The Righteous Alliance Splits, Qingmu Zhenren Surrenders and Offers the Pass

Wei Zhongxian gave the man a strange look.

"Isn't His Majesty just robbing us?"

Everyone: "..."

So frank.

So frank that it left everyone completely speechless.

Perfected Qingmu's face was livid.

"Give us three days to consider."

Wei Zhongxian shook his head.

"One day."

Perfected Qingmu's eyes darkened.

"One day is too short."

Wei Zhongxian smiled and said, "His Majesty will lead the great army past Taixu Peak at this exact time tomorrow."

"If there is no answer by then, the army will no longer be just passing by."

The great hall fell into a deathly silence once more.

Wang Hao did not explicitly say he was going to exterminate them.

But it was far more terrifying than if he had.

Passing by.

This phrase was very gentle.

As gentle as the breeze of a butcher's knife brushing past one's neck.

Wei Zhongxian flicked his whisk.

"The message has been delivered."

"Take your time to discuss it, everyone."

"I shall take my leave."

He turned and walked away.

When he reached the entrance of the hall, as if remembering something, he turned back with a smile.

"Right, His Majesty also said."

"The treasury of the Blackwater Demon Cave was much richer than expected."

"If you are all willing to submit and participate in the subsequent battles, it's not impossible for you to get a share of the Crimson Moon Demon Sect's treasury."

The look in the eyes of many people in the hall instantly changed.

Amidst the fear, a trace of greed had appeared.

Wei Zhongxian took it all in, his smile deepening.

This sentence was the Emperor's true blade.

The head presented earlier was merely a stepping stone.

After Wei Zhongxian left.

The Taixu Hall remained silent for a long time.

Master Iron Sword was the first to speak.

"We cannot surrender."

"If we surrender, we will become Wang Hao's dogs."

A young sect master said coldly, "If we don't surrender, we will become Xie Wujiu's firewood."

"Dogs at least get meat to eat."

"Firewood is gone once it burns out."

These words were harsh to the ears.

But no one could refute them.

Perfected Qingmu closed his eyes.

The rumors about Wang Hao surfaced in his mind.

Tyrant.

Shameless.

Greedy.

Ruthless.

However, Wang Hao was at least transparent in his wickedness.

If he wanted money, he said he wanted money.

If he wanted people, he said he wanted people.

If he wanted you to be his dog, he would at least throw you a piece of meat first.

And what about Xie Wujiu?

His mouth was full of heavenly mandates and righteousness, but behind their backs, he calculated away human lives.

Perfected Qingmu suddenly found it somewhat laughable.

They called themselves the righteous path.

Yet they secretly colluded with demons.

They were manipulated by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

In the end, they actually had to look to a tyrant to see a shred of frankness.

The arguments in the great hall lasted for an entire night.

Some wanted to surrender.

Some wanted to fight.

Some wanted to flee.

Some began secretly contacting their own disciples to transfer away spiritual treasures.

Before dawn.

The Righteous Path Alliance was completely fractured.

Perfected Qingmu sat in the main seat, looking as if he had aged ten years overnight.

He looked toward the pale sky in the east.

He said in a low voice, "Open the mountain gates."

An elder beside him trembled.

"Alliance Leader?"

Perfected Qingmu's voice was hoarse.

"Those willing to surrender, follow me to kneel and welcome the Great Zhou."

"Those willing to leave..."

He paused.

Pain flashed through the depths of his eyes.

"May fate be with you."

At the same time.

In the back mountains of Taixu Peak, the banners of six sects were pulled up under the cover of night.

Master Iron Sword led the elites of the six sects and fled toward the depths of the Western Regions.

His angry curses drifted in the wind.

"Qingmu!"

"You kneel to Wang Hao today, and you will surely die under Wang Hao's blade tomorrow!"

Perfected Qingmu did not respond.

He merely stood up slowly.

He took down the wooden sword from his back.

Then.

He strapped brambles onto his own back.

The next morning.

On the Blood Sand Wasteland, war drums beat like thunder.

The military banners of the Great Zhou pressed in from the east.

The Black Dragon Flags fluttered loudly in the wind.

An army of six hundred thousand spread out, an iron-clad tide.

Runic heavy cannons were dragged by giant beasts, their muzzles carved with demon-suppressing runes, radiating a cold spiritual light.

Demon-suppressing formation flags were planted all across the flanks of the vanguard.

Every single formation flag was stained with the blood of the Blackwater Demon Cave.

Wang Hao sat in the Nine Dragons War Chariot.

His face was still somewhat pale, but his expression was calm.

The Thunder Abyss Demon Suppression Tower floated above the chariot, the lightning runes on its body flickering.

New Emperor Sword had transformed into a black-robed youth, hugging his sword scabbard and squatting on the chariot's shaft, looking entirely sleep-deprived.

Last night, he had digested the remnant core of the Desire Seed and suffered nightmares all night long.

In his dream, ten thousand beautiful female swords chased him, calling him Sword Brother.

Then Wang Hao chased him from behind carrying a chamber pot.

When he woke up, he was covered in cold sweat.

"Tyrant."

New Emperor Sword said faintly, "The psychological shadow you cast is very large."

