Volume Thirteen: Dreaming Back a Thousand Years - Chapter Nine: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkeys

Yao Guang drifted all the way through the air straight to the military camp, leaving the soldiers who caught sight of her utterly dumbfounded and agape. People generally harbor fear and awe toward unknown forces. The troops of Ling City were not part of the Han Division; if they were to be subdued, their willpower had to be dismantled from deep within their hearts.

Inside the camp, the soldiers were completely bewildered. Yao Guang leisurely landed on a high tree branch, quietly watching Sheng Chuhan deliver words intended to win over the people's hearts. Knowing what he was going to say, Yao Guang did not pay much attention, simply standing on the bough and teasing Datou perched on her shoulder.

"Sister, your pose is absolutely on point, flawless," Datou joked.

Yao Guang chuckled softly. "This is psychological pressure," she said with a smile.

After temporarily winning over the hearts of the soldiers came the task of pacifying the common people. With the Han Division stationed in Ling City, it was decided that they would begin taking over the city's military defenses early the next morning.

Everyone rested for the night at the Ling City government office. In the middle of the night, however, the drum for lodging grievances was struck with thunderous force. Surprised, Yao Guang ordered the doors to be opened, and a tear-stained girl along with a drunken soldier were brought inside.

The girl wept continuously, and after a long while, Yao Guang could not make out a word she was saying. She had no choice but to ask the Han Division soldiers who had dragged the intoxicated man in about the sequence of events.

As it turned out, the soldier had gotten drunk and brazenly bullied the girl right on the street. Terrified, the girl screamed and shouted, prompting the patrolling Han Division guards to intervene and bring them both in.

Seeing the still-drunken soldier muttering nonsense, Yao Guang was consumed with rage.

"Hang this bastard in front of the prefectural office and wait until he sobers up before dealing with him. Issue a notice overnight stating that any resident of Ling City who has been oppressed may come to the government office to seek redress. Plundered property must be returned to its owners, and those who have inflicted wrongful suffering shall be strictly tried. Ling City must be restored to order and peace." With that, Yao Guang took the girl into the inner courtyard. "Don't be afraid. I will protect you," Yao Guang comforted her in a gentle voice.

"Whose army are you?" the girl asked through her sobs, catching sight of the silver armor Yao Guang wore.

"Holy City, the Sheng Family Army, the Han Division," Yao Guang replied, wiping away her tears.

"Sister, can you take me away from here? Ling City is no place for human beings to live. My parents were beaten to death simply because they couldn't afford the taxes. Normally I wouldn't dare step outside, but there was truly nothing left to eat at home, so I went out, and—and..." The girl broke down and wept bitterly again.

"Are you the only one left in your family?" Yao Guang asked.

The girl nodded.

"What is your name?" Yao Guang asked.

"My name is A Ruo," the girl replied.

"From today onward, your name is Xuan Ruo. When the matters here are concluded, you will return with me to the Holy City. As for the soldier who bullied you, he will be beheaded tomorrow. Who was the one that beat your parents to death?" Yao Guang asked.

"The Prefect," the girl answered tremblingly.

"Well then, this person need not be kept alive. Guards!" Yao Guang stood up.

"My Lady," a soldier entered.

"Find a few reliable matrons to help this young lady freshen up and ensure she is well protected. I am stepping out for a moment." After comforting the girl with a few more words, Yao Guang departed.

As soon as she stepped outside, she spotted Sheng Chuhan. "Zhang Chengxian does not need to be spared. If we want to subdue Ling City, this man must die."

"Let's have him captured first, and deal with him tomorrow alongside the one hanging outside," Sheng Chuhan nodded.

"Capture him and hold him for now. Starting tomorrow, the number of people coming to file grievances will only grow; we can deal with them all together then." With that, Yao Guang turned to leave. "You busy yourself with your work; I'll be right back."

"Shall I come with you?" Sheng Chuhan asked.

"No, this fellow is tricky to handle. I'll go alone." Saying this, Yao Guang strode away.

When Yao Guang tracked down Zhang Chengxian, she was rendered utterly speechless. With the city already breached, this man was actually in a brothel, drinking flower wine and surrounded by courtesans.

Yao Guang walked in with utter grand swagger and kicked the wine table flying with a single blow.

Furious, Zhang Chengxian engaged her in battle right there within the room. Although Zhang Chengxian was valiant, skilled in battle, and possessed formidable martial arts, Yao Guang refused to clash with him head-on. Instead, she sparred with him using soft, yielding techniques. Zhang Chengxian found himself completely at a loss against her bizarre fighting style. True to form, after a hundred moves, with no way to evade, he was kicked flying by Yao Guang straight down from the upper floor, landing in a dizzied and battered heap.

Too lazy to continue the fight, Yao Guang directly employed puppet arts to carry the scum away.

Back at the government office, Sheng Chuhan looked at the wooden, unresponsive Zhang Chengxian with a puzzled expression.

"Puppet arts. Tie this man up in front of the government office gates. Let's execute a chicken to frighten the monkeys," Yao Guang said as she stepped into the inner hall.