The dying sun was red as blood. The raging flames that had engulfed more than half of Dazaifu dwindled into smoke and ash.
Yang Ge, Yang Tiansheng, Li Jincheng, Xiang Wudi, and Zhou Fu stood side by side on high ground in Dazaifu, looking down at the Japanese pirates of the Auxiliary Army as they unleashed their bestial instincts, laughing and shouting while brazenly turning one house and building after another into infernos. For a long time, none of them spoke.
"This is as far as you should go!"
Yang Ge suddenly broke the silence. A faint smile on his face, he said softly, "We've already uprooted the most formidable daimyo in the Western Sea Circuit. The little village chiefs left over aren't worth mentioning. Whether you want revenge, riches, or even to plant your banners and establish branches, this place is enough. Let Zhou Fu and his men accompany me the rest of the way."
Yang Tiansheng shot him an irritated look. "If Zhou Fu and his men can go, why can't the three of us?"
Yang Ge patted his shoulder and chuckled. "You're heroes of the martial world. You judge things by loyalty, right, and wrong. Zhou Fu and his men are government soldiers. They judge things by advantage, disadvantage, strength, and weakness. If I take them to massacre cities, the Court will bear the burden of their slaughter. If I take you, you'll have to bear that burden yourselves... stop here. Going any farther won't be good for you. You sailed out with me upright and full of fighting spirit. I have to bring you home upright and full of fighting spirit too."
The three looked at Zhou Fu.
Zhou Fu nodded to them.
All three turned back to Yang Ge, and Li Jincheng asked, "What about