Beyond its impact on the common folk and martial world, this battle also sparked enormous controversy throughout the court and countryside. Most people condemned Xiang Yang for acting without restraint, destroying half of Renhua City, leaving the people displaced and dead or injured, and inflicting immense economic and material losses.
A small number, however, approved of Xiang Yang's actions. This was especially true of the Divine Constables of the Divine Constable Gate and officials belonging to the Three Princes Faction. Beyond them, certain military experts who admired Xiang Yang's martial arts also offered him support.
Of course, the one who made the final decision was Great Zhou's willful Emperor Shengwu. He docked Xiang Yang half a year's salary as punishment, while also issuing an edict ordering the Governor's Mansion of Xiangzhou to handle the post-disaster relief work, stabilize public sentiment, and prevent even greater unrest.
Such a punishment was naturally neither painful nor itchy. Clearly, Emperor Shengwu had done so deliberately.
It was not difficult to understand. To slay two Dao-proving masters in a single night—such martial prowess was rare even within an imperial dynasty. It was only natural to win him over and keep him under control by indirect means.
Naturally, after this battle, those who harbored hostility toward Xiang Yang could not avoid reassessing his combat strength.
Demonic Saber had been one of the thirty-six sect masters of the demonic path and ranked near the forefront among them. His martial arts needed no further praise, and his temperament was fierce and overbearing; he was a man of immense notoriety. When Xiang Yang slew him, the name Heavenly Saber rose another level by stepping on Demonic Saber's reputation, becoming known to all who had intentions of their own.
As for the Little Martial Saint, he had dominated an entire