"Clang!
Clang!"
The clatter of weapons hitting the ground rose into a continuous din. Hundreds upon thousands of soldiers and Soul Masters dropped to their knees, clasping their hands over their heads as they trembled.
Yet among the routed troops, there were still diehard loyalists of Spirit Hall.
Several red-robed bishops and commanders of the Temple Knight Order, clad in platinum armor, gathered together with savage expressions.
"Get up!
All of you, get the hell up!"
A commander at the peak of Soul Saint drew his longsword and cut down two kneeling soldiers beside him, then roared fiercely.
"You spineless cowards, clinging to life and fearing death!
Spirit Hall has nurtured you for years, and His Holiness the Pope has treated you well. Yet you dare betray the Spirit Hall Empire and wag your tails, begging rebels and traitors for mercy?!"
"Commander... all three elders are dead!
What are we supposed to fight with?
Are we supposed to throw away our lives?!"
A young Soul Master officer shouted, his eyes bloodshot.
"You insolent bastard!
The Great Elder is descended from a deity, and His Holiness the Pope is the strongest in the world!
Anyone who retreats today will have all nine branches of their family exterminated!"
A red-robed bishop shrieked, turning toward the hundreds of Temple Knights behind him who were prepared to die.
"Knights, form ranks with me! We'll fight them to the death!"
"Long live Spirit Hall!
The Angel God is eternal!"
Hundreds of rigorously brainwashed Temple Knights unleashed their martial souls. Their eyes filled with fanaticism and the resolve to die, they charged madly toward the gate tower!
Atop the wall, a trace of mockery flashed through Gu Rong's eyes.
"Stubborn fools."
Dugu Bo sneered repeatedly.
"You want to die?
Then I'll grant your wish, you fools!"