Chapter 167: Compassion Does Not Command an Army, Zhao Xing's Choice

At Xier County City, at the Inspection Bureau.

Chen Shijie parked the Arrowfish airship in the Inspection Bureau's plaza.

The first landing spot wasn't the Ministry of Agriculture, but the Inspection Bureau, as requested by Zhao Xing. Since he was undertaking an inspection mission, he naturally had to go through the Inspection Bureau. Furthermore, the mission involved a significant number of people, and he couldn't handle it alone; he needed to leverage the Inspection Bureau's power.

Upon disembarking, both Chen Shijie and Long Xiao looked troubled. Just seeing where Zhao Xing chose to go first indicated that this issue would be substantial. If it were only dozens or a hundred people of low rank, Zhao Xing and Long Xiao would have been sufficient for the operation, without needing the Inspection Bureau's assistance.

"Are you really coming here first?" Long Xiao couldn't help but ask as they were about to enter the Inspection Bureau. "Couldn't you inform the Marquis about this first?"

"Long Xiao!" Chen Shijie said gravely. "Don't interfere with him; the Marquis will understand."

The Chief Inspector, Qiu Mingyi, of the Inspection Bureau held the rank of Standard Fifth Rank. His Standard Fifth Rank position was not subject to the authority of Marquis Boping, Yang An; this role was specifically for monitoring the military. Aside from Yang An, whom he couldn't supervise, the Inspection Bureau had the right to apprehend and prosecute any other military generals involved in illegal activities. The Inspection Bureau also served as an enforcement guard during wartime. Of course, unless it was treason, the Inspection Bureau still had to consult Yang An's opinion when dealing with military commanders.

The Inspection Bureau had always been disliked by soldiers. Essentially, every few years, its personnel had to be replaced, and those leaving often had to depart covertly to avoid being assaulted by soldiers. Chief Inspector Qiu Mingyi had also been in office for only a year, and his relationship with Yang An was relatively harmonious. Previous internal purges were mostly carried out by Yang An himself, with Qiu Mingyi merely assisting by providing interrogation and investigation services.

When he learned that Zhao Xing's first stop was the Inspection Bureau, he immediately came out to greet him personally. This was because Zhao Xing's Arrowfish airship now flew the banner of the Ten Suns of the Military Realm. A genius entrusted with such a mission, regardless of their past or future, held immense authority. In this capacity, they were like imperial envoys, representing the will of the Military Realm, or, more broadly, the will of Emperor Jing.

"Go invite Zhao Xing to the main hall for reception," Qiu Mingyi instructed. "Order all inspectors of Level Three and above from every department to return to the county city and await orders. Also, go to the Divine Temple and inform Lord Ma Dezhu, the military priest, to bring a team of priests and invite the two divine statues of justice, Fan Wujiu and Xie Bian, here. Bring out the Qilin Stepping on the Sea Robe and the Phoenix Feather Hat; I need to bathe and change."

Qiu Mingyi, looking vibrant, gave a series of instructions to his subordinates. He had been leisurely drinking under a grape trellis, but upon hearing of Zhao Xing's arrival, he immediately became invigorated, unconsciously licking his lips. He fully understood the signal Zhao Xing was sending by making the Inspection Bureau his first stop.

"Kill, kill, kill! I want to see rivers of blood!" A hint of excitement gleamed in Qiu Mingyi's eyes. "The sharp tools are all ready for you, young man; don't disappoint me."

For the past year, Qiu Mingyi had mostly been drinking. With Yang An re-assuming his position as chief general, there was much he could only observe. In Qiu Mingyi's view, Yang An's methods weren't ruthless enough, and the corruption wasn't purged thoroughly. If the Inspection Bureau were allowed to investigate mercilessly, far more people would have died. Now, Zhao Xing had arrived. His arrival undoubtedly meant he possessed significant evidence of major crimes, and a genius like him implied that the level and number of those involved would be considerable.

A quarter of an hour later, at the main hall of the Inspection Bureau.

"Your humble servant Zhao Xing pays his respects to Lord Qiu." Zhao Xing bowed to Qiu Mingyi. This Chief Inspector was also one of the evaluators for the first stage of the mission. Qiu Mingyi's assessment would carry significant weight after Zhao Xing completed the first stage of the mission.

"Zhao Xing, why have you come to the Inspection Bureau to see me?" Qiu Mingyi asked.

"By order of the Military Realm, I have come to rectify illegal activities in Xier County," Zhao Xing stated directly. "I request the Inspection Bureau's assistance."

"Oh? How many personnel do you intend to deploy, and how many individuals are implicated in crimes?" Qiu Mingyi inquired. In truth, the moment Zhao Xing entered, Qiu Mingyi had already received synchronized intelligence. His questions now were merely to gauge how much Zhao Xing was willing to disclose.

Zhao Xing was also aware of this. As long as he took charge, and as long as Yang An didn't interfere, these people were doomed. The only difference was whether he executed the task himself or if the Inspection Bureau personnel did it.

