On this day, the morning sun had just risen.
Verdant Grain County's eastern gate stood wide open, and all around it was solemn and still. The usual bustle had vanished.
Liu Household martial artists filled both sides of the road.
These martial artists carried finely forged sabers and wore Thousand-Refined Iron Armor, with a wild, soaring Liu character emblazoned across their chests.
They held their heads high and their chests proud, their gazes sharp and their faces expressionless.
The cold morning wind swept through the streets, stirring waves of dust and sand. The air itself seemed steeped in a killing chill.
Liu Sheng sat astride a horse, his gaze sharp as an eagle's as he surveyed his surroundings.
During the hunt on Azure Radiance Mountain, he had been an accompanying elder of the Liu Household. Today, as a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist, he served as the vanguard in the campaign against the mountain bandits.
He drew the saber at his waist, raised its blade, and pointed straight toward Azure Radiance Mountain.
Then Liu Sheng shouted furiously:
"The mountain bandits have plagued the people without end, leaving the citizens of Verdant Grain County unable to live in peace. What should we do?"
The Liu Household martial artists raised their sabers in unison, their blades flashing with cold light beneath the sun.
"Slaughter the mountain bandits, protect our land and our people."
"Well said!"
No longer bearing his previous demeanor, Liu Sheng bellowed at the top of his lungs, even employing a few force-exertion techniques to ensure that more people could hear him.
"Kill!!!"
As his words fell, Liu Sheng spurred his horse and galloped toward Azure Radiance Mountain.
The many Liu Household martial artists followed close behind, their steps uniform, like an army marching off to war.
Only after the