Crimson Flame City, Temple of Light ago.
The door of the temple was closed tightly, and the emblem was hung high. Nearly a hundred believers gathered in the square, looking excited. Several priests in white robes stood on the steps, looking at the street corner from time to time.
"This is blasphemy!"
"We will never give in!"
Footsteps sounded. Hosen and Bader came in formation with black-armored soldiers. The sound of armors clashing silenced the square.
Hosen walked to the steps. "The time is up. People inside, come out."
An old priest stepped forward. "General, this is a place where gods are worshipped..."
Bader interrupted, "Lord's Decree, if you don't leave after the deadline, you will be punished as a spy! Destroy it!"
The soldiers stepped forward, struck the palace door with their axes, and tied the plaque with ropes.
"Stop!" A young man picked up stones and threw them at the soldiers.
Hosen's body flashed, and the sword flashed across. The young man fell to the ground, blood gushing out from his neck.
The smell of blood filled the air and the crowd was silent.
The door of the temple was knocked open, the priests were dragged out, and the hands and feet of those who resisted were broken. The idols were toppled, and the scrolls were piled up and burned. Black smoke rose into the sky, reflecting the pale faces of the believers.
In Graystone City, the conflict became more intense. The local garrison was besieged by believers while executing the order, and more than 30 soldiers were injured. The garrison commander ordered to fire arrows, causing more than 30 believer casualties, five of whom died on the spot.
The situation at Green Valley City was relatively peaceful. The priests received the news in advance and had evacuated three days ago. However, local believers spontaneously organized sit-in protests and blocked the main streets. The army used shield arrays to forcibly disperse the crowd and arrested more than a dozen leaders.
Temple of Darkness of Blackwater City chose to resist. They set up simple defenses in the temple and used crossbows to shoot at the soldiers who came to carry out the orders. Bader personally led the attack and smashed open the temple door with a warhammer. A large number of prohibited weapons and poisons were found in the temple.
Murphy's inspection team launched operations in various cities at the same time. In Crimson Flame City's West District, they uncovered an underground prayer meeting based on a tip. The prayer meeting was hidden in the basement of a dyeing workshop, and the participants included three minor nobles and nine businessmen.
"You are making enemies of the lord." Murphy looked at the twelve captured people with cold eyes.
One nobleman boldly retorted, "We just pray in private. What's wrong with that?"
"It is wrong to violate the lord's prohibition." Murphy waved his hand, "Take them all away."
In Blackwater City, the inspection team discovered a hidden stronghold of Dark Church. This stronghold was disguised as a medicine shop. A large amount of poisons, missionary materials and confidential letters to and from Dark Church were found in the underground secret room.
As night falls, the lights inside the Dragon Rock Hall are brightly lit.
Soros submitted a detailed report, "Sir, all the temples in the eight cities have been cleaned up. A total of 247 priests were expelled, 5,300 scriptures were confiscated, and 120 holy statues were destroyed. During the period, there were 17 conflicts, with 39 people dead and more than 200 injured."
Lin Qin carefully read the report, "Continue."
"Believers were found to be operating secretly in various cities. The inspection team took down three secret gathering places in Crimson Flame City. Most of the participants were local businessmen and small nobles. This is the list of participants seized, involving seven families."
Lin Qin glanced at the list. "The leader was publicly executed and the family property was confiscated. The other participants served three years of hard labor."
Soros hesitated. "Would such a punishment be too harsh? It might cause a bigger backlash."
"Either you don't do it, or you do it absolutely." Lin Qin said calmly, "If you act softly now, you will pay a greater price in the future."
At noon the next day, the three leaders were escorted onto a temporary high platform in Crimson Flame City Central Square. After the prison officer read out the charges, the executioner waved the butcher knife. The table was stained red with blood, and the crowd watching in the audience was silent.
At the same time, the properties of the seven major families were seized. Soldiers counted warehouses, sealed account books, and expelled family members from the mansion. Some of these families tried to resist and were immediately subdued and taken away.
Murphy walked into the cold dungeon. Dozens of die-hards who refused to give up their faith were imprisoned here.
"Sign this declaration and admit to giving up your original beliefs, and you can go home." Murphy's voice echoed in the dungeon.
An old man glared at him. "I have served the God of Light for forty years and will never betray my faith!"
Murphy made a gesture, and two soldiers dragged the old man out of the cell. Soon, shrill screams came from the torture room next door.
