynasty were worthless, leaving him destitute!

Before taking office in Jinshui, Bai Gongming, mindful of their old friendship, specially sent for the impoverished Li Changhe and appointed him as an advisor, even personally promising him.

If this new policy is successfully implemented and the unrest is quelled, he would recommend him to join the Supreme Dao, become a student of the Dao, and thereby shed his mortal form.

At this moment, Li Changhe, holding a stack of complaints, gazed up at his spirited schoolmate in high office, his heart filled with sighs and regrets.

"A mere thought’s difference creates worlds apart!"

"In just a few short months, he has achieved fame and power, donning official robes, wielding Daoist magic."

This disparity filled him with both envy and remorse, wishing he could return to a few months ago and follow Bai Gongming into the Daoist path.

...

Bai Gongming’s eyes suddenly flashed with cold light:

"Lawless!"

"Do they truly think it is still the Great Li Dynasty, allowing rogue gentry to run rampant? How could our Supreme Dao Country’s policies be thwarted by these worthless fellows?"

Li Changhe steadied himself, quickly stepped forward half a step, lowered his voice and reported:

"My Lord, I have investigated and found that these people are not real bandits but private soldiers and henchmen secretly raised by the Wang and Li families, using the name of bandits to oppress villagers and deliberately obstruct the new policies."

"Those gentry have entrenched themselves in Jinshui for generations, their influence is deeply rooted, the village leaders and councilmen are mostly their people, and successive officials have not dared to easily confront this tough nut..."

Bai Gongming, however, let out a cold chuckle, slowly stood up, the hem of his blue official robe sweeping over the ground, standing as upright as a pine.

He glanced at the visibly timid Li Changhe, his tone calm, yet every word was firm:

"The bad habits of the old dynasty should have been cleared away long ago."

"The new court brings new atmosphere, land redistribution and spreading the Dao are our Supreme Dao’s founding policies, compliant with heaven and benefiting the people!"

"Having been entrusted by the Dao as Jinshui’s Lord, protecting the realm and promoting new policies is my duty."

"These rogue gentry collaborating with bandits, harming the people, violating our Daoist principles, they must not be tolerated."

He had already calculated in his heart, without need for much thought, he immediately issued a stern order, his clear voice echoing throughout the main hall:

"Convey my command, immediately rally fifty elite Daoist soldiers and five hundred villagers, assemble at the drill field in half an hour, and follow me out of the city to suppress the bandits!"

Li Changhe was shocked upon hearing this, hurriedly raising his eyes to discourage him, his voice trembling:

"My Lord, with... with just these men?"

"The gentry’s private soldiers plus their clan warriors could easily gather tens of thousands, far outnumbering us, this is too risky!"

Bai Gongming cast a faint glance, his eyes filled with confident strategy:

"Brother Li, you have not yet entered the Dao, you do not know that my fellow Daoists have the protection of the Celestial King, how could mere mortals contend against them?"

"A rabble of misfits, nothing but scum, fifty Daoist soldiers are enough, you just stay assured and follow me to oversee from the rear."

These words fell into Li Changhe’s ears, instantly calming him, further filling him with envy.

He watched Bai Gongming’s upright figure, his heart filled with more sighs: This is the merit of following a great leader, rising to great heights in a single step, how exhilarating!

...

At the drill field, the fifty Daoist soldiers in armor and armed to the teeth were already lined up.

They all had drunk blessed water, their armor gleaming with a cold aura, their stances as upright as pine trees, with steady breaths as mountains.

The five hundred villagers, though merely ordinary young men, also held swords and spears in hand, their expressions solemn.

The Daoist Soldier Commander stepped forward, clasping his fists in salute, his voice like a great bell:

"At the Lord’s command, fight to the death without retreat!"

Bai Gongming gradually emitted a mysterious light around him, like a thin layer of twilight protecting his body, with a long sword at his waist, exuding a stately aura.

He spoke few grand words, only sternly commanded:

"On this march out of the city, to eradicate the bandits and punish the rogue gentry, no innocent shall be harmed."

"Those who resist stubbornly, kill without mercy; those who surrender honestly, may be dealt with leniently!"

"Set out!"

His heart was full of confidence.

No need to mention the mere hundreds of bandits, even if the gentry organize tens of thousands of troublemakers, he has the Thunder Technique to assist, capable of directly suppressing with force!

...

At the bandit’s lair.

The leader, hugging a wine jar, laughed heartily, extremely arrogant:

"The gentry lords gave us quite a bit of silver!"

"A few more days of chaos, and the government will definitely not dare to intervene, this Jinshui region, is still ruled by our lords!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a thunderous noise of battle cries erupted outside the camp, like rolling thunder.

"Bandits hear this, surrender immediately, or this place will be leveled!"

The bandits were struck with terror, their drunkenness almost instantly sobered, wielding weapons as they stumbled and rushed out.

Outside the camp, Daoist soldiers and village warriors surrounded them tightly, leaving no gaps.

Bai Gongming in his blue robe, stood at the forefront.

"Get the officials up there! Kill him!"

A desperate bandit roared as he swung his blade, viciously aiming to cleave Bai Gongming’s head.

Bai Gongming stood unmovingly, only the mysterious light around him slightly surged.

"Clang——!"

The steel blade struck the mysterious light, as if chopping on solid iron, shaking the bandit’s wrist till it cracked, and the weapon flew from his hand.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

A few more strikes landed, only sparking a string of sparks, not even leaving a white scratch.