Soon, the thunder of hooves drew closer.
The main force of cavalry under Liu Qian had crushed the feeble resistance at every city gate and charged into the streets of Volantis.
Fighting quickly broke out in the streets.
The remaining scattered Tiger Cloaks and private soldiers of the nobles who stubbornly resisted were cut down without mercy. The Dragon Spirit Guardian cavalry was terrifyingly efficient.
More soldiers and citizens surrendered at the sight of them or went into hiding.
Soon, the army advanced to the vast square where the Red God Temple stood.
Seeing the armed Fiery Hand, the cavalry quickly spread out and surrounded the magnificent but isolated building.
Liu Qian had already returned to human form. Riding Blooddance, he landed in the square before the Red God Temple.
His expression was stern as he watched the Fiery Hand blocking the temple entrance, still holding up their spears despite their nervousness.
"Lay down your weapons and disarm."
Liu Qian's voice reached the ears of every Fiery Hand warrior. "From this day forward, under my rule, no private armed forces of any kind will be permitted in Volantis. Anyone who defies this order will die."
The temple's heavy doors slowly opened, and Benerro appeared in the doorway, his pale face expressionless. "Your Majesty, these are servants of the one true god, the Lord of Light, and guardians of the Red God Temple. They bear arms to defend the faith, with their god's permission..."
"A god?"
Liu Qian scoffed, cutting him off. "No god stands above my laws. I will say this one last time. Lay down your weapons and disarm, or turn to ashes along with this temple."
His words left no room for negotiation.
Liu Qian clearly remembered that the Tiger Party Magistrate Malaquo had once tried to hire