Watching the anxious martial artists, Huangfu Xiao smiled, a genuine, happy smile.
What were a few thousand martial artists to him? They were merely a flock of sheep, while every warrior of his Lingxiao Hall was a ferocious tiger!
However, Huangfu Xiao had no great interest in killing them. After all, if he killed these martial artists, their respective sects would inevitably unite and oppose Lingxiao Hall.
Although Huangfu Xiao did not fear their combined might, he found the prospect troublesome.
He stroked his thick beard and declared loudly, "Those who do not wish to die, come and surrender to my Lingxiao Hall. From this day forth, consider yourselves our servants!"
Rather than letting them join forces against him, it was better to make them submit.
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in fury. While they indeed did not wish to die and were indeed afraid of Huangfu Xiao, they absolutely refused to surrender to Lingxiao Hall and become its servants.
A scholar could be killed, but not insulted!
Yet, not everyone shared this sentiment. Before long, the first martial artist to surrender to Huangfu Xiao appeared.
"Hall Master Huangfu, I am Hua Shengxu of the Misty Rain Sect. I am willing to serve you and submit to the might of Lingxiao Hall."
Hua Shengxu of the Misty Rain Sect remained as he always was, reclining on his flower sedan, accompanied by several beautiful women. A few of these women's bellies were slightly distended, clearly indicating they were pregnant.
The sedan was still pulled by two four-legged beasts, neither entirely ox nor entirely sheep.
Strangely, while other people's mounts had stopped far away, afraid to approach, his two four-legged beasts showed no fear.
No one was surprised that Hua Shengxu was the first to surrender to Huangfu Xiao. After all, the entire Misty Rain Sect was a collection of opportunistic, effeminate cowards.
"Hmm, very good. Those who know their times are heroes. Hua Shengxu, you are the foremost hero of this era!"
Huangfu Xiao praised, stroking his beard.
Hua Shengxu was overwhelmed with gratitude, his face beaming with joy. "Hall Master Huangfu, you flatter me!"
These martial artists still possessed some backbone. Although Hua Shengxu had surrendered, no one else stepped forward to pledge allegiance to Lingxiao Hall.
Seeing this, Huangfu Xiao narrowed his eyes, a plan forming in his mind.
"Chu He, I will give you one chance. If you kneel and apologize to my son, and lead the disciples of the God Punishing Hall to surrender to me, I will overlook your past transgressions!"
Chu He sneered at this, "Huangfu Xiao, what dream are you having? My disciples of the God Punishing Hall would rather die in battle than surrender to you fiends!"
"Heh heh, die in battle?"
Huangfu Xiao said with a fake smile, "Chu He, it seems you truly do not understand the strength of a Martial Venerable!"
"Hmph!"
With a mere roar from Huangfu Xiao, Chu He felt as if two great mountains were pressing down on his shoulders, rendering him immobile.
And it wasn't just Huangfu Xiao who reacted this way. All the martial artists present, except for those of Lingxiao Hall, were pinned down by Huangfu Xiao's roar.
"This… this is the aura of a Martial Venerable?"
"Terrifying!"
…
"Yan'er, go and bring that wretched woman here!"
Huangfu Xiao commanded imperiously.
"Yes, Father!"
Huangfu Yan responded, and then walked towards Chu Qingluan.
"Chu Qingluan, I gave you a chance and warned you not to betray me, or the entire God Punishing Hall would be buried with you!"
"Unfortunately, you did not listen to me."
Huangfu Yan said with a hint of regret, then grabbed Chu Qingluan's wrist and dragged her away.
"Huangfu Xiao, you beast! Harm not the family; if you have the guts, come at me, but do not harm my daughter!"
Chu He's face was contorted with rage, his eyes bloodshot.
However, his anger was insufficient to break through Huangfu Xiao's oppressive aura. He struggled forward with all his might, managing only a single, arduous step.
"Old dog Chu, save your strength. Rest assured, it won't be long before it's your turn!"
Huangfu Yan's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Father, I have brought this wretched woman here. How do you plan to deal with her?"
Huangfu Yan pushed Chu Qingluan and returned to Huangfu Xiao.
Huangfu Xiao smiled mysteriously, not answering the question, but instead looking at Chu He. "Chu He, I'll give you one last chance. Lead your God Punishing Hall to surrender to me, or you will regret it too late!"
"Bah! Stop dreaming! Huangfu Xiao, I tell you, our Chu family has no cowards. No matter what despicable and vile methods you employ, we will not surrender to you!"
After spitting, Chu He looked at his daughter and shouted with all his might, "Qingluan, you must hold on! You are your father's good daughter, my greatest pride in this life!"
Chu Qingluan's eyes were tearful, filled with fear and trepidation. She did not know what fate awaited her.
But she nodded forcefully, her resolve unwavering.
"What a display of righteous dignity! Since you do not cherish this opportunity, then do not blame me for being ruthless!"
The smile on Huangfu Xiao's face gradually vanished, replaced by a coldness like ice in a winter night.
Saying this, Huangfu Xiao looked at Hua Shengxu and asked languidly, "Hua Shengxu, I ask you, the legends circulating in the martial world about your Misty Rain Sect's 'Yi Mu Beasts' – tell me, is this true or false!"
"Uh… this… I don't know what legend Hall Master Huangfu is referring to…"
Hua Shengxu's eyes flickered, and he spoke evasively.
"Stop playing dumb with me! I ask you, is it true!"
Huangfu Xiao's face darkened slightly, and he said coldly.
Hua Shengxu broke out in a cold sweat and quickly nodded, admitting in a low voice, "Reporting to Hall Master Huangfu, this legend is true…"
Upon hearing this, everyone was greatly shocked.
They had all assumed the wicked legend was merely a smear campaign against the Misty Rain Sect, never expecting it to be true.
Huangfu Xiao smiled slightly and said calmly, "Then show it to me now!"
"As you command, Hall Master Huangfu!"
Hua Shengxu bowed, finally climbing down from his flower sedan.
He held a precious sword and looked at the two four-legged beasts in front of the sedan, hesitating as he chose.
It turned out these two four-legged beasts were the 'Yi Mu Beasts' Huangfu Xiao had mentioned.
The two Yi Mu Beasts seemed to sense their fate, their eyes filled with tears. They then curled their front hooves and knelt before Hua Shengxu, as if begging him.
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry and show me!"
Huangfu Xiao urged impatiently.
"As you command, Hall Master Huangfu!"
Startled by Huangfu Xiao's voice, Hua Shengxu dared not hesitate further and swung his sword towards one of the Yi Mu Beasts.
"Ah—"
The Yi Mu Beast let out a cry that sounded remarkably human.
Hua Shengxu's sword slashed a long gash across the Yi Mu Beast's body.
Its hide peeled away, and then a naked old woman rolled out from within…