Wang Hao didn't even look at him.

"That just shows you need to be disciplined."

New Emperor Sword said earnestly, "Is there a possibility that you are just too lacking in morals?"

Wang Hao said, "I may lack morals, but I win."

New Emperor Sword fell silent.

He could not refute that.

Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, Qin Hongye, Wanyan Gu, and the others marched with the vanguard camp.

They had just finished fighting the Blackwater Demon Cave last night, and today they had brought their forces to Taixu Peak.

The injuries on everyone's bodies had yet to fully heal.

But their gazes were sharper than before.

Because they had already smelled the scent of the spoils of war.

Taking seventy percent of the loot from the Blackwater Demon Cave made everyone realize one thing.

Following Wang Hao truly meant getting rich.

The words getting rich could boost morale far better than many grand principles.

Of course, it also made it easier for people's Dao hearts to become twisted.

Wanyan Gu rode on his warhorse and quietly asked Xiao Chen, "Does Taixu Peak have a treasury?"

Xiao Chen glanced at him.

"Didn't you say yesterday that you were going back to the grasslands to inherit the position of Khan?"

Wanyan Gu said seriously, "The position of Khan can wait, the treasury cannot."

Ye Guyun said, "You have changed."

Wanyan Gu said, "I have matured."

Qin Hongye was expressionless. "You are just crazy from being poor."

Wanyan Gu said with grief and indignation, "You military families of the Great Zhou don't understand the bitterness of a Northern Barbarian Prince!"

New Emperor Sword turned his head from the front.

"Extra-thick edition, the spirit stones you got yesterday are enough to buy half a small tribe."

Wanyan Gu said, "But isn't that still not enough to buy a whole one?"

Everyone: "..."

The great army arrived at the foot of Taixu Peak.

Everyone originally thought there would be a tough battle.

After all, Taixu Peak's mountain-protecting grand formation was not weak; the twelve sects had operated here for many years, the mountain terrain was treacherous, and it was easy to defend and hard to attack.

But when they looked up, they saw the mountain gates wide open.

The mountain-protecting grand formation was deactivated.

On both sides of the white jade mountain path, three thousand disciples were kneeling on the ground.

At the very front, Perfected Qingmu carried brambles on his back, his hair disheveled, kneeling on both knees.

Behind him were the sect masters and elders of the six sects, as well as the remnants of the Righteous Path Alliance who were willing to submit.

They wore no armor.

They held no weapons.

Everyone kept their heads bowed.

Like a group of sinners awaiting judgment.

A low uproar echoed through the Great Zhou army.

"They really surrendered?"

"Even a peak Sky-soaring Realm old monster is kneeling?"

"Wang Hao's oppressive might is too ruthless."

"The head of Old Demon Blackwater was just sent over; whoever doesn't kneel must have a skull of iron."

The Nine Dragons War Chariot came to a halt.

Wang Hao slowly stood up.

All eyes converged upon him.

Perfected Qingmu kept his head bowed, his voice hoarse.

"Qingmu of the Western Regions Righteous Path Alliance, leading three thousand disciples of the six sects, is willing to submit to the Great Zhou."

"From now on, we shall obey the commands of the Demon Suppression Alliance, assist His Majesty in exterminating the demons, and cleanse the Western Regions."

"For our past transgressions, we are willing to accept His Majesty's punishment."

After he finished speaking, his forehead touched the ground.

This scene carried an immense visual impact.

An old monster at the peak of the Sky-soaring Realm who had cultivated for eight hundred years.

An alliance leader who had once dominated the Western Regions and commanded twelve sects.

At this moment, he was kneeling before a young emperor.

The scent of power was so intense in this moment that it was almost suffocating.

Wang Hao stepped down from the war chariot.

He walked step by step until he stood before Perfected Qingmu.

Many people thought he would humiliate Qingmu.

After all, Wang Hao was always skilled at rubbing salt in other people's wounds.

Xiao Chen had even started guessing.

Would Wang Hao make Perfected Qingmu write a thirty-thousand-word essay on his thoughts about surrendering?

However, Wang Hao did not.

He bent down and personally helped Perfected Qingmu up.

His movements were gentle.

His smile was also gentle.

"Perfected one, you deeply understand righteousness."

"To be able to forsake the darkness and turn to the light, preserving thirty thousand..."

He didn't expect Wang Hao to say this.

Wang Hao turned around, his voice echoing across Taixu Peak.

"Pass down My decree."

"Perfected Qingmu has shown merit in his submission. He is hereby appointed as the Vice Commander of the Western Region Protectorate of the Demon Suppression Alliance."

"The six sects under his command shall retain their organizational structure and be incorporated into the Western Region Legion."

"Anyone willing to assist in exterminating demons may earn contribution points based on their merits."

"Disciples of the six sects shall not be bullied without cause; violators will be dealt with according to military law."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone up and down Taixu Peak was shocked.

Perfected Qingmu sharply raised his head.

The sect masters of the other surrendered sects also revealed expressions of disbelief.

They originally thought that after surrendering, Wang Hao would confiscate their weapons, disband their sects, and escort their higher-ups away as hostages.