"A total of 1,423 individuals are involved in illegal activities. Your humble servant requires the full deployment of the Inspection Bureau, and preferably the cooperation of the Military Shrine," Zhao Xing said, presenting a list. "These are the individuals involved."

"Very well. Investigating illegal activities is within the purview of the Inspection Bureau. I will seal off information and place all personnel entirely at your disposal!" Qiu Mingyi declared. "This is the Chief Inspector's Order. Once you hold this order, all personnel of this Bureau will follow your commands. Additionally, Lord Ma Dezhu of the Military Shrine will arrive at the Inspection Bureau within the hour to assist you."

"Thank you, sir." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a salute, immediately took the Chief Inspector's Order, and exited the main hall.

Outside the hall, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao saw Zhao Xing emerge holding the Chief Inspector's Order, and their scalps immediately tingled. Even Chen Shijie's pupils contracted.

Zhao Xing, holding the Chief Inspector's Order, began moving through the various departments, formulating arrest plans.

"Inspector of Bureau One, apprehend Colonel Hong Tai of Changshui and Colonel Qi Shan of Zhonglei...""Inspector of Bureau Two, apprehend Fan Geng, He Cheng...""Inspector of Bureau Three..."

Long Xiao, as a protector, stayed by Zhao Xing's side. As for Chen Shijie, he remained in a side hall of the Inspection Bureau, drinking tea to avoid suspicion.

Upon hearing Zhao Xing read out that long list, Long Xiao's eyes widened in shock.

After the orders were given, figures immediately rose into the air from various parts of the Inspection Bureau, soaring through the night.

Noticing Long Xiao's unusual demeanor, Zhao Xing immediately asked, "Perhaps you should go rest first."

Long Xiao said miserably, "How can I sleep now? Several of the people you named are brothers who shared life and death with Old Chen and me."

"That was six years ago," Zhao Xing calmly stated. "Now, are you still sure they are your brothers? Did you not feel a difference when you saw them again?"

Long Xiao fell silent. As a sword cultivator, his sword heart was clear, and when he gradually encountered old acquaintances a year ago, he did sense some changes in his brothers, but he had been unwilling to consider that possibility. "Can you tell me, are they... still salvageable?"

Zhao Xing remained silent. His first point of contact being here signified his choice: definitely not compromise or appeasement. Killing one person offends, killing a thousand also offends. When doing something of this nature, there could be no perfect solution, unless Zhao Xing was willing to ruin his own future by giving everyone light sentences. But that was simply impossible. With no ties or relations, how could Master Zhao possibly jeopardize his own future for these scoundrels?

"Let me tell you the truth." Zhao Xing said. "Without me, they would also be doomed. The Military Realm had been collecting evidence of their crimes for a long time, only launching this operation now that the investigations are complete, unless..."

"Unless the Marquis protects them, right?" Long Xiao's face showed a flicker of hope. "That's it, Qiu Mingyi isn't as powerful as the Marquis."

Zhao Xing shook his head and said, "Hong Tai, the current Colonel of Changshui in the Divine Might Army, rank Standard Seventh Rank Lower. He served as the Magistrate of Taoxian, Xier County, for five years, returning after the Divine Might Army's reorganization. His crimes include: raping fourteen people and forcing five to their deaths. After Marquis Boping was reinstated and transferred, to cover his crimes, he murdered the entire families of the fourteen victims. Qi Shan, the current Colonel of Zhonglei in the Divine Might Army, rank Assistant Seventh Rank Upper. He served as the Magistrate of Fubuxian, Xier County, for three years, secretly establishing checkpoints and accepting bribes totaling 3.42 million taels from merchant guilds from other regions."

Long Xiao's face paled, and his eyes blazed with fury: "How could these bastards be so... so..."

Seeing this, Zhao Xing did not continue reading. Yes, Marquis Boping could protect these people, but if he did, it would prove him too lenient! Leniency does not command an army; strict military discipline was the basis for Zhao Xing's actions this time. If Yang An truly protected those rotten individuals, Zhao Xing would rather pay a price to flee and seek another master. Because this differed from his understanding: if military discipline wasn't strict, how could such a person later establish a formidable reputation? He must have remembered incorrectly, or something was amiss with Yang An in this lifetime.

In short, it wasn't just the imperial court and the Divine Might Army observing Zhao Xing through this mission. Zhao Xing was also observing whether the Divine Might Army, as a vessel, was truly worth investing in. Although he thought highly of Old Chen and found him agreeable, ultimately, the Divine Might Army was under Yang An's command.

At Changshui Barracks, Xier County.

Hong Tai, holding a staff and clad in armor, was inspecting the barracks. Night patrols were not typically his duty as a colonel, but for some reason, he felt particularly unsettled today. "Is there something unusual about the Lanjiang River? Yet, I haven't detected any deviation in the solar terms from their proper positions, and the phenological changes are merely the usual seasonal transitions. Liu Ming, prepare an airship for me! I need to go inspect the Lanjiang River!"

