Magistrate Xu breathed a sigh of relief: "That couldn't be better."

If there is an imperial edict, then it is the decree of the court, not his personal decision, and he does not need to bear such a heavy burden.

Yi Shuihan and Yi Wu are now unable to leave, so they can only contact the troops guarding the city and ask them to send the memorial up as quickly as possible.

In Beian City, everything was being carried out in an orderly manner according to the treatment measures given by Xiao Qingyin.

At first, many people refused to send their loved ones to the treatment center, fearing that, as the rumors said, it was a place of no return and certain death.

Yi Shuihan, along with Yi Wu and others, assisted the yamen runners, throwing the entire clan of the most troublesome families into prison.

These people have become honest.

However, the imperial edict was delayed. A week passed, and although the city of Bei'an had established a prevention and control order, the edict was still nowhere to be seen.

Because the city gates were locked, timber could not be brought in, and coffins were in short supply. Many patients who died could only be wrapped in sheets and straw mats, and could not be sealed in coffins.

The germs could spread at any time.

Xiao Qingyin was extremely anxious.

"If this continues, the wind, rain, or mosquitoes will spread germs everywhere. These corpses should be burned as soon as possible."

Yi Shuihan replied, "Then let's burn it."

Xiao Qingyin asked in surprise, "Aren't we waiting for the imperial decree?"

"I'm not waiting anymore."

Yi Shuihan looked towards the capital, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

"His Majesty may be unwilling to issue a decree."

Why did he do that?

Xiao Qingyin was puzzled.

“We have already made it very clear in our memorial that if the epidemic in Beian City cannot be contained, it will spread to other cities and even the capital. Isn’t he afraid of dying?”

Yi Shuihan smiled bitterly: "Perhaps he knows me too well, knowing that I would forcibly cremate the corpse even without an imperial decree."

"Wouldn't that mean you'd have to bear the blame?"

Xiao Qingyin was furious.

"He's such a jerk."

It was clearly something the imperial court should have done, but Yi Shuihan was forced to take the blame.

Is it because they think Yi Shuihan's reputation is too good and want to ruin it?

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Yi Shuihan say, "There was a poem circulating in the capital before, which said, 'Who can bring peace and stability to the country? Only General Yi.' His Majesty probably heard it."

Xiao Qingyin: "..."

As expected, one should not have any expectations of Emperor Chengtai.

Even one's nephew must be viewed with suspicion and caution.

"This is such a waste," Xiao Qingyin said dejectedly. "We do the hardest work and get the blame."

Yi Shuihan chuckled and said, "I am already a 'living Yama,' so having the infamy of burning corpses is nothing to me."

Xiao Qingyin felt a little sorry for him.

“You are a great hero who protects the country and kills only those who deserve to die. Why should you be called ‘Living Yama’?”

She said indignantly.

"If I ever hear anyone call you the Living Yama again, I'll definitely curse them back."

Yi Shuihan laughed heartily: "Then you will be in charge of protecting my reputation from now on."

Xiao Qingyin sighed: "I'm afraid it will backfire. I was the one who suggested burning the corpses this time, so I'll definitely be seen as a demon woman."

Yi Shuihan laughed loudly: "A Yama and a Rakshasa, aren't we a perfect match?"

Xiao Qingyin: "Hehe, they are quite a good match, neither of them are human."

...

Yi Shuihan told Magistrate Xu about his decision.

"The funeral home is ready. Let's start cremating the body. I will take full responsibility."

Magistrate Xu's face turned pale.

"This...this will probably incite public outrage."

Yi Shuihan stood with his hands behind his back: "Let him be angry. It's better to be angry while alive than to regret it after death."

Magistrate Xu looked at Yi Shuihan's resolute profile and felt a pang of shame.

Those who achieve great things at a young age must possess a combination of qualities: temperament, methods, and courage.

Even if a person like him were given a golden opportunity to make a name for himself in history, he would give it up because of cowardice.

Yi Shuihan, however, possessed the courage to face even a million men.

This is probably why the other party became a first-rank general in his early twenties, while he was still a lowly seventh-rank official in his forties.

Magistrate Xu took a breath and said loudly, "Very well, I will make the arrangements immediately."

Before long, thick smoke billowed from the chimney of the newly built funeral home in the west of the city.

The people of Bei'an City watched this funeral home being built and knew what it was for.

Now that it's in use, I immediately understand what happened.

Shock, anger, and fear twisted together like ropes, gripping their hearts and driving them to disregard the ban, step out of their homes, and rush to the funeral home.

Yi Shuihan stood at the gate, holding a long sword, quietly watching them.

"Anyone who tries to stop the cremation of corpses is a sinner attempting to murder the entire city."

He said calmly.

"I and the knife in my hand will never allow any sinner to pass."

After saying that, he turned the hilt of his knife.

Sunlight fell on the blade, reflecting a dazzling light.

It's hard to look at.

The surging crowd stopped in their tracks, staring silently at the long sword.

Some people, defying the warnings, shouted, "Even if I die, I will never allow you to desecrate my mother's body!" and rushed towards the main gate.

Yi Shuihan raised his hand, and with a swift stroke, the running body's legs were severed, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Everyone's pupils dilated suddenly.

Looking at Yi Shuihan again, his face was filled with the expression of someone who had seen the most terrifying demon.

No one tried to cross the line anymore.

They stood silently in front of the door, gazing at Yi Shuihan for a long, long time.

A gust of wind blew by, thick smoke billowed over, and black dust settled on their heads, shoulders, and hands.

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