The square fell silent, without even a whisper of wind.
With Wu Yong's despairing sigh, the last trace of defiance in their hearts died.
The Evil God's Eye locked the four men's Divine Souls in an unbreakable grip, reducing every scheme and thought of resistance to nothing.
Wang Yuan stood in the shadow of the high platform, his gaze calm, betraying neither joy nor sorrow.
All thousand cavalrymen had surrendered. Their strategist and captains had their hearts bound.
With that, all of Gaoye City's martial strength and command of its defenses lay firmly in his hands.
Zhou Cheng looked over the soldiers, now wholly subdued, strode forward, and barked an order:
"Untie them! Free them all and send them back to their ranks!"
The black-clad Death Warriors moved at once, removing the ropes from the thousand soldiers.
Not one of the freed men dared harbor another rebellious thought. Each stood with head bowed, his loyalty settled at last.
Rich rewards lay before them, and here was their path to survival.
They had long since run out of ways to retreat.
Wu Yong and the three captains were freed as well, though their bodies remained stiff and their faces defeated.
With their minds under control, every thought and deed they had from this day forward depended on Wang Yuan's will. They could never defy him of their own accord again.
Gaoye City was secure at last.
The disciples of the Panshi Fist Academy, the common people, and the surrendered cavalry had all pledged themselves to him.
The situation was stable, with not a single hidden danger left.
Wang Yuan nodded slightly and gave a quiet order:
"Gather the troops, restore discipline, seal the treasury, and secure the city defenses."
"Within three days, the entire city must be packed and ready to