Hong Tai shouted to his guards. But there was no response. The night was silent, and a bright moon rose, but this moon was positioned behind a dark golden figure.

"Judicial Underworld God Fan Wujiu?!" Goosebumps erupted on Hong Tai's skin, and he shivered, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

An airship did arrive, but it came from outside. "People from the Inspection Bureau, and they even invited the Judicial Underworld God from the Military Shrine?!" Hong Tai's unease reached its peak at this moment. It was a feeling that his crimes could no longer be hidden, making him desperately want to flee. But Hong Tai forcefully suppressed the urge.

"Colonel of Changshui greets the Judicial Underworld God and all inspectors." Hong Tai knelt on one knee. "May I ask why you have come to my Changshui Barracks?"

"Hong Tai, you are suspected of rape and murder; the families of fourteen people were exterminated." An inspector said coldly, "By order of the Chief Inspector, we are here to apprehend you. Surrender now."

Hong Tai's heart sank. When the other party specified "fourteen people," he knew the matter could no longer be concealed. "Bastards, who is slandering me?! I demand to see the Marquis!"

"You'll have your chance to see Marquis Boping at the Inspection Bureau."

At the same time, at Zhonglei Barracks.

Qi Shan was also bound by a golden light rope, struggling on the ground. "Slander! This is slander! I demand to see Marquis Boping!" Qi Shan shouted.

Across various barracks in Xier County, large numbers of inspectors appeared simultaneously, emerging suddenly and striking precisely. Overnight, sounds echoed everywhere. Some refused to confess, while others openly admitted their guilt.

"I merely embezzled a batch of military provisions, but that was an old matter from the 13th year of Jingxin. I will personally confess my error to the Marquis and pay the fine!"

"I am on official duty. The Inspection Bureau's investigation can wait three days! What?! The Chief Inspector's Order?!"

Others tried to escape. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." Zhao Xing stood on the airship, retracting his fingertips. In front, a figure fell from mid-air, a Nine-Section Commander. He had accompanied one of the teams to a barracks. When the inspector announced the arrest, this military quartermaster feigned confession, but as he knelt, he actually attempted to escape by burrowing underground. Perhaps the preceding operations had been too smooth, or this team's members were slightly less skilled, but they were caught off guard, and the person indeed burrowed away. However, immediately, the person was bounced out from underground by the Boundless Subterranean Palace, breaking their escape technique. Zhao Xing then killed him with the Dripping Rain technique.

"Zhang Ze, commander of the Fire Battalion, refused to comply with orders and has been executed. The Fire Battalion will temporarily be overseen by Deputy Commander Huang Ming." Zhao Xing's voice spread outwards. He then rolled up the body and brought it onto the airship. The accompanying inspector, sweating profusely, bowed to Zhao Xing: "Your humble servant has failed in his duty."

"It's nothing," Zhao Xing said calmly. "The intelligence was flawed; his strength has improved. Return to the county city."

"Understood."

The operation began at night and concluded by dawn the next day.

A quarter past noon.

Zhao Xing sat in the first seat on the left in the main hall of the Inspection Bureau, listening to an inspector report on the situation.

"Reporting, sir, all teams from the various departments returned by Mao hour. Out of 1,423 individuals, none were missed. Fifty-seven resisted arrest and were executed on the spot. Following joint interrogation by the Military Shrine and the Inspection Bureau, all remaining 1,366 individuals have confessed."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly upon hearing this. At this point, the intelligence provided by the Great Zhou Military Realm was highly reliable. Although there were slight discrepancies in individual strengths and information, they were minor, and the evidence of their crimes was irrefutable, regardless of whether they confessed or not.

Qiu Mingyi looked down: "Zhao Xing, all these people have confessed. How to deal with them is entirely up to your discretion. You could consider their past merits and impose lighter sentences, especially since you are from the Divine Might Army."

Zhao Xing remained expressionless. This old man, acting as an evaluator, was testing him again. This was clearly a widespread crackdown; it wasn't just the Divine Might Army conducting self-inspections, other armies were undertaking similar actions. How could he suggest lighter sentences? He rose and bowed to Qiu Mingyi: "Yes, thank you for the reminder, sir."

Zhao Xing took the reviewed list from the reporting official. The remaining 1,366 individuals were now categorized and laid out before him. Now, with a simple checkmark on the list, Zhao Xing could instantly decide their fate. Zhao Xing picked up the list, feigning a thoughtful review.

"Based on the intelligence held by the Military Realm, the remaining 1,366 individuals are all guilty of grave crimes, punishable by death. During this special period, severe laws must be applied. Grave crimes are also capital offenses!"

Zhao Xing paused, and under Qiu Mingyi's astonished gaze, he directly closed the document. Then, using a "Decapitation" command token, he drew the character "斩" (chop/execute) on the document's cover.

"All 1,366 individuals are to be executed, effective immediately!"