The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: The Protagonist Must Die

No matter how deeply Sikong Han contemplated, as soon as noon arrived, Little Country Lord indeed left the palace and joined the northwest army in breaking camp.

In the face of such a golden opportunity, Sikong Han had no intention of overthinking at all; every second spent on that was a waste!

As they set out, the people of Zhuolu City lined the streets to bid farewell. Watching the young man in mysterious black armor at the forefront of the procession, the entire city knelt and hailed, proclaiming that the king would surely triumph. However, beneath those lowered heads, there was a hidden excitement.

The people of Zhuolu City knew that no outsider could understand the joy of seeing the tyrant leave, the elation of surviving such a tyrant.

Nie Jia rode ahead, surrounded by a formation of twenty-one black-armored guards. Not even an assassin, let alone a fly, could approach him.

Behind them were the generals of the northwest army and the iron cavalry of Southern Yi, marching forward under the scorching sun.

Nie Jia, riding on his horse, squinted his eyes slightly, looking up at the blazing sun. This sweltering weather was indeed perfect for the spread of a plague.

"Do you want to rest in the carriage for a while?" Shi Chen tossed the reins of his warhorse to the nearby black-armored guard, then climbed onto Nie Jia's horse and fanned him with a fan to shield him from the sun.

Unaffected by the heat, Nie Jia leaned back against him, closed his eyes, and responded in a nonchalant tone, "There's a plague in Danyang County. Though not yet widespread, it will be by the time we arrive."

Danyang County was the reason for Sikong Han and General Yunhui's triumphant return. They had captured a border town of Qi Country, Danyang County, in a minor victory. Over the decades, the Yancheng region in the northwest, especially under Sikong Han's command as the Grand General of the Northern Garrison, had never allowed any breach by Qi Country. Despite Qi Country having numerous formidable generals, they never managed to carve even a small opening in the northwest. However, Sikong Han, while successfully defending the northwest, had not conquered Qi Country either. After years of rivalry, they finally managed to capture Danyang County, turning a small victory into a significant triumph.

In reality, it was just a conspiracy of the Crown Prince of Qi Country.

Before Sikong Han captured Danyang County, several residents had already died from a timely epidemic. The military doctors, helpless against the epidemic, anticipated a major disaster and advised the Crown Prince to withdraw the troops and quarantine Danyang County at Lu Platform. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince abandoned the people of Danyang County, pretending to flee in a rout and leading the soldiers of Yanguo into Danyang County.

In the original world, this epidemic devastated Yanguo, causing numerous casualties among soldiers and civilians. Nearly on the verge of collapse, at the critical moment, Lord Changyue researched a method to treat the epidemic and rapidly controlled its spread. The soldiers and civilians who survived his treatment almost worshipped him like a deity, establishing an unparalleled reputation that solidified his future ascent to the throne.

At this moment, the epidemic was silently spreading in Danyang County, with soldiers falling one after another. The military doctors, unaware of the situation, believed it was due to the soldiers' resistance to the heat, expecting the epidemic to spread into the northwest triumphantly, almost slaughtering half the city.

Nie Jia's words were unquestionably trusted by Shi Chen, who never asked much. Hearing him sigh, Shi Chen furrowed his brows and said, "After capturing Danyang County, Song Yuwei stationed a significant number of troops there."

"Those who need to be killed will be killed; otherwise, more people will die," Nie Jia replied.

They had discussed the matter all the way. In front of the army, they shared a horse, and even rested together in a carriage at night. Some rumors started circulating among the soldiers that the King could only secure his position with the protection of the black-armored leader. These unsightly gossips quickly spread among the soldiers of the northwest army, who already harbored resentment towards the King. Hearing such talk only added a touch of disdain to their existing animosity.

The person truly despising these rumors was Nie Jia himself.

A few days later, in the evening near Triumph City, the army set up camp to rest. On that night, for some reason, conflicts arose between the iron cavalry of Southern Yi and the northwest army. They beat dozens of northwest soldiers guarding the camp. Though they didn't break arms or legs, their faces were bruised, and their jaws dislocated, moaning in pain. No one bothered to help them, and with only the accompanying military doctor, Lord Changyue, the soldiers of the northwest army were left to be treated under the scorching sun, almost falling ill from exhaustion.

The rumors about the King being dependent on the black-armored leader for protection reached a new low among the soldiers. Though they harbored deep resentment, none dared to speak up.

Time only fueled the contempt within Nie Jia.

A few days later, as they approached Triumph City, Northwest King Ji Zhengyu led the army to welcome their arrival. The generals of Triumph City knelt behind Ji Zhengyu, looking at the distant young man on horseback, feeling an involuntary tremor. The black-clad youth in the sandstorm had eyes as sharp as knives, and his ink-black hair fluttered in the wind, resembling a chivalrous swordsman in the martial world. Yet, the imposing majesty within him undeniably proclaimed him as an emperor.

The ruler of Yanguo, Lord Changsheng, was cruel and tyrannical, disabled in both legs, physically weak. How could such an awe-inspiring and transcendent figure appear before them?

