Pacifying the North, Proclaiming Our Might Chapter 118: The Siege (7)

"Miss Beitang, Zhenbei Pass does not belong to me alone. If you try to seize it by force, I might agree, but the common people certainly will not. Furthermore, Miss Beitang, you are a native of Zhenbei Pass; how can you bring outsiders here to attack your own home?"

Biluo was stunned by his words for a moment. She could not believe this man had the audacity to mention the people of Zhenbei Pass.

"The people of Zhenbei Pass would be overjoyed if you just got lost," Biluo said coldly.

Zhang Xiu laughed. "One cannot put it that way. I am, after all, a legitimate official of the Qin Kingdom. For the sake of the people, I would rather die than hand over Zhenbei Pass to you."

His righteous tone left Biluo momentarily speechless, but Li Qiutong chuckled. "City Lord Zhang, are you saying that if I can convince the people of Zhenbei Pass, you will hand over the city without any complaints? Is that correct?"

"Yes, I, Zhang Xiu, have always been an official who considers the welfare of the people," Zhang Xiu declared, his face not turning red in the slightest, as if he were speaking the most natural truth.

"Very well. It just so happens that the people of Zhenbei Pass are curious about who I am. Let us go out to the square and speak to everyone; we shall see who has the qualifications to govern Zhenbei Pass," Li Qiutong suggested.

"Of course, that is fine." Zhang Xiu agreed without hesitation. The Qin Kingdom held an iron grip over Zhenbei Pass. The people knew that if the pass broke away from Qin, they would lose their livelihoods, and Qin would surely blockade the region, leaving no one to survive. Any intelligent person knew how to choose. Besides, could Biluo and her few companions really kill hundreds of thousands of people?

Biluo wanted to interject, but Li Qiutong stopped her. He turned and walked out with Zhang Xiu, standing upon the high steps at the entrance of the council hall.

"General Guan, go tell Zhu Long to let in as many people as the square can hold. Biluo, you mentioned something about elder families earlier; invite them all here," Li Qiutong ordered as he turned.

"Understood."

After speaking, Li Qiutong looked calmly at the scene below, with Deng Zhanxuan and White Tiger standing behind him. White Tiger had shrunk down to the size of an ordinary tiger.

"Lord White Tiger, why have you become smaller?" Li Qiutong asked curiously.

White Tiger turned its head away. "Mind your own business."

Li Qiutong smiled helplessly; White Tiger’s temperament was truly rather haughty.

Soon, a cacophony of noise rose from below as countless citizens of Zhenbei Pass crowded in. They had spent the day in confusion, startled by an army that had inexplicably stormed the pass, and hearing rumors that the eldest daughter of the Beitang family had brought these people back. Lost, they could only follow the crowd to the gates of the Zhenbei Prefecture.

Three individuals with distinct attire walked at the forefront. One was an elderly man with snow-white hair—Dong Hong, who had just returned from the northern wall. Beside him was a thin, middle-aged man in flashy, embroidered robes, and an elegant, mature woman in a pale red dress. Her beautiful face remained untouched by time, yet her expressive eyes revealed a unique temperament. If one looked closely, she bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Yan'er.

Biluo and Guan Yu also returned to the high platform.

Before long, the square was packed with citizens. Li Qiutong roughly estimated there were tens of thousands, with even more unable to squeeze inside.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Li Qiutong looked at Zhang Xiu. "City Lord Zhang, would you like to say a few words first?"

"Then I shall not stand on ceremony." Zhang Xiu smiled politely, stepped forward, cleared his throat, and pulled a megaphone from behind him.

"Everyone, quiet down, please. Regarding today's events, let me explain. The daughter of General Beitang has brought a group of people to storm our gates. They claim they want to lead all the people of Zhenbei Pass in rebellion and demand that I, Zhang Xiu, hand over the city. Who am I? How could I allow you to follow this group of madmen into treason? So, I have argued my case with reason. Although I am but a civil official, I wish to protect you, to protect Zhenbei Pass." At this, jeers erupted from the crowd, but Zhang Xiu ignored them and continued his speech.

Biluo shook her head in frustration. "I never knew this guy could make up such lies. I should have just shot him with an arrow earlier."

Li Qiutong did not mind. "If he wants to talk, let him talk. If we want to stay here, we need the approval of the people. Having things made clear is not a bad thing."

"By the way, who are those three leaders at the front?"

"They are the elder families I mentioned, those who built Zhenbei Pass alongside the Beitang family. The one in the middle is Dong Hong, the current head of the Dong clan, who manages mining in the East District. On the left is Xi Yun, head of the Xi clan, in charge of urban management and logistics. On the right is Nan Yue'er, head of the Nan clan. They used to be responsible for the security of the South District and the inner city, but due to Qin's interference, the Nan clan now only manages the inner city's law and order. Also, she is Yan'er's aunt."

Li Qiutong watched the people below in silence, paying no attention to Zhang Xiu's rhetoric.

