Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Make the Common People Suffer, I’ll Bear the Blame

When Mu Lin declared they could appeal for fair judgment, their immediate reaction was, "Bullshit!"

Nobody trusted the Demon Exorcism Division’s fairness. The previous world barely maintained justice through legal systems and public oversight, but this world operated differently. Here, commoners suing officials was like children accusing parents – win or lose, you’d face brutal punishment. The residents of Ping An Ancient Street knew better than to expect mercy from the Demon Exorcism Division, being neither powerful nor innocent themselves.

…

The ruthless Yin Eight Sect members finally tasted true societal darkness. "Call us cunning villains? Compared to you feudal bureaucrats, we’re mere amateurs!" For the first time, these demon sect affiliates branded as outlaws felt genuine outrage at the world’s injustice.

Amidst their fury, Mu Lin’s calm voice cut through the tension from his position amidst eight hundred black-armored guards: "Naturally, our Demon Exorcism Division leaders will intervene. Take my words as you will."

"Young Master Bai Qi. Third Master. Zombie King Wu. Care to gamble?"

"Stake your lives on whether our deputy commander will appear."

Silence thickened.

Above them, Ji Hongyu blinked before chuckling ruefully. "Crafty brat." Mu Lin’s audacity in storming Ping An Ancient Street without consultation annoyed her. The idea of letting him sweat when the gang leaders attacked had crossed her mind – teach the weak their place beneath the strong.

But his words revealed the truth: he’d never planned to summon her. Just borrowing her reputation as intimidation.

And it worked perfectly.

Mu Lin’s earlier strolls with monks and Daoists served dual purposes. His observations exposed Ping An Ancient Street’s reality – the Yin Eight Sect wasn’t a proper sect but a criminal syndicate controlling brothels, gambling dens, corpse markets, soul trafficking, and assassinations. A festering underworld hub resembling his past life’s dark web.

Even Mu Lin couldn’t whitewash their crimes after witnessing their operations. Hence his merciless purge.

His investigation confirmed the leaders’ nature – true villains. Powerful, privileged cowards. Like past emperors sacrificing armies for immortality, today’s elites would surrender once threatened personally.

"Rulers happily sacrifice millions for gain, yet kneel when death knocks at their doors."

"In the past life, it was like this; in this world, it remains unchanged."

Thinking this, Mu Lin grinned at Young Master Bai Qi and his companions.

"Truth is, I never reached out to Vice Commander Ji myself. Just studied her temper and figured there’s half a chance she’d make an example of you lot."

He shrugged casually. "So… you still wanna fight?"

His words caused restless stirring, yet none dared strike first.

Not even fifty-fifty odds – they wouldn’t gamble at one in ten!

Losing meant certain death, and those in power always believed their lives outweighed commoners’ by thousands. They’d never stand beneath crumbling walls.

Their silence stretched until Mu Lin chuckled.

"Seems I guessed right."

With a tilt of his head, he barked orders to the black-armored troops. "Advance!"

"Kill!"

"Boom… roar!"

Hooves thundered as the Beiwai Army charged again – this time brushing past Young Master Bai Qi’s frozen faction. True to Mu Lin’s prediction, they stayed rooted.

The defiance shattered Ping An Ancient Street’s remaining resolve.

Gangs lacked military discipline or sect loyalty. Without Young Master Bai Qi’s prestige and bribes holding them together, fear exposed their paper-tiger unity. Now even Demon Exorcism Division grunts could’ve beaten them, let alone the unstoppable Beiwai Army. Such was morale’s power in blade warfare.

"Crash!"

"NO!"

"Mercy…!"

Ghost-masked warriors plowed through like iron chariots, crushing all before them. Shopkeepers and stewards broke ranks faster than cobblestones under hoof.

Young Master Bai Qi’s face turned stormy as Lin Qiu methodically demolished his territory. Hatred burned in his glare, yet still no hand rose in defiance.

Exactly as Mu Lin reckoned – these men treasured their own skins above all else.

However, even though they feared death, these people had tried to stop Mu Lin.

Not through direct action, but with manipulative words.

"Bastard, Lin Qiu! How dare you act so recklessly? Aren’t you afraid we’ll plunge Ping An Ancient Town into chaos?"

This was their trump card – the very threat they’d used to keep the Demon Exorcism Division in check for years. They hoped it would halt Lin Qiu’s actions.

But Mu Lin’s response shattered their expectations.

"Not my damn business!"

"???"

"How can it not concern you? If Ping An Ancient Town descends into chaos, countless will die! Their blood will be on your hands! You’ll destroy families…"

It was moral pressure, but Mu Lin’s moral compass proved alarmingly adaptable.

"Tragic indeed. But rest assured – I’ll slaughter every last villain in this city to avenge the dead."

"You heartless monster!"

"Now now, this is true righteousness. A small sacrifice for humanity’s greater good. The common folk won’t mind."

"…"

Such brazen words made Young Master Bai Qi’s group quiver with rage. For the first time, they faced someone utterly immune to moral constraints.

Some even turned their fury toward the Demon Exorcism Division:

"What’s wrong with your division? How could you recruit such scum?"

"Heaven’s blind! How did this wretch rise to power?"

"Vermin like you will destroy both the Demon Exorcism Division and the Great Spirit Dynasty!"

Amidst the curses, a few still clung to hope. Young Master Bai Qi pressed:

"You may disregard lives, but what about consequences from above? The Demon Exorcism Division won’t ignore mass civilian deaths…"

Before he finished, Mu Lin’s mocking laughter cut through:

"Pfft… Consequences? That’s rich!"

The laughter faded as Mu Lin shrugged. "True, excessive civilian casualties might bring minor penalties."

"But who said anything about civilian deaths?"

Young Master Bai Qi’s eyes narrowed. "You can’t stop me. People will die when I act-"

He assumed Lin Qiu had prepared countermeasures. What came next revealed true human depravity.

"You misunderstand. With proper… adjustments, all casualties become villains. Well, maybe keep 300 civilian deaths for paperwork. The rest? Cult members. Evil scum. Actually…" Mu Lin’s eyes gleamed, "…dead cultists count as military merits."

Leaning forward, he asked brightly: "How many heads can Ping An Ancient Town contribute to my promotion?"

"…"

The question froze Young Master Bai Qi’s blood. He’d known Lin Qiu was ruthless – but this exceeded all imagining.

Now he understood: threatening this man with civilian lives was futile. The madman probably wanted more deaths.

‘This bastard’s no human – he’s an evil ghost!’

Mu Lin frowned at the horrified stares. "Old man, stop looking at me like that. I’m being merciful – I didn’t just slaughter the town for easy merits, did I?"

"…"