In the end, Wang Hao actually gave Perfected Qingmu an official position.

He even allowed the six sects to retain their organizational structure.

The treatment was so good that it didn't feel like a surrender.

It felt like changing jobs.

On the side of the Great Zhou allied forces, many people also frowned.

Especially some of the patriarchs who had participated in the bloody battle at the Blackwater Demon Cave.

They found this group of fence-sitters from the Righteous Alliance very displeasing to the eye.

The Grand Elder of the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect whispered, "Is His Majesty really going to heavily rely on them?"

The Ren Family Patriarch narrowed his eyes.

"Do you believe it?"

The Grand Elder of the Illusory Sea Immortal Sect thought for a moment.

"I don't believe it."

The Ren Family Patriarch said, "Then keep watching."

Sure enough.

Wang Hao's next words came.

"Furthermore."

"Last night, there were six sects unwilling to submit, fleeing deep into the Western Regions with Master Iron Sword."

Perfected Qingmu's expression changed slightly.

Wang Hao looked at him.

"Perfected Qingmu."

"You have lived in the Western Regions for a long time. You are familiar with the terrain, as well as their cultivation methods, temperaments, and hiding routes."

"I command you to lead your own troops as guides, cooperating with the Great Zhou Vanguard Camp to hunt down the rebels."

"Leave no one alive."

Boom!

Perfected Qingmu's mind felt as if it had been struck by lightning.

He finally understood.

What Vice Commander.

What retaining organizational structure.

What deep understanding of righteousness.

It was all honey.

The real blade was right here.

A blood oath.

Wang Hao wanted him to personally sever his own retreat.

He wanted him to lead the six submitting sects to kill the old allies they had just been discussing matters with last night.

As long as he killed them.

He could never go back to the past.

From then on, the name of the Western Region Righteous Alliance would completely die.

And Perfected Qingmu could only become a hunting dog for the Great Zhou's Western Region Protectorate.

Perfected Qingmu's face was pale.

He looked at Wang Hao.

Wang Hao's smile remained gentle.

"Does the Perfected have a difficulty?"

Behind Perfected Qingmu, the sect masters of the six sects also had ugly expressions.

They certainly knew what this meant.

But they knew even better that if they refused, the Great Zhou military formation was right in front of them.

The Thunder Abyss Demon Suppression Pagoda hung above their heads.

Over thirty Sky Traversing Realm patriarchs were watching them from behind.

Chu Tianque leaned on his heavy sword, his bloodstained clothes not yet dry.

New Emperor Sword was crouching on the cart shaft, licking its lips.

That gaze didn't look like it was looking at people.

It looked like it was looking at running snacks.

Perfected Qingmu felt bitter in his heart.

He recalled Master Iron Sword's angry curses when he left last night.

"Qingmu, you kneel to Wang Hao today, but you will surely die under Wang Hao's blade in the future!"

Perhaps Iron Sword was right.

But at least by kneeling today, three thousand disciples could live.

If they did not kneel.

Today, Taixu Peak would become the second Blackwater Demon Cave.

Perfected Qingmu closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his gaze had grown much ashier and defeated.

He slowly bowed his head.

"This subject receives the decree."

Subject.

When this word left his mouth, many people on Taixu Peak felt a tremor in their hearts.

Perfected Qingmu also trembled slightly.

Eight hundred years of cultivation.

Three hundred years as Alliance Leader.

Bowing his head in a single morning.

From then on, the world had changed.

Wang Hao nodded.

"Very good."

"Wei Zhongxian."

Wei Zhongxian stepped forward.

"This servant is here."

"Take over Taixu Peak's spirit treasury, literature treasury, and secret treasury."

"Sixty percent goes into the military treasury, forty percent is left for the six sects."

"In addition, seal all account books regarding dealings with demons and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion."

Wei Zhongxian said with a smiling face, "This servant understands."

Perfected Qingmu's eyelids twitched.

He knew it; Wang Hao couldn't truly be generous.

But since things had come to this, he could only endure it.

Xiao Chen stood in the vanguard camp, watching this scene, and whispered, "The most terrifying thing about this tyrant is not that he kills people."

Ye Guyun asked, "What is it?"

Xiao Chen said, "It's that he destroys their hearts."

"He makes you kill the people you least want to kill, making it so you can never turn back."

Ye Guyun fell silent for a moment.

"So, should we be grateful that we haven't been sent to kill our own sects yet?"

Xiao Chen smiled bitterly.

"With this trend, it's only a matter of time."

Wanyan Gu interjected, "Then do I also have to kill the Northern Barbarian Royal Court?"

Qin Hongye glanced at him.

"Didn't you say you have a Khan position waiting to be inherited?"

Wanyan Gu's expression was serious.

"That's why I've decided to pledge allegiance to His Majesty first. When His Majesty attacks the Northern Barbarians, I'll take the initiative to lead the way."

Xiao Chen looked at him in shock.

"You sold them out that fast?"

Wanyan Gu sighed.

"You don't understand."

"This is called securing early employment. Those nine younger brothers of mine are not easy to deal with."

New Emperor Sword heard this from afar and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"The thick-skinned version has grown up."