"I hope you all understand that the Qin Kingdom is your greatest support. If you betray Qin, Zhenbei Pass will face the terrifying wrath of the empire. You must think clearly about this," Zhang Xiu finally finished. He stepped back, looking at Li Qiutong with a triumphant expression.

Li Qiutong smiled, took a deep breath, and stepped to the front of the platform, gathering his martial essence.

"Citizens of Zhenbei Pass, greetings. My name is Li Qiutong, formerly a minor general from the Tang Kingdom. As for my purpose here, I believe that man has already stated it. I will not hide the truth: I had a falling out with the Tang Kingdom, and I led my army in rebellion. My soldiers left their homes and their country with me. Homeless, we had to find a place to settle. Then, Biluo—your Miss Beitang—suggested Zhenbei Pass and explained the situation here in detail. So, we came. I intend to occupy this city; that is my goal. You could say I am a rebel."

"To be honest, I haven't figured out how to persuade you to join my rebellion. So I won't make empty promises. Biluo said the people of Zhenbei Pass want their own lives and want to break free from Qin's rule. Very well. I may not have my own city, but I have a powerful economic ally who can restore the economy of Zhenbei Pass and free you from Qin's control."

As Li Qiutong spoke, the crowd began to stir, and many started calling out his name.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Zhang Xiu shouted, "You must think clearly! If you side with this man, you are committing treason. When the great Qin army arrives, you will all die!"

Li Qiutong smiled and continued, "That is correct. We will indeed be enemies of the Qin Kingdom. But I, Li Qiutong, can promise you this: from the moment I set foot in Zhenbei, I am a man of Zhenbei for life. I admire the selfless dedication of the ancestors of this pass and the courage of its people. I am willing to dedicate the rest of my life to Zhenbei Pass. As long as I, Li Qiutong, am here, Zhenbei Pass will never be oppressed or controlled by anyone."

Zhang Xiu roared, "By what right? My Qin Kingdom has a mighty army; destroying you would be effortless!"

Li Qiutong looked at the crowd below and said confidently, "By the strength of the army that is willing to fight the world by my side, without fear of death."

Zhang Xiu sneered, "How strong can your army be? If they encounter the hundred-thousand-strong army of Qin, they have only one path: death."

"Then what if you add me to the mix?" As he spoke, black and white light flickered alternately around Li Qiutong’s body, and an ancient, primeval aura was released from the staff behind him without restraint. Zhang Xiu, a mere civil official, was forced to the ground by the sheer pressure.

"Appear, Saint Yang Dragon, Extreme Yin Jade Dragon!"

Two beams of light, one black and one white, shot into the clouds, enveloping all of Zhenbei Pass. The white light was searing, while the black light was bone-chilling.

From the massive black and white disc in the sky, two magnificent, divine dragons emerged. One was as white as snow—the pure Yang dragon, the Saint Yang Dragon; the other was as black as ink—the pure Yin dragon, the Extreme Yin Jade Dragon.

"The air outside is truly refreshing."

"Brother, the world outside is so beautiful." The two divine dragons chatted excitedly, paying no heed to the shocked humans below.

"I, Li Qiutong, may not be the strongest in the world, but I am a true pinnacle martial artist." With his resonant voice and breathtaking aura, Li Qiutong used the most direct method to tell the people of Zhenbei that he had the qualifications to protect them.

"Is that the aura of the legendary beasts of heaven and earth?" Guan Yu was also shocked.

His Green Dragon Crescent Blade trembled slightly, and Guan Yu heard the voice of the Green Dragon in his heart. "Indeed, that is a true beast of heaven and earth. Above the Eastern Martial realm, the beast clans are divided into four levels: Heavenly Beasts, Four Directions Beasts, Totem Beasts, and Earthly Spirit Beasts."

"Are the Heavenly Beasts the strongest?"

"Not necessarily. The ranks of the beasts only signify the nobility of their divine essence and bloodline, but strength is still tied to one's own cultivation. Li Qiutong's Yin-Yang dragons are Heavenly Beasts, but their cultivation time is short. In terms of strength, they cannot compare to me, White Tiger, or Black Tortoise. It is the same for martial artists. A thousand years ago, there was a stone monkey born of the essence of heaven and earth. Though a mere Earthly Spirit Beast, he endured countless hardships and studied the strengths of all schools, ultimately becoming one of the strongest among all beasts."

"I see."

By now, the people of Zhenbei Pass seemed to have made their choice. Li Qiutong’s words and promises had struck a chord. For them, death in battle was nothing; what they had truly loathed was living under the rule of others. Li Qiutong’s arrival had brought them a new hope.

The citizens below cheered Li Qiutong’s name. However, the three elders at the front wore grave expressions. After exchanging opinions, Dong Hong loudly silenced the excited crowd.

"Everyone, be silent!" When an elder spoke, the crowd quieted down. The three of them then stepped onto the stairs and walked toward Li Qiutong on the high platform.