"Where is Ji Zhengyu?" The young emperor pulled the reins, and the warhorse neighed, stopping in front of the kneeling generals.

"I am Ji Zhengyu, bowing before the King!" The Northwest King quickly responded. "I have prepared meals and hot water for the King. Please deign to rest in my humble abode to alleviate the fatigue of the long journey."

The hooves of the warhorse incessantly trod back and forth in front of the kneeling figures. Nie Jia's face displayed a kind of burgeoning anger. Dismounting, he angrily questioned, "What is the current situation of the epidemic in Danyang County? What measures have been taken to control it?"

Ji Zhengyu choked, unable to answer. He didn't even know about the epidemic in Danyang County.

"Reply to the King, due to insufficient water sources in Danyang County, soldiers and civilians have fallen ill due to the heat. We have been sending clean water from Triumph City to Danyang County these days, but there is no apparent improvement," Ji Zhengyu stammered, unable to provide more information. He turned to a commanding general and inquired, "Does Prince Jing accompany the King?"

Nie Jia didn't even look at him. He directly lashed Ji Zhengyu's face with a riding crop, scolding, "What kind of Northwest King are you? How can you be ignorant of

such a major event!"

This whip directly left Ji Zhengyu's face marked and swollen. The subsequent burning sensation made Ji Zhengyu scream, causing both shock and annoyance among the generals of the northwest. The Little Country Lord hadn't even entered Triumph City, and he was already whipping the Northwest King without any distinction. Was he here to provoke them?

In the absence of a king in the northwest, there was only Sikong Han. Those generals who had long dismissed the Little Country Lord now, after this whip, some even quietly touched the hilts of their swords at their waists.

But before anyone could act, Xuanjia Guard 21, standing behind the Little Country Lord, suddenly unsheathed his sword. A bloody aura instantly permeated Triumph City, causing those who had touched their swords to shudder.

Far behind, Sikong Han and Lord Changyue couldn't hear the conversation but saw the Little Country Lord whip Ji Zhengyu. Seeing the situation escalate, they understood that a conflict was about to erupt.

General Yunhui, alarmed, hastily urged his horse forward.

Sikong Han sneered in his heart. Did they really think they were still in the royal palace when they arrived in the northwest? So arrogant and unruly, he doubted if they had even considered returning to Zhuolu.

"Is there anyone in the Victorious City falling ill like in Danyang Prefecture?" Nie Jia lashed his hand with a whip, his gaze intimidating as he confronted the general who had just replied.

"Your Majesty, a few soldiers who have been shuttling between Danyang Prefecture to deliver water have indeed fallen ill recently," the general said, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead as he faced the united cold blades of the black-armored soldiers.

Nie Jia frowned and immediately issued orders without delay, "Block Danyang Prefecture. Execute on the spot anyone showing symptoms, regardless of their identity or age. This includes the people in the Victorious City. Pile the bodies outside the city and burn them immediately, execute it promptly without mistakes!"

As soon as the command was given, General Yunhui, who had just arrived, was dumbfounded. The generals kneeling to receive the order were also stunned. Then, their eyes were met with a raging sea of flames!

Under the suppression of the black-armored soldiers' blades, everyone was indignant but dared not say anything in front of the cruel ruler of this small kingdom. They hadn't forgotten that the War God Sikong Han had been crippled and beheaded by someone among them!

Hatred and fear intertwined.

"Why aren't you all quickly following the king's orders!" At this moment, General Yunhui stepped forward and gave the command.

Ji Zhengyu, the king of the northwest, was nothing more than a symbolic figurehead. He only held a title, as his power had long been overshadowed by Sikong Han. With Sikong Han and the deceased vanguard general Qi Feng, the most influential figures in the northwest were now General Yunhui and Left Vanguard Du Yuxian.

With General Yunhui's command, even though the generals were still resentful, they had no choice but to comply. They rose and returned to the city to order their subordinates to count the sick soldiers in the Victorious City.

As the two armies entered the city, the king personally arrived at the Victorious City. The news of the return of the Left Vanguard quickly spread throughout the northwest army, but no one considered the king's presence in the Victorious City as anything worth mentioning. Soon, the news of the sick soldiers being taken away from the city and the lockdown of Danyang Prefecture also spread throughout the northwest army.

Did they say the king wanted to kill the sick soldiers in the city?

Who is the king? Why does he have the right to kill people in the northwest!

For a while, the sentiments of the soldiers were stirred, and dissatisfaction spread.

But by this time, Nie Jia had already ridden with Shi Chence to Danyang Prefecture to see the extent of the damage to the military forces.

Under the supervision of General Yunhui, all the sick soldiers in the Victorious City were quickly gathered. However, the generals did not follow the king's order to execute on the spot those soldiers infected with the epidemic. Instead, they invited Crown Prince Jing to inspect.

Crown Prince Jing furrowed his brows as he felt the pulses of the three individuals, then pale-facedly retreated from the makeshift camp. He commanded General Yunhui, who was still enforcing orders, "It's an epidemic! These people cannot stay in the city. Didn't my brother order you to execute them on the spot? What are you waiting for!"

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