"Next." Murphy's expression didn't change.
Under bloody intimidation, most of the prisoners finally chose to sign. The remaining more than 20 diehards were taken to the border mines, where they were closely guarded by soldiers.
Dragon Rock Territory's ban quickly spread throughout the surrounding areas.
In the neighboring Black Iron Fortress, the castle owner laughed loudly after hearing the news, "Offending two Theocracys at the same time? This Lin Qin thinks his life is too long!"
Gray Forest's mercenary leader shook his head and sighed, "Young people are too impulsive. Now we are in for a good show."
News also began to spread among the caravans. "Don't go to Dragon Rock Territory recently. The believers are being purged there and the situation is very unstable."
Radiant Church Holy Island, The atmosphere in the cardinal meeting room was solemn.
"This is blasphemy! This heresy must be purged immediately!"
"I suggest sending the elite of the Inquisition immediately."
"Don't worry, let Dark Church test it first. We can just observe in secret."
At the same time, a secret meeting was also taking place in the secret room of Dark Church headquarters.
"This Lin Qin is a bit interesting. Maybe you can try to contact it and see if there is any possibility of cooperation."
"Teach him a lesson first, let him understand the cost of offending us."
A Dark Church assassination team consisting of eight people quietly left the headquarters and sneaked in the direction of Dragon Rock Territory.
While cleaning up external threats, Lin Qin began to rectify the internal situation.
"We need to establish a more complete system." Lin Qin said to Soros, "Especially the selection and training of talents."
Soros nodded. "That's true. Now every city is short of reliable manpower."
"Issue a recruitment order." Lin Qin ordered, "Regardless of origin, as long as you have a skill, you can be hired if you pass the assessment."
The next day, recruitment orders were posted at the gates of each city. The conditions were very clear: those who were good at fighting could join the army, those who could read and write could serve as clerks, those who knew craftsmanship could enter workshops, and those who knew how to do business could manage caravans.
A long queue quickly formed at Black Wind City's recruitment point. A stout man said loudly, "My name is Shi Gen, a sixth-level mason, who can build city walls and fortifications."
Old Jack, who was in charge of the interview, carefully asked several professional questions, and then nodded with satisfaction. "Report to the City Defense Office."
A young woman said timidly, "My name is Lilia. I can prepare medicines. I used to help treat the wounded in the temple."
"Go to the medical team and try." Old Jack marked her name.
Another thin young man said, "My name is Carl. I am literate and can do accounting."
"Internal Affairs Hall needs talents like you."
In just three days, hundreds of talents of various types were recruited in each city. These people were assigned to appropriate positions and soon began to play a role.
While Dragon Rock Territory was busy with internal construction, Dark Church's assassination team had already sneaked into the country.
The eight people were divided into two groups, one group was responsible for causing chaos, and the other group was dedicated to assassinating officials under Lin Qin.
As night fell, two black figures quietly walked towards Hosen's residence.
However, they didn't know that Pallas was entrenched on the highest tower of the city lord's palace. Golden Holy Dragon opened his eyes, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
"Ant."
At this time, Lin Qin was reviewing documents in the study room when he suddenly raised his head. Almost at the same time, two muffled sounds came from the window, and then everything fell silent.
After a while, Hosen walked in quickly. "Sir, we caught two assassins. They came to assassinate the humble people, but they all committed suicide by taking poison."
"Strengthen vigilance." Lin Qin said calmly, "It seems that some people can't sit still."
Another group of assassins caused chaos in the city. They poisoned water sources. Fortunately, they were stopped by soldiers who discovered them in time. Bader led a team to search throughout the city and eventually captured all six other assassins.
In the interrogation room, Murphy looked at the captured assassin coldly. "Name your accomplices, and you can keep the whole body."
The assassin smiled grimly, "Darkness will eventually come, and you will all pay the price."
Murphy asked no more questions and signaled the guards to carry in various torture instruments. At dawn, he met Lin Qin with the results of the interrogation.
"It's the 'Shadow Blade' team of Dark Church. There are eight people in total. They have all been eliminated. They plan to poison many water sources in the city to create panic."
"Well done." Lin Qin nodded, "Continue to strengthen prevention, especially the guarding of important facilities and water sources."
This night's actions made Dragon Rock Territory officials at all levels more vigilant. They understood that the war with the two major Theocracys had quietly begun.