Over a thousand local iron cavalry thundered forward, iron hooves crushing the dust along the road, armor plates clanging, spear blades glinting coldly.
Though they were not the elite forces fighting on the northern frontier, they were still standard-issue Imperial Court troops, their Killing Intent perfectly aligned, their pressure enough to cow a small city.
They galloped all the way, and no one dared bar their path.
Several hours later, the vast cavalry column reached the official road ten miles outside Gaoye City.
Zhou Cheng wore a suit of blue iron battle armor. His face was resolute and stern, a standard-issue saber hung at his waist, and he sat upright atop his warhorse as he gazed toward the city in the distance.
What he saw made him frown slightly, surprise rising within him.
According to the intelligence reports, Gaoye City should have been battered beyond recognition, with blood and smoke filling the streets and chaos running rampant. Yet now, its walls stood intact and orderly.
The guards atop the walls maintained their posts in perfect order. Smoke from cooking fires rose throughout the city, the markets were peaceful, and there was not the slightest sign of war or ruin.
However, he merely assumed that the Three Great Families had stabilized the situation before carving out their own territory and recuperating. He did not consider that the intelligence might be wrong.
In his eyes, no matter how stable a rebel city appeared, it was still a rebel city.
"All troops, form ranks!"
Zhou Cheng gave the order in a deep voice.
Over a thousand iron cavalry came to an abrupt halt, splitting into formations. Their iron armor gleamed darkly as a grim, murderous aura shrouded the wilderness beyond the city, all directed toward Gaoye City's main gate.
**"Gaoye City has established